justjeanettelee_reads's reviews
606 reviews

From memory, "The Burning Bridge" is my favourite instalment to the magnificent "Ranger's Apprentice" series. However, I haven't read past "The Emperor of Nihon-Ja", so I cannot confirm this statement, but I can say that I absolutely love this sequel.

(Not looking forward to "The Icebound Land", as I've always found it rather slow all three previous times that I've read it, but I will push on!)

*Technically finished this book yesterday but forgot to update*

So while I've noticed that the books in "The Ranger's Apprentice" series come in pairs (with the exception of Erak's Ransom *haven't read books 10-12, so will stand corrected if I'm proven wrong), but in the past pairings (1+2, 3+4, 5+6), the second one, the "sequel" or the concluding instalment of that particular adventure has been the better of the two (with the exception of 1+2 - they were equally as awesome). However, I felt "Halt's Peril" didn't follow suit to my observations. For me it felt a little dull. I mean, don't get me wrong - the majority of the middle of the book is gripping in terms of "Please please please no no no" but I just feel that it was a rather slow decline from "The Kings of Clonmel" - which was actually a great instalment. "Halt's Peril" didn't quite live up to expectations of epicness. This was only the second time reading this novel in the series compared to the past 8 which have been read at least four times each. All in all, this is the only pairing where I prefer the first of the two over the conclusion.

I honestly cannot fathom why I thought this book was boring when I first attempted to read it when it first came out. Maybe it was because I wasn't in the mood to read it. Maybe it was because I hadn't read a "Ranger's Apprentice" book in a while. All I know for sure is that aside from the first two novels, this is one of the best in the series. Filled with amazing description, culture, character and world development and so so much more, it's near perfection. Another thing I found amazing is that John had eased up on his over use of describing the Rangers' and Horace's skill - avoiding phrases he's used PLENTY of times in the past books (it was beginning to get annoying). Overall, I couldn't have loved this book anymore than after reading the last chapter and the epilogue. Yay!

For me, "The Icebound Land" serves to only develop the story for "Oakleaf Bearers" and for character development. It's not my favourite of the series, but is still well written and thought out. The one shining moment would be the scene on Skorghijl when Erak asks Will to demonstrate his knife throwing skills, and perhaps even the character development of Evanlyn/Cassandra. Halt's and Horace's POVs were a far more interesting read than Will's and Evanlyn's/Cassandra's POV.

Perhaps one of my favourites in the series in terms of how well written it is compares to the previous instalments. "Oakleaf Bearers" (also known as "The Battle for Skandia") is also probably one of my favourites because of the elaborate work and detail that Flanagan placed into the /actual/ battle. It was so vivid and captivating, it felt like I was there. I also enjoyed the expansion of the world in which "The Ranger's Apprentice" takes place with the introduction of the Temujai.

I read this instalment by each short story. I then wrote small, individual reviews for each of them and gave them a score out of 5. The only two that got 5/5 were "The Bridal Dance" and "The Hibernian". The worst were the "Foreward" and "Purple Prose". I then decided to average the overall reviews and it came to 3.45, so I decided to round up to 4 stars, purely because I did enjoy reading this book compiled of short stories answering fan questions. I cried, I laughed. I wish that Tug didn't have to meet the end of his career that way. I can't believe Evanlyn (I'm like Will - she'll never be Cassandra to me) is expecting, can't believe Evanlyn and Horace, as well as Will and Alyss got married! Gosh, everything I hoped to happen ever in the series - like Gilan and Jenny getting together, learning more about Halt's past - I got it in this novel and I'm truly grateful for it. John Flanagan is a master of his craft and I couldn't be prouder to say that "The Ranger's Apprentice" was one of the first fandoms I ever joined. In fact, in pretty sure it was the third, after Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Now it's on to the final book, and to meet the end of my favourite characters *sad face*.

PS: Would totally love a series completely devoted from the time Halt left Hibernian until he took on Will as his apprentice! I would buy that, and read it again and again!

And so it ends. . .

I really wish that Flanagan could continue writing the series, or at least begin a new one with Maddie and Will's adventures. I'll never tire of reading about this world, these characters and these adventures. Every minute I've spent reading these books has been a minute well spent and I can honestly say that it is one of my favourite series for younger readers.

My journey with "The Ranger's Apprentice" began on my 10th birthday in January, 2005. Now, ten years later, it has ended with me finally finishing "The Royal Ranger". It has been a journey of tears, laughter and fearfulness with and for my beloved characters.

"The Royal Ranger" had me in tears before the first chapter was even through. It had me sympathising and pleading for happiness to return. It had me shell-shocked and aghast at Maddie's behaviour. It made me nostalgic for "The Ruins of Gorlan". It had me in morbid fright in its concluding chapters. But most of all it gave me great pride, not just with the epilogue, but with the way Flanagan concluded this series.

I commend you John Flanagan for creating a world so relatable, so very near real, that your readers feel as if they are there with your characters. I always wanted to be a Ranger, and now Maddie has pioneered the way for us girls.

Bless you, John Flanagan, for giving me a decade of happiness and pleasant reading.

Easily my favourite book series from my childhood. It still manages to capture my attention and unwavering love all these years later. This marks the fourth read of "The Ruins of Gorlan", and although it has been some years since the last time I've leafed through it's pages, the first book in Flanagan's amazing "Ranger's Apprentice" series has been read with a more fresh approach and opened eyes (on my behalf).

I have next to no issues with the book, but the one thing that certainly doesn't sit well with me is the bullying of Horace. While overall it is a good message and development of character, I felt that Flanagan could have come up with a more creative taunt than "baby", and the constant repetitive use of it by Bryn, Alda and Jerome was rather frustrating to read at times. I realise this is an early teen novel, but surely there could have been something besides "baby" for Flanagan to use - for example, an insult about Horace's appearance, or even using "orphan" as a derogatory term (although I obviously do not condone bullying one bit, it's still a reasonable point to make). A small criticism in the larger scheme of things.

This is the third time reading "The Kings of Clonmel" and it still grips me from beginning to end. The dynamic of the three major characters of this instalment - Will, Halt and Horace - along with a memorable cast of secondary characters, makes the 8th novel in "The Ranger's Apprentice" series a remarkable read. Filled with more political propaganda, intrigue and manipulation, as well as religious tact, this instalment makes for a more mature read amongst others in the series. Not to mention that getting a bit of background on Halt is just awesome! Also, with the Genovesans, I still can't help but picture them as like Puss in Boots from "Shrek" kinda characters, but now, I also see them more like Aramis from BBC's "The Musketeers", in terms of style and what not.

This took me longer than the others to read I think because not only A) I had multiple assignments due but B) because I didn't find it as gripping as previous instalments. Quite frankly, it's almost on par with "The Icebound Land" as being one of my least favourite in the series. Oh well. Only time will tell if any of the future instalments changes my feelings towards "The Siege of Macindaw". My favourite part was probably all the Horace and Will banter. I cried when Will gave Shadow up (I think I do it every time) and I still managed to wince after reading Keren's death (in Classic Disney villain style - from falling). I got a little chuffed when Halt told Will he was proud of him and when Will raced off at the end to see Alyss.