Rangers Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia
I have two words to describe this book: Action packed! I think that John Flanagan did a great job connecting this book with the previous book (Rangers Apprentice: The Icebound Lands), while giving it its own style or 'flare'.
Contrary to the previous book the focus of characters in this book switches. It goes from Halt and Horace getting to know one another better; to Halt and Will being reunited. Tension also begins to rise between Horace, Will, and Evanlyn (aka Princess Cassandra.) I thought that this added an interesting twist to things, seeing as the plot thickens with the other characters. Erak is in a tight position with Evanlyn and Will returning to the capital of Skandia where they were slaves before he helped them to escape. All of this is brought on by the inevitable invasion of Skandia by a warrior race known as the Temujai. Halt agrees to help the Skandinavians since if they were defeated Araluan would be in danger of a similar attack.
This book is one of my favorites of the first five, because it introduces us to new characters, and also starts to show the bravery and camaradery shared by the main characters, (Halt, Evanlyn, Horace, and Will.) I thought that John Flanagan did an excellent job in the writing of the story and the 'weaving' of the plot. The plot is light and humorous, with tastes of danger, intrigue, romance, and seriousness.
This book is easy to read so that it is open to the younger grade levels as well as being intriguing enough that it captures the older audience. Also readers should be aware that in international market this book goes by "The Oakleaf Bearers" in its home country of Australia and other areas. On a scale of 1-10 I would give this book a definite 10!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Rangers Apprentice: Icebound Land
Rangers Apprentice: Icebound Land.
The Icebound land is a great book through and through!!!!! As Horace and Halt go on their search and rescue mission (Will was captured in the previous book) they create a close bond and Horace learns that Halt will do anything (no matter how shady) to save Will.
Meanwhile Will and Evanlyn become closer on the voyage to their new home. At this point a little bit of romance enters the scene. I always felt like hitting Will across the head (You like Alyss you….you…. Apprentice!) But, it plays a minor roll and it doesn’t really affect the book.
Horace creates a laugh throughout the book as he and Halt give/ return friendly banter. I think that this adds to the book, giving what could have been a very slow, sad and boring book the pick-me-up that it needed. Halt surprises Horace, especially in their encounter with the dark warlord Deparnieux.
Meanwhile life continues as slaves for Will and Evanlyn. Will succumbs to a highly addicting drug (No!!!!!!) but Evanlyn still looks for a means of escape to save herself and Will (score one for the girl!) She finds it in one of the most of unlikely of places. (It still surprises me after the third and fourth readings anyway)
I thought that this book was good , so I would give it 7.5 out of 10 because it can get pretty slow in the middle. All in all I think that John Flanagan did an excellent job with this continuation of a fabulous series. Tune in next time for a snatching review of the next installment in the series, “The Battle for Skandia”
-Kristina
The Icebound land is a great book through and through!!!!! As Horace and Halt go on their search and rescue mission (Will was captured in the previous book) they create a close bond and Horace learns that Halt will do anything (no matter how shady) to save Will.
Meanwhile Will and Evanlyn become closer on the voyage to their new home. At this point a little bit of romance enters the scene. I always felt like hitting Will across the head (You like Alyss you….you…. Apprentice!) But, it plays a minor roll and it doesn’t really affect the book.
Horace creates a laugh throughout the book as he and Halt give/ return friendly banter. I think that this adds to the book, giving what could have been a very slow, sad and boring book the pick-me-up that it needed. Halt surprises Horace, especially in their encounter with the dark warlord Deparnieux.
Meanwhile life continues as slaves for Will and Evanlyn. Will succumbs to a highly addicting drug (No!!!!!!) but Evanlyn still looks for a means of escape to save herself and Will (score one for the girl!) She finds it in one of the most of unlikely of places. (It still surprises me after the third and fourth readings anyway)
I thought that this book was good , so I would give it 7.5 out of 10 because it can get pretty slow in the middle. All in all I think that John Flanagan did an excellent job with this continuation of a fabulous series. Tune in next time for a snatching review of the next installment in the series, “The Battle for Skandia”
-Kristina
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge
Rangers Apprentice: The Burning Bridge
This is the second book in the series, and although it has a really good beginning and middle the end leaves something to be desired, but is better now that you can immediately read the third book.
In this book Will and Gilan (Halts former apprentice) along with Horace, going to Celtica to investigate some mysterious happenings. What they discover leads them to find a servant girl from Araluan who escaped an attack by Wargals on her mistresses’ caravan. Evanlyn (the servant girl) accompanies Horace, Will and Gilan as they come closer and closer to the truth.
As I mentioned earlier, the ending is quite abrupt, and leaves you with a sense of incompleteness. I thought it could have been better. Even though he shows what happens you can only ask WHY?!?!!?! As you continue with the series this book (along with the horrible ending) plays a pivotal role in all of the books to come. I enjoyed the read and I hope you do to!
This is the second book in the series, and although it has a really good beginning and middle the end leaves something to be desired, but is better now that you can immediately read the third book.
In this book Will and Gilan (Halts former apprentice) along with Horace, going to Celtica to investigate some mysterious happenings. What they discover leads them to find a servant girl from Araluan who escaped an attack by Wargals on her mistresses’ caravan. Evanlyn (the servant girl) accompanies Horace, Will and Gilan as they come closer and closer to the truth.
As I mentioned earlier, the ending is quite abrupt, and leaves you with a sense of incompleteness. I thought it could have been better. Even though he shows what happens you can only ask WHY?!?!!?! As you continue with the series this book (along with the horrible ending) plays a pivotal role in all of the books to come. I enjoyed the read and I hope you do to!
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