Title: The Sorcerer in the North
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Oh dear,’ said Alyss to Will.

Five years have passed since the Skandians and the Araluans made their treaty, and Will has finally become a Ranger, with his own fief to look after. He soon learns that even sleepy little islands have problems to keep him on his toes.

Then he and his old friend Alyss are thrown into a terrifying new adventure, investigating the truth behind rumours of sorcery in a remote northern fief. As he stands in Grimsdell Wood, with the horrific, ghostly Night Warrior looming above him, will must ask himself one question: is there a rational explanation… or does sorcery really exist?

On his first top-secret mission, can will save a new ally from a terrible curse?

The first four books in The Ranger’s Apprentice series focus on Will’s apprenticeship, and therefore, a lot of the time, it is Halt that eventually gets him out of the slightly tricky situations in which he finds himself. However, as a newly qualified Ranger, Will must find his own style and strength on his first solo mission. This progression of Will’s place in society is so seamless, that it isn’t until at least halfway through the book that you realise that you are half waiting for Halt to appear out of nowhere to offer some friendly advice and guidance.

People’s perceptions on how you look, how you act, how you seem very quickly tend to inform their ideas about your ‘worth’, or even whether you are a good person or bad. The Sorcerer in the North highlights this, turning those you feel to be villains into the good guys, and the seemingly jovial into the traitors. It is a great reminder that not is all as it seems – especially in a world of espionage and war. I loved this sudden of turning of perceptions within the story, especially since I am one that often gets judged very quickly for the way that she looks.

Alyss has been present from the very first Ranger’s Apprentice story, however, it is only now that she is grown that we get to genuinely meet and admire her. Although she appears to be simply a politician, Flanagan echoes his comments on perceptions by showing her to be a strong and deceptive young woman. Her ability to act as another and partake in the ‘cloak and dagger’ of spy-work is incredibly enjoyable to read, and I can’t wait to see what role she plays in The Siege of Macindaw.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Oakleaf Bearers
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Evanlyn and Will fell ravenously on the savoury stew that the Ranger had prepared and for a while there was silence, broken only by the sound of dedicated eating.

Just as spring approaches and Will and Evanlyn can finally escape Skania, Evanlyn is carried off by mysterious horsemen. Will sets out after them, but one boy against six Temujai warriors is impossible odds – even for a Ranger’s apprentice. Halt and Horace arrive just in time. But there’s no time to celebrate the reunion as Halt realises these Temujai are only scouts for a massive invasion force. The four Araluans must work together with the Skandians to defeat the invaders – if the Oberjarl will accept their help.

Can sworn enemies fight side by side to save their lives and their kingdoms?

John Flanagan does a wonderful job of taking a nationality as it would have lived and existed in pre-modern times and twisting them to suit his Ranger’s Apprentice series. The Skandians are a fantastic mimicry of the Vikings and manage to capture your interest from the very beginning. However, it is in Oakleaf Bearers that this talent is truly highlighted – the Gallicans and Temujai bring eerily familiar flavours to the tale of Will, Halt, Evanlyn and Horace’s exploits across the seas. Yet, he manages to set these antagonist peoples up in a way that isn’t insulting or degrading to the French and Mongolians upon whom he based these peoples. They may be the bad guys, but they have their own families and ways of life, which Flanagan makes obvious.

Flanagan and his Ranger’s Apprentice series is wonderful at highlighting that each person, each character has his or her own strength. And it is this that always helps win the day, not their need to fit in or be like each other, but rather, their diversity which allows a happy ending at the conclusion of each book. Having Will, Evanlyn and Horace back together for the first time in almost a year, this is really shown. Will and Horace are the warriors, each in their own manner, but without Evanlyn, they too would have been overrun by the Temujai warriors. Her instincts, her resilience and her inner fire help this vibrant, young woman contribute to the saving of the day. The fact that she is a Princess just helps to show that Flanagan has a good understanding that we all have different strengths that we really should play to.

Image source: Faraway Nearby Books