Title: The Roamers
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #7.5
In: The Lost Stories (John Flanagan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short Story
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘There are always people waiting to take advantage of the fact that we’re absent.

Ebony, Will’s dog, is captured and taken by a group of people known as Roamers. Together, Will and Alyss set out to find and rescue her.

Erak’s Ransom showed Will’s dedication to his horse, and The Roamers provided a great reminder of this – in the extent to which Will will go to rescue his dog. It is the ultimate display of affection between a man and his dog, the proverbial best friend – for both of them. Ebony is incredibly loyal and obedient (something that I still struggle to achieve with my dogs), and Will will do anything to protect her and keep her out of harm’s way.

There is a long tradition of gypsy folk (of whichever type and nationality) being suspicious of outsiders, and involved in a lot of different illegal actions, including theft. Flanagan uses this to build his story. After all, it makes a kind of warped sense, they steal to live, and are suspicious because of the results of this, which leads to more stealing and illegal activities. The Roamers are a reminder that the ostracised often turn to this, and that although there might be some good reasons for their actions, some in the group are just truly horrible human beings. Yet, when Will could punish and take revenge on such people, he decides not to, rather, he just prefers to shift them away from his home and the people under his protection.

With two dogs of my own (one of whom is going to be quite a big boy), the idea of dog fighting rings, and the theft that supplies them is one that often concerns me. I liked that it was incorporated into this story. It drives home the horrors and inhumanity of this illegal ring. Something that is more horrible than the simple act of theft.

Image source: Wikipedia

Title: The Kings of Clonmel
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Then, on the far bank, the ground rose again to create the natural defensive position where Redmont stood – massive, solid and beginning to glow red in the late afternoon sun.

Will is at the annual Ranger Gathering but Halt is investigating mysterious happenings in the west. When he does finally return, it’s with bad news. Hibernia is in turmoil. A false religious cult calling themselves the Outsiders are sowing confusion and sedition, and five of the six Hibernian kingdoms have been undermined. Now the sixth, Clonmel, is in danger. Halt, Will and Horace set out to restore order. Can the secrets of Halt’s past help them in their mission?

One Ranger can stop a riot, but this time two Rangers may not be enough…

It was really enjoyable to delve into Halt’s history and his past. He is the perfect enigmatic mentor for Will (and even Horace), so his history and what led him to become the mysterious hero that we love and know has fascinated me since the inklings of it in Oakleaf Bearers. The presence of his twin brother, and the reminder that no matter how many genes two people have in common, they can still become completely different characters. Halt’s steadfastness and admirable sense of self are severely juxtaposed by his brother’s entire persona – a great reminder that it is our choices that create us, not our parentage.

The Kings of Clonmel is the beginning of another great story arc in The Ranger’s Apprentice series. The presence of the Outsiders, and more specifically, Tennyson lead to an even more sinister storyline for Halt throughout Halt’s Peril. However, it is the idea of cults, mass hysteria and the ease with which people can believe a lie that really pulls you in. Although we all like to believe that there is absolutely no way in which we could be taken in by such baloney, even Will and Horace admit to how alluring such a group is. It is a great reminder that we are all susceptible to mass opinion and can be fooled when the circumstances are right.

I loved Will’s new assignment in this story – his removal from Redmont in The Sorcerer in the North and The Siege of Macindaw just didn’t seem quite right to me. Especially after he falls for Alyss, so his return to his home and the masterful juggling of the Ranger Corps to allow for this left me feeling incredibly happy and grateful for Flanagan’s ability to manipulate his characters. Aside from the pursuit of The Outsiders in Halt’s Peril, it is Will’s new role based at Redmont that makes me keen to open the pages of the next Ranger’s Apprentice book.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Erak’s Ransom
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘So is Alyss.

When the Skandian Oberjarl is taken hostage during a raid on the desert land of Arrida, his second-in-command Svengal, asks the Araluans for help. Halt and Will must go with him to deliver the ransom and The Princess Cassandra – or Evanlyn, as Will knows her – persuades her father to let her go with them. Horace and the Ranger Gilan round out the group to make sure that Evanlyn is well protected. But will violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger at every turn keep them from reaching Erak in time?

It was fun to flash back in time after the conclusion of The Siege of Macindaw. Will’s last year as a Ranger was always going to be an important story, if not just for his graduation, but also his hopes and dreams for his own future. The fact that this gets wrapped up with rescuing Erak from another fascinating nationality (the Arridi) just added to the feeling of excitement and closure at Will’s final year of apprenticeship.

Horace and Will’s reuniting with Evanlyn and their joy at being able to adventure together again added to the joy of the story. Especially for Will and Evanlyn, the removal of the stigmas and airs attached to their status in life helped them to finally rejoin in friendship. It is also nice to see the transition of Will’s feelings from Evanlyn to Alyss, whilst he and the princess are still close, there is no romantic entanglement left. This not only makes the storyline of The Sorcerer in the North and The Siege of Macindaw more justifiable – Will didn’t suddenly fall for Alyss, but instead slowly let the feelings grow.

I’ve always loved the relationship and connection between Will and Tug, as someone who feels that her pets are a part of her family, this ideal is incredibly welcome. The idea that an animal is more than a pet or service animal is welcome, and the lengths to which Will is willing to go to rescue his friend and companion is a great reminder of how important these creatures are in our lives.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: The Siege of Macindaw
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘There was some mention of food?’ he reminded them.

In this desolate northern fief, where can Will find the fighting men he needs to overcome the traitorous Sir Keren and his band of criminals? Across the border, the fierce Scotti tribesmen are waiting for the signal that Castle Macindaw is in friendly hands, and the way is clear to mount a full-scale attack.

Time is running out. Will’s courage and ingenuity – and the arrival of an old friend – may be the only things that stand in their way.

Will is determined to rescue Alyss – even if it means laying siege to an enemy castle!

The depth of Will’s care for his loved ones becomes blatantly obvious in The Siege of Macindaw. The lengths to which he is willing to go to rescue Alyss are remarkable, and the depth of his conviction throughout this story is incredibly endearing. It is also a great hallmark of the man that Flanagan was able to effortlessly create out of the boy who started out confused and scared in The Ruins of Gorlan.

Keren’s ability to quickly hold sway over Alyss’ mind and attention was a new technique in this medieval world that doesn’t quite employ magic, but rather a medieval approach to life. Malcolm’s eventual explanation of this seemingly mystical control fit perfectly into the ideal of mind over matter, and the power of persuasion. Alyss’ strength and ability to fight such control is admirable and shows that it’s not only men who can be powerful and strong, but women too. The ability of Alyss, Will and Horace to all use their individual talents to triumph and maintain their integrity in such a difficult situation.

Although this is a great fantasy series, I love the fact that Flanagan creates scenarios which feel completely plausible. Need to overtake a castle? Don’t have enough men to do it? Will is able to figure out a way that is believable – it is not so fantastical that it is painful to try to imagine. There is something so special about being able to imagine the characters acting in flawed and plausible ways – not just suddenly having the answer to all of their problems, but having to fight for it and struggle until they are able to triumph over their adversaries.

Image source: Ranger’s Apprentice Wiki