Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Fantasy; 249 pages
When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger.
Sam’s review:
At fifteen, Will has joined the other wards of Castle Redmont to learn what his vocation in life will be. His dream of going to Battleschool is dashed when the Baron points out that he is too small; Will is devastated about Battleschool but curious about the secret message that the mysterious Ranger hands to the Baron. His determination to find out what the message says determines that he will be the Ranger’s apprentice. In this role, the story takes off as Will attempts to prove himself to the dour, demanding Halt. The details of this process provide a fitting backdrop for the evolving relationship between Will and Halt, the central focus of the story. The minor characters, especially the kinght Sir Rodney and his apprentice Horace, are also satisfying. Though some readers might think that the plot twists at the end strain credibility, I was completely taken by them and happily moved to tears. From the first pages, the story picked me up and carried me away with it, and I was rooting for Will all the way.