The Rangers Apprentice series

Ranger Apprentice – The Burning Bridge John Flanagan’s ‘Ranger Apprentice – The Burning Bridge’ is an extremely well written fantasy novel aimed at young teens. This novel was written in 2005 and has 266 pages. This book continues Will’s journey to becoming a Ranger. The opening scene sets the storyline in motion. Will and Halt go into battle against a sma

ll group of Wargals, little did they know that it was a set up and it will have consequences later in the book. Flanagan is excellent at intertwining the parts of his books, so that the actions of his characters often have repercussions in later chapters of the story. With the war against Mogarath and his army of Wargals almost here King Duncan sends Gilan, along with Will and Horace, to recruit troops from Celtica. But when they get there, nothing is as it seems. This is when Evanlyn is introduced to the book, but the boys think she is just excess baggage. They then stumble upon the sound of a band of Wargals marching towards them. As they hide they notice the Wargals are dragging along captured Celtic workers along with them. Will, along with Horace and Evanlyn decides to follow them. The author is extremely good at making you want to read more of his books, because you always want to know what’s going to happen next. Flanagan is extremely good at writing cliffhangers. As Will, Horace and Evanlyn follow the Wargals we are introduced to The Bridge. Mogarath is using the Bridge to attack Araluen through Celtica, so the three teens decide to burn it (hence the name). But while this is happening the battle against Mogarath begins. Flanagan has an amazing ability to describe the exact battle plans in the book. They are so well done you could literally draw a map of the battle in front of you. I think this is an exciting and fast paced book that people of all ages will enjoy reading. The whole series is so well written you almost feel like you are developing a relationship with the characters. My only wish is that he would just make the books a bit longer and a bit more descriptive in other places throughout the book. I give it 4 out 5 and it is definitely a series you would want to read.