The Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now fifteen-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. What he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied…. (blurb from the back of the book)
Now, I seriously LOVE THIS BOOK (and series). It is a great fantasy/adventure story, made in Australia. I think one aspect of it’s rather odd. The book ends, where others would go on. You could make the book four hundred pages, and finish the present problem at hand. But the series is written in pairs. 1 & 2, 3 & 4, etc. (7 is actually a prequel to 5 & 6)
Meet the characters:
Will: A small fifteen-year-old, wit a desire to prove himself. As you can tell (by all context clues)he becomes the Ranger’s apprentice. What happens in that apprenticeship, you’ll have to find out for yourself.
Halt: Ranger of Redmont Fief. Will’s “master” or trainer. He’s so mysterious, I shouldn’t tell you any more other than he’s grim (but witty in his way).
Morgarath: A cruel, and vicious villain. Plotting to bring the land of Araluen to its knees. Failed once, in an attempt to do this self-same thing. (honestly, you see him VERY little in book one.)
WHO SHOULD READ THIS?
There is mild profanity (only once) towards the end of the book. I thought I would warn parents of it. I don’t think it’s too much to fuss over. But asides from that, I’d say about eleven and up.
I love this book (if I haven’t stressed this enough) and I would love to know your thoughts on it. Goodbye, my friends! May you never meet one of Halt’s shafts.
Paalam – Wysteria
