The Ruins of Gorlan: Book One

I started reading this series based on reviews, wanting to do my own assessment before starting my grandson (11) and granddaughter (15) on the series. While the focus of the series revolves primarily on the teenage characters, I found there is ample adult activity included to keep my interest and the author provides a good balance of youthful and more mature perceptions. The teen characters gain experience and maturity as the plot moves them through situations in the adult world. With good plotting and character development, this series on the surface is a very good read with ongoing tales that keep you turning pages. But in the process the author has also provided us - youth and adult readers - with good lessons learned that are all folded smoothly into the story. It is an interesting world the author has created, with the teen characters and readers learning of different skills and cultures, how friendships can evolve even against prior enemies, and even insights into battles and battle strategy. We watch the characters struggle and overcome adversity as individuals and in the bigger picture of their world as there is conflict between kingdoms, etc. This imaginary world has big warriors with swords and lances on war horses, and less obvious heroes where the little guy or the girl provides critical skills to save the day, and those skills may be mental or physical. The reader learns to value and respect what each individual contributes positively to the situation regardless of age, size, gender, rank, etc. Conversely, individuals of any age, size, gender, rank, etc, might be the problem to overcome ... or the culture of a kingdom might be seen with pros and cons. The plot twists and turns with action coupled with teen and adult character introspection as the situations evolve. I like that the youth reader will also read the adult point of view. It aso allows the adult reader to see a teen point of view. And with the young Ranger's Apprentice a key character, as a lifetime rider I enjoyed reading that the mountain pony should be highly valued for that role, just as the big war horses are valued for their own role ... just like individual people have various skills and abilities to contribute. Fundamental to the Ranger's Apprentice's situation is the ongoing reminder that training and practice is neccessary to develop and maintain skills, and there is always more to learn. I'd planned to read book one simply as a reviewer for my grandkids, but the tale continues. Each book flows into the next as a subsequent chapter in time, while moving on to another challenging situation for the characters to address in their world during the next book. So I was deftly lured into reading the next book, and the next, and the next ... as were the grandkids. Well done. Recommended for youth and adult. And I now have yet another book series to share with my grandkids ... which creates yet another common ground for discussion of favorite books and lessons learned while being well entertained by the tale.

I've read books 1 through 11 of the Ranger's Apprentice series over the last several months and I've got to say, this is one of the best series I've ever read. - It's highly engaging, light reading (suitable for all ages). - There are a few mild expletives used, but nothing profane. - I found all of the characters to be interesting and likeable, coming from diverse backgrounds and possessing their own unique characteristics/mannerisms. The cultures found in this series mirror our own circa the High Middle Ages, and each one is treated with respect. - I particularly like how women, such as Alyss and Cassandra, are portrayed as strong and talented, and yet, virtuous and feminine - a balance many authors today fail to strike. - The author almost entirely avoids contemporary political or religious topics, with references to politics/religion being relevant and providing context to the plot and setting. I applaud the author for allowing good storytelling to a wide audience to triumph over partisan virtue signaling to a select few - a trap many fiction writers have fallen into in recent years. - The Middle Ages-inspired setting is impressively accurate, especially as it pertains to combat. I was pleasantly surprised to see characteristics, such as the use of a bow and arrow without bracers/padding, and combat with its many quirks, portrayed faithfully. Inaccuracies, such as the odd mention of a metallic "schiiiing" when a sword is unsheathed, are far and few between and quite permissible given the fantasy setting and its more fantastical elements (e.g. horses sarcastically responding to their owners telepathically). After individually purchasing and reading 11 books, I like how "The Lost Stories" neatly wraps everything up and don't think I'll delve into the Brotherhood, Royal Ranger, etc. series, tempting as it might be. Nevertheless, I'd highly recommend this series to anyone who likes LotR or fantasy novels in general.

I absolutely loved it! The characters and the plot was soo extraordinary. It it, as you would expect, hard to review every single book in the series but for those who isnt familiar with it, here's something aboit it; every book ends interestingly, but not completely 'open'. The story take place in the medivial days. It is about Ranger's, being quite secretive but very importnt otherwise. Amazing series! Don't hesitate no matter your gender. It is entertaining for different groups of people

I think I would have loved to read this back when I was a child, maybe even more than HP.

A pleasant read if the growing bond between a master and his apprentice, a budding friendship and a fantasy world entices you.

It's an amazing book, full of intriguing "yes, but no" twists. It's inspiring, as I'm a writer myself. It even features warriors using spears! The spear is the most common weapon throughout history in many different countries, yet it's so underrated in fantasy books. I loved every bit of it: story, characters, world. Going to next one!

No other words can explain it. It was amazing years ago when I read it and it's amazing now. Thank you for making such a wonderful story