The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan and Flanagan

Book Overview

Full of adventure, storytelling, magic, and deep characterization, this debut fantasy introduces the magic-practicing Rangers, protectors of the kingdom, and Will, a 15-year-old villager who has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142417440
• ISBN13: 9780142417447
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 249 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Misleading cover art

I ordered this one specifically for the cover art. They sent the wrong one. It was for a gift and the recipient wanted this specific cover (bow and arrow, not the one with the hooded face).

A great fantasy read for children and adults alike

The first “Ranger’s Apprentice” book is a great start to a fantasy series. While it is not perfect, it gets so much right it was hard not to give it five stars. Nevertheless, I try to be as unbiased as possible with my reviews, and there were some problems. The writing in this book is great. It does not stand out as being a cut above, but it is succinct, the descriptions are vivid, the action is kinetic, and the vocabulary is a bit larger and more varied than is typical for novels targeting younger age ranges. To be particularly picky, there are a few instances where there is an errant space between a word and a quotation mark, but that’s the only specific critique I have. The story is formulaic and predictable, and experienced readers will not be shocked by anything here, though younger readers may be surprised by a few of the twists. Even so, it kept me engaged throughout, not exactly biting my nails in anticipation, but certainly reading at a fast clip. This was mostly because of the characters, a standout aspect of this book. The story focuses on three characters: Will, the titular Ranger’s apprentice; Halt, Will’s mentor; and Horace, Will’s rival. Will’s training as a Ranger and his relationship with Halt is a main focus of the book, and while it can be predictable at times, they are such likeable characters, in completely different ways, that I was invested almost immediately. The relationship between Will and Horace is a primary sub-plot, and though it does play into tropes concerning young kids to some extent, Horace is relatable and his interactions with Will seem like they could happen in real life. I did have a problem with one scene where the message seems to be that it is okay to bully people if they have already bullied you. The scene sits oddly in the novel, feeling a little out of place and adding little to the primary plot threads. I also thought Mr. Flanagan stretched a bit too far in the ending of the book, trying to create emotion where it had not been earned and shoehorning a romance (I use the term loosely) in at the last second. Nevertheless, "The Ruins of Gorlan" is an exceptional book which I enjoyed in my youth and appreciate just as much as an adult. It is a great story which I would recommend for readers of all ages.

Not what I ordered

It’s not what I ordered. I ordered a hard cover it is not that. Plus it has a white border not showing the full cover

Captivating

I was pleasantly surprised. I'd never heard of this author or series, but I decided to try it. The book might as well have been brand new. The story itself was thoroughly enjoyable, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Great book

Really good, kept my 13 yr old hooked, and he's kinda picky.

An awesome series

I read this series when I was a young teenager and loved them. Now 10 years later I started reading them again and still love them! They’re full of wit and adventure and action and so many love able characters!

An awesome stories that is an absolute must for every fantasy lover!

Starring Will, an eager boy in his mid-teens, the Ranger's Apprentice Series are fast paced books that are filled to the brim with adventure, discoveries, and relationships between Will, Halt, and (laughingly enough) Will's horse, an animated creature that soon became one of my favorite characters. I first checked it out of the library assuming that I would like it. I assumed wrong- I loved it 😃! It is now my favorite series, and I would recommend it to all fantasy lovers. Fast paced, very well written, and above all, a splendid fantasy.

I always find it hard to follow fantasy novels, mostly because of long or ridiculous names, things and so on, but i absolutely loved this one. Finished it in a day. Bought the next 6 already!!

Killer series

If you have any interest in a brilliantly told story, full of action, that somewhat resembles historical fantasy then you have come to the right series! I love these books! The character development is phenomenal, the story rocks, and every single moment is interesting and action packed! And they only get better from the first book! (except the last one - not my fave) 10/10 would recommend these books!

Awesome series!

This is a wonderful series for any age! I think it's listed in the teen/youth section, but it is a great series for anyone. Will becomes a ranger's apprentice without really understanding exactly what it is that rangers do. The first book is his initiation into the group, which is endearing and humorous. The rangers are secretive, serious (in their duties and pranks on one another) and sarcastic. The relationships between Will and Halt as well as between Will and the other wards of the castle are some of the most interesting I have come across in ages. Just when you think the book might be slowing down, there is another adventure waiting and another twist in the story. These books are well written and fun!

An exciting adventure/fantasy story for kids 11/12 and up

This was a surprise to me, in that I so enjoyed reading it! I was doubtful at the outset, after reading the prologue; something about it was a little reminiscent of the "Lord of the Rings" (of which I am not a fan). But I plunged ahead, as a certain 12-year-old I know recently devoured this book and highly recommended it to me. I was pleased to discover as I read on that "The Ruins of Gorlan" is not an epic fantasy story in the style of Tolkien at all. I've always loved apprenticeship stories for some reason--you know, the ones in which a student learns a craft from a master, and the majority of this first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series is exactly that. The main characters are so likeable and well-written; I especially liked the dynamic between apprentice Will and master Ranger Holt. I will say this is definitely a book written for and geared more toward boys (although I'm sure many girls would be as entertained by it as I was!). Its pages are full of spy training, Battleschool drills and bullies, and a predominantly male cast of characters. My only criticism of "The Ruins of Gorlan" is that (without giving too much away) the ending was a bit anticlimactic. But maybe that was Flanagan's intent, so as to leave me hungering for Book 2 in the series! The back cover states the reading level is 10 years+, but based on the rich vocabulary used throughout, I would say that (for most young readers), it is better suited to 11/12 year olds and up. I definitely would recommend this to preteen readers, especially those who love action, adventure, and battles, and who prefer to read non-magic fantasy books.

This book kept a bunch of 12 year olds reading

I got this book from our local library 2 weeks ago. My 12 year old son read it, and loved it so much he loaned it to a friend, who loaned it to a friend, who loaned it to a friend. Yes it was passed around THAT much. I was taking a group of them to church Wednesday night and the were talking excitedly about what sounded like a really awesome new movie, and when I asked them what the were talking about, of course, it was this book. My son was bummed to find out our library doesn't have the 2nd book of the series yet, so I'm here to buy them for Christmas.

The Book totally rocked...

I am a 38 year old homemaker and picked the book up one day because of the guy on the cover (surprised? Not...) It was really great. I wanted the main guy to be like Aragorn from LOTR and it was so close. He was so cool. Will was great as a main character and loved the evil creatures like the Wargals and those Kalkara. It seems like these creatures are done in in this book but I hope that there is a possibility that there are more in book two. I have to say, Horace's character was pretty cool too. I definetly recommend this book to others as well who love fantasy adventure. Heck I'd love to be a RAnger for Halloween if I could. Anyhow, the book and the writing was not Ugh...It was AWESOME!!!! Go by my review. You will not be sorry. Gilraen

A book of it's own kind

Just imagine being forced to work under, as a slave of a secretive and quirky ranger.This is the very thing that occured in the life of Will the Ranger and wannabe knight.In the time of this book, the orphans under the baron's care had a special day, a choosing day,where their futures were decided.All the orphans got their desired choices except Will.Will was put under the care of the ranger,Halt, a mysterious old man who worked in a secret force of rangers who were, imour modern time, quite like secret police.Will spends the first day of his apprenticeship as the servant of Halt,as he helped with the house work and other duties.He became obediant to Halt and in the end,he became the unnoficial son of Halt.This whole story bases around life as an apprentice ranger,which is extremely interesting.I found this book very resolving and loved the end, which was satisfying and to me, definitely coplete. PS: I can't wait till i get the 2nd book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!