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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Not as good as the other books, but still quite good.
adventurous
medium-paced
My son has lived these books for years and I can see why. Great stories and complicated enough plots to hold the interest of mature readers. There is some violence, but not graphic. The actions of the main characters are always justified and they work hard to avoid violence when possible.
So... Will has his own apprentice. The bratty, snotty, selfish, headstrong Princess Madelyn. Who has been cut off by her parents and will remain so if she doesn't straighten up. And sent off to learn to be a Ranger from her godfather Will.
I loved it. In a literary world chock full of obnoxious Mary Sue feminist fantasy fodder, having the first female Ranger be a troublemaking princess who needs to learn a lesson about life is actually refreshing. And I'm pleased to say that Maddie actually had a great character growth arc.
There are similarities between hers and Will's apprenticeships, but obviously there are some big differences. Like the scene where Maddie sneaks off to an Araluen version of a raucous teenage party and she gets stupid-drunk and Will has to drag her sorry royal behind home. But later, she and Will help a poor farming couple get rid of the pine marten stealing their eggs and she generously gives the pelt that she harvested from the pest (worth quite a bit in trade) to the wife of the couple so the woman would have something warm in the wintertime.
It will take me some time to get used to Ranger's Apprentice: The Next Generation (and I refuse to believe that Alyss is really dead. No body was recovered. I may be naive about it, but Alyss didn't deserve to be killed off like that before the new series even started), but I think I'm going to enjoy this.
I loved it. In a literary world chock full of obnoxious Mary Sue feminist fantasy fodder, having the first female Ranger be a troublemaking princess who needs to learn a lesson about life is actually refreshing. And I'm pleased to say that Maddie actually had a great character growth arc.
There are similarities between hers and Will's apprenticeships, but obviously there are some big differences. Like the scene where Maddie sneaks off to an Araluen version of a raucous teenage party and she gets stupid-drunk and Will has to drag her sorry royal behind home. But later, she and Will help a poor farming couple get rid of the pine marten stealing their eggs and she generously gives the pelt that she harvested from the pest (worth quite a bit in trade) to the wife of the couple so the woman would have something warm in the wintertime.
It will take me some time to get used to Ranger's Apprentice: The Next Generation (and I refuse to believe that Alyss is really dead. No body was recovered. I may be naive about it, but Alyss didn't deserve to be killed off like that before the new series even started), but I think I'm going to enjoy this.
What a great way to wrap up the series. Really appreciated the girl power happening in this book!
The only thing that is keeping me from being too broken hearted about being done with the Rangers Apprentice series is knowing that A. Flanagan has another series prequel due out in November!!! and B. I can reread the books!
The only thing that is keeping me from being too broken hearted about being done with the Rangers Apprentice series is knowing that A. Flanagan has another series prequel due out in November!!! and B. I can reread the books!
I love John Flanagan's work, and this book showcases yet more aspects of his genius as a writer. He transferred his style seamlessly to a female main character with what felt like genuine moments in the coming of age of a young woman, her teenage angst, and in the way society looks at her as she begins her new role as an apprentice ranger. Not only was his new main character well portrayed but he added depth and perspective to even his well-established characters. I'm already looking forward to reading more in this series!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The end of wonderful series with many hints as to places to feature in the Brotherband series
When I found out John Flanagan was going to be publishing a 12th Ranger book, I was thrilled. I eagerly counted down the days till the release. But I unfortunately have to say that I was slightly disappointed with this book.
One of the things I loved and hated about this book was Will's apprentice. Can I just say finally a girl ranger! This was one of the things I was really looking forward about this book. The fact that she was Horace and Cassandra's daughter was also pretty cool. I love the idea of her, but the character herself I didn't like very much. Princess Madelyn of Araluen is a typical rebellious teen. She longs for adventure and does dangerous things that end in her arguing with her parents. To solve this problem she's sent away to learn how to become a better person. And by the end of the story she's a completely new and better person. Maddie just didn't seem real to me, she was way to predictable a character.
As for the new future setting? I actually really liked it. It was neat to see where all the characters had ended up. I think Gilan makes a fantastic commandant. But it was sad to see Halt retired. Saddest of all is Will. I felt really bad for him, he's been through so much! One of the things I really missed in this book was the lack of Halt. In all the previous books he's been there grim and unsmiling, with his dead-pan sense of humour. And I really missed that in this book, all the other books have had me laughing, but this one unfortunately didn't.
Just to end this review right, I wanted to talk about the Ranger fascination with coffee. I myself am a coffee hater. So all these Rangers extolling the wonders of coffee can get pretty annoying. Which is another reason I was quite happy with Maddie. Finally a ranger who doesn't drink coffee. It was like a dream come true. Then the author had to make her into a coffee lover. Can I just say how mad I was? Argh! I just wanted to yell at Maddie not to turn to the dark side! But anyway, really trivial, but still a horrible thing for a coffee hater. :)