The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Jack | Biotechnology High School, Grade 10

Rating: ****

Will is an orphan living with four others under the lord of the fief of Redmont in the kingdom of Araluen. When it’s time for the children to choose apprenticeships that will lead to their future profession, Will is the only one undecided. Everyone else has their passions, cooking, fighting, scribing, but Will is small for his age and isn’t particularly interested in anything. It was decided for him that he would be trained to become a Ranger, one of the mysterious protectors of the kingdom each assigned to one of the 50 fiefs. With a dark and powerful force on the loose, Will has to learn to hone his potential and try to save the kingdom from its impending doom.

The first in a twelve-book series, The Ruins of Gorlan acts as a foothold into this miraculous world created by John Flanagan. Although not the best book in the series, it will hook the reader to want to read all of the books and learn everything there is to about the characters. With magical creatures and impressive feats, there is a whole fantastical world at the reader’s fingertips to explore each and every corner, making for an exciting and breathtaking series.