ABANDONED. Fantasy - Orphaned boy leaves village with a mentor, is trained to be a warrior/Ranger then returns to the village after years of training to fight the forces of evil

[Keron]

I remember reading a novel where a young boy loses his family to an attack. The attack may have been by a humanoid race but not human (although I am not 100% certain).

He is taken in by a man that becomes his mentor and is trained to be a warrior or ranger. The book describes his training over a period of years (maybe seven?). I remember that as part of his training he had to carry stones that held water like sponges and he'd have to squeeze the water out at a different location from where he got the water (or something similar to that).

After he has become the warrior/Ranger he returns to the village of his youth and rekindles a friendship with his closest childhood friend. He develops a romantic relationship with her. Also following his return to the village, he has to defend it and he becomes a hero.

That's about all I can remember. Does anyone remember reading this novel and name it for me? Thanks

[Ann aka Iftcan]

When did you read this Keron?

[Keron]

I think I read it in the 90's. Also, as I recall the style of writing was that of a book written in the 80's to 90's.

[Jacqueline]

It sounds a little like the Ranger's Apprentice by John Flannagan. But there are other's that have the same setup

[Keron]

Jacqueline, thanks for the reply. I thought that it might be that as well but that series was started in the early 2000's. Also, in the first book of the series by Flannagan, the protagonist is in a camp with others and is then selected to join the Rangers if I understood the summary correctly. That didn't happen in the book I'm trying to remember.

In the book I'm speaking of, the boy is very young when he leaves (maybe 5,6 or 7?). He's trained by one individual and comes back in his teens (15 or 16 I think) as a warrior/ranger.

[Keron]

bump

[Tess]

The Warded Man? Hero has to fight demons that attack his world. Originally was released as "the Painted Man"

[Keron]

Thanks for the response Tess. However that isn't the book. The book I'm referring to was written at least 20 years ago.

[Tess]

Oh, sorry, I didn't even check the publication date! Good luck!

[Keron]

bump

[Rob]

Slight long shot but...

by James Maxey?

[Abby]

Hmm, the squeezing water out of stones bit sounds oddly familiar. I'll let you know if anything comes to mind!

[oliviasbooks]

Maybe A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)? Ged leaves his village with an unknown mentor ...

[Michele]

Hm, this is sounding vaguely familiar. Do you recall why the boy isn't killed too -- did he hide, was he away? What about where they were killed -- were they at home or traveling? If at home, where did they live: in a city, a town, a village or alone in a forest? How does the man find the boy, does he just stumble across him? Any idea why the family was killed -- were they specially targeted or was it just happenstance?

It sounds a bit like The Name of the Wind, but that was published pretty recently so it's probably not.

[Rigaudon]

Try
The DemonWars Saga - The Demon Awakens - R.A. Salvatore.
Boy and girl raised in village, the village is slaughtered by goblins, Boy is taken by an elf to be trained as a Ranger, then returns years later. He is trained strength wise by carrying Milkstones, which then he squeezes to release the milk for the elves. MC Name is Elbryan, later characters are Pony, and a monk, who I can't remember.

[Michele]

The Demon Awakens for the click.

[Rigaudon]

Thanks, still new to this.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Keron, are you still looking for this?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Keron, are you still looking for this?"

No response in 3 years. Moving to Abandoned.