Flanagan, John -The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1); Informal Buddy Read- Starts July 9, 2016

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This topic is open for discussion of The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan.

Book Synopsis:
They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Kay Kay]

Can I join this discussion? I just checked the book out of the library.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Hop in. It's informal so pretty breezy!

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

Hi I am in also :-)

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Hi Nikk! Well, look at that. After Never Never we're doing Ranger's Apprentice. Such team effort ;)

[~~~N~~~]

^.^ Hey guys, I'm really happy to finally get this off my TBR.

Hi, Karrie! Nice to meet you.

[Ange]

I'm in for this :)

[Viji]

Have been wanting to read this for a long time but always hesitating. Could I join you all?

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

so how much are we planning to read before discusision. I ma already up to Chapter 5 and can easily keep going :-)

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

I have read til chapter 5 too. Have we all started? Itching to talk about Will's parentage. Theories theories.

[Kay Kay]

This series is a favorite of my nephew. He has been telling me that I should try them out. I am getting started today! Thanks for the greetings everyone.

[Lisette]

This sounds like a nice book. Is there a reading schedule for this?

[Kay Kay]

Ohhhh! The prologue is sinister! (Shiver!) Sometimes learning a whole new fantasy world can slow me down, but this was a pretty good set up.

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 1

I like the writing style in this book. I find it easy to slip into the world, and we aren't too bogged down with political details. I like most of the characters so far. (view spoiler)[ Hmmm Will is small and agile, wants to fight and can climb. A ranger maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

I agree Karrie. I very easily slipped into the writing and was at chapter 7 before I knew it :-) (view spoiler)[ I think maybe Will's father was a ranger and probably halt knows more about him than he is letting on. He had obviously been paying some prior attention to Will given he was at the Choosing at all as apparently he hadn't been to one in a while. (hide spoiler)]

I don't have any real theories on Will's parentage just yet as I don't think we have been introduced to all the players yet.

[Kay Kay]

Hmmm. I'll have to work to catch you!

[Lisette]

Looks like I won't be able to get my hands on this book :(

[Kay Kay]

Kathleen wrote: "I have read til chapter 5 too. Have we all started? Itching to talk about Will's parentage. Theories theories."

CHAPTER 5

I agree that Will's parentage is a mystery, but even more so I was intrigued by the character that Will showed in this chapter. (view spoiler)[ The note was a sneaky trick, but it was a great ploy to bring out Will's skills. I was proud of the way that he was willing to take his punishment. I'm going to like him! (hide spoiler)] If you could choose one of the apprentices offered that day (Ranger included) which one would you have chosen? I think I would have chosen the diplomat with hopes for travel.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Nikk wrote: "I agree Karrie. I very easily slipped into the writing and was at chapter 7 before I knew it :-) [spoilers removed]

I don't have any real theories on Will's parentage just yet as I don't think we ..."

I agree Nikk. And around Chapter 6 or 7 he was being cryptic about it when Will tried telling his usual story about his father.

[Ange]

Hey everyone just started today and plan to get in a few chapters before bed. Very easy to read and I think this is a book Im going to suggest to my son. So far it follows the same format as a lot of fantasy, but then why change when its a winning formula right. Hope there are some twists and turns though.

I totally would have been happy with the Ranger, magic and mystery hells yeah!

[Kay Kay]

Ange wrote: "Hey everyone just started today and plan to get in a few chapters before bed. Very easy to read and I think this is a book Im going to suggest to my son. So far it follows the same format as a lot ..."

Ha! Good choice!

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 12

I love Tug! What a horse. (view spoiler)[ I really liked the idea that they could train the horse to buck off anyone who does not use the right greeting! And I love how smart Tug is! (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 15

(view spoiler)[ I was really surprised that it was Halt that led the clavary across the river. I was thinking that it would have been Will's dad. Although I am convinced that Will's dad was a Ranger and that Halt knows about him. What do you think? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ I loved when Will and Horace made up. I was so proud of Horace for recognizing that he was being a bully too and wanting to change his ways. I did not like him as a character at all in the beginning, but I really like him now. I hope that he continues to be a friend to Will. I was impressed with his growth. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

I am up to chapter 22 and I can see why my nephew likes these books, the plot moves along nicely and I really like the characters!

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

I will be catching up again later today or tonight because I have definitely been enjoying it so far :-)

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ Yay!! (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

Nikk wrote: "I will be catching up again later today or tonight because I have definitely been enjoying it so far :-)"

It is really good, and a quick read too! Bonus!

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[ Is anyone else a little disappointed in the monsters. I was Ok at first with a bear/ape that walks upright. Kind of scary. But then I found out that they have a hypnotic stare that they use to basically scare you to death. Ummm... Not so much. Anyone else? I was also wondering if there were only two males left in the population, why wouldn't the king just send out his army to go and kill them off and rid the kingdom of the creatures? I still really like the book, I was just a little surprised by this. (hide spoiler)]

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

I am up to chapter 20 now and I think (view spoiler)[ That Halt may actually BE Will's father. I mean all we know is that he was left with a note SAYING his mother died in child birth and his father died a hero. What if his father didn't actually die? What if his father was a ranger who lost his wife in child birth and understood that he couldn't do his duties as a ranger whilst raising a child on his own? It would certainly explain why Will has no last name. Also all we know is that is the story he has been told all his life. It is quite possible there is actually more to the story but those involved are not at liberty to say. or i cold be completely off track :-P (hide spoiler)]

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Karrie wrote: "Chapter 20

[spoilers removed]"

I agree! Before they patched things up I thought Horace might become Will's rival in all things.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Nikk wrote: "I am up to chapter 20 now and I think [spoilers removed]"

Just finished!
(view spoiler)[ And there goes all our theories about who Will's father might be. Still, at least he had a connection with Halt. (hide spoiler)]

Who else got Medusa feels over them Kalkara?

[Viji]

Started this and already am enjoying this. Glad I joined this BR.

[[deleted user]]

Karrie wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I have read til chapter 5 too. Have we all started? Itching to talk about Will's parentage. Theories theories."

CHAPTER 5

I agree that Will's parentage is a mystery, but even mor..."

I liked Will a lot in this chapter as well. He showed a real maturity. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a character.

I like the idea of the apprenticeship with the horses but I think I'd be a bit too small for that one. I'd probably choose Ranger - I like the idea of being sneaky.

[[deleted user]]

Nikk wrote: "I agree Karrie. I very easily slipped into the writing and was at chapter 7 before I knew it :-) [spoilers removed]

I don't have any real theories on Will's parentage just yet as I don't think we ..."

(view spoiler)[I agree. I'm wondering if Will's father might even be the Ranger that crossed the ford and helped win the battle. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

Nikk wrote: "I am up to chapter 20 now and I think [spoilers removed]"

Oh my goodness! That same thought crossed my mind!!

[Kay Kay]

Pigletto wrote: "Karrie wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I have read til chapter 5 too. Have we all started? Itching to talk about Will's parentage. Theories theories."

CHAPTER 5

I agree that Will's parentage is a myster..."

I considered the horses too.

[Kay Kay]

Finished

I really liked this book. I am rating this book a five!

[Viji]

Completed 10 chapters. This book races! Like this a lot.

[[deleted user]]

Viji wrote: "Completed 10 chapters. This book races! Like this a lot."

It does really race by. I'm enjoying it. I read this middle grade fantasy book recently and found it disappointing so I'm really glad this one is so good.

[[deleted user]]

Karrie wrote: "Chapter 15

[spoilers removed]"

I love Tug too. He's great fun.

(view spoiler)[I was a bit surprised at that too. I thought it would either end up being Halt or Will's dad but leaned more towards Will's dad as I thought it would have been better known around the castle if it had been Halt. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying Horace's chapters as well. I was not expecting to follow anyone but Will. It's interesting to see what life is like at Battleschool.

[Ange]

Nikk read your chapter 20 spoiler, now that Im up to there, I hadnt thought of that how interesting that would be!

[Kay Kay]

Pigletto wrote: "Karrie wrote: "Chapter 15

[spoilers removed]"

I love Tug too. He's great fun.

[spoilers removed]

I'm enjoying Horace's chapters as well. I was not expecting to follow anyone but Will. It's int..."

I was surprised the we followed Horace too. But it was a pleasant surprise.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

I also loved the friendship that bloomed between Will and Horace.

[Viji]

Ian on the 24 the chapter. Nice to see that Horace's problems are over and the bullies have been taken care of. Now, I am to see what happens at the Gathering site. I love Tug.

[Viji]

I completed the book today. Nice to know about Will's father and how he ended up in the Baron's Ward. Will's final decision was really good. Liked the way all the instances were linked. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Glad I joined this BR.

[[deleted user]]

Kathleen wrote: "Nikk wrote: "I am up to chapter 20 now and I think [spoilers removed]"

Just finished!
[spoilers removed]

Who else got Medusa feels over them Kalkara?"

Yes, they reminded me of Medusa too.

[[deleted user]]

I really enjoyed the book too. I liked that the storyline was wrapped up but there is obviously a lot of potential for further events. I'm not a fan of to be continued/cliffhanger type series.

I'd definitely read more books in the series.