Book Six (Ranger's Apprentice) - The Siege of Macindaw

Began reading the series in high school and forgot about it for a while. After finishing college and starting a carrier, just picked it up again and finished the book in one night. Great read and I plan on getting it for my students to read.

I bought this book for my 12 year old son. He loves this series and couldn't put it down. This series has created an imaginary world that he enjoys reading about but also encourages him to look at his own world and wonder what it would be like here if he were a ranger's apprentice. Excellent series. He loves it!

Hail to John Flanagan, for he continues to add to the enjoyment of reading with the next in this wonderful book series. Any young or older reader will enjoy this and all the books in the series. It will be hard to wait for the next.

Reader thoughts:
A creative little story with lots of action. This is one of the few series where the omniscient narrator (and head hopping) does't bother me.

The characters here aren't just clever, they work together so well. They forgive, they rely on each other, and they hope. I wouldn't mind if they got wounded more often (hey, a hero saving the day despite a broken arm or arrow wound or concussion or poison just sounds extra heroic).

John Buttle is at odds with everyone. The Scotti general arrives. Kerren proposes. Everything looks dim. Then Horace arrives, and Malcolm sends help for Alys!

Writer thoughts:
There are a few coincidences that work out well for the characters, but these are balanced by a few coincidences that worked out against the characters. For instance, it's extremely unlikely that John Buttle would escape, make his way to Macindaw, and recognize Alys (in the last book). However, it is also unlikely that Will would be able to find and recruit the Scandians to help him. An author has to be careful when delivering coincidences in favor of the good characters because the victory will feel cheap and easy. However, if these coincidences are offset by random occurrences helping the bad guys, then it feels fair again.

The sixth member of the Ranger’s Apprentice series (but the seventh in strict reading order) is a direct follow on come sequel to book five. And while SORCERER IN THE NORTH was a little slow to get started, it finished with a bang AND a cliffhanger to make sure you rushed out to purchase the sequel straight away. And what a sequel it is. The fun and adventure starts off right away, with easily the best opening chapter of the series so far. In fact, as I approached the conclusion to chapter one, it felt like I was watching a big budget Hollywood blockbuster instead of reading a fantastic member of a YA fantasy series.

The quality just keeps on rolling in. New friends are made, old friends join the ’party’ (well, I should say its a siege. But its going to be one heck of a siege by the end!!!) and it really is non-stop action all the way. Little titbits of information that the reader (and Will) were forced to absorb early on in the series (apprenticeship) are cleverly woven into the story by the author and become an integral part of the book’s plot. And what’s *really* interesting is the way that some of the book’s characters utilise these in a more efficient manner than others. But that’s just life, I guess...

The writing style hasn’t changed - but that is a very good thing. Humour is still there, when appropriate, of course, but at this stage of the story’s plot terror, tension, and indecision have snagged the major roles and they are not going to let go. The book’s principal new bad guy - John Buttle - is a really excellent addition to the cast, even if he is a little on the cowardly side when it comes to eye balling other characters he has not yet bullied into submission. The so-called Sorcerer from book five is still present in book six, and he is now a strong ally of Will. And the plethora of new characters that we met in book five are all bound to have a major role in the resolution of book six.

And so I award this book full marks. It is highly original, hugely entertaining and full of wonderful characters, atmosphere, and castles. And magic. And deep, dark, dangerous forests. And romance. Most of all, I like romance.

Bye for now!!!

Bookworm Speaks!

Ranger’s Apprentice Book 6

The Siege of Macindaw

by John Flanagan

****
The Story: The kingdom is in danger. Renegade knight Sir Keren has succeeded in overtaking Castle Macindaw and is now conspiring with the Scotti. The fate of Araluen rests in the hands of two young adventurers: the Ranger Will and his warrior friend, Horace. Yet for Will, the stakes are even higher. For inside the castle, someone he loves is being held hostage. And now the time has come for this onetime apprentice to grow up.

The Good: The best part of this book is that we see the return of Horace. We see the friendship between him and Will again and that really is the best part of the whole series, the Friendships. Building off on that is the budding romance between Alyss and Will and how near the end it goes through a trial that many real-world romances undoubtably go through. They have both come a really long way and it is good to seem both Will and Alyss grow.

A consistent source of praise for this series is the realistic depiction of combat. It is a lot more than just charging and swinging a sword around. It takes a lot of planning. Days could be spent planning for an engagement that may only last a few minutes. This is how it was done back in the age of castles and swords and how it is done today.

The Flaws: Of all the books in the Ranger’s Apprentice series, this book along with its counterpart, the Sorcerer of the North, are the least memorable out of the series. This is a big indication whether a book or any form of media is any good. If one forgets about it after reading it then there is probably not much to go for it. Unfortunately that is what can be said about Book Six.

There is only one detail Bookworm remember’s in particular about the whole text. The part where Malcolm gives will a ‘magic’ stone supposedly from a shooting star to combat the effects of the magic stone of Keren and it turns out to only be a pebble from the river. Turns out the power was within them all along, blah blah blah. That kind of thing has been done a lot and while more appropriate for this series’ age-bracket, it is very tired for older readers. Its not a bad message by any means, its just that we have heard it an awful lot.

The realism of the series is a great bonus but it works to the stories detriment here. There is a great deal of talking with not enough action. As it says above that is how it is really done, but this is a fantasy book and action is kind of a necessity if the author wishes to keep the reader engaged.

Final Verdict: Overall, this two parter of the Ranger’s Apprentice, The Sorcerer in the North, and the Siege of Macindaw is really where the whole series sags. It is good to see Will on his own but that is not the premise that we fell in love with. We fell in love with Will and Halt and Horace and them going to new lands on exciting adventures together. Thankfully we get back to that in the next book.

Three out of Five Stars

thecultureworm.blogspot.com

Thoughts: I really liked this book! It was a funny, interesting, and exciting read, especially for someone who's interested in battle stories, because it had a lot of interesting battle tactics and humorous things in the battle scenes. It was also smart of John Flanagan, the author, for making higher stakes for them so I was more on the edge of my seat while reading. It was also smart of him for being clever with his writing style of getting you relaxed and then tensing you up again.
I thought that Flanagan was also good to continue the funny and smart characteristics of the characters in the story. In this story, I liked Horace because Flanagan kept making him funnier and funnier as the books go on. You think he can't get any more hilarious, and then he does. I think it's important that he was funny because the other dark things in this book become light and humorous, which keeps the reader invested in the story.
Overall, this book was funny, cleverly written, and an amazing and interesting continuation of the series!

"The Siege of Macindaw" is book 6 in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. Flanagan is one of the most talented authors I've read in a long time. His ability to create memorable characters, unpredictable plot twists, and vivid images is unbelievable. The dialog is witty, and I was not able to put this one down. Book 6 is the continuation of the story started in book 5. Will and Horace must lay siege to the castle to rescue Alyss and stop invaders from the north from taking over part of Araluen. I don't want to ruin the plot, but this book is well written and the whole series is one of the best I've ever read. And, unlike most of Flanagan's other books, this one actually ends with closure to the story. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

"The Siege of Macindaw" is book 6 in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. Flanagan is one of the most talented authors I've read in a long time. His ability to create memorable characters, unpredictable plot twists, and vivid images is unbelievable. The dialog is witty, and I was not able to put this one down. Book 6 is the continuation of the story started in book 5. Will and Horace must lay siege to the castle to rescue Alyss and stop invaders from the north from taking over part of Araluen. I don't want to ruin the plot, but this book is well written and the whole series is one of the best I've ever read. And, unlike most of Flanagan's other books, this one actually ends with closure to the story. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

"The Siege of Macindaw" is book 6 in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. Flanagan is one of the most talented authors I've read in a long time. His ability to create memorable characters, unpredictable plot twists, and vivid images is unbelievable. The dialog is witty, and I was not able to put this one down. Book 6 is the continuation of the story started in book 5. Will and Horace must lay siege to the castle to rescue Alyss and stop invaders from the north from taking over part of Araluen. I don't want to ruin the plot, but this book is well written and the whole series is one of the best I've ever read. And, unlike most of Flanagan's other books, this one actually ends with closure to the story. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW, the sixth installment in John Flanagan's best-selling RANGER'S APPRENTICE series, picks up right where THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH left off, with Alyss imprisoned in Macindaw castle at the mercy of Keren the usurper.

Will is soon united with enemy-turned-best-friend Horace, deep in Malcolm the Healer's mysterious forest. Much as it pains the two to be so close to Macindaw and yet so helpless, the two know that they do not stand a chance against Keren and his soldiers. Worst of all, Will has no idea what the traitor Keren might be up to.

The unexpected arrival of a small Skandian force, led by Gundar Hardstriker, is the ultimate blessing. While the Skandians find themselves stranded in Araluen quite by accident, Will greets them heartily and quickly turns them into his own small army, led by none other than Horace, the Oakleaf Knight.

With intelligence covertly provided by Alyss, Will and Horace learn of Keren's plans to turn Macindaw over to the Scotti tribes of Picta. All the odds are against them, but Will and Horace are not about to give up. The ranger and warrior complement each other perfectly, and the two hope that Will's agility and wit paired with Horace's strength and fighting experience will be enough to overcome Keren's forces and the fast-approaching Scotti army. Trying to take Macindaw with only thirty men is a daunting task, a feat never before achieved in Araluen history.

In other words, the perfect challenge.

It is easy to see why RANGER'S APPRENTICE has such a following with the preteen crowd. THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW is a fantasy adventure with strong characters and a fast-paced plot. Flanagan's characters have heart and his heroes are almost too virtuous to be true. While an adult audience might dismiss Will and Horace as one-dimensional, their shining courage and unwavering sense of morality will appeal to younger readers.

Araluen is an epic fantasy world reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's Tortall with a pinch of C. S. Lewis' Narnia thrown in for good measure.

Reviewed by: Amber Gibson

In THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH, Will Treaty had finally become a full-fledged member of the Rangers Corps. His first real mission sent him undercover to the northernmost Fife in order to discover the mysterious circumstances behind the alleged sorcerer haunting the woods. What Will ultimately uncovers is a plot to overthrow the castle of Macindaw and outright rebellion against the country of Araluen. Will's courier friend Alyss is captured, and a desperate and hopeless Will is forced into hiding.

THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW picks up immediately where the action left off in book five with only the slightest hint of a back story. Will spends most of his time racking his brain to come up with any solution to his problems, while Sir Keren, the traitor, continues to hold Alyss hostage and lays the foundation for an even bigger threat to the country of Araluen. Relief, though, shows up in the most unexpected fashion. First, the Skandians who Will befriended in his previous Fife shipwreck just north of Macindaw. Second, a grand champion knight rides into town and is eager to help. Now Will not only has fierce warriors on his side, he also has someone he least expected to come --- his best friend Horace.

The outlook is grim. Alyss is being brainwashed by Keren and is at risk of revealing too much. Will, Horace and the Skandians are greatly outnumbered. Winter has unleashed its fury, making life miserable. Every possible plan is shot down as useless and futile. The first thought is to wait things out, but then an unexpected event strikes panic and fear into the small band of fighters. Sir Keren has formed an alliance with the Scotti to overtake the Castle Macindaw to create a stronghold. Araluen is on the brink of war with the Scotti and time is running out. A siege of the castle seems improbable at this point, and Will must use all of his knowledge as a Ranger to have even the slightest chance of saving all that he holds most dear.

The wildly successful Ranger's Apprentice series began with THE RUINS OF GORLAN, and the action has never let up. Fans have seen the development of Will from an unsure, clumsy apprentice to a confident, inspiring Ranger. One of the joys of reading these books is that John Flanagan has stayed true to his characters throughout, and it's not difficult to chuckle as he makes fun of their different personality quirks. By book six, most readers are invested completely and Flanagan doesn't disappoint.

THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW will make more sense if you've read the previous installments, but that doesn't subtract from the overall storyline or the fast-paced action. As always, there are the usual references to the secrets behind the Rangers Corps that I always find compelling. Relationships are also taken to new depths that were previously unexplored in order to combat the feeling that the series is at an endpoint. Flanagan hints that he has a bit more in store for Will and the world that he has created. I, for one, will be there for whatever may come next.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche

When we last saw Will Treaty, he was in a seemingly hopeless situation -- the knight Keren and his treacherous sidekick Buttle had taken over MacIndaw Castle, the heir has been chased off, and Alyss was a prisoner.

"The Siege of Macindaw" picks up immediately after that, and thankfully John Flanagan steers the story off in a much warmer, more hopeful direction. While the middle part of the sixth Ranger's Apprentice book is on the slow side, the gentle humor, elaborate strategies and action-packed climax keep it intricate and interesting.

Will is delighted when he hears news of a young warrior with a free-for-hire shield in the area -- it's Horace, meaning that he now has a somewhat better chance of victory. As a brigade of Scotti warriors approach, meaning that a chunk of Araluen will be lost, Will also acquires other allies: Malcolm the "sorcerer" and his followers, and a band of stranded Skandians who are all too happy to be hired.

So Will and his allies set out to capture the Scotti warriors, and somehow must find out what their battle plans are. But Malcolm's illusions and deceptions won't be enough to stop the soldiers of Macindaw -- it will take plenty of strategy and combat to infiltrate the castle. And when Will finally finds Keren, he will find someone dear to him suddenly turned against him.

"The Siege of Macindaw" is a rather slow-moving book at times -- the entire middle section is a stretch of careful strategic planning, with the occasional spurt of bloody, knife-swiping action. Fortunately, it's also very intricate and well-mapped out, and it's become clear once and for all that Will is no longer just an apprentice -- he and Horace are a strong, confident Ranger and warrior.

While things seem hopeless at the beginning, Flanagan devotes much of the plot to building up advantages for our heroes -- smoke-and-mirrors demons and monsters, a band of hardy Skandians, and their own prowess. And the last third of the novel suddenly blossoms into an emotionally intense, action-packed story that pits Horace, Will and their little band against Keren.

Flanagan also has thoroughly solid, atmospheric writing that brings to mind snow, big eerie illusions and a ghastly scene where Malcolm terrifies the Scotti with the image of a reality-bending demon. While the story is devoted to stopping Keren, he inserts some pleasant exchanges that keep the characters connected, such discussing a proper name for Will's dog, or a fun little limerick challenge ("What rhymes with Macindaw?").

But the most important focus here is Will and Horace, now confident young men who still bicker, care about each other, and fight the Scotti with wild abandon. And Will's obvious feelings for Alyss finally come out into the open, while Horace is hinted to have some feelings for another absent girl. And Flanagan's careful writing also leads to some very intricate villains -- though a bad guy, Keren is plagued by guilt and doubt; and the Scotti leader is a guy you end up feeling sorry for.

The sixth Ranger's Apprentice book "The Siege of Macindaw" nicely finishes off the story started in the previous book, and cements the maturity of an apprentice that is now a full Ranger. A good solid fantasy story.

When we last saw Will Treaty, he was in a seemingly hopeless situation -- the knight Keren and his treacherous sidekick Buttle had taken over MacIndaw Castle, the heir has been chased off, and Alyss was a prisoner.

"The Siege of Macindaw" picks up immediately after that, and thankfully John Flanagan steers the story off in a much warmer, more hopeful direction. While the middle part of the sixth Ranger's Apprentice book is on the slow side, the gentle humor, elaborate strategies and action-packed climax keep it intricate and interesting.

Will is delighted when he hears news of a young warrior with a free-for-hire shield in the area -- it's Horace, meaning that he now has a somewhat better chance of victory. As a brigade of Scotti warriors approach, meaning that a chunk of Araluen will be lost, Will also acquires other allies: Malcolm the "sorcerer" and his followers, and a band of stranded Skandians who are all too happy to be hired.

So Will and his allies set out to capture the Scotti warriors, and somehow must find out what their battle plans are. But Malcolm's illusions and deceptions won't be enough to stop the soldiers of Macindaw -- it will take plenty of strategy and combat to infiltrate the castle. And when Will finally finds Keren, he will find someone dear to him suddenly turned against him.

"The Siege of Macindaw" is a rather slow-moving book at times -- the entire middle section is a stretch of careful strategic planning, with the occasional spurt of bloody, knife-swiping action. Fortunately, it's also very intricate and well-mapped out, and it's become clear once and for all that Will is no longer just an apprentice -- he and Horace are a strong, confident Ranger and warrior.

While things seem hopeless at the beginning, Flanagan devotes much of the plot to building up advantages for our heroes -- smoke-and-mirrors demons and monsters, a band of hardy Skandians, and their own prowess. And the last third of the novel suddenly blossoms into an emotionally intense, action-packed story that pits Horace, Will and their little band against Keren.

Flanagan also has thoroughly solid, atmospheric writing that brings to mind snow, big eerie illusions and a ghastly scene where Malcolm terrifies the Scotti with the image of a reality-bending demon. While the story is devoted to stopping Keren, he inserts some pleasant exchanges that keep the characters connected, such discussing a proper name for Will's dog, or a fun little limerick challenge ("What rhymes with Macindaw?").

But the most important focus here is Will and Horace, now confident young men who still bicker, care about each other, and fight the Scotti with wild abandon. And Will's obvious feelings for Alyss finally come out into the open, while Horace is hinted to have some feelings for another absent girl. And Flanagan's careful writing also leads to some very intricate villains -- though a bad guy, Keren is plagued by guilt and doubt; and the Scotti leader is a guy you end up feeling sorry for.

The sixth Ranger's Apprentice book "The Siege of Macindaw" nicely finishes off the story started in the previous book, and cements the maturity of an apprentice that is now a full Ranger. A good solid fantasy story.

At the end of The Sorcerer of the North, Ranger Will Treaty had successfully spirited Lord Orman away from Castle Macindaw before his usurping cousin Sir Keren could murder him. But little else on this mission has gone right for Will. Keren has taken over Macindaw and is conspiring with the Scotti. The dangerous northern tribe will get a safe passage through which they can invade Norgate Fief and perhaps all of Araluen. In return, Keren will be allowed to hold the castle that rightfully belongs to his cousin. To make matters worse (at least from Will's point of view), his very good friend Alyss Mainwaring has been taken hostage by Keren and is being held in the castle's impregnable keep tower. The only good news, although Will isn't aware of it yet, is that his best friend Horace, one of Araluen's most gifted warriors, is on the way north to offer Will his assistance.

It will take all of Will's cunning and Horace's strength to rescue Alyss from Keren and prevent a Scotti invasion of Araluen. Fortunately, the pair is not completely without allies. Part of Will's original brief was to investigate rumors that Mallakam, an ancient and much feared practitioner of black magick, was using his powers to undermine the castle lord. Looking for evidence, Will found Malcolm - not a sorcerer, but a healer. Malcolm has used his knowledge of arcane chemicals to keep the illusion of Mallakam alive, thereby keeping the people is his care safe from the prying eyes of superstitious villagers. Those illusions could come in handy as Will, Horace and their only other allies, a small band of Skandian sea wolves, put together a plan to lay siege to Keren's formidable garrison.

The Siege of Macindaw completes the two-book story arc that began with The Sorcerer of the North. While much of the first volume dealt with setting the scene and putting the characters in place, this one has a fair helping of the raids, skirmishes and swordplay that have made this series so addictive. As always, the strength of Mr. Flanagan's writing sweeps the reader along as Will faces his first real test since completing his apprenticeship.

This is the sixth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. It was an excellent addition to the series and does a good job wrapping up the story that was left hanging in book 5.

Will is trying to conceive a plan to rescue Alyss from Keren, the knight who revolted and took over Macindaw. Horace shows up and between him, Will, a small group of Skandians, and the people who live outside Macindaw in the forest they will have to come up with a plan to rescue Alyss. Things become even more dire when Will finds out that Keren is allying with the Scotti; this is a move that puts the country in danger and is something Will needs to stop before it happens.

This book basically completes the story started in the fifth book, which ended on a total cliffhanger. You can really see how the characters have grown and matured in this book; Will has lost a lot of his impatience and Horace has become a very tempered and strategic warrior. I love the banter between Will and Horace; they differ in opinions and complain to each other but are still obviously wonderful friends and support each other. It was fun to see how Alyss has grown as well. The relationship between her and Will is sweet and also a bit frustrating since they have trouble expressing their feelings for each other. I was a bit disappointed that Halt wasn't in the book more.

I also enjoyed that the Skandians play a big part in this book. The bad guy here, Keren, is a good bad guy. He is not totally evil and isn't all that happy with his actions; so he does generate some sympathy with the readers despite his evil actions.

Like previous books this is a well-written fantasy story. This book focuses more on battle tactics and strategy than adventure. It is all very well done and easy to read. There is nothing ground-breaking or incredibly creative here, it is just a very well done middle grade/YA fantasy.

Unlike the previous book this book wrapped up nicely. I can't wait to see what future books hold for these characters.

Overall I enjoyed this continuation of the Ranger's Apprentice series. I am excited to read the next book, Erak's Ransom. This is a solid fantasy book that focuses mostly on battle tactics, not adventure like the previous books. It is well-written and has characters that are very well done. A great read for fans of more traditional fantasy fare.

Following the events in book 5, Will escaped to the forest when Keren took over Castle Macindaw. Alyss is held captive in a tower. And the evil Buttle escaped from the Skandians, returning to Castle Macindaw to work for Keren. When Horace arrives to help Will, a group of Skandians are hired to assist with the retaking of the castle as well. But Keren has plans. He has allied with the ruthless Scotti, who have plans to take over the entire area. Will and Horace must find a way to stop them before all is lost.

My hopes were high again for this installment, as the series has become one of my favorites. Will, Horace, and Alyss are fantastic characters constantly showing loyalty, conviction, and bravery. In this latest story, Will and Horace must rely upon their wits and intellect to combat an enemy with the odds stacked in favor of Keren. Circumstances also come to a head with the relationship between Will and Alyss, with whom there has always been an underlying attraction.

While this series is best read in order, don't let the numbers trouble. These are quick, fast-paced, adventure-filled books for young readers. Though, the series has plenty of action, humor, and even a bit romance to appease fantasy fans of all ages.

I am reading these along with my 11 year old son. He LOVES them and can't wait for more.
The books seem to contain lessons in life for kids. Awhile ago we had the perils of drug addiction with warmweed and now books 5 and 6 deal with how people who are different get treated badly. The lord of the castle, for one example, is looked down on for being a bookworm instead of a warrior. The wizard runs a shelter for "different" characters that are treated with all the sensitivity one would expect in a typical 13th century village back home.
For ADULTS, the books are fun but a bit derivative. To entertain yourself, you can basically map each character and situation back to some other fantasy novel you have read. For young kids this matters not a bit - they haven't been reading this genre for decades.
Now if you want to really get to nitpicking, selling someone into slavery as an expedient solution to a problem is looked on as rather clever and the Rangers don't seem to be above extra-judicial actions when they think it necessary. These aspects of fantasy and real life in a medieval society might bear a little discussion for a really advanced teenager reading this series.

This book, along with the others in this series, make up one of the best young adult fantasy series I've ever encountered. John Flanagan creates characters that you ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT! (Hear that Suzanne Collins?) This is one of the few series that has actually made me laugh out loud.

* Believable, interesting characters that you care about.
* Interesting story lines that will have you finish a 500 page book in a weekend.
* Great varied locations that enhance each adventure.
* Amazing long-term history with the characters.
* Clean reading for children and young adults

The stories are set in a medieval European world of Flanagan's design. These books are a must read for any LOTR, GOT or WOT fans. Although much simpler reads, the satisfaction is the same.

i love reading a series where the characters are so well developed. Since I'm an elementary educator, I love that Will and Horace, the main characters in this book, show such heroism and loyalty. The storyline follows the traditional "save the princess from the tower". Read them all! Great series!

I started to read this series about 2 yrs ago and have fallen in love with the characters as they have grown. In this particular book we see that Will is fully capable of his Ranger duties and has grown into a quite a strong, brave young man. I really enjoyed the interplay between the returning characters Horace, Will and Alyss. The storyline is believable and at some points leaves you guessing what will happen next. I know some of you are going to roll your eyes, and yes there are some predictable moments. However, this is a book written for young people not adults. Although the kid in me can't deny that I still like happy endings.

On a side note, I wonder what will become of Ranger Meralon who is in charge of Norgate Fief? He has some serious questions about is his actions to answer for. But that is all I will say for those of you who have not read the book yet.

The tempo of the story is very good. Mr. Flanagan paints great pictures with his words and excites the imagination. I continue to look forward to the next installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series!

The Siege of Macindaw (2008) is the sixth fantasy novel in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following The Sorcerer of the North. In the previous volume, Will got out of the castle with Orman, but Alyss was left behind. Will took Orman to the Grimmsdell Woods, where he was treated by Malcolm.

In this novel, Will Treaty is a Araluen Ranger. He has uncovered a plot against the kingdom at Macindaw castle. The Scotti are just across the pass and negotiating with Keren to surrender the castle.

Alyss Mainwaring is a Courier. She was raised with Will and loves the Ranger. Normally she performs diplomatic tasks, but now she is a spy. She is locked in a room within the castle tower, but otherwise is being treated with respect.

Horace is the Oakleaf Knight, a prodigal with a sword. He has known Will and Alyss since early childhood. He has been sent to Macindaw as their backup.

Malcolm is a healer. He lives in the Grimsdell Woods and tends to a group of outcasts. He has used the legend of Malkallam the Black Sorcerer as protection for his people.

Gunnar Hardstriker is a Skandian warrior. He is the captain and helmsman of the ship Wolfcloud. He has had prior dealings with Will, including a slave -- John Buttle -- given to him by the Ranger.

Keren is now the commander of Macindaw. He has replaced the former guardsmen with a surly lot of malcontents. He plans to sell the castle to the Scotti and buy himself a patent of nobility elsewhere.

In this story, Will finds Gunnar and the crew of the Wolfcloud camped near the coast. The Wolfcloud had been blown onto the rocks and the ship has a broken keel. They barely made it to land and now have no way to return to Skandia. Will hires them to besiege Macindaw.

After the Wolfcloud reached the shore, the slave Buttle killed two warriors and escaped. He ventured to Macindaw and was hired by Keren. He is now the chief guardsman at the castle.

Horace meets Buttle and four guardsmen on his way to Macindaw Fortress. Buttle offers Horace a position at the castle, but Horace declines. Then Buttle makes threats, but backs down when Horace merely prepares for battle.

Will is looking for more men to besiege Macindaw. He learns of a freelance knight at a nearby inn. When he reaches the Cracked Flagon, he finds Horace and brings him to Malcolm's camp in Grimsdell Woods.

Keren uses a blue stone to mesmerize Alyss. She is unable to resist answering his questions. Luckily, she tells him nothing that he doesn't already know.

Night after night, Alyss sends signals with her lantern toward the woods, but without success. After Will returns with Horace, he learns of the lights and sneaks close to the wall to see them. The next night, he signals back.

This tale provides major problems for Will. Even with Horace and the Skandians, he doesn't have enough men to storm the castle walls. And the Scotti will be coming soon.

This story concludes the situation in the previous volume. Will and his friends shall have more adventures in Erak's Ransom. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Flanagan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, clever deceptions, and smart youngsters. If anyone has not previously read this series, the initial volume is The Ruins of Gorlan.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This was better than book 5 and probably because it actually ended! This series is good and simple and a fun distraction. Will and Horace are great together and though I really liked Evanlyn/Cassandra, Alyss is a better fit for the trio. Hopefully they'll join together again, especially how events unfolded. I liked Malcolm and Trobar!

Rangers Apprentice is about a boy that is a ranger and is trying to rescue his love, Alyss. With the help of Malkam the healer, some Skandians, and the oak leaf knight (Horace) he is going to attempt to raid the castle where she is held. But it's not just any castle--it's a castle with strategic importance. It defends a trade route and not only is the person who is holding Alyss complying with Arulan's rules, he is handing it over to the Scotti (Barbarians that are not nice and want to kill everyone). See the importance of this castle? The background of this book is simple. Will's father was killed in the first battle against the Morgarath. He rescued his trainer, Halt. He was inducted and trained to become a ranger. Will first got in this mess when the Barron of Castle Mandicaw became gravely ill. Will was sent to take care of it. But things went haywire really fast. Mallkam was thought of as an evil sorcerer but it turned out he isn't. The bad guy snuck some poison in a drink. He managed to sneak the Barron out to Mallkam's woods to get medical attention. And that's all I am going to tell.

I think the Skandians are supposed to represent a barbaric tribe. They drink, live in a cold place, and have a mead hall in their village. This is a great action book and is very exciting. John Flanagan really knows how to make it so you can't put the book down. The book is one of those books that you like already you just know you would like it. It has all the components that an awesome book has. It has suspense, it has action. I really recommend this book it's the latest installment of the series of six books.

"The Seige of Macindaw" continues from where "The Sourcer of the North" left off with Alyss prisoner and a land being torn apart by war.

This book was a very good read that's filled with such imagination coupled with a fantastically fluent storyline that kept me reading to the very end. 5 stars.

My 9-year old and I are reading the series together. He loves the main character, Will, and his teacher, Halt. But he really enjoys the adventures and hard choices Will sometimes has to make. I especially liked this book in the series because it has lessons about how looks can be deceiving as well as how society can reject people who are different/disabled. There is some violence, but that is to be expected and is not too graphic. But I must say, now that Will is older and has expressed interest in the opposite sex, my son just says, "yuck!" But we just began the next book in the series, Erak's Ransom, and it goes back to an earlier time as Will is finishing up his apprenticeship. Also, my 12-year daughter has read the entire series and loved it!

Six books and still he has me hooked. I get as much enjoyment out of his books as I do Tolkein's. I did notice a few similarities between his and other's books. Maybe it's a coincidence. Morgarath-Morgoth(Silmarillian), Warguls-Urgals(Eragon).
Well done John Flanagan! I can't wait to read Erak's Ransom!

Love this book! Rangers Apprentice a superb series, and The Siege of Macindaw is no disappointment! It has a rapturous plot with lots of humor included, and introduces several more characters that are developed as the story goes on. 5 stars! :)

This book made up for the plotless book 5. This book had way more avtion and suspense and had a gooh plot. The editors for the kindle books kept messing up the words though. they spelles "I" with the number 1 in some places and spelled Horace Horage. Also they messed up some gramar. Step up your game kindle editors!
*SPOILERS*
I was shocked when Keren asked Alysse to marry him. I was like e[...] um he hypnotized you and then asked you to be his WIFE? But I was glad Will told Alysse he loved her. AWWW so sweet right?
SPOILERS ARE OVER
I really enjoyed this Rangers Apprentice because there was way more humor in it which iis always a good thing. 5 stars no questions asked! This book was a complete rebound of book 5. FANTASTIC!!!

Book six in "The Ranger's Apprentice" series. This one wasn't my favorite so far. Slow moving and so many new characters. Still good story line, likeable main character, and clean YA fantasy. I give this one three stars. I liked it. Teens and up. No swearing or sexual content, there is fighting and violence. I do intend to finish all twelve of these!

This sixth installment has not gotten stale or stalled the series in any way! I swear the series just keeps getting better!

John Flanagan is a gifted writer who has truly created a world that I just want to keep visiting. He's crafted characters that have depth, personality and charisma. If there are 100 books in this series I will read them all and I'm sure I will enjoy every one!

Happy Reading =}

One of the best Young adult series around. Each book is an escape to another world of intrigue and lessons. Whilst this particularly appeals to boys, I have yet to find a girl who's read the book and didn't enjoy it enough to be impatient for the next in the series. It is extremely frustrating to know the next book is already on sale in Australia but not yet here in the USA. Still, the wait is always worth it. Anytime my 12yr old son favours a book over the computer is a good time. Not quite so great when I find him reading by flashlight under the covers late in the night..... however this also tells you a lot about the series. The Ranger is effectively a spy and sometimes diplomat. The personal relationships in the book are very well crafted, from the childhood friends onwards. A must read.

This is a great series. One part Harry Potter, One part Tom Clancey in context of King Arthur. Twisting plots, surprises, mysteries, heroes, dreadful villians and a hint boy meets girl. A great book for a Dad to read with his young lad.

The first 4 books are full of action. When writing the 5th book I am guessing the author had a conversation with the publisher after which he decided to split the 5th book into 6 books. Also the sexual tension between Will and Horris is palpable under the cart. I thought that they would definitely make love in that scene. The only other explanation is that they are actually two 89 year old women bitching about quilts and knitting. All in all a great series ruined by a greedy author.

These books are just fun adventures that keep me wanting more. Each time I finish one I can't wait to start the next one. I really like how each one has a few of the same characters that I love, but also a few new characters to keep things interesting. Plus the settings have ranged all over with a great variety of situations.

This book was such a great one where Will finally comes to his senses and has a lot of love drama! will more than enough for a ranger. With this book you see will turn from that little kid from the first book to a big man such as halt. This is better than all the other books I read I strongly recommend it ps I read a lot of good books like the Percy Jackson and Artemis fowl series

I enjoyed how Will's circle of friends keeps expanding along with his skills and confidence. I also enjoy the depth of the secondary characters such as Horace, Alyss, and Halt. Horace is a terrific foil to Will, but a good-guy, too.
I am liking this series a lot!

I've read all of the "Ranger's Apprentice" book up to this one, and after struggling through "The Sorcerer in the North", which was good, but had a lot of dialogue and not a lot of action, I wasn't sure what "The Siege of Macindaw" would be like. Would it be swashbuckling like "The Ruins of Gorlan" or a little darker like "The Burning Bridge"? As the series went on I noticed that the action began to slow down and the characters began to talk more than act. I mean constant dialogue from chapter to chapter with very few action sequences to break it. And, not to mention, most of the dialogue was rather pointless and did not benefit the plot at all. However, I liked the humor - especially some of the banter between Horace and Will (even that got tedious after a while) - and the character development. There were no loose ends at the end of the story, and there was a strong plot to help it along. The very few action sequences were very well executed, and overall it was a very good addition to the "Ranger's Apprentice" series.

You must read everything in ranger's apprentice series. I have my boys 9 and 13 and every other member of our family hooked on this series. The story is a great fantasy adventure, unique and fast-paced. They get better and better.

Will has grown so much and his life is changing dramatically. I think these books are perfect for all ages. My only complaint with this book is that it isnt longer and the ending leaves me hanging desperate for the next book.

Book 5 ended on such a cliff hanger that we purchased Book 6 from Australia where it was published in 2007. The story is great but the author has chosen to use much more profanity in this book. The story has many positive themes that I would like my kids to read about, so I will take the time to pen out the profanity and keep the book.

Here we go again!! Yikes, I mean really..I know there are twelve books and I still bite my nails wondering if the characters are going to make it. These books are so exciting!! And they are meant for kids yet my daughter and I are reading them too, right along with my grandson, LOVE IT!!!

I am sad to say that I did not enjoy this book in Flanagan's series nearly as well as the previous five. In fact, I was utterly bored throughout most of it. It did get a little better towards the end, but the beginning of any story is always the most important, if you cannot catch your reader's interest at the first, you can barely hope to keep them reading until the end.

I had to force myself to finish this book, and while it was bothersome at first, as I said before, the nearer I came to the end, the better it became. It is still not worth buying. If you are going to read this book, I would suggest borrowing it from the library and judging it worthy yourself, before adding it to your collection. I was thoroughly disappointed and hope to warn you so you will not be as well.

Yet this is just one opinion among many, but as my title states, I'm sorry to say that I believe John Flanagan is loosing his technique that made all his previous work enjoyable! But who knows, maybe he'll come back in the next book! After all Ted Dekker's book four in the Lost Books of History series was seriously suffering and many thought he had lost his touch until the end when he suddenly came back! I hope the same is the case for John Flanagan because I have loved his series from book one and would hate for him to permanantly lose his touch with words!

this is the best series ive ever read. well excel maybe the new series by Flanagan "Brotherband Chronicles". but you need to read these first if you read those. the toughest book to read in this series is #3("The Icebound Land"). if you get past that(and its still really good) The series is amazing. ive read it 5 times.

Flanagan does not disappoint in this, his sixth installment. Good characters. Good pacing. An enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I now know why my 12-year-old devoured this series.

Another of the well written books in the series. If you really get into this series you need to have book 7 nearby when you finish. This book ends with a cliff-hanger. I do enjoy Will's adventures!