Book Five (Ranger's Apprentice) - The Sorcerer of the North
ByJohn Flanagan
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Readers` Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
shirley sorbello
John Flanagan moves the Ranger's Apprentice series forward in flawless fashion. While our young hero, Will, is older now, Mr. Flanagan has aged him believably and Will continues to be a vibrant and rich character. Anyone that has read the previous books in the series knows Mr. Flanagan is a master at ending a book with an old style cliff hanger that is reminiscent of the nearly forgotten pulp stories of yesteryear. This book is no exception. The ending leaves you hanging and wanting more. For me, that's the sign of an excellent storyteller, and John Flanagan is one of the finest in this genre. A well imagined plot, believable characters, and witty humor rarely seen in today's storytelling are finely crafted within the pages of The Sorcerer of the North. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire Ranger's Apprentice series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
raqib
This is amazing. HOW can you dislike this? But one thing annoys me. THERE ARE NO RANGER GIRLS. It would be better it it had GIRLS. I love cats too and I see a cat in the background;D. I recommend this to anyone it's so amazing.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
maria elena sullivan
This is not a complete book. While I expect a cliff-hanger in a tv show I watch. I don't want it in a story I paid for. It is understandable to break a long story at points of resolution as in Harry Potter. I find it very irritating to have a book end in the middle of the action like this one did. Mind you I like the story but I don't like it being cut off in the middle. If the author wants more money they should just charge more for it and make the book longer, at least then the book will be complete!
Erak's Ransom: Book 7 (Ranger's Apprentice) :: 2061 (Space Odyssey Book 3) :: The Fountains of Paradise (Arthur C. Clarke Collection) :: A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes) :: The Icebound Land: Book Three
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
reinis
Reader thoughts:
Because Will is about 20, I thought I wouldn't like this book. I know, don't judge a book by the age of its main character. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the new maturity of the characters and ways everything was put together. Of course, the plot was, again, not too complicated.
It was not a predictable plot, however. The ways the characters problem solve is still a wonderful thing to read. They don't just flee, fight, or hide. They negotiate with the viking attackers and offer them a meal. They spy by playing music. They train a dog to help them with their castle infiltration and information gathering. They are discovered because they are too tall. They scale the outside of the stone tower. They scare people with illusions and use mind tricks. The grumpy character isn't always the bad guy, and poison isn't always simple.
Writer thoughts:
Flangan uses animals in ways that few writers do. Tug and "the dog" are characters in these books, even though JF hasn't let Will name the dog yet. Tug the horse has more personality that some authors write into their humans, and the dog is cleverer than some human characters are. The animals are well trained and sometimes use sarcasm, wiliness, and enthusiasm. It helps to set the mood.
Because Will is about 20, I thought I wouldn't like this book. I know, don't judge a book by the age of its main character. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the new maturity of the characters and ways everything was put together. Of course, the plot was, again, not too complicated.
It was not a predictable plot, however. The ways the characters problem solve is still a wonderful thing to read. They don't just flee, fight, or hide. They negotiate with the viking attackers and offer them a meal. They spy by playing music. They train a dog to help them with their castle infiltration and information gathering. They are discovered because they are too tall. They scale the outside of the stone tower. They scare people with illusions and use mind tricks. The grumpy character isn't always the bad guy, and poison isn't always simple.
Writer thoughts:
Flangan uses animals in ways that few writers do. Tug and "the dog" are characters in these books, even though JF hasn't let Will name the dog yet. Tug the horse has more personality that some authors write into their humans, and the dog is cleverer than some human characters are. The animals are well trained and sometimes use sarcasm, wiliness, and enthusiasm. It helps to set the mood.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
karyn
The author insists on giving the same explanations about how bows work and how Will hides over and over and over. The exact same ones that he gave in the first four books. He keeps saying things like, "As a Ranger, Will knew to look up." By book five we know what Rangers are! Seriously! It honestly feels like the author didn't know what to write so he just started recycling basic descriptions from the other books. He e-explains all the rest of the characters, as well. It feels like he's writing for people who are just coming into the series in this book. I don't know how the release dates worked, but maybe he was expected a brand new audience.
It's more annoying now because Will is an adult, and he should be past the "What is a Ranger?" stage of his life. And we, as the audience, having watched Will grow up, indeed, know that he is a pretty decent Ranger. Why waste our time? Fill it with thick description! Plot! Dialogue! History! Background! Don't explain how camouflage works for the thousandth time. If book six is this bad, I might have to give up on the series.
Barring the colossal waste of time, it's an okay book for being a transitional book. But it definitely isn't satisfying— everything is sort of amorphous and interim and it sets everything up for the next one.
It's more annoying now because Will is an adult, and he should be past the "What is a Ranger?" stage of his life. And we, as the audience, having watched Will grow up, indeed, know that he is a pretty decent Ranger. Why waste our time? Fill it with thick description! Plot! Dialogue! History! Background! Don't explain how camouflage works for the thousandth time. If book six is this bad, I might have to give up on the series.
Barring the colossal waste of time, it's an okay book for being a transitional book. But it definitely isn't satisfying— everything is sort of amorphous and interim and it sets everything up for the next one.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
athena
This series has been one great read after another. The Sorcerer of the North is not exception. However, the pace drops a bit after the first few chapters where we see Will, several years older from the last book, on his way to his first assignment as a Ranger. Once the main adventure starts it's very slow moving, and takes a bit to get that momentum back.
I'm not sure how much I like the fact that this book is part one in a arch and will probably conclude in the next book in the series. I don't mind an over arching story and narrative, but having a satisfying conclusion to a book is still needed and wanted. We didn't really get that here.
I'm still looking forward to more from this series and author, just wished this one was a little neater.
I'm not sure how much I like the fact that this book is part one in a arch and will probably conclude in the next book in the series. I don't mind an over arching story and narrative, but having a satisfying conclusion to a book is still needed and wanted. We didn't really get that here.
I'm still looking forward to more from this series and author, just wished this one was a little neater.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
robert palmer
Book five of this popular series of YA fantasy novels is actually meant to be read as book six. So just to make sure you get your money’s worth, i strongly suggest that you follow is recommended reading order. Now onto the book’s story line ...
Will Treaty, at last, is old enough to be declared a Ranger in his own right, and to be awarded his first Fiefdom. But just when he is getting comfortable in his new abode, and making more friends than he knows what to do with, he is given the task of working undercover (as a jongleur, no less) in a magnificently atmospheric northern castle (Macindaw) to ascertain the truth, or otherwise, of the rumours considering the use of black magic by a mysterious sorcerer.
And so off Will goes, in search of adventure and justice.
Along the way, Will makes decisions that may well come back to bite him. New friends are made, but just as easily, are new enemies. And of course the worst thing is that some of these enemies are made without Will (or the reader) realising.
The writing in this book is based on the same writing style as the preceding volumes in the series. I must admit the first half of the book is a little flat, and dare i say it, a little disinteresting. Not much happens in the first 150 pages, and when it does, its all a trifle slow. But events transpire in the story’s second half to lift the fable out of this apparent quagmire of mediocrity. The reader finds out - a little too late for Will’s best interests - who the Sorcerer is, how the magic works, and who can be trusted, and who can’t. The book’s real baddies become apparent, as do the good guys.
And of course, the REAL good guys finally sense something is wrong with their grand plan right at the end when they send a fan favourite off to the mystery to see what the big hold up is.
SORCERER IN THE NORTH is definitely worth your time. It is worth your money, too, but obviously make sure that you read the preceding books in the series first. And the story even ends on a cliff hanger, so we can safely assume that the sequel - THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW - will have plenty of drama, twists, thrills and spills, and of course the obligatory fist pumping finale just like book two did. Now, *that* book was fantastic. Unfortunately, this book isn’t. It’s still very good though. But lets just hope for the series’ sake that book six (THE SIEGE AT MACINDAW) lives up to the hopes and dreams of the millions of RANGERS APPRENTICE fans out there.
Bye for now.
Will Treaty, at last, is old enough to be declared a Ranger in his own right, and to be awarded his first Fiefdom. But just when he is getting comfortable in his new abode, and making more friends than he knows what to do with, he is given the task of working undercover (as a jongleur, no less) in a magnificently atmospheric northern castle (Macindaw) to ascertain the truth, or otherwise, of the rumours considering the use of black magic by a mysterious sorcerer.
And so off Will goes, in search of adventure and justice.
Along the way, Will makes decisions that may well come back to bite him. New friends are made, but just as easily, are new enemies. And of course the worst thing is that some of these enemies are made without Will (or the reader) realising.
The writing in this book is based on the same writing style as the preceding volumes in the series. I must admit the first half of the book is a little flat, and dare i say it, a little disinteresting. Not much happens in the first 150 pages, and when it does, its all a trifle slow. But events transpire in the story’s second half to lift the fable out of this apparent quagmire of mediocrity. The reader finds out - a little too late for Will’s best interests - who the Sorcerer is, how the magic works, and who can be trusted, and who can’t. The book’s real baddies become apparent, as do the good guys.
And of course, the REAL good guys finally sense something is wrong with their grand plan right at the end when they send a fan favourite off to the mystery to see what the big hold up is.
SORCERER IN THE NORTH is definitely worth your time. It is worth your money, too, but obviously make sure that you read the preceding books in the series first. And the story even ends on a cliff hanger, so we can safely assume that the sequel - THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW - will have plenty of drama, twists, thrills and spills, and of course the obligatory fist pumping finale just like book two did. Now, *that* book was fantastic. Unfortunately, this book isn’t. It’s still very good though. But lets just hope for the series’ sake that book six (THE SIEGE AT MACINDAW) lives up to the hopes and dreams of the millions of RANGERS APPRENTICE fans out there.
Bye for now.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
michellewindmueller
Bookworm Speaks!
Ranger’s Apprentice Book 5
The Sorcerer of the North
by John Flanagan
****
The Story: Several years have passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, first met, and Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy?boring, even?until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron. As Will battles growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time, Alyss is taken hostage, and Will is forced to make a desperate choice between his mission and his friend.
The Good: Will is now a full-blown Ranger and is now getting a fief of his own to protect. It is good to finally see Will come into his own as a Ranger after being an apprentice for so long.
Alyss coming to Seacliff is also very good. After seeming to pine for Princess Cassandra for the past few books, the somewhat obvious relationship between Alyss and Will finally seems to come into fruition. Continuing the tradition of character growth, the characters are taken out of their element and subjected to pressures in order to develop. This is accomplished with Alyss a great deal, who was little more than a background character for much of the series. Alyss has grown into a beautiful woman and is strong and confident, a definite plus for any book. In spite of that she still has weaknesses. When she is captured by Sir Keren, she puts on a brave face and tries to think things through but she makes mistakes along the way, due in part she is not used to playing the part of the hostage.
The first two books shed a lot of the tropes of contemporary fantasy with Morgarath and the Wargals but here we get back a little bit to the mystical realm. The way Will deals with sorcery is a very clever and harkens back to how magic really should be portrayed. Its something mysterious and otherworldly. People in the Middle Ages, did not have a large grasp on science and mythology stilled held a powerful sway. The way that the shadowy warrior is portrayed really drives the fear of darkness into the reader and how magic takes many different forms.
The Flaws: This story is not a bad one but it falls into the same pattern as the third book in the series, the Icebound Land, in that the whole thing is pretty much a setup for the next book in the series, The Siege of Macindaw.
To be completely honest, in Bookworm’s opinion this two parter story is his least favorite of the whole series and tends to skip it when he rereads the series.
The fact that Halt is missing from the majority of the volume works to its detriment. The purpose of the book was to help Will flesh out into manhood, but the series is as much about Halt as it is about Will and to not have him is a great shock. We see him a little which helps but still…
Final Verdict: It is nice to see Will come into his own but overall this story was more setup to the payoff and once again one has to read the next book in order to complete the story at hand.
Three out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
Ranger’s Apprentice Book 5
The Sorcerer of the North
by John Flanagan
****
The Story: Several years have passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, first met, and Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy?boring, even?until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron. As Will battles growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time, Alyss is taken hostage, and Will is forced to make a desperate choice between his mission and his friend.
The Good: Will is now a full-blown Ranger and is now getting a fief of his own to protect. It is good to finally see Will come into his own as a Ranger after being an apprentice for so long.
Alyss coming to Seacliff is also very good. After seeming to pine for Princess Cassandra for the past few books, the somewhat obvious relationship between Alyss and Will finally seems to come into fruition. Continuing the tradition of character growth, the characters are taken out of their element and subjected to pressures in order to develop. This is accomplished with Alyss a great deal, who was little more than a background character for much of the series. Alyss has grown into a beautiful woman and is strong and confident, a definite plus for any book. In spite of that she still has weaknesses. When she is captured by Sir Keren, she puts on a brave face and tries to think things through but she makes mistakes along the way, due in part she is not used to playing the part of the hostage.
The first two books shed a lot of the tropes of contemporary fantasy with Morgarath and the Wargals but here we get back a little bit to the mystical realm. The way Will deals with sorcery is a very clever and harkens back to how magic really should be portrayed. Its something mysterious and otherworldly. People in the Middle Ages, did not have a large grasp on science and mythology stilled held a powerful sway. The way that the shadowy warrior is portrayed really drives the fear of darkness into the reader and how magic takes many different forms.
The Flaws: This story is not a bad one but it falls into the same pattern as the third book in the series, the Icebound Land, in that the whole thing is pretty much a setup for the next book in the series, The Siege of Macindaw.
To be completely honest, in Bookworm’s opinion this two parter story is his least favorite of the whole series and tends to skip it when he rereads the series.
The fact that Halt is missing from the majority of the volume works to its detriment. The purpose of the book was to help Will flesh out into manhood, but the series is as much about Halt as it is about Will and to not have him is a great shock. We see him a little which helps but still…
Final Verdict: It is nice to see Will come into his own but overall this story was more setup to the payoff and once again one has to read the next book in order to complete the story at hand.
Three out of Five Stars
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
lorna nicholson
As opposed to the last book which was quite boring and painful to read this book was very exciting! Written very well and engaging. I enjoyed every bit of it. However I do miss Halt and the fact of Will bring his apprentice. I was find of the setup and comfort of the two working together. Will is more social and it was weird reading about him on his own but it was destine to be. I like that this book left on a cliffhanger. I'm impressed that after 5 books there is still a storyline here and I think this series would make a great tv show. But I enjoy reading it as well. And oddly enough I was surprised that Keren was the bad guy. I feel like I should have expected it but the author was a great writer to conceal the turn of events. I'd recommend this book to anyone who can read. It's entertaining easy to read not to complicated to follow suspenseful and the characters are easy to love.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
ranganath pai
Part 5 of my Ranger's Apprentice Review Series. Check out my profile for my reviews of the other 10 books in the Ranger's Apprentice Canon.
...
If you were to read my reviews on Ranger's Apprentice, you would see it is clear that I have great admiration for John Flanagan. It is extremely hard to write a series of this length - R.A. is now into it's 12th book, not including the spinoff series "The Brotherband Chronicles" - and keep the plot's and characters consistently good. It is an almost impossible task, but Flanagan does his best.
Nevertheless, there are, by my reckoning, 3 stinkers in the Ranger's Apprentice Canon. The Sorcerer in the North is one of them. They are in no way _bad_, in fact, I rank them as high as I rank most other YA fantasies (They are aeons better then anything Paolini has ever written).
The reasons these books do not hit home can be easily remedied: they should be coupled with the NEXT book. Radical, huh?
So, and this is just my suggestion, THIS is how Ranger's Apprentice is best read. As 8 books - 4 big books, and four smaller, standalone books:
1. The Ruins of Gorlan/The Burning Bridge: The rise and fall of Morgarath
2. The Icebound Land/The Battle for Skandia: The search and rescue of Will
3. The Sorcerer in the North/The Siege of Macindaw: Intrigue and battle in the North
4. Erak's Ransom: Standalone book
5. The King's of Clonmel/Halt's Peril: The rise and fall of The Outsiders.
6. The Emperor of Nihon-Ja: Standalone book.
7. The Lost Stories: Standalone book.
8. The Royal Ranger: Upcoming...!
What do you think?
Anyways, I rather enjoyed seeing Will as an actual Ranger, not just a Ranger's Apprentice. A found Seacliff Fief a pleasant retreat for our hero after the hustle and bustle of slavery, battle, and betrayal. And he needed his rest too, because the next couple books are going to test Will to the absolute peak of his abilities. He is going to be battling monsters, demons, knights, pirates, assassins, wizards, fake priests, foreign killers, and imposter kings.
The characters are, well, they are the characters you know and love, as well as some new additions that you love to hate, or hate to love. I liked the addition of Alyss in this book, as it better fleshes out her and Will's relationship, which heretofore always felt vague. Halt and Horace do not have a lot of "screentime", devoting more time to Will, as he uncovers a web of deceit, lies, and treachery in the strange, almost foreign land of the north.
Ranger's Apprentice's pseudo-historical accuracy continues, with the Northern tribes clearly being based on the Welsh and Scottish. Being of Celtic extraction myself, it was fun to Flanagan play with history.
But let's talk cons. There is only one worth mentioning, but it's a big one. The story does not really go anywhere. For a long period of time, Will is peeking around disguised as a jongleur - a travelling minstrel. But The Sorcerer in the North, like The Icebound Land, sets up the story for an altogether more epic sequel, in this case, the riveting Siege of Macindaw. I think those books are best read together, or at least in very quick succession.
Like me, you will probably be racing to pick up the next book. That is the charm and spell of Ranger's Apprentice.
I give The Sorcerer in the North 3.8 stars! Recommended to fans of the series!
P.S. I would just like to thank WHOMEVER is responsible for designing that completely epic cover! It just sends shivers down me spine!
...
If you liked this review, please visit my profile to read my other reviews on the Ranger's Apprentice series. Thanks, and if this review was helpful to you, give it a like!
...
If you were to read my reviews on Ranger's Apprentice, you would see it is clear that I have great admiration for John Flanagan. It is extremely hard to write a series of this length - R.A. is now into it's 12th book, not including the spinoff series "The Brotherband Chronicles" - and keep the plot's and characters consistently good. It is an almost impossible task, but Flanagan does his best.
Nevertheless, there are, by my reckoning, 3 stinkers in the Ranger's Apprentice Canon. The Sorcerer in the North is one of them. They are in no way _bad_, in fact, I rank them as high as I rank most other YA fantasies (They are aeons better then anything Paolini has ever written).
The reasons these books do not hit home can be easily remedied: they should be coupled with the NEXT book. Radical, huh?
So, and this is just my suggestion, THIS is how Ranger's Apprentice is best read. As 8 books - 4 big books, and four smaller, standalone books:
1. The Ruins of Gorlan/The Burning Bridge: The rise and fall of Morgarath
2. The Icebound Land/The Battle for Skandia: The search and rescue of Will
3. The Sorcerer in the North/The Siege of Macindaw: Intrigue and battle in the North
4. Erak's Ransom: Standalone book
5. The King's of Clonmel/Halt's Peril: The rise and fall of The Outsiders.
6. The Emperor of Nihon-Ja: Standalone book.
7. The Lost Stories: Standalone book.
8. The Royal Ranger: Upcoming...!
What do you think?
Anyways, I rather enjoyed seeing Will as an actual Ranger, not just a Ranger's Apprentice. A found Seacliff Fief a pleasant retreat for our hero after the hustle and bustle of slavery, battle, and betrayal. And he needed his rest too, because the next couple books are going to test Will to the absolute peak of his abilities. He is going to be battling monsters, demons, knights, pirates, assassins, wizards, fake priests, foreign killers, and imposter kings.
The characters are, well, they are the characters you know and love, as well as some new additions that you love to hate, or hate to love. I liked the addition of Alyss in this book, as it better fleshes out her and Will's relationship, which heretofore always felt vague. Halt and Horace do not have a lot of "screentime", devoting more time to Will, as he uncovers a web of deceit, lies, and treachery in the strange, almost foreign land of the north.
Ranger's Apprentice's pseudo-historical accuracy continues, with the Northern tribes clearly being based on the Welsh and Scottish. Being of Celtic extraction myself, it was fun to Flanagan play with history.
But let's talk cons. There is only one worth mentioning, but it's a big one. The story does not really go anywhere. For a long period of time, Will is peeking around disguised as a jongleur - a travelling minstrel. But The Sorcerer in the North, like The Icebound Land, sets up the story for an altogether more epic sequel, in this case, the riveting Siege of Macindaw. I think those books are best read together, or at least in very quick succession.
Like me, you will probably be racing to pick up the next book. That is the charm and spell of Ranger's Apprentice.
I give The Sorcerer in the North 3.8 stars! Recommended to fans of the series!
P.S. I would just like to thank WHOMEVER is responsible for designing that completely epic cover! It just sends shivers down me spine!
...
If you liked this review, please visit my profile to read my other reviews on the Ranger's Apprentice series. Thanks, and if this review was helpful to you, give it a like!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
faisal
I'm a little disappointed because I could see the plot twist coming but it was also over done but also the set up of this feels like a repeat of the last two other than that it's actually a great book I love the add ons the characters the fact that we actually get to see some development from ALyss I just hope his other. Friends that we haven't seen from the first book show up soon and get some development of there own as a whole I wish this series came in a collection so I could buy it all in one go and save a little money 12 books is a long series can't wait to catch up with the next books
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
erin rother
This is the fifth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series by Flanagan. The tenth book in this series, The Emperor of Nihan-Ja, released in April of 2011. This book was a solid addition to the series and an enjoyable read. It is another of those books in this series that is only the first half of a story arc.
Will is taking up his own post at a castle in the Northern territories. As he settles in to his new position he receives a message from his old friend Alyss, all is not well in the North and Will needs to go and check it out. Masquerading as a jongleur, Will investigates stories of bad sorcery and mysterious illness.
It was a lot of fun to Will striking out on his own as a Ranger. I was a bit disappointed that he stays in his new territory such a short time and then is sent north to a different area. It was interesting to watch Will work at playing a completely different role (that of a traveling musician) when he's just finally out on his own as a Ranger.
There were some great new characters added to the mix. Will ends up with a faithful dog companion that added a lot to the story. A strange "black" magician also looks to add a lot to the story. I was a bit disappointed we didn't see much of Halt in this book, but Alyss is present for much of the story and she is a wonderful humorous character that really is fun to read about.
The story is well-written, as with previous books there is nothing especially creative or intriguing about the world here. It is a pretty straight-forward adventure fantasy. I love the humor that is woven throughout, it mimics real life well and keeps things from getting too serious.
This book does something that has happened in previous books, it only tells half of a story. The story ends pretty much with everything up in the air. So, if you hate being left hanging I would definitely pick up the sixth book, The Seige of Macindaw, right away so that you can read it when you are done with this one.
Overall a great addition to the series. This is the start of a new story arc and there are some fun characters added. Will and Alyss spend a lot of time together in this story and it was great to have Alyss featuring in the story. Halt is scarce, though and I missed him. I was upset at how the book was ended right in the middle of the story again, but that just makes me want to read book six, The Seige of Macindaw, more. This has been a wonderful series for middle grade and young adult readers who love a good adventure fantasy. The book is very well-written and the humor laced throughout makes it a joy to read.
Will is taking up his own post at a castle in the Northern territories. As he settles in to his new position he receives a message from his old friend Alyss, all is not well in the North and Will needs to go and check it out. Masquerading as a jongleur, Will investigates stories of bad sorcery and mysterious illness.
It was a lot of fun to Will striking out on his own as a Ranger. I was a bit disappointed that he stays in his new territory such a short time and then is sent north to a different area. It was interesting to watch Will work at playing a completely different role (that of a traveling musician) when he's just finally out on his own as a Ranger.
There were some great new characters added to the mix. Will ends up with a faithful dog companion that added a lot to the story. A strange "black" magician also looks to add a lot to the story. I was a bit disappointed we didn't see much of Halt in this book, but Alyss is present for much of the story and she is a wonderful humorous character that really is fun to read about.
The story is well-written, as with previous books there is nothing especially creative or intriguing about the world here. It is a pretty straight-forward adventure fantasy. I love the humor that is woven throughout, it mimics real life well and keeps things from getting too serious.
This book does something that has happened in previous books, it only tells half of a story. The story ends pretty much with everything up in the air. So, if you hate being left hanging I would definitely pick up the sixth book, The Seige of Macindaw, right away so that you can read it when you are done with this one.
Overall a great addition to the series. This is the start of a new story arc and there are some fun characters added. Will and Alyss spend a lot of time together in this story and it was great to have Alyss featuring in the story. Halt is scarce, though and I missed him. I was upset at how the book was ended right in the middle of the story again, but that just makes me want to read book six, The Seige of Macindaw, more. This has been a wonderful series for middle grade and young adult readers who love a good adventure fantasy. The book is very well-written and the humor laced throughout makes it a joy to read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
tarika
After years of hard work, dedication and immense danger, Will Treaty has finished his apprenticeship. He is now a full-fledged Ranger, protector of the kingdom. His first assignment lands him in the Fife of Seacliff, supposedly a relatively uneventful place, suitable for a first post. Nevertheless, Will seems to find excitement almost immediately. On his journey to his new post, he discovers a dying dog who was intentionally struck down with a sword. He patches her up and takes her with him.
Arriving at his new post, Will finds that the defenses of the fife have deteriorated immensely. Even though life in the Fife of Seacliff is relaxed almost to the point of being boring, Will knows that is no excuse to have allowed the defenses to weaken and fall out of shape. What would happen in the unlikely event of being attacked? And then that very unlikely event suddenly becomes likely when Skandian raiders land on their shores looking for a fight. Will's hard-earned skills from the past years are put to the test in his first major task as a Ranger.
Soon after, an old friend comes to visit. Will welcomes Alyss to his new home, eager to catch up and spend time with her. However, her arrival isn't just for a friendly chat; she is a Courier now and has come to deliver a special assignment for Will. There is trouble in one of the northern fifes, and the current Ranger there is having trouble uncovering information. The commander of Castle Macindaw has been struck down with a mysterious illness. No one has been able to help, and he is fading fast. And rumor has it that a sorcerer is the culprit. Villagers speak of strange lights and sounds in the forest, and fear is spreading fast. So Will's assignment is to go undercover as a traveling musician in order to talk with the local people and investigate the rumors. But he has no idea what he is in for, what to expect, or who to trust. He'll have to rely on his training and his wits to keep him alive.
John Flanagan is the amazing, bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice series. The excitement in this book never dies; Flanagan has something happening on every page, all adding to the clever plot. He writes with a classy and genteel style that mirrors the very spirit of the Rangers themselves. Yet the words and sentences flow with ease, never tripping the reader up with unnecessary obstacles. Flanagan also writes his action scenes with such intricate details that really bring them to life, such as Will aiming and shooting his bow or scaling the castle wall for a rescue. His colorful characters all complement each other, and he even plants words of wisdom throughout the pages, such as "It's a lot easier to heal an injured body than a damaged soul."
Overall, THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is an exciting, action-packed story that doesn't end with the last page, as Flanagan leaves readers with a cliffhanger. If you haven't read the first four Ranger's Apprentice books, no problem; this installment can stand alone. A warning though: you will probably get hooked and want to read the rest of the series right away.
Arriving at his new post, Will finds that the defenses of the fife have deteriorated immensely. Even though life in the Fife of Seacliff is relaxed almost to the point of being boring, Will knows that is no excuse to have allowed the defenses to weaken and fall out of shape. What would happen in the unlikely event of being attacked? And then that very unlikely event suddenly becomes likely when Skandian raiders land on their shores looking for a fight. Will's hard-earned skills from the past years are put to the test in his first major task as a Ranger.
Soon after, an old friend comes to visit. Will welcomes Alyss to his new home, eager to catch up and spend time with her. However, her arrival isn't just for a friendly chat; she is a Courier now and has come to deliver a special assignment for Will. There is trouble in one of the northern fifes, and the current Ranger there is having trouble uncovering information. The commander of Castle Macindaw has been struck down with a mysterious illness. No one has been able to help, and he is fading fast. And rumor has it that a sorcerer is the culprit. Villagers speak of strange lights and sounds in the forest, and fear is spreading fast. So Will's assignment is to go undercover as a traveling musician in order to talk with the local people and investigate the rumors. But he has no idea what he is in for, what to expect, or who to trust. He'll have to rely on his training and his wits to keep him alive.
John Flanagan is the amazing, bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice series. The excitement in this book never dies; Flanagan has something happening on every page, all adding to the clever plot. He writes with a classy and genteel style that mirrors the very spirit of the Rangers themselves. Yet the words and sentences flow with ease, never tripping the reader up with unnecessary obstacles. Flanagan also writes his action scenes with such intricate details that really bring them to life, such as Will aiming and shooting his bow or scaling the castle wall for a rescue. His colorful characters all complement each other, and he even plants words of wisdom throughout the pages, such as "It's a lot easier to heal an injured body than a damaged soul."
Overall, THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is an exciting, action-packed story that doesn't end with the last page, as Flanagan leaves readers with a cliffhanger. If you haven't read the first four Ranger's Apprentice books, no problem; this installment can stand alone. A warning though: you will probably get hooked and want to read the rest of the series right away.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
marten
The Sorcerer of the North (2008) is the fifth fantasy novel in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following The Battle for Skandia. In the previous volume, Will and his friends helped the Skandians to defend against the Temujai invaders. When they arrived back in Araluen, King Duncan was very pleased for the return of his daughter. Horace was knighted, Halt was officially reinstated, and Will gained the surname of Treaty.
In this novel, Will Treaty is now a full-fledged Ranger with a bit a fame for his accomplishments. He is assigned to a fief in Southeastern Araluen. On the way there, he acquires an abused dog with a large cut in her side.
Erak is now the Oberjarl of Skandia and Will's friend. He had brought Will and Evanlyn to Skandia as slaves, but helped them to escape. Then they had all fought together against the Temujai.
Halt is a full Ranger, dangerous and feared. He had been Will's mentor before Will was promoted.
Alyss is also a former ward of the barony like Will. Now she is a Diplomatic Courier, working for Lady Pauline.
In this story, Will arrives in Seacliff Fief with Tug and the dog. As he rides through the village, he notices a green-eyed young woman watching him. He reaches the Ranger's quarters and takes the young border shepherd into the cabin.
While Will settles the dog near the hearth, he notices the neatness of the cabin and the lit fire. Then he meets the housekeeper -- Edwina -- and willingly accepts her services. Later, the green-eyed girl -- Edwina's daughter Delia -- brings him a very savory stew for his supper.
Will soon meets Baron Ergell and the Battlemaster, Sir Norris of Rook. Both the Baron and the Battlemaster seem to be friendly, but Will has to avoid a few political traps. Over the next few weeks, however, Will finds the household troops of the barony to lack training and practice. He is going to have to report their deficiencies in his next report.
Then the wolfship arrives. Will knows that the local forces would not be sufficient to turn back the raiders, so he devises an alternative. He goes to meet the skirl leading the Skandians. Of course, it helps considerably that he is a friend of Erak.
This tale takes Will and Alyss north to the border with the Scotti. The lord of Macindaw fortress has become ill and rumor says that the illness was caused by sorcery. Halt tells Will that almost every case attributed to sorcery can be explained by other causes, but at least one percent might be true sorcery.
This novel leaves many unresolved problems. The next volume in the series is The Siege of Macindaw. Read and enjoy!
Highly recommended for Flanagan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, dastardly deceptions, and clever youngsters.
-Arthur W. Jordin
In this novel, Will Treaty is now a full-fledged Ranger with a bit a fame for his accomplishments. He is assigned to a fief in Southeastern Araluen. On the way there, he acquires an abused dog with a large cut in her side.
Erak is now the Oberjarl of Skandia and Will's friend. He had brought Will and Evanlyn to Skandia as slaves, but helped them to escape. Then they had all fought together against the Temujai.
Halt is a full Ranger, dangerous and feared. He had been Will's mentor before Will was promoted.
Alyss is also a former ward of the barony like Will. Now she is a Diplomatic Courier, working for Lady Pauline.
In this story, Will arrives in Seacliff Fief with Tug and the dog. As he rides through the village, he notices a green-eyed young woman watching him. He reaches the Ranger's quarters and takes the young border shepherd into the cabin.
While Will settles the dog near the hearth, he notices the neatness of the cabin and the lit fire. Then he meets the housekeeper -- Edwina -- and willingly accepts her services. Later, the green-eyed girl -- Edwina's daughter Delia -- brings him a very savory stew for his supper.
Will soon meets Baron Ergell and the Battlemaster, Sir Norris of Rook. Both the Baron and the Battlemaster seem to be friendly, but Will has to avoid a few political traps. Over the next few weeks, however, Will finds the household troops of the barony to lack training and practice. He is going to have to report their deficiencies in his next report.
Then the wolfship arrives. Will knows that the local forces would not be sufficient to turn back the raiders, so he devises an alternative. He goes to meet the skirl leading the Skandians. Of course, it helps considerably that he is a friend of Erak.
This tale takes Will and Alyss north to the border with the Scotti. The lord of Macindaw fortress has become ill and rumor says that the illness was caused by sorcery. Halt tells Will that almost every case attributed to sorcery can be explained by other causes, but at least one percent might be true sorcery.
This novel leaves many unresolved problems. The next volume in the series is The Siege of Macindaw. Read and enjoy!
Highly recommended for Flanagan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, dastardly deceptions, and clever youngsters.
-Arthur W. Jordin
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
linara
Ha! I just love this series. It may have been written for young adults, but this action lover enjoys them as well and I have not been a kid since the early 70's. I like the whole Robin Hood type settings and the castle and court system. And Rangers are darn close to Special Force operators. Some reviewers have complained about the ending....I don't see why, this story was set up as a two-parter. No big deal. Once again I love all the characters, and it appears as if the author is weaning us off Halt, more and more. The story is almost all Will. It's like watching Robin grow-up into Nightwing and stand on his own. I try to space these RA stories out, but I think I will jump back into RA #6 within a month or so, just to find out how the story turns out.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
heather staheli
Will has finally completed his Ranger training, and is now assigned to a Baron. But as soon as he gets there, problems arise. Skandians have landed on the shore and are coming to raid the castle. Will manages to avoid confrontation, but then Alyss, a childhood friend, arrives to tell him that he has been assigned to a new mission. There have been reports of sorcery in the north.
Will will have to travel undercover as a musician to find out if any of these reports are true. But a mysterious illness has struck the Lord there. The Lords son acts odd, and there have also been reports of ghost in the forest.
This book, THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is the fifth book in The Ranger's Apprentice series. It's highly addictive. Once I started reading, it was impossible to put down.
(Review by Jimmy, my middle son.)
Will will have to travel undercover as a musician to find out if any of these reports are true. But a mysterious illness has struck the Lord there. The Lords son acts odd, and there have also been reports of ghost in the forest.
This book, THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is the fifth book in The Ranger's Apprentice series. It's highly addictive. Once I started reading, it was impossible to put down.
(Review by Jimmy, my middle son.)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
cambron elsey
It's been 4 years since Will and Halt helped the Skandians. Four years of growing up into a young man. Will is now a full Ranger, no longer an apprentice. He's being assigned his first mission alone, which takes him to a faraway fief in the kingdom. Along the way he finds a new companion, a sheep dog badly injured on the side of the road. Upon arriving at the castle he discovers the training and precautions are quite lax and things need a Ranger's touch. And he's to meet the Skandians once again. His mission is then moved to play the part of a jongleur. He must trek to the kingdom's boundaries, there are rumors of an age old sorcerer causing havoc and slowing killing a king with sickness. Will meets an old childhood friend, who was an orphan like himself, working as a courier now. Alyss has grownup tall and beautiful. Will there be romance between the old friends, or will the shadow of the Princess hold the Ranger back? Things take a turn for the worse, the king's son has now become ill. Will must seek out the sorcerer for help to heal the prince. Deceit becomes apparent with the poisoning of the prince. In his trek to find the sorcerer Will discovers not everything is as he's heard. Back at home Halt is growing concerned for the young Ranger and Courier and dispatches the best knight in the kingdom. Horace is on his way to help his friends.
This book like the others is a page turner. However, as other reviewers have mentioned it's a bit of half a book. To me, it's like your favorite TV show. They end it on a cliff hanger and you are forced to wait for the next episode. I don't feel this is a bad thing, it keeps the reader eager for the next book. I just wish they came out closer to each other. This is recommend to adults and teens alike, these are excellent books and a superb series.
This book like the others is a page turner. However, as other reviewers have mentioned it's a bit of half a book. To me, it's like your favorite TV show. They end it on a cliff hanger and you are forced to wait for the next episode. I don't feel this is a bad thing, it keeps the reader eager for the next book. I just wish they came out closer to each other. This is recommend to adults and teens alike, these are excellent books and a superb series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
amisa
My 11-year old had to read the first book in the series for book club so I decided to join him. Now I'm hooked. Love the characters. The writing is terrific. The details are amazing. Flanagan has done his research and you learn about how to move in darkness, how to remain unseen, how knot tying is such a great skill and so much more. I highly recommend the entire series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
cheryl symonds
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.
* 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.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
rudolph harmon
Quite some time has passed since book 4. Like years. Wasn't a fan of that. Things happened in between books 4 and 5 that got glossed over in book 5. It also felt like half a story. Nothing has really been resolved yet...like books 5 and 6 were cut in half right in the middle of the plot. I would've been upset if I read book 5 and book 6 wasn't published yet. It just stops.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
allison parnell
Wrought in danger and shrouded in mystery, the sourcer of the north strikes fear into the hearts of those inhabitants of Castle Macindaw, but nothing is as it seems.
I loved this book and all the mystery contained within it's pages. 5 stars for imagination and a wonderfully great storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat begging for more.
I loved this book and all the mystery contained within it's pages. 5 stars for imagination and a wonderfully great storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat begging for more.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
loolee dharmabum
In The Sorcerer of The North we find Will has finished his apprenticeship and moved to his own fiefdom. He isn't there long however when he's sent on a mission to MacIndaw, a troubled fiefdom to the north, strategically important because of its proximity to the Scotti clans of Picta.
Another great installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series, it opens up the opportunity for discussions about how people aren't always what they appear and how your actions towards others now often have consequences (negative and positive) in the future.
Another great installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series, it opens up the opportunity for discussions about how people aren't always what they appear and how your actions towards others now often have consequences (negative and positive) in the future.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jeannette
While not quite as suspenseful as the first few books, Sorcerer of the North still kept my children begging for another chapter each time I'd try to close the book. The main characters are growing up and it is interesting to see how their relationships grow and/or change over time. Flanagan still manages to mesmerize us with his slightly preternatural world that symbolizes ours but does not exactly reflect it. Though he left the horrifying wargals and Kalkara far behind in book 2, he causes us to fear the dark once again as he describes in terrifying detail Will's encounter with the Night Warrior in Grimsdell Wood. The ending is once again a classic cliff hanger that will make Book 6 a must-read for all Ranger's Apprentice fans!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sarah houts
Ranger's Apprentice: The Sorcerer of the North (Ranger's Apprentice)
I loved this book just as much as the rest of the series. The ingenuity of Will in solving problems, and the growing relationships he has as he matures as a ranger makes for non stop action and adventure. These characters, Horace and Alyssa and the older rangers continue to delight and engage. This book left us hanging, can't wait for the next one! This series is appropriate for children over around 8-10yo and can be read by the whole family.
I loved this book just as much as the rest of the series. The ingenuity of Will in solving problems, and the growing relationships he has as he matures as a ranger makes for non stop action and adventure. These characters, Horace and Alyssa and the older rangers continue to delight and engage. This book left us hanging, can't wait for the next one! This series is appropriate for children over around 8-10yo and can be read by the whole family.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mark brown
Will is now a full Ranger, with his own posting. But it isn't long before his friend Alyss arrives with a secret mission for him. It seems that a king of a critical fief has been poisoned. And the king's people believe a sorcerer is to blame. Will and Alyss must investigate the claims and discover who is really behind the king's illness. Things aren't what they seem.
Set years after the last book in the series, Will has finally come to his own. But he still gets some help from his friends in this latest adventure. The mystery and suspense are heightened in this latest installment. With edge-of-your-seat excitement, this is the most thrilling story yet. Though also ends with a cliffhanger, which U.S. readers will have to wait a bit longer to read the conclusion of this particular adventure as it isn't scheduled to publish here until next spring. The author has just finished book 8, so we're a little behind. (According to [...])
Set years after the last book in the series, Will has finally come to his own. But he still gets some help from his friends in this latest adventure. The mystery and suspense are heightened in this latest installment. With edge-of-your-seat excitement, this is the most thrilling story yet. Though also ends with a cliffhanger, which U.S. readers will have to wait a bit longer to read the conclusion of this particular adventure as it isn't scheduled to publish here until next spring. The author has just finished book 8, so we're a little behind. (According to [...])
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
deborah bolding
I'm not going to rehash what this book was about. I just wanted to share my opinion: the book was predictable but none the less, entertaining. The first 4 books left you wanting to read the next book so you can see how everyone matures as the story progresses. FYI, the characters are so very likeable (and I happen to totally adore Halt)... anyways, upon reading this 5th installment of the Ranger's Apprentice, I found myself screaming: "What happened to the last 5 years of Will's training under Halt?!" I had wanted & unfortunately expected to see the growing up years between all the characters & would've enjoyed seeing the ever increasing attachment between the Ranger and his apprentice develop. Don't get me wrong, as I've already read books 6 and 7, and enjoyed them the same as the 1st 4 books. I just feel I've lost a valuable piece of history..
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jessica williams
I feel like someone in my family is growing up! I know it sounds strange, but I've gotten so involved in this series that I feel as though I know Will!
Perhaps it's John Flanagan's style of writing, how he pulls you in and makes you feel like you're a part of the story. You can just imagine that Will is going to walk out of the book and into your life!
Very good book, from a very talented author!
Happy Reading =}
Perhaps it's John Flanagan's style of writing, how he pulls you in and makes you feel like you're a part of the story. You can just imagine that Will is going to walk out of the book and into your life!
Very good book, from a very talented author!
Happy Reading =}
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
treehugger
The Ranger's Apprentice is a great alternative to Harry Potter. This is the fifth book the publisher has released in the United States, and I have read every one. I like The Sorcerer of the North, because Will is now a Ranger instead of an apprentice, and the book is exciting. One fault I found with the book was an unsatisfactory ending.
In The Sorcerer of the North Will is a full fledged Ranger instead of an apprentice. He is probably around eighteen. There might be a romance between Will and Alyss in the near future. Even though Will is now a Ranger, Halt is still in the book along with other familiar characters.
I also like this book because it is very exciting. In the book there is a hint of sorcery, which leaves the reader questioning what will happen next. A twelve meter ghost warrior, known as the "Night Warrior," appears in supposedly haunted woods. There is also a new villain, which is much better than having the same villain throughout the entire series like Harry Potter.
The only thing that I really did not like about the book was the unsatisfactory ending. The reader will have to read the next book to get to the conclusion. This is similar to the manner that books two and three ended, and I had to wait a year to find out what happened.
The Sorcerer of the North is a very interesting summer read that is not excessively long like the Harry Potter books. I think that Will as a full fledged Ranger now is a good follow up after four books as an apprentice Ranger. However, due to the abrupt ending, I would recommend waiting to read book five until the release of book six on August 4; then read the two books back to back.
In The Sorcerer of the North Will is a full fledged Ranger instead of an apprentice. He is probably around eighteen. There might be a romance between Will and Alyss in the near future. Even though Will is now a Ranger, Halt is still in the book along with other familiar characters.
I also like this book because it is very exciting. In the book there is a hint of sorcery, which leaves the reader questioning what will happen next. A twelve meter ghost warrior, known as the "Night Warrior," appears in supposedly haunted woods. There is also a new villain, which is much better than having the same villain throughout the entire series like Harry Potter.
The only thing that I really did not like about the book was the unsatisfactory ending. The reader will have to read the next book to get to the conclusion. This is similar to the manner that books two and three ended, and I had to wait a year to find out what happened.
The Sorcerer of the North is a very interesting summer read that is not excessively long like the Harry Potter books. I think that Will as a full fledged Ranger now is a good follow up after four books as an apprentice Ranger. However, due to the abrupt ending, I would recommend waiting to read book five until the release of book six on August 4; then read the two books back to back.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
chris gilmore
In the latest installment of this bestselling series, we find Will as a full-fledged member of the Ranger Corps. It's been years since Will and his master, Halt, helped the Skandians defend their land against invaders. Will is sent off to his own fief to look after and finds things sluggish, even boring. Because of his youth, many of the fief's residents think Will is not prepared to be a commanding Ranger. Little do they know that Will is the cunning and clever Ranger's Apprentice that helped defeat the evil Morgarath and befriended Erak, the mighty Jarl of Skandia. Will proves his experience, however, when he peacefully negotiates an attempted raid and saves the fief from destruction.
Trouble, however, is brewing elsewhere in the kingdom. In the northernmost fief, Lord Syron is struck down with a mysterious illness. Tales of ghosts and evil sorcery in the woods at night have scared people, and a growing sense of panic is threatening the peaceful community. Will's friend Alyss, an agent of the king, brings him the news that he will be traveling undercover up north to uncover the truth of what's really happening.
As a respected member of the Ranger's Corps, Will envisions traveling up North as something other than what Halt has planned for him: a jongleur. Jongleurs sing songs, crack jokes, and entertain guests at taverns or castles. Armed with his mighty mandola, not a lute mind you, Will slowly learns songs and jokes that help the townspeople of the north relax and discuss what's really happening in the dark woods at night.
When Will finds himself at a standstill in discovering the true meaning behind Lord Syron's sickness and the glowing lights in the forest, Alyss arrives and puts both of them in a dangerous situation. As events begin to unravel and the shocking truth is slowly revealed, Will and Alyss find themselves in a race against time to save the northern fief and each other.
John Flanagan has created beloved characters and powerful story lines that have kept readers intrigued throughout the entire Ranger's Apprentice series. The Sorcerer of the North is an excellent addition and will keep readers clamoring for the next book.
Trouble, however, is brewing elsewhere in the kingdom. In the northernmost fief, Lord Syron is struck down with a mysterious illness. Tales of ghosts and evil sorcery in the woods at night have scared people, and a growing sense of panic is threatening the peaceful community. Will's friend Alyss, an agent of the king, brings him the news that he will be traveling undercover up north to uncover the truth of what's really happening.
As a respected member of the Ranger's Corps, Will envisions traveling up North as something other than what Halt has planned for him: a jongleur. Jongleurs sing songs, crack jokes, and entertain guests at taverns or castles. Armed with his mighty mandola, not a lute mind you, Will slowly learns songs and jokes that help the townspeople of the north relax and discuss what's really happening in the dark woods at night.
When Will finds himself at a standstill in discovering the true meaning behind Lord Syron's sickness and the glowing lights in the forest, Alyss arrives and puts both of them in a dangerous situation. As events begin to unravel and the shocking truth is slowly revealed, Will and Alyss find themselves in a race against time to save the northern fief and each other.
John Flanagan has created beloved characters and powerful story lines that have kept readers intrigued throughout the entire Ranger's Apprentice series. The Sorcerer of the North is an excellent addition and will keep readers clamoring for the next book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
aviva
Wonderful story continued. Unfortunately and I don't blame John Flanagan for this, but the writing is getting edited too tightly. I understand these issues are not always the author's with these hard times. Would like to see John stand up to the editor or the publisher to let him tell the story. Also, was disappointed in the ending - it just stopped. Not nice. Really look forward to finding out what happens next.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
anjali shah
After completing his apprentice ship, Will is given his first solo assignment, at Seacliff. He finds the situation a Seacliff to be slightly awkward.
Of corse that is before he is given a secret assignment and sent to the north to investigate the reappearance of the supposed sorcerer. When he reaches the castle, disguised as a jongleur, he finds maters are worse than was before thought. Much worse.
I recommend this book, it is a good addition to the series.
Of corse that is before he is given a secret assignment and sent to the north to investigate the reappearance of the supposed sorcerer. When he reaches the castle, disguised as a jongleur, he finds maters are worse than was before thought. Much worse.
I recommend this book, it is a good addition to the series.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
ros burrage
I don't get it. This would be an OK, even good book if the first 4 were not so great. I do not even believe most of the book was written by the same author.
Will goes from being bright and insightful to stupid, needing the obvious pointed out. Suddenly people can walk up to him and surprise him, he is easily spotted in a forest and depends on his animals for all the skills he used to poses.
The plots used to be beautiful and clear with exciting new twists the plot in this was so painfully obvious from the beginning it made me cringe. Spoiler: when characters are so black and white the "good guy" always ends up being the "bad guy".
The characters, plot and writing was suddenly dumbed down, it is just not the same writer.
Also, there is strange repetition, example: the relationship between the dog & horse was mentioned about four times. In some areas the witting was REALLY sloppy.
I will read the next one with trepidation (even with a cliff hanger I do not know if it is worth reading further). The first four left me pleasurably happy and this one just left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
PS: why would you skip the years during which will becomes a ranger, I don't get it.
Will goes from being bright and insightful to stupid, needing the obvious pointed out. Suddenly people can walk up to him and surprise him, he is easily spotted in a forest and depends on his animals for all the skills he used to poses.
The plots used to be beautiful and clear with exciting new twists the plot in this was so painfully obvious from the beginning it made me cringe. Spoiler: when characters are so black and white the "good guy" always ends up being the "bad guy".
The characters, plot and writing was suddenly dumbed down, it is just not the same writer.
Also, there is strange repetition, example: the relationship between the dog & horse was mentioned about four times. In some areas the witting was REALLY sloppy.
I will read the next one with trepidation (even with a cliff hanger I do not know if it is worth reading further). The first four left me pleasurably happy and this one just left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
PS: why would you skip the years during which will becomes a ranger, I don't get it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
elmira
This is the second book in the series that ends as a cliffhanger. I am so glad I have the next one right here all ready to start. This book lived up to all the others. I loved it. I continue to really like the characters, and the action and adventure are great.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
greysie
This book introduces many new characters. It starts at Seacliff Fief then to Norgate Fief. There is a "sorcerer" there named Mallkallam, who is really just a healer named Malcolm. Will Treaty takes the job again. The book precedes immediately to "The Seige of Macindaw".
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sarah black
I love how you get to see the characters as young adults, and see how much they've grown. Plus, there seems to be more developing (finally) between Will and Alice. Granted, I don't want the series to turn into a over dramatic Twilight romance, but it's nice to see just a little bit of romance in a series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
isobel
Wonderful story continued. Unfortunately and I don't blame John Flanagan for this, but the writing is getting edited too tightly. I understand these issues are not always the author's with these hard times. Would like to see John stand up to the editor or the publisher to let him tell the story. Also, was disappointed in the ending - it just stopped. Not nice. Really look forward to finding out what happens next.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
abigail
After completing his apprentice ship, Will is given his first solo assignment, at Seacliff. He finds the situation a Seacliff to be slightly awkward.
Of corse that is before he is given a secret assignment and sent to the north to investigate the reappearance of the supposed sorcerer. When he reaches the castle, disguised as a jongleur, he finds maters are worse than was before thought. Much worse.
I recommend this book, it is a good addition to the series.
Of corse that is before he is given a secret assignment and sent to the north to investigate the reappearance of the supposed sorcerer. When he reaches the castle, disguised as a jongleur, he finds maters are worse than was before thought. Much worse.
I recommend this book, it is a good addition to the series.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
brighton sloan
I don't get it. This would be an OK, even good book if the first 4 were not so great. I do not even believe most of the book was written by the same author.
Will goes from being bright and insightful to stupid, needing the obvious pointed out. Suddenly people can walk up to him and surprise him, he is easily spotted in a forest and depends on his animals for all the skills he used to poses.
The plots used to be beautiful and clear with exciting new twists the plot in this was so painfully obvious from the beginning it made me cringe. Spoiler: when characters are so black and white the "good guy" always ends up being the "bad guy".
The characters, plot and writing was suddenly dumbed down, it is just not the same writer.
Also, there is strange repetition, example: the relationship between the dog & horse was mentioned about four times. In some areas the witting was REALLY sloppy.
I will read the next one with trepidation (even with a cliff hanger I do not know if it is worth reading further). The first four left me pleasurably happy and this one just left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
PS: why would you skip the years during which will becomes a ranger, I don't get it.
Will goes from being bright and insightful to stupid, needing the obvious pointed out. Suddenly people can walk up to him and surprise him, he is easily spotted in a forest and depends on his animals for all the skills he used to poses.
The plots used to be beautiful and clear with exciting new twists the plot in this was so painfully obvious from the beginning it made me cringe. Spoiler: when characters are so black and white the "good guy" always ends up being the "bad guy".
The characters, plot and writing was suddenly dumbed down, it is just not the same writer.
Also, there is strange repetition, example: the relationship between the dog & horse was mentioned about four times. In some areas the witting was REALLY sloppy.
I will read the next one with trepidation (even with a cliff hanger I do not know if it is worth reading further). The first four left me pleasurably happy and this one just left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
PS: why would you skip the years during which will becomes a ranger, I don't get it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
lu s ribeiro
This is the second book in the series that ends as a cliffhanger. I am so glad I have the next one right here all ready to start. This book lived up to all the others. I loved it. I continue to really like the characters, and the action and adventure are great.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
roar
This book introduces many new characters. It starts at Seacliff Fief then to Norgate Fief. There is a "sorcerer" there named Mallkallam, who is really just a healer named Malcolm. Will Treaty takes the job again. The book precedes immediately to "The Seige of Macindaw".
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
goughstein ciarantorias
I love how you get to see the characters as young adults, and see how much they've grown. Plus, there seems to be more developing (finally) between Will and Alice. Granted, I don't want the series to turn into a over dramatic Twilight romance, but it's nice to see just a little bit of romance in a series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
dana mullins
Not as many battles in this low-key build-up to the next book in the series. However, the kids (I read these to my kids at night (ages 10+) always begged for me to read one more page before signing off. It's a story full of suspense, but a bit of a departure from others in the series. 4 stars.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
rpeter brown
will treaty has just become a full fleged member of the ranger corps . he has his own feif known and just as things start to settel in somthing goes wrong. the lord of the catle macenda is hit with an illness that nobody knows . some say its the sorcerer malakam that has come to take revenge on the lords family.know will has to go and investagate what has happend .but half way though will meets his life long freind and together they investagate but is it the sorcer that is causing all the trouble . find out in this thrilling book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
charan
I've been reading this series and while each one was its own little story, this one started out that way but seemed to end in the middle of the story. I suppose it's a great way to sell more books but I was left wanting more....
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
bill zimmerman
At first I didn't think I'd like these books, but many of my friends were reading them and so I picked the first one up, and now I'm addicted. These books are sooooo awesome! A must read for all ages!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
cynthia garcia
One of the best books u will ever read it has mix of adventure and action. Threw out this series you will be at the edge of youre seat and about to fall off. You will get what i mean when u read THIS book. #CLIFHANGER
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
vikas kewalramani
The fifth book in this series has only as much action as the third book in the series (that is why I rated it three stars). But when there is action, it is great like all the other books. There was too much talking, but there were a lot of funny parts.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
renata
My 11 year old son and I like the Ranger's Apprentice series and were excited about book 5. After reading it I would rank it near the bottom of the series. First, almost zero action, which is a major fault when it comes to my son. Second, the story is not resolved at the end of the book. Once again, a female character is held hostage at the end of the story and we wait for the next installment to see how our heros save the day. The book is well written and the characters are nicely developed. I suggest skip book 5 and wait for book 6.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ava f
This is a very good book for boy' s my age because it is very hard for me to find good books for my skill level the I like . I have read Tolken's Lord of the Rings and the hobbit but those are preety hard to follow if you are 11. John Flanagan's books are the sort of books that make you never want to put them down!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ryan walsh
I found the 5th book to be very good. John Flanagan does an excellent job at pulling most of the loose ends together and yet still leave a good cliff-hanger at the end, making the reader yearn for the next book. I did like the rather large cliff-hanger at the end, and I love how Flanagan always has his next book nearly finished by the time the reader finishs readign.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kevan
This is a very good book for boy' s my age because it is very hard for me to find good books for my skill level the I like . I have read Tolken's Lord of the Rings and the hobbit but those are preety hard to follow if you are 11. John Flanagan's books are the sort of books that make you never want to put them down!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
evan allen
I found the 5th book to be very good. John Flanagan does an excellent job at pulling most of the loose ends together and yet still leave a good cliff-hanger at the end, making the reader yearn for the next book. I did like the rather large cliff-hanger at the end, and I love how Flanagan always has his next book nearly finished by the time the reader finishs readign.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
carma spence
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is not a book. This is Flanagan realizing that he gets twice as much money if he splits a book into two pieces. The "ending" is not a cliffhanger, it's simply the story being cut off, leaving you to check your copy to make sure it got all the pages (yes, I actually did that. I even double-checked the page count here on the store to make sure I got all mine.) You suspect this will be the case when you're 25 pages from the end and nothing remotely interesting has happened yet. The most climactic part in the whole book is...wait for it...The hero scaling a wall. Be still, my beating heart.
As in his other books, Flanagan's strength is in coming up with outstanding (albeit simple) characters. His weakness is everything else. For me, Halt has made the series worth reading, but that all ends with book #5. Halt isn't a main character, and Will just isn't interesting enough. It may be good that the book ended abruptly because if I'd read one more reminder that people suspect the Rangers are sorcerers I might have shot myself in the face.
Unfortunately for me, I've never been able to stop reading a series once started, no matter how horrible it gets. So I'll probably continue reading it. But if you have the willpower to stop, do so after reading book 4.
As in his other books, Flanagan's strength is in coming up with outstanding (albeit simple) characters. His weakness is everything else. For me, Halt has made the series worth reading, but that all ends with book #5. Halt isn't a main character, and Will just isn't interesting enough. It may be good that the book ended abruptly because if I'd read one more reminder that people suspect the Rangers are sorcerers I might have shot myself in the face.
Unfortunately for me, I've never been able to stop reading a series once started, no matter how horrible it gets. So I'll probably continue reading it. But if you have the willpower to stop, do so after reading book 4.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
dacyn channell
This book was preordered and came on the exact day it was supposed to. The person it was for was so ecstatic!!! He read it in two weeks and never used to read befor this book!! This is and excellent series!!! I recommend it for anyone who wants their teenager to read!!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
gabby
This whole series is great. Recommend for anyone over the age of 8 or 10, depending on how mature the reader, as some of them can get quite intense - parents beware if your child is reading well beyond their age, some of these books have addiction to drugs, death, beatings, all sorts of stuff. I suggest you read first, to make sure your child is up to it. Any one over the age of 12 will love them. (I'm 26)
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
laurelei
will treaty has just become a full fleged member of the ranger corps . he has his own feif known and just as things start to settel in somthing goes wrong. the lord of the catle macenda is hit with an illness that nobody knows . some say its the sorcerer malakam that has come to take revenge on the lords family.know will has to go and investagate what has happend .but half way though will meets his life long freind and together they investagate but is it the sorcer that is causing all the trouble . find out in this thrilling book.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
catherine harwood
I've always enjoyed the "Ranger's Apprentice" series. While there isn't really anything new or inspired about them, they've proven popular with my students and quick, enjoyable reads.
The series centers around Will, a young Ranger, who is your typical hero in these sorts of stories: expert in woodsmanship, personal concealment, tracking, archery, being mistaken for a sorceror, that sort of thing. Naturally, he's an orphan, and naturally, "great things are expected of him in the years to come" which doesn't surpise us, given that he is "highly thought of, though of course he didn't know it."
I say this not to be disparaging, but with amusement. Will is exactly who we expect him to be. Simple and good.
But this latest installment into the series fails to impress me, and that for one simple reason: it isn't an installment into the series. The book doesn't end. It merely runs out of pages. The term "cliffhanger" seems inadequate to describe the final pages of this book.
I understand that this is a series, and that the overall story will be told over the corse of several books. Books in a series often end in cliffhangers. Flanagan has done this before - at then end of the series' second and third installments - but in this case it is far more jarring. Those books had a clear climax, the major conflict established in the early pages of the book were resolved. And while they certainly ended with a clear cliffhanger, the overall story had advanced. Not so, with "Sorceror of the North."
Again, I understand that this is a series, but in any series, each book should be able to stand on its own, even if greatly diminished. Each entry needs its own plot and conflict, even if subordinate to the overall story.
"Sorceror of the North" book lacks that internal plot. The story begins with a completely irrelevant visit to Will's fief. The area he is responcible for watching. But he has only enough time to unpack his bags and flirt once or twice with his maid's daughter before being whisked away to the north. His fief, his responcibilities, the girl -- never mentioned again. And there isn't a single thing that happens during this visit that is necessary to the story. You could start reading the book a third of the way in and not become the least bit confused.
Eventually, will is told to do that which probably should have just been his first assignment: he is told to act the part of a travelling minstrel, while seeking to determine the cause of a mysterious sickness that is afflicting the lord of a small but important fief in the north.
Once there, he finds things are not well as a power struggle is in place between Orman - the bookish and unliked son of the stricken lord - and Keren - the popular illegitimate cousin-soldier. Will must decide which of the two he must trust. Meanwhile, there's a pesky sorceror out in the haunted woods (favored lair of evildoers in these sorts of stories) that Will must find and deal with.
These are the conflicts that are introduced. All of them are compelling, interesting, and do well to draw you into the story.
And then the book simply stops.
Not a single conflict is resolved. Will no sooner discovers who the real enemy is and vows to defeat him "even if I have to tear down the castle stone by stone" than we turn the page only to find the rear flap of the dust jacket telling us how Flanagan grew up in Sydney and so on and so forth...
The book is well written, as is the series on the whole: if not truly inspired. I recommend the series as a light read for a rainy weekend. But as a stand alone, it fails to satisfy. There isn't anything here.
Hold off on buying this one until book six rolls around. You'll want to read the two of them together. Until then, there just isn't any point.
The series centers around Will, a young Ranger, who is your typical hero in these sorts of stories: expert in woodsmanship, personal concealment, tracking, archery, being mistaken for a sorceror, that sort of thing. Naturally, he's an orphan, and naturally, "great things are expected of him in the years to come" which doesn't surpise us, given that he is "highly thought of, though of course he didn't know it."
I say this not to be disparaging, but with amusement. Will is exactly who we expect him to be. Simple and good.
But this latest installment into the series fails to impress me, and that for one simple reason: it isn't an installment into the series. The book doesn't end. It merely runs out of pages. The term "cliffhanger" seems inadequate to describe the final pages of this book.
I understand that this is a series, and that the overall story will be told over the corse of several books. Books in a series often end in cliffhangers. Flanagan has done this before - at then end of the series' second and third installments - but in this case it is far more jarring. Those books had a clear climax, the major conflict established in the early pages of the book were resolved. And while they certainly ended with a clear cliffhanger, the overall story had advanced. Not so, with "Sorceror of the North."
Again, I understand that this is a series, but in any series, each book should be able to stand on its own, even if greatly diminished. Each entry needs its own plot and conflict, even if subordinate to the overall story.
"Sorceror of the North" book lacks that internal plot. The story begins with a completely irrelevant visit to Will's fief. The area he is responcible for watching. But he has only enough time to unpack his bags and flirt once or twice with his maid's daughter before being whisked away to the north. His fief, his responcibilities, the girl -- never mentioned again. And there isn't a single thing that happens during this visit that is necessary to the story. You could start reading the book a third of the way in and not become the least bit confused.
Eventually, will is told to do that which probably should have just been his first assignment: he is told to act the part of a travelling minstrel, while seeking to determine the cause of a mysterious sickness that is afflicting the lord of a small but important fief in the north.
Once there, he finds things are not well as a power struggle is in place between Orman - the bookish and unliked son of the stricken lord - and Keren - the popular illegitimate cousin-soldier. Will must decide which of the two he must trust. Meanwhile, there's a pesky sorceror out in the haunted woods (favored lair of evildoers in these sorts of stories) that Will must find and deal with.
These are the conflicts that are introduced. All of them are compelling, interesting, and do well to draw you into the story.
And then the book simply stops.
Not a single conflict is resolved. Will no sooner discovers who the real enemy is and vows to defeat him "even if I have to tear down the castle stone by stone" than we turn the page only to find the rear flap of the dust jacket telling us how Flanagan grew up in Sydney and so on and so forth...
The book is well written, as is the series on the whole: if not truly inspired. I recommend the series as a light read for a rainy weekend. But as a stand alone, it fails to satisfy. There isn't anything here.
Hold off on buying this one until book six rolls around. You'll want to read the two of them together. Until then, there just isn't any point.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
kconaway
While I enjoyed the first books in this series, I found this a deplorable half-finished story. None of the main conflicts presented are resolved by the end. Such antics might pass muster for dime-a-dozen comic books, but it just makes this a cheap attempt to milk more money out of dedicated readers.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
renay
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.
Please RateBook Five (Ranger's Apprentice) - The Sorcerer of the North