10+: Brotherband 3: The Hunters - John Flanagan

Release Date: 01/11/12

Book Blurb: 
Hal and his brotherband crew are hot on the trail of the pirate Zavac and they have one thing only on their minds: Stopping the bloodthirsty thief before he can do more damage. The chase leads down mighty rivers, terrifying rapids, to the lawless fortress of Ragusa. If Hal is to succeed, he will need to go beyond his brotherband training. He will need to challenge the pirate one-on-one, knowing only one of them will survive. The epic series from "Ranger's Apprentice" author John Flanagan continues, delivering pulse-pounding adventure and fun.

Review: 
The latest story in the Brotherband Saga and one that brings to a close the search for the item that was stolen during the first book of the series. It’s definitely a series that I’m fully behind as each of the characters within has a flaw whether its short sightedness, hot headedness or even at times their own infighting, its something that they all overcome to help each other out to further the band’s goals throughout.

Add to this some cracking twists, a wonderful camaraderie that readers will love which when backed with everyone having a chance to shine including the oldest member of the crew who whilst disabled never lets it get in his way, really makes this a book to demonstrate that together you can overcome anything and smarts often overcomes brawn. Great stuff.

   

GUEST BLOG: The Beginings of Brotherband - John Flanagan

Several years ago, I became aware that the Ranger’s Apprentice series would eventually finish – although not quite as soon as I then expected.

At that time, I had in mind my concept for the final book, which was panned as Number 10 but will now become Book 12. But I wasn’t ready to begin writing it. And I didn’t want to in case I wrote it, then realized I had more to say in the series.

I didn’t want to do another flashback, as I had done with the seventh book. I wanted to be sure it was really all over – all i’s had been dotted and all t’s had been crossed. So I decided that I’d like to buy myself a little time.

And that’s where the concept for Brotherband began. I wanted to write another series, set in the same world and time frame, but using new characters, and a different location.

This was allied to a long held interest in ships and sailing. I decided I’d like to do a series set in Skandia, based on the idea of a young boy who designs a new, more efficient type of sail plan – a fore and aft rig that will point higher into the wind than conventional Skandian square rigged ships. I’ve always liked the Skandians in my RA books. This became obvious as they assumed increasingly important roles on the books as the series progressed.

I mentioned this idea to my Australian publishers and they reacted positively to it.

So then I was left, over the next few years, to work out who the main characters were. I wanted the series to be similar in feel to Ranger’s Apprentice, but not a carbon copy. So I began by setting out differences between my main characters – initially Will and Hal, but later Thorn and Halt.

Hal was initially called Dirk, by the way, but I thought that was a bit phony sounding – a little bit too much of a made-up hero type of name. I decided that he would be a capable warrior, but not a highly skilled one, as Will became.

Instead, Hal would have an ingenious streak that would lead him to inventing new ideas – although not all of them would be successful. I jotted down a few ideas about things he might have invented. Later on, I deleted most of them from the first book, concentrating only on his disastrous running water project for his mother’s kitchen.

I also like my central character to have the sort of social problem that kids reading the books can identify with. Will was small, which has resonated with many readers. Hal, I decided, would be like one of those who is the last to be chosen when kids make up teams for a scratch game of football or cricket. He’d be something of an outcast.

(I included a scene in the first book where Brotherbands are selected. Hal and his eventual crew are the leftovers – the ones nobody wants. I thought a lot of kids would empathize with this.)

I decided that Hal’s rejection would stem from the fact that he was of mixed parentage – and so was seen by neither side as belonging. His mother was Araluen. His father was Skandian. And his father had died when Hal was young, to point the problem up even further. Also, the concept of someone being regarded as “different” because he is of a different race or nationality gave me a powerful social theme to work with.

This led to the thought that all of his crew would be outcasts in some ways – the forgotten group, the discards, the ones nobody wanted. So I began jotting down reasons why each of them was on the outer.

Thorn, of course, was the biggest outcast of all. I didn’t want him to be a mirror image of Halt. I wanted him to have his own reality.

I think the idea of having him as a recovering drunk, saved from himself by Hal’s mother, was one of my best. Then I had to ask, why was he a drunk in the first place?

Because he’d lost his right arm. Once I had that idea, I was off and running with Thorn. And I was able to create an intriguing secret in his back story that very few people knew about or remembered.

I had about three years to think about my new cast of characters – to jot down ideas and flesh out the bare bones that I had originally created. The principal ones, Thorn, Hal and Stig, I worked on in quite an amount of detail. Stig appealed to me. I had him down initially as having a violent and unpredictable temper.

But why?

The concept of his father bringing shame on his family was a breakthrough for me. It gave Stig a reason for his thin skinned attitude and made him more human and believable.

With the other, lesser characters, I noted down broad outlines and decided they would come to life as I wrote the stories. Which they did. Ingvar, in particular, came as a bit of s surprise, taking on a far more important role than I’d previously seen for him.

So, after three years of thinking about these new people, pushing ideas around in my head and figuring how they would use their unique abilities and/or failings to defeat their rivals, I was ready to begin writing Book 1. The name for it by then was obvious – The Outcasts.

I sat down one Monday morning and typed “Chapter 1”. Then I came to a screeching, panicked stop. Where were all the old friends who had sustained me through ten Ranger’s Apprentice Books? How would I cope without them?

I typed: “Pass me another bucket please Thorn.” And stopped again. Where to from here?

Then, thankfully, Hal Mikkelson stepped onto my page, took control of things and brought Thorn and Stig with him to help out. And I realized that, even though my old friends were no longer available, I had three new friends to show me the way.

I’ve just finished the third Brotherband book. The characters are all old friends for me now and the minor characters are growing and broadening in the narrative. I’m enjoying spending my time with them.

10+: Brotherband 2: The Invaders - John Flanagan

Release Date: 26/04/12

BOOK BLURB:

Enter a world of wolfships, epic battles and treachery in the cold northern seas. Enter the world of Brotherband. Hal and the Heron brotherband are on the trail of Zavac and his precious cargo. Will they be able to find the pirates when the weather clears? And when they do, how can they possibly beat the mighty Raven and its crew of vicious cut-throats and killers? A chance discovery will lead them to their prey, but the pirates have a well-fortified position. The Herons must drive out the invaders - and to succeed, Hal will need to devise a foolproof plan. In the icy waters of the Stormwhite, the smallest mistake could prove fatal.


REVIEW:

With so many YA titles out there, its sometimes hard to find one that suits your young reader down to the ground. After all you can embark on journeys to the Far East, you can indulge in werewolves but finding a fantasy that doesn’t delve too much into the adult world is a tricky one to master. Well not any more. One of my favourite series was the Rangers Apprentice one which sadly finished last year, however John hit back with this brand new one called Brotherband which follows a group of young Skandian’s (think Vikings) as they come of age and seek to retrieve a treasure that was stolen on their watch.

It’s quirky, the characters each have their own strengths and whilst brawn is involved its how they gel as a team that makes this title so outstanding, especially with all the various trials that they face as well as internal bickering as they seek to regain their honour. Its fun, its beautifully written and with the action packed in with a crowbar there’s something for all. Back that up with a great supporting cast alongside a love interest and you know that it’s a series that’s going to be a lot of fun. I really can’t wait for the next part later in the year to see how they do.

9+: Brotherband 1: Outcasts - John Flanagan

Release Date: 03/11/11

BOOK BLURB:

There is only one way to become a warrior. Boys are chosen for teams called Brotherbands and must endure months of gruelling battles in the treacherous sea. Hal finds himself the unwilling leader of a band of outcasts, the boys that no one wants. They are small and wiry but what they lack in size, they make up with skill and courage. Now they must battle against the other bands in the ultimate race where there can only be one winner. The icy waters make the sea a treacherous playing field. Especially when - for some - this is anything but a game...


REVIEW:

This is the brand new title and a new beginning for a whole new set of main characters within the world of John Flanagan as he concentrates on a band of Skandian boys learning to become sea wolves. As with the other stories it’s about adversity, it’s about friendship and above all else it’s a story where the characters learn to utilise their own sets of skills to aid the group as a whole buoying up the others weaknesses with their own strengths.


Add to this John’s usual style of fast pace with spartanesque prose and a wonderfully simplified explanation about sailing (which to be honest made a lot more sense than a lot of the stuff in adult books) and it was a title that really spoke to fantasy side as the characters within took the reader on a whole new adventure which has a Young Adult David Gemmell type of feel. My only gripe was that there wasn’t a lead female within in much the same way that the roles were fulfilled in the Rangers Apprentice. With luck that will be fixed in the next book which I really can’t wait to read.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 11: The Lost Stories - John Flanagan

Release Date: 06/10/11

BOOK BLURB:

Will, there's something you should know. Something I should have told you long ago...

There are stories about the Rangers that have never been heard before and it’s time for you to hear them. Stories about your parents and how you came to be an orphan. About how a Ranger's life was saved. And about what happens next for you and your loyal friends. Are you ready to hear the truth?


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of the series I was sad to see the end of it although this final gem from author John Flanagan takes the reader on a few additional short story adventures to help fill in some gaps within the series history. It’s cleverly done and if you’ll forgive the pun, ranges across the many years of the series.

Add to this some wonderful additions that not only flesh out the world but the characters and the reader is in for a real treat on their final excursion for the moment. If you’ve got into John’s writing, look out for November and his new series Brotherband, which centres around the Skandians. Cracking.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 10 : The Emperor of Nihon-Ja - John Flanagan

Release Date: 01/09/11

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you owe it to your friend to find him.

Horace is missing. Months have passed since he was sent on a military mission and you, Evanlyn and Alyss set out to discover what has become of your old friend.

You find him in Nihon-Ja where the rightful emperor has been overthrown. Now you must face the highly trained Senshi warriors, while Alyss and Evanlyn must overcome their rivalry to seek help from a mysterious group of mountain dwellers.


REVIEW:

The tenth book in the impressive Rangers Apprentice series and one that is a standalone title. It’s cleverly written, the characters outstanding and our young heroes are coming into their own guided by our old friend Halt who takes matters in hand.

As usual there is peril, some wonderful classic jibes as well as the demonstration of working together as they each come to the fore in their own way. Add to this some top notch combat, cracking prose and a wonderful upbeat end to the title and it’s made this a real pleasure from start to finish. Cracking fun.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 9 : Halt's Peril - John Flanagan

Release Date: 01/09/11

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you will survive this battle, but others may not be so lucky.

You are on the trail of a renegade outlaw group that escaped justice for their crimes in Clonmel, and Halt is determined to stop them before they cross the border. When danger approaches, are your extraordinary archery skills enough to save you all, or will this be your mentor’s final battle?


REVIEW:

The second part of this two part story and one that places a lead character in mortal danger, its clever, it has some great tension and when backed with the authors flamboyant writing style alongside his grasp of tactics and strong characters makes this a title that was hard to put down.

Back that up with cracking prose, some cleverly thinking and the return of an old friend with an almost Q like ability with chemicals and it’s a title that really will please as well as enthuse the reader for more. Great stuff.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 8 : The Kings of Clonmel - John Flanagan

Release Date: 01/09/11

BOOK BLURB:

Will, sometimes the past is the key to your future.

The surrounding kingdoms have fallen prey to a religious cult who are spreading confusion and rebellion. The only Kingdom that is uncorrupted is Clonmel, and it is about to fall…

It is up to you, Halt and Horace to rid the land of this dangerous enemy and restore order once again. Could secrets from Halt’s past hold the key to your success?


REVIEW:

This is the first part of a tale that takes two titles to conclude, as with the other books, the author has cleverly thought the overall arc through, the characters are continuing to grow into their roles and smarts are the order of the day backed up with tactics as well as the strength of Horace to help the characters through.

It’s a wonderful read and alongside giving the reader a real taste of another kingdom, we get to learn a bit about the past of the mysterious Halt that readers have been demanding for quite some time. Add to this some sneaky double dealing and a foe who is just as smart about turning situations to his own advantage and the reader will really enjoy a story of cat and mouse.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 7 : Erak's Ransom - John Flanagan

Release Date: 01/09/11

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you’re going to a place that is unlike anywhere you have ever seen.

You have been sent on a mission to rescue the Skandian leader who has been captured by a dangerous desert tribe. Their land is beyond all your experience so far. Violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger stalk you at every turn. Can you reach the hostage before time runs out?


REVIEW:

An unusual break in the sequence for the Rangers Apprentice Series and one that chronologically appears before book five, The Sorcerer in the North. It’s a wonderful additional novel that includes our old Skandian Friend Erak as well as the crew of his ship as they sail to Araluen to help raise the funds for Erak’s Freedom.

Drawn into a scheme cooked up between a traitorous Skandian as well as the Tualaghi, Will and our friends must fight their way through a foreign land to save their friend as well as learn to survive in an unfamiliar landscape of deserts. As with the rest of the series it’s fun, it has moments of peril and the characters are coming into their own, especially as our lead hero comes to a momentous moment in his own life.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 6 : The Siege of Macindaw - John Flanagan

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Will, your time is running out.

A renegade knight has captured Castle Macindaw, poisoning the royal family and is conspiring to overthrow the Kingdom.

For you, this battle is even more personal. For inside the castle, someone you love is being held hostage.

You are a Ranger now, and you must be the hero you were trained to be.


REVIEW:

The sixth title and one that continues directly after events in The Sorcerer in the North and as such has to be read after the previous. It’s clever, the characters really are coming into their own with each adding their own strengths to the overall tale helping where others are weaker.

Add to this a virtual horde of Skandian’s, some Scotti and some magical deception which overall gives the reader one serious rollercoaster ride as they await to find out the results of our heroes latest endeavours for King and Country. Great stuff.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 5 : The Sorcerer in the North - John Flanagan

Release Date: 06/08/09

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you are a Ranger now, protect your land at all costs.

You are a fully-fledged Ranger at last, but your new land is already under threat. The Grimsdell Forest is being haunted by eerie voices and the terrifying figure of the Night Warrior. Could this really be the work of sorcery?

As you battle growing hysteria and traitors, your lifelong friend, Alyss, is taken hostage.

Time is running short. Do you save her or stay true to your mission?


REVIEW:

Here in the fifth release by John Flanagan is a title of magic, of deceit, treachery and friendship as our heroes struggle to make their own way in the world after Will has passed Apprenticeship to become a full ranger. As usual, its great fun, the characters are outstanding and with friends from the past coming into their own with careful manipulation by players behind the scenes trying to take advantage as well as manipulate the situation which makes this a tale that’s hard to put down.

All in a whole lot of fun, characters who will grip the reader and a story/series that just gets better and better as it continues. Magical.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 4 : The Oakleaf Bearers - John Flanagan

Release Date: 05/06/08

BOOK BLURB:

Will, sometimes an enemy must become an ally.

Your friend and ally, Evanlyn, has been taken captive by a mysterious horseman. Your attempts to rescue her lead you into the territory of a fearsome new enemy.

Now, you must unite with old rivals to vanquish this greater threat.

But can the fragile truce survive the battle?


REVIEW:

Our heroes return in a new adventure as friends are reunited and friendship is given to others as a new foe marches to threaten everything that they hold dear. As with John’s other books they’re wonderfully written with the positive virtues of mankind being promoted and giving an ideal to the next generation. Whilst this one is a hard fought battle, the characters each play to their strengths and do their best against an insurmountable foe.

All in a wonderful addition to the series however you really have to read Icebound Land prior to this to get the full effect of the story.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 3 : The Icebound Land - John Flanagan

Release Date: 07/02/08

BOOK BLURB:

Will, trust in your friends,we will not let you down.

You have been kidnapped by a fearsome wolfship captain, and are trapped on a ship headed to the icebound land of Skandia.

Your future looks dark, as you face a life of backbreaking slavery. But you must be strong. Remember your training, and know that your friends will do anything to rescue you, even if they have to defy the King.


REVIEW:

Following on from the events of the previous title this book takes the reader into the lands of Skandia where Will and Evanlyn struggle to survive under the yolk of the warriors who captured them in the previous novel. It’s a title that deals with friendship, of honour and of course courage whilst also delving into darker area’s due to some of the events within being quite harrowing.

It is a story that adds more layers to the characters allowing them to form greater bonds and alliances as well as allowing the reader to get the adventure that they craved from the others in the series. Add to this the authors great sense of pace and it’s a series that I really can’t put down. The only thing I would say about this is that I feel that the series has to be read in order otherwise the reader will have some of the previous books spoilt when they allude to previous events within.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 2 : The Burning Bridge - John Flanagan

Release Date: 02/08/07

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you are learning well, but you are soon to be tested…

For years the Kingdom has lived in peace, while the evil lord Morgarath has lived beyond the impassable mountains. But he has not been idle…

Now you must embark on your most dangerous mission yet. The King’s army has been deceived, and are headed for a brutal ambush. And you are the only one who can save them...


REVIEW:

In the modern world, too often are we made to feel inadequate and as such we end up thinking that we’re too small, to weak and unwanted enough to be able to effect change. For a young reader this is something that needs to be corrected and as such this title by John Flanagan demonstrates wonderfully that you don’t have to be the biggest guy in the pack to help make a difference or the strongest and that thought can a lot of the time out do brute force.

Add to this a wonderful story that takes the young reader on a fantasy journey as an apprentice learns the trade of the Ranger and discovers friendships can last and be forged despite the start that you have in life. It’s clever, it’s got great courage and fully supports the positive mental attitude that we all wish we could instil. Finally add to this a huge story arc, cracking characters that the reader will love to hang around and it’s a tale that will have the reader demanding more. Great stuff.

9+: Rangers Apprentice 1 : The Ruins of Gorlan - John Flanagan

Release Date: 05/04/07

BOOK BLURB:

Will, you have been chosen.

You and you alone. You will become the eyes and ears of the kingdom, learning to move silent as a shadow. Your arrow will fly true and your sword will be swift, risking your life to protect your people.

You are the Ranger's Apprentice. Are you ready?


REVIEW:

In the modern world, too often are we made to feel inadequate and as such we end up thinking that we’re too small, to weak and unwanted enough to be able to effect change. For a young reader this is something that needs to be corrected and as such this title by John Flanagan demonstrates wonderfully that you don’t have to be the biggest guy in the pack to help make a difference or the strongest and that thought can a lot of the time out do brute force.

Add to this a wonderful story that takes the young reader on a fantasy journey as an apprentice learns the trade of the Ranger and discovers friendships can last and be forged despite the start that you have in life. It’s clever, it’s got great courage and fully supports the positive mental attitude that we all wish we could instil. Finally add to this a huge story arc, cracking characters that the reader will love to hang around and it’s a tale that will have the reader demanding more. Great stuff.

9+: Ranger's Apprentice - An Introduction

Hail Mighty Readers,
Well we're just about to start our Ranger's Apprentice Series with you, and as such felt that with it being 11 books already that we'd best walk you though it.

In order to do this, we're going to take you through it as a series from book 1-11 but here for your pleasure is how to split it up if you're not buying all to start with to help spread the cost.

Add to this a writing style that is similar to David Gemmell's (and trust me you'll see it yourself), with cracking prose and fast pace and for me, this is a great way to help the reluctant reader to enjoy a series that they may have missed.

So for your viewing pleasure and to help the costs here how it breaks down:

RA1) The Ruins of Gorlan
RA2) The Burning Bridge

RA3) The Icebound Land
RA4) Oakleaf Bearers

RA7) Erak's Ransom

RA5) The Sorcerer in the North
RA6) The Siege of Macindaw

RA8) The Kings of Clonmel
RA9) Halt's Peril

RA10) The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

RA11) The Lost Stories

We hope this helps and hope you enjoy the series with us,


Tatty