Contacting the Author

John Flanagan's email is johnflanagan@rangersapprentice.com

English Publisher's Official Website- www.rangersapprentice.co.uk

Australian Publisher's Official Website- www.rangersapprentice.com.au

Places where it is published

The Ranger's Apprentice Series has been sold to publishers in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Holland, Brazil and The People’s Republic of China.

Reviews

"[A] pleasing finish and should leave readers eager to share the future adventures of the Ranger's apprentice." School Library Journal

"[R]eaders with a taste for quickly paced adventure with tidy, predictable resolutions...won't be disappointed." Kirkus Reviews

"Will's world is a colorful place, threatened by an evil warlord and his fierce minions, but it's the details of everyday living and the true-to-life emotions of the people that are memorable. Children will definitely look forward to the next adventure in the Ruins of Gorlan series." Booklist

News about the Series

Book 6 titled The Siege of Macindaw is due to be released in the U.S. in spring of 2009.
A movie based on the series is being made but there is no release date for it yet.
United Artists has optioned the film rights for The Ruins of Gorlan and is in talks with Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis to adapt and direct the movie.

Map of Araluen

These are some places in Araluen which are the fiefs of Redmont, Norgate, Gorlan(now ruins), Seacliff, Caraway, and Araluen. The place where Morgarath was banished to is in the south area named Morgarath's Plateau. The place where Will was traning in is the fief of Redmont and the battle against the Kalkara were at the ruins of Gorlan.

Other Books in the Series

Book 2 The Burning Bridge- The Battle for the kingdom of Araluen has now began between the forces of King Duncan and the forces of Lord Morgarath.
Book 3 The Icebound Land- Will and Evanlyn must now escape from Skandia or be stuck forever.
Book 4 The Battle for Skandia- The Battle for Skandia has now began between the forces of Oberjarl and the dreaded Temujai.
Book 5 The Sorcerer in the North- Sorcery has been rumored to be in Norgate and Will must investigate for the survivor of the kingdom.
Book 6 The Siege of Macindaw- Coming Soon

Characters

Will-main protagonist of the series.He is a ranger apprentice to Halt a legendary ranger his teacher. He is a small orphan with brown eyes and hair who is agile, curious and stealthy. He is now training to become a ranger like his teacher by practicing and doing chores. His skills are put to test when he must save his teacher from being killed by the Kalkara.

Halt-Will's teacher and mentor. He is a member of the mysterious Ranger Corps, and is small, with brown-and-gray hair and a beard. His reputation as a ranger is well knowned in the kingdom. He taught Will to become a ranger and the skills they have. He now needs to help the King save Araluen from the evil Lord Morgarath.

Horace-knight apprentice who befriended Will when he was saved by him. He is a natural warrior who used to be Will's rival. Ever since that incident he has been always looking out for Will.

Lord Morgarath- former Baron of Gorlan, who is rebelling against King Duncan. He enlisted the help of the Wargals to help him take over the kingdom for himself.

Summary

The story is about Will a young boy who became the apprentice of the ranger Halt at age 15. At first he wanted to become a knight but in the end found that his skills were more suited to become a ranger. During his training he is taught to become a ranger, a mysterious elite group of archers. He befriended Horrace, a long time enemy after saving him and became friends with his teacher. Soon his skills are needed to save the Kingdom of Araluen from Lord Morgarath who wish to overthrow the king of Araluen with his army of Wargals. His training has led him to this point where he has to fight the Kalkaras(group of beasts) and save his teacher. In the end with a lucky shot he was able to kill the Kalkara and saved the day. He was rewarded the bronze oakleaf and is now officially a member of the Ranger Corps.

Author Information

John Flanagan was born in May 22, 1944 at Sydney, Australia and is currently aged 64. Before writing the Ranger's Apprentice series he did advertising and television commericals which he co-created the television series Hey Dad..!. He originally wrote the books to encourage his son to read. His occupation is a novelist/author. In 2008, he won the Australian Publishers Association's Book of the Year for Older Children and the International Success Award for Rangers Apprentice 7: Erak's Ransom. So far, he released 8 books in Australia with other countries following behind. His book could be turned into a film in 2010 or 2011.