Ranger's Apprentice: Erak's Ransom

Summary: Book 7 in the Ranger's Apprentice series, this novel takes place before Book 5 where Will is still an apprentice. The Skandian Oberjarl Erak is captured by the Arrida along with his crew when raiding the country. The Arrida leader allows one Skandian to escape, Svengal, to fetch a ransom for his leader. He arrives in Araluen and seeks the help of Will, Halt, Gilan, Horace, and Princess Cassandra which they agree to rescue Erak. After making it to Arrida and negotiating the terms of Erak's release, the group of Araluens find out the people who were holding him have been attacked and killed. Erak is now a prisoner by a very dangerous group of people called the Tualaghi and now Will, his friends, and mentors must rescue him before his is killed or worse.

Suggested age rating: 12+ based on minor language, intense fighting sequences, and minor substance abuse.

Review: The book starts of light hearted while the author brings back all the favorite characters from the course of his past novels. From here the novel starts to hit a slight slump in the middle until the pace starts to quicken and the author draws you back. As the novel continues on there are many well written action sequences that keep you wanting to read more. Though this novel did have a dry patch (pun intended), the ending was perfect and exactly what a fan of the series wanted.

Language: 6 da** and 6 he**.

Indecency/Sex: Cheating is mentioned, a man mentions his butt is sore, and two women kiss a man on the cheek.

Violence and Gore: Many people are killed in battle, characters fight with differing weapons, dead animals and men are found bloody and mangled, people are treated like slaves and whipped, many animals kill one another.

Frightening Scenes: None present.

Substance Abuse: Mention of wanting alcohol, some gambling, a group of men are drunk.

Spiritual Content: A group of people believe in gods and demons, mention of a group despising religion and worship the devil and demons, belief in heaven, a character prays.

Genres: Fantasy, fiction, young adult.