Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

Summary: Set in a medieval world, Will is a young boy who is offered the chance of a lifetime to become a Ranger's apprentice, a secret group of archer warriors who are sworn to protect the kingdom of Araluen. As the young boy learns the ways of the Rangers, a larger threat arises that puts the whole kingdom at risk.

Suggested age rating: 12+ based on minor language, intense fighting sequences, constant bullying, and frightening creatures.

Review: The book was slow starting in the beginning and you often wonder where it is going, but the characters are instantly likable that you want to know what happens to them. The author does a great job of describing a scene, and the action sequences are excellently written. Though it did take a while for the book to reach its climax, once it did, the book instantly made you want to read until the end.

Language: 5 da** and 3 he**.

Indecency/Sex: Two men mention bunnies mating, but nothing graphic.

Violence and Gore: Many people are mentioned as having died in battle, characters fight with differing weapons, a couple of boars are grotesquely killed, characters are threatened with weapons where sometimes they are used, one character spanks another character done cruelly, characters and beasts are stabbed, shot with arrows, and limbs broken.

Frightening Scenes: Strange creatures that somewhat resemble bears are present, constant bullying of a character that involves physical injuries as well as harassment, and creatures hunt a character.

Substance Abuse: Two characters drink beer.

Spiritual Content: None present.

Genres: Fantasy, fiction, young adult.