The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning

Summary: Book 12 in the Ranger's Apprentice series and also considered book 1 in the Royal Ranger series, Will Treaty is not the same young and positive Ranger he once was after experiencing a tragedy that has taken him down the dark path of revenge. Alone and consumed with nothing but vengeance, his friends encourage him to focus his energy on his lifelong friends Horace and Princess Cassandra who are having trouble with their daughter's entitled and reckless attitude. The best option for both Will and the young Princess Madelyn is to have her train as a Ranger's apprentice under his supervision. Though as the apprenticeship begins, neither of them realizes the amount of hard work that will go into this feat and when a mission comes up that puts both of their lives in danger, the duo must learn to trust one another or they both will die.

Suggested age rating: 14+ based on violence, minor language, and substance abuse.

Review: Right from the very beginning the author draws you in to several different storylines occurring at once where both new and old characters are introduced, then slowly the stories merge into one as the plot begins to thicken. The book parallels that of the first book which really allows the reader to appreciate the novel that much more. One thing in particular that I enjoyed was the reasoning for why the characters' attitudes are as they are portrayed based on their perspectives as well as bringing back all my favorite characters from the entirety of the series, but seeing them matured and going through their new phases of life. Overall the book was quite enjoyable and Madelyn slowly grew on me as the book progressed and just like every book in the series, the last hundred or so pages are the very best part.

Language: 1 da** and 1 he**.

Indecency/Sex: A woman kisses a man on the cheek.

Violence and Gore: Characters are killed using various weapons, a ghoul is said to drink blood, a woman is killed in a fire, animals are killed and skinned, mention of children being beaten by various family members, children are stolen from their homes to be sold into slavery, and a character is stabbed in the leg where the extent of the injury is described in great detail.

Frightening Scenes: None present.

Substance Abuse: Several men and young teens drink alcohol and become drunk.

Spiritual Content: Mention of a demigod, ghouls, spirits, and religion.

Genres: Fantasy, fiction, young adult, medieval.