The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Flanagan, John. The Ruins of Gorlan (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1). Puffin, 2006.

Choosing Day has arrived at Castle Redmont and Will and his cohorts are anxiously awaiting their assignments. Will is hoping for a Battleschool appointment, but is passed over due to his small stature. Instead he is apprenticed to the grim and mysterious Halt, a member of the secretive cadre of Rangers. The core of the book is Will's training as a Ranger in the fields of archery, woodsmanship and knives. Will's skills are ultimately put to the test several times revealing both his character and his aptitude. While the ending is satisfying, it is a clear set-up for the rest of the series which presumably is concerned with the impending war with Lord Morgarath.

The focus of this YA novel is the characters, as opposed to a fantastical world populated by exotic creatures. Herein lies its greatest strength. The characters are given enough dimension and room to develop that readers come to identify with and care about Will, Horace, Halt, Alyss, Jenny and George. Written by the Australian Flanagan for his son, this is an enjoyable read, appropriate both for its younger target audience and adults looking for clean escapism.

Recommendations:

Foundling by D.M. Cornish

An orphan like Will, the foundling is Rossamund Bookchild, a boy with an unfortunate name. Assigned to be a lamplighter, he ventures into a world at war with monsters. This first in the Monster Blood Tattoo series (from a fellow Australian author) is darker than the Ranger's Apprentice series, but contains more detailed world-building and fantastical creatures for fans of high fantasy.

The Naming: The First Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

Featuring Maedra, a female heroine, this series from another Australian author is richly imagined and executed.

Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery by Brian J. Sorrells

Bring out the Ranger in you!

Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior by Dick Couch

This book offers incredible insight into the making of a green beret. Readers who enjoyed the accounts of Will's training will marvel at the rigorous foreign language, physical, combat and cultural training that green berets endure.