Book Review - The Rangers Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

The Ruins of Gorlan is the first book in the nine book Ranger's Apprentice series by, John Flanagan. A Fantasy novel for middle grade readers.

Fifteen year old Will became a Ward of Baron Arald from infancy, when he was placed on the steps of Castle Redmont with a note. It explained- Will's mother died in childbirth, his father died a hero.

Will grew up in the castle with five other Ward's of the Baron, all the same age. When these reached the age of fifteen they attended, "Choosing Day", a pivotal point in their lives in which they 'choose' or 'where chosen' for their life's vocation.

Will becomes apprentice to the local Ranger. This elite group are not the strongest, nor the biggest warriors. Their skills are speed, silence, and agility, which make them invisible to the enemy.

This is the first book by John Flanagan. All in all, a good read. My sons are enjoying this series. They are on book five. I hear it gets better and better.

Disclaimer- I have no financial gain by reviewing this book. I'm just a gal who loves to read and talk about what I read.

Book Review - The Hunger Games

I have read many books, but never one quite like, The Hunger Games by, Suzanne Collins!

This young adult novel will take you to a place you have never been, with edge of your seat, hard to put it down consequences. Complete with controversy and gruesome "I can't believe that just happened in a young adult novel" realities.

Our story takes place sometime in the future in what we presently call North America. It's new title, Panem. Our heroin is 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen from District 12.

Panem is divided into 12 Districts. It is controlled by the evil domineering leadership of, the Capitol. For entertainment this fun-loving Capitol host's, The Hunger Games. An annual event in which a boy and girl from each district is selected through a lottery. With 24 young people chosen in all, these kids are forced to contend in "the games" where they fight each other to the death. The last one living is the victor and receives the prize of a life of financial independence and provisions for their district. A place where most of the residence are very familiar with hunger and starvation due to the constricting and supreme control of the Capitol.

This novel is very well written, and it was hard to stop listening to the audiobook. The narrator, Carolyn McCormick was excellent.

Would I recommend this book? Not to young adults. However, if you enjoy suspense, unique and intriguing story-lines, don't mind blood, and can stomach teens being murdered, then this is the book for you. I confess I thought this a great read. Great because of the brilliant writing of the author, great because of it's originality and draw to find out what happens next, but I DID find much of the content very disturbing. Still, I have yet to read a novel as unique as, The Hunger Games.

Disclaimer- I have no financial gain by reviewing this book. I'm just a gal who loves to read and talk about what I read.

Book Review - A New Song

A New Song is the fifth book in the popular Mitford series written by Jan Karon. Each book follows the main character, Father Tim through the many changes of his life.

Father Tim retires with wife Cynthia from his beloved church, Lord's Chapel in Mitford, to a remote island hours away where he commits to take on a new church family at St. John's for a years time.

As Father Tim and Cynthia settle themselves into their new paradise-like situation, new characters are introduced and mysteries are intertwined into the story-line. Who is the mysterious Mr. Love beyond the hedge, and why does he never show himself to anyone? Why does the renter of Father Tim's old parish home have such a fascination with the large Mitford estate of Fernbank?

I started reading the Mitford series due to the recommendations of friends. If you prefer reading books with suspense, and/or a high intrigue level this is probably not the series for you. While you cannot help but love many of the characters there is little character depth. However, there are some that you cannot help but laugh out loud at as they rant and rave about nothing.

A New Song is a fairly entertaining, wholesome, christian fiction novel. If you want an easy read with those factors you can't go wrong in Mitford.

Disclaimer- I have no financial gain by reviewing this book. I'm just a gal who loves to read and talk about what I read.