The name Morgarath was a name of legend nowadays, a name mothers used to hush fractious children, threatening that if they did not behave, the black lord Morgarath would come for them. The time was ripe. Once again, he would lead his Wargals into an attack. But this time he would have allies. And this time he would sow the ground with uncertainty and confusion beforehand. This time none of those who conspired against him previously would be alive to aid King Duncan. For the Wargals were not only ancient, terrifying creatures he had found in these somber mountains. He had two other allies, even more fearsome一 the dreadful beast known as the Kalkara. The time was ripe to unleash them.

“The Ruins of Gorlan”, the first of 12 books in the Ranger’s apprentice series, is set in a medieval time with knights and kings. It’s about a young orphan named Will who lives in the Redmont fief of the Kingdom of Araluen. Although he is small and not very strong, he is known to be quick witted and very good at doing things undetected. Choosing day is coming up, which will decide his apprenticeship, and will show what line of work he will be in for the rest of his life. He hopes to be in Battleschool, as his father was a knight who had died valiantly in battle.

His other friends have already been chosen and sent to their respective craftmasters, but Will is a special case, as most of his friends’ choices were clear cut. The Battlemaster, Sir Rodney, has already declared him unfit for the grueling tasks of Battleschool.

Remembering previous mischievous pranks played on them by Will, none of the craftmasters are willing to take him on. But the mysterious Ranger Halt gives a note to the Baron, and the Baron declares that Will’s case would be decided by the next day. Curious to find out more, Will sneaks into the Baron’s office at night to take a look at the note. He is apprehended by Halt, and finds out the note says that Halt would take Will on as his apprentice. Will’s time as a Ranger’s apprentice begins.

The Rangers are a special intelligence force for the King. Although he is not in Battleschool, Will learns the ways of the bow and arrow from Halt, as well as some other useful tricks on staying alert and stealthy. They eventually find out that Morgarath, evil Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night is rising again to overthrow the kingdom with his evil Wargals. Will and Halt are sent on a mission to aid the King in the upcoming war.

“Rangers apprentice is an intriguing, fast-paced adventure series that makes you want to read the next book,” says 8th grader Isaac Fowler. The book contains lots of humor and emotional content as well. Readers grow and learn along with Will what it means to become a Ranger. Also, the alternating points of views between Will and his Battleschool friend Horace make this an interesting book to read, with cliffhangers at every switch. The plot is thick, with many twists and turns as well as action-packed scenes. The ending is written very well and which shows us all that Will has grown and shows us why he was chosen as a Ranger.