Kidsreads.com - RANGER’S APPRENTICE Book 7: ERAK’S RANSOM by John Flanagan

RANGER’S APPRENTICE Book 7: ERAK’S RANSOM
by John Flanagan
Puffin
Hardcover: 9780399252051
Paperback: 9780142415252
Ages 10-up
384 pages

In a letter to the reader at the beginning of the book, John Flanagan explains that he neglected an important period in Will and Halt’s lives: “Books 1-4 deal with Will’s early years as an apprentice. Books 5 and 6 describe his first mission as a graduate Ranger. But there was a gap between them. I realized that as Will approached the moment when he would become a ranger in his own right, he would be troubled by the worry that he wasn’t ready for the responsibility that this would entail…How would Halt deal with the loss of his cheerful, lively influence…?” These questions and more are explored throughout ERAK’S RANSOM, the seventh installment in the Ranger’s Apprentice series.

Rewind a few months. Will is on the verge of graduating from the Ranger Corps, and Halt has also made plans of his own. The main action begins with a wedding celebration between the esteemed Ranger Halt and the lovely Courier Lady Pauline. The momentous occasion is cut short, however, after a bruised and haggard Skandian, Svengal, arrives with some unexpected news. The Skandian Oberjarl, Erak, is being held hostage in the desert region of Arrida. Halt and Will are unsure why Erak’s own clan doesn’t pay the ransom themselves until Svengal reveals that Erak is positive he was betrayed…by one of his own.

King Duncan immediately decides to pay the ransom and sends a small group to brave the desert heat. Because of the severity of the situation, a royal escort is required, and Duncan unwillingly allows his daughter, Princess Cassandra, to accompany the group, provided she stay out of harm’s way. Halt, Svengal, Will, Horace and Cassandra are eager to rescue their friend, but the group has no idea what is awaiting them in the desert wasteland.

They first come in contact with the Arridi leader, Selethen, and after a little run-around, they eventually reach an agreement to free Erak. The only problem is that he is currently on a caravan across the desert heading towards the Arridi capital. As the group sets off to find the caravan, a freak sandstorm leads to the loss of Will’s horse, and Will is forced to separate and search for Tug. Will has to rely on all of his Ranger training in order to survive the intense desert climate. The others don’t fare well either. The Tualaghi, a blue-veiled band of raiders, captures Erak. Desperation sets in as Will Halt, and their friends struggle to conquer the hostile desert environment --- or die trying.

While some readers may bemoan the fact that John Flanagan went backwards in time in this book, this crucial juncture in Will’s life would have been sorely missed. At some point, every young person is faced with the uncertainty of the future. Even with good upbringing, education and preparation, there is always apprehension as to whether or not someone is really ready for what comes next. Flanagan takes his characters through this period with humor, adventure and ultimately grace.

ERAK’S RANSOM is a strong addition to the series and provides a clear picture into the lives of the characters readers have come to cherish.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche (bennyboche@hotmail.com)

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.