Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Fla
Genres
Collection
Publication
Puffin Books (2009), Edition: Reprint, 336 pages
Description
Now a full-fledged Ranger responsible for a sleepy fief, Will finds a new adventure seeking the traitors who poisoned the king, investigating rumors of sorcery, and trying to rescue his friend Alyss, who is taken hostage.
Original publication date
2006
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Caspettee
This is another great book in the series. If you are jumping in and reading this as the first book then you will be ok as this story starts a new story arc to the series. In this book WIll has graduated and been sent on his first official mission to the north of the country where strange rumors are
This is well written and believable. Perhaps a little slower to get to the action compared to the previous few novels in the series but this book is starting a fresh and is set about 4 years after the previous book. The characters are well developed, with the returning cast being familiar and fun. New and re-introduced characters such as Dog and Alyss are fantastic. Both have joined my favorites list. The story line is easy to follow with marvelous humor woven through out and a great twist towards the end.
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circulating about a sorcerer. Will is paired with Alyss as they investigate the rumors and unravel the truth they find things are not what they seem in the far north. Can they unravel the mystery in time to save the Baron?This is well written and believable. Perhaps a little slower to get to the action compared to the previous few novels in the series but this book is starting a fresh and is set about 4 years after the previous book. The characters are well developed, with the returning cast being familiar and fun. New and re-introduced characters such as Dog and Alyss are fantastic. Both have joined my favorites list. The story line is easy to follow with marvelous humor woven through out and a great twist towards the end.
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LibraryThing member dcoward
It's nice to see that with the original plot wrapped up, a new plot is rising in it's place, although the cliff-hanger endings in this series are becoming a bit frustrating.
LibraryThing member Nikkles
Another fantastic book in the Ranger's Apprentice series. This book is a bit more of a cliffhanger than usual, but I'm willing to wait for the next installment. The characters are delightful and really make the books. The plot is interesting though fairly predictably from an adult perspective.
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Young adults with a few less books under their belt probably will not notice. Overall, another great book in what is one of many favorite fantasy series, right up their with Tamora Pierce. Show Less
LibraryThing member knielsen83
Great adventures, lots of peril and an ending that makes you go "GAHHHHH!" - that pretty much sums the book up.
LibraryThing member cranbrook
Time has passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, led the Araluens to victory against invaders, and Will is now a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy— boring, even—until the king is poisoned. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is thrown
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headfirst into an extraordinary adventure propelled by fears of sorcery, and must determine who is trustworthy to the king and who is trying to take his throne.Will and Alyss must battle growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time. The king is fading, but when Alyss is taken hostage, Will is forced to make a desperate choice between loyalty to his mission and loyalty to his friend. Show Less
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
book 5 of the series, where Will and Alice are sent undercover to see what is going on in a northern stronghold.
LibraryThing member Mrs.Williams
An old medic gets kicked out of town because they think he is a sorcerer and the King of Macindaw gets sick so his evil nephew trys to steal the castle.
LibraryThing member emhromp2
Obviously a prelude to book 6, and wonderful nonetheless. John Flanagan is such a gifted writer, everything he writes is of consequence later on in the story, which makes it all the more interesting. It's a bit like Harry Potter, the writer has planned the whole story very carefully.
LibraryThing member moosieman
This was my less favorite book out of the series. Corny is a good word for it. For ages 10 and under its probably good.
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the fifth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series by Flanagan. The tenth book in this series, The Emperor of Nihan-Ja, released in April of 2011. This book was a solid addition to the series and an enjoyable read. It is another of those books in this series that is only the first half of a
Will is taking up his own post at a castle in the Northern territories. As he settles in to his new position he receives a message from his old friend Alyss, all is not well in the North and Will needs to go and check it out. Masquerading as a jongleur, Will investigates stories of bad sorcery and mysterious illness.
It was a lot of fun to Will striking out on his own as a Ranger. I was a bit disappointed that he stays in his new territory such a short time and then is sent north to a different area. It was interesting to watch Will work at playing a completely different role (that of a traveling musician) when he's just finally out on his own as a Ranger.
There were some great new characters added to the mix. Will ends up with a faithful dog companion that added a lot to the story. A strange "black" magician also looks to add a lot to the story. I was a bit disappointed we didn't see much of Halt in this book, but Alyss is present for much of the story and she is a wonderful humorous character that really is fun to read about.
The story is well-written, as with previous books there is nothing especially creative or intriguing about the world here. It is a pretty straight-forward adventure fantasy. I love the humor that is woven throughout, it mimics real life well and keeps things from getting too serious.
This book does something that has happened in previous books, it only tells half of a story. The story ends pretty much with everything up in the air. So, if you hate being left hanging I would definitely pick up the sixth book, The Seige of Macindaw, right away so that you can read it when you are done with this one.
Overall a great addition to the series. This is the start of a new story arc and there are some fun characters added. Will and Alyss spend a lot of time together in this story and it was great to have Alyss featuring in the story. Halt is scarce, though and I missed him. I was upset at how the book was ended right in the middle of the story again, but that just makes me want to read book six, The Seige of Macindaw, more. This has been a wonderful series for middle grade and young adult readers who love a good adventure fantasy. The book is very well-written and the humor laced throughout makes it a joy to read.
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story arc.Will is taking up his own post at a castle in the Northern territories. As he settles in to his new position he receives a message from his old friend Alyss, all is not well in the North and Will needs to go and check it out. Masquerading as a jongleur, Will investigates stories of bad sorcery and mysterious illness.
It was a lot of fun to Will striking out on his own as a Ranger. I was a bit disappointed that he stays in his new territory such a short time and then is sent north to a different area. It was interesting to watch Will work at playing a completely different role (that of a traveling musician) when he's just finally out on his own as a Ranger.
There were some great new characters added to the mix. Will ends up with a faithful dog companion that added a lot to the story. A strange "black" magician also looks to add a lot to the story. I was a bit disappointed we didn't see much of Halt in this book, but Alyss is present for much of the story and she is a wonderful humorous character that really is fun to read about.
The story is well-written, as with previous books there is nothing especially creative or intriguing about the world here. It is a pretty straight-forward adventure fantasy. I love the humor that is woven throughout, it mimics real life well and keeps things from getting too serious.
This book does something that has happened in previous books, it only tells half of a story. The story ends pretty much with everything up in the air. So, if you hate being left hanging I would definitely pick up the sixth book, The Seige of Macindaw, right away so that you can read it when you are done with this one.
Overall a great addition to the series. This is the start of a new story arc and there are some fun characters added. Will and Alyss spend a lot of time together in this story and it was great to have Alyss featuring in the story. Halt is scarce, though and I missed him. I was upset at how the book was ended right in the middle of the story again, but that just makes me want to read book six, The Seige of Macindaw, more. This has been a wonderful series for middle grade and young adult readers who love a good adventure fantasy. The book is very well-written and the humor laced throughout makes it a joy to read.
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LibraryThing member KarenBall
Ranger Bartell has retired, and Will is a newly commissioned Ranger with his first assignment: Ranger Bartell's old fief, Sea Cliff, in the southeastern corner of Araluen. Will arrives and finds an abused dog that he adopts and cares for, and he finds a creative way to handle a party of Skandian
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raiders without a fight, and deal with the man who abused the dog as well. Alyss arrives with a secret temporary assignment for Will: travel in disguise to the northernmost fief and discover what kind of "sorcery" is happenening at Castle Macindaw. The lord of the castle there has fallen ill with a bizarre ailment, and others are blaming a hundred-year-old sorcerer's curse. Is it real, or is there some plot to create an opening for an invasion from the north? Not all is as it seems, and Will finds surprises around every corner, leading to a cliffhanger ending... and now we wait for Book 6! Lots of action, adventure and mystery, with Flanagan's trademark fast-paced plotting and excellent descriptive writing. Grades 6 and up. Show Less
LibraryThing member skyler.sims
Will is no longer an apprentice he is issued to a fief miles off land. When will gets a call to move north to a fief on the border with a hostile country. His cover is a jougular he trys to say hidden and uncover the socerer who is belived to make the leader of the fief ill. Will uncovers a plot to
This book is alot more story with few action scenes. The book is left open for the next. The book has a good plot with a good idea. This was not my favorite book of the series but it wasn't the worst. I had alot of fun reading this book it was a good story. I gave this book three stars due to the lack of action. But the few action scenes were great. The book wasn't bad.
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take over the fief and hand it over to the evil enemies up north. Will with the help of Allyss they find out that the socerer is a healer and that the fiefs leader is poisened by his son in a plot to conquer the fief. Keren the one behind it is hiring an army. When Will trys to save Allyss who has been captured by Keren he fails. Will saves the leader and hides with the sorcerrer and waits to save Allyss.This book is alot more story with few action scenes. The book is left open for the next. The book has a good plot with a good idea. This was not my favorite book of the series but it wasn't the worst. I had alot of fun reading this book it was a good story. I gave this book three stars due to the lack of action. But the few action scenes were great. The book wasn't bad.
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LibraryThing member calibrary1
Book review by Tom J., posted by CA Library:
"The Rangers Apprentice: The Sorcerer to the North by John Flanagan is a fantasy story that is put together in a very different way than the others books in the Rangers Apprentice series. This book is the 5th book in the series, and the series/book tell
The story kicks off with Will heading to his new fief he was assigned too after becoming a full-fledged ranger. After Will arrives to his new fief, he sees that this fief is very boring and lazy. Soon after though Will is told to meet his former master and the head of the rangers for his secret mission.
After given this mission, Will is sent to a frozen land engraved with fear and hysteria. The mission was simple: go to this place, get as much info as you can, and do as much as you can do without exposing who you are. Although soon after Will is thrown into a crazy turn of events that leave him questioning everything, and also leave him to make a decision between his friends or the mission.
I liked this book, but I do wish it could’ve been better. The books story all-in-all is pretty good, but it lacks in comparison to the other books in the series. Most of the surprises in the story leave a big question mark, but they all lead up in the end of this book. This book ends on a cliff hanger so you will have to read the next book to see the conclusion. In the end, I would rate this book a 3/5 stars."
"The Rangers Apprentice: The Sorcerer to the North by John Flanagan is a fantasy story that is put together in a very different way than the others books in the Rangers Apprentice series. This book is the 5th book in the series, and the series/book tell
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about a boy/protagonist named Will and his live growing up as a ranger, except in this book it is seven years after the previous book and Will has been given a special assignment.The story kicks off with Will heading to his new fief he was assigned too after becoming a full-fledged ranger. After Will arrives to his new fief, he sees that this fief is very boring and lazy. Soon after though Will is told to meet his former master and the head of the rangers for his secret mission.
After given this mission, Will is sent to a frozen land engraved with fear and hysteria. The mission was simple: go to this place, get as much info as you can, and do as much as you can do without exposing who you are. Although soon after Will is thrown into a crazy turn of events that leave him questioning everything, and also leave him to make a decision between his friends or the mission.
I liked this book, but I do wish it could’ve been better. The books story all-in-all is pretty good, but it lacks in comparison to the other books in the series. Most of the surprises in the story leave a big question mark, but they all lead up in the end of this book. This book ends on a cliff hanger so you will have to read the next book to see the conclusion. In the end, I would rate this book a 3/5 stars."
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LibraryThing member GarrettE1.B4
This book is the 5th book of the Ranger's Apprentice series. In this book Will is now a official ranger. He is then sent to go to the sea cliff fief to be the ranger there. Then Halt, Will's ranger mentor and Crowley, the head of all rangers send him on a special assignment to Norgate fief to
The position elements of action and adventure together with a twist of science. The reason I include science is because the sorcerer Will was sent to investigate turned out to be a scientist. This book had lots of good action like when Will fought this guy at his ranger cottage in seacliff fief. Also the book showed elements of adventure when Will was in Norgate fief he went into this forest and these lights that the scientist set up to try and scare people made Will scared and he left. I think that The scientist who's name is Malcolm is pretty cool because he set up all this neat stuff and he has everything to pretty much cure everything. Will also finds a dog that is really cool and can do a lot of stuff like seeking and spying on people. That is what I think of this book.
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investigate claims of a sorcerer. Will's disguise on this assignment is a jongleur to easily blend in. While Will is there the courier to give Will information is none other than Alyss, the girl Will loves.The position elements of action and adventure together with a twist of science. The reason I include science is because the sorcerer Will was sent to investigate turned out to be a scientist. This book had lots of good action like when Will fought this guy at his ranger cottage in seacliff fief. Also the book showed elements of adventure when Will was in Norgate fief he went into this forest and these lights that the scientist set up to try and scare people made Will scared and he left. I think that The scientist who's name is Malcolm is pretty cool because he set up all this neat stuff and he has everything to pretty much cure everything. Will also finds a dog that is really cool and can do a lot of stuff like seeking and spying on people. That is what I think of this book.
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LibraryThing member ThePageturners
For many authors, by the time they begin writing the fifth book in their series, they might fall into the trap of recycling certain plot points a bit. However, that is definitely not the case with John Flanagan thanks to his changing the setting of this story and introducing yet another new group
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of enemies. Once again he creates a tale that still has his trademark action and suspenseful scenes and yet it also explores the process that the main character goes through as he becomes a man in his own right. In short, I found "The Sorcerer of the North" yet another riveting read. Highly recommend it! Show Less
LibraryThing member br14adro
In book five of the rangers apprentice series will becomes a jongular and has to travel to the north to investagate a so called "sorcerer" in grimsdel wood. His friend Horace and Alyss meet him and have some interesting adventures.
I recomend this book to any reader out there!
I recomend this book to any reader out there!
LibraryThing member Floratina
READ IN DUTCH
Quite some time has passed since the last book, as Will is now a full trained Ranger and setting to go on his first mission as a Ranger.
This book was for me a bit different from the previous ones. Will obviously is older, but sadly he doesn't get any training any more (That was one of
Quite some time has passed since the last book, as Will is now a full trained Ranger and setting to go on his first mission as a Ranger.
This book was for me a bit different from the previous ones. Will obviously is older, but sadly he doesn't get any training any more (That was one of
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my favourites parts in the book) and this also means we don't get to see a lot of Halt in this book. You can feel that this book is building up to something that will probably come in book six (which I haven't read yet; so I can't be sure), but this means that there are no great battles in this book. Still, it was a very enjoyable read, and I'm planning to read the sixth book soon (when I get the time and finally find that book in the library) Show Less
LibraryThing member Sonya.Contreras
Once again Flanagan keeps us reading through the book as fast as we could. Boys choose reading over swimming...
I don't know how he breaks so many "writers' rules", like POV changes within scenes, jumping heads, reading thoughts of another, even two different speakers in one paragraph,....yet still
I don't know how he breaks so many "writers' rules", like POV changes within scenes, jumping heads, reading thoughts of another, even two different speakers in one paragraph,....yet still
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keeps us riveted to reading. I find myself analyzing writing style, setting, etc to find out how... He is good and we are hooked. Glad for another book...but have to wait for #6 till it is delivered to us in a week. Show Less
LibraryThing member TiffanyAK
This is an epic continuation of the series. It took a little bit to get into, since there's such a big time jump between the end of the previous book and the start of this one, but once I got back into the rhythm of the storyline, it carried smoothly into the start of a new wider story arc that I
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look forward to reading more of in the next books. Show Less
LibraryThing member hopeevey
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!
I know this is one book in a series; I didn't know this would end on a cliffhanger! *inarticulate shouts of frustration*
Clearly, I will be listening to the next book just as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on it :)
This is an excellent middle-grade adventure series,
In general, I've been moving away from YA and middle-grade fiction; this series, though, keeps dragging me back :)
I know this is one book in a series; I didn't know this would end on a cliffhanger! *inarticulate shouts of frustration*
Clearly, I will be listening to the next book just as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on it :)
This is an excellent middle-grade adventure series,
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with enough depth that young readers will certainly enjoy re-reading these books. There's a more explanation of complex politics and social issues than an adult reader would generally need, but it's done without condescension and entirely within the narrative structure. These books don't preach, they tell nuanced stories. In general, I've been moving away from YA and middle-grade fiction; this series, though, keeps dragging me back :)
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LibraryThing member xicanti
After a long six years of Ranger training, Will is ready for his first solo assignment. He and his close friend, Alyss, must investigate a series of mysterious circumstances in the north of Araluen.
The Ranger's Apprentice books are a lot of fun, and this one is no exception. It's fast-paced,
That's not to say that Flanagan preaches at his audience. There's still plenty of action and adventure herein, served up with a side of humor. (I suspect that the humor will appeal more to the younger set than to adult readers. I know I'd have chortled myself silly over it when I was seven or eight, but now? Not so much). There are fight scenes, tricky dealings and a couple of daring rescues. It's fun. If you're looking for a lighter read, you could do much worse than this Australian series.
THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is somewhat divorced from the previous four books, so I think you could probably use it as an entry point for the series as a whole. Be prepared for a cliffhanger, though!
(A slightly different version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina).
The Ranger's Apprentice books are a lot of fun, and this one is no exception. It's fast-paced,
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readable and entertaining, and the characters are great role models for youngsters. Will and his friends are very good at what they do, but they're not wunderkinds. Flanagan makes it clear that their success is the result of years of hard work and training, and the book's structure invites the reader to guess along with Will as he unravels each new mystery.That's not to say that Flanagan preaches at his audience. There's still plenty of action and adventure herein, served up with a side of humor. (I suspect that the humor will appeal more to the younger set than to adult readers. I know I'd have chortled myself silly over it when I was seven or eight, but now? Not so much). There are fight scenes, tricky dealings and a couple of daring rescues. It's fun. If you're looking for a lighter read, you could do much worse than this Australian series.
THE SORCERER OF THE NORTH is somewhat divorced from the previous four books, so I think you could probably use it as an entry point for the series as a whole. Be prepared for a cliffhanger, though!
(A slightly different version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina).
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LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
There seems to be a gap of time between the start of this book and the last one. Will is now a full-fledged Ranger and is sent to his own fief--at least briefly. Soon, he is called away by Halt & Crowley and sent on an undercover mission.
I liked that Will seems competent in his new role, even if
I agree that most "sorcery" has an explanation. In today's world where so much emphasis is placed on the magical and the occult, it was nice to see a series that agrees there's usually an explanation for it.
Since this is part of a series, very little of the plot is resolved in this book.
I liked that Will seems competent in his new role, even if
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he does have self-doubt. I liked that he got a new companion in the dog that he finds (though I wonder how long that will last--we will see). It was nice to see Alyss again--she's been missing from the previous few books. I agree that most "sorcery" has an explanation. In today's world where so much emphasis is placed on the magical and the occult, it was nice to see a series that agrees there's usually an explanation for it.
Since this is part of a series, very little of the plot is resolved in this book.
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LibraryThing member Dairyqueen84
In this fifth book of the Ranger’s Apprentice series Will is now a full-fledged Ranger and is given his own quiet fief to protect at Seacliff or so he thinks. As he is getting settled in his new home, he becomes acquainted with some of the local folk and uses the skills he has learned as a
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Ranger’s apprentice to size up the lord, Baron Ergell, and his Battlemaster, Sir Norris and their military preparedness. Will quickly gains their respect and trust when he saves them from the Skandian Sea Wolves who were prowling around looking for provisions for the rest of their journey. Seacliff was so badly prepared to defend themselves that Will had to use all of his Ranger training and negotiating skills to give them provisions and get them to leave peacefully. In the meantime though, Halt, Will’s Ranger mentor and Crowley, the Ranger corps commandant, call Will back to give him a new assignment but he won’t be going as a Ranger. He’ll be in disguise as a jongleur or traveling entertainer to find out what is going on at Norgate Fief. The lord had taken sick with a mysterious illnessand strange occurrences were taking place in the forest all of which was believed to be the work of a sorcerer. The action keeps the pages turning, and the ending where Will’s old friend Alyss is taken hostage in the castle leaves an exciting cliffhanger for the next book in the series. Show Less
Pages
336