The Ranger's Apprentice (Books 8-10) by John Flanagan

Dear Readers,

I finished it!! All ten books are done!! And I am very pleased. I enjoyed this series. Fantasy definitely has to be one of my favorite genres. There is nothing I enjoy more than being sucked into a story and forgetting that I am reading. This series did not let me down. The characters were interesting and relatable, the plot was fast paced and gripping, and the fantasy land was fantastically made.

The main reason I love these books is the characters. From the beginning of the series you relate to the main character Will. You want him to succeed. When he meets new friends you become to like the friends. When become romantically involved with his childhood sweat heart you are rooting for him all the way.
I really did enjoy the relationships that form between the characters. In the last three books the characters are older. I would say they are mid-twenties. During the seventh book Halt gets married to Lady Pauline. This made me smile sooooooo much. I was rooting for them too. After that Will and Alyss's relationship develops. I really enjoy when the are subtle love stories in books. I do not need to read a flat out romance book because I can get all of the cuteness I need from the small romances in fantasy novel. Another romance springs up but I will let you find that one out for yourself.
I found that plot to be semi-repetitive, but that fit. (I didn't care to much about the plot because I was caught up with the characters.) The plot of every book seemed to take the same pattern. A problem would arise Halt, Will, and Horace would run off the solve it. Some unexpected, unplanned thing would happen and the rangers would stick there heads together and come up with something. In the end everything would turn out fine, their friends would hug them, then everything would turn back to normal. Or atleast until the next book when the same thing would happen again. It seemed as if the young Will had way too much happen in his short life. As I said before though I did not really care about the plot.
I would highly recommend this series!!!! Really!! I know that I said this before, but after finishing I think that my recommendation comes a little higher. So just Read It!!
Lindsey

The Ranger's Apprentice Series Books 2 to 7 by John Flanagan

Dear Readers,

 My last post was about the first book in this amazing fantasy series. Well, since then I have finished the next seven books. (I am waiting for the eighth book to come in at the library so I can finish the last three.) I read these books in such rapid succession. It can only be compared to the manner in which the Rangers shoot their arrows.
I read about a book a day for a week. So now I have up through Erak's Ransom completed, and I enjoyed every page that I read! You can really tell when I fantasy book is well written. John Flanagan switches between the major conflicts in the book with such ease. Just when you are into one part of the plot he switches to the other conflict. This technique keeps you from getting bored, and it kept me turning the pages!

Not only does Mr. Flanagan use very techniques, he also has very original ideas. I have read many many many fantasy books, so when I read a fantasy series I really look for originality. This story is one that I have not heard before. The conflicts and plot lines are different from most of the fantasy books I have read. The world these books take place is also very interesting. The world has different names, but you can tell that this new world is based on the map of Europe and surrounding countries. The main country is obviously England, the neighboring country Gallica is of course France, and all of the other places have strong geographical and ethnic similarities to real countries.  I really appreciated this creative take on Europe's map. Just because it is a fantasy book there does not have to be a new, strange world.
Besides being original and well written, the books are full of interesting characters

and wonderful conflicts.
Will, the Ranger's Apprentice, leads a very interesting life. At the age of 15 he is already fighting against strange creatures, making plans, and riding across the country with his teacher, Halt. As the books go on Will of course ages and takes on new challenges and tasks. He grows from the shy young apprentice to a strong and trust worthy young man who can solve almost any conflict. Halt and Will develop a special relationship that will leave you smiling. Will, an orphan who never had a father, now has a strong male figure in his life the exemplify. Halt who is normally serious, aloof, and lonely now has a bright spot in his days. The two characters have witty exchanges and touching moments. Besides the two main characters there is a parade of interesting and new characters in each book. Some turn out to be friends that will reappear through out the whole series, and some turn out to be enemies that cause the friends to bond. Personally I enjoy a little romance in every book I read, and the later books in this series do not fall short of the expectation. The romances aren't mushy or cheesy, but as the young Will and his friends grow they find new roles in each others' lives. Also some of the older characters rekindle old sparks.
Each conflict shows the characters strengths. This group of characters has crazy amount of courage and strength. They travel all of the known world to complete missions, save their friends, and find out secret information. The books show how friendship can be more binding then any contract written on paper. The friendship that the characters develop are something the we need exemplify in our own lives.They make promises and stick to them. They would do anything to keep their friends out of trouble. So not only do the books take you to other places, the provide a very good example to young readers out there of what true friendship looks like.
I really like this series. It is uncommon for me to not like fantasy, but there are few series that I would reread and this is one of them. For some reason the character, plot, and writing style really appeal to me. I would recommend this series to anyone. It may be written for a young audience, but anybody would enjoy the fast paced, fun, adventurous nature of this series. So if you are bored pick them up and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. I will post about the rest of the series once I have finished with it! (Which will probably be in a few days.) So until then keep reading my friends!
Lindsey

The Ruins of Gorlan (Number #1 of the Ranger's Apprentice) by John Flanagan

Dear Readers,

So continues the binge. This time I read the first book in the series so I can tell you more about it! I picked this book up while my younger brother was reading and read the first 60 pages. I though hmm... that is pretty good, but never finished. Well now it is finished. It was surprisingly good. Again it was another fantasy, which is just up my alley.
The Ruins of Gorlan starts out with introducing the main character, Will. He is a castle ward, an orphan who was left at the castle after his parents died. Unlike the other wards Will does not know who his parents are. When he was dropped off on the castle doorstep There was a note saying his father was a hero and his mother died. Other than that Will has no information about his family.
At the age of 15 the castle wards are chosen by the craft-masters of the castle to become apprentices. Will longs to go to battle school to become a knight as to make his father, the hero, proud. When the day of choosing comes Will does not get his wish. Instead he becomes the Ranger's Apprentice. The Ranger are a strange group of people who no one knows much about. Each fief has its own ranger, and Will must now study under the ranger in his fief. It is believed by the townsfolk that the Rangers use magic to become invisible and move form one place to another without being seen. During his apprenticeship Will learns the truth about the Rangers.
This book was good. Not one of the best fantasy books I have read, but still entertaining. I did not like the magical creatures in the novels. They were sort of creepy and gave me the willy nillies. I heard from a friend that the series gets better and the books get a little less weird and more realistic. I am looking forward to the rest of the series with eagerness.
As I have said for the last two books, if you want a fantasy book that keeps your mind away from the present, entertains you, and is exciting I recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book. Enjoy!
Dream Big, READ!!!
Lindsey

The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Dear Readers,
I told you yesterday that I have started my yearly fantasy binge, and I wasn't lying. After finishing The Serpent's Shadow my mind was to far gone to come back and read meaningful things so I checked out Clockwork Prince. 498 pages in 24 hours of non-continual reading. Apparently I liked this book. Again it is a continuation of one of the series that read. It is part of the Infernal Devices series which is a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments series. They again are really fantasy and very fictitious, which is one of the reasons I love them.
The mortal instruments was written first. It follows the story of young shadowhunters in New York City in modern times. The Infernal Devices series was more of an after thought. It's about shadowhunters in Victorian Era England. It almost has a steam punk feel to it, with clockwork creatures, unknown heritage, and unexpected romance.
Tessa the main character of the main book has special powers that no one understands. After touching an object Tessa can turn into the person who last possessed the object. She takes on their appearance and is able to read their thoughts. On her trip to England from New York to see her brother she is captured by two evil old sisters that force her to use her gift.
Eventually she meets then men of the series. Jem and Will. I believe they rival any other male characters in crappy teen fiction. Jem and Will are two completely different boys. They are both shadowhunters living at the institution in London. Will is dark and mysterious and Jem is open and almost bubbly (oh goodness listen to me explain those boys, I act like I know them personally). They are best friends, and rely on each other constantly.   Both boys made me smile constantly in this book, of course they also made me ask the question 'why don't I know any boys like this?'.
I would highly recommend this book if you want an escapes. Of course it is fantasy, so if you don't like fantasy you may not like it. But trust me girls there is enough steamy romance to get your fill. So enjoy and keep reading!
Lindsey

The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

Dear Readers,

So since I have graduated and summer has officially started I am indulging my guilty pleasure. Teen Fantasy Books. The binge started with Rick Riordan's Serpent's Shadow. I personally love Rick Riordan's books. Many people do not. They find his writing annoying, but for some reason his books are some of my favorites. He is the writer of the amazing Percy Jackson series and the equally amazing Lost Heroes Series. He also wrote the Kane Chronicles, and the Serpent's Shadow is the third and finally book in this series.
Many of his books center around ancient gods in modern day. The Kane Chronicles is all about Egyptian lore. Before starting these books I knew about Ra the sun god; otherwise all of the names were very unfamiliar. As the series goes on you are not only entertained by the happenings of the Kane family, you learn many of the Egyptian gods.
The books follow the adventures of Sadie and Carter Kane. As teenagers they find that they are magicians and that their family is one of the most important magical families. Quickly after finding out that they're magicians they are forced to help save the world from eminent destruction. The first two books cover the first doomsday, the defeat of the god of evil, the release of Chaos, and the resurrection of the sun god. Of course more happens than that, but that is just a brief over view. The first two books also contain hilarious side comments, love interests, interesting gods, new friends, and action packed battles.
I can't really explain the plot of the third book without giving away the first two books, so just read the whole series! You will not be disappointed! Of course these books are very very very  fictitious. They are definitely fantasy books, so if you don't like that genre don't even try to pick them up. However, if you are looking for an escape from the world you may end up reading the books cover to cover in three days. They are excellent for making you forget what is going on in the real world.
If you want to be entertained, engaged, and enlightened these might be the books for you. So keep reading and enjoying!
Lindsey  

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Dear Readers,

I finally finished another book! For some reason I have been reading but not finishing books. I will start one and them someone will hand me another book to read. My locker buddy Jacob handed me this book and told me I had to read it. I was up for it so I took and started it that. It took me a little longer then I would have liked, but the book was amazing. If you have not read Ender's Game you must!! This book beats out so many other books I have read. It has a sort of Lord of the Flies fell because it explores the depths of the human mind and what humans are willing to do for their own survival. But it is so much better then Lord of the Flies.
The genre is Science-Fiction. If you have not read a Science-Fiction this is the one you should start with. It is futuristic, but easy to relate to. There are aliens, spaceships, other worlds, and futuristic weapons. But there is so much more to the book. So much more meaning then just defeating an alien race of buggers.
The book starts out by introducing the main character Ender Wiggin. Ender is an unusual little boy. He has had a monitor on the back of his neck from birth. His every move has been monitored since birth. Not only is he monitored is third child in a time when a family is only allowed two children. Ender is continually taunted by the boys at school and by his older brother Peter. All he wants to do is get away. Finally his answer comes in an invitation to come to Battle School.
Battle School is a place where the take the best and brightest kids from earth to train them to fight the Buggers. Buggers are an alien race the 70 years before attacked the earth. The humans are still angry and ready to get back at the buggers. Ender was raised to believe that buggers are evil and they must die. In Battle School Ender learns much more then just how to fight buggers.
I will not tell you more of the plot because I absolutely do not want to spoil to ending for you. It is an amazing ending. I may dare say one of the best I have read.
The other reason I love this book besides the riveting plot I mentioned earlier. Maybe I am reading to much into it, but I found tons of meaning in this book. The book starts when Ender is 6 and follows him to age until about age 11. What Ender does at a such a young age is almost scary. Peter and Valentine his siblings are almost as horrifying. The Wiggin family defies the stereotypical view of age. As children they accomplish much more then some people accomplish in a lifetime. Not everything the accomplish is exactly good. Peter is made out to be the evil sibling, Valentine the kind, sweet, and sensible sibling, and Ender the in between. But as you see the world threw Ender's eyes you wonder if he tips to one side of the scale. The comparison between good evil is very blatant. As Ender is pushed to his extreme, the reader is able to see what a human is capable of at even such a young age.
At the end all I could say was wow. I loved it, and so will you. So just read it. I can not guarantee that I will read the rest of the books that Orson Scott Card has written about Ender, but I am glad that I read this one.
Read On!!
Lindsey

The Winter Girls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Dear Readers,

I have very mixed feelings about this book. Laurie Halse Anderson is a good author. She has written many other book that I love. Fever 1793 was one of my favorite books as a young girl. But this book was not one of her best. Her historical fiction is superb so good that I would read it over and over again. Wintergirls had a different vibe. I would call it a whinny girl vibe.
Wintergirls is about Lia, a teenage girls struggling with anorexia. The book is her struggle to survive while fighting a horrible body image. Anorexia simply put is not fun. And reading about it is not fun either. So this book is not a fun read. It is actually quite depressing. If you want to be thoroughly depressed read this book. There are a few things about this book I do like though. It is hard to relate to because I have never had anorexia, but there are some parts that every teen girl can relate to.
First reason why I like this book, the ending. Through out the book it is whinny. Me Me Me Me Me. That's basically all the book is about. Lia saying I am not pretty. I am not skinny. I am not perfect. I I I I I I I. But in the end Lia sees that she has to live for other people. That life is not all about her. Her actions have reactions. (Sorry here is a spoiler alert.) She permanently scares her little sister, Emma, when she is found in the bathroom trying to kill herself. Emma will never recover from seeing her beloved sister cut open. After she realizes she hurts Emma so bad Lia decides to change the way she is living. She is not hurting only herself by not eating.
Like I said almost every teenage girl can relate to feeling bad about her body. I would be lying big time if I said that I have never looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. We all do it, but most of us have found ways to cope with it. We read, we run, we bake, we find something to pour our hurt into. It is so sad that there are you girls and guys out there that feel so bad about their body that they can not find an outlet. You may not be perfect, but you need to love yourself. Everyone needs to remember that they are made the way they are for a reason. You are the perfect you, and don't change.
Well I did the think the book had an over all good meaning. The end made me so happy I wanted to cry for joy. The fact that this is relatable is sad but so true. But after all of that this book would not be one that I recommend. It is depressing. It is sad. It is just not fun to read. So Laurie You adressed the subject well, but I did not like it.
So read on, just don't be depressed.
Lindsey