The Royal Ranger

The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan, 455 pages

The Ranger’s Apprentice series continues with new characters in the mix. It is several years after the end of the previous book and Will has recently been dealt a terrible blow. His friends, determined to bring him out of his depression and obsession, hatch a plan together. Madelyn, Cassandra and Horace’s daughter, is driving them crazy. She insists on slipping out at night to hunt in the forest, despite her parents warnings about the dangers and despite the fact that she is a princess and such behavior is completely inappropriate. Gilan, the new Commandant to the Ranger force, thinks that it’s time to add women to the ranks of Ranger Apprentices. So, the plan is to apprentice Madelyn to Will. Hopefully, Will can find reason to be happy again, Madelyn can learn some of the things she needs to learn to lead, and the two of them together can prove that girls would be an asset to the Rangers. This is an excellent addition to the series. Anyone who likes adventure stories will love this series.