(3) YA Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger series. When a demagogic pretender to the throne and his cultish followers threaten the regency of Princess Cassandra and her daughter Maddie, Rangers Gilan and Horace sally forth but become besieged in an old fortress. Meanwhile, Castle Araluen comes under attack, and only Maddie's secret Ranger training can turn the tide. Lovers of strategy and hand-to-hand combat scenes will find much to reward them in this continuation of the popular series.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Brotherband Chronicles series. In their seventh adventure, Hal and the Heron crew accept a mission rescuing an empress's kidnapped son from pirates to save the life of the palace guard commander, who is first mate Stig's estranged father. Exciting nautical chases, quick escapes, and clever ruses keep the action at a rapid boil, while sailing proficiency, technical know-how, and wry humor serve as bonds that unite the crew. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years series. This Ranger's Apprentice prequel series continues with newly crowned King Duncan on the run from Morgarath's Wargal army. Halt and Crowley's clever tactics stall Morgarath's beasts before Duncan's army makes a heroic stand at Hackham Heath. The Rangers' wry humor and preternatural resourcefulness are as enjoyable as ever, while Flanagan's divergence into military tactics opens up new avenues for cunning disguise.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years series. A younger Crowley and Halt join forces with other falsely disgraced Rangers to rescue King Oswald and Prince Duncan from the machinations of Baron Morgarath, who attempts to seize the throne at the annual tournament. This prequel to the Ranger's Apprentice series features good-hearted joshing among the laconic Ranger Corps and stirring combat sequences against Morgarath and his craven henchmen.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Brotherband Chronicles series. Hal and the crew of the Heron--together with Ranger Gilan and their Arridan ally, Selethen--are sent to stop the pirate Iqbal, who has called for the assassination of Princess Cassandra of Araluen. Exotic cultures, daring battles on the high seas, and a broad tongue-in-cheek humor deliver all the excitement and laughs readers have come to expect from the adventurous series.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Brotherband Chronicles series. Hal and his sailing crew of brotherband warriors track the pirate Zavac to Raguza, where they hope to retrieve the Skandian treasure he stole from them. In a duel of ships, Hal's wits, his superior ship design, and his crew's skills carry the day. Boy-friendly action (with one token female) and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor mark these rousing nautical adventures. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Brotherband Chronicles series. In pursuit of the Skandian treasure stolen by Zavac, Hal and his brotherband help a coastal town fight off the pirate's predations. Hal defeats Zavac using a thrilling combination of strategy and teamwork, but Zavac escapes with the treasure, ensuring the series' continuation. The boy-centered action is perfect for reluctant boy readers, but girls will find plenty to enjoy as well.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Brotherband Chronicles series. In this new companion series to Ranger's Apprentice, Hal Mikkelson enters Skandian (read: Viking) "brotherband" training as the leader of a group of underdogs. The band's clever thinking and teamwork--and Hal's revolutionary sail design--propel them to victory. Flanagan's sympathetic characters and meticulous descriptions of the band's training (races, strength tests, military-style discipline, sailing) will gratify boys and tomboys alike.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. While studying new fighting techniques in Nihon-Ja (think Shogun Japan), Horace is caught up defending the emperor during a coup. Rangers Will and Halt, Princess Cassandra, Alyss, and Selethen come to his aid, with a number of tricks up their sleeves. Familiar, likable characters, new combat tactics, and an enjoyable level of tension reward readers of this "final battle."

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. Nine novellas fill in gaps and extend the series arc for Ranger Will and his mentor Halt, including Horace's and Will's marriages, Ranger Gilan's courtship, and the history of Halt's joining the Ranger Corps. Despite the sometimes sentimental material, Flanagan manages to work considerable intrigue and Ranger cleverness--as well as bandits, wreckers, and (unfortunately stereotyped) gypsy-like Roamers--into the mix.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. While pursuing the cult leader from The Kings of Clonmel, Ranger Halt is wounded with an assassin's poisoned arrow; he could die unless his former-apprentice-turned-trusted-partner Will can fetch help in time. The warm relationship between the two men, their canny woodcraft, and more than one agonizing dilemma keep the tightly constructed story emotionally engaging and dramatically satisfying.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. In Ransom, Ranger's apprentice Will makes new allies among the desert tribes of Arrida during a ransom mission. In Clonmel, graduate Ranger Will and his mentor Halt tackle a religious cult looking to depose Halt's brother. The series continues to deliver a shrewd protagonist who uses wits and woodcraft to further the exciting, adventure-filled plots. Review covers these Ranger's Apprentice titles: Erak's Ransom and The Kings of Clonmel.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. In Ransom, Ranger's apprentice Will makes new allies among the desert tribes of Arrida during a ransom mission. In Clonmel, graduate Ranger Will and his mentor Halt tackle a religious cult looking to depose Halt's brother. The series continues to deliver a shrewd protagonist who uses wits and woodcraft to further the exciting, adventure-filled plots. Review covers these Ranger's Apprentice titles: Erak's Ransom and The Kings of Clonmel.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. With new allies Malcolm the healer and a troop of Skandian warriors, King's Ranger Will and knight chevalier Horace fight to free Castle Macindaw from the traitor Keren and rescue Will's love interest. As always, the series' focus on strategy, ruse, and out-thinking the enemy will please fans, as will Flanagan's likable characters.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. Ranger's apprentice Will, his master Halt, apprentice Horace, and princess-in-disguise Evanlyn work together with their former foe to turn back a mutual enemy from an invasion of Skandia. Humor, woodcraft-cunning, and military strategic know-how combine for an exciting buildup to a satisfying climactic battle.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. Now a full-fledged Ranger, Will's assigned a special mission with his friend Alyss: working undercover as a jongleur, he's to investigate reports of a sorcerer hexing the lord of a strategically important northern castle. A new grudge-holding acquaintance threatens Will's and Alyss's cover. The series' emphasis on rationality and out-thinking one's enemies will gratify its target audience.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. Apprentice ranger Will and princess-in-disguise Evanlyn endure slavery until escaping from the Viking-like Skandians. Ranger Halt and Battleschool apprentice Horace defeat a rogue knight en route to attempting a rescue. The incidental plot develops grist for future installments rather than coming to a resolution, but fans of the guileless characters and elemental combat strategies will enjoy the agreeable journey.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Ranger's Apprentice series. Will, an orphan, is apprenticed to the taciturn Ranger Halt. His childhood rival Horace is training at the elite Battleschool. Unbeknownst to either, an ancient foe prepares to strike their kingdom, launching an epic struggle--and a series that begins promisingly with this crisply written adventure.

Reviewer: Gay Pampalone