The Ranger's Apprentice is one of my favorite series. Book 1, The Ruins of Gorlan, was a Caudill Nominee in 2008 and I've been hooked ever since. Book 9 is set to be released October 5 of this year. The author admits that he does not know how many volumes there will be in the series at this point. As long as he has more to add that will advance the characters, we have something to look forward to.
In book 8, Araluen is threatened again. Or rather, a neighboring country is being threatened and if that country falls, Araluen will be next.What is the threat? A cult! The followers of Alseiass move into a realm and practice their religion without trying to convert their neighbors. But when the villages are threatened by destructive thieves, the Followers of Alseiass offer prayers and protection in exchange for gold. They keep the brigands at bay until the gold runs out and then they move on to the next village. I'm sure you can guess who is in charge of the plunderers.
The leader, or prophet, of Alseiass is the charismatic Tennyson. He has been working in the country of Hibernia which is composed of six kingdoms. Tennyson has already claimed five of the six either by conquest or coercion. Clonmel is the sixth. The most famous Araluen Ranger, Halt, is from Clonmel and he has connections. His twin brother is the King.
Once again, Halt, Will and Horace set off to protect their homeland and lend assistance to the oppressed.
If you have read any of the other books in the series and enjoyed them. You will not be disappointed. Reading about Will and his trusted companions is like taking out your winter gloves in the fall. They mold quickly to your familiar hands.
I love these book and I need these books. They represent the ideals. The famous phrase "All for one and one for all" comes to mind. Will and Tug, Halt and Abelard, Horace and Kicker, all work together as a well-oiled machine for a common goal. They can finish each others thoughts as well as sentences. They would not leave each other unprotected. And they would gladly sacrifice themselves to save each other. If they say they will do something, they do. They are trustworthy and loyal. And if one doesn't show up at an appointed time in an appointed place, you can be sure something has gone terribly wrong. The bad guys are out for themselves. The good guys are out for something much bigger than themselves.
No wonder I would immerse myself in a book rather than join the living. We are selfish humans who have forgotten the grandest picture. We're all stuck in the lifeboat aiming to save ourselves by pushing the rest in the water. And ignoring the One Who Walks on the Water with outstretched hands.
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