I'm enjoying this book much more than the last one. It's interesting because at the beginning I felt so much sympathy for Will. I wished he was bigger and knew who his father truly is. Now, though, I beginning to believe in fate for him. He's meant to be a Ranger and though he didn't have a true father, Halt seems to be fitting in to that role. Halt's extremely interesting as well. He doesn't like to talk much and didn't even want to be recognized for the amazing deed he did for Gorlan. I wonder why. Is he just that prideful or is there more to the story? Also, the relationship between Will and Horace confuses me. Are they enemies or best friends? I can't really decide.
I read this book in high school, and I have the same complaint now as I did then – Flanagan makes some interesting vocabulary choices in his writing. There were a few times where he used words that I feel made no sense. Will uses the word “politic” instead of the word “polite” and Horace uses the phrase “They were three,” instead of saying “There were three of them.” I am beginning to suspect he does this based on the character he is writing about at the time and that it is done to show who acts smarter than they are and who does not. However, this book and others like it – The Giver, The Hunger Games, Divergent, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and others – always make for my favorite reads. Though it does contain some of the elements of a dystopian novel, I have yet to solidify this. We left off just where I remember things starting to get good, so I am excited to get to the next part of the book.
When I first started to read this book I felt like it may be another Hunger Games or Divergent because of the choosing day the characters had to go through. Upon reading it more I realized it was more like a Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit. I honestly think that Will's dad was the King! Martin, the baron's secretary, reminds me of the secretary to commander LI Shang. He is very eccentric and all about proper etiquette. I like that the Baron has a sense of humor instead of just being a serious leader. I do not know why Horace has in own chapters but I feel like he will play a bog role later on in the story. I also find it interesting that Halt wanted no recognition for the brave deed he did in battle. Is he humble or is he following a secret Ranger code. Or did something happen during the war that he is ashamed of and that is why he wont accept recognition? I am excited to finish the book! Kaitlyn
I am really enjoying this book. The beginning of the story was interesting and drew me in. I liked that the ward offers a second chance to kids who do not have parents. I felt a level of respect towards the Baron, I really appreciated how he interacted with the kids during the choosing. I feel like Horace is going to turn evil throughout the second half of the book. I think getting bullied is making him very bitter and I do not know how he is going to respond. I think the Ranger might be Will's father or know who his father is. I can't wait to finish this book.
This book reminds me of a book written by a friend of mine, where it spends a great deal of the book with training the characters the art of their trades. and also like the book by a friend of mine, the training process is the part that sucks me into the book. I am so intrigued by all the cool little tricks we've learned so far about becoming a Ranger. I'm expecting that somewhere close to three quarters into the book, when Will's training isn't quite finished, that he will need to use what little he knows to fight off Morgarath and his amazing army. One part that did catch me off guard was how Will wasn't chosen at first. Sure, it still fits the profile of this type of book where the main character is the weak and frail kid with barely any skills except in one very unique area. But as soon as Halt talked to the Baron and Will began trying to break into the tower, i figured it was a test. I cannot wait to finish this book!!!
Will kind of bothers me in these first chapters, to be completely honest. He is very ignorant and he does not understand sarcasm - which is funny to see is saddening to the Baron. However, I guess he's just a clueless and scared kid, and he's getting better, so I should give him a break.
The plot is intriguing thus far, and I'm interested to get answers, specifically on who Will's father was and why Halt is so secretive. It'll also be neat to see how each castle ward will develop and change, specifically Will and Horace.
The world of Araluen is a welcome departure from the recent fantasy norm of GRIM DARKNEEESS. There is justice, there is hope, good men are in position of authority and don't abuse their station. Sometime it feels a little contrived, but these days, the greater fantasy is a land in which things are actually not all that bad. Maybe it's because medieval fantasy doesn't exactly evoke a period of life wherein everything was hunky-dory, but Flannigan seems to be onto something. He seems to get that literature, especially adolescent literature, always, ALWAYS has something to teach. In his world, orphans get second chances, everyone is treated with fairness and respect (and those who are disrespectful and cruel get their due justice), and the Homeland Security/CIA cognates (Rangers) are actually responsible and trustworthy with their power. It's almost like Americana reborn in the 12th century, and it's quite nice, overall. Flannigan presents a Rockwellian version of the Dark Ages that few could ever follow or reproduce.
I think the author did a really good job of making the reader feel like they can relate to the characters. In just the first few pages I already wanted to keep reading. I noticed that when they were choosing where they wanted to go, it reminded me of the hunger games or divergent. The author makes you feel bad for Will because he has this big dream but everyone is making fun of him all because he is too small. But he turns out joining in what I think would be the coolest of all of them. I wonder how Halt knew that Will would sneak into in Barons study and try to steal the note. You can tell that Will is scared but I think that he will get comfortable and he will be very good at what he does.
I'm enjoying this book much more than the last one. It's interesting because at the beginning I felt so much sympathy for Will. I wished he was bigger and knew who his father truly is. Now, though, I beginning to believe in fate for him. He's meant to be a Ranger and though he didn't have a true father, Halt seems to be fitting in to that role. Halt's extremely interesting as well. He doesn't like to talk much and didn't even want to be recognized for the amazing deed he did for Gorlan. I wonder why. Is he just that prideful or is there more to the story?
ReplyDeleteAlso, the relationship between Will and Horace confuses me. Are they enemies or best friends? I can't really decide.
I read this book in high school, and I have the same complaint now as I did then – Flanagan makes some interesting vocabulary choices in his writing. There were a few times where he used words that I feel made no sense. Will uses the word “politic” instead of the word “polite” and Horace uses the phrase “They were three,” instead of saying “There were three of them.” I am beginning to suspect he does this based on the character he is writing about at the time and that it is done to show who acts smarter than they are and who does not. However, this book and others like it – The Giver, The Hunger Games, Divergent, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and others – always make for my favorite reads. Though it does contain some of the elements of a dystopian novel, I have yet to solidify this. We left off just where I remember things starting to get good, so I am excited to get to the next part of the book.
ReplyDelete~Sheridan
When I first started to read this book I felt like it may be another Hunger Games or Divergent because of the choosing day the characters had to go through. Upon reading it more I realized it was more like a Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit. I honestly think that Will's dad was the King! Martin, the baron's secretary, reminds me of the secretary to commander LI Shang. He is very eccentric and all about proper etiquette. I like that the Baron has a sense of humor instead of just being a serious leader. I do not know why Horace has in own chapters but I feel like he will play a bog role later on in the story. I also find it interesting that Halt wanted no recognition for the brave deed he did in battle. Is he humble or is he following a secret Ranger code. Or did something happen during the war that he is ashamed of and that is why he wont accept recognition? I am excited to finish the book!
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn
I am really enjoying this book. The beginning of the story was interesting and drew me in. I liked that the ward offers a second chance to kids who do not have parents. I felt a level of respect towards the Baron, I really appreciated how he interacted with the kids during the choosing. I feel like Horace is going to turn evil throughout the second half of the book. I think getting bullied is making him very bitter and I do not know how he is going to respond. I think the Ranger might be Will's father or know who his father is. I can't wait to finish this book.
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds me of a book written by a friend of mine, where it spends a great deal of the book with training the characters the art of their trades. and also like the book by a friend of mine, the training process is the part that sucks me into the book. I am so intrigued by all the cool little tricks we've learned so far about becoming a Ranger. I'm expecting that somewhere close to three quarters into the book, when Will's training isn't quite finished, that he will need to use what little he knows to fight off Morgarath and his amazing army.
ReplyDeleteOne part that did catch me off guard was how Will wasn't chosen at first. Sure, it still fits the profile of this type of book where the main character is the weak and frail kid with barely any skills except in one very unique area. But as soon as Halt talked to the Baron and Will began trying to break into the tower, i figured it was a test. I cannot wait to finish this book!!!
Will kind of bothers me in these first chapters, to be completely honest. He is very ignorant and he does not understand sarcasm - which is funny to see is saddening to the Baron. However, I guess he's just a clueless and scared kid, and he's getting better, so I should give him a break.
ReplyDeleteThe plot is intriguing thus far, and I'm interested to get answers, specifically on who Will's father was and why Halt is so secretive. It'll also be neat to see how each castle ward will develop and change, specifically Will and Horace.
Marianna Mercer
The world of Araluen is a welcome departure from the recent fantasy norm of GRIM DARKNEEESS. There is justice, there is hope, good men are in position of authority and don't abuse their station. Sometime it feels a little contrived, but these days, the greater fantasy is a land in which things are actually not all that bad. Maybe it's because medieval fantasy doesn't exactly evoke a period of life wherein everything was hunky-dory, but Flannigan seems to be onto something. He seems to get that literature, especially adolescent literature, always, ALWAYS has something to teach. In his world, orphans get second chances, everyone is treated with fairness and respect (and those who are disrespectful and cruel get their due justice), and the Homeland Security/CIA cognates (Rangers) are actually responsible and trustworthy with their power. It's almost like Americana reborn in the 12th century, and it's quite nice, overall. Flannigan presents a Rockwellian version of the Dark Ages that few could ever follow or reproduce.
ReplyDeleteMason Trupe
I think the author did a really good job of making the reader feel like they can relate to the characters. In just the first few pages I already wanted to keep reading. I noticed that when they were choosing where they wanted to go, it reminded me of the hunger games or divergent. The author makes you feel bad for Will because he has this big dream but everyone is making fun of him all because he is too small. But he turns out joining in what I think would be the coolest of all of them. I wonder how Halt knew that Will would sneak into in Barons study and try to steal the note. You can tell that Will is scared but I think that he will get comfortable and he will be very good at what he does.
ReplyDelete