I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Erak's Ransom
by
John Flanagan
action & adventure, fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by Philomel Books on November 1, 2007 and has 441 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Sorcerer in the North, The Siege of Macindaw, The Kings of Clonmel, Halt's Peril, The Emperor of Nihon-Ja, The Lost Stories, The Outcasts, Invaders, The Hunters, The Royal Ranger, Slaves of Socorro, Scorpion Mountain, The Tournament at Gorlan, The Ghostfaces, "The Beast From Another Time", The Caldera, The Red Fox Clan, Duel at Araluen, Return of the Temujai, The Missing Prince, Escape From Falaise, Ambush at Sorato, The Stern Chase
This is actually #5 in the Ranger’s Apprentice fantasy series for middle-grade readers. I do not know what Flanagan is thinking. In Erak’s Ransom, Will is still an apprentice who doesn’t graduate until the end of the book when the Rangers decide to christen him as Will Treaty. Um…does Flanagan not remember Sorcerer of the North? The story where Will is a full-fledged Ranger on his first assignment? The one where he is introduced as Will Treaty??? Hullo…??
Maybe I have the numbering wrong…1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…no, “7” definitely comes after “5”. Anyone…??? Any ideas???
Having got that bit of snark off my chest, Erak’s Ransom is a good story with all sorts of future possibilities. I enjoyed Flanagan’s use of the Arab culture to create the country to which the royal delegation travels with the insertions on coffee, the traditional greeting, and their sense of honor. He also demonstrates that there are good and bad in all cultures.
