John Flanagan, an Australian advertising and television writer, began writing his Ranger’s Apprentice series as a collection of twenty stories to encourage his son to read. The stories were about a foundling named Will who is adopted in the mysterious and secretive Ranger corps that uses stealth, woodcraft and courage to defend the kingdom.
Flanagan has had some success with it: the first three books have sold to 18 countries, and now film rights have been optioned by United Artists Films, with Paul Haggis attached to adapt and direct a series of films (Haggis wrote the recent Casino Royale, the currently in-production 22nd James Bond movie, and Oscar winners Million Dollar Baby and Crash).
Flanagan said “It’s just so overwhelming to see that the Ranger’s series is set to head off in yet another exciting direction. When I think how this all started as a series of twenty short stories written for my son Michael, it sets my head spinning to think there’s the distinct possibility that it will now be translated into movies and seen by millions of people around the world.”
The fourth book in the series, The Battle for Skandia, is scheduled to be published by Philomel Books on 18 March. It “begins with Evanlyn’s capture by a Temujai scouting party. Still weakened by the debilitating effects of warmweed, the enemy has Will fatally outnumbered. Death is close at hand, until Halt, his mentor, and Horace, his friend and a knight-in-training, make a daring, last-minute rescue. Their reunion is cut short by a horrifying discovery: Skandia’s borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army, and Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, old foes must join forces to stop a ruthless new enemy.” The author’s web site notes that “book 8 is currently being written and book 9 has been planned,” so if you get hooked, there’s more where that came from.
Reviewing the series, the Boston Globe said “Flanagan has created a medieval-hero with a difference: he is more ninja than knight. Stealth, knowledge, knife and wit—these are apprentice Will’s weapons, and they are a refreshing change from the usual sword and sorcery.” The first three volumes are: The Ruins of Gorlan,
The Burning Bridge, and The Icebound Land.