Ranger's Apprentice - Books in Order
By Lily | Published 2 December 2022 | Book titles and covers are affiliate links.
One way to instill a love of reading in children is to introduce them to a series of books that will capture their attention and imagination. The Ranger's Apprentice series by Australian author John Flanagan is a great choice for young readers, and this guide will help you navigate the series and its various spin-offs.
The Ranger's Apprentice series follows the adventures of a fifteen-year-old orphan named Will. Will is chosen as an apprentice Ranger, one of the skilled trackers, archers, and warriors in the service of the King of Araluen. Will strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors, and other threats. He is joined on his adventures by his mentor, Halt, and his best friend Horace.
When it comes to reading order, the Ranger's Apprentice books should be read in chronological order, starting with The Ruins of Gorlan and ending with The Royal Ranger. However, it's important to note that some of the books, such as The Lost Stories and The Early Years, can be read at any point in the series or as a standalone novel. The series has been highly praised by both readers and critics and is a New York Times bestseller that has sold millions of copies worldwide.
It's also worth noting that while the main series is marketed towards young adults, it can also be enjoyed by older children and adults who enjoy epic fantasy stories with rich world-building and compelling characters. Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini's Eragon series, and Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.
Ranger’s Apprentice Series - Chronological Order
1. The Ruins of Gorlan: Book One
The first book in the series introduces readers to 15-year-old Will who is chosen to become an apprentice ranger, a highly trained defender of the common man. He is taken under the wing of his mentor Halt, a mysterious ranger who teaches him the skills of battle and survival.
The book also introduces several other important characters, including Will's friend Horace and the evil Lord Morgarath, who is exiled from the kingdom of Araluen but continues to plot against the royal family. Together they face a series of challenges, including battling a renegade outlaw group known as the Kalkara.
2. The Burning Bridge: Book Two
In the second book, Will and Horace are sent on a special mission to protect the kingdom of Araluen from an invading army. Along the way, they must cross a dangerous bridge and face off against a skilled enemy warrior. “I liked this book so much its so full of adventure and excitement and there are a few scary scenes but still I recommend this and the entire Rangers Apprentice book for every kid out there so pls parents buy this book for your family relatives or even friends and loved ones.” - Amazon review by Shaju
3. The Icebound Land: Book Three
In the third book, Will and his friends are captured by the Skandians, a fierce warrior tribe from a neighboring land. They are taken as slaves and forced to work in a mine. Will must use all of his skills to survive and escape. “Got this for my nephew. It's very nastolgic for me. I loved this series growing up. The first 4 or so books are the best. This book picks up after Will's abduction at the end of our last book. His fate is unknown and Halt his mentor and Horace his best friend set off to find him. Their travels take them abroad to Scandia and the fate that awaits them there. It's an exciting continuance of an epic story. You won't want to miss it!” - Amazon review by Sandra M.
4. The Battle for Skandia: Book Four
In the fourth book, Will and his friends return to Skandia to help defend the kingdom against a large battle brewing. They face off against the Skandian leader, Erak, and his army of raiding Skandians. “My 11 year old boy quite simple doesn't like reading at all. After buying him his first Ranger's Apprentice, I can't get him to stop reading! He reads in the car, in bed - even while walking in the shops. Best buy ever! I have to admit, that I am hooked on these books too, so good for dads too.” - Amazon review by A. Lester
5. The Sorcerer of the North: Book Five
In the fifth book in the series, Will is sent on a mission to investigate strange happenings in a neighboring village. Along the way, he meets a mysterious ranger named Gilan and an old friend named Alyss. Together, they must face off against a powerful sorcerer who threatens to destroy the kingdom. “These books are written for tweens and young teens. But as a lover of clean fantasy--enjoyed it myself. Good action and fun to read in a slow afternoon.” - Amazon review by J. Daniels
6. The Siege of Macindaw: Book Six
In the sixth book, Will and his friends must defend Castle Macindaw from an invading army. They face off against a group of shadowy assassins known as the Dark Cloaks and their evil leader, Lord Syron. “This entire series is amazing! My ten year old son and I look forward to reading every night. During the day, he talks about the books as though it's part of his real life. Excellent literature, very well written, challenging for youths and amazing story line and character development.” - Amazon review by J. Mann
7. Erak's Ransom: Book Seven
In the seventh book, Will and his friends must rescue Erak, the Skandian leader, who has been taken captive by a religious cult. They must travel to an exotic land called the Nihon-Ja and team up with highly trained senshi warriors to save Erak and defeat the evil lord Morgarath. “My sons have been reading since before kindergarten, they LOVE this series. Every time I went to the grocery store, they ALWAYS would sneak in the next book they could find. I didnt mind them getting the books, so much better then video games. My youngest is in the army and wasnt allowed to take any books, my eldest cleaned his brothers room and found the stash of books in his closet bookshelf. So what did he do, he gets on moms Amazon acct and finds the books missing in the series and put them in my wish list acct.. so I got them. So this is how much they LIVE this series from ages 4&5 to now 23&24 and still reading them.” - Amazon review by Erin H.
8. The Kings of Clonmel: Book Eight
In the eighth book in the series, Will and his friends must protect the royal family of Clonmel from recent attacks. They face off against a renegade knight and his army of mercenaries. “I bought this book for my 11 year old daughter who loves adventure stories, particularly if they have a magical twist. She's read the series from the start and waits with anticipation for the next to arrive each time. She takes her book everywhere with her, just incase she'll be able to steal a moment to read one page more. Every now and again you find a series of books that sucks you in completely, and this is one.” - Amazon review by Jennifer M
9. Halt's Peril: Book Nine
In the ninth book, Will's mentor Halt is poisoned by a poisoned arrow and Will must find a cure before it's too late. This book also delves deeper into Halt's backstory and his relationship with Will. “After 8 books with this "family", the title filled me with dread at the chance one of them may leave me. Tears were shed, breaths were hold and smiles were given at every chapter. This book has everything a reader may ask, and is written with such majesty that It puts the reader there, with the characters on every page, every moment. And it was wonderful.” - Amazon review by William M.
10. The Emperor of Nihon-Ja: Book Ten
In the tenth book in the series, Will and his friends return to the exotic land of Nihon-Ja to help the Nihon-Ja emperor defend his kingdom against an invading army. They face off against Lord Shigeru, a powerful warrior who seeks to take over the kingdom. “As ever, a great read. Danger of these books being limited to teenager reads because of the background info on the author writing the first to encourage his young son to read more books. I'm a 60 year old woman and I couldn't put any of the series down until I'd finished. Goodness only knows what I'm going to do when I've read the last one.” - Review by Amazon Customer
11. The Lost Stories: Book Eleven
The eleventh book in the series is The Lost Stories. This book is a collection of short stories that fill in the gaps between the main books in the series. It includes stories about Will's early years as an apprentice ranger, as well as stories about his friends and favorite characters. “Recommend this series and this book for those who like action and adventure and humor. Also recommend for the reluctant reader. These hard to put down books have been read by all 3 of my boys and myself. The author uses this book to explore some of the stories touched upon in previous books, but not detailed. The stories that reveal the characters' pasts and their smaller adventures. The premise behind the stories is of a present day archaeologist and his assistants are excavating the remains of a castle, when one of them finds the ruins of a Ranger's cabin and a manuscript filled with long-lost tales. My boys were between 10 and 12 when they started reading this series. My now 13 year old is enjoying these added adventures and I have a feeling when my other 2 come home from college, they will read this as well.” - Amazon review by T. Grossi
Other Books by John Flanagan
Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years
John Flanagan has also written a prequel series called The Early Years, which explores the backstory of some of the main characters in the Ranger's Apprentice series.
The Tournament at Gorlan
The first book in the series follows the story of Halt as a young apprentice ranger.
The Battle of Hackham Heath
The fate of a Kingdom will be decide in this origin story of how Halt came to be Araluen’s most famous Ranger – and how war will decide the future of the next generation. This story will thrill Ranger’s Apprentice fans and new readers alike.
The Brotherband Chronicles Series
If your child enjoys the Ranger's Apprentice book series, they may also enjoy the spin-off series, Brotherband Chronicles, which is set in the same world as Ranger's Apprentice. John Flanagan creates a new cast of characters to populate his world of Skandians and Araluens.
This series follows the adventures of a group of young Skandians as they train to become sailors and protectors of the kingdom. Full of seafaring adventures and epic battles, Book 1 of The Brotherband Chronicles is sure to thrill readers of Ranger's Apprentice while enticing a whole new generation just now discovering the books.
The series is ideal for middle grade readers and explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and adventure.
One of the strengths of the Ranger's Apprentice series is its world-building. Author John Flanagan has created a richly detailed world, filled with interesting characters and exotic locations. From the desolate northern fief to the mysterious lands of Nihon-Ja, each book in the series takes readers on a new adventure, with plenty of action and suspense along the way.
So if you're looking for a series that will captivate your child and foster a love of reading, the Ranger's Apprentice series is a great choice. With its well-crafted world and engaging characters, it's no wonder that the series has become a bestseller and a favorite of young adult readers. So why not pick up the first book, The Ruins of Gorlan, and join Will on his journey to becoming an apprentice ranger!