The Royal Ranger

I know I am a fantasy fan. And I know I am a huge fan of "The Ranger's Apprentice" series by John Flanagan. But I did wonder if perhaps the series had run its course with the newest and 12th book
 "The Royal Ranger".

Well....not.

These books have just gotten better over time. They still have the ability to keep you riveted and anxiously turning its pages deep into the night to see what would happen to our illustrious main characters. It is going to be so hard to say goodbye to Will and Halt as this is their final book.

 However, this book has set up a whole new series and a new main character. Her, yes her,
 name is Maddie. Princess Maddie to be exact, the daughter of Cassandra and Horace. When we first meet her, Maddie is spoiled and selfish and very headstrong, thinking only of herself as many young teens do. The answer is to send her to Will to be trained as a Ranger's Apprentice, the first female apprentice, where she will learn discipline and skills befitting a Crown Princess and a Ranger.

Will, however, is needing Maddie as much as she is needing him. He is lost after the devastating death of his wife Alyss. He refuses assignments and plots revenge on the man who was responsible.

The majority of this book shows the growth of Maddie as she learns from Will just like he learned from Halt. They have a special bond and their love and respect for each other grows over the next few months.

When an assignment comes Will accepts as he knows this is an important step in Maddie's training. However the assignment turns out to be much more than Will expects and puts Maddie in danger.