The Tournament at Gorlan: Ranger's Apprentice: Early Years, Book 1

After hearing about the Ranger's Apprentice series, I thought this would be a great place to start. I was not disappointed. Good, snappy plot, wonderful pace, witty, and descriptive. Will be starting on the next book soon!

Been reading this series since a kid, still love it as an adult. Great book and storyline. Clean for kids too

My 13 year old daughter and I love these books! They have great stories, and little things that we can both talk about and have inside jokes with.

It was good kept captivating til the end

I would usually spend a lot of time creating a nice long review of my favorite authors latest book. But for this book, I just don't feel it deserves that time. Now it's not really fair to judge it so. I've recently been reading Hugh Howey's Silo Series. A series written by an author who is a master of description and imagery. I've grown accustomed to that style and really enjoyed it. In this book, the author caters more to the "Action, Adventure, EXCITEMENT!" Group. And less to the more... "Mature and incite full group" craving a book they can warp they minds too. If you are a fan of anything John Flanagan, as I am, then this book is for you. Just don't expect crazy detail and imagery.(This still ended up being long) :(

After reading all of the Ranger's Apprentice and the Brotherband Chronicles I can honestly say this is one of my favourites. The plot was incredible, complicated enough to keep my wondering but not confused. The characters and their development is simply phenomenal, we get to meet the characters in their youth and understand their backgrounds and lives. This is not just about Halt and Crowley, the characters that I had grown to love in the previous (or I guess later) stories were here too. I cannot speak highly enough of this book, it is definitely one of the best books ever written.

I asked my two girls (15 & 17) if they could visit any land in any book they've read (which number in the hundreds) and they said, "Ranger's Apprentice!"... They were big Narnia fans, but Ranger's Apprentice has captured their hearts! The book is clean and well written with vivid imagery and exciting adventure.

I was reading the Rangers Apprentice when I saw the early years!! Thanks great reading with lots of action. The best part their is another book!!

This must be my fifth reading of this series. It was bought for the older of my two children but I was hooked by the end of book one, read in a single sitting. Since then I have read each of the series then moved on to Brotherband. After one or two books by another author, I returned faithfully to the Ranger series finding each book as fresh as the first reading. I thank the person who introduced me to these books and the author for giving me the pleasure of reading them, again and again.

In typical John Flanagan fashion, he captured and delivered the story even though a prequel with ease creating ongoing interest and it felt like you were actually living the moment in the storyline. Could not put this book away, as with all the Ranger and Brotherband books.

Well, it's yet another amazing book!We discover the past of our beloved characters Halt, Crowley, and a not-so-beloved Mogarath.This book has everything: battles, mistery, plot twists, new allies and new enemies and a potential,very dangerous future.So yes, for everyone who has loved and still love the Rangers, read this book! I'm looking forward to reading the others too!

In "The Tournament at Gorlan" John Flanagan sets the stage in the Kingdom of Araluen where Morgarath an influential and power-hungry baron has set a plan in motion to discredit Prince Duncan, hold his father King Oswald hostage, disband the Ranger Corps and to take the throne. When Crowley and Halt discover his nefarious scheme they enlist the aid of eleven displaced Rangers and set out to release Prince Duncan imprisoned in Wildriver Castle, and to catch Tiller who's impersonating the Prince and with his gang of bandits raiding the Scotti across the border in Picta.In this plot John Flanagan brings together familiar faces like Halt the Hibernian trained by former commander Pritchard and Crowley who's determined to revive the Ranger Corps being eroded by Morgarath's lackeys. For the first time Halt meets Abelard a rugged and faithful Ranger horse, his stalwart companion for much of the Ranger Apprentice series, and learns to take nothing for granted. Even his passionate desire to get to know the beautiful senior courier Pauline Delacey is ignited in a bumbling and awkward introduction. Yet as the violence builds, and tension and suspense escalates the author continually dilutes it with Crowley's humorous pranks and his witty sparring with Halt.The first book in an exciting prequel series is fast-paced and action-packed as Crowley and Halt join forces with Baron Arald and the Prince to expose Morgarath's treachery to the Council of Barons at the annual tournament at Gorlan. But this proves to be dangerous because a deceptive Morgarath has already earned the trust and respect of the Council who will determine his fate. In a sequence of events that have Morgarath struggling to kill Baron Arald and destroy his supporters, Crowley and Halt join forces with the Prince to free his father and bring the ambitious baron to justice. Events progress quickly and smoothly to a thrilling confrontation and cliff-hanger at the end that keeps you on the edge of your seat and begs for a sequel.Driven from his home in Hibernia by an ambitious brother determined to kill him and seize the throne, Halt finds it difficult to trust and has a obstinate but uncomplaining nature. He keeps his royal birth secret until meeting the tall, striking diplomatic courier Pauline who he wants to impress but stumbles over his words when introduced. In contrast Crowley the charming and witty Ranger is quick tempered but quick to forgive; a man who wants to ignore his leadership ability. Baron Arald is the chubby, amiable, approachable noble who's not only considerate of his servants but has a good-natured sense of humor. It is characters like these and a score of others that enrich this tale with high-energy, passion and drama.I thoroughly enjoyed" The Tournament at Gorlan" and can't wait to pass my copy of the novel on to those that love the Ranger Apprentice series. I rate this story highly and look forward to the next book in the prequel series.

Amazing and cannot wait for the next one !!! My son has read 18 of John Flanagan books, and he reads them over and over again.