Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slow start to prequel series with stalwart characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Disturbing rumors have reached Ranger Crowley and Ranger-in-training Halt. The king has gone from being under the protection of Baron Morgarath in Gorlan to potentially being his prisoner. And Prince Duncan is said to be raiding villages in the north and damaging his reputation. Crowley and Halt are determined to find out if there's truth to anything Morgarath says, but the cunning Baron is a step ahead of them. He's firing all the Rangers and putting foppish men who answer to him in their place. Now it's up to Crowley and Halt to gather up all the fired Rangers, rescue the king, restore honor to the prince's name, and quash a tyrant. Sounds impossible for even an army to accomplish. But for 12 Rangers? No problem.
Is It Any Good?
This prequel to the Ranger's Apprentice series moves slowly and predictably, but the characters are admirable and stalwart. Readers who enjoyed that series will dig right in, as will anyone who loves a good joust and a look back into medieval times.
THE TOURNAMENT AT GORLAN takes its time getting to the actual tournament, slowly gathering the Rangers, camping with them, buying horses with them, traveling with them. Readers will almost forget what's at stake. Even Crowley and Halt's bold rescue feels five parts set-up and one part breaking-free action. The tournament brings all to a head and finally throws in an unpredictable twist -- and, predictably, sets up an intriguing premise for the series to continue.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about leadership. Why was Crowley elected head of the Rangers? Why did he almost refuse the job? Why did Samdash not get the job?
Did you read the Ranger's Apprentice series first? If so, which series do you like better so far?
How do you think Morgarath would be as king? What do you think would happen to the kingdom under his rule?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Animals
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Philomel
- Publication date : October 6, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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