R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Lost Stories (Ranger's Apprentice, Bk 11) on + 1453 more book reviews
This is the eleventh novel but not the last of the wonderful Ranger series loved by teens and adults alike. The novel's short stories were developed in response to reader comments and questions about characters and their experiences. Here is what you will find coupled with fine writing sprinkled with humor and adventure.
1. Death of a Hero unveils how Halt found Will. An enfant whose father died a hero's death on Hackham Heath,, Halt takes baby Will to Redmont Castle where he is raised.
2. The Inkwell and the Dagger begins with Haltâs banishment and loss of his position among the Rangers. Gilan is distraught about losing his mentor and friend when the chief ranger, Crowley, assigns him to investigate Foldar, a killer threatening the people of the kingdom.
3. The Roamers finds Will and Halt tracking river pirates menacing and killing merchants. Mission accomplished they return to discover Will's dog, Ebony, is missing. Since the roamers routinely steal as they pass through areas, Alyss and Will assume that they have taken the dog and pursue the group hoping to find Ebony.
4. Purple Prose begins some time prior to Horace and Cassandraâs wedding. Will is struggling to write a memorable speech for his friends. Hence, the title of the story. He continues working on the speech as the two set off to foil and hopefully capture moondarkers who wreck and plunder ships during the darkest phases of the moon.
5. Dinner for Five brings the reader back to Gilan and his romantic friend, Jenny, a talented cook who is falling in love with him. He is invited to dinner but a group of thieves invade Jenny's home, and spoil it all.
6. The Bridal Dance occurs during the wedding day Horace and Cassandra (Evanlynn). A pair of strangers catch Will's attention. They purport to be wool buyers but seem to do no buying. Will becomes worried that they are present for nefarious purposes and may spoil his friends wedding. Among the guests are many who have appeared in various novels including Erak, the Oberjarl of the Skandians; Gundar Hardstriker and the Emperor of Nihon-Ja, Shigeru, and Selethen, the Arridi
7. The Hibernian details how Halt and Crowley meet and how Halt becomes a Ranger. The Ranger Corps almost became defunct when Duncan's father was king. Discover how it survives,.
8. The Wolf describes what happens when a Rangerâs horse is retired. Tug encounters a wolf with devastating consequences that changes Willâs life.
9. And About Time Too focuses on the long awaited of Alyss and Will. Horace and Cassandra are best man and matron of honor, Tug and Ebony are best horse and best dog. Other guests include Halt and Pauline, Jenny and Gilan. Baron Arald performs the marriage ceremony.
Great stories all and great fun.
1. Death of a Hero unveils how Halt found Will. An enfant whose father died a hero's death on Hackham Heath,, Halt takes baby Will to Redmont Castle where he is raised.
2. The Inkwell and the Dagger begins with Haltâs banishment and loss of his position among the Rangers. Gilan is distraught about losing his mentor and friend when the chief ranger, Crowley, assigns him to investigate Foldar, a killer threatening the people of the kingdom.
3. The Roamers finds Will and Halt tracking river pirates menacing and killing merchants. Mission accomplished they return to discover Will's dog, Ebony, is missing. Since the roamers routinely steal as they pass through areas, Alyss and Will assume that they have taken the dog and pursue the group hoping to find Ebony.
4. Purple Prose begins some time prior to Horace and Cassandraâs wedding. Will is struggling to write a memorable speech for his friends. Hence, the title of the story. He continues working on the speech as the two set off to foil and hopefully capture moondarkers who wreck and plunder ships during the darkest phases of the moon.
5. Dinner for Five brings the reader back to Gilan and his romantic friend, Jenny, a talented cook who is falling in love with him. He is invited to dinner but a group of thieves invade Jenny's home, and spoil it all.
6. The Bridal Dance occurs during the wedding day Horace and Cassandra (Evanlynn). A pair of strangers catch Will's attention. They purport to be wool buyers but seem to do no buying. Will becomes worried that they are present for nefarious purposes and may spoil his friends wedding. Among the guests are many who have appeared in various novels including Erak, the Oberjarl of the Skandians; Gundar Hardstriker and the Emperor of Nihon-Ja, Shigeru, and Selethen, the Arridi
7. The Hibernian details how Halt and Crowley meet and how Halt becomes a Ranger. The Ranger Corps almost became defunct when Duncan's father was king. Discover how it survives,.
8. The Wolf describes what happens when a Rangerâs horse is retired. Tug encounters a wolf with devastating consequences that changes Willâs life.
9. And About Time Too focuses on the long awaited of Alyss and Will. Horace and Cassandra are best man and matron of honor, Tug and Ebony are best horse and best dog. Other guests include Halt and Pauline, Jenny and Gilan. Baron Arald performs the marriage ceremony.
Great stories all and great fun.
Awesome! I was so excited to see this on my local library shelf! I loved the 10 other books and felt a bit disappointed that the story had come to an end. These stories start with Halt himself finding Will as an infant and several short stories to fill in the intervening years to end with Will and his marriage to Alyss and the hint (YAY!) of a branch-off series about one of the other Characters. These short but satisfying stories brought a good bit of closure and I'm not one bit disappointed now. :) Great series.
