Rating: Recommended with Parent Supervision age 11+

Reading Level: Middle School

A 13-year-old boy wishes he could be a knight, but is chosen instead to be a ranger. His mentor and his new trade are full of surprises, and it appears to bring out the best in him.

Possible Concerns (Spoiler Alert!):

  • Mystical creatures. Evil assassin monsters with hypnotic powers stalk their targets. A group of mystical creatures are controlled by the villain’s mind.
  • Peril. An evil villain sends out the aforementioned assassin monsters, other more natural yet dangerous creatures attack, and human villains attack the main characters as well.
  • Bullying. Three older boys repeatedly torment a younger one with beatings and humiliating hazing-type activities. They poke insults at his dead mother. It is awful.
  • Use (once each) of the terms, “Shut up,” “idiot,” and “damned.”
  • Overweight girl. A cheerful girl is described as round and when she applies to be a cook she says, “I have the shape for it.”. I like that she is often described as “pretty,” suggesting that you can be overweight and still beautiful.
  • Disrespect for farming work. When the children apply to apprenticeships they want to be picked because they don’t want to have to go be farmers. Farming is described as “.. a dull, uneventful life…” unsuitable for “a lively, energetic boy.”
  • One kiss. A dear friend kisses the main character. Here is all the details: “And she kissed him. Her lips were incredibly, indescribably soft. Hours later, before he finally fell asleep, he could still feel them.”

Things I liked:

  • When we don’t achieve our dreams. The main character longs to be a soldier, but is told he is too small. As the story unfolds, we realize his gifts and talents and passiona are very well-suited for being a ranger (think: medieval CIA). There is a beauty in being open to God’s plan, and this book illustrates a case when authorities really did know better.
  • Deeper Beauty. The aforementioned reference to a cheerful girl as being pretty even though often described as being plump. Later, the main character sees natural beauty in a different girl who is not necessarily pretty but is wise, elegant, and graceful.
  • Character. Several characters display courage, loyalty, perseverance.
  • Self-sacrifice. In several instances, characters display self-sacrifice to serve others.

About appropriate age level. The peril and tone reminds me of Lord of the Rings. The bullying makes it suitable for a slightly older age than Narnia or Wilderking. I don’t know what to do with the kiss. Is that ok for 11-year olds? I suspect so… I suppose it depends on what happens next in the series; stay tuned!

Here are my reviews of Book 2, Book 3, and Book 4 in the series.