The Royal Ranger: The Missing Prince: Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4

Maddie's time as an apprentice ranger had its moments. Her mother had fought her being put into danger but her father felt that it was the best thing he could have done to turn his daughter into the resourceful and amazing person she had become. Now, the sum of those moments began to show itself as she rushed towards her final acceptance as a ranger for the king, each moment and each adventure becomes one to remember.Now, one of those formative moments is upon her. A secret visit from royalty in the Gallican kingdom has come to Araluen to seek the help of the legendary rangers. The king's son has been taken and is being held ransom to leverage concessions that could eventually overthrow the Gallican throne and perhaps even threaten the security and safety of Araluen itself. And so, Maddie and her mentor Will Treaty are off to Gallica for a mission that they weren't seeking but will apply all their skills and talents to if for no other reason than a young man was in the midst of a dangerous situation that was not of his own making.The Ranger's Apprentice has arguably been one of the most loved and exciting series of stories and adventures for young readers the past 16+ years. Author John Flanagan continues to create tales that are filled with his beloved characters in a world of fantasy and action that keeps his readers enthralled and returning time and time again as each new book and story expand the legacy that Flanagan has established. While his stories are full of strong adult figures - both good AND evil - the main focus has always been, per the series title, the young apprentices to those adults. And those apprentices have aged and matured throughout the stories as Flanagan has now moved on to the next generation of young heroes in this case Maddie Altman, 2nd heir to the throne. The flair and fun that he instilled in his first generation of apprentices is here again in full form as he continues the new stories and adventures.New Readers... If you are jumping in to the Ranger's Apprentice series with this as your first book, never fear. You will be able to fully enjoy this book without the need to fall back to prior stories to fill in background and historical events as the author provides details and explanations that will make the reading a joy...BUT...you're going to enjoy this book so go back and read the other chapters in the journey that is the RANGER'S APPRENTICE.

Book 4 of the Royal Ranger Series… and the stories in this series are more intense (read political) than those in The Ranger's Apprentice, though many of the same characters have a spot in the stories that take place a generation later.The storytelling is excellent, as is the palace intrigue. The drawback is that the story is not complete in this volume and readers will have to wait for Book 5 of the series. I expected this to happen, since Flanagan did this in his other series, the Ranger's Apprentice and The Brotherhood Band. I wonder why Flanagan just does not write a longer book, akin to what he did in The Brotherhood Band. As I read the book from the day it was first published, I know I'll have to wait another two years before Book 5 appears.A novelty in this book is the introduction of the Gallic people and landscape (parallel France). We see their uneasy alliance with Arulen (parallel England), and the decision of King Duncan to help his fellow king Philippe. He sends Will Treaty and his apprentice Maddy, with great expectations and great concerns as well. Operating on foreign soil is not totally new for the rangers, but here is one ranger and his apprentice taking on a huge initiative far from home and outside the conventions of their civilization. Even though the book ends in the middle of the action, we can trust author Flanagan to bring the ranger and his apprentice through to accomplish their mission.

13 year old Grandsons likes this series. read it in less than one afternoon

Great story, as always, but it ends in a CLIFFHANGER, for which I’ve deducted a star. I despise authors who end their books in cliffhangers. It’s a cheap trick to get the reader to buy the next book, and frankly, Mr. Flanagan, you’re better than that. It’s unnecessary for you to cheat your readers with a cliffhanger. Your stories are wonderful, and we’re going to buy your next book regardless. So why would you pull a stunt like that? If the story is too big to fit in one book, at least close the narrative on a reasonable ending, leaving threads to be continued. Or just write a bigger book. I think the success of the Harry Potter books proves that kids will read longer stories. You disappoint me, and my enjoyment of the story has been tarnished. Sad.

Make sure to start of with the Ranger apprentice series 1-12 then read the Royal Ranger. I read first before giving to my son. He didn't like reading but now he does. The action and skills needed in this series has sparked his imagination, love for reading, and excitement for learning those skills.

I love both the Ranger Apprentice and Brotherband series and welcome this new series, a continuation of the Ranger Apprentice, featuring the next generation of heroes. If you have not read the prior series, you will face some spoilers (you know who lived & died, which couples wound up together, who saved whom, etc.), however the story can be read alone. (this is the type of series where you know things will turn out OK in the end, but with some losses) Very suitable for kids -- the stories are set in a tamed down fictional medieval type world (Brotherband series is set in a viking-like society in the same world -- characters from one series appear in the others) lots of adventures, some violence, but you always feel its warranted, good guys win (though not without harm-- some good guys die) and without the gory details. Several continual subplots, humor and just generally a good read.

This is the best series I have ever read ... all three, including Ranger's Apprentice, Royal Ranger, and Brothers and. Fun, characters you love and care about, action, and great relationships between the characters. These books are well-written and descriptive... I have read through the series several times.

Mais um título de valor na galeria de John Flanagan. Sou muito admirador do seu trabalho, recomendo a série brotherband também.

I love all the books that John Flanagan has written - Ranger Apprentice, Royal Ranger and Brotherband Chronicles. I have one question: how long do I have to wait until I see how the last book ends? It was to be continued.... can't wait for the ending.

A Very good read and i will get the following book at a later date

Part of the ranger series. Great series

Great book I love (and own) the whole series, loveit evry time a new one comes out, great series by a great author.