Ranger's Apprentice 2: The Burning Bridge

Ranger's Apprentice #2

by John Flanagan

Will, you are learning well, but you are soon to be tested . . .

For years the Kingdom has lived in peace, while the evil lord Morgarath has lived beyond the impassable mountains. But he has not been idle . . .

Now you must embark on your most dangerous mission yet. The King's army has been deceived, and are headed for a brutal ambush. And you are the only one who can save them . . .

Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B005R1XD8I here.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Childrens

276 pages, ebook

First published May 2, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

For mysteries by this same author, see John A. Flanagan.

John Flanagan grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be a writer. It wasn't until he wrote a highly uncomplimentary poem about a senior executive at the agency where he worked, however, that his talent was revealed. It turned out one of the company directors agreed with John's assessment of the executive, and happily agreed to train John in copywriting.

After writing advertising copy for the next two decades, John teamed with an old friend to develop a television sitcom, Hey Dad!, which went on to air for eight years.

John began writing Ranger's Apprentice for his son, Michael, ten years ago, and is still hard at work on the series.

He lived in a suburb of Manly, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons.

Reviews

[Amreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me before reading The Burning Bridge: Oh my gosh I'm so excited to read this, ugh but I have other books to read but Im going to abandon those for this one because I miss Will's adventures.

Me immediately after reading The Burning Bridge: OH MY FUDGE GOSH WHAT? NO WTH THERE HAS TO BE MORE THERE HAS TO BE MORE AHHHHHHHHHHHH *scream that lasts for 10 minutes then slowly transfers into sobs* NO NO NO NO I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE END AHHHHHHHHHHHH IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS MACARONI NOT FAIR NOT FAIR!!!!! I am honestly at a loss for words except for WHAT THE IN THE NAME OF KING DUNCAN JUST HAPPENED? Honestly THEE most torturing CLIFFIE in history of books. I am seething. Ugh this is so BLAH

I will go get a snack and do a proper review after I gather my thoughts and mop up the sea of tears that have splattered my floor. If you'll excuse me *sniff sniff*

.................

Okay I have returned more emotionally stable.

So this is the 2nd(epic) installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series by Mr Flanagan. I have to say I like this sequel better than the 1st. Don't get me wrong though, the 1st is incredible as well. But there's a lot more action in this one and Gilan got a bigger role in it.

I can't really explain the plot without giving several things away so I'll just say that the Kingdom is preparing for a vicious war against Morgarath (Evil bad guy) and Will, Horace, and Gilan must stop his treacherous plans.

Along the way they encounter everything from Wargals (creatures that work for Morgarath) Skandians(actually pretty chill group of men but also working for Morgarath) and a girl who goes by the name Evanlyn.

The writing was very good, detailed but not repetitive. I loved everything about the book. The characters were all extremely likable except for the bad guys of course. I was actually really scared for them when they were left alone (won't tell you who but the point is I felt emotion and general attachment to the characters)


The ending I knew was coming because of the title of the next one in the series but I refused to believe it until I was on page 262 even then staring dumb-fonded as I refused to believe it could end like that. Ughh I hate cliffiessssss.

I'm dying to read the next one ASAP! Highly recommend the whole series to everyone and I haven't even read all of them yet. Hehe really good book though, 5 well-deserved stars!

[Sławek (Żółwie Książkowe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chciałem być surowy, chciałem dać mniej. Ale chrzanić to!

[ambsreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: THIS REVIEW IS SUPER RAMBLY AND PROBABLY NOT THAT GREAT

Burning Bridge is the second book in The Ranger's Apprentice series. It really picks up from where book one finishes, continuing to follow the story of the characters we were introduced to and following a few more.

Whereas the first book can be seen as boring for 80% of the book, The Burning Bridge has a lot more plot for the reader to immerse themselves in. When I first read this book in 2010 I remember not being able to put it down, staying up late by using my lamp and covering the cracks of my door with jumpers so no one would know - obviously I was a big rebel.

The Burning Bridge focuses primarily on Will, Gilan and Horace. They are on a quest, so to say, to visit the Celtics in order to provide information about an upcoming war. However, upon arrival it is obvious something is amiss. The Celtics, who are stated to be clean people, have left watch bases abandoned and not in the standard they would. The trio continue further into villages to find more or less the same thing only to learn they have been outsmarted. Basically the plot line, so much more happens that I don't want to mention due to spoilers as well.

Characters

With characters we get so many perspectives I can't really focus on certain primary characters in order to fill this section of my review. What is needed to know is we get humour from each perspective. As well as gaining insights between the trio and Halt back at the castle where he seems to be throwing Lords in moats.

World-Building

The world building wasn't as vital or obvious in this book, since so much had been established in the previous book. It was still present however with how the author described the characters and added a slight magical twist to it all. It was alluring in the sense it is both historical and fanatical.

Overall

Overall, this review is incredibly scattered but I woke up at 5am so I'm giving myself a break personally. I enjoyed this book immensely. Seeing Alyss and Halt interact was hilarious, as well was finding out about him and Lady Pauline. I absolutely adore the characters of this series and would, without a doubt, recommend it to people who are unsure if they should pick it up. It's worth the read.

"I'll find you, Will!"

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, if I could give 6 stars, this series would get them. They are so good. I love the characters, good and bad, and the way we are seeing them grow up or older. There is so much action and adventure, very much like Lord of the Rings. Love these books.

[⋆✧Katie✧⋆(will return after summer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geez, this was an emotional commitment. I genuinely go back and forth on who my favorite character is because the writer gives each of them such quiet depth and earned heroism. The battles feel epic and grounded at the same time, not just clashing swords but moments where courage, loyalty, and fear collide in ways that matter. I teared up in the first book and somehow found myself tearing up again here, completely undone by the weight of what is fought for. And then that line hit me like an arrow straight to the chest, “I’ll find you Will.” From that moment on I was a hot mess, because this story understands that love and loyalty can be just as powerful as any army. The Burning Bridge is smart fantasy, emotionally honest, and proof that this series knows exactly how to balance heart, danger, and unforgettable characters.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this series to my boy at bedtimes and he loves it. He wants to read the entire core series, we'll see about the spinoffs.

I'd read the first book for myself before reading it to him but with this one and any future books it's brand new to both of us. I was amazed at how much ground this book covered in terms of story and characters. There are a lot of moving pieces and missions and components to the plot.

I did NOT expect any of the ending's major events, wow.

My boy's review was something like: "This is an amazing book/series because it could be real, except for the Wargals and Kalkara." I guess he appreciates realism.

As the dad I appreciate the nobility and bravery and ethical choices, without ever being preachy about any of it. It compares well in this to The Chronicles of Prydain although that one's still far superior in literary value, not to diminish the appeal of this series at all.

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing sequel!! Also Will.... you just can't do this to me!!

[Ksia_zkowe Oliwia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Końcówka 🥺💔

[pawel_h · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potrzebuję kolejnego tomu 🤔

[George Jankovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book. While the first book in the series was good, this one was great. There was more action, more humor, a good battle, and a fantastic cliffhanger at the end. Enjoy!

[❃ Julka ❃ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5 🌟

Nieco wolniejsze tempo niż w pierwszej części, ale absolutnie mi to nie przeszkadzało! Bardzo podoba mi się to jak rozwijają się przyjaźnie i relacje, które kreuje autor, są autentyczne i szczere. Fabuła również była bardzo ciekawa, zaangażowała mnie od samego początku, więc ciągle znajdowałam sobie coś do roboty, by móc słuchać. To na jaki poziom wskoczyła relacja Willa i Horace'a jest niesamowite, a najbardziej niezwykle jest to jak oddanym i wiernym przyjacielem jest Horace, co widać doskonale pod koniec książki, gdzie podejmuje się on przerażającego wyzwania.
Tak samo mam słabość do relacji Halta z Willem. Widać ten szacunek wynikający z relacji uczeń-nauczyciel, ale widać również troskę Halta o Willa.
A to zakończenie jest kwintesencją postaci Willa i tylko udowadnia jego lojalność, która stawia ponad własną wygodę. Coś pięknego ❤
Zakochuje się w tej serii, bohaterach i świecie!

„Znajdę cię” będzie mnie nawiedzać w koszmarach XDD

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Još uvek nekako naivno ali ipak priča kajo drži pažnju i koja se već bavi malo težim temama. Svet je dobio malo više world building-a, upoznali još jedan narod (površno, za sada) i jedna od pretnji je rešena tako da me interesuje šta nas čeka u nastavku što je uvek plus kada knjiga ode ne očekivanim pravcom.

Jedino što mrzim kada se knjiga završi cliffhanger-om. Grrrrrr.

Ali ako kod svake knjige nastavi ovako da raste kvalitet biće ovo odličan serijal.

Ako vam treba fantazija za mlađu publiku svaka preporuka.

[Maria Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I wish I had enjoyed this more. I loved the first book in this series.

What I liked: The beginning got off the a great start. I really enjoyed seeing Will and Horaces friendship develop. After being enemies to reluctant allies in the last book, I liked seeing them as friends. They make a great team. And I also alway like learning more about Halt and the rangers. Also that ending, I was not expecting that!!

What I didn't like: I got bored during the second half the book. It took me roughly a month to read 100 pages of this book. Granted I was in a reading slump for half of that but still, that's a long time. I had to work to get through it. I didn't feel very attached to the characters and some of the descriptions dragged which wasn’t a problem for me in the last book. Mostly I was bored for that part and I'm struggling to pin point why to be honest.

Edit: initially I wanted to continue the series, but after sometime, I’ve decided I’m not interested enough to continue unfortunately.

Content: uses of the word damn and G-d.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even under Halt's tutelage, years of training will be needed for Will to become a Ranger. In this era of war, though, he'll only have months before being required to perform like one. It seems to be an important victory when Halt and Will ambush a small party of Wargals, slaying the violent creatures and discovering a written plan for Lord Morgarath's next siege against the Kingdom of Araluen. Morgarath was banished fifteen years ago for exerting mind control over the Wargals and using them to attack Araluen, but Halt turned the tide of battle against Morgarath at the eleventh hour. Foreknowledge of the evil lord's plans will be key in stopping his assault on the kingdom's fifty fiefs a second time. It could be Araluen's saving grace...if the plans are authentic.

A reconnaissance mission to Celtic lands is necessary to warn the people, but Halt is needed elsewhere. So Gilan—Halt's first apprentice, a master swordsman and tracker—heads the mission, joined by Will and Horace, a Battleschool apprentice whose childhood rivalry with Will resolved itself in book one, The Ruins of Gorlan. In Celtica they find deserted villages and homes that appear to have been vacated some time ago. Why did the Celts disappear without notifying anyone? Gilan, Will, and Horace's worst suspicions are confirmed when they meet Evanlyn, a frightened teen girl who says that Wargals raided the region and killed her companions. Morgarath's push for war with Araluen is escalating rapidly, but his actions don't match the written plans that Halt and Will found. What is the Lord of Rain and Night's real strategy, and what are mere feint tactics to deceive Araluen's braintrust?

Observing how Halt misses having Will around, Baron Arald and Lady Pauline of Castle Redmont temporarily assign young Alyss to him. The apprentice ambassador enlivens the Ranger's daily life, but Halt is concerned for Will out in the countryside where deadly enemies roam. Will struggled in his most recent combat with the aggressive Wargals; if they meet again, can Gilan coach him to win the fight and restore Will's confidence? Gilan is the team leader, but Will and Horace are capable apprentices and Evanlyn is a keen strategist, and they deduce that Morgarath has a hidden design for Araluen's destruction. His vast Wargal army is bottled up on the wrong side of a mountain pass, unable to invade the kingdom in large numbers, but Morgarath has devised a solution to the problem. There's no time to head home and alert King Duncan, but a bold gambit by Will, Horace, and Evanlyn could shut down Morgarath's path and allow opportunity for Araluen to shore up its vulnerabilities. The time is now for Will to act as a Ranger and Horace a knight, but can two apprentices and a plucky friend actually defeat the dark lord who has tormented Araluen since before any of them were born?

Will couldn't have a better mentor than Halt. Will had nascent Ranger abilities and a good heart, but needed Halt to show him what separates a real warrior from the romanticized version in most people's minds. Will and Halt spend most of The Burning Bridge apart, so we miss out on this continuing education, but there are a few bright spots of wisdom. Will recalls Halt's advice while he's scouting an empty tract of land. "Whenever you're scouting...move as if there's somebody there to see you. Never assume that you're on your own." Peril is ever-present when you're taking sensitive action. Why risk your life if a bit of discipline can shield you from disaster? Halt treated Will with indifference for most of the first book, like an inconvenience he tolerated out of professional duty, but clearly he sees Will as more than that. Lady Pauline understands the gift Will is to Halt. "He's amusing and interesting and talkative and cheerful. I should imagine he's brightened Halt's life quite considerably." The freshness of youth is impossible to duplicate, invigorating the old and tired with new sense of purpose. In its absence, it is painfully obvious how dreary life becomes. Will has grave doubts after his botched encounter with the Wargals, and needs Halt's wisdom to heal his resolve, but Gilan will have to suffice. The young Ranger assures Will that fear is normal, and cautions him not to obsess over past mistakes. "Self-doubt is a disease. And if it gets out of control, it becomes self-fulfilling. You have to learn from what happened...Use the experience to make you stronger." Self-doubt can cause devastating erosion of elite potential; it's crucial to focus on your action in the moment and do it to the best of your ability, trusting your training and discipline. That's the only way for Will to grow into the Ranger that Halt is confident he can be, and is perhaps Araluen's only chance of survival against the approaching menace of Morgarath. Will good triumph over evil when the final battle commences?

The Burning Bridge isn't as deeply wise as The Ruins of Gorlan, and doesn't have the same easy flow. Its life lessons are less extensive and directly applicable to the reader, and particular plot points could be more subtle. But it's a solid novel; I came close to rounding my two-and-a-half-star rating to three, and the emotional ending leads into the next book with redoubled energy and direction. Will's challenges as he grows into a good man and Ranger are only going to get harder, and he'll have to surmount them mostly by himself. Will he take another big stride in The Icebound Land? I look forward to finding out.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s command of the language allows the continuation of the story of The Ranger's Apprentice to flow with ease and familiarity. Characters become those you care about, nervous and anxious when they are in danger and happy and satisfied when a job is well-done. The on-going story starts with the The Ruins of Gorlan and your memory is refreshed in such a way that it is not merely rehashing and reiterating the beginning over again , but a gentle reminder of what proceeded at the start of the saga.

Halt, and his apprentice Ranger, Will are continuing their training of the ranger method, as Horace, Will's orphanage mate, is training on the battleschool field. The first inklings of an invasion by evil and sadistic Morgarath and his Wargals is becoming apparent. Gilan, a trusted fellow ranger, was the first ranger trained by Halt.He is sent on a mission with Will and Horace to enlist the help of the secretive Celtica nation, a nation known for their mastery of mining, welding and tunnel excavations. When passing through many towns in Celtica, an ominous foreboding is surrounding the towns…they are virtually empty of life and it is evident that they have left their homes in haste. What happened to them? Why does Gilan, Halt and Horace sense that it has something to do with Morgarath?

An adventure story, touched ever-so-slightly by fantasy elements, is filled with battle strategy and maneuvers,strong yet compassionate men, no-good, money loving mercenaries and intelligent and beautiful women. The Wargals, half-men half-bearlike creatures are controlled by Morgarath. Their brute force is unmatched, yet their every move is controlled through the brain-washing effects dictated by Morgarath. Will, Horace, Gilan and Halt combine efforts to aid King Duncan of Araluen in the defeat of Morgarath. Will, Horace, Halt and Gilan , along with newcomer Evanlyn (Cassandra)all contribute to Morgarath's demise, but the story does not end conveniently, as Will and Evanlyn, seemed doomed to a life of slavery with their capture by the Skandias. Will Halt let that happen? I assume we will all find out in the third book of the series.

[spokój.w.głowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naprawdę nie sądziłam, że tak bardzo potrzebuję teraz takich książek 🤎

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that requires some patience outside the marketed audience range. I've read more fantasy that leaves traditional knights and medieval roots behind so much so that this was refreshing. Grounded in realism that makes you feel like you're learning about the real world while plainly visiting an imaginary one.

I would recommend this book in specific and not in general. Which is to say you'd have to meet certain criteria, unless you are a fan of middle grade/young adult genres. For myself I'm likely done with the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and the book holds a few surprises, it just tried my patience with pacing at times.

[Annalise Kraines · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY THIS SERIES IS JUST SO MUCH FUN. It feels like a classic, with clear lines drawn between good and evil, spunky, vibrant characters, and a lot of heart. Flanagan writes about this fantastical world realistically-- I felt like I learned a lot about strategy and fighting and survival. Super cool. My eyes got really big reading the last couple of chapters and surprising me is always a good thing.

[Ewa (humanizmowo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Przeczytałam drugi tom i dalej nie znalazłam nic zachwycającego, więc nie będę kontynuować. Żałuję, że nie przeczytałam będąc młodsza.

[Sophie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

HELLO?!?! WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??? I keep spoiling stuff for myself too (I blame pinterest), so I kinda sorta know what's going to happen 😭

[przygodaliteracka · Rating 4 out of 5]

świetnie się przy tym bawiłam!!!

[Roxanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

June 2022: My daughter has been super into these books, but was totally devastated at the ending here. We had such a great time reading it together and she was really enjoying it, but the cliffhanger ending and her reaction to it really soured the whole experience for me. I tried to console her by saying more adventures in Skandia were ahead, but she said, “I like the adventures in Araluen where he’s just being an apprentice!” Too true.

Original 2009 review: I still really like Will's character in this second book of the series. However, (spoiler alert) I was shocked to see Morgarath get killed. He's been set up to be the Big Bad, so I thought for sure he'd get away at the last instant of the single combat and escape to the mountains to attack again later. I was really surprised that Horace managed to kill him, and also impressed at Flanagan's daring in writing it that way. It's a YA series, so it would have been really easy to keep Morgarath in a Big Bad, Voldemort sort of role, but it looks as though Flanagan wants to do more with the series. Which is exciting, but which also apparently involves poor Will getting kidnapped by Skandians! Which, I mean, when Phedre got sold to the Skandians in the Jacqueline Carey books, no good came of it. (Ha ha, I love it when I can make cross-series connections that were never intended by the author.) I was really worried about Will, and I'm not sure where the next book is going. Which means I need to read it immediately, and luckily my dad has lent me books 2 through 5! Off I go!

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Druga połowa zdecydowanie lepsza, na początku w ogóle nie kliknęło. Zastanawia mnie fakt, że w trakcie słuchania (świetne audio!) bawię się naprawdę przekozacko i zapewne wciągnę całą serię i jej kontynuację, ale gdy skończę i minie trochę czasu to nie sposób się nie zastanawiać, jak bardzo przewidywalna jest. Mam nadzieję, że nie będzie tak w przypadku każdego tomu, ale już na samym początku można przewidzieć, jak zostanie poprowadzona.

Zapewne 15 lat temu cieszyłabym się i pochłaniała tom za tom, ale dziś trochę mnie to niepokoi, bo czytać czternaście razy o tym samym to trochę słaby biznes. Póki co jestem zainteresowana, zresztą bardzo polubiłam bohaterów, więc pewnie na dużą ilość rzeczy przymknę oko. Ale jednak.

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous fantasy series for kids, I wish I'd had it back then. Will, Horace & Evanlyn are incredibly brave in the face of so much danger. Such an exciting adventure, and it's well-written. I'm sorry to see that John Flanagan died in February this year, but he has left a great legacy.

[Gretchen Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I love having a new fantasy YA series to read!

[ala · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️
nie no prosze was co tu sie dzieje

[Bradford Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this almost as much as the first book (and that’s saying something). Flanagan has this unfair ability to make any exchange exciting — even a simple conversation crackles with tension. I sat down to read a few chapters and looked up hours later, fully transported and slightly offended to be back in reality. The stakes feel sharper, the world feels bigger, and the humor woven through it all makes the intense moments hit even harder. If you enjoyed the first book, this absolutely delivers.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well written, not only grammatically, but in the emotion that the author can draw out of the reader. The story plot line is exceptional, and creates a world you can truly believe exists. This atmosphere in the book is so realistic, you become immersed in the world inside the book. The book is actually the second in a series. However, in the first two pages it explains the background, and then dives right in, not wasting time on lengthy unnecessary explanations. The story begins in an exciting manner, with a chase, a capture of battle plans, and the beginning of a war. The story continues, growing in excitement, and subterfuge. Though the plot thickens, it does not become over complicated and it creates an almost perfect balance of characters, emotions and plot lines. Everything that happens to the characters pulls at you, compelling you to feel what they feel.

This book is excellently written and I would recommend it for anyone at any age. It is a book that many, no matter what age will find enjoyable to read.

I loved reading this book because this book created one of the most realistic worlds I have encountered in a book. This book also balanced all of the elements, ensuring I wouldn't get confused, while also adding depth.

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book was all about introducing us to the characters and had a little adventure to prove their worth and showcase their potential. Here, the stakes are raised. But both the young characters clearly still have lots of years of training and refining their skills ahead of them. This story puts our characters to the test and features more action.

[Joanne Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are just so enjoyable and the narrator is amazing. The characters are well constructed and so is the story and the world that has been created. This ones ends with kind of a cliff hanger so if you want to know what happens you have no choice but to read book 3.