The Secret Refuge

Path of the Ranger #5

by Pedro Urvi

Only the best have access to the Elite Specializations of the Rangers. Will the Snow Panthers make it?

The war goes on in Norghana. The East supports the new King, while the West supports Arnold Olafstone, the legitimate heir to the crown. In the North the Wild of the Ice claim their lands. In the midst of the war, Lasgol and his teammates have graduated as Rangers.

They must decide whether to take the Specialization Test. If they do, and pass it, they will have access to training as Specialist Rangers and be able to opt for one of the elite specializations. For this they will need to go to a hidden, secret place: The Shelter. It is rumored to be somewhere special, secret and arcane.

Will Lasgol take the Specialization Test? Will he pass it? Will his friends? Who will make it and who will not? What new adventures are waiting for them at the Shelter?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook, Young Adult Fantasy, Adventure, Spanish Literature

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2020

About the author

Pedro Urvi is a bestselling fantasy author who some years ago began to write as an experiment. Without any deliberate intention on his part, the experiment in writing turned into a novel which went on growing until eventually it evolved into a saga. He is also a technologist with many years of experience working in the world of computer systems and cyber security. He has lived in the US, UK and Spain and worked all over Europe.
He is the author of three epic fantasy sagas: The Secret of the Golden Gods, The Ilenian Enigma, Path of the Ranger. It is currently working on a fourth one: Path of Dragons.
His other passion is reading. He defines himself as a fan of epic fantasy, science fiction and thrillers.

You can find him at:
mail: pedrourvi@pedrourvi.com
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/PedroUrviAut...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PedroUrvi


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Pedro Urvi es un escritor de fantasía, que un día hace unos años comenzó a escribir como un experimento. Sin él quererlo, el experimento narrativo se convirtió en una novela, que finalmente ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en una trilogía. También es un tecnólogo de Bilbao con muchos años de experiencia trabajando en el mundo de los sistemas de información y de la seguridad informática. Ha vivido en diferentes países: Estados Unidos, Inglaterra, España, y trabajado por toda Europa.
Es autor de tres exitosaa sagas de fantasía épica: Los Dioses Áureos, El Enigma de los Ilenios, El Sendero del Guadabosques. Ahora está trabajando en una cuarta saga; La Senda de los Dragones.
Su otra pasión es la lectura, se define como fan acérrimo de la fantasía épica, la ciencia ficción y el thriller. Otra de las actividades que le apasionan es salir a correr por la ría cerca del Guggenheim Bilbao, para escapar de sus ideas, imaginación, y sobre todo relajarse.

Me puedes encontrar en:
mail:pedrourvi@pedrourvi.com
Web: https://pedrourvi.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pedrourviautor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PedroUrvi

Reviews

[Laura Díaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como siempre MARAVILLOSO!! Estos libros llenan el corazón ❤️

[✰DoveyV✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I didn’t take notes on this one which means my review will be even more short and brief than usual but there is a good reason for that. I started this book at 1am and “stopped for the night” at 5:30am only to pick it back up after like 3 hours of sleep and finish it.

I think I still like the 3rd book best but this one was good. The plot it was alright— scattered like the rest of them of course and I wish we’d gotten more info and detail on everything. It was weird though because the first bit is almost completely separate from the rest of it making it feel like the beginning was actually in a different book.
I did find the specialty tests in the beginning really interesting and honestly I think that was best part of the book.

I missed Egil but I have a feeling he’ll be a bigger part of the story after the specialty training so I look forward to that.
One thing I really enjoyed was Viggo and Ingrid (as always). They’re still driving me insane with this slow burn but it’s awesome. You can tell she’s warming up to him but doesn’t want to admit it. And Viggo’s well Viggo.
Another relationship I really enjoyed though was Astrid and Viggo’s friendship. I think it will continue since they’re still training together and seem to be kindred spirits in a way so that’ll be great.
I did not miss Nilsa. Like at all
Lasgol and Astrid’s whole thing I’m not really sure what to think. They’re relationship seems to come out of nowhere and he literally knows nothing about her, Viggo probably knows her better than Lasgol does.

Then Camou is always adorable, him being able to communicate more only made him even cuter and I think we’ll finally get some answers about him soon. Him being adopted by Snowflake was the cutest thing though.

One thing I despised though was when Gerd opened up about his past trauma was that they phrased their comforts as “you’ll get over it” like at least say something more along the lines of “you’ll get past this” or “you’ll let go of this” “you’ll overcome this” literally anything else! Because you don’t go and tell someone with trauma like that that they’ll “get over it”. That’s messed up and I feel the author could have done better at wording what the characters were trying to say in a better way.

That dragon though. I honestly can’t believe they think that for once in their lives they’ll get lucky and it will stay frozen for another couple thousand years or forever. Or that it might not be a real dragon and only a statue? Come on that’s just desperate. Like look at your luck so far and tell me if you think this will be any different. I think not. It’s definitely going to come back to haunt them, maybe not now, maybe not for ten or fifteen years, but it will awaken.

[Choco Con Churros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entretenido. Aunque las pruebas ya me cansan una pintina, estas fueron más interesantes al ser de especialización, y la adquisición de dos nuevos poderes que ni siquiera entiende. No sé que pasará con su dragonín ahora que lo descubrieron. La idea me inquieta.
Como dije, entretenido, aunque mayoritariamente parecía un libro de transición, más bien. Aún así el último tercio estuvo muy intenso. GL Bis (Sendero del guardabosques)

[María · Rating 5 out of 5]

En realidad creo que sería más bien un 4.75 porque vale si es una experiencia nueva han pasado cosas nuevas y tal no voy a hacer spoilers pero no sé el anterior me pareció como súper épico súper importante para el desarrollo de la trama y este es como de relleno por así decirlo de todas formas hay varias cosas que quiero decir...
🐨 Me está encantado que empieza ha haber salseoooo (ya lo he dicho muchas veces pero es que he tenido que esperar 3 libros y ahora POR FIN la peña admite sus sentimientos.
🐨 Me gusta el salseo pero me parece que la morenita se está viniendo un poco arriba con lo de decir la verdad y tal.
🐨 Mi favorito de este libro ha sido V
🐨 NECESITO para el libro siguiente más sobre V y I (vaaale que aún no son pareja pero eso AÚN)
🐨Y por último y no podía faltar: NECESITO EL SIGUIENTE!!! que no me queda nada tía que son 2 libro más y se acabó.

Grazieee

[Llona ❤️ "Così tanti libri, così poco tempo." · Rating 3 out of 5]

le specializzazioni sono interessanti

TRAMA E SPOILER:
nessuna battaglia
la mezza squadra passa l'assegnazione delle specializzazioni
Camu viene perso e ritrovato
c'è un drago!!!!! (ma ibernato nel ghiaccio)

[Kirstie Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Urvi keeps writing so many of these and keeps them all fresh and interesting, I'll never know.

While this is definitely one of the slower moving books of the series, I so enjoyed the gentle branching of the plot that is introduced here.

It continues to impress me how none of the books in this series get stale, and how they all add something more to the overall story. This has certainly set our characters off in a new direction.

I love how we're maturing the plot alongside the characters and inching away from the confines of the school vibe and setting, to something more tertiary.

Cannot wait to keep reading and find out what happens next!

[Robert Yearsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Javier Calle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es interesante ver como el protagonista evoluciona en su formación y en el conocimiento de sí mismo y al mismo tiempo descubrir nuevas partes del universo creado por el autor. A veces los principales personajes son un poco ñoños y deberían crecer acorde pasan los años según los libros.

[Charles Rosenau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Author - in this series - writes like it takes me there as one of the characters who witnesses from start to finish like its alive and your part of it all !!!

What a ride !!! A fromt row seat that drew me in from book one all the way through book five !!!

With all the strugales in life alone - isn't enough - these teanagers - who are changing into adults have all chosen a skill set that is quite posdibly the most difficult of all !!! But their lives have being slowley revesled - are in their own way - dedperate to make their lives worth - oomething more - necause they need desperate change in their lives 8nbwsys they at times do not understand !!! But with time - they begin to open up to unexspected friends who will help them come to understand themselves better - than they could have ever seen on their own !!!

A very demanding life filled with wondersvand yet very life threatning for all the menvand women as they truley learn wjat motivates themselves and their partners who strugsl r8ght nedid them all the way thtough !!

Each one bevomes surprized and even astonished at their growth and their survival to keep going agimst seemingly impossible odds only because their new acquaintances are constantly encouraging 9ne another to be true aRangers !!!

A very elight organization - that if you are able to stay - all the way through of a grilling 4 years of a mental physicsl challenges to becom a Reager - all your past - will be forgiven !!!

A very ever changing and unexpected twists and turns that I characterized as - "I diden't see that coming". - all the way through the books !!!

Hard to put down - and does seem - in many
ways - some how familure within !!!

A true pleasure !!

Charles R.

[Cooper Hite · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this series very much. First off, the characters almost never grow mentally, emotionally, or physically throughout these five books. The same characters still argue, the same character still gets bullied, the same characters stay at the bottom of the class. Second, the plot was pretty weak. It started off alright in the first book, but it didn't do great from there. For example, in the first book, the main character has a lot of problems, both in his life and in his emotional state, and they don't improve for most of the book. Then towards the end, all of his problems are solved, in like three pages. No emotional satisfaction at all. It just felt unprofessional. I do not recommend this series.
See my full review at "https://cooperhite.com/book-reviews/"

[Lizardkid10]

This author never seizes to amaze me...he’s just his own story and style. He doesn’t make him too overpowering and makes lasgol main center but of course makes him not the only center of the story and makes sure to make the story center around everything else. There so much to like about to book the way it flows just right without rushing to make him a master. It focuses on the flow of his training and not everything can be rushed. Emotions are also what dives him. The way he wants to do what he loves and not the obvious thing which drives all characters.

[Suki Rickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refuge

This book was a fun read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters have developed well enough. The plot has grown and become complex, but not so much that it's hard to follow. The characters have degraded a bit and complain a lot throughout the book. I did enjoy the book and series thus far.

[Anoop Chandran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book.... after reading this I was able to recover from the disappointment the previous book causes by the lack of MC's training and involvement in major plot points. Awaiting the release of the next book.

[Rocio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* si tenemos en cuenta el final.
Un libro de transición, pero que nos deja conocer un poquito más el funcionamiento de los guardabosques.
Muy picada estoy.

[Pmg Pmg · Rating 4 out of 5]

como me encanta Viggo!😂

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended well

The story ended well, an set up the next book. An enjoyable read once again. I look forward to book 6.

[Jamin Bothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die Story wird wirklich immer nicer

[Julio Sempere · Rating 5 out of 5]

El quinto libro y sigue sin perder la mecha, qué saga más interesante está siendo.

Lo que más me gusta de este libro es que hay pocos sucesos exteriores, la mayor parte de libro se desarrolla en el campo de entrenamiento de guardabosques especialistas y es el foco principal del libro. Esto es lo que llevábamos esperando desde los libros anteriores en los que echábamos de menos el día a día en el campamento de guardabosques, y este libro nos lo ha dado y no decepciona.

Ya voy por la mitad del libro 6 y está siguiendo la misma línea y no puedo parar de leerlos.

¡100% recomendada la saga!

[Thomas James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting Up?

I have enjoyed reading the adventures of Lasgul and his mates. For me, however, this one was a bit tedious. Urvi had a lot of fun writing inventing and describing the specialties of advanced Rangers, but I found myself skipping pages to get to the action. Also, they act a bit too much like little children, such as sticking their tongues out at one another. Being ex-military, I cannot imagine them chatting to one another while their "commanding officer", their instructors, are talking to them. So, I'm hoping Refuge is setting up for the next adventure.

[Soulsbooks .. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha gustado a pesar de que ha sido un poco introductorio al nuevo lugar donde suceden las cosas. Tenemos una historia un poco más tranquila pero sin quitar el misterio que envuelve a todo.

La lealtad, unión y confianza que hay entre los personajes me causa mucha ternura. Y cada vez más quiero que todos sean feliceeees sin guerras ni batallas de por medio.

Quiero empezar el 6to libro yaaaaaa, y eso que es una saga de 18 libros✨. Obviamente, recomiendo mucho esta saga puesto que los libros son fáciles de leer y la pluma del autor es buena.

[Rick Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the series and characters, but this book was boring with tedious recounting of every specialty and sub specialty. There was very little action and suspense. The worst part was it only covered half a year. I kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing really did. Just not a good book.

[Jay B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably about 100 pages longer than it needs to be.

Trying to remember but i believe the MC was 16 when the series started. Would make him about 20 or 21 at this point. There’s no sign of him or any of the others maturing.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

About on par with the rest of the series.

In some ways, the books are inspiring, because of their perseverance and endurance.

It almost feels like going through a D & D book on characters, with a thorough listing of all the training possibilities for our characters to choose, but it was more interesting than just an encyclopedic entry. We got to see the possibilities.

I got tired of all the "looks of hatred" the kids gave each other, whether or not they were friends. Just stop it already.

The kids are still being tortured as part of their training. (One of the other reviewers pointed that out in the last book.) This time, a tiger attacks them if they don't run fast enough carrying someone. If they can't best their mentor, then the mentor shoots them, not to kill but to cause pain. Once again, they are all drugged for a test.

However, unlike in the last book, the instructors aren't merely performing the expected training, they advocate for the torture, saying something akin to the more popular, "No pain, no gain." Ivar says, "Pain drives the lesson home better." I think there are other instances as well.

That actually isn't true. Pain - and the associated fear of pain - can shut down cognitive ability, unless you want only the lesson of staying away. But how to perfect and hone abilities - no.

I didn't find Camu's disappearance as exciting as their other adventures in the prior books, although the descriptions of the Shelter were interesting. I expected to find Camu frozen with the dragon, and thought whatever magic had ensnared him would ensnare Camu, too. I won't tell whether that was right or not. I had considered the possibility of what had happened to him, but not in as much detail as was given.

The midterm test was not as interesting as in prior years. It felt more like a Hogwarts sorting hat.

Another reviewer brought up all the chatter during their superior's speeches, wondering how they'd get away with that. I've wondered that before, too. I think that while we can hear them, most of the other people can't. They aren't projecting their voices to the whole group. But still, I'd expect them to get in trouble for it.

But despite being unrealistic for a military group, I like those parts because that's when the funny things are often said.

One reviewer mentioned all the editing errors in this book. I thought it had more as well, but I'm usually able to overlook them and just go with the flow of the story.

Favorite quotes:
"Evil drags people after it, captures them, clouds their minds, and never leaves them." Sometimes I feel that sort of way, worrying over the choices of my loved ones with a sense of dread over dark choices in life choices, or even just entertainment. Sometimes I could feel the evil radiating off of it, and I felt I was the only one who could.

"Anyone who stops learning, stops living." Well, I'm in a great shape to keep on living then, as I'm preparing to take 3 classes this summer. Ridiculous, and not at all what I'd envisioned.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I've loved this series so far, the last book was my favourite, but this one (compared to how the others developed and improved over time) was a little underwhelming.
Honestly it felt more like a part 1 than a whole book; it ends very suddenly compared to the others which followed the whole year of learning.
The plot was much more simple compared to the others. There were bits in the 4th that I almost forgot because so much happened but I could probably say everything that happened in this one in a paragraph or two, which can be fine, but felt like it had much more downtime compared to the others. We spend 45 pages, almost uninterrupted, simply seeing teachers we just met chapters before doing one thing and explaining the school it follows over and over for each specialisation and it just felt like exposition heavy filler. I was interested in the skills but it felt very long winded and almost dull by the end of the section. This kind of training is important and I'm glad we're shown it so we can see the characters and their strengths develop but when it's almost all we see it didnt hold my interest as well as the others.
We also switch out some characters for new ones in the new area. This is not an inherently bad thing despite my love for the originals, who appear occasionally, it happens in real life too, but this means a lot of the heart of the characters and their friendships which filled a lot of the last few books is replaced by descriptions of classes and the occasional romance scene that havent been my favourite so far and continue to be so. One thing I do continue to adore is how open everyone is in this series with emotion, it can hard to find a book where that isn't a downfall but a strength and these characters genuinely love and care for each other, you can see that, and its wonderful.
I'd say the book is still good, but probably the weakest of the 5 so far in the context of how good the series has gotten. It hasn't deterred me from pre-ordering the next but I hope that one addresses some of the plot threads left behind by book 4 since this one covered a lot of training and travelling.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I’m not one to write a review for every single book of a 20 book series, but I’ve been cruising through these and this one struck me specifically.

First, the good. I’ve been enjoying these as a light read. The first one had a lot of elements that reminded me of a different “ranger” series, but it separated itself quickly enough. I’ve enjoyed the world building and the storyline, for the most part, and we finally start to see actual character development in this book, which I appreciated.

Now, the reason I knocked off two stars. Every one of these books needs more editing, first of all. It’s not just the occasional missed comma, there are multiple places with quotation marks in the wrong spots in all of the first five books. There’s also at least one occurrence where the wrong name is written, which is confusing, and a spot where the speaker is stated twice in the same block of text. (Ex: “What do you mean?” Everyone asked. “We don’t understand your sentence,” Everyone asked.) it just needs a little more polishing. The second star went away because this fifth book confused me. (Spoilers incoming) Lasgol is magically being forced to tell the truth, which is a whole thing resulting in him developing two skills to cleanse the potion. BUT before that happens they ask about Camu’s egg and he says he got it from his father but he doesn’t know how. This isn’t truthful because he does know how-his mother snuck it into the pack. However, he manages to cleanse the potion before spilling the beans about his gift. But then at the end of the book Singrid mentions the Gift super casually and he doesn’t freak out at all, so what’s up there?

Anyway, that’s some of what I have to say. Overall I’ve been enjoying these as quick easy reads and I love that the whole series is on kindle unlimited.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this series intriguing as it has so much to offer from magic to politics to youths being trained. While it feels in some ways as a coming of age series it really has so much more.

The characters have grown so much and have such great depth. I think Viggo has grown on me the most since even though he is loud and obnoxious he is fierce and protective as well.

Ingrid is so sure of herself and it sometimes rubs me the wrong way. She is Miss Bossy most of the time but she does have a good heart and really seems to care about all of the Panthers.

Lasgol who is the main character that is a constant. He has grown so much in this series do far. He went from the person wanting to clear his dad's good name to find out his mother was Darthor and didn't die when everyone assumed. He has also went through so much emotionally and it has made him so much better person.

One issue I have with this book is nothing to do with the story but more that this one has more editing errors. I generally overlook those but this time it seems more noticeable.

I do feel that while I am loving the book I am getting tired of the academy style training and it feels that more needs to be done instead of more of the training.

I enjoy the animal aspects that they bring into this book and can see it becoming more important at the books go on.

To me the highlight of the book was meeting Loke. He seems so alien to anyone else but shows a great maturity and respect for people

[Eli López · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Este es un libro de relleno con algunas cosas interesantes, es en donde se nos dice de qué son las especialidades de todas las materias
En este libro se nos fragmento el equipo de las panteras de las nieves, Ingrid, Viggo y Lasgol fueron admitidos en las especialidades.
Gerd, fue a la frontera, Nissa la asignaron en la corte y Egil se quedó en el campamento en la biblioteca
Se comunican a través de Milton, el búho que entrenaron entre todos y puede enviar mensajes de un punto a otro.
Lasgol pierde a Camu que lo estuvo buscando en todo el libro, a ello se les unió Astrid, Ericka y Molak.
En el refugio es un lugar donde no se llega fácil y a la vez existe detrás de una caverna donde está un dragón congelado y en el lugar existen muchos misterios, como el mismo lugar, hay cavernas con runas antiguas, hay una esfera transparente que emite poder también, el lugar fue descubierto por guardabosques hace mucho tiempo y ahora se utiliza para estudiar las especialidades.
Lasgol, como siempre, es el especial y detergente, para la selección 2 de las especialidades es resaltada aún cuando a todos solo 1 especialidad sobresalía. Por lo que los especialistas (Grisli) que es el que da la especialidad de Fauna le dice que lo entrenará en las 2 rastreador y susurrador de bestias.
Astrid no me da buena espina pero veremos que pasa, como dijo Viggo ella tiene algo diferente pero no se fían de ella todavía.

[Patrice Veilleux Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Series is a “Must Read”

In this 5th book in the Path of the Ranger series (which I’ve been binge reading during this pandemic and where every next book is as good as the previous one) Lasgol and Egil are in more danger than ever after the no win war between the East, West and North, but the tests for their specialization skills as graduate Rangers is coming up so back to Ranger school they go...and the adventure and action is non stop.

Great story, as were the previous 4 in the series. The specialization tests are imaginatively created and downright edge of your seat riveting. Archery competition for Ingrid and Nilsa is with long bow, cross bow and short bow; Nature is with potions, poisons and traps; in Expertise Astrid and Viggo must rescue a “hostage” protected by expert Rangers dressed as the bandits; finally, in Wildlife, Lasgol and Gerd must gentle a horse and use tracking skills as well as their newly acquired owl and hawk to find an expert Ranger hidden in the Forest. Then it’s on to the secret Ranger training camp for those who pass these amazing tests where Lasgol’s much beloved pet reptile, Camu, gets lost. A real page turner for people of all ages who like good writing and epic outdoor adventure with some magic thrown in.

[Sydney Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this is a good book and a great series. The characters continue on as they have always been. It's definitely worth continuing the series and I'm still very satisfied with more plot developments outside of the original story line that took up the last four books. The added characters are great and really help the story grow. I do have some character gripes though.

I don't mind Lasgol being a softy but he really needs to get it together. His self-righteousness is kind of obnoxious but at least he realizes it. I also feel like he keeps getting manipulated. Specifically by Astrid. I'm honestly glad Viggo doesn't trust her.

Which getting to the point I greatly dislike. First she expects him to tell her every single secret but then doesn't tell him anything about herself. He literally knows nothing about her but he loves her. No thank you. Also she demands these answers and then also gets so self-righteous herself and doesn't even give him any form of trust. How is he supposed to trust you if you don't do anything to build it.

On the other side Ingrid and Viggo really carry this book. They are very well developed. Isgord ever the insufferable brat still tattling but that's what makes him a good personal villain.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

El Refugio Secreto es el quinto libro en la serie “El Sendero del Guardabosques” por el autor español Pedro Urvi. Para el aprendizaje del la lengua española, este es un libro magnifico. El vocabulario no cambia tanto entre capitulo y capitulo, o entre libro y libro. Este da muchos oportunidades a reconocer, y practicar con palabras nuevas. Y también, esas paginas contiene un montón de dialogo, algo que da oportunidades amplias para ver “slang”, chistes, bromas y frases únicos al español. Pero como libro, El Refugio Secreto no es tan bueno. La trama es confusa: el tiempo va y viene con irregularidades durante todas las ~500 paginas. El mundo entre estas paginas no era algo realista: lo consiste en una mezcla absurda de modernidad y la Edad Media. Finalmente, el protagonista, Lasgol, empieza a estar bastante aburrido. En todos los libros, él nunca jamás ha tenido crecimiento interno. Él recibía poderes nuevos, como en videojuego, no por su propias acciones, pero por azar o algo similar. Por ejemplo, en el final de este libro, Lasgol fue seleccionado para dos especializaciones, a pesar de lo no ser algo especial en el entrenamiento durante el año. Voy a continuar con este serie, pero soló para el aprendizaje de idiomas.