The Sorcerer in the North

Ranger's Apprentice

By: John Flanagan

Narrated by: William Zappa

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Five years have passed since the Skandians and the Araluans made their treaty, and Will has finally become a Ranger, with his own fief to look after. He soon learns that even sleepy little islands have problems to keep him on his toes. Then he and his old friend Alyss are thrown into a terrifying new adventure, investigating the truth behind rumours of sorcery in a remote northern fief. As he stands in Grimsdell Forest, with the horrific, ghostly Night Warrior looming over him, Will must ask himself one question: is there a rational explanation... or does sorcery really exist?

©2008 John Flanagan (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Flanagan expertly juggles the overall plot line...with a logically constructed campaign that culminates in a hard, suspenseful battle." ( Kirkus)

"Fans of the series will eagerly devour this one and wait impatiently for the next...A sure bet for fantasy fans." ( School Library Journal)

Part one of two

This story ends on a cliff, with the plot wrapping up in Siege of Macindaw. An entertaining, adventurous, and heartwarming two-book tale of treachery versus loyalty, science versus superstition. One obvious moral here is that popular chaps aren't always trustworthy.

I like this narrator (Zappa) better than Keating, because he reads with a natural cadence and rhythm. I find that Keating pauses in places that are best for him to draw a breath, but not necessarily best for me to follow the drift (even though I like his voice and he reads fluently).

I don't like the musical intrusions at each chapter break. Obnoxious! If not for that, a 5-star narration. Zappa gets 5, but the recording studio gets 3.

Do you pick book #1 or book #2 for The Sorcerer in the North?

You gotta love the never ending action, the deviousness of the enemy, the humor in the banter and teasing between fighting comrades, the refreshing way the plot uncurls (something hard to do today with the number of proven authors and the deluge of new authors) and the skill of new to us, narrator Zappa. No, I didn't go for door #1 with the advice of two readers reviews on the 2 identical books but different readers. Thanks! It was the winning choice: Frank Zappa. He did an exceptional job and made the transition seamlessly in narrators. Having said this, I will be making a difficult choice in the next book which is a "two-er" again because I really like both narrators. Can we have a hint? Does our choice influence which one stays? Do we have to be between 15 and 22 to vote since as of book 4, this series has become YA and author Flanagan "one of the most influential youth authors" created. This listener is 70 and likes the series very much! Does this mean I'm going thru my second childhood? Spend a credit whatever your age and find out how good The Sorcerer in the North is!

Delightful audio!

Excellant all around! For the audio makers, please note that listeners can be greatly disturbed by the louder musical breaks. This can cause a child to cry out in pain if using earbuds. Please send notes to refrain from musical additions.

Great story, great narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the story is great and I love the narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator. He's an excellent voice actor!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Will enters Grimsdell Woods for the first time.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Ranger. The sorcerer. The temporary king. All men of myth and legend. What's real? What's fake?

Any additional comments?

Having listened to both William Zappa (the Australian narrator) and John Keating (the US narrator), Zappa is tons better. I like how he reads and some of his pronunciations of names are truer than Keating's (mainly of Evanlyn - Zappa says

As good as the previous

Enjoyed this book just as much as all the others. Just a note though, this is part one of two.

Fun read

While not my favourite in the series I still really enjoyed listening to this book. It's the first of a 2 part story within the series so there is a lot of setting up the story and discovering who the bad guys are. If you are listening to all the books and have just finished book 4 I'd suggest listening to book 7 first as, although published later, that story takes place before this one.

Extremely cool

This book is amazing I love the mysterious bits the mystery of the sorcerer and the mystery of grimsdel wood . John Flanagan has worked really hard on this book. Personally l love the bits were Will sings in his johngler character. And sir keren when you think about it he is very suspicious. John is very good writer but he has one downside he keeps on leaving you on cliffhangers but who cares this is an amazing book lovely singing amazing narrator and very mysterious mysteries.

The Ranger's Apprentice series

This is another excellent installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series and there are more to come!