BOOK REVIEW: Rangers Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw (John Flanagan)

Book: The Siege of Macindaw

Author:  John Flanagan

Rating: 6.75/10

(Firstly apologies for the long gap of no posting, this was meant to post automatically around the middle of October but didn't and I've been very busy)


This book is the sixth of John Flanagan's "Rangers Apprentice" series, which has some of the most popular books according to the views on other reviews of books 1-5.


The story continues on from Book 5 "Sorcerer in the North" which you must read before this one, But to briefly sum up
After being sent North to investigate rumours of a Sorcerer in the border fief of Norgate Will and his friend Alyss become caught up in an attempt to overthrow the Lord of castle Macindaw .by the traitor Keren. Orman the castle lord is poisoned and he and Will flee Castle Macindaw and refuge in the woods of the sorcerer Malakalam, who is in fact just a Healer called Malcolm.


So this Book, for starters the title doesn't leave much hidden really providing you read book 5 :)
Will must Discover Keren's plans,rescue Alyss and retake the castle.

Oh and they only have a few weeks before an army from Picta invade.

This brings up a whole host of problems, which is only slightly solved by the discovery of Gundar and his crew who ran aground on Norgate's coast on their journey home after "visiting" Seacliff.

And of course where would Will be without help from "Kicker and his big friend"

But they still find themselves with the problem of needing to assault a castle with only 27 men.

With only Will's ingenuity, Horace's strength and some 'black magic' from Malcolm ,they and their crew must prevail or Araluen will be torn apart by war!





I do like this book but I found myself getting slightly bored in places where there were  periods with not much happening or that was very predictable, however it is a good book and still worth reading, as is the whole series. It does conclude this 2 book section of the series well though.



Hope you found this review helpful,and apologies for the wait an if this seems short.
The Devonian Book Reviewer


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The Devonian Book Reviewer

BOOK REVIEW: The Dead (Charlie Higson)

Book: The Dead

Author:Charlie Higson

Rating: 8/10


In the second book of the series Higson brings us back in time to a year or so before the events in "The Enemy".

Best friends Ed and Jack are part of a group of boys barricaded in their school building fighting off the teachers trying to eat them,
As they are slowly forced backwards, lashing out at the Sickos who try and swamp them they realise they can no longer stay here,
Things get worse as they retreat into a room with only one exit that the boys all are sheltered in, they must hold off until sunrise but they cannot survive another night there, it's just a matter of time.

The next morning the survivors decide to leave and try to find safety and other kids, leaving the school the group splits in tow, some going to London, the majority going for the countryside.

The group heading for the countryside is ambushed but saved by an adult and his son in a bus, and he's not infected!

Greg is a rough bloke with little respect for anyone but he can drive the bus and is the only non infected adult. how is he staying healthy?

He drives them to London, picking up the others on the way,


However when they arrive they start to realise Greg isn't as healthy as he's been leading them to believe.


Now the Kids face the challenge of surviving in London, with the diseased people all around, they must find somewhere safe.


London is full of kids scattered around in groups trying to survive, and adults trying to eat them,
 but as flames slowly burn through the city can the kids all escape to new safe spots, or will they fight amongst themselves and be eaten by the adults,

And in the chaos and fighting can they stay together?







I really like this book and I'm not entirely sure this review gives it a good telling,
written as a prequel to The Enemy(which is reviewed on this site also) it follows a different group and helps explain and introduce various situations in the 1st book.
I enjoyed reading the first book and this one as I think Higson does a good job writing a gripping story about a topic that is fairly common to find and read about.
give them a go

Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer

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