I added the first three books of the “Ranger’s Apprentice” series to our inventory because a couple of people came into our store and said that the series is what got them into archery. Written by John Flanagan, “the Ruins of Gorlan” follows Will and Horace as they become apprentices to a ranger and at the Battle School, respectively. The two boys are wards of the state along with two girls, who become apprentices in other areas of the castle. The book is a quick and enjoyable read.

Because the story centers on Will and Horace, the women are relegated to ancillary characters with little more to do than provide vague love interests and the opportunity to enjoy some good cooking. It’s clear that this first story is for and about boys. (If you want more female-centric stories, I recommend “Longbow Girl” and the “League of Archers” series.)

The emotional power surprisingly comes from Horace’s development and how he interacts with Will. The two boys provide the feel-good moments and the suspense. For traditional archers, there is plenty to enjoy, including a shooting exercise that few archers engage in.

Overall, the “Ruins of Gorlan” hits its target. It provides a nice get away from today and allows the spirit of adventure, fun, and suspense to engulf the reader in simplistic storytelling that ignites the imagination.

In addition to a collection of archery-themed books, we have a wide variety of books written by self-published writers. These are books that you generally wont’ find in larger bookstores that rely on publishing house distributors. Many of our books are written or edited by local authors (including the range leader at our location).

At Lincoln City Archery, we provide archers the opportunity to increase their knowledge of traditional archery and practice their skills at our indoor archery range in Lincoln City, Oregon. Like traditional archery, reading books takes focus and concentration. Turning off your electronics and reading a book for an hour will improve your focus and concentration. If the story is good enough, it won’t even seem like practicing. Plus, it’s a great way to pass the time when you can’t make it to the range. Happy shooting, happy reading, and let’s get on target.

Affiliate links used in this article allow us to earn a small commission on your book purchase while costing you nothing. Thank you. If you would prefer to order your books directly from us, we will be happy to ship them directly to your home for $3 plus shipping if they are available. You can even have them gift-wrapped!