|
The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3) | 
 enlarge | Author: John Flanagan
Publisher: Philomel
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $6.70
You Save: $10.29 (61%)
New (6) Used (12) from $5.87
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 52632
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 260
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1
ASIN: B0017OAMJM
Publication Date: June 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promiseeven defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Wills friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knightsbut Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery? The smash hit series continues with another heart stopping adventure.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Best So Far... but only if you accept that it is a bridge story December 28, 2008
***mild spoilers ahead***
Those who want the training and battles may be disappointed by this book, as it seems to be mostly about character development. Through a perilous and largely fruitless journey, Halt and Horace become more real, and through the dangers of slave-life, Evanlyn certainly develops as a character.
There are still scenes that shift points of view like earth moves during a quake, but I think I'm becoming immune to the annoyance. The writing seems to have improved somewhat as well, albeit the actual story is slower paced. Large sections of the second half of the book focus on Evanlyn, and poor Will hardly does much at all... that will certainly bore those in the young end of the YA audience who would prefer to see the hero split hairs with his bow and arrow. However, as promised by those who have already read most of the series, this book is really only the first half of the story arc. It could easily be combined into a larger volume, but marketing genius prevails.
As usual, the book is completely predictable, yet still enjoyable. There is one place that could be seen as a continuity error, as the person making the observation could not know of certain events described, but not many people are really going to pay attention to that sort of thing.
This would NOT be the book to start with. I asked the author if the books could be read out of order, and he replied in the affirmative. However, I would not recommend doing that, as this book is largely about set up and development rather than action and adventure.
 Sorry, but The Icebound Land was a disappointment December 27, 2008
What a find! I was at the bookstore with my daughter who had a gift card. She wanted to buy me something that we would both enjoy reading, as well as reading it out loud to her bro (daughter=9, bro=6). I was looking through the young readers section not really knowing what to look at when another customer, who looked about 11, recommended this series. As always, I read the books I've never heard about before letting the kids read them and I have to say the first two in the series are absolute home runs. They are actioned packed, inventive, move along quickly, and are very well written. The characters are memorable and likable. I enjoyed the first book so much I went back and bought the second one and ordered the third one here on Amazon that same day. The second book is even better that the first. However, I have to join the two other people that were brave enough to give this book, The Ice Bound Land, a bad review. I know there are like 20 positive reviews, however I feel the book does not deserve any praise and I don't think I'm going to give it to my kids to read. There are server reasons for this.
First it was boring. The other books moved along very quickly, everything flowed nicely. This book has *very* long gaps between action with lots of rambling on (and on...) in between. The book has the same amount of pages in it as each of the first two, but only half the plot. I am hoping that what's not going to happen is the author had one book that he's turning into two. I would challenge those who gave 4 or 5 stars to ask themselves: 'If I had read this book first, would I run out and buy the first two'? Probably not. My feeling is this book rides the coattails of the first two, and it's liked because everyone already loves the characters.
Second thing is; what's up with all the curse words? The first book had like one or two, the second like three. This one has well over 20. They don't add value to the conversation, situation, or to the book. Just the opposite really.
The next item is the drug addiction. Will's drug addiction as a story arc is so powerful that's it's the one thing you remember first about the book. Not that the book doesn't have its moments, it's just after reading it all you think about is this. Who wants to see the hero of the book turn into a vegetable? That's not what I want my kids reading. Dreadful, just dreadful. Following my earlier fear that this is really one book turned into two, the addiction would have been an easy way to add about one hundred pages to the story.
Which is the last point, this book is about one hundred pages too long.
Ultimately though, book four is out in about two weeks and I'll buy it. I also love the characters, writing style and action from the first two and am hoping book four returns to that formula. If book four is like book three then I won't be reading any of the others. And that's a shame.
 A spectacular adventure! November 25, 2008
Reviewed by Dylan James (age 12) for Reader Views (11/08)
Imagine traveling across the world as a prisoner to pirates, then being cruelly abused as a laborer, and then being drugged to sleep so you can't fix any of it. Don't want to be Will, huh? It's a good thing Will knows how to fight because he was trained as a ranger, a man of silence and danger. Although only sixteen, he has already proven himself to his village and now it is time to prove his self to the pirates. Who would have thought that Will could cast a dagger twenty feet straight into the heart of his enemy? Surely the victim didn't. If Will could last long enough for his mentor and a friend to rescue him then there may still be hope.
This is a brilliant book! It is filled to the brim with action, danger, and adventure, The "Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3)" by John Flanagan can drag anyone into its depth. The story flowed through one chapter to the next perfectly. The death-defying battles were my favorite part, with weighted arrows for trickery and an honorable knight who fights with his heart. All age ranges will like this book, but it was obviously intended for the older audiences. I think ten and above would be the most thrilled with this book. The biggest problem I have with this book is that at times it switches rapidly from the characters working together to them suddenly hating each other and wanting to be alone. There wasn't much of that though, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
great August 20, 2008
this series of books is really great it is one of the best written early teen books i have ever read. although it is not straight up fighting all the way. even the slower parts are exciting and entertaining. john flanagan is one heck of an author.
Ranger's Apprentice series March 28, 2008
I struggled through the first few pages of the Ranger's Apprentice Book 1, but then I was caught up in the story. My seventh grade students-reluctant readers and excellent readers-have devoured this series as well. The author wrote this to entice his son, and in so doing, he has given a gift to teenage readers. The plot is exciting, the characters believable and likeable, and Flanagan's subtle humor just adds to the delight of this series. I just received the fourth book in the series; can't wait to read it. A sure fire hit for teens, even those that think of themselves as nonreaders!
|
|
|
|
