If you are looking for a new children's series post HP , especially for boys aged 11 to 13 then this is the one! My 13 year old nephew was very quick to borrow them when he realised I had them in stock.  I have also had quite a few adult  customers both at my store and online rave about this series.

This engrossing series combines fanastic fantasy elements, cliff hanger endings and well developed characters . Books 1 to 4 are currently available in the US with book 5 due out in Nov 08.

Books 1 2 3 4  5 6 and 7 are already released in paperback in Australia (first released in paperback in Australia with a later 2in1 HB edition of books 1 and 2) Books 8 The Kings of Clonmel will be released in Australia on the 3rd of Nov 2008 and 9 is due out in Australia  at the end of 2009.

I will be listing The Kings of Clonmel for preorder in the third week of October

 

The main character  is a orphan  boy called Will who has been raised as a castle ward who now find's himself apprenticed to a mysterious ranger called Halt.

Books in the series

book 1 The Ruins of Gorlan

Will must prove himself as he comes of age in this exciting tale of young adults that shows how similar relationships can be, whether good and bad and no matter how different, and more adventurous, the times are

Book 2 The Burning Bridge

The kingdom of Araluen prepares for war against Morgarath, Will and Horace accompany Gilan on a mission to Celtica. But Celtica is silent. It is only when they find a girl called Evanlyn that they learn why.

book 3 The Icebound Land

Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as the captives of the fearsome Skandian wolfship captain, Erak. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise - even defy his King.

book 4 The Oakleaf Bearers (released as The Battle of Skandia in the USA)

As spring approaches and Will and Evanlyn finally escape Skandia, Evanlyn is carried off by mysterious horsemen. Will sets out after them but one boy against six fierce Temujai warriors is impossible odds, even for a Ranger's apprentice.

book 5 The Sorcerer in the North

It is five years 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 island fiefs have enough problems to keep him on his toes

book 6 The Siege of Macindaw

The fierce Scotti tribesmen are waiting for the signal that Castle Macindaw is in friendly hands, and the way is clear to mount an attack. Will's courage and ingenuity, and the arrival of an old friend, may be the all that stand in their way.

book 7 Erak's Ransom

When Erak, the Skandian Oberjarl, is taken hostage during a raid on the desert lands to the south of the Constant Sea, his second-in-command, Svengal, is sent to bring back a ransom for Erak's release.
Halt and Will must go with Svengal to deliver the ransom and secure Erak's freedom, but a royal presence is needed too. The Princess Cassandra - or Evanlyn, as Will knows her - persuades her father to let her go with them. Horace and the Ranger Gilan round out the group to make sure that Evanlyn is well protected. But will violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger at every turn keep them from reaching Erak in time?

Books 1 to 6 are now on the New South Wales Premier's Reading Challenge for years 7-9.

for a great range of titles from this series including first Australian printings of books 2 and 5 6 7 please visit my ebay store