Oakleaf Bearers
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| Oakleaf Bearers | |
| Author | John Flanagan |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ranger's Apprentice |
| Publisher | Random House (Australia) |
| Publication date | May 1, 2006 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 327 |
| ISBN | ISBN 1741660823 |
| Preceded by | The Icebound Land |
| Followed by | The Sorcerer in the North |
Oakleaf Bearers is a novel written by John Flanagan. It is also known as The Battle for Skandia in the United States. John Flanagan is an Australian author who lives in Sydney. Oakleaf Bearers is the fourth book of the Ranger's Apprentice series and carries on from The Icebound Land (book three), The Burning Bridge (book two), and The Ruins of Gorlan (Book one). It is also said to release in March 2008 according to Flanagan's blog. This book was a finalist for the 2006 Aurealis Award - Children's Novel.
The book continues to track Will and includes such characters as Halt, his mentor and Horace, his best friend.
Flanagan wrote the first book of the series to encourage his son to read. His son is now in his mid twenties and is an enthusiastic reader of his father's novels.
[edit] Plot introduction
The book continues where the previous book, "The Icebound Land", left off. In "The Icebound Land", Evanlyn and Will have been captured and sold as slaves. As the time went on, Halt and Horace traveled across Gallica, defeating knight wanna-bes, and ridding Gallica of the warlord Deparnieux.They are now in Gallica ready to board a ship and save Will. Meanwhile, Will has overcome his addiction to warmweed and finally regains his senses. Evanlyn, revealed to be Princess Cassandra, is out checking traps for food when she is taken by the Temujai. Here, Halt and Horace come to Will's aid and they try to get Evanlyn back. Halt realizes that the Temujai they discovered are only the advance scouts for a massive invasion force. The Skandians have no chance, unless they accept the help of their sworn enemies from Araluen. Will the Araluens and Skandians form a treaty?
[edit] Characters
Will - the protagonist of the series. He is a young man who has been studying with Halt, a legendary ranger. He has learned much over the years and is very accomplished in all facets of the ranger skills. He has just been awarded an Oakleaf badge and is assigned his first fief, seacliff. He has been part of numerous wars and conflicts. He recently escaped from Skandia and managed to successfully overcome a warmweed addiction. He was originally conscious of his small height and thin, wiry frame (because he wanted to be a knight before becoming Halt's apprentice) but has come to be proud of them as they suit his Ranger profession.
Halt - Is Will's teacher and mentor. He has done many things for the Kingdom over his years of service and is regarded as one of the best Ranger's of the time. He appears grim and silent embodying the Ranger stereotype that appears throughout the book but he does have a caring side. He was banished in the third book. Halt is also a Senior Ranger of the Ranger corps. He is the best friend of Crowly Commandant of the Ranger corps. It is also rumoured that he had a crush on Lady Pauline the head of the Diplomatic Core at the Redmont Fief. He has had two apprentices to date: Will and Gilan.
Horace - Horace was a one time enemy of Will picking on him incessantly for his dream of being a Knight. Since he went to battle school he has learned many things and has become a close friend of Will's, accompanying him on some missions and attempting to save him when he and the King's Daughter, Cassandra (Evanlyn), were taken captive by the Skandians. Legendary for killing Morgarath, Lord of Rain and Night.
Evanlyn: - Evanlyn, or Princess Cassandra, is one of Will's best friends. She and Will were captured together by the Skandians in the second book, the Burning Bridge. They escape together and help each other survive.
