“Royal Ranger” is the 12th and final book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. Author John Flanagan provides an extraordinary return to the saga. If you read the first 11 books and think you know the characters inside and out, then you are in for quite a surprise. Will Treaty, the main character of the series, has changed dramatically in “Royal Ranger.”  After suffering a terrible loss, the usually cheerful Will is now grim and bent on revenge. His closest friends see this transformation of character and try to find a way to stop his path of destruction by giving him an apprentice of his own. This apprentice is not just any apprentice; she is Madalyn, the Princess of Araluen.

Most of the characters are previously established through the earlier books, but the newcomers, specifically Madelyn, are very well developed.  John Flanagan writes with a lot of humor and sarcasm, so it is always exciting to read his books. They are always filled with kings, knights and fantasy.  This book stands out from the rest because we are introduced to the first female ranger. This is revolutionary if you are a hardcore fan of this series of books.  This book is highly recommended to anyone that likes the Ranger’s Apprentice series, medieval times, knights or adventure books.  “Royal Ranger” in particular brings the entire series full circle and leaves the reader wishing it were not the end for Will and his friends.  The final book of the Ranger’s Apprentice series takes the story line to a new place and will  have you asking yourself right up until the last page, “Is this Will’s final mission for the Rangers, or will his legend continue on?”