Author: John Flanagan

Title: Rangers Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

Publisher: Philomel

When Australian author John Flanagan first penned The Rangers Apprentice in 2004, he introduced readers to the spunky, young Will; an orphan boy recruited to become one of the Kingdoms fabled Rangers.

Now, almost a decade later, readers have watched Will grow from a small boy into a full-fledged Ranger, all the while battling villains, traversing dangers, and finding love with his childhood sweetheart. The Emperor of Nihon-Ja is Flanagan's tenth installment to the Ranger world, and it seems he's aiming to prove that even as an adult there are still plenty of adventures to be had.

A simple breakdown of the Ranger Series is that it takes place in a historical, semi-fanciful world that mirrors our ancient civilizations. Will is a Ranger, a member of the Kingdoms intelligence force, while his best friend Horace is a knight. The two often join forces to combat the enemies that threaten their homeland, and on occasion venture out to explore the neighboring countries.      

The new book begins in the Empire of Nihon-Ja, Flanagan's version of feudal Japan. Horace is visiting the court of the Emperor when a treacherous warlord sparks a rebellion and the royal court is forced to flee. Unwilling to leave the Emperor defenseless, Horace joins his company, and the two seek out a legendary mountain fortress where they can begin to build an army. Meanwhile across the sea, word reaches Will and his comrades of Horace situation, and the group heads toward Nihon-Ja to aid Horace in his campaign.             

What truly distinguishes Flanagan as a writer is how seamless he is. The writing is strong but simple, and new readers will be able to jump right in without having to wade through nine volumes of backstory. The plot itself is great fun. It's a classic battle of good versus evil, with a number of the series favorite heroes to lead the charge. There is plenty of action and battle, though nothing too gory, with bits of humor sprinkled in to round out the adventure. It's a simple plot that doesn't ask for much and gives back generously in return.    

Simplicity does have its drawbacks though. In this case, the story sacrifices character development in order to smooth the journey. While the Ranger characters have nine other books to fall back on, the rest of the cast don't really stand out much. The main villain is your typical, two-dimensional power bully, with a mountain of flunkies he just can't wait to sacrifice. Meanwhile, the Emperor, despite gaining the people's respect and admiration, comes across more as headpiece for the book rather than a wise and honorable character.

With backup like this, you can't really be surprised when the story proves less than suspenseful. There is never any doubt that the protagonists will win because there is never any real danger. The insurmountable odds are just for show. Luckily, this doesn't make the book any less enjoyable.

The Emperor of Nihon-Ja is a great book for kids and adults alike. Avid readers of young adult fiction should be eager to get their copy. And who knows, the new adventure just may inspire kids to turn off the TV and start exploring the outdoors.

*This review first published 5/5/2011