Fifteen-year-old Lasgol lives a hard life in a small village in the snowy north. He is hated and persecuted because his father, a Ranger, (one of the elite guards of the king and a protector of the realm) betrayed the king and tried to murder him. Lasgol believes his father is innocent, but he has no way to prove it. Then Lasgol is invited to join a rigorous four-year training program to become a Ranger. Not only does Lasgol have to work harder than anyone else to survive, all the while enduring persecution and cruel pranks, but someone in the camp wants him dead. Lasgol comes with two advantages: a magical Gift he keeps secret, and an egg of unknown origin.
In spite of following a Harry Potter type of story line, this book captured my attention. I liked Lasgol and sympathized with him. He showed real courage as he worked to overcome the obstacles in his path and sought to find out the truth about his father. I also enjoyed getting to know his misfit cabin-mates, who must learn to trust each other and work together in order to accomplish their training and pass the tests.
I loved the book cover. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series, The Path of the Ranger.
Carol Nicolas 