JOHN FLANAGAN grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be an author, and after a successful career in advertising and television, he began writing a series of short stories for his son, Michael, in order to encourage him to read. Those stories would eventually become The Ruins of Gorlan, Book 1 of the Ranger's Apprentice epic. Now with his companion series, Brotherband, the novels of John Flanagan have sold millions of copies and made readers out of kids the world over. Mr. Flanagan lives in the suburb of Mosman, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons. You can visit John Flanagan at www.WorldofJohnFlanagan.com
Flanagan builds suspense with well-practiced skill and a flair for the dramatic. Tension increases right up to the last page. . . . The writing offers adventure, wit, and sufficient background information for those new to the Ranger's Apprentice series to follow the story, but it will be enjoyed most by those who have read one or more of the three previous books in the Royal Ranger subseries, featuring the first girl apprenticed to a ranger. --Booklist