The Ruins of Gorlan is a 250 page conventional fantasy novel for young adults first published in 2005 and written by John Flanagan. It is the first book in a series that the Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data identifies as Ranger's Apprentice. The summary by Philomel Books reads as follows:
They have always scared him in the past-the Rangers with their dark cloaks and mysterious ways. Folks in the village claim that Rangers have the power to become invisible at will. A skill Will would now dearly love to have. Will's heart had been set on Battle- school, on becoming a hero to the kingdom. But Will is small for his fifteen years, too small to be a warrior. He possesses other skills, though-a Ranger's skills. He can move silent as a shadow. He can climb. And he is brave. He will need all these skills and more. For Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces. A battle for the kingdom is destined to begin. A battle the likes of which Will cannot even imagine. Combining the intensity of a young King Arthur with the epic fantasy of The Lord of the Rings, Flanagan brings to America the adventure of the year.