The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan Summary
Overview of The Ruins of Gorlan
Born as bedtime stories for a reluctant reader, "The Ruins of Gorlan" launched a fantasy phenomenon that's sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Follow Will, an ordinary hero in an extraordinary world, in the Aurealis Award-winning adventure that Hollywood couldn't resist.
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Key takeaways
The Shadow of an Orphan's Legacy
In the feudal realm of Araluen, fifteen-year-old Will faces the most important day of his life-Choosing Day-when castle wards are selected for apprenticeships that will determine their futures. Small and wiry, Will lacks the physical build for Battleschool but possesses remarkable agility, stealth, and climbing skills. His entire identity is built around a single hope: that he might become a knight like the father he never knew, a hero who supposedly died fighting the evil lord Morgarath fifteen years ago. While his wardmates seem destined for specific paths-diplomatic Alyss, culinary Jenny, scholarly George, and athletic Horace-Will's future remains uncertain. The night before the ceremony, after enduring Horace's taunts of "Will No-Name," he escapes to his sanctuary in the castle's fig tree, watching as lights dim across the fortress. His anxiety isn't just about rejection-it's about identity itself. Without family or heritage, Will's apprenticeship represents his only chance to become someone of value in a world that measures worth by one's craft and calling. What makes Will compelling isn't just his orphan status-it's how he's responded to his circumstances. Those very traits making him unsuitable for knighthood have prepared him for a different path entirely-one he cannot yet imagine but that will test whether courage comes from physical strength or something deeper within.
The Ranger's Unexpected Choice
Shadows and Steel: Parallel Apprenticeships
From Rivals to Brothers-in-Arms
The Kalkara: Facing the Unthinkable
Trial by Fire at Gorlan Ruins
The True Meaning of Heroism
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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