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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun book, but the "Araluens swoop in and solve another country's problems" story is getting a little stale. Also, Alyss's found less grudge against Evanlyn has lasted for years at this point and it's frustrating to see a supposedly intelligent character act so stupid.
Tenth in the Ranger's Apprentice fantasy-adventure series about Will Treaty and his mentor, Halt.
My Take
I'm worried. The cover says this is the Final Battle. I sure hope this doesn't mean it's the last story in the Ranger's Apprentice series!
It's lucky for Horace and George that Will, Halt, Alyss, Evanlyn, and Selethen are so close, as they bring their particular insights and skills to the party as well as the training regime they observed among the Toscans.
I absolutely adore this series. It promotes independence, forethought, consideration, and decency. Kids, adults and animals are treated well. In this particular story, The Emperor of Nihon-Ja, the emperor has such a wise way of living and treating people that Horace absorbs and considers. I so look forward to how Horace uses these new insights in the next installment!! …*hint*…*hint, hint*
The Story
The core group has split up. Horace and Gregory have gone to visit the Emperor of Nihon-Ja while Alyss, Will, and Halt are in Toscana reviewing Toscan troops and negotiating a treaty between Toscana and Arridi with the help of Selethen.
Unfortunately for Horace, there seems to be more ill will towards the emperor's plans than anyone had suspected when Lord Arisaka and one of his allies storms the palace. Unfortunately for the ambushers, the royal party has Horace.
The Characters
Will Treaty has some mad skills and has been a Ranger for some years now. Halt has been Will's mentor ever since Will signed up and together they form a formidable partnership. Alyss is a Courier, skilled in diplomacy and negotiation…and in love with Will. Princess Cassandra, a.k.a., Evanlyn, is in love with Horace and desperate to sail to his aid.
Selethen, an Arridi leader, negotiating on behalf of the Arridi Emrikir, is a friend of Will, Halt, Alyss, and Evanlyn (see Erak's Ransom, 5 (7 in publishing order)).
Horace, a.k.a., Black Bear in Nijon-Ja, is the Knight and Swordmaster destined to replace the Battlemaster for Araluen. Nearly unbeatable, Horace has an affinity for battle and is in Nihon-Ja with George Carter acting as liaison and diplomat to learn about their weapons and battle styles.
Emperor Shigeru is a forward-looking ruler interested in protecting all of his people, not just the Senshi who believe all others are nothing and treat them as such. Naturally, with such a threat to the order of their world, as well as pique about being passed over for the position as emperor, Lord Arisaka betrays his vows and attacks while the emperor is at his Summer Palace.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect for this story although I'm not sure what the arch of embossed metal is about. Otherwise, the Asian warriors slashing about with their katanas as they cross the rickety bridge strung over the chasm reflect one of the battles occurring in The Emperor of Nihon-Ja.
The title is also very appropriate since Horace is visiting the emperor.
My Take
I'm worried. The cover says this is the Final Battle. I sure hope this doesn't mean it's the last story in the Ranger's Apprentice series!
It's lucky for Horace and George that Will, Halt, Alyss, Evanlyn, and Selethen are so close, as they bring their particular insights and skills to the party as well as the training regime they observed among the Toscans.
I absolutely adore this series. It promotes independence, forethought, consideration, and decency. Kids, adults and animals are treated well. In this particular story, The Emperor of Nihon-Ja, the emperor has such a wise way of living and treating people that Horace absorbs and considers. I so look forward to how Horace uses these new insights in the next installment!! …*hint*…*hint, hint*
The Story
The core group has split up. Horace and Gregory have gone to visit the Emperor of Nihon-Ja while Alyss, Will, and Halt are in Toscana reviewing Toscan troops and negotiating a treaty between Toscana and Arridi with the help of Selethen.
Unfortunately for Horace, there seems to be more ill will towards the emperor's plans than anyone had suspected when Lord Arisaka and one of his allies storms the palace. Unfortunately for the ambushers, the royal party has Horace.
The Characters
Will Treaty has some mad skills and has been a Ranger for some years now. Halt has been Will's mentor ever since Will signed up and together they form a formidable partnership. Alyss is a Courier, skilled in diplomacy and negotiation…and in love with Will. Princess Cassandra, a.k.a., Evanlyn, is in love with Horace and desperate to sail to his aid.
Selethen, an Arridi leader, negotiating on behalf of the Arridi Emrikir, is a friend of Will, Halt, Alyss, and Evanlyn (see Erak's Ransom, 5 (7 in publishing order)).
Horace, a.k.a., Black Bear in Nijon-Ja, is the Knight and Swordmaster destined to replace the Battlemaster for Araluen. Nearly unbeatable, Horace has an affinity for battle and is in Nihon-Ja with George Carter acting as liaison and diplomat to learn about their weapons and battle styles.
Emperor Shigeru is a forward-looking ruler interested in protecting all of his people, not just the Senshi who believe all others are nothing and treat them as such. Naturally, with such a threat to the order of their world, as well as pique about being passed over for the position as emperor, Lord Arisaka betrays his vows and attacks while the emperor is at his Summer Palace.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect for this story although I'm not sure what the arch of embossed metal is about. Otherwise, the Asian warriors slashing about with their katanas as they cross the rickety bridge strung over the chasm reflect one of the battles occurring in The Emperor of Nihon-Ja.
The title is also very appropriate since Horace is visiting the emperor.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The thing that I really like about this series is that it's a series unlike many others, such as The Wheel of Time which I recently got up to date on, because they are all their own story and come to a close every 1-2 books. I also enjoy how Flanagan incorporates so many of the real life cultures in our world to Will's world. I very much enjoyed this new adventure! I especially enjoyed the prominent roles of Alyss and "Evanlyn".
Yes, I do very much enjoy The Wheel of Time don't get me wrong but it is nice to "finish" a story once in a while.
Yes, I do very much enjoy The Wheel of Time don't get me wrong but it is nice to "finish" a story once in a while.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This has always been one of my favorites from the whole series.
If this is truly the last one, I'm a little disappointed in the ending. The book itself isn't that bad. I was just hoping for a different ending.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced