4.17 AVERAGE


Okay, re-reading this book just solidified how much I love it. It picks up the unfortunate slack left by the eighth and ninth books. Don't get me wrong, the eighth and ninth books weren't bad exactly, they just weren't comparable to the first four books, or the seventh. But this book manages to end the series on a gloriously high note, and I'm super glad Flanagan was able to pull it off.

This book is one of the longest in the series, and I can see why. There's just so much going on. The plot has quite a bit of set-up before it really gets going, but I was never bored. And then the last half of the book is packed with planning and war and confrontation, and it's amazing. Flanagan has a knack for taking what might be boring (planning, preparations, etc) and making it awesome. In fact, that's where my complaint lies with the fifth-sixth arc and the eighth-ninth arc (my least favorites); he seemed to forget himself there, Flanagan, and the planning and preparations lost their interest. But, just like with the five other books in the series, Flanagan just poured his heart and intelligence into this war, and it showed. Everyone had their role, so everyone was important, so no one was extraneous. And that is the absolute best case scenario with this kind of novel.

The writing was superb, as usual. The culture, despite not being original at all, was still colorful and interesting. It gives perspective to the Araluens. And I've never minded the fact that Flanagan draws from real societies when writing his stories. Just because they were/are real, doesn't mean they aren't fantastic.

Also, Flanagan has a really odd sense of humor. Maybe it's because it's usually so innocent. Even his insults are innocent. I can't quite explain it. But I must admit, the conflict between Alyss and Evanlyn, and the way Flanagan represented it, was freaking hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. I would have to put the book down and giggle to myself before I could start reading again. And that is definitely appreciated. On a more mature note, it helped humanize Alyss a little bit, and it made for a very interesting friendship between the two girls. It was basically a love triangle, but without the actual love triangle. It had all the jealousy and paranoia, without the drama. It was all in Alyss's head. I hate love triangles, so this was my chance to really enjoy one. I was quite tickled by the entire thing.

Anyway.

One aspect I felt bitter-sweet about was the character development. It was reserved for Alyss and Evanlyn, and maybe a little bit for Horace. I love all three of those characters, and I'm so glad the whole Alyss-Evanlyn thing was resolved. Horace got the spotlight, and it was nice to see him get a father figure of his own. It's just that...I'm a Will fan. So it's bitter-sweet because the focus was on those three characters, and....not Will. But that's just me. A Will fan.

I continue to be relieved that Flanagan went out with a bang. I still have to read the first book in his new series, but I'm sure that will be just as wonderful and intricate as this series. This series is, and shall forever be, one of my favorites.

(On a side note, I finally made the connection between this book and his other series. Unless I'm mistaken, weren't the new Skandian ships in this book designed by the protagonist in the other series? Clever, Flanagan. I give you props for that.)
adventurous funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

Good story line but pretty predictable. Wish Will, Horace, Alyss and Evalyn were characterized as their age and not as teenagers. They acted like adults in books 5 and 6 but now they have degenerated in 8,9 and 10.

This one wasn't my favorite in the series. There seemed to be a lot of conveniences. When something needed to be done there was always someone with the skill and resources available. Everything was just so perfect. Still it was fun to read and explore a new land. Hopefully, the next one will be better.

This is it, this is the end. The rest of the books can be looked upon as mere sequels and prequels (not that they aren't good, they're just different). I had trouble finishing this book, because I did not want the adventures to end. Sure, it ends well and you know it will, but that doesn't mean you don't feel nervous whilst reading. I don't think I can express how utterly brilliant I think this series is and how much I absolutely love it. If you want to read something but aren't sure what, I'd highly recommend reading this series. It's not the hardest to read, but it's a damn pleasure.

I was a little disappointed from this conclusion to the series. I had hoped for more, although I'm not sure why. The rangers didn't really do anything that cool during this book, and neither did Horace.
adventurous hopeful inspiring
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This was sooooo cringy. Still, theres enough good stuff here to save it from just being bad 

I love the characters of the whole Ranger's Apprentice series, so would have loved for the most-beloved ones to be the central focus of this, the last book of the main series. Instead, we're introduced to new characters to love (and some to hate!), which at first I was disappointed about, but in the end all was okay. It's another great adventure for our wonderful Rangers and their pals, another opportunity for them to flex their strengths and work as a team to solve a problem, while building new relationships, as they do so well.

I'm never crazy about there being much of the story following the girls, Evanlyn and Alyss, as I read these books for their male protagonists' stories and just don't like the girls much. It was nice seeing them get their squabble out in the open, though, and dealing with it at long last.

This was a very enjoyable read.
adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced