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Chasing the Skandian slave-traders who kidnapped Will and Evanlyn, Ranger Halt and warrior student Horace find themselves in the frozen northern islands, where they battle a ruthless black-clad knight as they attempt to rescue their friends.Tags
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It’s probably my least favorite from the series, and even then it’s still quite good. It’s plot heavy and character light, but I can always use more Halt & Horace traveling together in my life. The dialogue truly shines in all of these books, by the way. If you want to see some solid dialogue, look no further than RA.
I think one of the reasons I dislike Book 3 is because of what the characters go through,particularly Will. Will’s absence in the majority of this book, at least mentally, takes its toll on the story. As a reader, I miss him and want to quickly get to the part where he is back again, and damn all the characters that I apparently am not at all invested in, at least comparatively. I’m not sure if this means the show more book is less good, since I’m clearly still along for the ride, but I’ve decided to use the five star rating system in the simplest way, to indicate how much I like a book, and I do not like this book, even if it is quite good. show less
I think one of the reasons I dislike Book 3 is because of what the characters go through,
"Life can be cruel sometimes and this book was a strong reminder of that. Despite this being one of my favorite series back when I discovered it, I remember that this book was heartbreaking to read because it's basically a huge display of Will suffering all the time.
Let me explain: since Will and Evanlyn have been taken against their will on the end of the previous book, now the author had to divide the story line into two (or four?) points of view; first we have, of course, the point of view from Will and Evanlyn and their (mis)adventures on a strange unwelcoming land. Then Halt and Horace head out on a rescue mission, attempting to track them down, and thus we have the second point of view; soon they find out that it is not going to show more be that easy, since they are constantly delayed by not so honorable knights.
In Skandia, Evanlyn and Will are set to work as slaves. Evanlyn has to work hard but who gets the worst of it is Will, since he has to work outside under the snow while only wearing rags. He starts becoming numb due to the cold, both physically and emotionally; Flanagan does a wonderful job of displaying his suffering and the changes the cold does to him until he breaks.
What gave this book a little bit of lightness was the development of the relationship between Hald and Horace. It was hilarious seeing Halt teach innocent Horace about the ways of the world while, at the same time, seeing Horace in conflict with his own points of view against what Halt was telling him. Ah! Flanagan gives a chance for Halt once more display his incredible skills against some nasty foes. Overall, it was a great book, especially the end where Flanagan shows through Evanlyn the strength by what women should always be respected.
The Last Passage
Let me explain: since Will and Evanlyn have been taken against their will on the end of the previous book, now the author had to divide the story line into two (or four?) points of view; first we have, of course, the point of view from Will and Evanlyn and their (mis)adventures on a strange unwelcoming land. Then Halt and Horace head out on a rescue mission, attempting to track them down, and thus we have the second point of view; soon they find out that it is not going to show more be that easy, since they are constantly delayed by not so honorable knights.
In Skandia, Evanlyn and Will are set to work as slaves. Evanlyn has to work hard but who gets the worst of it is Will, since he has to work outside under the snow while only wearing rags. He starts becoming numb due to the cold, both physically and emotionally; Flanagan does a wonderful job of displaying his suffering and the changes the cold does to him until he breaks.
What gave this book a little bit of lightness was the development of the relationship between Hald and Horace. It was hilarious seeing Halt teach innocent Horace about the ways of the world while, at the same time, seeing Horace in conflict with his own points of view against what Halt was telling him. Ah! Flanagan gives a chance for Halt once more display his incredible skills against some nasty foes. Overall, it was a great book, especially the end where Flanagan shows through Evanlyn the strength by what women should always be respected.
The Last Passage
""Of course, the stone walls won""t burn,"" said Horace, with a tinge of disappointment.
""No,"" Halt agreed. ""But the timber floors and their support beams will. And all the ceilings and stairways will burn and collapse. And the heat will damage the walls as well. Shouldn't be surprised if some of them just collapse.""
Together, they turned their backs on the memory of Deparnieux. They urged their horses forward and the little cavalcade moved off, Tug following close behind the two riders.
""Let's go and find Will,"" said Halt.
""Good,"" said Horace, and there was a world of satisfaction in the single word.
{Third of 11 (or 12); Ranger’s Apprentice series. Fantasy, children’s, YA} (2005)
Group read.
During the war against Morgarath, Will and one of his companions were captured and they now have to suffer a miserable journey sailing on board a wolfship to Skandia, the ice-bound land where a more miserable fate awaits them as slaves.
Meanwhile, Halt has sworn to find Will so he sets out with Horace by the land route traveling through an alternative Europe where Horace finds the customs very different from those of Araluen and that other people are a little bit more flexible than he is about the concept of knightly chivalry.
I found this a good continuation of the series and I like the way it expands on the original premise. It is a little bit darker but still (just about) within my comfort zone for my eleven year old to read (well, he already borrowed it last year from the school library). Our hero is downed shockingly quickly, but that can happen when circumstances turn against you.
As I’ve noted in my reviews for the previous books in the series, I like the writing style and the humour. (My reviews are getting shorter partly because I’m trying to avoid spoilers for previous books and partly because I’ve already covered the ground in the previous reviews.) One small quibble I have is the occasional pairs of adjectives that seem to contradict each other such as ‘an almost inaudible sigh carried clearly’ or ‘ringing hiss of steel on leather’; these have cropped up in all three books so far and usually give me a moment’s pause.
I’m still enjoying the series; they’re well written both for adult readers and the target age group (stated as 10+ on the back of my Corgi Yearling edition) but light enough that I can read them back to back - usually I have to have a break between books.
4 stars show less
Group read.
During the war against Morgarath, Will and one of his companions were captured and they now have to suffer a miserable journey sailing on board a wolfship to Skandia, the ice-bound land where a more miserable fate awaits them as slaves.
The first massive wave struck and the wolfship’s bow canted up at a terrifying angle. They began to rise up the face of the wave, then the ship faltered and began to slide – backwards and downwards! Svengal and Erak screamed at the rowers. Their voices were plucked away by the wind but the crew, their backs to the storm, could see and understand their body language. They heaved on the oars, bending the oakshow more
shafts with their efforts, and the backwards slide slowly eased. The ship began to claw its way up the face of the wave, rising higher and higher, moving more and more slowly until Will was sure they must begin the terrible backwards sliding motion again.
Then the crest of the wave broke and thundered over them.
Tonnes of water crashed onto the wolfship, driving it down, rolling it far over to the right until it seemed that it would never recover. Will screamed in absolute animal terror, then had the scream cut off as freezing salt water hammered against him, breaking his grip on the mast, filling his mouth and lungs and hurling him along the deck until the fragile cord brought him to a stop, swirling this way and that until the mass of water passed over and around him.
Meanwhile, Halt has sworn to find Will so he sets out with Horace by the land route traveling through an alternative Europe where Horace finds the customs very different from those of Araluen and that other people are a little bit more flexible than he is about the concept of knightly chivalry.
I found this a good continuation of the series and I like the way it expands on the original premise. It is a little bit darker but still (just about) within my comfort zone for my eleven year old to read (well, he already borrowed it last year from the school library). Our hero is downed shockingly quickly, but that can happen when circumstances turn against you.
As I’ve noted in my reviews for the previous books in the series, I like the writing style and the humour. (My reviews are getting shorter partly because I’m trying to avoid spoilers for previous books and partly because I’ve already covered the ground in the previous reviews.) One small quibble I have is the occasional pairs of adjectives that seem to contradict each other such as ‘an almost inaudible sigh carried clearly’ or ‘ringing hiss of steel on leather’; these have cropped up in all three books so far and usually give me a moment’s pause.
I’m still enjoying the series; they’re well written both for adult readers and the target age group (stated as 10+ on the back of my Corgi Yearling edition) but light enough that I can read them back to back - usually I have to have a break between books.
4 stars show less
I have to say that I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous two in the series.
Will and Evelyn/Cassandra are captured by Skandians and transported by ship, first to an island to ride out the storms and then to Skandia itself. I expected more escape attempts by Will (though perhaps needing to take Evelyn with him limited the number of things he could try, much as Horace being with Halt meant that Halt couldn't just escape Deparnieux and his men.)
Halt has sworn to go after Will but isn't permitted to do so. As another reviewer noted, I did guess what was behind Halt's crimes. Gillan also wants to go after Will, but Halt persuades him to stay behind and protect the kingdom in Halt's absence. Horace ends up traveling along with show more Halt.
I was disappointed that Will ended up addicted. It took a likable character out of the mix for much of this book. Depending on what age is reading this book, it may need to be a conversation point between the reader and the reader's parents.
I suspect that Will and Evelyn had impressed Erik at least somewhat during their voyage as captives since Erik is willing to help Evelyn and Will escape the castle in Skandia. I thought that showed some of Erik's character--and I wonder if that help will come back full circle in a future installment.
Deparnieux's rule by fear provides a chance to discuss the rules of chivalry and what they are meant to be vs. what they can become if misused. I didn't like the cages Deparnieux had.
I was saddened that Will didn't even seem to be contemplating possible ways to escape even when he was first assigned to "the yard". I was a bit surprised that Erik didn't attempt to get Will into some sector of the castle that dealt more with strategy since there was a remark about needing someone like Will to direct or oversee campaigns. I guess Will would have had trouble escaping with Evelyn since they had little contact once consigned to service, but I still think he would have more scoped out options than we saw. I can understand the work becoming harder to do in the cold and that it would become exhausting over time and that survival would overtake escaping, but . . . Will seemed to fall under the warmweed spell of addiction very quickly without realizing what was going on. He seemed too bright a young man to not catch on--though it appears the warmweed also affects the brain intelligence areas. I was glad to see Will come back at the very end. show less
Will and Evelyn/Cassandra are captured by Skandians and transported by ship, first to an island to ride out the storms and then to Skandia itself. I expected more escape attempts by Will (though perhaps needing to take Evelyn with him limited the number of things he could try, much as Horace being with Halt meant that Halt couldn't just escape Deparnieux and his men.)
Halt has sworn to go after Will but isn't permitted to do so. As another reviewer noted, I did guess what was behind Halt's crimes. Gillan also wants to go after Will, but Halt persuades him to stay behind and protect the kingdom in Halt's absence. Horace ends up traveling along with show more Halt.
I was disappointed that Will ended up addicted. It took a likable character out of the mix for much of this book. Depending on what age is reading this book, it may need to be a conversation point between the reader and the reader's parents.
I suspect that Will and Evelyn had impressed Erik at least somewhat during their voyage as captives since Erik is willing to help Evelyn and Will escape the castle in Skandia. I thought that showed some of Erik's character--and I wonder if that help will come back full circle in a future installment.
Deparnieux's rule by fear provides a chance to discuss the rules of chivalry and what they are meant to be vs. what they can become if misused. I didn't like the cages Deparnieux had.
I was saddened that Will didn't even seem to be contemplating possible ways to escape even when he was first assigned to "the yard". I was a bit surprised that Erik didn't attempt to get Will into some sector of the castle that dealt more with strategy since there was a remark about needing someone like Will to direct or oversee campaigns. I guess Will would have had trouble escaping with Evelyn since they had little contact once consigned to service, but I still think he would have more scoped out options than we saw. I can understand the work becoming harder to do in the cold and that it would become exhausting over time and that survival would overtake escaping, but . . . Will seemed to fall under the warmweed spell of addiction very quickly without realizing what was going on. He seemed too bright a young man to not catch on--though it appears the warmweed also affects the brain intelligence areas. I was glad to see Will come back at the very end. show less
Book 3 again directly continues the story told in the first two books. Morgarath has been defeated but Will and Evanlyn have been captured by the Skandians and carried away as slaves. Halt and Horace are determined to rescue them, even if they have to travel to Skandia.
Skandians are of course inspired by the vikings. This is a worldbuilding technique commonly used in these books. Araluen is based on Western Middle Ages, and other countries are based on other real-world cultures. Pretty basic, but effective.
The story is a bit naive, and nothing sexual ever happens, but if you are willing to suspend your cynicism and enjoy a good story for young readers you'll like this one.
Skandians are of course inspired by the vikings. This is a worldbuilding technique commonly used in these books. Araluen is based on Western Middle Ages, and other countries are based on other real-world cultures. Pretty basic, but effective.
The story is a bit naive, and nothing sexual ever happens, but if you are willing to suspend your cynicism and enjoy a good story for young readers you'll like this one.
The Short and Sweet of It (from Amazon)
Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise—even defy his King.
Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will’s friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights—but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?
A Bit of a Ramble
What fascinated me most about this story show more was not the fighting scenes or the heroism, but rather I was struck by the loyalty portrayed. The first two books focus on Will's developing love and loyalty to his mentor and friends, but in this installment, the loyalty is returned. Halt purposefully gives up what he loves, dishonors his country and defies his beloved Ranger Corp, to save his apprentice. Horace bravely leaves his training and his home to save his friend. And Evanlyn finds a strength within herself she never knew she possessed to rescue her friend.
I am drawn to characters, and the people in this tale are not only intriguing in their own right, but their connections to each other really lends a level of believability and relatability I appreciate. The things we do for each other and because of each other define us as humans, and seeing this quality carried out in fiction is a real treat for me. I am enjoying the community being built in this series, and I sincerely hope this sense of togetherness and interconnectedness continues in the remaining installments.
Now, on to book four! show less
Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise—even defy his King.
Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will’s friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights—but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?
A Bit of a Ramble
What fascinated me most about this story show more was not the fighting scenes or the heroism, but rather I was struck by the loyalty portrayed. The first two books focus on Will's developing love and loyalty to his mentor and friends, but in this installment, the loyalty is returned. Halt purposefully gives up what he loves, dishonors his country and defies his beloved Ranger Corp, to save his apprentice. Horace bravely leaves his training and his home to save his friend. And Evanlyn finds a strength within herself she never knew she possessed to rescue her friend.
I am drawn to characters, and the people in this tale are not only intriguing in their own right, but their connections to each other really lends a level of believability and relatability I appreciate. The things we do for each other and because of each other define us as humans, and seeing this quality carried out in fiction is a real treat for me. I am enjoying the community being built in this series, and I sincerely hope this sense of togetherness and interconnectedness continues in the remaining installments.
Now, on to book four! show less
Good fun - the writing in the series is unexceptional (either for good or for bad), but they are good-humored and keep your interest well enough (given that they are really kids' books). I listened to this one in the car with Jack.
I think this one was quite a bit better than the first two - probably because it left behind a lot of the hokey monster stuff and focused more on humans in it's thinly disguised medieval Europe.
I think this one was quite a bit better than the first two - probably because it left behind a lot of the hokey monster stuff and focused more on humans in it's thinly disguised medieval Europe.
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Set of 4 RANGER'S APPRENTICE Books: 1. The Ruins of Gorlan / 2. The Burning Bridge / 3. The Icebound Land / 4. The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Icebound Land
- Original title
- The Icebound Land
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Will; Evanlyn; Halt; Horace; Gillan; Erik (show all 10); Deparnieux; Rodney; Duncan; Cassandra
- Important places
- Skandia; Araluen; Gallica
- First words
- The wolfship was only a few hours from Cape Shelter when the massive storm hit them.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Let's go and find Will," said Halt.
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- Engels; English
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