I love the Brotherband Chronicles, but I'm going to be honest, this book was not one of my favorites. I found that there was very little character development in this book and I knew that overall things were going to turn out fine for the Herons more or less. This book just felt like it was being pulled along and it actually took me quite a while to finish it. I almost put it down, but I hate doing that with a series or book by an author that I truly love. So I did finish it in the end.
If you love the series as I do, you might still love it and I welcome you to read it, but I did not quite enjoy this book as I did the others in the series. ( )

Another exciting adventure for Hal and his brotherband. They are sent to investigate rumors that the imperialist Temujai, their warring neighbors, are seeking a way to the sea. Loyal readers of Flanagan may recall that the Skandians faced trouble with these disciplined warriors, with horseback riding, bow shooting, and curved sword wielding skills in the fourth Rangers Apprentice book, The Battle for Skandia. So, the Heron is chosen to sail upriver and portage up to a large lake to investigate. They find the entire Temujai nation on the move, and have to figure out a way to delay or stop them. As always, Hal devises a clever plan, and then executes it along with his team. Things go well until the massive numerical superiority of the Temujai takes its toll, threatening the lives and livelihood of the brotherband.

Does anyone else out there think that Lydia is a veritable clone of Maddie, the Royal Ranger?
( )

This book is not as great as some reviews would make it out to be. It is also not nearly as bad as others claim. Some old jokes are repeated, but the world is expanded. As usual, the details are foggy and the distances are ridiculous. But the story was fun if a bit unbelievable for a 20-year-old woman. Other than that I just want the author to bring back more of the real fantasy aspects. He had some in his very first books, but they haen't been back and I miss them. ( )