The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice #3)

1.  Didn't like it as much as the first two books but still a great addition to the series. The first half of the book was not as good as the last half but perhaps that is normal. 
2. I was half wondering how John Flanagan would be able to sustain the super high standard - and here's my answer. While this is still very good I think it was lowered here 
3. However I loved how Halt's and Horace's feelings for Will (including those of friendship, loyalty) are explored early on
4. It was awesome to see the world map expand and new Kingdoms traversed
5. It's also fun to see Horace develop including in his interactions and friendship with Halt
6. Will and friends continue to be split and the challenges they face are quite different now - broadly, without spoilers, there is a greater focus on survival not in the sense of battle but on more primal aspects and re: fundamental threats like hunger, the elements, captivity... and more relating to captivity
7. There isn't really a big supervillain in this book to be defeated so again this book strays from the formula a bit but there is a mini villain
8. I enjoyed it - perhaps the City of Rats from DQ was more enjoyable at this relative juncture (again, continuing this clearly not apples to apples comparison of the two series)
9. The story was focussed more about raw physical survival (including looking for Will) than battles, messages, strategies and tactics - which I guess I didn't like as much. I prefer the latter. 
10. The ending is satisfactory but is a clear set up for the next book
11. Maybe a 4 -4.1/5