Halt's Peril (Ranger's Apprentice #9)

1. Continues the story from book #8 Kings of Clonmel
2. "That's it. Just Horace"
3. Will unable to get info and Halt showing him how
4. Kind of boring though - dealing with smugglers is ok but not particularly interesting 
5. How come Halt has a proper map of Picta but we don't? Ridiculous 
6. Halt loved Horace like a younger brother maybe even a second son. 
7. Terrible conversation / not funny
8. Genovesans are city assassins - part where they are plotting to beat their trap is interesting
9. Will > Crowley in unseen movement but latter is calm and experienced; Gilan > Will at unseen movement but not as fast with mind, decision making and strategising unconventional alternatives.  Will a better shot than both
10. Halt: I was feeling lonely I suppose 😅 Absent minded
11. Ok the part where Will gets help and Horace stays back is interesting as is the part where Malcolm strategises in his own healer way while waiting for Will. Wonder if references to Thorgan and the haunted burial site are foreshadowing the prequels
12. Horace too. Another good one there. Watch over him. He and Will together.. they could be the future of this Kingdom.
13. Horace the genius re a credible threat to the life of the Genovesans!
14. "Will!"
15. Malcolm coming along is an interesting element 
16. "I promise you, Will, I can look after myself. And who knows? I might even surprise you and make myself useful"
17. Halt's bow is one of the heaviest
18. "I just thought I'd give you the opportunity to confess"
19. Pauline - "I'll have to go back and face her..I'm not going to have the nerve to face her. "
20. Poor conversation
21. "I arrived here unannounced, asking for help for a friend miles away. You didn't ask questions. You didn't hesitate. You packed your things and came with me. "
22. "We're friends. That's what friends do for each other."
23. "Don't annoy me little dog. I know your mother"
24. A nice sweet ending
25. I liked Malcolm quite a lot. 
26. It was OK. But I didn't really like the book as much.
27. Maybe 3.7/5

The Kings of Clonmel (Ranger's Apprentice #8)

1. Starts off 1 year after the events of Macindaw / Norgate
2. No mention of the events of Erak's Ransom in the first 50 pages, which is weird because that was quite a big and critical moment for Halt and friends (but it's mentioned later)
3. About thwarting a fake cult's plans, which is an interesting topic
4. The continued tradition of pretending the apprentice graduation is a "nothing" event is kind of funny
5. The map not including Whitby, Seacliff (again),  Coledale, Selsey, Hibernia (modelled off Ireland) etc etc is disappointing and a missed opportunity.. the descriptions of where these places are sometimes make no sense when looking at the map 
6. Halt escaping from a trap, and his lapse of concentration
7. Idea of a special task group to deal with international affairs of Araluen is interesting
8. Crowley keeping a lid on his feelings for the benefit of Halt.
9. "This is excellent, Will! When I have grandchildren, I'll name them after you!" Horace after eating bacon and sausages ta-pau'd by Will 😂
10. The importance of knowing all the facts in espionage, when in a dangerous situation 
11. You realise halfway through why it's called Kings of Clonmel with a plural
12. The part where they learn more about the Outsiders and Will sneaks around their bandit camp is a bit boring and predictable. Also seems like a bit much framing a sentry for drinking on the job
13. Warning the village of Craikennis about a surprise bandit attack in the face of suspicion was an interesting moment - nervous tensions as the villagers try to work out if our heroes are on their side)
14. Fighting myth with religion in the form of Horace- the leaders of Craikennis understanding the goal of spreading the myth vs the cult
15. The wise old woman who understands the need to be sceptical of cult members who claim that they have a "god" that offers you only good times and no bad times - these people will demand more
16. Duncan being fully aware of Halt forging his seal
17. Still annoying that I don't know where the Genovesans (Italians it seems) are on the world map or any of these places in Hibernia
18. Spoilers: Halt here to help his scheming brother keep his throne notwithstanding the evil he did
19. Spoilers: Halt seemed more antagonised by the fact that his brother didn't like coffee than by the fact that he had stolen the throne from him
20. "The face was a trustworthy one. He felt a surge of warmth for this young man. Halt had lived his life without any knowledge of his family. At least one of them had turned out well he thought"
21. Spoilers: it becomes very exciting and satisfying when the crew muck up Tennyson's parade with Halt's impersonation of the King and Horace playing the Sunrise warrior
22. "Well you're my friend. And that makes it my fight." Horace to Halt 
23. Horace's fight is exciting, as is Will's bluff (although predictable)
24. The ending and sequence of events behind Will's one on one shot is a bit too predictable 
25. "The same reasons why <> might refuse the crown were also the ones that made it imperative that he keep it."
26. Spoilers: A bit too convenient of a death for King Ferris
27. This book leaves the issue of the Outsiders unresolved and it's classic Flanagan leaving it to the next book Halt's Peril
28. A solid addition but I'd give it a 3.8-4 out of 5 as it just didn't have as much going for it tactically compared to the others. And nothing too different.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)

1. Very easy to read and very engaging fun the start
2. Here comes all my random comments. 
3. Your heart drops when Dobby frames Harry and steals his letters but you feel warm and fuzzy when Ron comes to the rescue
4. Mrs Weasley being completely biased towards Harry is hilarious; Harry being embarrassed at his wealth but feeling more at home - and happiest - at the Weasleys' than anywhere else is touching. 
5. I'm reminded of how easy it is to read JK Rowling's books - no effort required and it's a joy to read. Everything is lively, exciting without being artificial.
6. Mr Weasley's love of muggles is slowly brought out here, a setup for key themes to come - good to see him stand up for Muggles and Hermione's parents against Lucius Malfoy
7. It didn't occur to me that muggles could change money at Gringotts for wizarding money eg Hermione's parents
8. I'm reminded of how the defence against the dark arts teacher keeps changing every year!! And Lockhart is a good change from last year's Quirrell..in the sense that he's hopeless, egotistic and "easy to deal with" in the sense of easy to defeat (well.. Harry and Ron do get lucky)
9. Nice setup with the vanishing cabinet being referred to - for later
10. Good on Mr Weasley for standing up (for muggles and Hermione's parents) against Lucius Malfoy. His love for Muggles a sign of things and themes to come. 
11. I'm surprised Hermione's parents didn't get more limelight - wonder what the rationale is there. 
12. Harry and Ron got off lightly and didn't get deducted points after perhaps convincing McGonagall that technically term hadn't started when they committed the relevant offences 😂
13. Hermione being friendly again only after the Howler did its damage
14. Lockhart being an annoying oblivious stuck up pretentious imitation self-absorbed clueless egotist 
15. Potting and compost in herbology - having done gardening I appreciate that a bit more!
16. It was pandemonium... Peskipiksi Pesternomi...it had absolutely no effect. And Lockhart's wand was chucked out the window. And Hermione saying rubbish to the suspicion that Lockhart was hopeless
17. Dodging Lockhart and Colin Creevey
18. Ron and Hermione randomly crossing the Quidditch pitch
19. The expression "Mudblood" starts a fight and Colin wants to photograph Ron belching slugs
20. Hagrid's treacle coffee cemented Harry's jaws
21. Hagrid joking about autographs from Harry
22. Nearly headless Nick's deathday party is a bit boring
23. Snape looked furious during Harry's interrogation and shutting down Lockhart wanting to make a petrification antidote 😂
24. Hermione furiously trying to read up on the Chamber of Secrets and asking the history teacher
25. Salazar Slytherin starting the pureblood movement- an interesting part of the story
26. Polyjuice potion - classic
27. Reference to the Wagga Wagga werewolf
28. Hermione defending Lockhart 🙄 
29. Hermione and Ron already starting to bicker
30. "This is all your fault. Get the snitch or die trying- what a stupid thing to tell him" - George during the rogue bludger incident
31. Dobby is annoying
32. Knowing what the monster is in the Chamber is a bit of a bummer- I remember also trying to guess during my first read but now it's spooled
33. Hermione taking one for the team again like the troll incident in the first book "I think I'd better do the actual stealing. You two will be expelled..I've got a clean record."
34. Why didn't Hermione use the invisibility cloak when stealing from Snape
35. Potter suspected of being the killer makes it exciting, including his doubts about being chosen for Slytherin 
36. A toothpick and a request to stay over the summer holidays for Harry's Christmas present
37. Steely glint in Hermione's eye,  not unlike McGonagall's
38. Since when was Lucius Malfoy a governor of Hogwarts
39. Lucius loving what's happening but asking Malfoy to stay out of it. 
40. Surprised Crabbe and Goyle (and Malfoy) don't realise later they were knocked out and someone took their spot
41. "Snape looked as though someone had just fed him a large beaker of Skele-Gro" 😂
42. If it weren't for his valentine song Harry wouldn't have known about the secret of Riddle's diary
43. "Because that's what Hermione does...when in doubt, go to the library"
44. "You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it" - Dumbledore's eyes flickered towards hidden Harry and Ron.. followed by Hagrid's advice ..if anyone wanted to find out some stuff.. follow the spiders
45. Lockhart convinced it's Hagrid
46. Ron scared to go into the forbidden forest but looked at the empty seat usually filled by Hermione then toughened up
47. Effects of Ron's broken wand lasting some time - including Lockhart
48. Bit too convenient of an escape from the spiders
49. McGonagall tearing up when she thinks Harry and Ron are going to visit Hermione to tell her the mandrakes are nearly ready - forcing them to see her and catch a vital clue 
50. Lockhart the fraud at the critical hour and the teachers all know
51. Harry a bit clueless re Tom Marvalo Riddle
52. Dumbledore protecting Hagrid - Hagrid's whole life torn apart by being framed 
53. Ginny gave her life-force to the diary..
54. Twice in your past, in my future we have met - so it's a clear hint this memory is attuned to current Voldemort and hints at horcruxes 
55. So presumably what Harry says to Riddle is also transmitted to Voldemort including re Harry telling him about his mother's protection 
56. How can the great Voldemort not remember that phoenix tears heal
57. Harry was totally lucky that the diary dropped in front of him - or he has to thank Dumbledore 
58. Haven't got a sword. That boy has though.  He'll lend you one. 
59. Spoilers: "Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?" - transferring powers to Harry 
60. Spoilers: Lucius the mastermind to frame the Weasleys 
61. So many happy parts to the ending lol - L Malfoy sacked, winning the cup, Lockhart gone..it's too crazy of a happy ending
62. Expelliarmus!
63. Are you mad? All those times I could have died and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious
64. I actually think this was a much better book than the first (which was not my memory at all). Let's say: 4.45-4.55

Erak's Ransom (Ranger's Apprentice #7)

1. Interesting that this book breaks the mould somewhat in that it jumps backwards in time to events before books 5 and 6 when Will is in his final year of apprenticeship.
2. Starts off differently at a wedding!
3. And we are in a new part of the world,  a new desert climate in what appears to be equivalent to Arabia (a change from pseudo Western Europe and Scandinavia in the previous books), and it's cool to see how the rangers react to the new environment 
4. It's nice to see a full cast (less Alyss) and it's interesting that we are slightly off chronologically because we know and have foresight as to how some aspects of each respective character's journeys are resolved (because that resolution occurs in books 5 and 6) but this book acts as a gap filler for lack of a better phrase (it's certainly not filler material). This doesn't exactly spoil it I suppose but it's interesting nonetheless to observe the dynamic between say Will and Evanlyn
5. Although we haven't seen Gilan properly or at all (I can't recall) for a long time!! Long meaning since book..2?
6. "Would you trust him with your life Halt? Then trust him with his own"
7. It's hard to sympathise with Erak's situation given he was raiding a foreign land and caused his neighbours to get involved...
8. There's a part where Will is on his own again - not sure I enjoyed it that much
9. Tactics associated with chasing a party are on display, as are dessert battle tactics and espionage
10. Nomad and desert culture and customs are also explored.. including water discipline 
11. It gets exciting in the last third of the book
12. The formula of the story is kind of the same - Will hatches and executes a strategic plan to save everyone
13. Some of the events are quite coincidental or work out too easily for our heroes - which is not unexpected 
14. I did like the end game scenario which was a rescue from execution
15. The bittersweet situation with Evanlyn kind of continues but is only mentioned very briefly
16. I'd say it's no better or no worse than the previous couple of books..well ok maybe a bit better because there is a moment where Halt is heavily reliant on Will and it makes for a nice moment eg 4.15-4.25/5. Decent book. But I probably liked Battle for Skandia ie. Oakleaf Rangers better