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.