The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (Ranger's Apprentice #10) by John Flanagan -- Starting February 18, 2020

[Julianne]

When Horace travels to the exotic land of Nihon- Ja, it isn't long before he finds himself pulled into a battle that is not his - but one he knows in his heart he must wage. A kingdom teeters on the edge of chaos when the Nihon-Ja emperor, a defender of the common man, is forcibly overthrown, and only Horace, Will, and his Araluen companions can restore the emperor to the throne. Victory lies in the hands of an inexperienced group of fighters, and it's anybody's guess who will make the journey home to Araluen.

[Natalie]

Whoot! Super excited for this :D

[Natalie]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[The legion certainly seems impressive... but I wonder how they’d last in battle against the Araluens, or against say... Skandian beserkers ;D

Also Temujai. That would be an interesting battle... (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[I think I have some idea where Th is is going ;D I mean... Halt’s made friends with an emperor who has now been overthrown and has to go on the run, meanwhile whilst on a diplomatic mission Halt, Will and Alyss got to experience some rather ideal fighting styles for people that do not have the time to be properly trained - trained as units rather than individuals, and now Evanlyn has come with some pressing knowledge?

Seems like a throwback to a certain book where Horace and Will trained archers for the battle with a Temujai. So I’m fairly certain that Halt and a Will (and maybe Alyss, Evanlyn and co?) will be making their way to Nihon (Japan!) shortly to train these woodcutters mentioned (or other Nihon-Jin commoners) in how to fight off the usuper and his fighters.

And they 100% HAVE to find this mythical fortress! (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[Well now I’m definitely excited! Trip to Nihon-ja with Evanlyn, Selethen and a Skandian crew of familiar faces. Whoot! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! How are you?

[Natalie]

Book! Hiiiiiiiii!!

I’m okay c: Very tired (yay work events to organise 😂😂) but otherwise not too bad. Haven’t been reading too much lately but I’m trying to fix that!

How have you been lately?

[Natalie]

Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[They’re officially in Nihon-Ja! And now they just need to somehow make their way to Horace and company... not sure how that’s going to go, but I have every faith that they’ll be able to make it - even if the bridge (that was mentioned earlier) is no longer there.

I’m hoping that the Skandians also make their way to help out, an entire wolfship crew would go a LONG way to defeating the usurping army ;D (hide spoiler)]

[Julianne]

I've been putting this off because the first 4 chapters in my copy were printed... oddly and look like they're moving. Its SO hard to focus

Chapter 1(view spoiler)[ Toscana. Loves strong coffee. Makes exceptionally good olive oil. Definitely not Italy! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Book! Hiiiiiiiii!!

I’m okay c: Very tired (yay work events to organise 😂😂) but otherwise not too bad. Haven’t been reading too much lately but I’m trying to fix that!

How have you been lately?"

Good! Had Ruby's 1st b-day today. ^_^

[Natalie]

Julianne wrote: "I've been putting this off because the first 4 chapters in my copy were printed... oddly and look like they're moving. Its SO hard to focus

Chapter 1[spoilers removed]"

Oh jeez, that sucks @_@ Hopefully after Chapter 4 things are much easier to read for you?

(view spoiler)[How did I not notice that? :o (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Anna 'Bookbuyer' wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Book! Hiiiiiiiii!!

I’m okay c: Very tired (yay work events to organise 😂😂) but otherwise not too bad. Haven’t been reading too much lately but I’m trying to fix that!

How have y..."

Oh my gosh, it's been a year already? O.O

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Anna 'Bookbuyer' wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Book! Hiiiiiiiii!!

I’m okay c: Very tired (yay work events to organise 😂😂) but otherwise not too bad. Haven’t been reading too much lately but I’m trying ..."

Yup. 23rd of February she was born. We got her sometime in April though. :)

[Natalie]

Did you do anything in particular to celebrate? c:

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Yup spent extra time with her.

Took her on extra walks.

Gave her peanut butter in one of her kong toys with her food and later on some with ice. She LURVED it. 😁

[Natalie]

That sounds like the BEST day for a dog honestly. Hope she got lots of snuggles too!

[Natalie]

Chapter 33: (view spoiler)[Well the first defence against the Senshi was successful. Yay!!

And I can see that Will is starting to get that he can use the “legion” tactic with these Kukori to make a ready made army in a very short period of time.

Honestly though... at this stage I’m more interested in the plan that Alyss and Evanlyn have! (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 48: (view spoiler)[Evanlyn and Alyss are both KICK ASS warrior women, especially after that ordeal. Taking down a giant white tiger with just a shield, sling, and dagger? And with one of them acting as human bait? These two have the the strongest willpower ever. Holy SHIT.

I would be curled up sobbing in a corner right now... assuming I’d survived, which tbh I doubt. A lot.

Seriously, MASSIVE props for these two for sheer badassery 😐

...but especially Alyss, because fuck that. I would NOT want to be bait in this situation. Freaking terrifying. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 52: (view spoiler)[Well I’d say that about solves that. A peaceful (ish) ending to the battle, with the invading force (...minus their rather nuts general) laying down their arms and surrendering to the emperor.

Good thing Alyss and Evanlyn arrived when they did with the backup.

Also... Chocho = butterfly? Love it, but also... poor Will XD Not quite as exciting and Kurokuma. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Finished! c: (view spoiler)[And honestly, considering this is technically the last full novel in the original series (11 is short stories, and 12 technically starts the sequel series) I think the author did a great job wrapping everything up.

I'm hoping that the short stories involve at least one wedding scene though - for Alyss and Will, or Evanlyn and Horace.

Also. I need more Tug. And uhh... Ebony? I forget the name of Will's new dog 8'D (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "That sounds like the BEST day for a dog honestly. Hope she got lots of snuggles too!"

Yup. Loooooooooooooooooooots of them.

[Natalie]

Sorry, took a while to get back to this! Been rather... ridiculously stressful over the past few days ._.

Did the whole day go well for Ruby's birthday?

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Sorry, took a while to get back to this! Been rather... ridiculously stressful over the past few days ._.

Did the whole day go well for Ruby's birthday?"

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully, the weekend is better for you!

It did! She had a great day. ^_^

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Honestly, she is loving being in Spain too. She is with us 24/7 and she is getting to go out for several hours a day. We go to the dog park (took us a while to find it but she loves it) we go to restaurants. We go for walks near the water. It's like heaven on earth for her.