Is This the End?

It sure feels like the end.  The Emperor of Nihon-Ja really does feel like the end of John Flanagan's great Ranger's Apprentice Series.  This is the 10th book in the series, and it ended in a way that makes me think it's the last novel in the series.  Wikipedia says there will be 12 books, but book 11 is called The Lost Stories, and sounds like it will be a collection of short stories about the characters.  I'm sure that is going to be a fine book, but it's not the same as a full fledged novel.

I really hope there will be 2 more books because I love this series.  Have you ever read a series that just makes you feel good about the world?  For me, this is the Ranger's Apprentice series.  Harry Potter was more epic and Percy Jackson was more action packed, but Ranger's Apprentice has it's own special place in my pantheon of books.  Sure, sometimes it's a bit corny, and other times it's a bit sappy, but I like a little bit of that.  Overall, these books have all been really well written and have a positive message about friendship and doing what's right, often at great personal sacrifice.

In The Emperor of Nihon-Ja we find that Horace has gone missing.  As the reader, we know where he is and what is going on, but his friends don't know anything other than he's in the far away country of Nihon-Ja.  With that knowledge, Will, Halt, Alyss, Evanlyn, Selethan and the crew of a Skandian Wolfship set off to find him.  When the do finally find their friend, they end up smack in the middle of a civil war, and have to help defend the Emperor from those who would usurp his power out of fear over the fact that he wants to change the class system that has dominated Nihon-Ja's past.  Can Will and his friends save the day and all of Nihon-Ja in the process?  Well, you have to read to find out.

Overall, just a great book.  One of my favorites in the series.  With 10 books, it's hard to pick a favorite.  But, with 10 books, you also really know the characters, and I think I've come to care more about them with each successive book.  I look forward to any additional books John Flanagan decides to write in this series.