The Emperor of Nihon-Ja: Book Ten: 10 (Ranger's Apprentice)

The land of Nihon-ja has been mentioned a few times in the Ranger's Apprentice series -- a sort of fantasy version of Japan. And "The Emperor of Nihon-ja" takes us right into the heart of this distant land, with John Flanagan's usual mix of action, humor, clever plotting and slightly-altered versions of real-world civilizations.Horace has been a guest of the Emperor of Nihon-ja, Shigeru. But as he's preparing to go back to Araluen, the Senshi warriors under Lord Arisaka suddenly rebel against the Emperor -- and Horace ends up accompanying Shigeru into the mountains. So Halt, Will, Alyss and Evanlyn (who have been overseeing training in Toscana) set out on a Skandian ship, heading straight for Nihon-ja to help their friend.The journey to Nihon-ja has many dangers -- pirates, desert warriors, and squabbles aboard the Wolfwill. But the biggest danger is Arisaka's army, which is closing in on a remote mountain fortress where the Emperor is hiding -- and if he wins, Nihon-ja will be thrown into an era of brutality. And he's not the only terror lurking in this unfamiliar land..."The Emperor of Nihon-ja" is apparently the last of the "regular" Ranger's Apprentice novels, and it seems like a fairly logical place for the main storyline to end. The main problem is that it does drag sometimes, especially in the first several chapters, which are bogged down by sodden horseback riding and traveling via Skandian ship.However, things pick up once Halt, Will and Co. arrive in Nihon-ja. Flanagan's prose is nimble and descriptive, with smoothly realistic dialogue and some humorous moments (a villager accidentally says "bum" to the Emperor). But he also weaves in a load of tactical maneuvers, tricks and the occasional military stunt (the Macedon Phoenix). It makes the military conflict feel more REAL to the reader.And Flanagan's characters have the warm, well-worn feel of familiarity by now -- it's like visiting old friends, whom you can depend on to always do the noblest, best things that they can. Will, Horace, Halt, Evanlyn and the feisty, boisterous Skandians are all pleasantly familiar, and he introduces some endearing people in Nihon-ja as well, such as the down-to-earth Shigeru.And Flanagan wraps up the romantic subplots nicely for both young men, although somehow I just can't warm up to Alyss. She still just seems like an add-water-for-instant-love-interest.While John Flanagan still has a couple more books to go, "The Emperor of Nihon-ja" is a thoroughly amusing, satisfying finale for the main storyline. Strong, pleasant and fun.