What will happen since the last time Wil, Halt and Horace finished their mission? Are you ready for the new adventure? I'm sure I'm. This time, not only Halt and Will would set off their journey, but also many of the other characters we know, especially both Evanlyn and Alyss are going too! What will happen to them when they sailed to the new kingdom? (Yes, sail! So that means...) And what will happen to Alyss and Will and Horace and Evanlyn? I'm so excited!!! Let's wait no longer to join their journey! 
 The story started at Halt, Will and Alyss. Alyss was there as a neutral courier as Arridi was going to have a contract with others, and of course, she was the best. Will and Halt were there to protect her, but then Princess Cassandra came, in the name of Evanlyn. She received the news that Horace was in trouble, and she asked for Will and Halt's company to help, and under Pauline's permission, Alyss also left with them. (Alyss wouldn't let Will go to another foreign country with the company of other un-married girl again...no matter she was the princess or not.) And also, we had two more unexpected companion! Selethen and Gundar! Evanlyn came to find Will and Halt by Gundar's ship. (Well...she used the name "Evanlyn" since this wasn't an official task.) And Selethen just simply couldn't resist the chance to visit such a country. So, they sailed and sailed...to the kingdom of Nihon-ja. It took them some time to find Halt...but they did, eventually. But what they had faced is more, they must get the emperor back his throne...or the peace between two countries might be broken because Horace chose his side to stand with. However, they got merely woodcutter as untrained soldier, to get more, someone must cross the boat or the mountain to find another tribe who place their loyalty to the emperor. But who will be the "someone"? Apparently, everyone was busy, especially Will and Selethen, and Halt was in the council of the coming war...and Horace was also under Will's command. (Who didn't I count? The girls were here!!! It's time for them to shine!!!) Yes, it's Alyss and Evanlyn who were about to complete the task...and during this mission, they must overcome their prejudice, their disagreement. Their only chance to win is to team up and fight. (I must say, the part when they told the boy was so funny! Plus Halt's reaction.) And...wait! I couldn't possibly tell you all the plots right? You must find it out yourselves! But still...great characters can be introduced! 
 New series, new characters. Where do we start? Now...let's see...the emperor of Nihon-ja! He was a great emperor, thoughtful, and care for his subject. However, the knight in his country wasn't satisfied with his rule and planned to take over his place as an emperor. To protect his life, the emperor fled to other small village and seek for help. He was love by all his people, whenever he went, he asked nicely for help and was kind to all of the people, even with the elderly and the children. He never regarded himself as an emperor to demand higher request. He knew that what his people needed best and make comfort for his survive soldier. A nice one, wasn't he? And more, he became Horace's friend and they cherish each other very much. Now, something about the Nihon-ja kingdom. This country reminds me Japan. Both countries were polite, and there were knights in both kingdoms. What's more, those kind of event really did occurred to Japan. And we can see those descriptions were mostly the same as Japan...so, when you read this book, you can imagine yourself walking at the ancient Japan country. Interesting right? Every John Flanagan's kingdom in Ranger's Apprentice series seems to represent a country in our ancient world, and now is time for Asia. Oh! And you might consider Nihon-ja also a bit alike with China...since many Japan's culture came from China in the 8 to 10 century. 
 So that's all for today, and I have my best wish that you'll enjoy this bool every much! Just as I do! (I keep laughing whenever I read the ending.) 
 This is post originally on my blog 
 Vivian's Book Pavilion 
 http://viviansbookpavilion.blogspot.com/