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Ranger's Apprentice #9
Halt's Peril
Rangers walk the line between life and death every day, but never before has that line appeared so thin or death felt so certain.
Hot on the trail of the Outsiders - a cult that's been making its way from kingdom to kingdom, conning the innocent out of their few valuables - Will and Halt are ambushed by the cult's deadly assassins. Pierced by a poisoned arrow, Will's mentor is near death and in dire need of the one antidote that can save his life. Time is not on Will's side as he journeys day and night through the harsh terrain to Grimsdell Wood in search of the one person with the power to sure Halt: Malkallam the Sorcerer.
The worldwide phenomenon that is Ranger's Apprentice continues, with a story in which every second counts.
Hot on the trail of the Outsiders - a cult that's been making its way from kingdom to kingdom, conning the innocent out of their few valuables - Will and Halt are ambushed by the cult's deadly assassins. Pierced by a poisoned arrow, Will's mentor is near death and in dire need of the one antidote that can save his life. Time is not on Will's side as he journeys day and night through the harsh terrain to Grimsdell Wood in search of the one person with the power to sure Halt: Malkallam the Sorcerer.
The worldwide phenomenon that is Ranger's Apprentice continues, with a story in which every second counts.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
John Flanagan
117 books9,394 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
For mysteries by this same author, see John A. Flanagan.
John Flanagan grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be a writer. It wasn't until he wrote a highly uncomplimentary poem about a senior executive at the agency where he worked, however, that his talent was revealed. It turned out one of the company directors agreed with John's assessment of the executive, and happily agreed to train John in copywriting.
After writing advertising copy for the next two decades, John teamed with an old friend to develop a television sitcom, Hey Dad!, which went on to air for eight years.
John began writing Ranger's Apprentice for his son, Michael, ten years ago, and is still hard at work on the series.
He lived in a suburb of Manly, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons.
For mysteries by this same author, see John A. Flanagan.
John Flanagan grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be a writer. It wasn't until he wrote a highly uncomplimentary poem about a senior executive at the agency where he worked, however, that his talent was revealed. It turned out one of the company directors agreed with John's assessment of the executive, and happily agreed to train John in copywriting.
After writing advertising copy for the next two decades, John teamed with an old friend to develop a television sitcom, Hey Dad!, which went on to air for eight years.
John began writing Ranger's Apprentice for his son, Michael, ten years ago, and is still hard at work on the series.
He lived in a suburb of Manly, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,814 reviews
February 12, 2023
Zdecydowanie najwolniejsza ze wszystkich. Ale wciąż wspaniała!
March 15, 2024
Man too grumpy to die of poison
February 25, 2013
I just love everything Flanagan has done with this series. I am so disappointed only by the fact that I only have 1 book left + the lost stories. I have already put book one of his outcast series on hold for my kindle and am deperately waiting for it to come in.
This series has a perfect blend of action, plot development, character development, dialouge and depth of relationships....basically everything one could want in a fantasy series. In this edition Halt, Will & Horace pick up the chase that was left off in the previous book. Now that they have hindered the spread of the devious outsiders cult that plauged Clomnell...they persue them back into Arulean where the tattered remains of the cult seek to reestablish their control of the masses. The dock side encounters were pretty eventful as well as humerous. Their persuit of the enemy cult leader led to the main predicament in this book "Halt's Peril". And as halt gets caught into a battle for life and death, Will goes and brings back an old friend from books 5 & 6 Malcolm. it was nice getting aquainted with him, and who knows a side series about him could prove interesting. It would be fun to see how a back water healer has knowledge of some of the worlds most secret and notorious dangers. The deepening friendship between the 3 amigos, has been fun to watch them grow as individuals as well as collectively in their relationships with one another. Horace has gone from a simply faithful side kick, to a fearsome partner and offers many humerous antecdotes to give some levity to the story.
My only disappointment again is that it seems as with all good things this series to must someday end!
This series has a perfect blend of action, plot development, character development, dialouge and depth of relationships....basically everything one could want in a fantasy series. In this edition Halt, Will & Horace pick up the chase that was left off in the previous book. Now that they have hindered the spread of the devious outsiders cult that plauged Clomnell...they persue them back into Arulean where the tattered remains of the cult seek to reestablish their control of the masses. The dock side encounters were pretty eventful as well as humerous. Their persuit of the enemy cult leader led to the main predicament in this book "Halt's Peril". And as halt gets caught into a battle for life and death, Will goes and brings back an old friend from books 5 & 6 Malcolm. it was nice getting aquainted with him, and who knows a side series about him could prove interesting. It would be fun to see how a back water healer has knowledge of some of the worlds most secret and notorious dangers. The deepening friendship between the 3 amigos, has been fun to watch them grow as individuals as well as collectively in their relationships with one another. Horace has gone from a simply faithful side kick, to a fearsome partner and offers many humerous antecdotes to give some levity to the story.
My only disappointment again is that it seems as with all good things this series to must someday end!
July 29, 2022
The end of the mission to stop a cult from taking power. I feel like this series climaxed in book 4 for me and apart from a really strong stand alone adventure in book 7, the series hasn’t been able to grab me again.
October 12, 2025
مرتبه: 2
یعنی با اینکه یه بار خوندم و میدونم چی میشه ولی بازم استرس کشیدم :/ 😂
هالته دیگه چه کنیم♡
*هوراس: هالت نمیتونه بمیره. چون اون هالته!
*ویل زندگی بدون هالت را نمیتونست تصور کند.
یعنی با اینکه یه بار خوندم و میدونم چی میشه ولی بازم استرس کشیدم :/ 😂
هالته دیگه چه کنیم♡
*هوراس: هالت نمیتونه بمیره. چون اون هالته!
*ویل زندگی بدون هالت را نمیتونست تصور کند.
August 28, 2025
This book, the 9th installment in the Ranger's Apprentice series, picks up in the wake of book 8, following Will, Horace, and Halt as they attempt to track down the last dregs of the Outsider cult that have usurped the country. But a race to stop the criminals quickly turns into a fight against time as the heroes rush to help Halt after a deadly encounter with a poisoned arrow.
As always, this book was finely woven with all the elements that make a Ranger's Apprentice book so enchanting: dynamic characters, heartwarming camaraderie, laugh-out-loud banter, high stakes, and a fair share of awesome kick-butt Ranger action. Oh, and Horace. :D
I thought it was really interesting to read about how Will and Horace handled the change in circumstances when Halt was incapacitated, and how they both had to adopt different roles for the good of the team. I love these two boys more than my bookish heart can express and I really, really just want to give them both the biggest of hugs.
I will say that I felt like this book was a bit slower than the others, as Halt didn't get hit by the poisoned arrow until almost halfway through the book. I also think I wanted more happening than just trying to save Halt, but the book is called Halt's Peril, so it really is mere trifles.
I feel like my boys are all grown up now and I can't wait to see what they do next. The Ranger's Apprentice is a series I have fallen in love with headfirst; I am so excited to dive right back into this world with The Emperor of Nihon-Ja.
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Icebound Land HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Sorcerer of the North HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: Erak's Ransom HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Kings of Clonmel HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja HERE!
As always, this book was finely woven with all the elements that make a Ranger's Apprentice book so enchanting: dynamic characters, heartwarming camaraderie, laugh-out-loud banter, high stakes, and a fair share of awesome kick-butt Ranger action. Oh, and Horace. :D
I thought it was really interesting to read about how Will and Horace handled the change in circumstances when Halt was incapacitated, and how they both had to adopt different roles for the good of the team. I love these two boys more than my bookish heart can express and I really, really just want to give them both the biggest of hugs.
I will say that I felt like this book was a bit slower than the others, as Halt didn't get hit by the poisoned arrow until almost halfway through the book. I also think I wanted more happening than just trying to save Halt, but the book is called Halt's Peril, so it really is mere trifles.
I feel like my boys are all grown up now and I can't wait to see what they do next. The Ranger's Apprentice is a series I have fallen in love with headfirst; I am so excited to dive right back into this world with The Emperor of Nihon-Ja.
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Icebound Land HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Sorcerer of the North HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: Erak's Ransom HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Kings of Clonmel HERE!
Read my review of The Ranger's Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja HERE!
October 1, 2025
I have put off writing this review as long as I can. No, I haven't put it off because I have such dreadful things to say about it; I put it off so that I may think of what to say about it. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything in Halt's Peril to excite particular interest in a positive or negative way.
It is a good installment, and fairly suspensful, though its ending is easy to guess. Mr. Flanagan isn't an Author who allows permanent evil to befall main characters. Like all of the books, his dialogue is funny, but movie-ish, though I must say that some of the interactions between the characters in this volume are particularly funny. I am also pleased to report that Flanagan does not try to tackle any battles, but a few minor skirmishes. He can do that, and I must admit that his avoidance of trying to write a real battle improves the books considerably.
Still, I wish he wasn't writing any more books in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Four was a perfect number; six was really pushing it. But ten?! (And I hear rumors that there is to be an 11th.) Even the best of serieses need to end, otherwise they become dull and slightly irksome.
It is a good installment, and fairly suspensful, though its ending is easy to guess. Mr. Flanagan isn't an Author who allows permanent evil to befall main characters. Like all of the books, his dialogue is funny, but movie-ish, though I must say that some of the interactions between the characters in this volume are particularly funny. I am also pleased to report that Flanagan does not try to tackle any battles, but a few minor skirmishes. He can do that, and I must admit that his avoidance of trying to write a real battle improves the books considerably.
Still, I wish he wasn't writing any more books in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Four was a perfect number; six was really pushing it. But ten?! (And I hear rumors that there is to be an 11th.) Even the best of serieses need to end, otherwise they become dull and slightly irksome.
October 5, 2018
As always, this is Ranger's Apprentice. Love it. :)
December 7, 2023
Ta seria z tomu na tom kradnie mi serce coraz bardziej. Ale ta często to całkowicie inny poziom Zwiadowców. Halt faktycznie znajduje się w nieciekawej sytuacji, a Will i Horace robią wszystko, by go wyciągnąć z opresji. Uwielbiam to trio, Halt, Will i Horace to piękny wątek found family, który sprawił, że mam łzy w oczach. Zawsze będę najbardziej oczarowana relacją Willa i Halta. Uważam, że jest ona po prostu magiczna, wyjątkowa i absolutnie ujmująca. Myślę, że żadna ksiazkowa relacja mnie tak nie wzrusza jak ta ich. To opowieść o prawdziwej przyjaźni, poświęceniu i miłości, w różnych jej wymiarach. Jestem zadowolona z rozwiązania wątku kultu, a zakończenie bardzo przypadło mi do gustu, zwłaszcza rozmowa Lady Pauline i Willa. Dodatkowy plus to pojawienie się postaci z poprzednich tomów. Miło widzieć, jak Will może liczyć na swoich sojuszników, a to jak Halt myśli o Willu i jak Will wyrósł na łamach tej historii jest zwyczajnie niesamowite.
February 19, 2020
This was definitely one of my favourites in the series.
July 15, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
February 10, 2016
Will, Horace, and Halt travel from Hibernia to Picta to Araluen, chasing down a band of murderous wolves in sheep's clothing. They must destroy this treacherous cult once and for all, but contending with ice-cold assassins (Sicilian-style) nearly costs them everything, as the title suggests. (Chillingly vivid portrayals of Genovesan assassins at work).
Another fast-paced and somewhat heartwarming tale of courage, strategy, and friendship. It was nice to see some old friends from a few prior books — great secondary characters. I felt the scenes where Halt was in deadly peril were detailed and credible. However, some scenes were hard to believe, like the amazing feats of archery aboard the Swallow. I chuckled at the farmers, angry about their scattered herd. So true to life!
This book picked up where The Kings of Clonmel left off. With the conclusion of this book, the two-book plot is nicely tied off with a bow.
Another fast-paced and somewhat heartwarming tale of courage, strategy, and friendship. It was nice to see some old friends from a few prior books — great secondary characters. I felt the scenes where Halt was in deadly peril were detailed and credible. However, some scenes were hard to believe, like the amazing feats of archery aboard the Swallow. I chuckled at the farmers, angry about their scattered herd. So true to life!
This book picked up where The Kings of Clonmel left off. With the conclusion of this book, the two-book plot is nicely tied off with a bow.
October 3, 2023
3.5 stars
The Ranger's Apprentice series is quickly becoming an all-time favourite. It has everything I love in a series: fantastic characters, great storylines that never get repetitive, and an impressive range of settings, It always gives me that wonderful feeling of needing moreimmediately after finishing. I never want the stories to end.
That being said, I didn't think Halt's Peril was the best book of the series so far. I enjoyed seeing the story of the last book get wrapped up, but I especially loved that it wasn't easy. I love that some of the characters got hurt - well, not loved it exactly. I'm not a masochist! But I enjoyed that we got to see Halt fail a little bit. In real life, our trio obviously wouldn't be perfect and they didn't pretend to be this time. They got hurt and sick, and they had to change their plans numerous times.
Because of this though, we got a lot more character development rather than action. Again, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing as we got to know the characters a little better and got more of their hilarious, adorable moments together. It didn't get a little slow at times, which is why it took me a little longer to read than normal
Overall, this book was still incredible. I love these three characters - Halt, Will and Horace - so very much. And it made me cry. Twice. I cannot wait to dive into The Emperor of Nihon-Ja as it follows Horace - I think? - and he's easily my favourite character.
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The Ranger's Apprentice series is quickly becoming an all-time favourite. It has everything I love in a series: fantastic characters, great storylines that never get repetitive, and an impressive range of settings, It always gives me that wonderful feeling of needing moreimmediately after finishing. I never want the stories to end.
That being said, I didn't think Halt's Peril was the best book of the series so far. I enjoyed seeing the story of the last book get wrapped up, but I especially loved that it wasn't easy. I love that some of the characters got hurt - well, not loved it exactly. I'm not a masochist! But I enjoyed that we got to see Halt fail a little bit. In real life, our trio obviously wouldn't be perfect and they didn't pretend to be this time. They got hurt and sick, and they had to change their plans numerous times.
Because of this though, we got a lot more character development rather than action. Again, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing as we got to know the characters a little better and got more of their hilarious, adorable moments together. It didn't get a little slow at times, which is why it took me a little longer to read than normal
Overall, this book was still incredible. I love these three characters - Halt, Will and Horace - so very much. And it made me cry. Twice. I cannot wait to dive into The Emperor of Nihon-Ja as it follows Horace - I think? - and he's easily my favourite character.
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January 23, 2018I really did like this book. I feel as though the book never truly adds anything new to the table, plot wise. I have also seen reviews bashing the book for just that. However this wasn't a book intended to add anything new. It was intended to tie up the current story arc. Clearing the stage for the next act, if
you will. Halt's Peril wasn't great at adding new elements into the mix of Ranger's Apprentice, but it stirs the pot of characters a little. Will and Alyss's relationship is hinted at in the last chapter, and it is revealed that Horace and Cassandra (or Evanlyn, if that's what you want to call her) are romantically connected. And Halt starts to realize that his age is catching up to him. All-in-all I'd say it is great at tying up the loose ends caused by previous books and hinting at things yet to come. I hope book 10 is as good as this one.
you will. Halt's Peril wasn't great at adding new elements into the mix of Ranger's Apprentice, but it stirs the pot of characters a little. Will and Alyss's relationship is hinted at in the last chapter, and it is revealed that Horace and Cassandra (or Evanlyn, if that's what you want to call her) are romantically connected. And Halt starts to realize that his age is catching up to him. All-in-all I'd say it is great at tying up the loose ends caused by previous books and hinting at things yet to come. I hope book 10 is as good as this one.
July 12, 2020
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
3.5 Stars
There is something I need to address here. The naming of the books in this just awful and they often spoil the main part of the book. As you might have guessed, in this work Halt will be in danger. Certainly didn't see that coming?!
However, not considering the awful spoiler in the title, I quite liked this ninth book in the series. It takes things rather slow as they try to keep up with the Outsiders. Still, there is rather a lot of tension and time for reflections. I liked it a lot, even though I do still think the heroes are too strong/perfect in this series. Looking forward to see what the next book brings.
3.5 Stars
There is something I need to address here. The naming of the books in this just awful and they often spoil the main part of the book. As you might have guessed, in this work Halt will be in danger. Certainly didn't see that coming?!
However, not considering the awful spoiler in the title, I quite liked this ninth book in the series. It takes things rather slow as they try to keep up with the Outsiders. Still, there is rather a lot of tension and time for reflections. I liked it a lot, even though I do still think the heroes are too strong/perfect in this series. Looking forward to see what the next book brings.
February 25, 2016
Very good.
March 10, 2024
Ciężko ocenić mi to naprawdę jest bo kurde XDDD myslaalm że to niebezpieczeństwo dotyczy tego że ktoś go porwie, albo poświęci się i go wtedy porwie. A TU CO! Poprostu Halt śmiertelnie zachorował, szanuje Willa za te jego walkę o jego życie, dosłownie chłopok sam prawie sie zabił. Mimo to nudno trochę było, dopiero na koniec tak zaczęło się coś dziać. Horace jest mega głupiutki, choć może trochę zaczyna coraz częściej mądrzeć? XD jeśli to tak mogłabym ocenić ale idk. Lubię w sumie ich przygody cała trójką, mimo że Gorące oczywiście musiał przyjść jak takie piąte koło u wozu. Ciężko mi powiedzieć jakie mam zdanie na jego temat, często jestem coś typu że no co ty robisz a potem jednak w sumie go lubię XDD. Will i Halt są moim sercem poprostu 🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2022
It took me one and a half day to finish this, and I would say it is the best of the series.it was a good story and was good at keeping you on the tip of your seat, not any bad things in this book, so I would say ages 10 and up.
January 11, 2016
I simply cannot even.
Update: Page 201 features a meaningful bro hug
And I still cannot even.
Update: Page 201 features a meaningful bro hug
And I still cannot even.
May 26, 2017
If Halt had died, I would cry myself to sleep overnight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
I can't believe how close I am to finishing this series :( If I'm being honest, the plot of this book was definitely very dragged out, but I appreciated the book nonetheless because it made for great, emotional moments between the "Big Three": Halt, Will, and Horace. And because the series is drawing to a close, I am really grateful John Flanagan made this a priority. The banter between the three of them is one of the things I will miss most from this series, and I think this book had some of the best scenes yet! The ending was wrapped up nicely as usual, of course, but I am looking forward to hopefully reading more about my favorite character, Evanlyn, before the series is done because we have not heard from her in quite awhile.
moodboard:
https://www.pinterest.com/DaniKline13...
playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1t1...
moodboard:
https://www.pinterest.com/DaniKline13...
playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1t1...
September 7, 2022
Kocham tą serię
March 23, 2019
This story arc finished on a high note and so I actually enjoyed the story. Will and Horace play a big part, Hart learns to take a back seat while still being awesome, and we get a character from a while back to come and be awesome.
Recommended 12+ for mild language, mild romance at the end, scary situations, death, violence/torture, and a cult leader.
Recommended 12+ for mild language, mild romance at the end, scary situations, death, violence/torture, and a cult leader.
April 21, 2024
So soooo tired… it’s late… been a long weekend…
no words Lol
Full review to come but this is definitely top 3 of my favorite of the series! Probably top 2, I don’t think it can beat the nostalgia of book1 (even though I only started this series last year, it already feels nostalgic!)
I cried multiple times, laughed out loud even more..!
Flanagan, ya did good man!
no words Lol
Full review to come but this is definitely top 3 of my favorite of the series! Probably top 2, I don’t think it can beat the nostalgia of book1 (even though I only started this series last year, it already feels nostalgic!)
I cried multiple times, laughed out loud even more..!
Flanagan, ya did good man!
August 7, 2024
błędnie założyłam po tytule, że trochę w inną stronę to pójdzie, ale jak najbardziej na +, bo się nie domyśliłam, i pomimo że lekko zwalniamy tępo z akcją, świetnie się czyta
przeogromną frajdę sprawiają mi te książki, moje serducho zdecydowanie należy do tej serii i pięknego found family
4,5
przeogromną frajdę sprawiają mi te książki, moje serducho zdecydowanie należy do tej serii i pięknego found family
4,5
September 16, 2024
Pamiętam do dziś napięcie jakie miałam przy pierwszym czytaniu tej książki. Tym razem wyglądało to oczywiście inaczej, bo już wiedziałam co się stanie, ale i tak jakieś emocje się wkradły. No kocham kocham kocham te serie
May 1, 2023
Gdyby nie zakończenie dałabym 5.
Mimo to fajny tom może bez wielkich wydarzeń, ale rozmowy między bohaterami wynagradzają, szkoda, że zakończenie nie dowiozło.
Mimo to fajny tom może bez wielkich wydarzeń, ale rozmowy między bohaterami wynagradzają, szkoda, że zakończenie nie dowiozło.
July 5, 2026
Maybe 3.5 Stars
Did I actually wonder for a moment if they'd actually kill Halt here? Yes. And does that make this the best book in the series so far? Probably yes.
Did I actually wonder for a moment if they'd actually kill Halt here? Yes. And does that make this the best book in the series so far? Probably yes.
June 12, 2017
The middle of this book dragged on a lot, because you already expects how it will end, but it does not happen and the ending felt too easy. I still really liked the relationships between the characters. Horace and Will are definitely friendship goals!
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