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  • The Icebound Land

  • Ranger's Apprentice
  • By: John Flanagan
  • Narrated by: William Zappa
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (170 ratings)
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The Icebound Land cover art

The Icebound Land

By: John Flanagan
Narrated by: William Zappa
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Summary

Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as the captives of the fearsome Skandian wolfship captain, Erak. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise – even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers, Halt is joined by Horace as he travels through Gallica towards Skandia. On their way, they are constantly challenged by freelance knights – otherwise known as thieving thugs. Horace knows a thing or two about combat, though, and he soon begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. But will they be in time to rescue Will from a life of slavery?

©2006 John Flanagan (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Icebound Land

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Starting to lose interest. Too illogical

There are lots of good bits in these books but silly ones too and the silly are starting to out weigh the good.

I really enjoyed the first two books and prequels a d Lost Stories but the whole premise of Halt being forced to get himself exiled to save Will because King Duncan won't do anything, not even to save his own daughter is nonsense. Duncan would have at least arranged a delegation to travel to Skandia. The seasonal storm might have precluded a direct sea route but they could have set off on a more in direct sea journey that then involved a longer journey over land.

In fact the idea that King Duncan is so nonchalant about getting his only child and heir back is frankly unbelievable, as is his not remarrying to ensure he has more heirs. All that warfare and struggle he and his people endure is nothing if he doesn't secure the succession! In fact it's silly that three generations of royalty have only one child! Duncan's dad, Duncan himself and then his daughter have only one child. This is amazingly unlikely. Certainly, they would not do so by choice and in fact the intention would be to aim to have a large family to ensure a lasting dynasty and hopefully a lasting peace. In the books there's no talk of other kids, one assumes. that apparently Araluen medicine includes efficient contraceptives or all these generically tall, beautiful fair haired women and their strapping vigorous husbands are not particularly fertile. Surely highly unlikely? Halt and Pauline are older when they marry, Pauline is likely post menopause or close to it; but Will, Horace and their wives are still pretty young. Although, old to marry; especially when one considers, at least in Cassandra's case, that she has to produce the next royal heir!

In this book Duncan's attitude of one kid is enough and she can fend for herself now she's kidnapped is frankly unbelievable and inconsistent with the idea of his being both a responsible ruler and a loving father. Even if he did not care for his child his attitude of just doing nothing would condemn him as an incredibly weak King. How can he protect his people if he can't protect his daughter, in fact won't even try to?

Now I learn Will, just like Halt, never has kids. He's married 14 years but no children and what's more he doesn't remarry. Has the author an aversion to children? Also, all the females are tall and fair haired even Jenny who Gilan fancies. Although for no really good reason she turns down his marriage proposal wanting to wait until their older which is just weird and makes zero sense. Anyway apparently, in Araluen, heroes don't fall for brunettes or want families.

This will be my last book. it's too frustrating! Also, sad but true, it's suspending disbelief a lot to accept that Cassandra didn't immediately confess who she was when kidnapped by the Skandians. Confessing she was a Princess would have been likely the only thing to save her from rape but she remains untouched by the incredibly virtuous Skandians as apparently beautiful blonde girls are not appealing to thaws hardened sea raiders only too happy to kidnap innocent kids and sell them as slaves

Not that I want Cassandra to be harmed but it's really hard to accept that she would not have been hurt, unless she revealed who she was. Yes, the blood oath made by the Skandian Oberjarl later puts her in danger but it would be in the interest of Erac and his men to keep her safe and claim her ransom, regardless of their Oberjarl's need for revenge. Erac clearly thinks the blood vow is daft and unjustified and his chief motivation is material gain.

All the daftness has got too annoying. Of course this is fantasy but it should have a proper grounding in logic and common sense. In this book in particular it well and truly loses that grounding.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

More great ranger adventures

I'm thoroughly hooked since book one and about to listen to the next one because this story ended in a cliffhanger, again! :) In this story, the ranger and his apprentice are sadly separated and have to form new friendships and alliances to survive and to complete their mission. The trainee knight, Horace becomes a bigger part of the story, and he's just as likeable as Will, though for different reasons. I'm amazed how the books haven't lost their charm since the first one in the series. I still had plenty of laugh out loud and sitting on the edge of my seat moments because of tension!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Rangers reveiw

It was one of the best books I've ever listened to or read ❤ it

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

what rubbish

this book was a huge let down to a series i had spent about 14 hours enjoying.

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