The Ranger's Apprentice 4: The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan

This book is the fourth in The Ranger's Apprentice series, and I gave it a rating of 5 out of 5. While Will was still recovering from the effects of wormweed, Alyss was captured by a yet another new enemy. Halt is reunited with his friends just in time to help Will rescue her.

Initially, it appeared as though the kingdom was on the verge of war with Skandia, but the new enemy changed the focus of Halt, Will, Horace, and Alyss. They determine the need to meet with the Skandians, the people who enslaved Will and Alyss just a few months earlier. It was clever how the author had Halt convince the Skandians that it was in their best interest to join forces against this common foe. This book had the most extended action of all the books in the series as the climactic battle raged on between the forces. Ranger strategy was a critical element of the battle once again.

I've been very impressed with the way the author is able to introduce new enemies throughout the series without missing a beat. Each book in the series has its own conflict that is resolved by the end. There is just enough doubt left at the end of each book to encourage readers to continue the series without feeling like the books are unfinished. I enjoy the amusing banter between Halt and his young friends, although Will's character continues to mature.