The Novice

I still absolutely love this instalment of the series on a reread!

The very minor issues I had with the writing in the first book weren't present in this one, at least I didn't notice them as I flew through reading it as usual.

I particularly enjoy the exploration of other countries in the Allied Lands through Dannyl's ambassadorial trips, they are a great setup to the final book in this series as well as the follow up trilogy.

I also love the final showdown between Sonea and Regin, which has been built up to the entire book. You spend 400+ pages wishing Sonea would just fight back and smash his smarmy face in then the battle happens and it's so good! :)