Can I just say that I love how much Hal has grown into his role as Skirl? I mean he went from being meek and unwilling to give orders to his crew in book one, to totally getting into Olaf's face and telling him what's what in this, the most recently published of the series. I love character growth, especially when it's done in such a fantastic way. The author has talent for taking a humble, fresh-faced kid and, by the end of the series, has transformed he or she into a warrior, a leader, a hero, and a loyal friend. Thankfully, this is not the end of the series and I'm very much looking forward to the next adventure aboard the Heron. Don't pass up this series, you'll be sorry you missed it!