Guys, guysss, the beginning of Book 8 is so underrated, seriously Flanagan FEDD us in the span of 15 chapters.
we've got Halt being a badass on the west coast kicking outsider ass, we've got cute gathering moments, we've got Will training apprentices and subconsciously acting exactly like Halt in the meantime.
not to mention cute Uncle Crowley moments with Will and the Special Task Group reveal, and the fact that a large part of the reason Will was so excited to move back to Redmont was because Alyss lived there and he'd get to see her more. And Crowley literally calls him outtt for this because Will was smiling so big at the thought of seeing his girlfriend more often.
NOT TO MENTION the small moment where the 5th year apprentices have their graduation ceremony and Will has that moment of regret for missing out on having a "happy proud family" to wish him well at his own graduation, and as quickly as that thought enters his mind, he's casting it aside because "he had Halt. and Halt was enough family for anyone." AHHHHHH
and then Will sings with Berrigan at the gathering, Will plays a bit, and then very respectfully says, "You've also taught me not to overstay my welcome." PLEASE he's so babygirl. So respectful of Berrigan's time.
THEN we get the Will and Alyss reunion and they're so cute he's holding her hand the entire time they're together ahjgksjdb
THEN we get the SQUADDD AT DINNER TOGETHER???
PAULINE, CROWLEY, ALYSS, WILL, ANDDDD HALT??
and you best believe Halt, diva that he is, showed up late, and Will proceeds to knock over his chair in excitement because he's so excited to see his dad he's like a little puppy dear god.
then of course we get them bear-hugging and we get Halt's annual "I love this kid sm" moment
then they sit down to eat lamb and talk shit, and you best believe they talked shit the entire dinner before they discussed business because that actually happened. Halt said no business till I know whats happening with Rodney and Margaret.
THEN WE GET THE BROTHER REVEAL UGH
and this is only like the first 9 chapters yall this book is underrated, i'm telling you










