Reading Response
     My book, Erak's Ransom, by John Flanagan is about a viking like character named Erak. who is captured during a raid and is held for ransom. He is the oberjarl (president) of the Skandians. His ship crew travels to Aruluen, the Skandians allies for help. Will, Halt, and Horace agree to rescue Erak, but they encounter many emotional and combat situations that they have to get through. Will, Halt, Horace and the Skandians have to face many conflicts and I am writing about the emotions masked inside the characters.
      In my book, Erak and his crew are surrounded by Arridi soldiers during a loot raid. The Arridi demand that they put down their weapons or they'll shoot. Erak's men are willing to fight if he gives himself up. If he gives himself up, his crew may live and travel back to Skandia safely. Erak doesn't want to see his crew die trying to protect him so he gives himself up and his crew travels to Aruluen to get help. The emotions felt in this part of the book are anger, protection, and acceptance. Erak is angered that he got his crew surrounded because of his own personal greed. He feels protection for his crew and does not want to see any of them die so he gives himself up. He accepts that they're surrounded and agrees to give himself up in order for his crew to live. Erak is seen by his men as brave and powerful.
      Another part of the book where emotions are felt is when Will loses his horse, Tug in a sandstorm. He tries to go after Tug in the sandstorm, but is stopped by Selethen. After the storm he goes after Tug. The emotions felt in this part of the book are guilt and fear. Will feels regret because he is the one who lost hold of Tugs reins and that is why Tug got away. He thinks that he failed Tug in the moment where he needed him the most. Will fears that Tug might be dead, however he is willing to take the risk to go find Tug because he cares so much about his horse. Throughout his training he and Tug had created a bond so strong that Will thinks that he and Tug can have conversations. This part of the book really shows the care and love that Will feels for his horse.
     Lastly, when Will goes out to look for Tug, his mentor, Halt is worried that Will won't come back alive. Halt really cares about Will because before Will became his apprentice, there was no joy in Halt's life. Halt grew to care about Will and even though he acted like he was always aggravated at Will, Will knew he cared about him. The emotions felt in this part of the book are fear, proud, and admiration. Halt is fearing that Will won't come back alive because they've never explored the desert and they no close to nothing about it. Halt feels proud of Will because he sees how he trained Will. This shows that the training that Halt and Will did, worked. Halt feels admiration because he sees how much Will cares about his horse. He realizes that most people wouldn't care so much and would just wave it off and take a new horse. Will on the other hand tried to go out in the middle of the sandstorm and search for Tug. Tug was something that Will really cared about and Halt realized this.
     There are many emotions felt throughout this book and this is only a glimpse. John Flanagan did a great job in conveying emotions throughout this book. He made the side characters as well as the main characters feel emotions in many different parts. This book really showed me how great bonds can be.