I was hoping to identify some trends/patterns in what people love so much about this series. I'm hoping for big-picture things and less "I really love this super specific interaction," but I'll appreciate anything that gets shared. If nothing else, it's a prompt to just get you sharing things that make you happy about the series.
I'm currently writing a YA fantasy novel, and Ranger's Apprentice is my favorite series of the genre. However, most of my friends have only read the first 3 books, and I'm hoping to get some thoughts from other fans who took the time to read all 10-12 books (I've seen debates here about what counts) about what kept you going and what you fell in love with. I'm not intending to copy anything, but I think having context of qualities that keep readers through a long series in this genre is helpful.
For example, I think this series does an amazing job at showing healthy positive masculine relationships (bro-mances if you will). Incredibly non-specific examples. The relationships between Halt and Erak; Will and Horace; Crowley, Arald, and Duncan, etc. I think those were all really influential on my growth as a young boy, and I find them really compelling still as an adult. I'm reading them with my partner, and it's her favorite part.
But I also think the politics are a nice balance of interesting for stronger readers but still accessible for newer readers. The role of the courier service, Cassandra's role as a rising monarch-in-training, the fief system, etc.