I can't remember exactly when I read Mattimeo the first time, but I was probably 10-12 years old, and I *do* remember absolutely loving it. Even after 25ish years, this time around, there were images and scenes I still remembered from my first read. The Redwall books were some of my first experiences with multi-plot stories that coalesced at the end, and I was gobsmacked by the concept. I liked this book better than Redwall the first time around, and I think that still holds true now; I found it more exciting and more heart-wrenching than the first in the series. Five stars for nostalgia and because this is a darned good adventure.

Love the series. Many of the books a very similar but that doesn’t really matter. Full of humor, adventure, and the most delicious sounding food.

As a follow up to Redwall there are a lot of familiar characters. The threats in this book are more personnel yet less threatening then before. But also death comes for some of our characters but the death comes and goes, we don't much dwell in those spaces. The world expands to the past even when the story centers on the future to come. When the story comes to the end it almost feels like we've come full circle like a sitcom. Like the seasons change Redwall abbey moves into the new year with the slow changes of life and death and feasts.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Mattimeo

Mattimeo may be the son of Matthias the hero, but he is still a young mouse who tests the rules of Redwall Abbey. When he strikes out at a guest of the Abbey his fellow Redwallers are taken aback. Despite Mattimeo only doing so to defend his family’s honor. At times the animals of Redwall Abbey are too forgiving and trusting. When a traveling band of creatures appears on their doorstep, they allow the group within their walls. Little do they know, the fox Slagar has his eyes on Mattimeo. As soon as the chance arises, Slagar kidnaps Mattimeo and his friends, whisking them off to be sold as slaves.

With every Redwall book, there is a balance of good and evil. The creatures of the abbey are the epitome of good natured and wholesome folk. Though some may have mischievous tendencies, they genuinely care for one another. The lengths to which they will go to rescue their own are admirable. And on the opposing side, Brian Jacques creates such cleverly evil characters to set against the Redwallers. Slagar is cunning, cruel, and fueled by revenge. He would sacrifice his crew if it meant saving his own life. And stealing the children of those who you seek vengeance on is the lowest of low.

Mattimeo was a delight to read. This tale combines two classic tropes, coming of age and the path to becoming a hero. Mattimeo has a lot to learn, and a temper to curb to be the strength his friends need. He’s impulsive and is quick to anger when fear overcomes courage in his friends. While he believes they should be able to fight to escape, not all creatures can stand up to their oppressors. To witness characters struggle and ultimately become their better selves never grows old. Mattimeo may start rough around the edges, but his time with Slagar and the slavers will bring about a healthy dose of character development and push him towards becoming a hero like his father.

Brian Jacques creates characters and settings in a way that will make readers feel as if they are coming home to lifelong friends and familiar settings. There’s always an overarching puzzle or riddle to be solved that will ultimately aid in Redwall’s success and just enough tension laced within the scenes. I admire how he details his battles, depicting the clash between heroes and villains in a way that is safe for all ages. And while not every hero can be saved, he depicts their deaths in ways that honor their memories and gives peace to both the reader and the characters.

Mattimeo is another wonderful addition to the story of Redwall. While it is the third published book, it is the direct sequel to book one, Redwall. But each book is written so that readers can start at any point in the series. If you enjoy reading about a community of characters who are willing to risk their lives to save one of their own, you need to pick up this series.

Dare I say that Mattimeo is better than Redwall? I think I not only dare but must. In fact, over my last audiobook listen, I realized that it may be one of the strongest installments in the series, even though it was never one of my favorites. The plot is actually quite meaty, the pacing is better than usual, it's got a good tonal balance (gravity + levity), and its settings are varied and compelling. Pretty solid, overall!

I read all these in jr high and loved them, but as an adult (and it may be due to the casting of the audiobook), I am finding them to be too cozy and .... British (if you know what I mean).

My fantasy-steeped ten-year-old gave this book a resounding "meh." Brian Jacques offers a thousand ways to put his characters in danger and a thousand-and-one deus ex machina resolutions. Since one reads a Redwall book for the plot, we both found this unforgivable. Not one of Jacques' finest offerings.

Matthias and his wife, Cornflower, have had a son, Mattimeo, who gets stolen (along with the abbey's young ones) by a fox who blames the abbey for a deformity. Through rescuing the abbey's young, the Redwall warriors rescue other slaves, while the animals at the abbey deal with invading birds.
It's interesting that I have to keep rotating the order that I read these books or I get tired of them. Sometimes I just have to stop reading them for a while, and this is one of the ones I read the most. Occasionally I get tired of this book, and I had 4 stars for this one's rating, but I really like this book.

Well, my somewhat accidental reread of Redwall has made it three books in. Coming after Mossflower, this is both an interesting and nostalgic return to the characters of the original Redwall and a letdown, because it is not as good as Mossflower.

Not boding well for my reread, I really noticed the formulaic nature of the Redwall series here. That's not entirely fair, since the plot actually differs quite a bit more than Mossflower did, with a different motivation in the villain and a bifurcated (trifurcated?) plot. But I found myself skimming a lot--as long as you're willing to skim, Jacques holds up because you can easily tell WHAT you're skimming, but if you feel bad about skimming, this is a hard series to recommend. My advice is basically to read, but skim.

My biggest problem was that it was hard to get going. Some of this is probably just Redwall burnout, but some of it is also that the book spins its wheels a bit before it gets going. Once it's well underway, it rolls along like any of the others, but I did find it took longer to get there. Part of this might be that I didn't much care for Mattimeo at the beginning, though I do like that Jacques grappled a bit with the legacy of being the hero's son and designated Next Hero.

That said, I have to give Jacques major kudos for absolute ruthlessness. This book may be for children, but there are some shocking deaths here, including characters from the original book. It's not quite Salamandastron, but I do like Malkariss and the ruins of Loamhedge: there's something delightfully chilling about the ruins of the pre-Redwall Abbey.

Definitely one of his best books

This book was an amazing book. It had a lot of action and mystery. I want to continue to read books by Brian Jacques.

"Orlando the Axe was following the fox!"

Hearing Jacques narrate that prologue set the tone for this story. The repetition of that single line gave me chills each time it was repeated. This was my first time reading Mattimeo. I've tried reading it several times over the years but could never get very far into it. I think listening to the audiobook for the first 2/3's really allowed me to get over whatever hump I was experiencing with this book - and I'm glad it did because it is wonderful!
I think if I were to get technical with the rating, I might actually rate it 4.75 stars. I think the main thing I found lacking was it actually didn't spend enough time with Mattimeo! With the three storylines weaved together (Mattimeo and the slaves, Matthias and the rescuers, Cornflower and the Abbey), one would have to be neglected to some degree. Unfortunately I found that storyline to be Mattimeo's. I could have done with less of the Abbey story and more with Mattimeo's growth during this journey! What growth is there, however, was great. I just wanted more to really charge up the emotional investment I wanted to feel.

One of my favorite paragraphs from the entire story is this one (and I wouldn't say it's spoilery, but I'll hide it anyway!)
It was then that Tess Churchmouse realized Mattimeo was no longer the wild and wayward young mischief maker he had always been. Sitting next to her was a mouse who looked like Martin and Matthias. Despite the fact that they were captives in a strange place, she felt suddenly safe and protected in his presence.
The young one had become a warrior! - p. 186
What changed for Mattimeo? A realization that to be strong, to be a warrior, you must be self-less, to think of and defend the dignity of others, especially those who cannot do it their selves. I love that

I love the close connections the Redwaller's have with each other. I also love how aware they are of the dignity and sacredness of each creature's life even in the midst of battle. It's a complex theological idea that I feel Jacques hints at in just the right way.