I'm always surprised when I re-read these as an adult at the level of brutality in the books. Slavery, beatings, maiming, lots of killing. It still manages to take me by surprise. I wonder if I glossed over it as a kid. But prior to this re-read when I thought of these books I always thought of the delicious food.

Legend of Luke brings the tale of Martin the Warrior full circle. From the first story of Martin we hear about Luke. The father who left to avenge his dead wife (I am still uncertain how heroic I find this since he left his child behind - not that I think he should have brought Martin). This story starts with a traveler to the Abbey who brings an unfinished song of Luke's adventures.

The book is broken up into three parts.

Part one follows Martin as he sets out back to his homeland. They run into a few incidents along the way but for the most part this is a fun travel story where new friends are gathered and brought along; an orphaned squirrel, a grizzled veteran, a clever river captain. Despite a few trials this is for the most part an upbeat voyage.

Part two is where we find out the travels of Like and his eventual demise. It is in sharp contrast to the first third of the book. Luke's story is light on the happiness. It is a lot of murder and misery. In the end Luke and his companion Ranguvar die getting the revenge they both sought. It was a very hollow victory. In order for Luke to get his revenge most of his friends were killed and those that weren't were enslaved. I can't help but think that it wasn't worth it.

The last third is Martin and his crew, along with the few left from Luke's escapades make their way back to Redwall. This last piece ties up the loose ends and finishes the book on a happier note with a welcome feast and Martin giving up his sword for a life of peace. The food sounded delicious.

I do have a question though ... if most of Luke's crew died and the ones that were left lived isolated in the North Country ... where did Trimp learn the song of Luke's ill-fated voyage?

This one is perhaps a little too episodic, and by the time you get to the actual legend-- the story within a story within a story-- it goes perhaps too quickly. Jacques is also hamstrung by the fact that, as a prequal, the episode is already known, and so things can't end too happily in this early chapter-- but Luke just doesn't seem like a great leader? Not really worth all the trouble to go and find out about? If your heroic rage just gets everyone around you killed, I don't know that you're worth writing about in the first place? Also, maybe it just takes getting older to feel jaded about the Bad Guys are always Stupid trope-- the bad guys actually kill each other rather than killing the rebellious slaves they have chained up but leave unwatched for long periods and somehow don't notice that they're all getting loose of their chains and stockpiling weapons-- but I feel like either this trope or I am in fact getting old. Redwall may be one of those Springtime of Life fantasy worlds that actually sours on you the more actual news you actually read.

Ok, I've kind of dived into the Redwall series and have progressed up to Luke. I'm going to open by saying I love Mr. Jacques descriptive nature. Whether he's describing events or "people" he brings the right amount of robustness without going over the top. This is a tough thing for many writers and should be enjoyed when you find a writer that does it well.
I'll be honest and say 4 stars is on the strong side. Yes, the book overall rose to 4 stars but it's because Luke's tale (book 2 in here) was closer to 5 stars while the opening was three stars and pushing to get that. My problem with the opening was we're dropped right into the middle of something without knowing anything about Martin. Yes I know this was written later in Mr. Jacques writings of the Redwall series but honestly it feels like this one should be after or during Martin's book. My other problems with were the first part was to long and to much of a repeat (please, the Fellowship traveled fast and easier than Martin and his crew) which seemed longer than it should have because they broke out into song at least once a chapter. I know Mr. Jacques was proud of his musical skills but you don't need to give us a song to read every meal, rest, and before bed.
As for book 2 Mr. Jacques stepped his game up and gives you a wonderful tale with everything you could want. There's action, a little love (nothing as strong as the Princess Bride but nicely done), adventure, getting to a new place, and even new characters that liven things up. Luke is stoic and an arch-hero. While immediately none of his companions rise to his level at first, together the help make the story enjoyable and fun, particularly when Beau is involved (arguably my favorite character, him and Folgrim). Honestly, book 2 makes this book and I'd almost argue that's all you need to read.

This was a really good Redwall book. I like the ones that have Martin in them, because he is not just a warrior who fights and stands for good and has no personal issues, like a lot of the other protagonists. He has a history, and it comes back to him. He wants to know what happened to his father, he wants to know where he came from. He is a very dynamic character.
The writing is great as always, very descriptive, especially the feast scenes. This is a good series to talk to young children after, about the difference between good and evil and how it is not always black and white.
A really good action tale as well, with plenty of humor throughout as well.

The few books about Martin the Warrior or the time he lived in are good, and provide an excellent backdrop for the world of Redwall. However, the heart of this story does not happen at Redwall, and revolves around Martin's father. This book is different from other Redwall books, but the spirit remains the same, and the changes in here are refreshing. I have to say that this is easily one of the best in the series.

The third act just drags. Once Luke's story is complete the book has little reason to continue.

This series hits harder when you are older - an adult with loss and pain to reflect and empathize with both Martin and Luke. As an adult I can also appreciate the masterfulness that Jacques wrote the series, balancing the pain with humor and good friendship.

WARNING: SPOILERS!

A story that delves even deeper into the past of Redwall's most famous resident, Martin the Warrior, 'The Legend of Luke' tells us more about his father, the titular Luke the Warrior. Despite the extensive delving into the dim history of the world of Redwall, Legend of Luke seems a forced inclusion to the series, something Jacques came up with in his inability to further expand future generations of the world. The biggest issue is a surprising lack of secondary characters to back up the adventures of the titular hero -- neither the complementary cast of assorted companions nor the villain (the treacherous Vilu Daskar) seem as nuanced as counterparts in previous works. Luke himself, a towering figure whose influence we can see clearly on Martin, is unable to carry the weight of the story on just his shoulders, leaving readers feeling quite underwhelmed.

Make no mistake, 'The Legend of Luke' is a good story in its own rights, but when set in the world of Redwall and compared to other tales from the series, it falls disappointingly flat.

7/10

The Legend of Luke is the twelfth book in the Redwall series. This one takes us back to a time when the Abbey was still being built and its co-founder and protector, the legendary Martin the Warrior was still alive.

At the time of this story, the Abbey in its original form has almost been completed. While Martin and his friends are absent on their journey to find out what happened to Martin’s father, the equally legendary Luke the Warrior, the final gable is completed and the weathervane is secured to its top.

A hedgehog maid, Trimp the Rover, has arrived from the Northlands with part of a story – or more accurately part of a song – that mentions Luke and a promise he made to return to his son Martin. But it never happened while Martin was still living in the northlands. He longs to go north and find out if his father ever finally returned or, failing that, to discover what became of him. His close friend Gonff, Prince of Mousethieves, and Dinny the Foremole agree to go with him, and Trimp will be their guide.

The best thing about the Redwall books is usually the Dibbuns – the baby animals from the Abbey and the trouble they are forever getting into. There are a few Dibbuns in this book, but very few compared to most of the books. However, the two main Dibbuns – Gonff’s son Gonflett and Chugger, a baby squirrel whom the travelers rescue from dangerous foes along the way – do their best to fill in the void. Also working valiantly to fill the need for comic relief are Beau, a seagoing rabbit that Luke and his band of avengers find on an island in their part of the adventure, and Folgrim, a mentally unbalanced otter that Martin’s party encounters and gradually brings back to relative sanity.

After many adventures and much help from a band of GUOSIM shrews headed by Log a Log Furmo, several otter tribes, and a goshawk, Krar the Woodwatcher, Martin and his party reach the deserted North shore where Martin was a child. Traveling further, they encounter an area of tall rocks where they find the remains of half a ship where what is left of Luke’s crew is still living. They tell the travelers the story of Luke and how he managed to defeat the pirates who murdered his wife and many of his friends years before with the help of these crew members and the slaves aboard the red pirate ship Goreleech, including particularly a stout-hearted black squirrel, Ranguvar Foeseeker.

The finale of Luke the Warrior did not disappoint! I am still a bit 'lukewarm' (forgive the pun) on the whole Martin story. It seemed like a needless bookend to the main story, and I doubt much would have changed if it had been removed altogether (other than making the novel shorter that is). That said, the epilogue has me VERY excited for the next book: "Martin the Warrior!" Here's hoping all the praise the character was given in this book (without doing anything) is justified!

*The Legend of Luke* by Brian Jacques is a poignant and action-filled prequel in the *Redwall* series, exploring the origins of one of its most iconic characters, Luke the Warrior. The story weaves together Luke's past, revealing his heroic journey, his fierce battles against evil, and his ultimate disappearance, which left a lasting legacy at Redwall Abbey. The narrative alternates between Luke's adventurous life and the present, as his son, the young mouse, Matthias, seeks answers about his father's fate. With its themes of courage, loss, and the search for identity, *The Legend of Luke* is a heartfelt and exciting addition to the series.

Spoilers luke dies.