The Redwall series are cute little books....the mice go on campaigns...eat...defend their walls, eat...sail on ships...eat..so if you are looking for excitement and conquest...not the series for you. BUT if you enjoy..dialects resembling old English and small expeditions..like hiking up a hill and fighting searats with small spears and rock...then these are cute!!!

You really could not help but like the lead character in this book, Mariel the mouse. Heavily featured however were evil 'searats'.

The searats conversations, in an attempt to reflect their accent, were written in a somewhat phonetic style. This I found difficult (as I would in any book) and often impossible to understand. Generally though I am enjoying the Redwall series immensely. I much prefer the story to be set at the Abbey itself with more gentle and endearing little characters.

See my comment on "The Long Patrol" (One in the Redwall series). It'll give you an idea what I think about the series :)

I loved this one, too - if you have time to kill, and want to enjoy a kid's novel - here you go. you'll thank me :)

The Redwall series has a special place in my heart and is a fixture in my memories of childhood. But thinking on it recently while working on DMing a Mouse Guard tabletop rpg, I realized it was not the first book of the series, Redwall, that stole my heart. It was the story of Mariel of Redwall. I would argue that it is Mariel Gullwacker, not Martin the legendary warrior mouse, who is the greatest heroic character of Brian Jacques' fantasy children's series about anthroporphic medieval animals. The second book in the series, Mossflower, features my favorite characters, the romantic Gonff and kindly Gingivere. But what the story of Mariel offered 8-year-old me was a mouse left with nothing, bereft of memory and identity, and bravely, bit by bit, recovering it all and forging a new identity. All the Redwall stories had variations of searat pirates, badger lords, and epic quests for swords. I speculate that what makes Mariel special is that she is based on Jacques' own grandaughter - she reads like a real, complex font of personality rather than a stock character (like the nearly interchangeable comic relief hares of the Long Patrol, for instance). Her arc in this book and further development in The Bellmaker still has the power to make me smile.

Mariel is the mouse - er, person - I would want to be if everything were taken from me. I think kids reading this book can look to Mariel's mettle as an example of how to endure any storm. It would be impossible for me to objectively assess a children's book series I loved so much, so what can I say? It's my favorite tale among many. And to any evil searat kings out there: listen to the bell, because it tolls for you.

4.5 Stars

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. In my head, this was in the "skip" category of the Redwall series, but it provides a completely new cast of characters and still keeps many of the old haunts from Mossflower, Redwall, and the rest. The introduction of the sea rats is also a welcome addition as it makes sense for the transportation of the Joseph Bell.

Biggest complaints: Gabool was a very weak villain. ( Also, his insanity arc was almost identical to Tsarmina from Mossflower  ) His split with Greypatch also felt rushed since we didn't ever see them interact much.
AND  Gabool's death was pretty pathetic. I know that Jacques was probably trying to prevent Mariel and the others from carrying out their blood oaths and killing him, but it still felt unsatisfying
The kids of Redwall got to be pretty irritating. I'm all for the rambunctious kids making a difference in a battle, but they were just a bit much for me.
The bloodlust section where the Badger Lord murders hundreds or pirates wasn't really dealt with as a theme. I wanted a bit more reflection on such violence, especially in contrast to the Redwallers who only kill as a final resort. Could have led to some interesting discussions/disagreements between the various leads.

Biggest Surprises: Mariel was a pretty entertaining lead character, especially one so separated from Martin/the Redwall lineage. I honestly want to read another story about what happens when she goes south.
The Long Patrol was so much fun.  Their sacrifice was also a pretty dark but interesting plot move
The audiobook is very good because they actually sing all of the ditties and ballads throughout. This one felt like it had more than the other books, so the audiobook was a very immersive experience.
Simeon was probably my favorite character.

4 stars because I enjoyed this more than Mattimeo, though it's still quite flawed and doesn't have the same punch as Mossflower + Redwall.

I had reached for the Redwall series as a break from a lot of dark fiction I had been reading recently. I found the experience was like climbing into my old playroom. At first it's warm and homey and all of my friends are there. But then I realize that I've basically played out all my old games and things are more complicated than "hare, good; sea rat, bad". So I will rate it as my childhood self might have and move on to other things.

While the pacing may stumble a bit after the first third, and it has a few structural problems in balancing its numerous viewpoint character perspectives, this is still a fine book. The characters are distinct and memorable, and the stakes feel tangible and dire. "Redwall" as a whole has a permanent residence in my heart, and this book is one reason why.

FEISTY MISS ON A MISSION OF MAYHEM!

As other reviewers have adequately described the engaging plot of this delightful adventure, #4 in the amazing REDWALL series, I will limit my review to a list of the usual, captivating elements of the author's style--which I have noted in this fabulous series.

--Certain animal species have their own (British regional, or slang) accents, which is clever but challenging to read. However, the meanings become more intelligible when the dialogue is read aloud.

--An Excellent map is provided at the start of each novel, which greatly helps the reader follow the protagonists and antagonists on their various agendas.

--Decorative sketches at the head of each chapter, which hint of the impending plot content.

--The villains are vicious and dastardly beyond measure!

--Many examples of nonsense and silly humor which will appeal to kids of all ages.

--Characters use modified expressions like "paws" for feet/hands, "beast" for body.

--Menus of Abbey feasts are excessively long (and notasbly vegan).

--Readers realize the importance of an assigned Record Keeper. Or diarist, and resepcted chronicler of annual events at the Abbey.

--Always in the background is the subtle influence of the long-dead but glorious Martin, the Warrior. A mythic hero whos memory continues to inspire present Redwall residents.

--Many cryptic rhymes or runes which the heroes must eventually decipher in order to succeed on their quests.

--Treachery among murderers and pillagers: there is no "honor among thieves" among these scumbags!

--Too many (IMHO) needless poems which do nothing to advance the plot. The author has definite poetic talent, but not all his poetry is truly necessary.

--Character development: Some characters do grow up and mature by the novel's end.

--Readers' challenge: to follow multiple plot lines between chapters and even in the same chapter: not just two or three but often more.
This requires and promotes mental dexterity.

--Curious alliances among species for Quest survival.

--Interesting details about Abbey life, based on true (human) ecclesiastical communities.

--REDWALL is a series that is sure to please--a real page-turner!

September 26, 2014

Great as usual! Wonderful storyteller!

This was my first trip to Redwall Abbey and I cannot imagine a more comfortable place. I have heard that this series is "A Song of Ice and Fire with animals" and, with the incessant deaths, including some beloved characters, and lines like "Behind him in the swift-running weed-streaked waters of the ford, the bodies of the three who had made it to the water bounced and bobbed in a grotesque parody of life, though it was only the ripping jaws of the pike shoal which moved them." I can understand the comparison, but this is most definitely a children's series--it's very direct. For example, every so often, I deeply mistrusted a character or situation, only to find that everything really was ok. As I read this story, I became deeply disappointed that I did not find Brian Jacques when I was young and, between my sister and the Flamborough Centre librarian's recommendations, I'm surprised that I didn't. Ohmygosh-so-cute Dubbins and garrulous hares and ruthless searats... the little touches of this world are delightful as all hell and I can't get enough.

I think this was my favorite so far! I loved the full cast recording with the songs.