1.5 stars rounded up to 2.


Umm. Well. Unfortunately no. The beginning chapters drew me in but then it seemed like something big was ment to happen but didn't and it was kinda bland the rest of the way through. How are there like 22 books in this series!? That baffles me.

I did enjoy though having the narrator be a little mouse rather than a human so that was probably my favourite part of this book.

I am interested in the tv cartoon series and have 2 of the DVDs so I'll watch them. I have a feeling I will enjoy the show more than the book. (Which is usually not how it works for me).

Fun, nostalgic listen with Mariah. The full cast version was great!

Middle Grade March Buddy Read with Celeste and Eon
-----------------------------------

I never had the chance to read this while I was growing up. For one, I was already touching my teens when this was first released, and I'm also pretty sure I've never come across these titles at the local bookstores or libraries. I've been hearing a lot about it in the community for the past few years and how much it meant to those readers who grew up on these books. My co-blogger, Celeste, also loves them and with that it became one of the chosen titles for our Middle Grade March BR.

I could almost immediately see why these books were so precious and dear to young readers. And even as an adult reader, I found the book incredibly wholesome and cozy, and my heart basked in those feelings. I've a fondness for woodland animals and the way Jacques anthropomorphised these creatures while retaining their natural attributes was simply wonderful.

Being a foodie, I was looking forward to the food descriptions which everyone said was one of the highlights of this series. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I'm already eyeing the Redwall Cookbook, which has the most adorable illustrations.

This won't be the last Redwall book I'll be reading, that's for sure.

The characters in "Redwall" and all the following books in the series are a various mixture of animals from as small as mice to the largest which are badgers. The theme throughout is good versus evil as the Redwallers and all their many friends face and stand up to and fight the “wicked” characters; mainly sea faring rats. Brian Jacques wrote this unique series for teen-agers but they are also enjoyed by the young at heart such as me.

Brian, sadly no longer with us; narrated his tales to provide so much for the reader. There is action, adventure and the drama of battles. In short; excitement in abundance within all these books as time passes and the reader meets the descendants of the original characters. Always included in every book are the spiritual values of love, companionship, kindness, gentleness, respect, humour, bravery and compassion, all set against the drama of the many encounters with the harassment and cruelty of their “evil enemies. The author brings the memorable characters of this first of the series and each and all of the following, to complete and vivid life. I loved this book and went on to read every one of the series many years ago, I have just begun to read them all again starting with Redwall; an enjoyable experience. Highly recommended!

5+ stars (7/10 hearts). I first discovered the Redwall TV Show by accident. My sisters and I had seen brief clips of the show in Treehouse’s little “you’re watching Treehouse!” jingle, and they came across the show on YouTube earlier this year. They told my I’d love it and to watch it, but I was hesitant. I finally bit and fell head over heels in love. The show is EPIC, y’all. Seriously, one of the best ever. WATCH IT.

When I finally realized there was a book, I was duty-bound to read it, of course, because what bookworm watches movies before reading the book?? (I KNOW, I MESSED UP SO BAD). But it worked out because I wouldn’t have loved the book as much if I didn’t know the show. They are VERY similar, though.

I love the setting so much. Redwall is such a sweet, happy place. Jacques’ writing style is simple and strong, and I adore his descriptions of the nature around the abbey. (Upon reread, I did notice that this book’s writing is weaker than the other books, and Jacques even forgets up a character’s gender a couple times, but still… the descriptions, the beginning, the end, the riddles, the FEELS—it’s soooo good and I simply love it.) The feel of the book is just sweet and autumnal and foresty and I am HERE FOR IT, y’all. I really love the whole abbey trope and the simple medieval feel of the setting.

The characters are the best part of the book. Humble Matthias, afire with love for his friends and abhorrence for evil; sweet, hardworking Cornflower, ready to serve with words and deeds; strong, sharp-spoken, but kindly Constance; wild-tongued, clever Basil with his teasing and love for justice; peaceful Abbott, wise old Methuselah, quick Jess, cute little Sam, passionate Warbeak, and all the other lovely Woodlanders… And the villains are terrifyingly real—Cluny is the stuff nightmares are made of, and his rodents are all different in personality and wickedness.

The book is more violent than the show (see content) and errs slightly more on the fantasy side, but it’s nonmagical. There is no religion at all in this book, since it is animals and not humans; but the point of the plot is that the founder of the Abbey, Martin the Warrior, left his sword and shield hidden behind riddles to be solved when danger threatened Redwall—a complex set of things that has a fantasical flavour but is explicitly stated not to be magical. There are several places where the characters “talk” to Martin (in one Matthias asks for help; something happens and he claims it’s a sign from Martin); and a few instances where they “hear” him, but it’s unclear if he actually does or if it’s just a dream.

The plot is super cool—a group of vicious killer rats with one crazy, horribly cruel leader who accidentally comes across Redwall and decides its to be his new castle… and the inhabitants his slaves. Naturally, the animals are not keen on the idea and struggle valiantly to keep their freedom. The constant battle of good against evil, the places where the defenders’ lives hang on a thread, the moments where all seems lost, and then the wonderful, perfect, tear-wrenching ending… it’s all so real, and so emotional. And I love the tiny, tiny thread of romance… and the much greater theme of love and friendship! The book really does a fantastic job of highlighting protection and peace, violence and defence, and what makes a true warrior. Overall, this is a definite 5 star read and I so want to binge the rest of the series!

Content: Quite a bit of violence (medium graphic, violent actions done + some wounds described). Mentions of different kinds of alcohol & drinking. Mention that a girl mouse would be “a pretty little one for Cluny.” Mention of “Old Mother Nature.” Mention of tempting Dame Fortune. A fox pretends to have magic powers. One character is a conjuror. Some “white lying.” Cluny calls himself a “God of war.” When one henchman dies Cluny tells him to “tell the devil Cluny sent you.” Language: “by the teeth of hell”; “what in heaven was that”; “what in hell”; “went like a bat out of hell”; “hell’s teeth”; “Satan’s nose”; “by Satan’s whiskers”; “fought like a devil”; “smell to high heaven”; “damned”; “what in heaven’s name”; “as if the divvil himself were chasing me”; “by the claws of hellhound”; “damn”; “hell’s whiskers”; “what the devil”; “gosh”; “hellfire”; “you devils”; “as hot as hell’s furnace”; “by golly”; “what the devil”; “good lord”; “darn”; “blasted”; “deader than an icicle in hell”; “show them Old Harry”; “little devil.” Edited, excellent for ages 12+.

A Favourite Quote: “Matthias, don’t be ashamed, I know why you cry and grieve. It is because you are kind and good, not a hard-hearted pitiless rat like Cluny. Please listen to me. Even the strongest and bravest must sometimes weep. It shows they have a great heart, one that can feel compassion for others.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Some of the rats were really hopeless climbers in Cluny’s estimation. There had even quite a bit of jostling and slipping, and as for that idiot Cheesethief, imagine waiting until you were six yards above ground to find out that you were afraid and had no head for heights. Cluny thought angrily that if there hadn’t been such an urgent need for silence, he’d have given him what for!

Still my ultimate childhood memory favourite!

A BREATH OF NOSTALGIA

✨ Popsugar Reading Challenge 2019✨
✨✨A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent✨✨

I remember watching Redwall on Saturday morning with my brother when I was a child, so finding out that it was based on a book was a real treat! I really enjoyed the characters and the classical, timeless themes of good vs. evil and coming together against a common foe.