Scheduled for publication on October 16, 2008, Doomwyte is the twentieth Redwall book.

From the Redwall Wiki:

On a moonless night, two rats follow hypnotic lights into the forest, never to be seen again. Such is the power of the Doomwytes, sinister ravens led by the deadly Korvus Skurr. And when the young mouse Bisky persuades the creatures of Redwall Abbey to go in search of a fabled treasure, hidden long ago by one of the abbey’s most notorious thieves, they do not suspect Skurr and his ravens will be vying for that very treasure. Bisky and his fellow Redwallers must summon all their courage to face the evil horde of slithering snakes and vicious ravens. From underground tunnels to the tops of trees, the fearless Redwallers, with the help of their woodland friends, battle some their most vicious enemies yet in an exhilarating, terrifying treasure hunt.

Not only that, but this year we will be getting not one, but two Brian Jacques novels! Castaways 4 has been confirmed for 2008.

Eulalia! (Redwall) (Hardcover)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0399242090

Price: USD 12.36
85 used & new available from USD 2.00

The Searat captain Vizka Longtooth captures a young badger, which he decides to tame. But Gorath (the badger) is angry at the rats for killing his grandparents, and he plans to escape as soon as he can. Meanwhile, badger lord Asheye has a dream, telling him that Salamandastron’s new badger ruler will be found defending Redwall Abbey. He sends out perilous hare Mad Maudie to find the badger and bring him back. If that wasn’t complicated enough, Redwall Abbey has also banished a young hedgehog thief, telling him not to come back for a whole season. The resulting tale does indeed end up making sense in true Redwall fashion.

Doing a review of a Redwall book is always a challenge. I have read all eighteen books before this one, and I already have a favorite picked out. That being said, Eulalia! certainly meets expectations. The characters are just as memorable as always, the story just as complicated, and the ending just as satisfying.

The Great Redwall Feast (Redwall) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0698118766

Price: USD 6.99
59 used & new available from USD 1.93

“Oho!” you say. “Sarah finally gets to read Redwall books!” Not quite. This can serve as a hold-over picture book for younger readers who can’t read the Redwall Series yet. (Like me.) There’s another Redwall picture book called A Redwall Winter’s Tale. Older readers who can read the Redwall Series will probably enjoy these picture books, as well as younger readers. I didn’t have much trouble understanding the mole-talk. (Except once, and then I finally got it figured out.) And now, here is a delightful summary of The Great Redwall Feast!

The animals in Redwall are preparing a secret feast for the abbot. After the abbot wakes up from his nap, he goes with Constance, Foremole and Matthias on a Bobbatan Quest for a Weary Nod. Is the abbot turning old and silly?

Pearls of Lutra: A Tale from Redwall (Redwall (Firebird Paperback)) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0142401447

Price: USD 8.99
64 used & new available from USD 0.24

The emperor of the Island of Sampetra, Ublaz Madeyes, will stop at nothing to capture The Tears of all Oceans, six perfect pink pearls. His mad quest for them brings his general, Lask Frildur, a monitor lizard, and his army right into Mossflower Wood. When Lask captures the Abbot of Redwall, it is up to Martin to go across the sea, rescue the Abbot and slay Emperor Ublaz!

This is a great book! Lots of riddles, a great tongue twister and plenty of action. In case you’re wondering, this is not the original Martin. If you’ve read Redwall, you’ll remember that there was the first Martin, then Matthias, Mattimeo, and now Martin II, Mattimeo’s son.

High Rhulain (Redwall) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441014364

Price: USD 7.99
56 used & new available from USD 2.00

Riggu Felis, the evil wildcat, has enslaved the otter tribes living on beautiful Green Isle. Back at Redwall, an injured bird arrives bringing news of the growing trouble at Green Isle. Tiria, a young ottermaid, receives a dream from Martin the Warrior urging her to learn all she can about the mysterious place. Along with some friends, she discovers a book containing riddles that, upon solving, provide her with the information she needs. Another dream from Martin convinces her that she must journey to Green Isle and free the otters. After traveling with shrews to Salamandastron, Tiria embarks on her quest with a reinforcement of hares to become, for the otters at Green Isle, their High Rhulain.

Hooray for the latest Redwall book! Brian Jacques did an excellent job, and I hope he continues to write Redwall books for as long as he can. Though not my favorite, High Rhulain is a great addition the growing series.

Martin the Warrior (Redwall, Book 6) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441001866

Price: USD 7.99
388 used & new available from USD 0.10

The story of Martin’s childhood of slavery, and his struggles to free his fellow slaves from the tyrant stoat, Badrang. With the help of Laterose the mousemaid, Grumm the mole, the Rambling Rosehip Players led by the hare, Ballaw De Quincewold, and others, Martin begins an epic battle for freedom.

I must explain that I only gave this book four stars because it has several sad parts. However, it has plenty of action and plenty of funny characters. The pigmy shrews are absolutely hilarious, and of course, where there’s a hare, there will be laughter. A most enjoyable book.

Rakkety Tam: A Novel of Redwall (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 044101318X

Price: USD 7.99
60 used & new available from USD 0.17

Gulo the Savage, the cannibalistic wolverine, has traveled across the seas in pursuit of his brother and has landed on Mossflower shores. After Gulo murdered Dramz, his father, Askor, his brother, fled with the treasured Walking Stone and now Gulo is out to seek his revenge. Rakkety Tam MacBurl and his good friend Wild Doogey Plumm rashly bound themselves by oath to the foolish King Araltum and Queen Idga, but when Gulo and his band attack, killing several of the squirrels and making off with the royal standard, the royal couple promise that upon returning their standard, Tam and Doogey may be freed from their service.

As hard as the decision is to make, I think that Rakkety Tam must be my all-time favorite Redwall book. The characters are more in-depth than ever and the story plot is woven together with exciting adventures. This is a definite must read for all Redwall fans.

Triss (Redwall, Book 15) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441010954

Price: USD 7.99
123 used & new available from USD 0.10

Riftgard has been taken over by the evil ferrets who have imprisoned and enslaved the woodlanders living there. Triss the squirrel, Welfo the hedgehog and Shogg the otter are secretly planning to escape. Simultaneously, the badger Lord Hightor’s son, Sagaxus and the hare Bescarum run off to seek adventure with the sea otter Kroova Wavedog. And to top it all off, Redwallers are on the trail of rediscovering Brockhall. This is wonderful story. A definite must-read.

This is absolutely one of my favorite Redwall books. I couldn’t tell you anymore in the review without giving things away. But please read it and find out how it ends! There’s plenty of humor. Bescarum, (affectionately called Scarum) has some hilarious songs that he sings. Which you can expect from practically any hare. Lots of duels and fighting. Some large adders and a bunch of free-booters. Please excuse me. I want to go read it now.

Salamandastron: A Novel of Redwall (Mass Market Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441000312

Price: USD 7.99
409 used & new available from USD 0.10

Mara, the young badger whom Lord Urthstripe adopted, is not content with her life at Salamandastron, the great badger mountain. So she runs away with her good friend, Pikkle Ffolger, an over-enthusiastic hare. Lord Urthstripe is grieved when he learns this, but even more so when the runaways return with two vermin, a ferret and a weasel, who, unbeknownst to Mara and Pikkle, are part of the great horde of the evil weasel, Feragho the Assassin! After scouting out the mountain fortress, the vermin return to their horde to report their discoveries and begin the march to conquer Salamandastron. While all this is going on, back at Redwall, the sword of Martin the Warrior is discovered and, shortly after, stolen. Arula the mole and Samkin the squirrel set off on a quest involving many adventures to regain the sword.

I love this book very much. (And, let’s be frank about it: I have a hard time reading it without crying.). It’s a wonderful tale of hope, strength, and sorrow, bound together by friendship.

Lord Brocktree (Redwall, Book 13) (Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441008720

Price: USD 7.99
230 used & new available from USD 0.10

Dorothea Duckfontein Dillworthy, or “Dotti,” as the hare maid prefers to be called, has had so many accidents that her family tells her to leave and go live at Salamandastron. On the way, she meets up with Lord Brocktree, the Badger Lord to be. Then an old hare from Salamandastron tells them that the current Badger Ruler, Lord Stonepaw is besieged by a gigantic hoard, led by a wildcat, Ungatt Trunn. Lord Brocktree, Dotti, Ruff the otter and a mole named Gurth set off to get help from King Bucko Bigbones.

This is another good one! All your favorite things about a Redwall book are here. Dotti is a hilarious character. You’ll love her antics! Great recovery from Legend of Luke. Going deep into the history of Salamandastron, Lord Brocktree is a definite winner.