Urchin of the Riding Stars (Mistmantle Chronicles, Book 1) (Hardcover)
by M. I. McAllister
ISBN: 0786854863

Price: USD 12.21
74 used & new available from USD 0.15

The animals on Mistmantle Island have always led peaceful lives, but things are thrown into chaos when the young Prince Tumble is found murdered right in a hallway of the royal Tower. As harsher laws are passed and events orchestrate themselves a little too well, it becomes evident that an evil intrigue has formed within the Circle—and will endanger the lives and welfare of many.
Urchin is only a new page and the squirrel who’s never quite fit in, but those few animals who know of his mysterious beginning are sure he’ll have a powerful impact on the destiny of the island.

This is certainly an enjoyable read. The populace of squirrels, hedgehogs, otters, and moles bears a similarity to the Redwall series, but I found the overall feel to be different enough that it doesn’t seem like a case of copycat. This was my second time through Urchin, and although I don’t consider it a must-read, it’s worthwhile if you enjoy this style of fantasy.

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.

Pollyanna Grows Up (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)
by Eleanor H. Porter
ISBN: 0140367586

Price: USD 4.99
55 used & new available from USD 0.52

Nearly all healed from her automobile accident, Pollyanna is about thirteen now. Della Wetherby asks her to stay with Miss Wetherby’s sister, Mrs. Carew, while Aunt Polly and Dr. Chilton are in Germany. After some painful family experiences, including the loss of a nephew named Jamie, Mrs. Carew has shut herself into a gloomy, dark world. Pollyanna goes to Boston and cheers up Mrs. Carew before going with her aunt and uncle on another trip to Europe. During the six years abroad, however, Dr. Chilton dies and it seems as if there will be hard times ahead for the young woman who is still playing her Glad Game.

Whew. There’s a lot of plot to this book. Pollyanna Grows Up is a little more adult than the previous book, Pollyanna, as it focuses more on love and marriage. It’s a little funny because just about everybody thinks that the person they love loves somebody else. Anyway, there’s a subplot going on with the lost Jamie that I barely mentioned in the review. There’s a lot to this book and it might make for a long review if I tried to stuff it all into one. But although somewhat different from the first book, Pollyanna is still herself. I enjoyed this book. The plot, though perhaps a little predictable, ends well.

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?

Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy (Nature) (Hardcover)
by Carl R. Sams, Jean Stoick
ISBN: 0967174805

Price: USD 13.57
148 used & new available from USD 0.10

There’s a stranger in the woods!

Pretty short review… fits the title… Well, this is a great book. It’s humorous and has cute photos. Please read this book!

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.

Journey to Freedom (Hardcover)
by Gilbert Morris
ISBN: 1581341911

Price: —
20 used & new available from USD 1.01

Chip, the youngest in a family of white-feet, is told by Silver the prophet that he will be a great soldier. Eventually, Chip commands a part of soldiers called the Rag-Tags. The Rag-Tags are Ben, Singer, Budger, Trooper (a short-tailed shrew), Peedee and, of course, Chip. Join the white-feet as they fight against the brown rats and the Dread Deliverer, and as eventually most of them sail West.

This is a sort of allegory. I’d probably suggest it for 7 or 8 and up. Half of the Rag-Tags eventually die, but it’s still a pretty good book. This is the only book by Gilbert Morris I’ve read yet.

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 0.18

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.