Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Brian Jacques, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, Dogs, Long Read, Sad, Seafaring, Snakes
4 Comments »
Our rating: 
Ben and his black Labrador, Ned, becalmed in the Mediterranean Sea, are captured by Arabian slavers. Ned is thrown overboard and left to drown, but he tries to follow his master. Ben and three other young people are sold to Al Misurata, the most feared pirate on the Barbary Coast. Ben creates a strange fascination for Al Misurata, but when Ben speaks out against the pirate’s approval of slavery, he finds himself in very deep trouble. Meanwhile, the almost-drowned Ned is rescued by Herr Otto Kassel, the strongman in the traveling Rizzoli troupe. Fortunately, Al Misurata’s men capture the troupe, reuniting Ben and Ned. Al Misurata keeps up a pretense of just wanting to help the Rizzoli troupe, but Ned uncovers a plot to sell the troupe as slaves. Ben and his faithful hound determine to help the Rizzolis at whatever cost.
Hold onto your hats, friends, this is quite a tale. Like all Brian Jacques’ books, it is packed full of humor, memorable characters and rip-roaring, swashbuckling, edge-of-your-chair adventure. The review only tells about half of the story. So many things happen during Ben’s efforts to save the troupe! Pirates, smugglers, spies, raiders, a shark… This is a great addition to Castaways of the Flying Dutchman and The Angel’s Command.
Posted by Sarah
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fiction, Picture Books, Review
Tags:Animals, Badgers, Brian Jacques, Hares, Mice, Moles, Poetry, Redwall, Squirrels
Add a comment »
Our rating: 
“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?
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Brian Jacques, Hedgehogs, Long Read, Mice, Redwall, Seafaring, Squirrels
2 Comments »
Our rating:
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.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Mysteries, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Brian Jacques, Dogs, Funny, Long Read, Scary, Seafaring
5 Comments »
Our rating:
Brain Jacques continues the saga of Castaways of the Flying Dutchman in this stirring sequel. Going back to three years after they escape from the Flying Dutchman, Ben and Ned end up in a Spanish city, and go back to sea with a pirate captain, who plans to reform when he gets back to his hometown. The adventure that follows includes fast-paced sea chases, shipwrecks, and a mysterious tribe of evildoers.
Even more hauntingly vivid than Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, this one is a favorite of mine. Portions are funny, and others are sad. A page turner, with a lot of edge of your seat action, The Angel’s Command should be read by all Redwall fans.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Brian Jacques, Dogs, Long Read, Scary, Seafaring
4 Comments »
Our rating:
A boy, unable to speak since birth, while fleeing from his tormentors, hides onboard a ship, not knowing that it will sail at dawn. He is taken as a galley boy and for months is witness to the greed and cruelty of the entire crew. His only friend is a black labrador. At last, when the Flying Dutchman reaches the dreaded Cape Horn in the worst of midwinter, all of Captain Vanderdecken’s wickedness brings the curse of the Lord upon him and all aboard—dooming them to sail the waters of the world for eternity. But because of the boy and the dog’s innocence of heart, they are granted life, boundless youth, understanding, and the ability to communicate. They are destined to roam the world forever, giving aid and comfort wherever it’s needed. Ben and Ned set out on their eternal journey, and their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a small town in England whose very existence is at stake. There are clues to be solved, but time is running out.
Brian Jacques took an existing legend about “a ship that was doomed to sail the world forever” and made that the basis for this wonderful book. He gives new meaning to the legend and the emotional impact is unforgettable. It makes for a very fascinating story, and there’s also a good balance. I mean, despite the intensity of the first part, the majority of the book is about the village and the adventures there.
Written on the side between Redwall books,Castaways of the Flying Dutchman also has a sequel: The Angel’s Command. And more recently, a third book: Voyage of Slaves.
content rss
