Ring of Bright Water

Our rating: ****½

Gavin Maxwell lives all by himself in an isolated area of Scotland called Camusfearna, with no other human beings within forty miles. After Jonnie, his dog, dies, he begins wondering what it would be like to have an otter as a pet. He travels to the marshes of Southern Iraq and, with the help of a few natives, secures a wild otter of unknown species. This otter is Mijbal (Mij for short), and the resulting adventures are hilarious!

I must warn you first: You may find the first few chapters extremely boring!!! But please keep reading! It’s well worth it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals and nature. MGM made it into a movie in 1969. I haven’t seen it, but from what I’ve read about it, it’s not like the book at all.

High Rhulain

Our rating: ****½

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

Our rating: ****

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.

Triss

Our rating: *****

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.

Lord Brocktree

Our rating: *****

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.