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.

Mariel of Redwall

Our rating: *****

Mariel is a mouse who was captured by an evil searat named Gabool, who throws her into the sea. She survives the waves, but can’t remember who she is. Eventually, Mariel remembers Gabool’s cruelty and decides to go back and make him pay for killing her father. Joined by Dandin the mouse, Tarquin the hare and Durry the hedgehog, Mariel sets off. However, all is not quiet back at Redwall, as a boatload of Gabool’s evil hoard wash up on the shores of Mossflower…

This book sets the stage for all the books to come in many ways:

  • The Abbey babes are called Dibbuns for the first time
  • The first Badger Lord to have dreams of the future
  • Hares patrol Mossflower first in this book
  • First (but definitely not the last!) time we have searats abroad on the sea

This is a must read for any Redwall fan. Also, don’t miss The Bellmaker, the sequel to Mariel of Redwall.

The Legend of Luke

Our rating: ***

Martin the Warrior goes on a quest, along with mousethief Gonff and Foremole Dinny, to discover what happened to his Father, Luke the Warrior. Meanwhile, the others at Redwall are still building the abbey.

I would say that this is my least favorite of the Redwall books. The style of writing that the fans will have come recognize is almost absent. It also has two different stories: The story of the quest of Martin, and the story of Luke the Warrior. Because of that, neither story is as long as any Redwall fan would expect. Other than that, it’s a good and enjoyable read.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Our rating: ****

Edmund and Lucy aren’t pleased when they have to visit their bratty cousin Eustace, but things brighten up considerably when they find their way into Narnia once more. Caspian, now a king, has embarked on a quest to find the seven lords his evil uncle banished. The good ship Dawn Treader takes them far in their search, but some of them, Reepicheep particularly, desire to sail on to the End of the World.

A good book, if not my favorite in the chronicles. Eustace’s story adds a nice touch.