Pearls of Lutra

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.

Journey to Freedom

Our rating: ****

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

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.

Rakkety Tam

Our rating: *****

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.