Redwall Review

Friday, February 4, 2011

Title: Redwall
Author: Brian Jacques
Publisher: Philomel
Published: January 1, 1990
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Source: Personal Copy

As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of Redwall. This dazzling story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, but has the added bonus of taking the reader right back to the heart and soul of Redwall Abbey and the characters who live there.
Redwall is the story of an ancient Abbey deep in the woods of Mossflower, a pristine forest where animals live in harmony with one another. Redwall Abbey is the heart of all of Mossflower; a place where the citizens of the land live in peace and tranquility, coexisting despite their different species and backgrounds. The land is threatened, however, by a dangerous enemy known as Cluny the Scourge, a one-eye rat warlord. Determined to overtake Redwall Abbey and claim Mossflower as his domain, Cluny will stop at nothing to gain what he seeks. Matthias, a little mouse from a humble background, however, won’t rest until he proves his worth and saves Redwall from the tyrant. And so, Matthias begins searching for the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior to save Redwall. Can he become the hero he so desperately wants to be in time?

Ok, I know what you’re thinking…a book…with animals as the characters? Don’t be so quick to judge! I started reading this series when I was about 8 years old, and I made fun of the silly covers at that age, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Redwall is the first book in a series about Redwall Abbey, a harmonious place where the animals survive in peace and tranquility. That peace is threatened when a marauding band of tyrants sets up camp in the Church of St. Ninian with the goal of conquering Redwall. Brian Jacques created a magical start to the series with a book brimming with fantastic characters and a loveable hero in Matthias that propels the book forward with every minute action.

Redwall presents a world without humans – one where the animals are every bit as human as humans, themselves. With a loveable hero in Matthias, we’re transported to a world that’s simple at its core, but perfectly portrays base human emotions from love, to greed, to the hero that lies within every one of us. The world is rich and descriptive, and Brian Jacques’ words transport you to a world that’s pure and beautiful, but plagued by destruction, very much like our own world. With epic battles, a sweet love story, a full cast of endearing characters, and a world of adventure, Redwall is the perfect start to a great series. My only major qualm with Redwall is the amount of descriptiveness spent on each feast. Frankly, I got really hungry each time, and I can now tell you every staple of food on their tables.

All in all though, I loved Redwall, and I’m pleased to say it’s one of my go-to books to read and re-read time and again. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to YA readers, especially those who enjoy a good fantasy. Fans of Watership Down will also love this book. The second book in the series is Mossflower.

22 comments:

  1. I've had this book on my shelf for ages to read, because my boyfriend talks about how much he loved it when he was younger. I guess I really need to finally get around to it!

    Great review!

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  2. Well I most certainly would check out this book especially after your review!! I like all the not so normal names! Makes me think of Narnia.

    Also, forgot to tell you that I gave you an honorable mention when I got this award because I know you don't except awards. So you can check out what I wrote if you want :) http://lazygirlreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-so-irresistably-sweet.html

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  3. Redwall has always been popular with my middle school boys, while I have never read any of this series, I have heard it is a wonderful fantasy. Thanks for the review!

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  4. I might be tempted, I love good fantasy - thanks for a splendid tip!

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  5. Sounds like a really good fantasy. I've not been much into fantasy in the past, but just recently I've read some really good ones and they've made me want more.

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  6. I have been wondering what the Redwall books are really like and if I should read them. Sounds like the feasts described in Harry Potter. I think I ate more reading those books than any others! Especially sweets. Those books made me so hungry for Heath bars for some reason. Redwall reminds me of Suzanne Collins' Gregor the Overlander series, which was excellent.

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  7. In elementary school, there was this entire group of boys that were ALWAYS reading books from this series. One of my teachers picked this as the book they would read aloud to the class.

    I think I was a bit of a book snob, even back then, because I considered myself 'above' this book, and read my own under my desk. :)

    I don't know how much I'd actually enjoy this though, because I've never really liked books with animal protagonists. Although, I might like them better if there are no people around. I'll have to give this one more though.

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  8. Oh Melissa, this was a favorite series reading experience of my daughter's and mine when she was in the middle school years...we flew through the Redwall series, and then read some of his stand alones like Castaways of the Flying Dutchman -- I even stood in line for more than an hour to get his autograph for her in one of this books :)

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  9. I've actually never read this one, but I want to. Thanks for review! If its good for you to reread, I def need to check it out

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  10. I read this book in 6th grade and loved it. I've read a few books from the series. So cute. I agree that it's a good match with Watership Down. W.D. is more mature - Redwall would be a good starting book.

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  11. These books (there are a zillion of them) fly off the shelves at the library. I think it's a good series to recommend for a fantasy lover who has read everything...

    Jen

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  12. I'll be honest, I've seen these books in the library and just assumed they're for younger readers and that I wouldn't be interested. Judging a book by it's cover and all that! Bad librarian, bad! :/

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  13. Oh wow, I loved this series so much when I was younger! I definitely need to reread it now. Thanks, Melissa!

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  14. The mice fantasy book :) I have never read this one cos it sounds so freaky..but why should it be, I really should read it

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  15. I think I might have read a few of these when I was a kid, but I remember virtually nothing about them. I've heard good things though. Adding this one to my TBR list. Thanks for reviewing something that's been sitting on shelves for awhile. It's always kind of neat to discover something new that's not really new...if you know what I mean!

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  16. Ahhh I have the entire series packed away somewhere. I really can't wait until I can unpack my books and reread some of my favorites!

    This was my first fantasy series...major nostalgia. :)

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  17. Wow great review and very cool premise. You've intrigued me :D

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  18. i have always loved these covers since the first time i saw them but i've never actually read one. great review, melissa!

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  19. I know this one is a really old book but I've actually never read it. The cover looks super cute :)

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  20. My younger brother read these years ago and I just remember thinking they were a little silly because of the covers. Now that I've actually read your review, I may have to consider reading them myself.

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  21. I loved this book when I was younger!! I bought a copy about a year ago and haven't found time to reread it yet. This makes me want to pick it up even sooner :)

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  22. This has been on my list of classics to read forever! I will get around to it someday... hopefully! It doesn't bother me at all that the characters are animals!

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