Reviews - Mariel of Redwall

171 reviews for:

Mariel of Redwall

Brian Jacques

3.91 AVERAGE

bookbrig's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

This is one of the Redwall books I didn't read as a kid, and I enjoyed it, but I think I've grown enough that these don't hold quite the same magic they did when I was younger. Still a fun red, and I think I'll pick up some of the others I haven't read before too.

magnaraz117's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Another solid entry into the Redwall series. This novel gives us a glimpse into a half built Redwall Abbey and reveals the story of how the original bell came to be placed at the Abbey.

Overall I enjoyed this book, as I enjoy most of the Redwall series. I found myself a little unsatisfied with the quick conclusion to the "Abbey conflict" as it were, and felt that the ending to the Terramort storyline could have been better fleshed out as well. Our characters spend a lot of time getting to places, but once there the story is very abrupt. I feel it could have done with an additional 20-30 pages so we could truly enjoy the character relationships-particularly because there are so many in this entry!

As always Jacques imbued this book with humor, good naturedness, friendship, and love. The characters are a little different from previous entries-particularly with Mariel being our leading protagonist and warrior. These are welcome changes, and of course Jacques also finds ways to pull on your heartstrings with the heroics of our characters. Well worth the read!

ladylondonderry's review against another edition

5.0

This book I will always keep dear to my heart. The day my mom bought this for me was the same day that a certain infamous Brian Jacques was having a book signing not too far away from my middle school. That's right, my copy is signed my the big man himself. I was in sixth grade at the time and I believe that while I was waiting in line, I took a spare piece of paper and created a mouse in a boat (awful quality, but 3D nonetheless). When I got up to the front of the line, he took one look at me and said that my name must be Erin Magonagle. I don't know for the life of me who Erin Magonagle really is, but I took it as a compliment and he signed the book I gave him my mouse-boat. I double he kept it but he looked so pleased to have gotten it at all that it made my day (or my year).
To focus on the book itself, Mariel was always a character that I loved. She was the unconventional Redwaller, the one that didn't quite fit in. I may or may not have carried around a bit of rope (my own Gullwhacker) for a few weeks after reading the book - I admit nothing.
This is an especially good book for kids who don't feel as though they fit in with the rest of the crowd. I was the odd one out for a long time, and this book was a great companion for that time.

the_student_of_story's review against another edition

4.0

While the pacing may stumble a bit after the first third, and it has a few structural problems in balancing its numerous viewpoint character perspectives, this is still a fine book. The characters are distinct and memorable, and the stakes feel tangible and dire. "Redwall" as a whole has a permanent residence in my heart, and this book is one reason why.

kibbles15's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is another great read by Brian Jacques that takes place in the world of Redwall Abbey. It does start out a little slow, but don't worry, the story picks up and it is worth the wait. This anthropomorphic adventure is a great read! I would, however, recommend that if you read it to children that you gage what they can handle because there is violence, slavery, mental health issues, and death in the book. I listened to the Recorded Books Audiobook version and found it to be enjoyable, some of the voices were hard to understand, but it was fun to hear a full cast (and the author) perform the story.

Content Warnings

caramisha's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Another solid Redwall installment. It's the 4th book Jacques wrote in the series and you can tell he's figured out a lot about how he wants the world and characters to be. The full cast audiobook was excellent, as always. Sadly the copy from my library had a few skips and scratches, nothing that affected my understanding of what was going on.
Mariel was so fierce. It was fun to read about a warrior maid. She kept borrowing Martin's sword to do chores but stuck with her Gullwhacker when in actual battle! I love that in the end she and Dandin carried on to have more adventures. So often Redwall books end with the characters settling down!
I'm a little tired of all the bad guys going mad/hallucinating. I keep trying to figure out why Jacques likes this trope so much. Is it to make the bad guy less scary, because he's disconnected from reality? Is it just a way to show "evilness"? So many of the evil henchcreatures do not go mad/hallucinate.
Anyway, I can tell I need a break from these for a while because I'm starting to overthink them! Sometimes it's not that deep.