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canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
This one was my favorite as a kid. Mostly because it focuses on the rabbits.
But the novel stands out from the other novels not for its originality but because by the time he's got to a 10th novel Brian Jacques has it well figured out. The world is built and we can bask in it. We can simply let the characters and events play out as we know they will.
I know many people hate repetition but I like the steadiness of the rhythm. My least favorite Redwall books were the ones that spent the most time away from Redwall and Salamandastron.
But the novel stands out from the other novels not for its originality but because by the time he's got to a 10th novel Brian Jacques has it well figured out. The world is built and we can bask in it. We can simply let the characters and events play out as we know they will.
I know many people hate repetition but I like the steadiness of the rhythm. My least favorite Redwall books were the ones that spent the most time away from Redwall and Salamandastron.
lighthuis's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
icbeck21's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
semperlunaris's review against another edition
3.0
Did you ever wish that the Hares and the Long Patrol could take centre-stage instead of being secondary characters? If so, you'll enjoy this one! It's the usual coming-of-age 'I wanna run away and do xyz, parents just don't get meeeeee, huzzah adventure-bound!' set against the backdrop of one of the best (imo) badger character's fight with evil!
*Note: I had a physical copy to complete my bookshelf as a kid, but listened to this as an audiobook instead.
*Note: I had a physical copy to complete my bookshelf as a kid, but listened to this as an audiobook instead.
sammoticus's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
alexandrabree's review against another edition
4.0
Lessons hidden within the pages of Redwall novels
Generational difference
The wisdom of elders
The struggles of growing up and leaving home
The difficulty of following a dream
The tragedy of losing friends to soon, the inevitably of life moving forward, of healing grief and integrating loss. The cycle of life and death and birth.
The faces of evil, lying, stealing, backstabbing, murderers, savagery, tyranny
The beauty of aging
The dangers of anger and ferocity, the powers of danger and ferocity. Being perilous but choosing peace.
I cried hard over Russa the very first time I read the book, and the fifth time, and the dozenth. There is something eternal and timeless in these novels. I find they are in the vein of Narnia, but also of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Modern classics.
Generational difference
The wisdom of elders
The struggles of growing up and leaving home
The difficulty of following a dream
The tragedy of losing friends to soon, the inevitably of life moving forward, of healing grief and integrating loss. The cycle of life and death and birth.
The faces of evil, lying, stealing, backstabbing, murderers, savagery, tyranny
The beauty of aging
The dangers of anger and ferocity, the powers of danger and ferocity. Being perilous but choosing peace.
I cried hard over Russa the very first time I read the book, and the fifth time, and the dozenth. There is something eternal and timeless in these novels. I find they are in the vein of Narnia, but also of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Modern classics.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
5.0
A very enjoyable tale about a young hare who joins the Long Patrol only to end up fighting in a war against an army of pirates gunning for Redwall Abbey. The tenth book of the series but feels nicely independent to it (with a few call-backs to Mossflower). Brutal in places, there are some significant character deaths as well as other things that happen. A refreshing addition to the series.
mcribsy13's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ayoung720's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So as a Middle Schooler this was easily in my top 3 Redwall books, but rereading it now as an adult I don't find it nearly as interesting, even compared to the other Redwall books that I've re-read. There are two entire plotlines which are essentially irrelevant (the owls + the exploration of the caverns under the wall) and then the Long Patrol spends the entire book talking about the battle to come, which then only lasts about 10 pages. I had fond memories of this book as being an action-packed Redwall novel filled with thrilling battles and I'm a bit disappointed to have discovered on my reread that my memory was completely off. I still love the world and Jacques' writing style, but I wish I wouldn't have gone back to this specific entry.