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futurama1979's review against another edition
5.0
It's always a joy when a childhood favourite can be reread and still hold up without the help of nostalgia. This book is a tried and true hero's journey that just left me feeling warm and happy upon finishing it, just like it did when I was young.
There's not a single part of this book that I didn't like, but the best part was the characters. Brock, a stoic, gallant warrior on a quest to reclaim his home from an oppressive tyrant who also happens to have a soft spot for kids and makes the best babysitter ever. Dotti, an unflappable young wanderer whose quick wit and good manners (and great wrestling skill) have gotten her out of a few scrapes- oh, and she also has the worst voice but a love for musical performance. Bucko, an exalted king of wayfarers from the highlands, chasing down the person who killed his family and scarred his back to exact revenge, and did I mention he also loves playing in the ocean and hopping waves? These characters are so great, so lovable, so well-rounded, that they make the book an absolute joy to read.
Let it be said, though - would this be a middle grade/children's book if the characters were people instead of animals? Debatable! Jacques pulls no punches describing the horrors of war and the cruelty of the tyrant, Trunn. It's definitely violent, which, in moderation(as used here) can be a good thing: it raises the stakes and makes the adventure more gripping!
There's not a single part of this book that I didn't like, but the best part was the characters. Brock, a stoic, gallant warrior on a quest to reclaim his home from an oppressive tyrant who also happens to have a soft spot for kids and makes the best babysitter ever. Dotti, an unflappable young wanderer whose quick wit and good manners (and great wrestling skill) have gotten her out of a few scrapes- oh, and she also has the worst voice but a love for musical performance. Bucko, an exalted king of wayfarers from the highlands, chasing down the person who killed his family and scarred his back to exact revenge, and did I mention he also loves playing in the ocean and hopping waves? These characters are so great, so lovable, so well-rounded, that they make the book an absolute joy to read.
Let it be said, though - would this be a middle grade/children's book if the characters were people instead of animals? Debatable! Jacques pulls no punches describing the horrors of war and the cruelty of the tyrant, Trunn. It's definitely violent, which, in moderation(as used here) can be a good thing: it raises the stakes and makes the adventure more gripping!
lucario4224's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
franktt89's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I took a very long pause in reading this book. Things had slowed down and were dire.
I started reading the second half in earnest because I ran out of renewals at the library and had a plane ride to read and reengage.
I forgot the fine details of the first half, but it's redwall. It's all familiar and I got this book for nostalgia and to find relaxation in reading.
Overall, if found myself enjoying the adventure and the things that used to annoy me about the series (speech patterns, songs that don't move the plot along, and feast descriptions) didn't bother me.
I am once again surprised by the amount of good guy deaths in the book. Thought they had more plot armor.
I started reading the second half in earnest because I ran out of renewals at the library and had a plane ride to read and reengage.
I forgot the fine details of the first half, but it's redwall. It's all familiar and I got this book for nostalgia and to find relaxation in reading.
Overall, if found myself enjoying the adventure and the things that used to annoy me about the series (speech patterns, songs that don't move the plot along, and feast descriptions) didn't bother me.
gra5540pper's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annalisenak97's review against another edition
3.0
The classic Brian Jacques novel: lots of songs, made up insults, swashbuckling battles, descriptions of food, and riddles to solve. This is one of the few Redwall books that does not feature Redwall Abbey. It's not my favorite of the series but it's still a fun read and a welcome walk down memory lane.
gossamer_lens's review against another edition
5.0
This book is wonderful! it is written just as well as the others if not better!
I really like Dottie and her two "helpers"!
I really like Dottie and her two "helpers"!
ehays84's review against another edition
3.0
There were a few Redwall books that came out after I had been really into the series when I was in late elementary school and middle school. I always figured I would go back and read them someday, if for no other reason than with my kids. But I picked this one up on my own just for something fun.
It was good and had most of the elements that made me love the series when I was younger, but it just isn't the same without Redwall. Mossflower and Martin the Warrior also both didn't have Redwall Abbey, but those were definitely better than this one. I think this is also one of the reasons I stopped reading the series--they were just starting to feel tired near the end.
My biggest gripe with this one is that the only way for these to really work is to have a really compelling bad guy (beast?). This one just didn't have it. The antagonist never proved stronger, smarter, or more ruthless to prove there was a reason to fear the character. In fact, he always seemed inept.
Still it was fun to see the very early history of Salamandastron.
It was good and had most of the elements that made me love the series when I was younger, but it just isn't the same without Redwall. Mossflower and Martin the Warrior also both didn't have Redwall Abbey, but those were definitely better than this one. I think this is also one of the reasons I stopped reading the series--they were just starting to feel tired near the end.
My biggest gripe with this one is that the only way for these to really work is to have a really compelling bad guy (beast?). This one just didn't have it. The antagonist never proved stronger, smarter, or more ruthless to prove there was a reason to fear the character. In fact, he always seemed inept.
Still it was fun to see the very early history of Salamandastron.
ladypalutena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? Yes
4.5
jordandeanbaker's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books in the series. An awesome introduction to Salamandastron, the Hares, and the Badger Lords before the tales of Redwall and the Long Patrol that would come later (chronologically).