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bookycnidaria's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and War
karathagan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Revisiting a beloved series from my childhood. I decided to start with the first in chronological order, not the first published, so this didn't cover any of actual Redwall. Still the classic species, wholesome bickering, medieval analogies, ancient prophecies, plenty of battle and plenty of food. I had recalled the food element with great fondness and I was not disappointed. Everything sounded delicious and magical - with one exception. A savory cheese and onion...flan. Very off-putting. Something I had forgotten about was the written dialects. I think they may have been helpful and enhancing as a child, but I'm definitely not into it now. It was enjoyable, with quality storytelling and relationship building. I'm not going to read more of the series now because they're such a commitment. Oh -- the scenery is very nice as well, always lovely depictions of the great outdoors.
geneticginger's review
4.0
Such a good book. Brian Jacques is a master with words. The story took a while to get into but it ended wonderfully and I loved all of the character development and the fact that not everyone had survived in the end, but that there have been some casualties as that is reality. So many books keep all the main characters safe, but Jacques makes his books almost real. If only they made these into movies!
csdaley's review
3.0
It has been a long time since I read a Redwall book. I still enjoyed it but I can't say that it was one of my favorites.
madradian's review against another edition
4.0
Lord Brocktree is the 13th book published in the Redwall universe but the first to take place chronologically. I've been a massive fan of Brian Jacques ever since I was a child(or a dibbun as they would say in the Redwall world) and re-reading the series changes very few things for me.
The plot is simple: Peace has gone on for too long near the mountain fortress of Salamandastron; the ancestral home of the badger lords. Ungatt Trunn the wild cat arrives with his massive horde and lays siege to the mountain. Meanwhile, an army is amassed to come to the aid of the mountain.
The thing about Redwall novels that makes them great it the camaraderie. All of these novels have darkness in them. There is hardship and suffering, and cruelty. Some of the characters backstories can be brutal, especially for the age group these stories are marketed towards, but the characters never give up.
A major criticism I see from other readers of these books is how formulaic they are, and while that is true it also allows us to really enjoy the lore of the world. We know there is going to be a villain, a land quest or sea quest, some magic, and food, and singing. What that really brings out is the new elements Jacques brings to each story. Redwall is an ever-deepening world.
Each novel ends with an invitation to come back to the world of Redwall and that is why I think so many of us choose to keep coming back.
“Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends. Give justice to all, be fearless in battle and always ready to defend the right.“—The law of Badger Lords”
3.5/5
The plot is simple: Peace has gone on for too long near the mountain fortress of Salamandastron; the ancestral home of the badger lords. Ungatt Trunn the wild cat arrives with his massive horde and lays siege to the mountain. Meanwhile, an army is amassed to come to the aid of the mountain.
The thing about Redwall novels that makes them great it the camaraderie. All of these novels have darkness in them. There is hardship and suffering, and cruelty. Some of the characters backstories can be brutal, especially for the age group these stories are marketed towards, but the characters never give up.
A major criticism I see from other readers of these books is how formulaic they are, and while that is true it also allows us to really enjoy the lore of the world. We know there is going to be a villain, a land quest or sea quest, some magic, and food, and singing. What that really brings out is the new elements Jacques brings to each story. Redwall is an ever-deepening world.
Each novel ends with an invitation to come back to the world of Redwall and that is why I think so many of us choose to keep coming back.
“Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends. Give justice to all, be fearless in battle and always ready to defend the right.“—The law of Badger Lords”
3.5/5
torturedreadersdept's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Alcohol
jakes_booktakes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
addy1991's review
3.0
This was my first time reading anything in the Redwall series so I opted to start with them in chronological order instead of going by publication date. The theme is a familiar one: invasion by a greedy, cruel villain and the defense by an intrepid group of heroes from all walks of life. I admit to skipping over the poems/songs that are scattered throughout the story because I felt the length of them and the time it took me to understand what was being "said" took away from the story itself. The characters are likeable and I cheered or booed alongside them and got sad when certain ones met their end. I picked this as light reading to take a break from some of the heavier themed books I had and was not disappointed. I laughed at the antics of good and bad alike and am pleased with how things turned out. I will definitely be reading more in this series.
bookish_b's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
impalalove's review against another edition
3.0
I love Dotti. Otherwise, I think the novel went a little too slowly; a large portion of the novel was not about a battle, but rather, the gathering of allies, which would lead towards the battle. The final battle was far shorter than I had anticipated. (But it was still fun to read.)