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audthecodewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
benju159's review against another edition
3.0
I felt this one went on a bit too long and had too many story lines, but otherwise still a good Redwall book. Will be keeping an eye out for Mossflower!
threebluesocks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I never remember to come back to this book when I'm picking a Redwall story to reread, but it's actually one of my favorites when I remember what it's about. It hits all the hallmarks of a Redwall story that you'd expect-- villainous hordes, warrior heroes, gentle creatures banding together to fight evil, a whole lot of food descriptions-- and does a good job with making them interesting despite their familiarity. I'm always worried that this book will sacrifice the characterizations of Matthias' generation in order to make them fit the more bland molds of background Abbey characters, but I don't actually notice that happening too much as I read through. In fact, I think this is one of the stronger Redwall books in terms of character variety since the book had to balance the maintenance of interesting characters from the original Redwall while also adding in new characters of Mattimeo's generation. This means that there are more characters with actual personalities, backgrounds, and motives in this book than I find in most Redwall books.
As for the actual story of this one, I like most of it quite a lot. I like Slagar's band and the woodlanders Matthias pulls together to hunt them, especially Orlando and Cheek. I like the dynamic between Sam, Mattimeo, Tim, Tess, Auma, and Jube. I think the way Warbeak's sparrows are brought back in this story is fun, though I wish they had a larger bearing on the story. My main issue with the plot of this book in particular is the way the storyline back at the abbey doesn't really tie in with the one happening outside of it. While the attack of the birds is a story I found interesting and which gave some of the background characters (especially the women, who don't often get a chance to shine in Redwall stories), it doesn't have any effect on the Slagar-Mattimeo-Matthias side of the story, so it seems disconnected from the actual plot of this book. I wish the author had either found a way to connect the two conflicts more or simply kept the bird-Abbey plot for another book. It didn't help that while I enjoyed the majority of the character moments that came out of that storyline, I really couldn't stand the character of Rollo. I have mixed feelings about the way Redwall stories portray accents and dialects to begin with, and the hearing the 'baby dialect' so often was kind of annoying. Not to mention the way his characterization becomes frustrating by the second time he pops up, and I think the situation with his mother was very badly handled in terms of character and plot impact.
Even with the bits that I'm not a fan of, I still think this is one of the stronger parts of an already good series, and I should revisit it more often. It's definitely a proper sequel to the original Redwall, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first one. It's probably not the best intro to the series since it does play off many of the plot points and characters originating in Redwall, but it also does a very good job laying out what the whole series is about, so it's probably a very honest starting point for someone just coming into the series.
As for the actual story of this one, I like most of it quite a lot. I like Slagar's band and the woodlanders Matthias pulls together to hunt them, especially Orlando and Cheek. I like the dynamic between Sam, Mattimeo, Tim, Tess, Auma, and Jube. I think the way Warbeak's sparrows are brought back in this story is fun, though I wish they had a larger bearing on the story. My main issue with the plot of this book in particular is the way the storyline back at the abbey doesn't really tie in with the one happening outside of it. While the attack of the birds is a story I found interesting and which gave some of the background characters (especially the women, who don't often get a chance to shine in Redwall stories), it doesn't have any effect on the Slagar-Mattimeo-Matthias side of the story, so it seems disconnected from the actual plot of this book. I wish the author had either found a way to connect the two conflicts more or simply kept the bird-Abbey plot for another book. It didn't help that while I enjoyed the majority of the character moments that came out of that storyline, I really couldn't stand the character of Rollo. I have mixed feelings about the way Redwall stories portray accents and dialects to begin with, and the hearing the 'baby dialect' so often was kind of annoying. Not to mention the way his characterization becomes frustrating by the second time he pops up, and I think the situation with his mother was very badly handled in terms of character and plot impact.
Even with the bits that I'm not a fan of, I still think this is one of the stronger parts of an already good series, and I should revisit it more often. It's definitely a proper sequel to the original Redwall, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first one. It's probably not the best intro to the series since it does play off many of the plot points and characters originating in Redwall, but it also does a very good job laying out what the whole series is about, so it's probably a very honest starting point for someone just coming into the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Trafficking
Moderate: Murder
mariathelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
ghostbusterwhit's review against another edition
4.0
These books are so comforting to me to revisit as an adult. They're fun and joyful and full of heart. The audiobooks are great because you get to hear so much in Brian Jacques' own voice, but a little punishing due to some of the voice acting.
The plot on this book doesn't break the mould created by Redwall and Mossflower, but is still full of excitement. I loved the three storylines, and seeing other characters rise up to fight for good without Matthias to lead them.
The plot on this book doesn't break the mould created by Redwall and Mossflower, but is still full of excitement. I loved the three storylines, and seeing other characters rise up to fight for good without Matthias to lead them.
lunchbox89's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the story of Matthias' son! A long line of heroes their family is.
lizardwater's review against another edition
3.0
I can't say I liked this book as much as the past two, however, it was still fun to read. I appreciate that this book brings the reader back to the Abbey and focuses on Mattimeo. The non-linear timeline Jacques has set up makes discovering the world and learning about characters far more exciting than if he had published the books in linear order. It's cool to have gotten context from the past ([b:Mossflower|201341|Mossflower (Redwall, #2)|Brian Jacques|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1281811805l/201341._SY75_.jpg|2984402]) and then jump forward to discover what it means in the present.
jpv0's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes the gift of an inquisitive nature to the young can be greater than that of the wisdom which comes of age.
[b:Mattimeo|201342|Mattimeo (Redwall, #3)|Brian Jacques|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388194271l/201342._SY75_.jpg|1178215] is back to the 'modern' days of [b:Redwall|7996|Redwall (Redwall, #1)|Brian Jacques|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327877368l/7996._SY75_.jpg|486980], this time around starting Matthias once again, but also his son Mattimeo in a split storyline.
In one plot, you have Slagar the Cruel (a fox we may just have seen before) kidnapping a number of Redwall children and running off to sell them into slavery. Matthias and company follow and adventures ensue. Of course they're successful in the end, but really in these books, it's all about how they get there.
Weapons may be carried by creatures who are evil, dishonest, violent or lazy. The true warrior is good, gentle and honest. His bravery comes from within himself; he learns to conquer his own fears and misdeeds.
What was fascinating to me is while this is all going on, there is a second plot: the attack of Redwall by a number of birdly foes. And Matthias isn't around to save the day! It's fascinating to see a number of the less 'warriorlike' critters step up to save the day. Well worth the read just for the contrast between the two.
“The seer crow was outraged. "Mangiz does not forget an insult, hedgepig."
Ambrose smiled cheekily. "Good, then here's a few more for you to remember, you pot-bellied, cross-eyed, feather-bottomed excuse for a duck.”
Of course all throughout, you have the magical worldbuilding Jacques excels at--woodland animals somehow acting simultaneously like people and like the animals we know they are. There are always problems of scale and logistics, but if you just sort of ignore them? Wonderfully fun.
Overall, it's a great book, especially in audiobook form. It's kind of hilarious to hear how the various readers deal with the voices and accents of different critters.