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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This was one of my favorites of the series as a kid and it is still one of them. Brian Jacques just knows how to write a story that has all the facets of the human emotion and that appeals to both adults and kids.
I love the Redwall books! They are just so fun to read. That is all!
This was a new read for me. Salamandastron was one of the many Redwall books I did not read when I was younger. While Jacques sticks to the same tropes and story-lines as his other books, Salamandastron does deviate to some degree and so I found it refreshing and enjoyable.
Jacques loves his multi-story line stories. I have found that there are times when having to keep up with more than one journey is tedious and un-enjoyable, especially if the story line I'm most interested in doesn't seem to receive enough attention. However, with Salamandastron I was able to enjoy all of them well. I was especially glad to see Jacques change up the Abbey story. Instead of chasing answers to mysterious riddles the Abbey dwellers had to deal with a deadly illness. Perhaps 2020's experience with COVID-19 made me connect with this story line more than I would have before, but in the end I think Jacques did a better job connecting and pulling the various story-lines together and concluding them in a satisfactorily way.
The range of characters in Salamandastron was also well done. Each seemed to receive the appropriate amount of time to carry their story and show their development. I particularly enjoyed Mara's personal growth because of her regrets and how she learned from her bad decisions. By the time the story-lines converged the connections and interactions between characters felt genuine. I still appreciate the simplicity and some-what predictable nature of Jacques' stories and I think it's these very things that make his books charming even now that I'm in my mid-twenties.
Jacques loves his multi-story line stories. I have found that there are times when having to keep up with more than one journey is tedious and un-enjoyable, especially if the story line I'm most interested in doesn't seem to receive enough attention. However, with Salamandastron I was able to enjoy all of them well. I was especially glad to see Jacques change up the Abbey story. Instead of chasing answers to mysterious riddles the Abbey dwellers had to deal with a deadly illness. Perhaps 2020's experience with COVID-19 made me connect with this story line more than I would have before, but in the end I think Jacques did a better job connecting and pulling the various story-lines together and concluding them in a satisfactorily way.
The range of characters in Salamandastron was also well done. Each seemed to receive the appropriate amount of time to carry their story and show their development. I particularly enjoyed Mara's personal growth because of her regrets and how she learned from her bad decisions. By the time the story-lines converged the connections and interactions between characters felt genuine. I still appreciate the simplicity and some-what predictable nature of Jacques' stories and I think it's these very things that make his books charming even now that I'm in my mid-twenties.
My review for this book is about the same as all the other Redwall books I've reviewed. As redundant as the plot can be when read along with other of the series, the characters propel the story and the action is amazing. At points the description is a bit heavy, in particular when describing the fare at the feast. There are a few typos but altogether, I enjoy reading it.
Wasn't and still isn't my favorite of the Redwalls, but it's still pretty good. I think I like it better on the reread, which seems to be the trend thus far. Dumble, Thrugg, and their journey (and the falcons and MacPhearsom) are the best bit, undoubtedly.
adventurous
dark
emotional
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I loved Brian Jacques - his stories were some of the first "chapter books" I read in 1st/2nd grade - I simply devoured his books and read them over and over.
A fun, nostalgic romp through the pages of my childhood’s favorite series.
The fifth Redwall novel, Salamandastron is the story of a badger maid, a blue-eyed ferret, and a plague at Redwall. Mara is a young badger maid who escapes her home, Salamandastron, and her overbearing adoptive father. As Mara begins her quest throughout Mossflower country, meeting up with Guosssom shrews and members from Redwall, Salamandastron falls under attack by a disarming, ruthless blue-eyed ferret. Meanwhile, a young squirrel named Samkim leaves Redwall in pursuit of the sword of Martin the Warrior. Giving us our first clear look at Salamandastron and the Long Patrol, Salamandastron expands the world of the Redwall novels yet again. The adventures and battles manage to be both realistic and exciting, and the strong-willed characters are compelling and show a lot of growth within the course of the book. While not particularly outstanding, this is one of the better and perhaps more famous Redwall novels and I recommend it and enjoy rereading it.
Salamandastron features some of my favorite characters and one of my favorite battle sequences. Mara and Samkim are both young and immature when the story begins. When they leave their homes on quests, both mature, learn, and eventually prove themselves to themselves, others, and even to Martin the Warrior, whose guiding influence is still felt in Mossflower. As a result, this book makes for a unique yet realistic coming of age story, with interest characters that the reader can identify with and aspire toward. The battle at the end of the book is one of Jacques' best: both terrifying and exciting, both horrible and exultant, he captures the dual nature of war, battle, death, and what it is that drives creatures to fight. Jacques also refuses to shy away from character death, a decision that I applaud. It makes for a darker, more difficult and mature novel, but it also makes the story more meaningful and realistic.
The actual events of Mara and Samkim's journeys don't stand out to me, and as a whole this isn't the most memorable Redwall novel. Unlike Mossflower, compelling secondary characters are lacking (although the hares of the Long Patrol are wonderful); the journeys aren't particularly vast or exciting. The majority of the exciting chases and perilous climbs are delegated to the Redwall side story and are thus less interesting or heart-stopping than they could be. The Guosssom shrews made good companions, but beyond that the bulk of this book doesn't stand out as either amusing, exciting, or compelling. Only near the end, when the pieces come together and Mara and Samkim meet, does the book really start to get good.
It is, however, by no means bad. Jacques is still a solid writer, and while some of his constant themes (adventurers, food, riddles, new peoples) are a bit toned down here, his characters are interesting and he writes a strong plot and brings it to a well-rounded, attention-grabbing conclusion. The book also serves to peek our interest in Salamandastron itself, providing enough insight to interest the reader and enough story to make him want to know more. I do recommend this book, although there are other Redwall novels that I enjoy more, and I like coming back to and rereading this one.
Salamandastron features some of my favorite characters and one of my favorite battle sequences. Mara and Samkim are both young and immature when the story begins. When they leave their homes on quests, both mature, learn, and eventually prove themselves to themselves, others, and even to Martin the Warrior, whose guiding influence is still felt in Mossflower. As a result, this book makes for a unique yet realistic coming of age story, with interest characters that the reader can identify with and aspire toward. The battle at the end of the book is one of Jacques' best: both terrifying and exciting, both horrible and exultant, he captures the dual nature of war, battle, death, and what it is that drives creatures to fight. Jacques also refuses to shy away from character death, a decision that I applaud. It makes for a darker, more difficult and mature novel, but it also makes the story more meaningful and realistic.
The actual events of Mara and Samkim's journeys don't stand out to me, and as a whole this isn't the most memorable Redwall novel. Unlike Mossflower, compelling secondary characters are lacking (although the hares of the Long Patrol are wonderful); the journeys aren't particularly vast or exciting. The majority of the exciting chases and perilous climbs are delegated to the Redwall side story and are thus less interesting or heart-stopping than they could be. The Guosssom shrews made good companions, but beyond that the bulk of this book doesn't stand out as either amusing, exciting, or compelling. Only near the end, when the pieces come together and Mara and Samkim meet, does the book really start to get good.
It is, however, by no means bad. Jacques is still a solid writer, and while some of his constant themes (adventurers, food, riddles, new peoples) are a bit toned down here, his characters are interesting and he writes a strong plot and brings it to a well-rounded, attention-grabbing conclusion. The book also serves to peek our interest in Salamandastron itself, providing enough insight to interest the reader and enough story to make him want to know more. I do recommend this book, although there are other Redwall novels that I enjoy more, and I like coming back to and rereading this one.