121 reviews for:

Salamandastron

Brian Jacques

3.96 AVERAGE


Read aloud to Kenneth

He may not have a knocker on his nose, but 3 of these stars are for Dumble the Dormouse and that's all I have to say about THAT! 
adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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: No

You can never go wrong with a Redwall story.  I have been reading them for years and no matter how old you are, it's always a warm, wholesome tale that will take you on an adventure that will keep your attention and stir your imagination.  
Though never read a Redwall novel on an empty stomach -- the descriptions of food are one of the best parts of the book and you will be dreaming of October ale, meadowcream-topped pasties and hotroot soup for years to come.
adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Although this is part of the Redwall series, this story focuses mainly on, as the title tells, the mountain of Salamandastron. There is a little going on at the Abbey, the inhabitants are dealing with their own situation. I always enjoy the mix of cozy vibes and adventure that Brian Jacques weaves into his stories. My favorite characters in this particular book were the birds with the Scottish accents. I hope they make more appearances. Also, I wouldn’t mind being invited to a Redwall picnic….

*What I have expressed are entirely my own thoughts. I was not compensated in any monetary way.*

Parental Guidance for- Mention of Badger parents being killed, An ear gets cut off, A tail gets pulled off, Murders, Battle Scenes
adventurous funny lighthearted slow-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

This was a little slower paced than the other Redwall books I’ve read so far, but still just as good!! It just took me a little longer to get through 
adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

 Nothing can beat a good Redwall story, and Salamandastron may be one of the very best in the whole series. It's full of action, adventure, heartache, and warmth.

What makes this particular entry into the series so special, though, is its central theme about relationships between generations. Two parallel journeys are reflected through the book, centered on Urthstripe, Badger Lord of Salamandastron, and Mara, his ward, as well as the villainous Ferahgo the Assassin and his son, Klitch. The loving father-daughter dynamic of Urthstripe and Mara is juxtaposed beautifully with the hateful father-son dynamic of Ferahgo and Klitch. All the action of the book thus revolves around these characters, which turns into a fascinating tale of power and evil, with incredible action, adventure, and lovable characters to round out secondary themes and adventures all in their own right.

In all, Salamandastron feels like a proper epic all its own, a worthy successor to books as dynamic and enthralling as Mossflower and Mattimeo. It is very much its own story, while still neatly fitting into the existing lore and setting of the series, a near-perfect encapsulation of what Redwall is and what Redwall can be.

Of the first 5 novels of Redwall, this may even be the best one, depending on your personal taste for adventure. Although bloody and violent, the book has a rock-solid emotional core, with powerful storytelling capable of joy and sorrow. It's simply delectable. 
adventurous inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
adventurous funny fast-paced
adventurous medium-paced