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A review by zerobot
Mattimeo by Brian Jacques
3.0
Another mostly fun adventure in this series that I loved as a kid. However, while Redwall stands stark and unique, its sequel (in story sequence, not publishing order) retreads a bit too much of the same territory to stand out. This time around, the story is even more full of animus ex machina, as characters show up a chapter or two before they become vital for the heroes' victory. It's a bit of a shame that the world doesn't feel quite as developed as it could, but Jacques writes with a warmth and humor that is fun to read.
A quibble: Jacques has the animals substitute the word "beast" for "one" and "body" in some words, so that, for instance, "everyone" or "everybody" becomes "everybeast." This is only such linguistic substitution that the animals make, and I find it clumsy, not to mention unnecessary: neither "one" nor "body" preclude the speaker referring to beasts.
A quibble: Jacques has the animals substitute the word "beast" for "one" and "body" in some words, so that, for instance, "everyone" or "everybody" becomes "everybeast." This is only such linguistic substitution that the animals make, and I find it clumsy, not to mention unnecessary: neither "one" nor "body" preclude the speaker referring to beasts.