Redwall (Redwall #1)

Summary:

As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of Redwall. This dazzling story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, but has the added bonus of taking the reader right back to the heart and soul of Redwall Abbey and the characters who live there. (Summary and book cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

I almost forgot how much I love Brian Jacques’ writing.  The Redwall series was definitely the first fantasy “epic” that I ever read and fed my insatiable need for books (I would say as a child, but it’s an on-going problem).  The books are fantastic for children, and adults, because they present a variety of narratives to keep track of, but is always packed full of action.  You certainly won’t feel like the storyline is everything dragging.  Jacques originally wrote his stories for a school for the blind so his stories are also extremely descriptive and depict a vivid and detailed world.

“Redwall” is the book that begins it all.  As you can see below, there is an extensive Redwall series; however each book can stand up in its own right independent of the others.  In this book, Matthias is the coming-of-age hero that we follow set against a backdrop of the Redwall Abbey.  We follow him throughout all his trials and challenges that ultimately lead to the final battle against Cluny the Scourge.  I’d highly recommend this book and series to fantasy fans and all children.  I definitely think this is a series that can get younger audiences excited about reading!

Warning: Contains some violence

Rating: 5 stars!

Who should read it? Anyone who is not familiar with Brian Jacques and all kids should at least try this series.

Want to read the whole series?

• Mossflower (Redwall #2)

• Mattimeo (Redwall #3)

• Mariel of Redwall (Redwall #4)

• Salamandastron (Redwall #5)

• Martin the Warrior (Redwall #6)

• The Bellmaker (Redwall #7)

• Outcast of Redwall (Redwall #8)

• Pearls of Lutra (Redwall #9)

• The Long Patrol (Redwall #10)

• Marlfox (Redwall #11)

• The Legend of Luke (Redwall #12)

• Lord Brocktree (Redwall #13)

• Taggerung (Redwall #14)

• Triss (Redwall #15)

• Loamhedge (Redwall #16)

• Rakkety Tam (Redwall #17)

• High Rhulain (Redwall #18)

• Eulalia! (Redwall #19)

• Doomwyte (Redwall #20)

• The Sable Quean (Redwall #21)

• The Rogue Crew (Redwall #22)