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Summary: A great start to the best series ever!
Review: This book is about an abbey called Redwall and the creatures that inhabit it. The story mainly focuses on a young mouse, Matthias, who longs to be a hero and warrior like Martin, the abbey's warrior spirit. When the evil warlord Cluny the Scourge plans to take over Redwall with his vermin army, Matthias embarks on a journey to find the lost sword of Martin which was forged from a falling star at the mountain of Salamandastron, domain of badger lords. This leads Matthias to befriend the sparrows living in the abbey steeple, defeat a hypnotic adder, and other adventures. This book is the second in Brian Jacques' saga. The books, in order, are Mossflower, Redwall, Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall, Salamandastron, Martin the Warrior, The Bellmaker, and Outcast of Redwall. I have read all of the books several times and recommend them to anybody who loves fantasy stories or epics that tell of courageous battles and heros that might have never been
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Summary: Captivating!!!!
Review: This introduction to the world of Redwall saga is an incredibly well-written literary work (like all of the installments in this series). It is a lively, humorous, exciting, and altogether enthralling, snaring the young, the old, women, men, the adventurer, the chaste, the fighter, the poet, and everyone else who reads it in a lush storyworld equal to those of Tolkien, Dumas, Twain, Brooks, or any of the masters of the written word. I have discussed Redwall and its sequels and prequels with many other readers, and have failed to find one who was not drawn in by the warmth and authenticity of the surroundings, the characters, and the events Jacques tells of. Appropriate for children, engaging enough for adults, kindly and sweet enough for romantics and exciting enough for warriors, Redwall will leave you thirsting for a sip of strawberry cordial, hungering for a bite of celery and fennel flan, a taste of apple and cheese summer salad, and one good shot at Cluny the Scourge. HIGHLY recommended
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Summary: Excellent and Heart Stopping
Review: THis is a great book and I reccomend it to everybody
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Summary: Constantly exciting and gripping
Review: Redwall is a wonderful book about a young mouse who grows up to be a great hero, one that will live on for generations. This enthralling tale takes you inside the mouse's head and through all of his fantastic adventures. His wit and clever thinking almost always serve him well. I recommend this book to everyone who would enjoy the fast-moving and adventurous tales of a mouse
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Summary: An excellent book for adolescents and adults!
Review: A wonderfully written fantasy!
One of my favorite books since my parents gave it to me six years ago, I now have almost every book in the Redwall series. Filled with horror and humor, good values and bad, Jacques' bookes are some of the best. I've shared the books with some of my friends - both older and younger - and all of them enjoyed them thoroughly. Some even started their own collection! The idea of mice, moles, badgers, and squirrels (amoung others) running an Abbey facinates me. They fight off evil hordes or rats, ferrets, stoats, and even cats or birds. I would recomend this book to anyone who enjoys animal stories, medieval tales of heros and swords - or, really, just about anyone!
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Summary: Redwall is a joy to read at any age
Review: Redwall is one of the finest examples of children's literature I've ever read. The detail that Brian Jacques puts into his books makes them a joy for children to read...and for adults to read aloud, or to themselves.
In Jacques' books, each species of animal speaks with a different dialect, mostly different British dialects. The descriptions of the foods and feasts of Redwall Abbey make one want to go out and try some of the moles "Deeper 'n' ever pie;" and what I wouldn't give to be able to taste one of the Abbott's cakes frosted with buttercup cream!
Brian Jacques has given the world a book that children and adults alike can enjoy. He begins with a wonderful description of the tales' villian...Cluney the Scourge...and holds the reader spellbound through the mysteries, adventures and romances that follow.
I first read this book about four years ago. Then, while I was pregnant with our only child, I then proceeded to read it a second time, aloud, so that my daughter, Madison, would develop a love of literature at a very young age. I even recorded the story so that Madison would be able to listen to it in the future.
Many times we are tempted to "wait for the movie," especially when it comes to children's literature. But this book is made for reading. Jacques' unique dialects and "turns of the phrase" are wonderful for the preteen set to read by themselves (at 400 or so pages, they can feel like they are finally reading a real novel) or for an adult to read aloud to a younger group.
Once you have read this first in Jacques' Redwall series, you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the next installment (just like I do).
As I stated before, it has been over four years since I read this book, so please forgive any misspellings of the villian's name.
By the way, for those of you who are interested, Madison, who just turned two, already brings me stacks upon stacks of books every night to read before we go to bed. I fear I have created a monster!
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Summary: The Guerilla Union of Shrews! (Read the book to figure out)
Review: Fans of Watership Down and heroic tales of battles and quests will be intrigued with the unique world of personified animals that Brian Jacques has created. Bizarre but equally entrancing, Redwall will captivate readers and keep them prisoner until the very end. The book opens with a description of Redwall Abbey which is owned by an order of monk-like mice and an introduction to Matthias, a clumsy, awkward, "brother-in-training." Matthias, Father Abbot, and the other brothers have lived in relative peace for many long years, providing shelter and care to local woodland residents and all those in need. This humble but satisfying way of life is threatened one summer night when Matthias first lays eyes upon the legendary warlord, Cluny the Scourge, and his horde of rats ready to plunder and pillage. Where these villainous rats have come from is unknown but it is quite clear that Cluny has his one eye set upon claiming Redwall as his stronghold. All that stands between the death and destruction of the entire Mossflower region is the monastery brothers and sisters. Now these practitioners of mercy, healing, and love must become skilled defenders of their home. Young Matthias experiences a tremendous transformation from an orphaned immature mouse to a natural born leader and developing warrior. To save Redwall from its invaders he embarks on a quest to find the lost sword of Martin the Warrior, a founder of their abbey. During his search he discovers his past and destiny, learning valuable lessons of life, honor, and what truly lies in a warrior's heart along the way. Join the mice and their companions as they encounter new friends and enemies during their struggle with the terrible Cluny the Scourge. Redwall is a strangely imaginative and enchanting story that will change your views on furry rodents forever.
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Summary: great book!
Review: I read this book based on an enthusiastic recommendation. And I am so glad I did. I'm now a happy fan of Brian Jacques and the entire Redwall series. The story moves along very nicely, with good editing and excellent characters. I found myself reading late into the night just to see what happens to them and how it ends. The only warning I have is to be prepared to be hungry! The feasts are described in wonderful detail with great imagery and colorful conversations. It's very reminiscent of holiday gatherings and family dinners from childhood. This book impressed me. I know it was written for children, but it absolutely does not read like one. I can see why younger readers would enjoy it, but adults will love it too. It would be a great book to read aloud or just keep it to yourself. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Redwall
Review: Do you want to read a high-quality fantasy novel? Then I would refer you to the nearest library. Let it be a local, school, or your own personal library. Get there fast! I have just read "Redwall" by Brian Jacques. The book has 333 pages, but is definitely worth it. The main character is Matthis, an adventurous, young, and spirited orphan, left at the Redwall entrance. Redwall is a peaceful animal village that has beautiful and elegant . It also has arches and carved figures. The animals that inhabit it are ethical forest creatures. He is now, still young, but quite mature for his age. He has become one of the pack. Full of morales, and caring. Taking delicate procedures to keep others emotions in mind of all. These creatures have always helped others in peril. Now, Cluny the Scrouge, a rat known for being terrible and for taking over villages, is trying to take over Redwall. Since everyone in Redwall is refusing to surrender, they are forced to fight a awr with Cluny, even though it is against their ways. A part that I thought was quite descriptive and exciting was when Mathias and Guosim, a shreww friend of Matthias', fight the adder for possesion of Martin the Warriors' sword. the adder is a legendary snake, foe of all. He is known as "Asmodeus", for the sound thta he makes. Asmodeus is huge, and legendarily known for his viciousness and poisoness fangs. I can't tell you who succeeds, though. Although slightly upseting, it really stood out as how war affects everyone. And it does. The brutality of war even affected Cluny. he literally went mad. I'd describe this book as adventurous and eventful. The characters are believable, but creativly amusing as animals. The plot is, at times difficult to follow, but is riviting at its higher points. I'd recommend this book for anyone who loves animals, but can stand slight gore. Also, this is a long book, 333 pages. So, anyone who can sit still for two seconds, i would probably recommend a shorter novel. I hope you choose this novel to read next.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly wonderful
Review: I did not expect this book to be so compelling. After all, the characters are all woodland animals, suggesting that this is a children's book. As it turns out, Redwall is wonderful for children, but also solid fare for young adults. I score it lower than the adult-targetted books of Tolkien, Herbert, Aasimov, Kim Stanley Robinson, Modesitt, Melanie Rawn, Pournelle, Stirling, and others, but Redwall fills a certain niche perfectly. Full of beautiful writing, outrageous dialects, a larger-than-life cast, adventure, magic, mythology, and ancient fantasy elements, this book can please people of all ages.
Jacques' gorgeous prose is evident from the very beginning:
"It was the start of the Summer of the Late Rose. Mossflower country shimmered gently in a peaceful haze, bathing delicately at each dew-laden dawn, blossoming through high sunny noontides, languishing in each crimson-tinted twilight that heralded the soft darkness of June nights."
The writing remains vibrant throughout the story. Jacques commands an amazing vocabulary and selects only the most active and lively words. Some of his writing seems archaic, as though it belongs in ancient fairy tales.
The story moves very quickly. Jacques keeps the action fresh by throwing in new twists and adversaries.
Jacques could have written the same story with human characters, yet he risked losing the older demographics by using sentient animals. This strategy works surprisingly well. People attribute certain characteristics to animals, thus enhancing the personalities and perceptions of each hero and villain. The reader can easily envision the civilized, kind-hearted mice; the villainous piratical rats; the aristocratic cat; the engineering mole sappers; the champion-climber squirrels; the sly, spying fox posing as a gypsy healer; and the boisterous fun-loving hare.
Characters remain distinct and flamboyant. They all have wonderful dialects. Moles use rustic speech and the hare sounds like an English gentleman officer.
Cluny the Scourge, the piratical sea rat, is one of the greatest villains in fiction. He radiates evil power and embraces his role as a mean, ugly, fearsome barbarian warrior. He is devious and instills fear in enemies and subordinates alike. Naturally, his followers are all moronic, cowardly gutter trash, allowing the classic interplay of a nasty villain who must constantly berate the buffoons around him. His army of rats, stoats, weasels, and ferrets have some interest in Satan and plenty of interest in destruction, murder, and slaving.
Cluny seeks to destroy Redwall Abbey, a peaceful refuge run by gentle monastic creatures who give aid to all woodland animals. Clearly this is a tale of good against evil, as compassionate heroes oppose heartless destroyers.
Yet again the book surprised me: the battles are extremely engaging, ranging the gamut from one-on-one combat to large-scale assaults and siegecraft. The book is unexpectedly brutal, showing some cold-blooded face-to-face murders.
Jacques draws upon a huge variety of classic themes, archetypes and story elements. Look for the coming-to-age quest for manhood; the humble, pious soul who becomes a hero; the search for a mystical sword; the ancient prophecy in the form of a riddle; glimpses of magic and the paranormal; the adventure through strange lands; the elderly venerable advisor; and more that I will not give away. It is all deeply rooted in old European tales and Arthurian legends. Sure, it has all been done before, but it is written so well that it feels refreshing.
I definitely recommend Redwall, especially to young adults who appreciate great swash-buckling adventure and comedy. It features likeable good-hearted heroes who courageously confront the evil of the world and suffer poignant deaths. It reflects the author's great imagination and optimism. This is the beginning of a great series.
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