April 15, 2011
Animal warriors band together against innovative corsairs in this 22nd novel set in the richly detailed world of Redwall.
Scarred and psychotic Razzid Wearat and his mutinous crew wreak havoc along the coast, but when they head inland and overland on the Greenshroud—having equipped the ship with wheels—the Long Patrol hares, the ruthless Rogue Crew otters and the Guosim shrews must race to save Redwall Abbey. Grim warriors outnumber peaceful Abbey beasts, and there is far more fighting than feasting. The many battle scenes and deaths—of disposable pirates and high-spirited heroes—are graphic but not gratuitous, and the action sequences are carefully choreographed. In contrast to earlier books, the villain faces an ensemble rather than a strong protagonist, which might account for the narrative's rapid scene changes. Despite their species-typical behavior, the characters are distinctive; the squabbling shrew Queen Dukwina and her lizard husband Empraking Dibby, well-shod Dandy Clogs and the gluttonous Wiltuds are particularly memorable. Though the plot, characters and setting resembles those of the previous 21 books, the multi-stranded plot demands attentive reading. The mouthwatering descriptions of food, the various dialects and the detailed settings also make for an immersive experience.
Familiar, perhaps formulaic, but a nonetheless rousing read from the late Jacques. (Animal fantasy. 9-12)
(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
May 1, 2011
Grades 5-8 Cries of Eulalia or Logalogalog will be ringing out through the library as fans of the long-running Redwall series queue up for what is, sadly, the last installment. In peaceful Redwall, Abbey, a greedy young hedgehog, has a dream foretelling an attack by the horrifying villain Razzid Wearat. While on the north coast, the Long Patrol and creatures of Salamandastron also find signs that Wearat has somehow survived the fiery burning of his ship and is back seeking revenge. When Wearat and his treacherous crew turn their murderous gaze on Redwall, the fighting hares of the Long Patrol, fierce sea otters of the Rogue Crew, and even the Guosim Shrews race across the country to defend the Abbey. All of the late Jacques signature elements are here: brave furry creatures, fierce battles, humor, and those mouth-watering feasts. Readers will savor this last, wonderful adventure, in which, once again, justice and Redwall prevail. It is with great sadness that we all raise a mug of Nut Brown Ale to a master storyteller who has left us too soon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2011
Razzid the Wearat is threatening the High North Coast. Uggo Wiltud, a young hedgehog from Redwall, has a prophetic dream of Razzid attacking the Abbey; Uggo has many spine-tingling adventures before facing Razzid himself. The action keeps coming--ambushes, kidnappings, desperate stands--and it all ends in a splendid melee. For satisfying swashbuckling, this Redwall saga delivers, with a ride-into-the-sunset conclusion.
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2011
With the author's death this past February, the tales of Redwall are winding to a close, but at least one remains to celebrate the feats of those courageous woodland creatures that have so enthralled readers since the series began in 1986. With Razzid the Wearat and his ship full of vermin threatening the High North Coast, Salamandastron sends a Long Patrol of fighting hares to Skor Axehound and his Rogue Crew of sea otters to form an alliance against the foe. Uggo Wiltud, a young hedgehog from Redwall, has a prophetic dream of Razzid attacking the Abbey, so Jum Gurdy takes him on a trip to seek the truth of the prophecy. The two are separated, and Uggo has many spine-tingling adventures before returning at long last to Redwall to face Razzid himself. The action keeps coming -- ambushes, kidnappings, desperate stands -- as do the famous Redwall feasts, and frequent songs liven the narrative. Although it may be difficult in the thick of the engagement to keep track of the multiple plot threads, not to mention decipher the heavy British dialects, it all ends in a splendid melee and Redwall remains safe among her many defenders. For satisfying swashbuckling, this Redwall saga delivers, with a ride-into-the-sunset conclusion that leaves the series momentarily at peace. anita l. burkam
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
April 15, 2011
Animal warriors band together against innovative corsairs in this 22nd novel set in the richly detailed world of Redwall.
Scarred and psychotic Razzid Wearat and his mutinous crew wreak havoc along the coast, but when they head inland and overland on the Greenshroud--having equipped the ship with wheels--the Long Patrol hares, the ruthless Rogue Crew otters and the Guosim shrews must race to save Redwall Abbey. Grim warriors outnumber peaceful Abbey beasts, and there is far more fighting than feasting. The many battle scenes and deaths--of disposable pirates and high-spirited heroes--are graphic but not gratuitous, and the action sequences are carefully choreographed. In contrast to earlier books, the villain faces an ensemble rather than a strong protagonist, which might account for the narrative's rapid scene changes. Despite their species-typical behavior, the characters are distinctive; the squabbling shrew Queen Dukwina and her lizard husband Empraking Dibby, well-shod Dandy Clogs and the gluttonous Wiltuds are particularly memorable. Though the plot, characters and setting resembles those of the previous 21 books, the multi-stranded plot demands attentive reading. The mouthwatering descriptions of food, the various dialects and the detailed settings also make for an immersive experience.
Familiar, perhaps formulaic, but a nonetheless rousing read from the late Jacques. (Animal fantasy. 9-12)
(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)