Monday, October 20, 2008

Salamandastron



First of all I must state that the Redwall series is by far one of my favorite series that I have read. That being said I must admit this is not one of my favorites out of the series. I did like this book don't get me wrong, but it was not the best of the series. Most of the time I am so amazed at how Jacques can incorporate so many different plots into one story and some how they all come together at the end. This happened in the story but I think that there was to many different plots that you really did not have highly defined main characters, and I felt kind of cheated by not getting to know all of the main characters more fully. Again I did still think it was a great book, but it lacked something for me.
Plot
There are many plots to this book as I said before, so it might get a little confusing. To reduce that almost certain confusion I am going to put the many meanwhiles in bold. Let's begin, to start off with, in Mossflower Woods the creatures of Redwall Abbey are all getting ready for the Nameday Feast. Meanwhile at Salamandastron a young badger by the name of Mara is not happy there. There are to many rules for her which are made by her adoptive father Urthstripe the Strong. So she sets off with her friend Pikkle Ffolger (a rather glutinous hare) on a journey, along with their new found friend, Klitch the blue eyed weasel. Little did they know that he was the only son of the horrible Ferahgo the Assassin, and that they where being led right into a trap layed by the weasel's very father. Meanwhile back in Mossflower Woods, two vermin that deserted Ferahgo's hoard of corps makers, by the names of Dingeye and Thura find themselves at Redwall Abby's gates just in time for the Nameday feast. They beg to be let in and are eventually on one condition, they take a much needed bath. Meanwhile back near Salamandastron, Mara and Pikkle get away only to be misled by a begrudging lizard, into a band of cannibal toads. Meanwhile back at Salamandston Ferahgo and his army attack the mountain, but it holds strong, by Lord Urthstripe and his faithful hares. Meanwhile back at Redwall Abbey, during a storm the young squirrel Samkim and the young mole maid Arula happen upon the sword of Martin the Warrior. Meanwhile later that night the two vermin Dingeye and Thura are messing with a bow and arrow and accidentally shoot and kill Brother Hal. they seeing he is dead flee the Abbey but not without first taking the newly found sword of Martin the Warrior. When brother Hal is found, Samkim and Arula go out into Mossflower Wood to find the vermin, avenge Brother Hal, and return Martin's sword to its rightful home, Redwall Abbbey. Meanwhile back at Redwall Abbey most of its inhabitants have come down with Dryditch fever, and the only cure being the Flowers of Icetor from the Mountains of the North, a brave otter by the name of Thrugg and a baby doormouse by the name of Dumble set out to find them.
I forewarned you there was a lot of plots and it was going to be VERY confusing. I did like this book it was just not my favorite. If you are already a Redwall fan and want to read the whole series be my guest and read this one also. But if you are looking to start the Redwall series please do not start with this one, chose another, and once you are hooked you can read this one.
Your confused critic,
Lain

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Redwall Series

The Redwall series is by far my one of my favorite series. I have already read them all, some of them I have read more than that but I like to read them in the order that Jacques writes them, so I have all ready recently read: Redwall, Mossflower, Mattimeo, and Mariel of Redwall. All of these which I highly recomend, but I am not going to review because I do not think I could give an accurate enough description of them since I have read books after them. The following two reviews are the Next two in the Redwall series, Salamandastron and Martin the Warrior. Just in case you would like to know what the order of the Redwall books are in from when Jacques wrote them it goes like this, Redwall, Mossflower, Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall, Salamandastron, Martin the Warrior, The Bellmaker, Outcast of Redwall, The Pearls of Lutra, The Long Patrol, Marlfox, The Legend of Luke, Lord Brock tree, The Taggerung, Triss, Loamhedge, Rakkety Tam, High Rhulain, and Eulalia.

Your devoted critic,

Lain

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Watership Down



I hold this book in high respects, it is a wonderful tale of courage, adventure, survival, and loyalty. I myself did not have high hopes for this book, being a Redwall fan, but I was pleasantly surprised on how much I liked it. It amazed me how realistic it was in the sense of what rabbits do every day and how they interact with one another. In a sense it was like the Redwall books I like so much but yet it was completely different. It did have animals that spoke but there was also humans, in which Redwall there is not. Also in Watership down they (the animals) are more well, animalistic ( and yes I know that that is not a word but it sounds nice). Even so I did really enjoy this book but I do not recommend it to people that are looking for an action packed book. This book does have action but it also has some slower parts, Which I do not mind, but others might.

Plot

This story is mainly about a group of rabbits that have to leave there old warren in search of a new one. Through out the story they face many hardships and problems, such as a warren of highly strange rabbits that get skittish any time the word "where" is uttered, and once they find a place for a new warren they also face the problem of getting does to mate with so they don't go extinct. These and many other trials along they way create a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book to those out there that don't mind spending some time learning about nature and those who enjoy a heartwarming tale of doing what ever it takes to stay alive and protect those that are closest to them.

Your humble critic,
Lain

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Catherine, Called Birdy

I have always had a soft spot for this book. My friend recommended it to me some years ago and I just recently reread it. It is a nice book and an easy read. I of coarse could not pass it up on account of it being placed in the medieval time period. And also the fact that it is in Journal format.

Plot

This story takes place in a manner of a not so wealthy knight. His daughter, Catherine is a fun loving, mischievous, and witty girl of 14, who absolutely despises embroidery and anything to do with becoming a fair, well mannered young woman. Her father is not exactly a knight in shining armor. She through out the story gets read of suitor after suitor that her horrible father is trying to sell her to. She was doing so well until a man, nick named Lord Shaggy Beard, will not be shook of by her attempts. He by far is the worst of the worst. Catherine is determined not to be sold like one of her father's horses.

I personally give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to all who love quick witted and funny heroins who will let nothing stop them from achieving their goals.

Your loyal critic,
Lain