 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Redwall: Redwall, Book 1
- By Brian Jacques
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Exciting tale promotes peace in the face of war.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is an exciting and well-told tale, but sophisticated language might deter younger or less experienced readers. Challenging vocabulary and rich, descriptive passages will help readers to improve their language skills. Though characters go to war, and there are plenty of deaths, including sad ones of secondary characters, the inherent value of a peaceful existence is promoted.
What's the story?
The Abbey of Redwall, a haven of peace, is under attack from a band of barbarous rats. How will a kingdom of innocent woodland creatures fend off such experienced villains? The answer lies in an ancient tapestry, a long-forgotten sword, and a young mouse who must rise to his destiny. Rich prose draws readers into an enchanting and humorous fantasy.
The legend of Redwall begins as Abbot Mortimer, leader of a monastery of mice, celebrates his Golden Jubilee, and a clumsy young novice, Matthias, struggles to find his place within Redwall Abbey. While escorting some woodland creatures home after the celebrations, Matthias and his companions are forced off the road by a rabble of rats whose leader, they later discover, is none other than the infamous Cluny the Scourge.
This legendary rat, whose reputation for cruelty terrifies the inhabitants of Redwall and the surrounding countryside, declares war on the Abbey when the animals refuse to surrender to him. As the woodland creatures prepare for war, Matthias and his old friend, Methusaleh, begin a desperate quest for the magical sword of Martin the Warrior, the famed defender of Redwall. The sword is their only hope in fending off Cluny the Scourge, but they must find it before time runs out!
Is it any good?
Preteens, teens, and adults with a penchant for fantasy and legends are drawn into this magical animal kingdom where unlikely heroes face seemingly insurmountable odds, and have made this series a runaway hit. Opening passages rich in poetry bring the Abbey of Redwall vividly to life. In the opening chapter an atmosphere of calm and comfort seems to pervade the rustic town. Within the very next chapter, however, the mood quickly changes, and the pace of the novel quickens as Cluny the Scourge and his army of rats march menacingly toward the Abbey. Though a war is at the center of the novel, the characters are fighting in self-defense and it is clear that their lives are at stake. As the mice and their friends struggle to defend the Abbey, they see the importance of cooperation and of respecting others.
Matthias, in his quest for the sword, must face traditional enemies of mice -- sparrows, a cat, and an owl. Only by treating these creatures with respect can he gain the aid he and his friends so desperately need. Adding to readers' enjoyment are the escapades of comical characters like the whimsical military hare or the quarrelling band of shrews, which often punctuate the suspense.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the book's unique use of language and how it serves to set the tone of the story.
Is this book set in a fantastical place, or a realistic one that could
actually exist?Were there any new vocabulary words that
you learned while reading the book? What were they -- and do you
remember what they mean?What other books have you read that have small but mighty heroes?
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AGE
Great book!
Most teens will likely say "Talking animals who go on adventures? How incredibly stupid!" I was a bit skeptical at first, but this series of books is incredible! They are very well written and leave you wanting more, which is okay because as of the time I wrote this review, there are about 20 books in the series, and all of them are stellar and live up to the amazing first book!
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AGE
Redwall: Good for tweens, but not all younger children...
I rather love the Redwall series. One of my concerns is, there is character death in the book, which not all parents are going to want to let their kids read about, because they simple aren't ready.The role models are good though, and one can look up to them. The message that the book has is a rather positive one too.
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AGE
This book is creepy and violent. The main villian cluny, is pathological and the wanton cruelty is pervasive.
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AGE
Wonderfully written, but...
This is a wonderful telling of a medieval abbey inhabited by mice, hedgehogs, badgers, hares, otters, and squirrels. (I think that's it...) This is the first in the series, and by far the one with the most plot and character developement. The detail is wonderful and, well...descriptive. (This is written in the style of Watership Down, another wonderfully written book, though it has a slow part toward the middle.) There is some violence. Some of the nice mouseys (as one of my younger friends describes them as) die deaths described in sometimes too much detail. Brian Jacques (pronounced 'Jakes') is setting up the rest of the series in this one volume. My mom has a comment though:"All the Redwall books have the same plot; something threatens the [Redwall] Abbey, and the main character goes on a quest for something with some other characters. The rest of the characters stay at the abbey and try and defend it. The questors (sp?) come back at just the right time, and save the abbey until the next book." This comment, for the most part, is completely accurate. I love this series personally, but sometimes requires multiple reads to completely understand it. Once you do, you will read them even more.
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AGE
perfect for adventure lovers!
Redwall is a great book for kids who love animals and fantasy. This book has a good dose of adventure in it. The violence isn't too realistic to scare younger kids and the plot is good enough to keep readers hooked.
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AGE
Wonderful book, but too violent for young kids.
I love this book, and all of the other books in the Redwall series that I've read! This book does contain some intense violence and mild language, so I'd say 12+.
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AGE
book with detail
Its a great book the whole series is great but you should read it to your kids the words are very sophisticated and hard to understand so you might have to explain like what a habbit is
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AGE
High vocabulary.. a Good read
Amazing! A fantasy tale that leaves me speechless. The food is described in great detail that my mouth waters, and the battles so epic and for a good cause but I feel so sad about the deaths of characters, but in the end, the peaceful Redwallers always prevail. I first heard the title and I said "Talking Animals! Are you serious? This is going to be stupid!" but I was wrong.... SO SO SO SO SO wrong.
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| Author: | Brian Jacques |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Penguin Group |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1986 |
| Number of pages: | 333 |
| Hardcover price: | $23.99 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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