Reviews
I think I heard the audio before reading the book. It was okay. I would have liked it more if I had been younger.
If I had first read this book when I was 7 or 8, I might have loved it. But reading it for the first time as an adult, I didn't connect with it. Definitely written for a younger audience.
I first read Redwall around age thirteen and loved it. Rereading it as an adult, I still love it! This is a wonderful adventure of sweet, little Mathias going on a grand quest to save his home. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The characters are vivid and interesting. And there is just enough darkness to keep it from being cheesy or little-kid oriented. Some of the passages about food could have been condensed though. This review fulfills the "Book with Nonhuman Characters" category of the Popsugar reading challenge. http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-...
I am a mix of emotions. I feel a lot of joy that I finally read this book, and so much remorse that I never read it sooner! Very cute, with lots of witty and funny bits, and tidbits of wisdom sprinkled in.
Some parts felt like they went on for a bit too long unnecessarily, hence the .5 star loss, but I will definitely be reading and cherishing this story for a long time
3.5 review coming soon
This series was my one of my first forays into fantasy when I was in elementary school. Redwall, Harry Potter, A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Ender’s Game were all defining elements in my childhood. I’ve loved it for more than two decades. And yet, unlike the rest, it’s a series that I haven’t revisited as an adult, because some part of me feared that it wouldn’t hold up as well as the other books that shaped me as a reader. I couldn’t have been more mistaken. Redwall proved itself to be even more delightful and charming and enthralling than I remembered. The stakes were higher than I recalled, and I loved every single second I spent in Redwall Abbey and Mossflower Wood. I’ve read plenty of adult fantasy that didn’t have my heart racing and breaking to the extent of this book. With how well it has stood the test of time, I honestly think every fantasy lover should give at least one of the books a try. It’s a huge series, and I don’t know that I’ll read it in its entirely, but I’m looking forward to revisiting Mossflower Wood again in the not-too-distant future.
I read this as a child, and remember loving it at the time.
This was the best book of my childhood, which made me sneak it into my bed with a little flashlight. I stayed up until 3am because I just couldn't put it down. Admittedly, this was when I was around 10 to 13 years old, so whether or not the book actually has any good criteria for adult readers is questionable.
I am that is
Decided to reread this for the first time since I was a kid. I've always admired the Redwall books for being a fantasy series that doesn't rely too heavily on its influences. While Carroll and Tolkien are clear influences, Redwall truly feels its own unlike a lot of fantasy series. I was surprised how much I remembered from when I was a kid and it was a really enjoyable read. Nostalgia definitely plays a big role in my love of this book but it just such an enjoyable narrative and world. Plot points can be relatively simplistic and move by pretty fast, especially for a fantasy book, but it is intended towards young readers. That being said, it never felt too sophomoric for me as an adult reader. I just really love the world that Jacques creates in these books. It's way more peaceful and lighthearted than a lot of gritty, dismal fantasy novels yet it can get pretty graphic for a book intended for elementary school students. The character names and personalities are truly unique and one of the highlights of the book. It really helps you attach yourself to the environment and characters. Now that this book is over 30 years old I think it can be cemented as a fantasy classic.
One of my all time favorite books and series. I read this as a kid, and I have since read it as an adult. I own a paperback copy of this book and many in the series. I can't wait for my children to be able to read this.
Took forever (since I had limited access to a CD player) but I finally finished listening to this today. And boy is it good! Not only is the book itself well done, but the cast is phenomenal! Having the author as the narrator and his son (who's quite talented) as the main character, it was quite the experience. I loved the story of Martin, and now Matthias facing down Clooney the Scourge. It was well done and the characters were great. Really, it was so well done. I will be listening to the rest of the Red Wall books until we get to where the author has passed on. I know they'll be well done, if they are half as good as this was.
