The Long Patrol

Jacques, Brian. The Long Patrol. New York : Ace Books, 1999.

Plot: Tammo, like many young hares, wishes to join the Long Patrol, a legion of legendary fighting hares serving under a badger Lady. Despite the orders of his father, he runs away to join the fighters. Yet, instead of meeting the hares on the mountain, he finds himself with a squad of hares fighting their way to Redwall Abbey. The fighters must hurry if they are to warn the shattered abbey of a coming army of vermin, but can the creatures defend themselves when the very wall surrounding them shatters? Also, how does the broken wall relate to an ancient foe?

Genre: Animals, Adventure, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Similar Titles: Voyage of Slaves, Redwall series

Personal Thoughts: A direct sequel to Pearls of Lutra, the novel builds on past characters while developing new heroes. Some of the younger creatures in the earlier work now serve the abbey in the highest positions, making the reader eager to learn more. Yet, the sequel is not limited to the past, but expertly builds on the future. Another good read.

Pearls of Lutra

Jacques, Brian. Pearls of Lutra. New York : Philomel Books, 1997.

Plot: Ublaz the Emperor of pirates seeks an ultimate prize - six perfect, rose-colored pearls to complete his crown. When his captain fails to retrieve the pearls from a massacred otter holt, the emperor makes a second attempt, sparking a rebellion, a quest for revenge, and an adventure for  Redwall Abbey. Rollo, Cracklyn, and Tansy, three Redwall creatures, must solve the riddles leading to the pearls to ransom their abbot. Yet, through circumstance, storms, icebergs, and seals, the warriors of Redwall steadily bring matters into the emperor's own domain.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals, Adventures

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Similar Titles: Guardians of Ga'hoole series, Redwall series

Personal Thoughts: The novel expertly blends puzzles, adventures, swordfights, and animals in a creative and intriguing manner. This may very well be one of Jacques's best works.

Doomwyte

Jacques, Brian. Doomwyte. New York : Philomel Books, 2008.

Plot: A strange, cult-like group stalks the swamps of Mossflower Woods. While the Wytes continue to claim lives, they are frustrated by the loss of their treasure, taken by Gonff, an infamous mousethief, seasons ago. Yet, the decendants of the thief are alive, well, and eager to claim the four gemstones stolen from the cult and hidden by their ancestor long ago. Their treasure hunt results in revelations, lessons, rediscoveries, and the key to the destruction of the Wytes once and for all.

Genre: Animals, Adventure, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Similar Titles: Redwall series, especially The Pearls of Lutra

Personal Thoughts: While the story contains some interesting aspects, it is not as well developed as some of Jacques' other works. The heroes and the villains do not intertwine as well as in other novels. The Wytes are thoroughly malicious and intriguing, but their influence seems largely stunted and ineffective. Similarly, while the heroes have potential, they just do not appear as heroic as some of Jacques' other protagonists. However, the novel does introduce the "modern" view of past characters in a believable manner. The heroes that were casual are raised, appropriately, to an almost larger than life status by the characters in this story. I like that, since it mirrors reality. The heroes of the past are remembered for their unbelievable actions, not their personal mannerisms, and the story reflects this fact very well.

Redwall

Jacques, Brian. Redwall. New York: Ace Books, 1989.

Plot: Matthias, a novice of Redwall Abbey, always loved hearing of the mouse warrior, Martin. Yet, as a member of an order of healing in a time of peace, he has no hope of experiencing battle. However, his life, and the life of every creature in Mossflower, becomes radically changed when Cluny the Scourge, a tyrannical rat, brings his army to the Abbey’s gates. Matthias discovers his hidden ability to lead, encourage, and fight through the influence of his friends, his mentors, and a young fieldmouse named Cornflower. Yet, to assure victory over the warlord, Matthias must find the lost sword of Martin and claim his destiny as defender of Redwall.

Reading Level: 6-8 grade

Genre: Adventure, Animals

Similar Titles: Mossflower, Nightshade City, Warriors series

Personal Thoughts: The first in the popular Redwall series, the novel provides a history of the abbey and its warriors. While the concept of animal stories tends to be dismissed as juvenile, the book also discusses topics such as responsibility, planning, justice, and hope creatively and believably. After reading a few more books from the series, loyal readers can recognize the beginnings of characteristic themes in the series, particularly riddles and multiple plotlines. The book provided a basis for a cartoon miniseries a few years ago. Apparently, the miniseries is now available on DVD.