I first read the Redwall books years ago and I still enjoy them when I recently re-read them. I love the world building and the creativity with which these animals were anthropomorphized. The level of description is really well done and very detailed. So adventurous and so very entertaining. ( )

This latest addition to the Redwall series is quite a treat. ( )

Villains have invaded Mossflower again, but this time the leader is trying a different strategy. Instead of an out and out assault, the Sable Quean is hiding herself away and commanding her creatures to kidnap the infants and children of the land while avoiding any open warfare against the famed abbey. Little does she know the abbey and the forest are inexorably bound together for the good all all inabitants. When you mess with one, you mess with all.

I have been reading the Redwall books for ages now, and I am aware [and freely admit] that they are formulaic. Spunky youths, wise elders, kind monks, engage in epic battles against nasty, evil scheming baddies. Soem die, but in the end, good does always triumph. Because of this some stop reading.

I don't.

I won't.

Brian Jacques was a part of my childhood [or at least youth], and I love the familiarity of the world he has given me [aside from geography, but oh well, right?]. I love the garrulous hares, the humble molefolk, the augmentative shrews and all of the many species he has filling the realm. I love the friendships forged and hardships overcome. I love the joy, laughter and honest sorrow shared by the characters. I will never tire of the strange foods they make and enjoy. And I will always, always love my happy endings.

I don't know if you've read any Jacques, but I will heartily recommend it. If you read too many back to back, you may tire of the echoes heard throughout, but if you save them for that rainy day when you've tired of the world at large, the stories of Redwall will bid you welcome and offer you a place of peace by a roaring fire.

And The Sable Quean is no bad place to start. ( )