Title: Marlfox – A Novel of Redwall

Author: Jacques, Brian

Book Preview:

The great tapestry of Martin the Warrior, Redwall Abbey’s hero and founder, has been stolen!  Redwall’s enemy, the Marlfoxes, stole this beautiful tapestry as a gift for their cruel and heartless queen.  Three young creatures named Dannflor, Songbreeze, and Dippler set out on a quest to get the sacred tapestry back.  Will they be heroes or will they be lost to their families forever?

Rating:

Marlfox had wonderful description. It said things like, "From the billowing masses of black and purple-bruised cloud that obscured the moon, thunder crashed and lightning ripped down in a flickering dance across the heaving waters."

It also had a beautiful beginning that used the right words to help you picture what the scenery looked like. The first sentence was, "Eternally serene, the moon ruled over star strewn vaults of cloudless sable night, like a round shield of flecked amber, casting pale light to the earth below."

My favorite part of this book, though, was the personalities of the characters. For example, "Dannflor is a young squirrel who is determined to prove to his father that he is a warrior, not a coward. He proves to be brave, resourceful, and kind." I liked that most of the characters were kind and peaceful, but they could be brave if they had to be.

Something that would have made this book better would be if the very last Marlfox (Redwall’s enemy) was headed toward Redwall, it would surprise the Redwallers and readers when the Marlfox stumbled into the abbey.

This book also had a wonderful real-life lesson. The lesson was never give up. Once you put your mind to it, you can do anything! [Amber]