Well, while I spent 3 weeks waiting in line to see Star Wars (Yes, I'm a Star Wars geek, or as Yellowchief put it "a Jedi nerd") I had some time to catch up on my reading. So I reached into my Redwall series and managed to finish reading two of them. And thought I would share my opinion of them with you.
Outcast of Redwall
This is a pretty good book, if not mis-named. A more appropriate name would have been '
Sunflash the Mace' because the story revolved mostly around him. And you don't even meet the outcast character until the end of the second book. Even then he's little more then a sub-plot. But I think I can see why Brian named it the book after that character. But I can't go into detail without spoiling the ending.
Aside from that. It’s a good story line. Drags a little here and there. but nothing to really spoil the book. The main characters are very well written. and the background setting is very good. The battle scenes are OK. But the real magic of this book is in Sunflash and his quest to find his place in life. and how he adjusts when he finds it.
All in all. a good addition to the Redwall series and well worth the read.
I give it three thumbs up
The Long Patrol
This is the best Redwall book I have read so far. If you have ever read any of the Redwall books, you have heard of the 'Long Patrol' but they never went into great detail what they do. Now here is a story that is practically all theirs. and it's great.
This has a fast paced story line that keeps you turning the page. The characters are so well written that you even tend to like some of the bad guys. And the fight and battle scenes are the best of the series that I have read. Plus for the first time. You get to see some of the inner workings of both Salamanstron and Redwall's command structure. Plus you get to meet the only champion of Redwall to wield the sword of Martin that isn't a mouse but is a squirrel. And a first Lord of Salamanstron that is less then a perfect leader. Plus you learn a little history of the building of the Abby. I think that's the magic of the book. It breaks away from the mold of the other books. while keeping the same flavor. The only down side is a little side adventure that some of the Redwall character takes. I saw no real reason for it.
And most definite read. even if you are not a Redwall fan
five out of five for this one
