I hadn’t thought of rereading these seriously until I realised that reading a childhood book was on the list for a reading challenge, and then my sister returned all my copies to make room on her shelves for her own books. Then I thought, well, why not? I remember that I found the books getting a bit repetitive as the series went on (and on, and on) but Martin the Warrior was the first I read, and it’s obvious why it hooked me as a kid. It’s a little bit deterministic — rats are evil, mice are good, shrews are quarrelsome, etc — but I know that’s tackled a little in later books with characters like Veil. I’m not sure it’s ever really dealt with, though.
One of the awesome things is the way it talks about food; all kinds of food that animals would actually eat, yet cooked in human ways. It’s a weird combination, or sounds it, until you read the book and then it just sounds tasty. I’m sure I’d like Grumm or Polleekin’s cooking…
Martin the Warrior ends on a sour, sad note. I think ultimately the sympathies lie with the peace of Noonvale, even while there’s understanding of the need for revenge that drives Felldoh and, to a lesser extent, Martin. It doesn’t bring any good to the characters, even though they’ve removed a threat from the world.
Definitely a good nostalgia read, despite the sadness, and perhaps a bit more nuanced than I remembered.
Originally posted here. 0739356143 This was a great read in the series. I loved the chapters focusing on different characters and I love reading about all the different food they ate.
I hated Badrang, and even though he was also a bad character, I kind of liked Captain Tramun (I kept misreading it as Truman 😂) Clogg. I thought he was quite humourous at times.
The final battle was descriptive and I felt fully immersed with what was going on. I really wanted to see Badrang slain, which I'm glad he was, but I also felt sadness at Rose being slain too. I really enjoyed the fact that Martin got his Father's sword back by slaying Badrang.
I really enjoyed this installment, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series 0739356143 The second book on my chronological rereading journey. Now, we learn of the early origins of Redwall's warrior, Martin.
After escaping from slavery, Martin journeys back to the fortress of Marshank to free his fellow slaves and take back his father's sword. 0739356143 This was the book that got me into fantasy, and fill in love with reading. My teacher in grade school loved the story, and all my friends read the series. So I gave it a try on audio, and felt in love with audio and this series. This is my favorite book of the Redwall series. I just love the character of Martin the Warrior. This origin story really shows how he came from nothing into the one of the greatest leaders and warrior in the land. The ending of the book is the cause and origins of Redwall. Without it, Redwall would have never existed. So this is the foundation book in the series.
P.S. I have read this book more times than I can count. 0739356143 I want to begin this by saying that I was unfortunately spoiled of some of the events by siblings who had already seen the animation.
That said, I could predict many of these spoilers anyway, but that by no means prepared me for the way this book ended. This was also the fastest I've read a Redwall book, taking two days for the first third, and the binging the rest of it in a few hours. The story felt much simpler in tone, but nonetheless deep in development and characters. I cannot say much for fear of spoiling...but Brian Jacques once again went directions I did not think he would stoop to, and essentially stabbed me in the heart twice. It's going to take me awhile to recover and get back to this beloved series.
This is currently tied with Mattimeo for favorite in the Redwall series. I would give it 10 stars if I could. The feels...oh the feels... 0739356143
Brian Jacques ½ 6 Read
A shadow has fallen on the shore of the Eastern sea, a shadow called Marshank. In this cold stone fortress a stoat named Badrang holds dozens of innocent creatures as slaves, part of his scheme to build an empire where he will rule as unquestioned tyrant.
Among those slaves is a mouse named Martin who has a warrior's heart, and a burning desire for freedom--freedom not only for himself, but for all of Badrang's victims. There is no risk he will not take, no battle he will not fight, to end the stoat's evil reign, and in the process regain the sword of his father, Luke the Warrior--the sword that Badrang stole from him when he was but a lad.
Once again master storyteller Brian Jazques has crafted an epic adventure and filled it to the bursting point with unforgettable characters, including villains so hilariously evil you'll barely be able to keep from hissing them, and loveable woodland creatures so brave you'll want to stand and cheer as they fight for their freedom. Martin the Warrior (Redwall, #6)
I think I will just find a blankie, and a corner to cry my heart out in. 0739356143 Martin the Warrior is probably one of the best Redwall books. While the writing is decidedly clunky at best, you never notice once you get into the book. Martin the Warrior has everything; it has the drama, the sadness, the love and hate of The Lord of the Rings.
It also has the revenge and hate of Felldoh, and off course the sadness of the death's of some central characters.
I felt the difference between Martin and Felldoh strongly; Felldoh was imprisoned all his life, and was forever changed by it. He nourished a great hate, which he could only satisfy with revenge. Martin, on the other hand, fought for the freedom of those living within the area of Marshank. I was first introduced to the animated series, and impressed by the line they added, which, surprisingly, was not in the book;
We fight for freedom, not revenge. We fight in the name of Felldoh!
A line they left out of the cartoon, was Brome, speaking of Felldoh. In the cartoon, he still says That was an oath of vengeance, not a goodbye, and Felldoh used to be my hero, but I don't know him anymore, but the left out the powerful part of the conversation that followed:
Felldoh is a warrior. This Martin your always talking about is a Warrior like him.
And Brome responded by saying If Martin is a warrior like Felldoh, then Seasons help my sister Rose if she is still with him!
Then later, Brome is to say Give me a javelin, I want to be a warrior like Felldoh! and yet lets one of the enemy go free. A powerful and emotional book. 0739356143 5+ stars (6/10 hearts). I loved Redwall—I loved Mossflower—I loved Lord Brocktree. But I really loved Martin.
I can’t really lay my finger on the reason. Perhaps it’s the writing. The descriptions were unusually beautiful in this book—there are several I wish to add to my commonplace book. Perhaps it's the aesthetic—a mixture of slave fort and sea, forest and sand. Perhaps it’s because of the TV show, which brings it so accurately to life and which I love so much.
Perhaps it's the characters—pirates, a slaver and his army, a mostly crew of actors, crazy pigmy shrews and wild squirrels and various other colourful personages… There’s Tramun Clogg, a host to himself—braided, dirty, loud Cap’n Clogg, a queer mixture of humour and cruelty that somehow is almost likeable… or pitiful. There’s Badrang the Tyrant, the cruel, wicked overlord but none too clever for all that. There’s soup-making, ladle-totting Grumm and sweet, headstrong Brome the runaway and the blooming healer. There’s the Rambling Rosehip Players—witty, reckless Ballaw; strong-minded, strong-voiced Rowanoak; flirty Celandine; and the others. There’s unloving Pallum and noble old Barkjon; Druwp the traitor and Keyla the brave. There’s the wicked soldiers and corsairs; the stern Warden; Boldred and her sweet family. There’s Rose—sweet, spirited, resourceful Rose. There’s Felldoh—fierce, loving, determined Felldoh the avenger. And then there’s Martin. I can’t say why I love Martin so much. He’s stern and tender, wise and impulsive, dutiful and brave and strong—not a very outstanding warrior mouse. But somehow he became one of my very favourite fictional characters ever.
Perhaps it’s the dramatic plot—the terrible slavery in the fort rampant with torture and ill-use; the plotting and counterplotting between Clogg and Badrang; Rose, Grumm, and Martin’s adventures with the shrews and moles and lizards; Felldoh and Brome’s escapades with the actors; the half-freedom and full freedom; the half at Noonvale; the final battle… it’s a real voyage, full of happiness and excitement and dismay. Perhaps it’s the beautiful ending, that brought tears to my eyes.
Perhaps, quite simply, it’s all of these things…
*quotes & content list to follow upon reread* 0739356143 I love The Redwall books and have all of them on my shelves. I am once more reading through them all out of respect for author Brian Jacques who sadly has passed away. There will be no more delightful books full od the adventures of the animals of Redwall. Yes, these books are written primarily for children, but here is one child at heart who been gripped by every one of them. They can teach youngsters and older people too, lots about life. There is a lovely innocence in the books coupled with the harder facts of life. Readers learn of family, loyalty, sacrifice, treachery cruelty, love and fun and laughter too. Can I just mention the food! If you read a Redwall book you will soon know what I mean. A younger and simpler version of the 'Duncton Wood' books but if you like animal stories and you too are a child at heart do read them! 0739356143 One of the things I came across when I was young and completely obsessed with Redwall was a quote from Brian Jacques, in the introduction to 'Redwall Friend and Foe' where he stated, emphatically, Goodies are good! I can't help thinking about that when I think about this book, because here's the thing: while on its surface Redwall can look like a series with black and white morality, where certain people are good and others are bad, the stories themselves often overturn those expectations, and none do it quite as powerfully as Martin the Warrior, story of the Abbey's legendary champion before he arrived in Mossflower Wood.
Martin isn't a bad person, but what he is isn't precisely 'good' either. His story is fundamentally about being consumed by revenge to the point that he loses sight of the people around him, and it causes horrible destruction and suffering. What he fights for, nominally, is freedom; but it is clear as the book nears its climax that he is also motivated by pride and pain, and both of those cloud his vision. He does not make it out unscathed.
The end of this book was pretty much the saddest thing I remember reading as a child - the song that played over the TV show's final scenes still makes me tear up. There is a brutality to it which is uncommon for the series (though not unique) and it is that coupled with the long-term effects on Martin - which most readers probably already know - that make this so painful. And yet it's... also a big part of what makes this book powerful, because it is a book about pain and responding to it, and Martin's choices at the beginning and at the end are completely opposed, as are the choices he makes in much of the rest of his life. 0739356143