Outcast of Redwall - Hardcover

Jacques, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399229140 ISBN 13: 9780399229145

Publisher: Philomel, 1996

Synopsis

When ferret Swartt Sixclaw and his arch enemy Sunflash the Mace swear a pledge of death upon each other, a young creature is cruelly banished from the safety of Redwall. As he grows, he seeks revenge on the people of Redwall and finds himself embroiled in a hostile battle with far-reaching consequences.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 4 Up?Another surefire hit for "Redwall" fans. The bulk of this story concerns an orphan badger named Sunflash the Mace who, with his buddy Skarlath the kestrel, rights the wrongs of the world. He eventually becomes Badger Lord of Salamandastron, which is populated by very English Public School hares. The bad guys in this story are ferret Swartt Sixclaw and Nightshade the vixen. They spend most of the book poisoning other bad guys and looking for a chance to even an old score with Sunflash. One last ferret of note is Swartt's son Veil, who is raised at Redwall Abbey by Briony the mouse. He spends his time in the literary limelight being a sociopath only a (foster) mother could love. Briony's faith in him eventually doing good remains unshakable, even after he is caught thieving and murdering. Besides strong plotting and good writing, there are two constants in this series: food and distinct accents for each group of animals. This title is no different. Though faithful readers should have a good idea by now what deeper'n'ever pie, dandelion and burdock cordial, and oatfarls taste like, talking about food is always a nice break from mourning the death of good friends who have fallen in battle. While the accents may pose problems for some, the hurdle is not insurmountable, and the characters are strong enough to engage even the most indifferent reader.?Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Dishing out neither surprises nor disappointments, Jacques's latest Redwall installment (after The Bellmaker) is likely to satisfy his considerable fans even if it doesn't win him any converts. This lengthy story rumbles into life when Sunflash, a badger, prisoner of the cruel ferret Swartt Sixclaw, escapes and swears revenge. Sunflash is destined to get not only his revenge but much else besides, for he is a Badger Lord, fated to rule the mountain Salamandastron. Drawn there by dreams, after an epic journey he takes command of the resident regiments of fighting hares and various serving beasts, and soon defends the mountain from a horde raised by Swartt. Though strongly plotted and spiced with a variety of secondary characters, Jacques's new concoction, like the vegetarian feasts he describes often and in detail, will not appeal to all tastes: the repasts are not the only parts of the story that go on too long, and the characteristics of all the animals in the story are fixed by their species. Moles, for example, are all rural bumpkins, with a "quaint mole dialect" that requires some study. Such ingredients, of course, may be just what makes the Redwall recipe so consistently popular. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5^-7. Jacques casts his latest Redwall yarn in the form of grand exploits related by an oldster to some young 'uns. This time the "mighty saga" concerns a badger lord known as Sunflash the Mace and his mortal enemy, a ferret warlord called Swartt Sixclaw. As usual, the cast--both the truly good and the truly evil--is large, but the major characters are so well fleshed out that readers become intimately involved in their adventures. Held captive by Swartt, the young badger is rescued by Skarlath the kestrel and claims his heritage as badger lord of the mountain fort Salamandastron, which Swartt and his vermin horde plot to attack. The outcast of the title is Swartt's son, Veil, who, abandoned as an infant, has been reared at Redwall Abbey by the loving mousemaid Bryony. Veil's wicked behavior, however, causes him to be cast out of Redwall. All of these characters come together in the final battle between the two avowed enemies. Another rousing saga for the series' many fans. Sally Estes

Edition details

• Publisher: Philomel
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399229140
• ISBN 13: 9780399229145
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352