Redwall

I know what some of you are thinking: didn't I just review this book a few months ago? Am I trying to sneak this back in because it's the most convenient “wall” theme?[return][return]Yes and no. The book I wrote about a few months back is a novel... as in a book full of words and no pictures once you get past the Map of Redwall Abbey and the surrounding countryside. This one is the graphic novel version, aimed at younger readers, people who are scared by profusion of words on a page, or anyone who enjoyed Redwall.[return][return]To recap, Redwall Abbey is home to an order of mice who is committed to healing any creature who needs it. One of the founders is the great mouse hero Martin the Warrior, whom Matthias, the protagonist of this book looks up to. [return][return]When villainous sea rat Cluny the Scourge sets his eye on the Abbey, Matthias sets off on a quest to find Martin's legendary sword, said to be able to aid them in a time of need. In his journey, Martin meets a cast of animal characters like the sparrow princess Warbeak Sparra and the easy-going Basil Stag Hare.[return][return]The graphic novel is not a complete retelling of the novel. Like the end product of most book-to-movie efforts, some parts are lost in translation. There's an assassination attempt that I had hoped to see but it didn't make it into this version. You also don't really sense the passage of time here. Warbeak's time in the Abbey and Martin's time with the sparrows seemed a lot shorter than it is. [return][return]However, you don't really get the sense of how huge Constance the badger is next to all those mice until you see the picture. Or how high Jess the Squirrel has to climb to reach the Abbey's weather vane. Or how scary Cluny the Scourge really is. Which is good because if I get the neurotically insecure “Cluny the Scourge!” proclamation that comes out every other chapter in the book, I'd go bonkers.[return][return]This version would have been greater if it was in colour, but Bret Blevins's monochromic pencils and grey markers are still wonderful. [return][return]I picked up Redwall The Graphic Novel from a local book store's comic/manga section, but didn't notice any other copies. Sorry. MINE.

I remember all the Redwall series being very popular so I decided I'd give in and read them for myself. First off, these books are really boring. They're very slow moving and leave a lot of questions in the end. Plus, it's an unoriginal idea - talking mice, living human-like lives, saving all the woodland creatures from the (non-present) humans. [b:Watership Down 76620 Watership Down (Watership Down #1) Richard Adams https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg 1357456], anyone?

I truly didn't know what to expect going into this book. What I found was an enjoyable story with a character who aspires to make friends of enemies without compromising to evil. The characters in the book are strong and unique. Their interactions are often amusing. This story kept the third grader plugged in for evening story time for the entire 300+ pages. While Narnia continues to reign as my favorite children's story world, Redwall is a great addition to our story times together.

I listened to the audiobook and I'm so glad I did because it's narrated by Brian Jacques himself AND a full cast, which I love. So good. 

God this book is great. Matthias is such a brave little mouse and Cluny the Scourge was actually pretty scary for a rat in a children's book, not gonna lie. I was so invested in the inhabitants of Redwall Abby and the creatures of Mosswood that I never wanted to stop listening and felt a little abandoned at the end of the story. I even had a little cry. Good thing there are like, 21 more books or something.