Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, #4) by Brian Jacques

Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, #4) Reviews

• 
  Karina

  This was a fun read that was a buddy read with @Leila over there on the other side of the pond in England. This is one of the beautiful things about Goodreads. To have a friend to relate and learn from. Without Leila's suggestion to read this I would have never picked it up on my own so THANK YOU so much.
  
  This was an adventurous story of a land called Redwall. The protagonist is a young, heroic mouse called Mariel. On losing her memory she meets wonderful critters at the Abbey that help her and her memories come back. She must save Redwall from the Searats. She is fierce and energetic and strong. She does not take crap from any living creature.
  
  The searats are miserable, nasty pirates that kill for the thrill and power over the small and innocent. They have machismo and try to outsmart one another.
  
  While I was reading this I imagined the movie cartoon version where Johnny Depth plays Gabool, the worst villain the sea has ever met. It was critter 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' Very fun YA. So full of imagination and friendship and revenge.
• 
  Amy

  I have read this book before, but it still enchants me. This was the first Redwall book that I ever picked up. I had heard that it was about mice, and I didn't want to read it. Then one day, I was soooooo bored that I picked it up and was enthralled, but was reprimanded for reading this one first, and so I took Redwall out from the library. It got better and better. I love these books. :)This is about Mariel and how she hunts down Gabool the Wild, in return for his imprisoning her and her father. Brian Jaques comes up with the coolest riddles!
• 
  Celeste

  Actual rating: 3.5 stars
  
  Redwall Abbey is always a wonderfully cozy place to revisit, no matter the plight facing its inhabitants. However, I have to confess that those plights are beginning to blur together in my mind, because each book is so formulaic. Almost without fail, the Abbey will be under some sort of siege by unsavory characters looking to enslave those within its walls and steal their home and resources. As this occurs, those most warrior-like from the Abbey are off on a quest far from home to defeat someone or win back an item that in some way correlates to the happenings back home in Mossflower forest and Redwall. And this tends to be under the guidance of the spirit of Martin the Warrior. Do I have any problem with this plot line? Not at all. But I have to admit that it’s becoming a tad redundant this many volumes into the series.
  
  One thing I did really appreciate about this book as compared to those preceding it was the fact that the titular hero was a female. Mariel is brave and fierce and feisty and determined and terrifically skilled with a weapon for one untrained. I found her journey an interesting and intense one to witness. But there were a couple of things about this installment in particular that bugged me. First of all, I found the central villain fairly unbelievable. His level of obsession with this bell, to the point of no longer sleeping and then falling prey to madness, made no sense to me. He went from sly to completely mental over the course of a scant few chapters, and it simply didn’t feel believable to me. Even in a story about anthropomorphic animals running an Abbey and waging wars, this bell-induced insanity was where my skepticism couldn’t be kept at bay. There’s also a place near the end of the book where a couple of creatures fight over who has the right to kill another character. This is such a stupid discussion to me, whenever I happen to see it in media. Who cares who can claim the kill, as long as the beast in question is put down in the end? It’s utterly nonsensical and baffles me any time I come across it.
  
  I might’ve had qualms with this volume, but I still enjoyed the story and the setting. And, of course, the food. Jacques wrote food descriptions like no one else I’ve ever read, and they never fail to make me hungry for things I’m pretty sure would actually be vile in real life. I also love knowing that everything is going to work out all right in the end, which makes this series perfect for children just getting into fantasy and adults looking for something cozy and nostalgic to provide a brief escape from the darker world of most adult fantasy fiction. Even if this wasn’t a perfect book, it was a fun one, and I’ll definitely be continuing on with the series.
• 
  Leila

  Brian Jacques is one of my favourite children's authors. He is sadly missed.
• 
  J. Aleksandr Wootton

  Notable for the sheer scope of action and swashbuckling adventure, plus the introduction of Mariel and her father Joseph the Bellmaker. Even separated, believing one another to be dead, their wills to survive and their resourcefulness and ambition to do as much as they can to fight back against evil made this book and its sequel, The Bellmaker, two of Redwall's best installments.
• 
  TS Chan

  This was another entertaining and endearing read from the Redwall series.  Mariel of Redwall was one of the prequel stories to the first titular book of the series, and provided more history to the Redwall Abbey that we've come to known and love.  Mariel as the eponymous character of the book was very easy to like, as was the case with most of the main characters of each title so far.  There's really nothing new that I can say given that the stories are fairly formulaic (well, these are children's stories after all) but it's a formula that works and one which I really enjoy.
• 
  Katja Labonté

  5 stars. Have I been binging Redwall? Why, yes. Have I wandered all over the chronological and published order? Well, rather. Am I still infatuated? Entirely.
  
  I’ve come to the conclusion that the most similar books in the series are 1, 2, & 3—which still aren’t super similar to be honest. The rest are very different. This book, however, still had the traditional Redwall under attack angle, which I enjoyed. Our other setting was Terramort, the isle where Gabool the terrible has made his headquarters with his searats.
  
  Mariel was honestly not my favourite character, either here or in other books. She doesn’t do much but whack stuff. She’s not super funny or sweet, like most other characters, and instead is a very serious, very dutiful, and very warring mousemaid. I felt she didn’t have much personality. However, she had an interesting storyline, so I didn’t care too much about how little I was interested in her. The rabbits—I beg their pardons, the hares—were a hoot and a half, as usual, but still varied! Tarquin was all fool (quite fun of course); and Rosie was an interesting mixture of warrior and dizzy haremaid; but Col. Clary and Brig. Thyme were absolute heroes and I am still not over their story!!! Rawnblade I remember nothing about; clearly he had no striking character marks to make him stand out here or among the other badgers. Dandin was also not a very original character but I liked him, and Durry was super cute (idk, he’s a hedgehog, ok?). I loved all the Dibbuns and other Redwall characters, even if I did get them a bit mixed up. Mother Mellus was delightful and Pakatugg was the crazy redneck paranoid guy that struck me as really comedic somehow. Simeon was a dear old soul, and Oak Tom is strangely fascinating?? Finally, the main searats had enough personality to stand apart and were the usual hilariously blundering but still scary villains, and Gabool was wild and quite terrifying—I know I say it every time about every villain, but it’s true.
  
  I really loved the sea-bound atmosphere of the book! It was quite an enjoyable romp on the high seas, in my opinion. Mariel, Dandin, Durry, and Co.’s journey was reminiscent of other books as well, but still different enough. The underground revolution was an unexpected but really fun stroke; and also that Redwall siege was more anxiety-inducing to me than usual somehow… and amazing…
  
  Overall, it’s been a bit too long since I read the book and I’m a jumbled mess of all the other Redwall stories right now, so forgive my helter-skelter and perhaps slightly inaccurate review, and just know that this was a great book and a lovely addition to the series and I highly enjoyed it.
  
  *Content list & quotes to come*
• 
  Cheyenne Langevelde

  This felt very different in tone than the other Redwall books I've read so far, but I still enjoyed the adventures, especially the piratey-sea aspect. Getting to tie in parts of Mossflower to Redwall was very enjoyable. Tarquin reminded me so much of my own bunny. I loved him!
• 
  Jess Lee

  rip brian jacques. So tough to choose a favorite from the Brian Jacques vault. While I am delighted to discover that there are yet a few books in the Redwall series that I haven't read, it saddens me to know that I'll never get to be a child eagerly awaiting the newest release in an ongoing saga of Martin the warrior and the peace-loving woodland inhabitants of the abbey. I no longer have the letter Mr. Jacques wrote in response to a third grade assignment in which I had to write 5 fanmail letters to celebrities (the other most famous people I could think of at the time and admired were Jim Davis, author of Garfield, and Charles Schultz, who I was devastated to learn was already dead.), but now as I am reminded of Mr. Jacques passage I believe that a more tenderhearted man never existed. I really think this series helped to indoctrinate me in the beliefs that good will always win over evil, and that even the most diminutive creatures can be heroes/heroines. I think Mariel is my favorite, because she's tough as nails and basically embodies all of the qualities I admire in a heroine despite the fact that she's a mouse. It's been at least a decade since I read this book, but I suppose my purview in writing this review is really to pay homage to Mr. Brian Jacques for providing me with some of the most valuable literary experiences I had as a child. Thanks and RIP
• 
  Olivia

  
  

  Draw close, now, little woodlander.
  Take this to sleep with you:
  My tale of dusty, far-off times,
  When warrior hearts were true.

  
  
  brb sobbing over the way this audiobook impacted Baby Olivia's story sense and the sheer amount of love I have for it now and always
• 
  Mariel

  Are there any good books about Mariels? I once found an e-book online (didn't read it. The excerpt was bad enough) about a woman with my whole name who sleeps with her boss. That doesn't count. She was pathetic. (I was googling myself. I shouldn't do that. Shit I posted at 17 is still around. I'm worried about e-books soiling my name?)
  I wished I'd read this as a kid (it came out in 1990 or 1991? I was still young enough). I would have loved a heroine with my own name. (Instead I had to put up with Ariel from The Little Mermaid and no one would ever listen to me that it isn't pronounced the same. Tough times... Where was the sword wielding Mariel then, hmm? No wonder I pinched bullies with my Sebastian the lobster fingers claws. Disney is a bad influence.)
  What is up with all of the eating? It's honeyed cakes this and spiced meads that. If they aren't eating, it is because they are cooking. Don't read these books if you are on a diet. Actually, the food didn't even sound that good. Like the Turkish Delight from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Yuck. (John Bellairs, on the other hand, was a recipe (chocolate chip cookie recipe) for disaster.) (Don't go grocery shopping or write book reviews while hungry.)
  Anyway, as much as it pains me to say it, Mariel was pretty lame. She wasn't even a heroine. I think Jacques just wanted to have a female heroine to name after me and he stuck this little mouse in the place of a biter fighter (me!).
  I've read a couple of others in the series. I couldn't get past the eating. It was like Hemingway and the wine flowing like wine on every page. My mom named me Mariel 'cause she admired the teen modelling career of Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter, Mariel. Aha! So we make wine flow like Jesus. (No wonder I'm the life of all parties.) (I'm not. I'm reviewing this on gr at home by myself so obviously I'm not.) (Ignore the sound of honeyed mead bottles corking in the background.)
• 
  Joseph Leskey

  =====================
  Somewhat original review
  =====================
  This was frightfully enjoyable, old beans and beanesses. As of such, according to the logical nature of the good ol' world, I enjoyed it. Actually, I enjoyed it a great deal.
  
  The humor, battles, characters, and adventures were all vigorously delightful. Nevertheless, my favourite part is almost definitely the different dialects of the assorted animals. British English is so much more enjoyable than American English.
• 
  Joanna Chaplin

  I had reached for the Redwall series as a break from a lot of dark fiction I had been reading recently. I found the experience was like climbing into my old playroom. At first it's warm and homey and all of my friends are there. But then I realize that I've basically played out all my old games and things are more complicated than "hare, good; sea rat, bad". So I will rate it as my childhood self might have and move on to other things.
• 
  Katy

  Such a fun, happy, good versus evil series.
• 
  erforscherin

  I know they're really childrens' books... but when the news is full of awful stories and that helpless feeling starts creeping in around the edges, I have never yet found a heartier comfort read than the Redwall series. I've recently unearthed some of my old collection and have been rationing it out cautiously: a page or two each night, remembering how carefully I used to make these last when space was limited and books were precious... and heavy.
  
  Mariel of Redwall was actually the first Redwall book I ever read: a kind librarian at the public library allowed me to dip into the Adult section (I guess the size of these was too intimidating for the Childrens' section?), and this was an enormous hardback with an exciting cover, and the pages were dusty and stained and dog-eared and well-loved. It follows the same basic formula as all the Redwall books, really -- feisty mousemaid escapes evil pirates, journeys to Redwall, regains her memories, makes new friends, journeys back to the coast, finds her father, defeats the pirates -- but it's hopeful and soothing and lighthearted, and I loved it instantly. I can't even guess how many times I read and reread this and Outcast of Redwall, but probably easily the double-digits for each.
  
  I was a little worried, cracking it open again after such a long time... But no -- it was like reuniting with old friends again; just a few pages and there I was again, tiny and anxious for school to end and knowing that a summer bright and brimming with adventure was just around the corner. A perfect time capsule in paper form: There is still magic in this world.
• 
  Kelsey Hanson

  I've discovered that I tend to go to Brian Jacques books after I read something that I find really dumb (*cough* Divergent series *cough*). Brian Jacques was just an incredibly masterful story teller and his characters are always interesting and you can't help but care about them. I particularly liked the relationship between Dandin and Mariel how they are partners in crime without being romantically linked. I do also admire the fact that Jacques always manages to make the point that violence is not something to be relished and shows that showing mercy does mean weakness. He has a variety of interesting characters in a variety of ages, species and genders and a pleasant combination of old and new. This was another fun swashbuckling tale and once again I can't praise this audiobook series enough for Brian Jacques' narration and a full cast.
• 
  Daniel Martin

  I'm giving all these books a 4, because they basically GOT me hooked on fantasy I think. I read all of these in elementary school, and still have fond memories floating around. The rad legendary weapons, (with the channels etched in for blood flow, which i found super hardcore). The foods, the booze, honey mead and apple wine or whatever. Come to think of it, these books might also be a little responsible for my alcoholism, too.
• 
  Catherine Hawthorn

  The more that I read of these series, the more that I enjoy them. While this one had some storyline jumping that I found rather annoying, I really liked following the adventures of the fierce little mousemaid, Mariel. Martin the Warrior also continues his influence - I really like that tie to the rest of the series.
  
  RW Ratings:
  Language: 5 stars
  Abuse: 5 stars
  Lust: 5 stars
• 
  Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson

  I absolutely loved Grub. He was a hilarious little scamp! He made the entire book for me.
  Mariel was also quite a pleasing character with plenty of growth and sass.
• 
  Grace W

  Note to self: If ever have daughter? Name her Mariel
• 
  Jennifer DuBose

  Meh. Started out great but then it came to a slow grinding halt about halfway through. I fear that I lack the imagination needed for this book, which is pretty sad after all.
  
  DNF for me.
• 
  John

  "This was a good one, four stars easily."
• 
  Lydia C Miller

  4.5 Stars
• 
  Eon ♒Windrunner♒

  3.5 Stars
• 
  Gale

  FEISTY MISS ON A MISSION OF MAYHEM!
  
  As other reviewers have adequately described the engaging plot of this delightful adventure, #4 in the amazing REDWALL series, I will limit my review to a list of the usual, captivating elements of the author's style--which I have noted in this fabulous series.
  
  --Certain animal species have their own (British regional, or slang) accents, which is clever but challenging to read. However, the meanings become more intelligible when the dialogue is read aloud.
  
  --An Excellent map is provided at the start of each novel, which greatly helps the reader follow the protagonists and antagonists on their various agendas.
  
  --Decorative sketches at the head of each chapter, which hint of the impending plot content.
  
  --The villains are vicious and dastardly beyond measure!
  
  --Many examples of nonsense and silly humor which will appeal to kids of all ages.
  
  --Characters use modified expressions like "paws" for feet/hands, "beast" for body.
  
  --Menus of Abbey feasts are excessively long (and notasbly vegan).
  
  --Readers realize the importance of an assigned Record Keeper. Or diarist, and resepcted chronicler of annual events at the Abbey.
  
  --Always in the background is the subtle influence of the long-dead but glorious Martin, the Warrior. A mythic hero whos memory continues to inspire present Redwall residents.
  
  --Many cryptic rhymes or runes which the heroes must eventually decipher in order to succeed on their quests.
  
  --Treachery among murderers and pillagers: there is no "honor among thieves" among these scumbags!
  
  --Too many (IMHO) needless poems which do nothing to advance the plot. The author has definite poetic talent, but not all his poetry is truly necessary.
  
  --Character development: Some characters do grow up and mature by the novel's end.
  
  --Readers' challenge: to follow multiple plot lines between chapters and even in the same chapter: not just two or three but often more.
  This requires and promotes mental dexterity.
  
  --Curious alliances among species for Quest survival.
  
  --Interesting details about Abbey life, based on true (human) ecclesiastical communities.
  
  --REDWALL is a series that is sure to please--a real page-turner!
  
  September 26, 2014
  
• 
  Jessica

  I mean, all the Redwall novels basically have the same plot, but it's comforting and I'm enjoying revisiting my favorite childhood series as an adult. I like how intense Mariel is, with her Gullwhacker.
• 
  Abigail

  This was a reread (listened to). It was narrated by Brian Jacques and the characters were voice acted which was quite fun (though some of the yelling parts or gruff sea-rat parts were hard to understand at times.) It felt very nostalgic. I think that Jacques wrote very well. I still enjoyed/drooled over all the descriptions of food, the dibbuns antics made me laugh, and the long patrol hairs/lord Rawnblade were cool. In terms of the storytelling, there were a few things which made me scratch my head a little. For example, at one point in the story, sea rats make it to Redwall, retreat back to their ship, then back to Redwall in an apparently short time with little trouble.. while it takes half the book and several adventures/obstacles (a heron, pike, a swamp, etc) for Mariel and crew to make it to the ocean... I didnt look at the map... maybe they took different routes? But then the rats later try to again retreat back to their ship, get lost, and then start running into the same obstacles as described earlier (heron, pike, etc, etc.) Anyway! I did really enjoy listening to this book from my childhood. I had forgotten all the appearances of Martin's ghost and I'm curious if it comes up as often in the other books? I think not?? It kind of felt appropriate in this book's case given that they are still building/establishing the abbey (which I had forgotten.. I thought the timeline was 1 Martin the Warrior, 2 Mossflower, 3 Redwall 4 Mattimeo, etc.. but it seems that Mariel (and the Bellmaker) are sandwiched between Mossflower and Redwall... anyway, minor details!
• 
  Emily Collins

  This book I will always keep dear to my heart. The day my mom bought this for me was the same day that a certain infamous Brian Jacques was having a book signing not too far away from my middle school. That's right, my copy is signed my the big man himself. I was in sixth grade at the time and I believe that while I was waiting in line, I took a spare piece of paper and created a mouse in a boat (awful quality, but 3D nonetheless). When I got up to the front of the line, he took one look at me and said that my name must be Erin Magonagle. I don't know for the life of me who Erin Magonagle really is, but I took it as a compliment and he signed the book I gave him my mouse-boat. I double he kept it but he looked so pleased to have gotten it at all that it made my day (or my year).
  To focus on the book itself, Mariel was always a character that I loved. She was the unconventional Redwaller, the one that didn't quite fit in. I may or may not have carried around a bit of rope (my own Gullwhacker) for a few weeks after reading the book - I admit nothing.
  This is an especially good book for kids who don't feel as though they fit in with the rest of the crowd. I was the odd one out for a long time, and this book was a great companion for that time.
• 
  Calvin Edwards

  This book was alright.I liked it more near the end.So like the last book.If it wasn't for that
  I would've gave it two.You can't put two and a half on Goodreads,so I gave it three stars.