ALA Booklist (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2002)

The fifteenth saga in the Redwall series continues the satisfying formula in which the separate paths of valorous companions and brutal villains eventually converge. The young squirrel Triss is one of three slaves who make a daring, desperate escape. About the same time, Sagax, son of the great badger ruler of Salamandastron, and his best friend Scarum, son of the leader of the Long Patrol, slip away in search of adventure. Add to this the populace of Redwall and the discovery of what appears to be a loathsome three-headed snake of considerable size, and let the action begin. Once again, a hero takes up Martin the Warrior's legendary sword. Expected humor is plentiful, much of it provided by the gluttonous madcap hare, Scarum. And also present are the familiar feasts, all regaled in delicious detail. Of course, Jacques doesn't skimp on violent, gory battles in which the good win but not without suffering some deaths among their numbers. The myriad Redwall fans will relish this.

Horn Book

This fifteen Redwall book continues the pattern: contentment, good cheer, plentiful food, and fine companions exist side-by-side with adventure, mayhem, and death, but in the end the goodness of the Abbey world prevails. With at least four story lines always in play and numerous characters, it's a wonder it ever gets sorted out. Jacques pulls it all together, so that lovers of Redwall will find this another satisfying read.

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-Once again, Jacques has created a wonderfully imaginative and beautifully realized universe, filled to the brim with amazing and amusing characters. Triss the squirrelmaid (spiritual heiress to Martin the Warrior) escapes slavery, chased by the evil princess Kurda and her band of hired Freebooters. At the same time, two young rips named Scarum and Sagax head off to sea with their friend Kroova the otter, looking for adventure (and finding rather more than they bargain for). Meanwhile, there is something very scary lurking in the woods around Redwall Abbey. Almost every character speaks in elaborate dialect and there are several independent stories that converge at the end, requiring readers' concentration. There are also a few fairly graphic (though not gratuitous) scenes of violence. While this 15th book in the series is perhaps not the best place to start, even readers unfamiliar with the earlier titles will never feel lost, for there are plenty of references to earlier books.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.