Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

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. (Feb.)

School Library Journal

Gr 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

Horn Book

In this dense epic tale of homecoming and reunion, the ferret child of evil warlord Swartt Sixclaw comes to maturity within the confines of the abbey of Redwall, while the badger warrior-king Sunflash relies on dim memories to guide him home to the mountaintop fortress where his mother grieves for her long-lost son. Action-packed and laced with dialect, song, and detailed menus of forest feasts, this eighth book in the Redwall series will reward fans.

ALA Booklist (Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 1996)

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. (Reviewed March 1, 1996)

Kirkus Reviews

``Eeulaliaaaaaaa!'' echoes the battle cry of Sunflash the Mace, badger warlord and champion of all that is good. Accompanied by his faithful scout, the kestrel Skarlath, Sunflash sets out to vanquish the evil ferret Swartt Sixclaw, who had enslaved him in his youth. Meanwhile, Sixclaw's bad-seed son is raised lovingly by a mousemaid at Redwall Abbey. However, in spite of his upbringing, he follows his father's wicked ways and is cast out of the abbey forever. The action climaxes in a pitched battle with Sixclaw's horde at Salamandastron, Sunflash's mountain stronghold. Convincing characterizations (including strong female participants), well-realized settings (accompanied by mouth- watering feasts), grand dialogue, inventive action—in this eighth offering in the popular Redwall series, Jacques (The Bellmaker, 1995, not reviewed, etc.) will more than please his fans. With the usual black-and-white chapter decorations throughout, the book is written to formula—good trumps evil, but has to count at least one important loss—and many will rate it among the best in the series. (Fiction. 9-14)"