In this seventeenth Redwall title, Mossflower Country and the peaceful inhabitants of Redwall Abbey are under threat from Gulo the Savage, a flesh-eating wolverine who murdered his father and now seeks to kill his brother and recapture the Walking Stone. Two warrior squirrels, Rakkety Tam McBurl and his friend Wild Doogy Plumm, set out with the hares from the Long Patrol to battle Gulo and protect the abbey residents. Jacques' tale of war and courage includes a cast of thousands that battle fiercely and relish their comradeship, most often through banquet and song. Several intriguing characters stand out, including Yoofuss the vole, a compulsive thief who steals every trinket he comes in contact with; Sister Armel, a Redwall squirrel maid whose dreams help foretell the story's outcome; and a turtle called Rockbottom. The complex plot and frequent use of Scottish dialect may try a casual reader's patience, but Redwall fans won't be deterred.

In this seventeenth entry in his popular Redwall series, Jacques continues with his proven formula of heroic young animals fighting evil vermin. Gulo the Savage, a wolverine, is opposed by a cast including Rakkety Tam MacBurl, a warrior squirrel, and Sister Armel, a brave squirrelmaid. Jacques's descriptions, adventure, and character accents will entertain his many fans.

Gr 5-9-Jacques once again delivers a heroic tale of friendship, valor, and a battle between good and evil. Gulo the Savage and his army of vermin invade Mossflower Country to murder his brother and capture the coveted Walking Stone. Rakkety Tam MacBurl, a highland warrior, and his companion Wild Doogy Plumm, join forces with the hares of the Long Patrol Regiment and the occupants and friends of Redwall Abbey to defeat the villains. Numerous battles occur across Mossflower Country and eventually end at the doorstep of Redwall Abbey. This fast-paced adventure will keep readers on their toes until the final battle. Elliot's ink sketches appear at the head of each chapter, giving readers a glimpse of what is to come. Some characters' accents may pose a slight challenge for those not familiar with the previous books. The colorful writing style, the strong cast of characters, and twisting plot will continue to delight fans of the series.-Christine McGinty, Albany Public Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.