ALA Booklist (Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2000)

As in Salamandastron (1993), the struggle in the thirteenth episode of Jacques' popular Redwall saga involves the invasion and capture of the mountain fortress Salamandastron by a vicious villain. This time, the evildoers are dastardly wildcat Ungatt Trunn and his Blue Hordes. True to the author's customary and successful formula, the story involves a desperate quest and an unlikely friendship. A brash young haremaid, Dotti (Dorothea Duckfontein Dillworthy), a self-proclaimed fatal beauty, is on her way to Salamandastron so that her parents won't have nervous breakdowns. The great Badger Lord Brocktree, whose dreams of danger are guiding him to the same place, meets Dotti in the forest, and they join forces. As the duo make their way toward their destination, they experience a number of adventures and gather an ever-increasing army of moles, otters, hares, squirrels, and others to wage war against the evil forces. As expected, a good bit of humor and a lot of feasting leaven the bloody action. Characterizations remain true to the series, whose many fans will enjoy this hare-raising tale.

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2001)

When Ungatt Trunn attacks Salamandastron, Stonepaw and his small band of warrior hares are unable to hold off the villains. In the meantime, Stonepaw's son, Lord Brocktree, has been making his way to Salamandastron, accompanied by Dotti, a beautiful and spunky hare maiden. Jacques's talents for creating memorable characters and weaving several plot strands into one cohesive story are at their best in this exciting adventure.

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-Jacques shows no signs of flagging in this latest tale about a Badger Lord named Brocktree, a fatally beautiful haremaid named Dotti, and an evildoing wildcat named Ungatt Trunn. Trunn and his Hordebeasts have invaded Salamandastron and caused the death of Lord Stonepaw. However, from off in the forests and meadows, help is coming. The shrews, hedgehogs, moles, river and sea otters, squirrels, and a pack of Highland hares band together with Brocktree and Dotti. Trunn is eventually defeated, and the Horde quickly disperses, leaving the "Redwall" creatures to their favorite pastimes-dancing, singing, and of course, eating. Jacques continues to have an amazing gift for keeping his story fresh. He starts this one from two different points: the invasion, and the adventures of Dotti, Brocktree, and their friends. The two stories converge near the end of the book for a thrilling conclusion. The story itself is framed as a history written by the current lord of Salamandastron. The plot is well balanced, chapters of floating on a river and feasting with friends are set in counterpoint with the horrors of war. The characters, as always, are easily defined and identified by their accents, a Jacques specialty. It may take some readers a while to figure out what everyone is saying, but they will make the effort as these beasts are all so engaging. There is no need to have read the earlier books for this one to make sense, but new readers will undoubtedly be asking for more, and fans will just eat it up.-Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.