Mariel of Redwall

May 31, 1999
A female protagonist, Mariel the mousemaid, lends a contemporary touch to the fourth installment in Jacques's Redwall series, which narrates epic events among the animals in the manner of Watership Down.

In the fourth installment of the ever popular Redwall series, we see one mousemaid, Mariel, and her father captured by sea rat pirates and thrown into the ocean. Mariel washes up on shore, a victim of amnesia. She visits Redwall Abbey, where she regains her memory and leaves, seeking revenge for herself and her father. There is plenty of action and excitement as we see that Mariel lets no one and nothing get in her way. Brian Jacques and his troupe give their usual spirited performance of these lively animal characters and their world. The songs and music always add to the production, and fans and newcomers will not be disappointed. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

February 1, 2005
Gr 4-8 -In the fourth book in the popular Redwall series (Philomel, 1992), author Brian Jacques serves as narrator along with a full cast of actors. Mariel, Mousemaid and daughter to Joseph, the Bellmaker, is tossed off her ship during a pirate raid led by Gabool, the evil King of Searats. Washed up on shore having survived the plunge and a storm, Mariel can't remember who she is and so names herself Storm Gullwhacker after successfully fighting off Gulls determined to eat her. This fantasy of good versus evil centers around Mariel, a female heroine who is determined to avenge the capture of her ship and her father. However, listeners will soon learn that all the stories are interconnected and all roads lead through and back to Redwall Abbey and, with the help of the spirit of Martin the Warrior, good eventually triumphs over evil. It will take a while for listeners to get used to Jacques' heavy accent. The full cast of actors brings the story to life and makes the action, including the bloody death of many of the characters, seem very real. The animal characters are very human, and listeners will feel connected to the emotions and heroism displayed. Use of music to signify the beginning of new chapters adds to the feel of the story. Fans of the series will surely appreciate this lively telling. Fans of animal fantasy will enjoy the depiction of an array of beasts with human attributes. -"Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.