Book Reviews

Redwall

December 13, 2008

Redwall
by Brian Jacques
Philomel Books, 1986
(351 pages)

“A mouse is small and can go unnoticed: but there is no limit to what a brave heart and a fearless spirit can achieve.”

Redwall by Brian Jacques is the story of an unlikely mouse hero who saves all of the good woodland creatures from an invading horde of savage rats led by the vicious Cluny the Scourge.

Redwall begins with the introduction of Matthias, a clumsy novice mouse at Redwall Abbey, a peace-loving community dedicated to healing and helping creatures. However, Matthias longs to be a warrior like the great Martin the Warrior who is depicted on a tapestry in the great hall of the abbey. Soon, he receives his chance as a band of savage sea rats arrive in the community, bent on conquering Redwall’s fortress.

Cluny the Scourge is the leader of these rats and enacts the perfect villain, unmindful of even his own army’s needs and demanding total submission from every creature.

Matthias the mouse must embark on am epic quest to find the lost sword of Martin the Warrior.

November 24, 2008

The Name of the Wind, The Kingkiller Chronicle, Day One
by Patrick Rothfuss
Daw Books, 2007
(722 pages)

Legend has it that knowing the true name of anything gives you power to make it do your bidding. Who would know better than Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Kingkiller?

In his words, “I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I have burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread on paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me...”

The Name of the Wind is the story of one man’s search for knowledge and power while enduring seemingly insurmountable hardships from the time he loses his family and troupe to wandering as a homeless boy in the hostile streets of Tarbean and nurturing his dream of attending the famed University.