Do Not Disavow

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Do Not Disavow By: Rick Davis   When Charlemagne established law Salic in barb’rous land, The gospel flourished, and he saw Christ’s praise on every hand.   (“Do you approve his methods now?”) I do not disavow.   King Godfrey took Jerusalem From bloody paynim hands And brought a halt to Musselmen Invading Christian lands.   (“He did some mean things anyhow!”) I do not disavow.   King Richard with his scarlet shield And passant lions ‘bossed Rode forth again unto the field To regain what was lost.   (“His deeds at Acre you allow?”) I do not disavow.   Unto the Germans Luther brought The gospel full restored, And Calvin at Geneva taught The glory of the Lord.   (“The Jews? Servetus? Holy cow!”) I do not disavow.   Stonewall and Lee like knights of old Fought for their native soil, The true and lovely to uphold Against the tyrant’s spoil.   (“Those vile racists broke their vow!”) I do not disavow.   Men
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Martin the Warrior

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Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques

I had been pretty burnt out on the Redwall books after Mossflower, Mattimeo, and Salamandastron. Redwall was a creative and fun book, but it seemed that all its successors were progressively formulaic and uncreative. Martin the Warrior, however, is a return to the same creative spirit of the original book, and, in my opinion, improves upon it.

The book explores the early life of Martin the Warrior after he has been made a slave by Badrang, the cruel tyrant of Marshank. Escaping with a small group of captives, and washing up on an unknown shore, Martin attempts to return a mousemaid named Rose to her family at Noonvale and build an army to return and challenge Badrang.

Jacques still uses his familiar formula from the previous books, but by not feeling the need to set the book near Redwall Abbey it becomes more of a novel adventure and a great fantasy yarn. If someone wanted to read just one of the Redwall books, I think that I would recommend Martin the Warrior above the original.

5/5 stars.

Comments

Rose said…
When I was around 11 or so my friends and I literally read piles of the Redwall books. I read about ten of them , and they read even more...and suffice it to say I got burnt out. :P I remember really liking Mossflower and Redwall and just reading the other ones because I was/am a compulsive reader and those books were on shelves I could reach. But I haven't read this one. I might have to give it a go for old times' sake.
19 February, 2012 15:56
Rick Davis said…
That's funny. I had never actually read any of the books until last year (or even heard of them until the last five years or so). Whether I read another one at this point depends on whether my son decides to read more. (I'm trying to keep up with him.) This one had a much darker ending than the others I've read.
20 February, 2012 07:20
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