Brian Jacques, We Will Miss You

Brian Jacques, the beloved British author of the Redwall series, died Saturday. As the author of the only books I have ever read or heard of that can appeal to children just old enough to read chapter books all the way up to adults, he will be greatly missed by many fantasy book lovers.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.

Pertaining to The Sable Quean

In Brian Jacques's The Sable Quean, an evil female sable named Vilaya has a plot to take over Redwall Abbey. Her minions, an assortment of villains called the Ravagers, kidnap any young creatures they see out in the woodlands. When the captive young ones reach a sufficient number, Vilaya will threaten to kill the little tykes unless the Redwallers give up their abbey and slave for her. But she didn't plan on Buckler, the master swords-hare from Salamandastron, and his tubby friend Diggs paying the Redwallers a visit just when her plan begins to ripen.

Pros: Diggs is hilarious; a true Brian Jacques character! I'm also quite fond of Buckler... and just about all the good characters, for that matter! Also, the story was much more complex than most Redwall tales.

Cons: I don't like Flib, the shrew maid.

Note: This book is darker than any of the other Redwall tales. I haven't decided whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that the book was about animals. Which is good! But, on the other hand, I generally like Redwall books because they're harmless...

My Rating: OK (good creatures torturing, a little violent)

Picture from redwall.org