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Redwall #6
Martin the Warrior
On the shore of the Eastern Sea, in a cold stone fortress, a stoat named Badrang holds dozens of innocent creatures as slaves, part of his scheme to build an empire where he will rule as unquestioned tyrant. Among those slaves is a mouse named Martin who has a warrior’s heart and a burning desire for freedom—freedom not only for himself, but for all of Badrang’s victims. There is no risk he will not take, no battle he will not fight, to end the stoat’s evil reign and in the process regain the sword of his father, Luke the Warrior—the sword that Badrang stole from him when he was but a lad!
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
About the author
Brian Jacques
221 books4,344 followersJames Brian Jacques was an English author celebrated for the Redwall series of children’s fantasy novels and the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman books, along with several collections of short stories that blend adventure, folklore, and the supernatural. Raised in Liverpool, he left school at fifteen and pursued a wide range of occupations, including merchant seaman, truck driver, bus driver, and entertainer, experiences that later enriched the characters and settings of his fiction. His love of literature, encouraged from childhood, remained constant, and he continued writing poems, plays, and stories throughout adulthood. While working as a milkman, he began reading aloud to students at a school for the blind, inspiring him to craft vividly descriptive tales that relied on sound, smell, taste, and touch. These readings evolved into the manuscript for Redwall, which launched a bestselling series known for its heroic quests, detailed feasts, and intense battles between good and evil. The books achieved international popularity, selling millions of copies and being translated into many languages, as well as adapted for television and audio. Jacques also hosted a long-running radio program devoted to opera and maintained strong ties to his hometown. His stories, rooted in memory, imagination, and compassion for young readers, continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 753 reviews
January 13, 2015
One of the things I came across when I was young and completely obsessed with Redwall was a quote from Brian Jacques, in the introduction to 'Redwall Friend and Foe' where he stated, emphatically, "Goodies are good!" I can't help thinking about that when I think about this book, because here's the thing: while on its surface Redwall can look like a series with black and white morality, where certain people are good and others are bad, the stories themselves often overturn those expectations, and none do it quite as powerfully as Martin the Warrior, story of the Abbey's legendary champion before he arrived in Mossflower Wood.
Martin isn't a bad person, but what he is isn't precisely 'good' either. His story is fundamentally about being consumed by revenge to the point that he loses sight of the people around him, and it causes horrible destruction and suffering. What he fights for, nominally, is freedom; but it is clear as the book nears its climax that he is also motivated by pride and pain, and both of those cloud his vision. He does not make it out unscathed.
The end of this book was pretty much the saddest thing I remember reading as a child - the song that played over the TV show's final scenes still makes me tear up. There is a brutality to it which is uncommon for the series (though not unique) and it is that coupled with the long-term effects on Martin - which most readers probably already know - that make this so painful. And yet it's... also a big part of what makes this book powerful, because it is a book about pain and responding to it, and Martin's choices at the beginning and at the end are completely opposed, as are the choices he makes in much of the rest of his life.
Martin isn't a bad person, but what he is isn't precisely 'good' either. His story is fundamentally about being consumed by revenge to the point that he loses sight of the people around him, and it causes horrible destruction and suffering. What he fights for, nominally, is freedom; but it is clear as the book nears its climax that he is also motivated by pride and pain, and both of those cloud his vision. He does not make it out unscathed.
The end of this book was pretty much the saddest thing I remember reading as a child - the song that played over the TV show's final scenes still makes me tear up. There is a brutality to it which is uncommon for the series (though not unique) and it is that coupled with the long-term effects on Martin - which most readers probably already know - that make this so painful. And yet it's... also a big part of what makes this book powerful, because it is a book about pain and responding to it, and Martin's choices at the beginning and at the end are completely opposed, as are the choices he makes in much of the rest of his life.
August 18, 2015
I love The Redwall books and have all of them on my shelves. I am once more reading through them all out of respect for author Brian Jacques who sadly has passed away. There will be no more delightful books full od the adventures of the animals of Redwall. Yes, these books are written primarily for children, but here is one child at heart who been gripped by every one of them. They can teach youngsters and older people too, lots about life. There is a lovely innocence in the books coupled with the harder facts of life. Readers learn of family, loyalty, sacrifice, treachery cruelty, love and fun and laughter too. Can I just mention the food! If you read a Redwall book you will soon know what I mean. A younger and simpler version of the 'Duncton Wood' books but if you like animal stories and you too are a child at heart do read them!
May 14, 2025
5+ stars (8/10 hearts). I loved
Redwall—
I loved
Mossflower—
I loved
Lord Brocktree.
But I really loved Martin.
I can’t really lay my finger on the reason. Perhaps it’s the writing. The descriptions were unusually beautiful in this book—there are several I wish to add to my commonplace book. Perhaps it's the aesthetic—a mixture of slave fort and sea, forest and sand. Perhaps it’s because of the TV show, which brings it so accurately to life and which I love so much.
Perhaps it's the characters—pirates, a slaver and his army, a mostly crew of actors, crazy pigmy shrews and wild squirrels and various other colourful personages… There’s Tramun Clogg, a host to himself—braided, dirty, loud Cap’n Clogg, a queer mixture of humour and cruelty that somehow is almost likeable… or pitiful. There’s Badrang the Tyrant, the cruel, wicked overlord but none too clever for all that. There’s soup-making, ladle-totting Grumm and sweet, headstrong Brome the runaway and the blooming healer. There’s the Rambling Rosehip Players—witty, reckless Ballaw; strong-minded, strong-voiced Rowanoak; flirty Celandine; and the others. There’s unloving Pallum and noble old Barkjon; Druwp the traitor and Keyla the brave. There’s the wicked soldiers and corsairs; the stern Warden; Boldred and her sweet family. There’s Rose—sweet, spirited, resourceful Rose. There’s Felldoh—fierce, loving, determined Felldoh the avenger. And then there’s Martin. I can’t say why I love Martin so much. He’s stern and tender, wise and impulsive, dutiful and brave and strong—not a very outstanding warrior mouse. But somehow he became one of my very favourite fictional characters ever.
Perhaps it’s the dramatic plot—the terrible slavery in the fort rampant with torture and ill-use; the plotting and counterplotting between Clogg and Badrang; Rose, Grumm, and Martin’s adventures with the shrews and moles and lizards; Felldoh and Brome’s escapades with the actors; the half-freedom and full freedom; the half at Noonvale; the final battle… it’s a real voyage, full of happiness and excitement and dismay. Perhaps it’s the beautiful ending, that brought tears to my eyes.
Perhaps, quite simply, it’s all of these things…
A Favourite Quote: “Don't think about what you could have done, concentrate on what you plan to do; it is more useful.”
Content List: mild violence; mild euphemisms.
*Review to be updated upon reread.*
I can’t really lay my finger on the reason. Perhaps it’s the writing. The descriptions were unusually beautiful in this book—there are several I wish to add to my commonplace book. Perhaps it's the aesthetic—a mixture of slave fort and sea, forest and sand. Perhaps it’s because of the TV show, which brings it so accurately to life and which I love so much.
Perhaps it's the characters—pirates, a slaver and his army, a mostly crew of actors, crazy pigmy shrews and wild squirrels and various other colourful personages… There’s Tramun Clogg, a host to himself—braided, dirty, loud Cap’n Clogg, a queer mixture of humour and cruelty that somehow is almost likeable… or pitiful. There’s Badrang the Tyrant, the cruel, wicked overlord but none too clever for all that. There’s soup-making, ladle-totting Grumm and sweet, headstrong Brome the runaway and the blooming healer. There’s the Rambling Rosehip Players—witty, reckless Ballaw; strong-minded, strong-voiced Rowanoak; flirty Celandine; and the others. There’s unloving Pallum and noble old Barkjon; Druwp the traitor and Keyla the brave. There’s the wicked soldiers and corsairs; the stern Warden; Boldred and her sweet family. There’s Rose—sweet, spirited, resourceful Rose. There’s Felldoh—fierce, loving, determined Felldoh the avenger. And then there’s Martin. I can’t say why I love Martin so much. He’s stern and tender, wise and impulsive, dutiful and brave and strong—not a very outstanding warrior mouse. But somehow he became one of my very favourite fictional characters ever.
Perhaps it’s the dramatic plot—the terrible slavery in the fort rampant with torture and ill-use; the plotting and counterplotting between Clogg and Badrang; Rose, Grumm, and Martin’s adventures with the shrews and moles and lizards; Felldoh and Brome’s escapades with the actors; the half-freedom and full freedom; the half at Noonvale; the final battle… it’s a real voyage, full of happiness and excitement and dismay. Perhaps it’s the beautiful ending, that brought tears to my eyes.
Perhaps, quite simply, it’s all of these things…
A Favourite Quote: “Don't think about what you could have done, concentrate on what you plan to do; it is more useful.”
Content List: mild violence; mild euphemisms.
*Review to be updated upon reread.*
January 15, 2023
I want to begin this by saying that I was unfortunately spoiled of some of the events by siblings who had already seen the animation.
That said, I could predict many of these spoilers anyway, but that by no means prepared me for the way this book ended. This was also the fastest I've read a Redwall book, taking two days for the first third, and the binging the rest of it in a few hours. The story felt much simpler in tone, but nonetheless deep in development and characters. I cannot say much for fear of spoiling...but Brian Jacques once again went directions I did not think he would stoop to, and essentially stabbed me in the heart twice. It's going to take me awhile to recover and get back to this beloved series.
This is currently tied with Mattimeo for favorite in the Redwall series. I would give it 10 stars if I could. The feels...oh the feels...
That said, I could predict many of these spoilers anyway, but that by no means prepared me for the way this book ended. This was also the fastest I've read a Redwall book, taking two days for the first third, and the binging the rest of it in a few hours. The story felt much simpler in tone, but nonetheless deep in development and characters. I cannot say much for fear of spoiling...but Brian Jacques once again went directions I did not think he would stoop to, and essentially stabbed me in the heart twice. It's going to take me awhile to recover and get back to this beloved series.
This is currently tied with Mattimeo for favorite in the Redwall series. I would give it 10 stars if I could. The feels...oh the feels...
May 29, 2013
Martin the Warrior is probably one of the best Redwall books. While the writing is decidedly clunky at best, you never notice once you get into the book. Martin the Warrior has everything; it has the drama, the sadness, the love and hate of The Lord of the Rings.
It also has the revenge and hate of Felldoh, and off course the sadness of the death's of some central characters.
I felt the difference between Martin and Felldoh strongly; Felldoh was imprisoned all his life, and was forever changed by it. He nourished a great hate, which he could only satisfy with revenge. Martin, on the other hand, fought for the freedom of those living within the area of Marshank. I was first introduced to the animated series, and impressed by the line they added, which, surprisingly, was not in the book;
We fight for freedom, not revenge. We fight in the name of Felldoh!
A line they left out of the cartoon, was Brome, speaking of Felldoh. In the cartoon, he still says "That was an oath of vengeance, not a goodbye," and "Felldoh used to be my hero, but I don't know him anymore," but the left out the powerful part of the conversation that followed:
"Felldoh is a warrior. This Martin your always talking about is a Warrior like him."
And Brome responded by saying "If Martin is a warrior like Felldoh, then Seasons help my sister Rose if she is still with him!"
Then later, Brome is to say "Give me a javelin, I want to be a warrior like Felldoh!" and yet lets one of the enemy go free. A powerful and emotional book.
It also has the revenge and hate of Felldoh, and off course the sadness of the death's of some central characters.
I felt the difference between Martin and Felldoh strongly; Felldoh was imprisoned all his life, and was forever changed by it. He nourished a great hate, which he could only satisfy with revenge. Martin, on the other hand, fought for the freedom of those living within the area of Marshank. I was first introduced to the animated series, and impressed by the line they added, which, surprisingly, was not in the book;
We fight for freedom, not revenge. We fight in the name of Felldoh!
A line they left out of the cartoon, was Brome, speaking of Felldoh. In the cartoon, he still says "That was an oath of vengeance, not a goodbye," and "Felldoh used to be my hero, but I don't know him anymore," but the left out the powerful part of the conversation that followed:
"Felldoh is a warrior. This Martin your always talking about is a Warrior like him."
And Brome responded by saying "If Martin is a warrior like Felldoh, then Seasons help my sister Rose if she is still with him!"
Then later, Brome is to say "Give me a javelin, I want to be a warrior like Felldoh!" and yet lets one of the enemy go free. A powerful and emotional book.
January 2, 2015
This was the book that got me into fantasy, and fill in love with reading. My teacher in grade school loved the story, and all my friends read the series. So I gave it a try on audio, and felt in love with audio and this series. This is my favorite book of the Redwall series. I just love the character of Martin the Warrior. This origin story really shows how he came from nothing into the one of the greatest leaders and warrior in the land. The ending of the book is the cause and origins of Redwall. Without it, Redwall would have never existed. So this is the foundation book in the series.
P.S. I have read this book more times than I can count.
P.S. I have read this book more times than I can count.
June 7, 2024
The story is pretty thin and the there are a lot of boring parts. I hate that every meal needed to be described in excruciating detail - although it did add to the immersion of the world. Martin the Warrior was cooler when he was just a legend shrouded in mystery.
May 1, 2025
And thus concludes the last of the main three big redwall books and what aside from the first and series title book might be the most referenced and pulled from book in the entire timeline. I almost felt bad though in my reading because while I liked the stoat antagonist and I thought Martin and his origin was cool enough, there just wasn’t the same intense drawing to read the next page that I usually feel reading Jacques books. That being said, once I dipped into that back half the action, wonderfully complex character developments and some deep anguish just come flooding in to save the story and its overall rating. I’m not entirely sure I could’ve braced my heart for that tragic checkovs gun scenario ending, that for one showed the gruesome tragic reality Brian wasn’t afraid to show existed in reality but also in the fact that its heart wrenching “success” was almost stolen anyway and I’m left finishing it feeling the stories done but subverted in a way I never thought it would’ve gone. 4.25/5
Raise a glass for Martin and Rose!
Raise a glass for Martin and Rose!
September 14, 2015
I hadn’t thought of rereading these seriously until I realised that reading a childhood book was on the list for a reading challenge, and then my sister returned all my copies to make room on her shelves for her own books. Then I thought, well, why not? I remember that I found the books getting a bit repetitive as the series went on (and on, and on) but Martin the Warrior was the first I read, and it’s obvious why it hooked me as a kid. It’s a little bit deterministic — rats are evil, mice are good, shrews are quarrelsome, etc — but I know that’s tackled a little in later books with characters like Veil. I’m not sure it’s ever really dealt with, though.
One of the awesome things is the way it talks about food; all kinds of food that animals would actually eat, yet cooked in human ways. It’s a weird combination, or sounds it, until you read the book and then it just sounds tasty. I’m sure I’d like Grumm or Polleekin’s cooking…
Martin the Warrior ends on a sour, sad note. I think ultimately the sympathies lie with the peace of Noonvale, even while there’s understanding of the need for revenge that drives Felldoh and, to a lesser extent, Martin. It doesn’t bring any good to the characters, even though they’ve removed a threat from the world.
Definitely a good nostalgia read, despite the sadness, and perhaps a bit more nuanced than I remembered.
Originally posted here.
One of the awesome things is the way it talks about food; all kinds of food that animals would actually eat, yet cooked in human ways. It’s a weird combination, or sounds it, until you read the book and then it just sounds tasty. I’m sure I’d like Grumm or Polleekin’s cooking…
Martin the Warrior ends on a sour, sad note. I think ultimately the sympathies lie with the peace of Noonvale, even while there’s understanding of the need for revenge that drives Felldoh and, to a lesser extent, Martin. It doesn’t bring any good to the characters, even though they’ve removed a threat from the world.
Definitely a good nostalgia read, despite the sadness, and perhaps a bit more nuanced than I remembered.
Originally posted here.
March 2, 2021
The second book on my chronological rereading journey. Now, we learn of the early origins of Redwall's warrior, Martin.
After escaping from slavery, Martin journeys back to the fortress of Marshank to free his fellow slaves and take back his father's sword.
After escaping from slavery, Martin journeys back to the fortress of Marshank to free his fellow slaves and take back his father's sword.
June 27, 2025
Нет, Мартин все-таки хорош, несмотря на пару десятков лет с первого прочтения. Так странно перечитывать и понимать, что ты помнишь наизусть некоторые фразы и то, как в детстве они в тебе отпечатывались, не говоря уж об иллюстрациях.
September 7, 2019
"It's a long hard road ahead for you, little warrior. Enjoy a happy day while you can."
—Boldred, Martin the Warrior, P. 267
"Don't think about what you could have done, concentrate on what you plan to do; it is more useful."
—Boldred, P. 335
The ability of Brian Jacques to create an entirely new world that is bursting at the seams with deep, suspensefully plotted adventures, characters overflowing with originality and life, and epic, imaginative quests that could appeal to even the most hard-nosed literary cynic has almost no equal.
For nearly four hundred pages in Martin the Warrior we the readers follow on an action-packed, tightly written adventure novel, leading onward through surprising twists and turns that left me, personally, breathless and with a pounding heart. The world of Redwall is as perfect as the creation of a literary world can get, and when one thinks that the author could not possibly jam in any more exciting adventure, one will look at the page and see that he is less than halfway through reading the book!
The feeling and perspective of Martin the Warrior will resound loudly with the reader long after the final page has been completed. It is a unique literary experience that simply should not be missed, and I heartily recommend it for anyone who would ask me.
A magnificent achievement.
"Throughout his life the memory of that happy day stayed locked secretly in (his) heart."
—Martin the Warrior, P. 296
—Boldred, Martin the Warrior, P. 267
"Don't think about what you could have done, concentrate on what you plan to do; it is more useful."
—Boldred, P. 335
The ability of Brian Jacques to create an entirely new world that is bursting at the seams with deep, suspensefully plotted adventures, characters overflowing with originality and life, and epic, imaginative quests that could appeal to even the most hard-nosed literary cynic has almost no equal.
For nearly four hundred pages in Martin the Warrior we the readers follow on an action-packed, tightly written adventure novel, leading onward through surprising twists and turns that left me, personally, breathless and with a pounding heart. The world of Redwall is as perfect as the creation of a literary world can get, and when one thinks that the author could not possibly jam in any more exciting adventure, one will look at the page and see that he is less than halfway through reading the book!
The feeling and perspective of Martin the Warrior will resound loudly with the reader long after the final page has been completed. It is a unique literary experience that simply should not be missed, and I heartily recommend it for anyone who would ask me.
A magnificent achievement.
"Throughout his life the memory of that happy day stayed locked secretly in (his) heart."
—Martin the Warrior, P. 296
October 14, 2022
This was a great read in the series. I loved the chapters focusing on different characters and I love reading about all the different food they ate.
I hated Badrang, and even though he was also a bad character, I kind of liked Captain Tramun (I kept misreading it as Truman 😂) Clogg. I thought he was quite humourous at times.
The final battle was descriptive and I felt fully immersed with what was going on. I really wanted to see Badrang slain, which I'm glad he was, but I also felt sadness at Rose being slain too. I really enjoyed the fact that Martin got his Father's sword back by slaying Badrang.
I really enjoyed this installment, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series
I hated Badrang, and even though he was also a bad character, I kind of liked Captain Tramun (I kept misreading it as Truman 😂) Clogg. I thought he was quite humourous at times.
The final battle was descriptive and I felt fully immersed with what was going on. I really wanted to see Badrang slain, which I'm glad he was, but I also felt sadness at Rose being slain too. I really enjoyed the fact that Martin got his Father's sword back by slaying Badrang.
I really enjoyed this installment, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2025
4.5 Stars
October 16, 2020
I want to re-visit the Redwall universe in chronological order and this was the first chronological book available on Libro.fm.
I was really looking forward to the peaceful wholesomeness of the original Redwall book, but Martin the Warrior is pretty focused on the numerous and violent obstacles Martin encounters instead. I still enjoyed the enthusiastic descriptions of food and the friendships the develop in the story. I'm looking forward to reading Redwall at some point.
I was really looking forward to the peaceful wholesomeness of the original Redwall book, but Martin the Warrior is pretty focused on the numerous and violent obstacles Martin encounters instead. I still enjoyed the enthusiastic descriptions of food and the friendships the develop in the story. I'm looking forward to reading Redwall at some point.
October 30, 2021
Jacques delivers again!
June 3, 2025
4.5 stars.
The best one in the series so far..
The best one in the series so far..
October 9, 2024
A classic. I grew up with these stories, and though this isn't my favorite book in the series by any means, I believe this sets up much of the deeper history of the Redwall universe.
May 10, 2020
This was one of my least favorite Redwall books, if I recall correctly, mostly because it's such a tragedy. Coming back to it, well, it's still not my favorite. But I did enjoy it much more than I used to — now I appreciate the message and impact of the tragedy far more than I used to.
All the Redwall books fairly well exemplify the "I do not love the spear for its sharpness" quote. When they glorify the heroes and the warriors, they do it because of how those heroes defend others. And this book, in particular, shows an astonishingly mature look at how that defense, how that life of a warrior, how a desire to fight, can break someone. Those who are able not to fight and who can choose not to fight are envied, not mocked — without losing respect for those who choose to fight in defense of others. And that tragedy of war and battle is shown, unflinchingly but sorrowfully, in a way that's mature yet appropriate even for the middle-grade audience.
This is not an amazing book in and of itself. But, like most of the Redwall books, it's still well worth reading.
All the Redwall books fairly well exemplify the "I do not love the spear for its sharpness" quote. When they glorify the heroes and the warriors, they do it because of how those heroes defend others. And this book, in particular, shows an astonishingly mature look at how that defense, how that life of a warrior, how a desire to fight, can break someone. Those who are able not to fight and who can choose not to fight are envied, not mocked — without losing respect for those who choose to fight in defense of others. And that tragedy of war and battle is shown, unflinchingly but sorrowfully, in a way that's mature yet appropriate even for the middle-grade audience.
This is not an amazing book in and of itself. But, like most of the Redwall books, it's still well worth reading.
May 21, 2018
These books are Chicken Soup For The Anthropomorphic-Animal-Loving Soul and I could not get enough of them. Still comfortable nostalgia reads! This made better use of the Redwall formula than most, partly because the semi-sympathetic treatment of a couple of the vermin characters gave that side a bit more nuance, partly because there's a real melancholy running through Martin's story. Knowing his legacy ups the poignancy factor of seeing him here, at the beginning of his journey.
November 18, 2021
"Significantly better than the last book, Salamandastron, but I think the ending was forced and it never really felt like there were any significant stakes. It was still enjoyable and I liked the pirates."
March 7, 2017
This was extremely well written and entertaining. I enjoyed it vastly.
May 14, 2022
I'm not crying! You're crying!
Wow, this book is so amazing. The adventure, action, and all the feels.
Wow, this book is so amazing. The adventure, action, and all the feels.
August 13, 2022
I'm finding that I love these Redwall books. The story of Martin was heartbreaking, engrossing and wonderful.
January 15, 2026
Continuing my tradition of the next sequential Redwall book as my first read of the year, I enjoyed being back in the middle of familiar characters and settings.
That being said, while these books are pretty fluffy and formulaic, this one wasn't quite as gripping as the others. I will say that the second half was better than the first. Until next year for my next review!
That being said, while these books are pretty fluffy and formulaic, this one wasn't quite as gripping as the others. I will say that the second half was better than the first. Until next year for my next review!
June 12, 2024
Martin's story before Mossflower was more beautiful and tragic than I expected.
August 29, 2024
3 1/2 stars, someone give that mouse his sword
September 17, 2025
Book 6 brings my rereading of the box set to a close. Great summer reads that remind you of the simple pleasures in life. Nuts, cheeses, riddles, naps, and deeper n’ever pie. Mole speak never fails to make me smile.
August 15, 2025
"Anyone, young or old, who has read or heard of Redwall may come and visit us. If you are honest and good of heart, no matter what the season our door is open to you. Whether for the first time, or for the return of an old companion, you are welcome." 😭
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