Lord Brocktree

'This is a big work,' says the badger Lord Russano of Salamandastron about his latest historical manuscript. 'I've been two seasons now, reading through dusty old parchments, interviewing creatures for stories about their ancestors, and studying carvings in the forge. I've sat on the shore, listening to sea otters, stood beneath trees recording squirrels--huh, I've even had to crouch for four days in a mole dwelling.'

He begins a story about Salamandastron from back in the mists of time, further back than even he would dare to guess. The mountain, with its leveret school, Long Patrol and laws set down for all to live in peace by, was largely down to the work of one badger--Lord Brocktree of Brockhall. Other badgers were there before him, but the mountain did not come into its own until Brocktree arrived. He inspired their wonderful life of comfort--the wonderful chambers, the outer gardens and terraces, orchards and crop-growing areas.

But his before his triumph there was struggle. Together with a scatterbrained but irrepressible haremaid called Dotti, Brocktree had to rescue Salamandastron from the threat of vermin rule at the hands of Ungatt Trunn--a vile and evil wildcat with a frighteningly dangerous army of Blue Hordes at his disposal.

The stage is set for a glorious battle, and Jacques delivers a breathtaking denouement with all of his characteristic verve and excitement. Fans will relish this book and new readers will be drawn into its pages--probably to be hooked forever. (Age 9 and over) --John McLay

View other editions of Lord Brocktree.
View books by Brian Jacques.

The Best Redwall Yet !!!!! - Rated
I have been a massive fan of Brian Jacques for as long as I can remember. It didn't take me long to realise that he was extremely formulaic. He is a superb storyteller, a master of his craft. Each and evey character is rendered in technicolour. Few have influenced childeren's litreature quite like this. The plot is the same basic plot of all Redwall books, Big Evil guy masses army and takes castle, abbey or mountain (old hero of abbey, castle or mountain dies spectacularly,)Good Guy wanders around, picking up friends and learns of Big Evil Guy (or senses him, etc.) Gets allies (ussually having to fight one along the way) and Good Guy and Bad Guy have big fight at the end.

But, to be honest, I don't really care. Jacques brilliant, often moving writing gets us to emote with the character. His knowledge of the animals who populate his imaginary Kingdom allows us indepth insights into the racial traits of a certain species, and simple though these ambitions and species may be, it's still great. The climax is suitably gory, without going over the top and to be honest offers a more satisfying read than almost any other book in the childerens market, and at 15, Jacques can still draw me back and even entice me to buy a new book of his. In the days of overwhelming hype for any book Rowling touches, it's good to know that their are other authors just as talented and to be hones, just as good.
In the words of Gonff the Thief,
"Come on, matey, it's great,"

A great novel but lacking of something. - Rated
Having just finished "Lord Brocktree", I think that is not quite up-to-par with a lot of the others in the series. It seems to be a rip-off of others in the series such as "Redwall", and "Martin the Warrior" in the way that their is a Bad guy who comes and kidnaps someone or tries to take over some place, and the hero has to came and save the day by using riddles, poems, etc... Aside from those things, I think "Lord Brocktree" is still a great novel that deserves 4 stars. It is an adventure of comradship, action, and much much more. So I hope you all have as much fun reading this as I did!
Kyle.

great from start to finish! - Rated
this book showed brian jacques brillance again. it could be the best in the series, it is a great tale of faith and destiny of Lord Brocktree of Brockhall .

Perhaps the best of the series - Rated
Perhaps I preferred this book to the other Redwall ones because of the novelty value, but I thought it was more well written than some and I found it was more of an enjoyable read.

Lord Brocktree- the best! - Rated
This book from the Redwall series, in my opinion, is THE BEST! It tells the story of Lord Brocktree going to Salamandastron, to defeat the wildcat Ungatt Trunn, with Dotti (Dorothea Duckfontein Dilworthy in full) and many other creatures- Fleetscut the hare, Jukka the squirrel, with her tribe, hedgehogs, shrews and many more! There is considerable violence... but not as much as there usually is in the battle scenes. If you don't like violence, then you really oughtn't read this book, but if you can stand the occaisonal bit of fighting, and likes lots of intrigue and adventure, then read this book! I rate this the best book so far, then "The Pearls of Lutra", then "Mossflower". I'm currently reading "The Taggerung", the new one...