Martin the Warrior

Brian Jacques

Martin, a young mouse, is a captured slave of Badrang, the stoat. Badrang had been a corsair (pirate) who took a fortress on land and captured other beings to be slaves to he and his hoarde. Badrang enjoys his nickname, Tyrant.

Martin stands up to the stoat, defiant. He vows someday he will escape slavery and fight Badrang. He wants to retrieve his stolen sword that had once belonged to his father, Luke the Warrior. He defies Badrang at the beginning of the book and is first stretched to die in the elements. When that doesn't happen, he is thrown in the pit with two other captives.

Brome, the new, young mouse captive, had come wandering from the peaceful spot of Noonvale. His sister Rose, and Grumm, the mole, had come looking for him. They were the two who helped Martin survive when he was stretched out for the weather and birds to attack. Now they devise a plan to escape from the pit. Once the three escape, plans are made to rescue the other slaves.

This is an adventure story that includes fearless warriors, pirates, evil tyrants, peace loving beings, and a wandering troup of actors. Martin is so busy doing what he knows is right he doesn't realize he is a hero or a warrior. The mousemaid Rose is the perfect companion for him.

This is a heart warming book, with the good guys overcoming their obstacles and the bad guys getting their just dues. It is part of the Redwall series, and tells how Martin the Warrior started earning his reputation of the greatest warrior of all time. It's enjoyable and well written. The reader knows good will prevail. The reader doesn't know all, though, and the book holds surprises until the end. I recommend this series, including this one.

So far, except for reading Redwall first to set up the fantasy environment, I haven't discovered that these need to be read in any particular order.

Redwall
Mossflower
Mattimeo
Mariel of Redwall
Salamandastron
Martin the Warrior
The Bellmaker
Outcast of Redwall
The Pearls of Lutra