Mossflower

Brian Jacques

Mossflower Forest is the home of many peaceful woodland creatures: mice, badgers, squirrels, otters, and moles among others. It borders Kotir, the land and fortress run by Tsarmina the wildcat who called herself the Queen of a Thousand Eyes. She started enslaving the farmers in Mossflower to pay a tax to feed her armies.

Her father had been strict yet fairly just. While not loved, he was not hated or evil, either. Tsarmina poisoned her father and blamed her brother. Her rule became cruel over the woodland creatures. The creatures moved further from Tsarmina's rule.

Martin the Warrior Mouse came to Mossflower. He was immediately captured. Tsarmina broke his sword and had him thrown into jail. He swore she would regret her actions. Once he was able, he worked with the woodland creatures to take back their home. His chosen path led him on a journey to the ocean before he could assist the residents of Mossflower with their war against Kotir. These creatures wanted their land and their peace back. As long as Tsarmina was there, they could not do that. Martin knew he had to bring them the help and hope to defeat the wildcat queen.

What a charming fantasy tale. Jacques paints a picture of war between the animals that can be accepted, yet has realistic aspects. The heroes are heroic, the villains get quite evil before the end, the innocent are downtrodden, then are able to turn to care for themselves. The protagonists know war means killing. They still try to keep the loss of life as low as possible on both sides. The creatures are cute and lovable. There are two hedgehog cubs that act just like growing boys and often steal the scenes they are in. This is a fantasy written for children and well liked by adults as well.

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Mossflower
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Martin the Warrior
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The Pearls of Lutra