Title: High Rhulain
Author: Brian Jacques
First published January 1, 2005
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780441014361 (ISBN10: 0441014364)
Rating: 4.14
Overview
From the acclaimed author Brian Jacques comes another thrilling adventure in the world of Redwall. Follow the journey of Tiria Wildlough, a young ottermaid who discovers that her destiny is greater than she ever imagined.
Her quest leads her to the mysterious Green Isle, where she joins a group of outlaw otters on a mission to rid the land of the vicious Wildcat chieftain, Riggu Fellis, and his army of catguard slave masters. With danger lurking around every corner, Tiria must use her wits and skills to outsmart her enemies and save her fellow otters.
Don’t miss this exciting tale of bravery, friendship, and the power of destiny in High Rhulain.
About the Author
Brian Jacques was born on June 15th, 1939 in Liverpool, England. Like many Liverpool residents, he had Irish roots that traced back to County Cork.
Growing up in the area near the Liverpool docks, Brian attended St. John’s School, which had a unique feature: a playground on its roof. On his first day at the school, he was assigned to write a story about animals.
He wrote a short story about a bird that cleaned a crocodile’s teeth, which impressed his teacher so much that she accused him of plagiarism. Brian was caned for being honest about his work.
Despite the punishment, he realized that he had a talent for writing and loved it.
Brian wrote his first book, Redwall, for the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, where he delivered milk as a truck driver. He wrote in a descriptive style, painting pictures with words so that blind children could see the characters and settings in their imaginations.
He remained a patron of the school until he passed away.
Brian lived in Liverpool with his two grown sons, Marc and David. David was a professor of Art and a muralist whose work can be seen in children’s hospitals, soccer stadiums, and trade union offices worldwide.
Brian was also a radio show host on BBC Radio Merseyside until October 2006, where he shared his comedy, wit, and love for opera.
When Brian wasn’t writing, he enjoyed walking his West Highland Terrier named Teddy, completing crossword puzzles, and reading books by his favorite authors such as Mario Puzo, Damon Runyon, Richard Condon, Larry McMurty, and P.G. Wodehouse. He also cooked a delicious version of his favorite dish, spaghetti and meatballs.
Sadly, Brian passed away on February 5th, 2011.
Editoral Review
Brian Jacques High Rhulain is a captivating addition to the Redwall series that will have readers young and old on the edge of their seats. Published on January 1, 2005, this novel is a work of fantasy that brings to life the magical world of anthropomorphic animals, where good and evil battles are waged with swords and shields.
Jacques, who passed away in 2011, was a prolific British author who wrote many novels for children and young adults, but he is best known for his epic Redwall series which spans 22 books in total. High Rhulain tells the tale of Tiria Wildlough, a young ottermaid who must rise to the challenge of becoming the next queen of the land of Riftgard.
The story takes place in a vividly imagined world, featuring picturesque forests, watery rivers, and towering mountains, all populated by an array of lovable and vicious creatures. This particular adventure focuses on the struggle for freedom against the tyrannical rule of Emperor Vilaya and her army of trained sea rats.
Tiria must unite tribes of otters, shrews, and hares in her quest to defeat Vilaya and save her people. Jacques’ writing is engaging and immersive, and the characters are well-rounded and memorable.
He deftly weaves humor, tragedy, and adventure into the story with aplomb. The battles are exciting and gripping, and there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep readers guessing.
As with the other books in the series, High Rhulain features detailed descriptions of feasts and delicacies, which are sure to make readers’ mouths water. One of the strengths of High Rhulain is the way it tackles themes of war and oppression in a way that is accessible to young readers.
Jacques shows that even a small army of determined animals can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds if they work together and believe in themselves. The characters in this novel are also models of strength, loyalty, and perseverance, qualities that are worth celebrating in any age.
While High Rhulain is an excellent addition to the Redwall series, I do have some reservations about its pacing. At times, the novel seems to drag on a bit, and there are moments where I found myself wanting more action.
Additionally, some of the plot twists seem a bit predictable, which may not appeal to readers who are looking for more surprises. All in all, High Rhulain is an entertaining and engrossing novel that fans of the Redwall series are sure to love.
Jacques masterful storytelling and vivid imagination are on full display, and the messages of hope and courage are timeless. I would recommend this book to children and young adults who are looking for an exciting adventure story with well-developed characters and a richly detailed world.
I give High Rhulain a solid four out of five stars.
