Title: Mossflower
Author: Brian Jacques
First published January 1, 1988
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: (ISBN10: 0441005764)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
The fate of Cadogan House hangs in the balance in the latest installment of Chloe Neill’s thrilling urban fantasy series. Merit, the newly transformed vampire turned Sentinel, has fought tirelessly alongside her lover Ethan Sullivan to protect Chicago from the forces of darkness.
But now, a sinister sorcery is spreading through the city, threatening to bring about the downfall of everything Merit holds dear. As the House is infiltrated and Merit is attacked by a vampire under the influence of dark magic, she realizes that the danger is closer than ever before.
With supernatural powers beyond her understanding, Merit must wage a final battle to save the people she loves and everything she’s fought for. Blade Bound is the epic conclusion to a series that will leave readers spellbound.
About the Author
Brian Jacques was born on June 15, 1939 in Liverpool, England. His family has roots in County Cork, Ireland, which is common for many who live in Liverpool.
Growing up in the area near the Liverpool docks, he attended St. John’s School, an inner city school with a playground on the roof. At the age of ten, he wrote a story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile’s teeth for an assignment, which his teacher did not believe he had written.
Despite being caned for refusing to claim he had copied the story, he realized he had a talent for writing and had always enjoyed it.
Brian wrote his first book, Redwall, for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool. As a truck driver, he delivered milk to the school and wanted to create a descriptive style of writing so that the children could picture the story in their imaginations.
He remained a patron of the school until his death.
Brian’s two sons, Marc and David, still reside in Liverpool. David is a professor of Art and a muralist, whose work can be seen around the world.
Brian himself was an expert in opera, which he showcased on his weekly radio show on BBC Radio Merseyside until October 2006. In his free time, he enjoyed walking his West Highland Terrier, Teddy, completing crossword puzzles, reading books by authors like Mario Puzo and P.G. Wodehouse, and cooking his favorite dish of spaghetti and meatballs.
Sadly, Brian passed away on February 5, 2011.
Editoral Review
Mossflower by Brian Jacques is a timeless classic that will be loved by readers of all ages. Brian Jacques was a prolific British author who wrote many books in the fantasy genre, and Mossflower is one of his most beloved works.
The book was first published on January 1, 1988, and has since become a best-seller. The book is set in the fictional world of Redwall, a fantastical land filled with talking animals that are locked in a centuries-old battle between good and evil.
The story takes place in Mossflower, a forest inhabited by mice, squirrels, badgers, foxes, and many other creatures. The plot revolves around the adventures of a young mouse named Martin, who is on a quest to free Mossflower from the tyranny of an evil wildcat named Verdauga Greeneyes.
The characters in Mossflower are lovable and dynamic. Martin is an inspiring hero who is brave, smart, and resourceful.
He is accompanied by a colorful cast of supporting characters, each with their own unique personalities and abilities. The setting of Mossflower is beautifully rendered, with vivid descriptions of the forest, its creatures, and its history.
One of the strengths of Mossflower is its engaging plot, which is filled with action, suspense, and humor. The pace of the book is well-balanced, with just enough tension to keep readers hooked without becoming overwhelming.
The themes of courage, friendship, and loyalty are woven into the story with skill and subtlety, making them accessible to readers of all ages. While Mossflower is primarily a children’s book, it also has a great deal of historical significance.
The book pays homage to British folklore and mythology, and it also touches on themes of colonialism and political power. These themes are particularly relevant in today’s world, where issues of social justice and equality are at the forefront of public discourse.
Overall, Mossflower is a beautifully crafted book that will appeal to readers of all ages. Its strengths are numerous, including engaging characters, a well-paced plot, and thoughtful themes.
While there are some minor weaknesses, such as occasional plot holes and flat supporting characters, these do not detract from the overall quality of the book. As such, we would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure story, as well as those interested in exploring themes of justice and community.
We give Mossflower a score of 4 out of 5.
