Marlfox

By Brian Jacques

Review by Dustin

The opening paragraph grabs the reader’s attention.

·Put reader right into the action

·Make reader imagine the unimaginable (ie. It’s not everyday that a 13 year old girl is accused of murder…)

·Don’t start with “the book I read was…” That’s way too BORING! Hook us into the plot!

Redwall, a place of endless adventure and merriment, but of course every paradise has its flaw. Mossflower woods, the peaceful forest outlining the great red walls giving Redwall its name is undergoing the horrors of a plague, but this is no average plague, this is the plague of the marlfoxes!

The title and author are worked in naturally

·Don’t say, “My book was The Giver” when you can say, “Jonas, a twelve year old boy and the main character of Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award winning novel The Giver, must make decisions that impact his entire society.”

Dann Reguba and Song Swifteye are children of warrior squirrels, and along with Dippler the shrew and Burble the water vole they set out on the quest that shall be remembered and pasted on for centuries to come. They must retrieve the sacred tapestry of Redwall, the tapestry of Martin the Warrior! It has been stolen by marlfoxes. The very foxes that give this book the name: “Marlfox.”

The overall idea and plot are discussed, without giving away the ending

·Keep it short and sweet, even if it’s a long book

·Just give the reader the gist of the book. Be clear, make sense, don’t give away the ending

Marlfoxes are mysterious and brutal creatures, disappearing at anytime, in any place and they’re aprowl in Mossflower woods. They’ve assembled an army! Redwall is under attack and its fate is in the hands of its own residents, but are they a match for the marlfoxes?

Describe one exciting incident in detail

·Again, don’t give away the ending

·Be clear enough so that someone who HAS NOT read the book can follow

Many have experienced Brian Jacques abilities; Brian Jacques often packs his books full with poems such as this poem found at the beginning of Marlfox:

To where they go,

This is a secret no beast may know.

Marlfox!

Plundering murdering vulpine thieves,

Who blend with stone,

Or meld with leaves.

Marlfox!

See the pale eyes and swirling cloak,

Appear like nightmare,

Vanish like smoke.

What steals upon the silent air,

Gleaming fangs, mottled fur,

A deadly ax blade lying there

Marlfox!

No beast living can hide from thee,

O thou who treads invisibly,

Cross hill and vale, through woods and rocks.

Marlfox!

Marlfox!

Marlfox!

End the review with your opinion and recommendation

·Who might like this type of book? (Sports fans? People that love to laugh? History buffs? Late night readers that like to be freaked out?

·What did you think? Is it worth reading? If it won an award, is it worth the hype?

I think those of you out there who like action, adventure, poems, and full of fun books would love this book. This book is definitely worth reading, I loved it!