Summary: Mattimeo, the spirited son of Matthias the Warrior, along with four other children, are kidnapped as an act of revenge by Slagar the Cruel. When Matthias and other warriors pursue, including the Sparra folk, Redwall’s remaining inhabitants must fight off an invasion of magpies and ravens.

Mattimeo is the spirited son of Matthias the Warrior of Redwall. When a guest of Redwall, Vitch, insults Matthias, Matthias violates the hospitality of Redwall to give Vitch a good beating. Turns out that Vitch, who is a spy for Slagar the Cruel, deserved far worse. Slagar, nursing a perceived grievance against Matthias going back to the invasion of Cluny the Rat, has been planning his revenge. He devises a plan to kidnap the children of Redwall including Matthias own Mattimeo, posing, with his followers, as a wandering band of entertainers who arrive in time for the great summer feast. With the help of Vitch’s intelligence, they drug the revelers, kidnap the children, pursuing a southward path to sell them as slaves to Malkariss, the rat king.

When Matthias and the revelers awaken, they find five of their children gone. Matthias with his impressive sword, along with Jess Squirrel and Basil Hare go off in pursuit, joined with others from Mossflower forest along the way including Orlando the Badger with his battle axe and Log-a-log and the shrews, staunch allies of the Abbey. They’ve also lost children and they join forces to recover them, relentlessly heading south, they know not into what.

This concerns the abbot who remembers that the founders came from the south. Perhaps they’ve left clues that could be of help to Matthias and his band. They find a map and a poetic riddle. But how to get them to Matthias? Enter Warbeak and the Sparras from the lofty parts of the Abbey. They volunteer to take the map to Matthias, leaving only the young and the old behind. This creates the second plotline of the story, the invasion of the ravens under General Ironbeak, assisted by magpies who occupy the heights of the abbey and gradually everything except for an underground shelter, amply stocked with food, a refuge for the now beseiged dwellers of Redwall, bereft of their warriors.

The plot goes back and forth between Mattimeo and the captives who grow up quickly, children no longer, Matthias, facing overwhelming rat forces, and the Redwall inhabitants, who must devise ways to fight off and defeat their bird foes.

Several things I enjoyed. First of all, Slagar is a truly savvy foe, clever in turning things to his own advantage, playing upon his followers ambitions while ruthlessly eliminating them when they’ve served their purpose, and never over-reaching. I also love how, even in hardship, the inhabitants of Redwall never fail to honor each other as well as enjoy a good meal! Even the prisoners look after each other and other enslaved, Mattimeo comforting fearful Tess, and becoming a leader in the process.

I also appreciate the combination of courage against overwhelming odds as well as the restraint against wanton killing. Yes, foes are killed in battle, but others are allowed to live, or they die by other means than at the hands of Redwallers. This mirrors the commitment of the Abbey to be a place of hospitality and healing. In contrast to cruel figures like Ironbeak and Slagar, the Redwallers expand their community and its alliances by hospitality and generosity and compassion and mutual aid. While not naive toward evil (perhaps careless and wanting in vigilance at points), they choose a world where beasts are won by kindness, if at all possible, and not brute force. These stories cultivate in readers both clear-eyed realism, and the love of goodness in creation and its fruits, and in peaceable community with one’s “fellow beasts.” They invite us to wonder whether this just be fantasy or worth pursuing in our own jaded world. ( )

This is the second Redwall book I have read (the first being the first book in the series), and I enjoyed it more than the first! I was nice to have most of the story outside of Redwall and see more of the world and lore. There was a nice mix of old characters and new, all of which distinct and unique. Sister May rose as my favorite in this book. I hope she appears again in some of the other books!

All in all, another enjoyable read! A colorful cast of characters and good villain. The pacing was just right with a lot of good action and suspense. ( )

Predictable plot. The character of Baby Rollo and the food are the only redeeming qualities. This book was just...cute. ( )

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Mattimeo

Mattimeo may be the son of Matthias the hero, but he is still a young mouse who tests the rules of Redwall Abbey. When he strikes out at a guest of the Abbey his fellow Redwallers are taken aback. Despite Mattimeo only doing so to defend his family’s honor. At times the animals of Redwall Abbey are too forgiving and trusting. When a traveling band of creatures appears on their doorstep, they allow the group within their walls. Little do they know, the fox Slagar has his eyes on Mattimeo. As soon as the chance arises, Slagar kidnaps Mattimeo and his friends, whisking them off to be sold as slaves.

With every Redwall book, there is a balance of good and evil. The creatures of the abbey are the epitome of good natured and wholesome folk. Though some may have mischievous tendencies, they genuinely care for one another. The lengths to which they will go to rescue their own are admirable. And on the opposing side, Brian Jacques creates such cleverly evil characters to set against the Redwallers. Slagar is cunning, cruel, and fueled by revenge. He would sacrifice his crew if it meant saving his own life. And stealing the children of those who you seek vengeance on is the lowest of low.

Mattimeo was a delight to read. This tale combines two classic tropes, coming of age and the path to becoming a hero. Mattimeo has a lot to learn, and a temper to curb to be the strength his friends need. He’s impulsive and is quick to anger when fear overcomes courage in his friends. While he believes they should be able to fight to escape, not all creatures can stand up to their oppressors. To witness characters struggle and ultimately become their better selves never grows old. Mattimeo may start rough around the edges, but his time with Slagar and the slavers will bring about a healthy dose of character development and push him towards becoming a hero like his father.

Brian Jacques creates characters and settings in a way that will make readers feel as if they are coming home to lifelong friends and familiar settings. There’s always an overarching puzzle or riddle to be solved that will ultimately aid in Redwall’s success and just enough tension laced within the scenes. I admire how he details his battles, depicting the clash between heroes and villains in a way that is safe for all ages. And while not every hero can be saved, he depicts their deaths in ways that honor their memories and gives peace to both the reader and the characters.

Mattimeo is another wonderful addition to the story of Redwall. While it is the third published book, it is the direct sequel to book one, Redwall. But each book is written so that readers can start at any point in the series. If you enjoy reading about a community of characters who are willing to risk their lives to save one of their own, you need to pick up this series. ( )

I read the first two Redwall books many years ago as a younger (not young) adult, from curiosity. This third one (in publication order) I had the pleasure of reading with my young son, after he enjoyed the first two. It is a few years after the defeat of Cluny's army, and Matthias' son Mattimeo is old enough to be having his own adventures as a precocious child. A new villain (or is he?) kidnaps him, and off we go. I liked that this book broke new ground, moving away from the 'castle under siege' story of the first two books. I also liked learning the new villain's identity, and how that expands on the story. The characters are what sells this series, and it was fun to invent different reading voices for them. The world of Redwall still confuses me (what is the relative size of these animals? why all the confusing poetry puzzles instead of explaining things clearly? and how/why do these animals eat SO MUCH?) but its heart is always in the right place. The edge of violence and tragedy in these stories adds a hint of danger to the proceedings, sometimes sad and sometimes horrible, even while we know that all must turn out well in the end. There's an especially high body count among the evil-doers this time. I suppose we're not meant to think about it too much. ( )