If you grew up in the 90s’ or early 00s’ and found yourself in middle school during that time, alongside the likes of Harry Potter, Animorphs, and Eragon, there is a good chance you were also reading Brian Jacques’ Redwall series. This fantasy series of forest critters took readers on adventures with mice heroes, rapscallion pirate otters, and Log-a-Log shrews, that spanned 22 books, with the first releasing in 1986. At least, that was the case until a surprise announcement back in September 2026 revealed a brand new 23rd novel releasing in September 2027 - Orphans of Mossflower. Penned by Jacques and releasing posthumously as the beloved British author passed away back in 2011, the new book will bring a conclusion to this land of mice and heroes after 41 years.
In order to catch yourself up on this series before the release next year (or if you are like me, refresh yourself after being away so long) here is a breakdown of the other 22 novels to help see you off.
Not too dissimilar from The Chronicles of Narnia series (which we also have a handy reading guide for), the chronology of the Redwall series differs from the the order in which Jacques wrote and released the books. The general consensus (ie. myself and the internet) is that for your first readthrough especially, publication order is the route to go, keeping you from spoiling plots from other books and everything. If you find yourself enamoured with the series though, I think rereading the series on a subsequent readthrough is an adventure all its own, giving a better and clearer picture of how this world evolved over the years.
After the mighty fortress of his father is overrun and taken over by Ungatt Trun, Brocktree of Brockhole, a mighty Badger Lord will take up his broadsword to reclaim it. Alongside allies he meets along the way, including the Dotti the Hare and Log-a-log Grenn, he will reclaim the Salamandastron and force out the Blue Hordes menace.
The character of Martin the Warrior is one that’s central to Redwall itself, and this book serves as the origin story of the series’ legendary hero mouse. This tale, which will show how Martin goes from being captured by sea rats up through him setting off to eventually found the Redwall Abbey itself.
Following on after the events of Martin the Warrior, Mossflower further fleshes out the origins of the series’ titular Abbey, Martin’s sword, and more moments from the hero’s journey. This time, Martin and his allies work to thwart and save the creatures under the rule of the tyrannical wildcat, Verdauga Greeneyes. It’s only with the help of the local resistance that Martin and villagers of the Mossflower Woods will be free.
After hearing songs that include mentions of his father, Luke the Warrior, Martin sets out on another quest to track down details on his father. This story not only follows Martin, but also features Luke’s trials in the way of the story-within-a-story, “In the Wake of the Red Ship”.
Following the tales of the badger Sunflash who would be lord and the ferret Veil who was abandoned as an infant will have to contented with what destiny has laid out for them while fending off attacks Veil’s true father, Swartt Sixclaw. Veil will have to have to make the hard choice of who family really is - the ones who gave you life or the ones who made you who you are.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.ign.com/articles/how-to-read-the-redwall-books-in-order
