Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Sable Quean
Fiction Series
For ages 12 and up
Penguin, 2010 ISBN: 978-0399251641
It used to be that being the Blademaster at Salamandastron was an exciting position to have. These days, with peace reigning over the mountain and the coast, being the Blademaster is a dull job, and the current Blademaster, Buckler Kordyne, is feeling restless. Thankfully, the Badger Lord of Salamandastron, Lord Brag, is a wise badger and he decides that what Buck needs is a “bit of travel and adventure.” The plan is that Buck and his friend Diggs will take some new bell ropes to Redwall Abbey, and then they will travel to the farm that Buck’s brother has established.
The two hares haven’t travelled far before they realize that something strange is happening in Mossflower Country. Young animals are disappearing, leaving frantic families souring the woods for the missing babies and young ones.
When Buck and Diggs get to the Redwall, they band together with other animals to try to find the missing young ones. They find out that an evil sable called Vilaya, the Sable Quean, is behind the abductions. Her plan is to hold the young ones hostage to force the animals of Mossflower to give her the power she craves. Vilaya has a large force of vermin to help her achieve her goal, and a henchman called Zwilt the Shade who doesn’t have a compassionate bone in his body. What Vilaya and her hordes don’t realize is that the animals of Mossflower, even the very young ones, are not about to let her get away with her evil plan.
In this adventure packed tale from Redwall, Brian Jacques gives his readers an exciting story that is full of colorful characters. Among others there are cruel villains, a comical hare whose main interest in life is eating as much as possible, a brave mole who risks his life to save others.
This is one of the many titles in the Tales of Redwall series.
