Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Lord Brocktree
Fiction Series
For ages 12 and up
Penguin, 2000 ISBN: 0399235906
When Dotti Duckfontein Dillworthy, a haremaiden with “fatal beauty,” leaves home to go to live with her aunt in the stony mountain of Salamandastron, she never imagines that she is embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. She soon meets up with Lord Brocktree, an enormous badger warrior. As they travel Dottie and Brock meet other creatures and to their horror they learn that Salamandastron has been taken over by a ruthless army of vermin creatures. At the head of this army there is Ungatt Trunn, a wild cat with a heart of ice who is determined to be the master of all the lands around the great mountain.
It just so happens that Brock is the son of Lord Stonepaw, the badger lord of Salamandastron. There is only one thing to be done and that is to go to Salamandastron to drive out Ungatt Trunn and his “Blue Hordes.” Brock knows however that he cannot go with only his small party of woodland creatures to help him in the terrible task that awaits them. He too needs an army and he sets about getting one. With Dotti’s help Brock is able, at last, to march to Salamandastron to take back his birthright.
This thrilling, often hilarious, sometimes poignant, tale of courage and valor will delight fans of the Redwall series. Once again Brian Jacques has created vibrant and colorful heroes who charm the reader with their droll speech, amusing mannerisms, and big hearts. A thread of magic runs through the book as good and evil characters are carried to their final, climactic collision.
