Marlfox

Redwall #11

by Brian Jacques

A villainous new presence is a-prowl in Mossflower Woods: the Marlfoxes. And when they ruthlessly steal the most precious treasure of all, the tapestry of Martin the Warrior, it takes the children of warrior squirrels to follow in their fathers' heroic footsteps to recover it...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Animals, Adventure, Middle Grade

Library Binding

First published August 18, 1998

About the author

Brian Jacques (pronounced 'jakes') was born in Liverpool, England on June 15th, 1939. Along with forty percent of the population of Liverpool, his ancestral roots are in Ireland, County Cork to be exact.

Brian grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks, where he attended St. John's School, an inner city school featuring a playground on its roof. At the age of ten, his very first day at St. John's foreshadowed his future career as an author; given an assignment to write a story about animals, he wrote a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth. Brian's teacher could not, and would not believe that a ten year old could write so well. When young Brian refused to falsely say that he had copied the story, he was caned as "a liar". He had always loved to write, but it was only then that he realized he had a talent for it.
He wrote Redwall for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, where as a truck driver, he delivered milk. Because of the nature of his first audience, he made his style of writing as descriptive as possible, painting pictures with words so that the schoolchildren could see them in their imaginations. He remained a patron of the school until his death.

Brian lived in Liverpool, where his two grown sons, Marc, a carpenter and bricklayer, and David, a professor of Art and a muralist, still reside. David Jacques' work can be seen in Children's hospitals, soccer stadiums, and trade union offices as far away as Germany, Mexico, and Chile (not to mention Brian's photo featured in most of his books).

Brian also ran a weekly radio show on BBC Radio Merseyside, until October 2006, where he shared his comedy and wit, and played his favourites from the world of opera - he was a veritable expert on The Three Tenors.

When he was wasn't writing, Brian enjoyed walking his dog 'Teddy', a white West Highland Terrier, and completing crossword puzzles. When he found time he read the works of Mario Puzo, Damon Runyon, Richard Condon, Larry McMurty, and P.G. Wodehouse. He was also known to cook an impressive version of his favourite dish, spaghetti and meatballs.

Sadly, Brian passed away on the 5th February 2011.

Reviews

[David Gillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlfox was my first Redwall novel in the series, even though it does come into the series relatively late. It was also what hooked me into it. I loved the light fantasy storytelling it had with the characters being mice, squirrels, otters, and other woodland creatures. But it wasn't all light-hearted fun. The Redwall stories offer more villainous creatures such as rats, shrews, and stoats. In this case, the Marlfoxes are foxes that are larger and smarter than your usual fox. What's great about this whole series is the plethora of characters as everyone gathers together to defend their home (Redwall Abbey) from the evil characters. Although technically a children's tale, Jacques doesn't hold back with the war, death, and sickness that can plague the characters. It's a realistic, yet still positive story that is one of the reasons why Jacques became my biggest influence for writing as a child. Marlfox, in particular, is great because of this band of heroes that goes off on a journey, and the Marlfoxes themselves are deliciously sinister. If I took anything from it, it's that you can weave together humor, light-hearted fun, and more serious themes without having to overdo any of them.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Okay, okay, okay. This one was decidedly unique and decidedly excellent.

The characters were awesome. The Marlfoxes were super cool with their family story and the Queen herself. The constant rivalry between Silth, Ascrod, Gelltor, Lantur, Mokkan, Predak, Vannan, and Ziral, and all their storylines, was definitely interesting and entertaining. Songbreeze, Dannflor, Dippler, and Burble were such a great group, although it took me a long time to like Burble. Janglur and Rusvul were really cool warriors and fathers—I love Rusval in particular!! I actually loved Cregga this time around—she was the typical BadgerMum while still being herself. <3 I don’t remember anyone else but I know I loved them.

As for the plot!! Okay so the battle against Redwall was EPICALLY done—a REAL siege!! AND THE TAPESTRY WAS STOLEN AGAIN!!! I was so invested in this story until the end and then I kinda cried because it was so perfect.

So yes. It was awesome.

*updated review + content list to come upon reread*

[Cheyenne Langevelde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, it takes me a few chapters to get into a Redwall book. With this one, I hit the ground running from the first page. This was a fascinating story (as they usually are) and I especially loved Dann and Song. I was a bit sad at the end that they weren't together, which I probably shipped them because they reminded me a lot of Angus and Fiona from Dìlseachd - A Stolen Crown and as such felt like they should be together. But it was a very good story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Rin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a communist because of redwall abbey

[S Brunning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, great writing, great plot. One star off for a slightly lame ending...

Re-reviewed: love this book, read most of it aloud to the family over the holiday and we all laughed at my atrocious attempt at “the mighty Megraw’s” scottish accent! So much fun, an excellent example of classic Brian Jacques’ writing.

[Joseph Leskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite good. It deviated slightly from the other Redwall books [that I have read as of this review] plot-wise, which, of course, made for an enjoyable story, by cause of originality.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This one was alright, though still not as good as Redwall by a long shot. It was interesting to finally see an ending of this sort for the bad guys of the story. Marm-floxes."

[James T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halfway through my reread of the Redwall series. I had no memory of Marlfox and upon reading the synopsis I vaguely remembered it being forgettable. It was. It’s not without its charm and there are some nice call backs to other books. However it just feels underwhelming and uninspired compared to the rest of the series. The villains lack a sense of grandiosity and genuine threat. The puzzles and riddles feel throw away. There’s not much of the same sense of grandeur. The epic battles feel cartoonish and have little weight.

It’s just underwhelming. Even other entries I found weaker had a few great moments to pull up the rest of the narrative. Here it’s just slow and feels like 1/2 the ingredients that make the series great were forgotten.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic, heroic, and filled with the most delicious food descriptions (never have I wanted the diet of a woodland mouse so badly)!

I liked the dual storylines, with the travellers on their quest in one and the Abbey defending itself in the other. the Marlfoxes were an interesting and cunning enemy, different from the rats, ferrets, and weasels that usually make up the main enemy. The fight to protect what is good and help those who need it was a shining part of the story, as always is with Jacques. If a kid can handle death and some mild descriptions of injuries, I always recommend the Redwall books! Even as an adult, I find the stories a fun romp.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is my favorite Redwall book so far. Brian has such a good combination of humor, fighting, sad, and happy. What I love in his books is that he switches the P.O.V. to the villains sometimes.

I would certainly recomend this to elementary, middle, and high schoolers.

Content Warning: Some violence

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as Redwall books go, this one isn't the most memorable. The titular Marlfoxes are cool, but underused. I like the parts between Dann and his dad, but the rest of the book just doesn't stick in my head.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halfway through the series, some continuity of characters but I think one could enjoy many of the books without reading all of the previous ones.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best cover art of the entire series. Catherine said the fox is hot. I told her the foxes are the villains. She was undeterred.

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richly plotted with an excellent cast of young warriors and a unique spin on classic fox villains.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(fun re-read of a childhood fave over winter break)

[E.J. Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's probably not the best of the series, but Marlfox is definitely exciting, and it features one of the most satisfying villain deaths in the whole series (probably one of the most gruesome too)

[Sephora Kali]

why are the abbey babes always SOOO annoying?
they put on cloaks and go around saying they're "Marmfloxes" and doing mischief.....
Do they know Marlfoxes are evil.

[K A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Redwall quest with heroes, villains, feasts and glutinous hares. Amuses my children read aloud with bad accents!

[Kryptomite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 3.8 stars.

Marlfox was a substantial upgrade from Jacques' books directly prior to this one. I found far less silly, rehashed elements and ridiculous quests in this one. Martin has been toned down quite a bit, but the dibbuns are still running amok with no clear reason as to why they're allowed to do so. The main villians are more interesting than many in the past, but I wish he'd have focused on their mysterious nature rather than the many full-frontal attacks they performed. A few prior characters in other books were far sneakier than the Marlfoxes. Also, I found I was unsatisfied by the notion that two of them were killed by other Marlfoxes without having any interaction with the Redwallers at all, and the island's history definitely could have been explored more considering how mysterious it was. Lastly, the ending was pretty soft, without a major conflict, and a doling out of new roles for all the heroes that fit too perfectly to feel good. Overall though, a definite step in the right direction.

[Will Waller · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is much good to be said about the Harry Potter series of books - their foray into wizardry, their magical locations and characters, the rhythm of their plots as you discover what Harry is up against. Most notably, Voldemort. Voldemort appears and disappears and you don't really have a handle on him until the end of the last book. It's great, and perfect for kids and adults who need to be given small doses to be kept interested.

This book, unlike the Harry Potter series, lacks wizardry, great characters, and a good villain. It lacks especially in the final category as the villains are all spread out amongst a family. This dilution of characters is what I believe is truly lacking in this book series. The characters cannot be properly developed because there are far too many of them. I've started skimming through these books and not really remembering who the characters because it doesn't matter.

Here's how the characters work: there are a few main protagonists spread among the animal species. They go out to save Redwall from intruder/villain x. Villain x never gets really close to taking the Abbey, but they will try. Meanwhile, the protagonists go to another spot to save slaves or prisoners from good species of animals. There's little if any backstabbing among the good animals, little chiding. They work together and get along together.

This world view of perfection among the good species is a load of horse crap. That's not the way the world works. No one is truly good or truly bad. We're all a mixed bag. So I'm getting tired of these books and their simplistic and unrealistic world view. What a load.

Meanwhile, due to my stringent world view about what books I read, I've already reserved the next book from the library. Forge on ahead I guess.

[Megan Cutler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh goody, another Redwall book where we get to spend 300 pages trying to distinguish what the various creatures are saying. Can't any of the animals in this universe speak normally? One or two characters with quirky speech is cute, but all of them? Doesn't someone try to preserve the language in Redwall? And while we're on the subject of continuity in this universe, why are always children at the Abbey but never any parents?

Like most of the other books in this series, Marlfox follows the same old formula, making the entire plot highly predictable. There's a war at the Abbey. There's a riddle to be solved. There's a war elsewhere, because if there aren't at least two wars, then what would be the point? And as usual, there's lots of feasting for the good guys and back-stabbing for the bad guys. There's even a mousebabe because, apparently, they too have become a staple.

Marlfox is particularly boring because it didn't feel like any of the characters on the quest for the tapestry learned or changed or grew in any way. Instead, all the characters they met along the way seemed to do all the work. Also, the final confrontation was woefully short, which makes all the build-up to it seem pointless.

Not the worst of the series, but far from the best. Easily skip-able; you aren't missing much.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit by Brian Jacques. I love visiting Redwall Abbey time after time again. "Marlfox" was one of my favorite Redwall stories as a kid! :)

This book was a little different - the antagonist was not just one, but a whole group of villains - brothers and sisters, all cruel and conniving. "Marmfloxes" - the Dibbuns call them!

As always, I enjoyed seeing previous characters in a whole new story - Cregga Rose Eyes, Gurrbowl, Friar Butty, among others - as well as meeting others. The duo Dann and Songbreeze are just wonderful. Skipper of Otters was great and amazing, as always. Hares are always a delight - Marlfox's hare was named Florian, and quite a card he was! I loved his relationship with the tiny infant Dwopple!

I didn't give this book five stars because to me it seemed like the ending was wrapped up way too fast, like Jacques just killed some of the villains too quickly at the end (and, of course, some of the good guys, too). Other than that, Marlfox was a delight to read.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two characters in this book irritated me to no end: Dwopple and his guardian (I forget her name). These are probably the first two characters that I actually despise in this entire series. Other than that, the book was decent. It was nice revisiting the nearly forgotten lake from some books back. Something random I noticed: I think this was the first book that mentioned almonds and raisins. Just to throw that out there..

[Ben.c]

12/18/10 Done
In the book evil foxes called Marlfoxes, take the Martin the Warrior tapestry from the Abbey. Song,Dippler, Burble, and Dann set out to retake it. Along the way they make new allies. In the end, they emancipate slaves at the island which Marlfoxes live on, Dippler becomes Log a Log, Burble becomes chief of the Riverhead water voles, Dann becomes the Abbey's champion, and Song becomes Abbess at the Abbey. A text to text connection is Song is mentioned in Taggerrung.

[Jetta · Rating 1 out of 5]

After 10 books of repelling the hordes of unwashed, undocumented foreign invaders, the denizens of the "peaceful abbey" of Redwall go up against a yet more perilous foe: sneaky, scheming foreigners!

In which book do they repel the stoats or possums or whatever who are very frugal or wear a certain kind of hat?

[Emily Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've owned this book forever but I don't remember as much what this one was about. Kudos to Jacques though for going for more than just regular foxes and adding an air of almost-magic into it.
My favorite part of these books is often the food. Anyone else get hungry reading these?

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redwall is a lovely, safe place to visit. The villian always dies, thier slaves are always freed, and redwall always stands. There is never a single slave who dies in slavery. They always are free. That said, this is a childrens book, so I overlook that and enjoy the lovely discriptions and humor.

[Clint Nutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't read a Redwall book in around 10 years and still thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Ally046 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!!!

[Kris Dees · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to the Redwall series, and it's still my favorite. I still have the dog-eared, well-loved copy I bought at my middle school book fair, and I'm pushing 40! It holds up, and though I love so many of his other books, I always come back to this one. You never forget your first love, I suppose ;)

The pacing is almost perfect, beginning to end, hardly any lags in between. It's just action, action, action, from the first chapter to the last. The young heroes are lovable and inspiring, but in my opinion, it's the baddies who make the story. You'd think a family of 7 conniving siblings and their tyrannical "queen" of a mother would be too crowded, but Jacques managed to make each Marlfox have their own personality (some more than others) and motivations. Mokkan was and remains a fascinating look into someone who would literally lie, cheat, and steal to get what he wants, and though he's so slimy and irredeemable, he's *such* a good villain you can't help but love him.

As for the Redwallers themselves, the warriors (current and "semi-retired"), Mossflower denizens, and Abbey-dwellers were all impressively fleshed out. I admit, there's quite a bit of violence and death (but I mean, there *is* a war going on), so if you're planning to introduce a kid to this series, maybe wait until they're a little older and can handle tough topics like death and war.

In a nutshell, I may be a little biased, but Marlfox stands the test of time and is an excellent book! A must-read in this series. It can easily stand on its own, not leaning too heavily on prior books, so references to Martin the Warrior and introducing the larger world of Redwall won't leave someone new to the series completely lost.