The Legend of Luke (Redwall, Book 12) [Hardcover]

Brian Jacques (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Redwall

In this twelfth book in the masterful Redwall epic, storyteller Brian Jacques goes back in time to the days before Redwall, revealing with dramatic poignancy the legend of the first of the magnificent Redwall warriors--Luke, father of Martin. It is that legend Martin hopes to discover when he embarks on a perilous journey to the northland shore, where his father abandoned him as a child. There, within the carcass of a great red ship he uncovers what he has been searching for: the story of the evil Pirate stoat, Vilu Daskar, and the valiant mousewarrior who pursued him relentlessly over the high seas, seeking to destroy Vilu at all costs, even if it meant deserting his only son. Brian Jacques reaches a new pinnacle in storytelling, imparting the story behind the story of the greatest Redwall warrior of them all.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Brian Jacques and his tremendous Redwall books never cease to amaze: this is the 12th book in a series that just gets better and better. This time, the interweaving story of a father and a son is told in three parts, starting with a visit to Redwall Abbey by a young hedgehog maid who, by singing a half-remembered song recounting the adventures of a warrior called Luke, begins to unlock some of the mysteries behind the Abbey's early years.

As deftly executed as all the other Redwall books, The Legend of Luke is a truly magnificent, rampaging, rip-roaring adventure story that gives the heart and mind the kind of aerobic workout normally reserved for a sprint round a playing field. From the very first page the readers know they're in for a treat, and as Jacques skillfully builds his story, cleverly interweaving intricate, imaginative detail with a vast cast of incredible characters who each play a vital role in the unfurling of the tale, there can be no doubt that he is still the true master of his genre.

Excellent as a stand-alone read for anyone new to Redwall, and even better as part of the amazing saga that has captured the imagination of millions since its inception, The Legend of Luke is an absolute must-read for anyone--young or old--who likes their fiction fast and fantastical. This story will certainly leave them breathless for more. --Susan Harrison

From Publishers Weekly

Author Jacques reads his latest work with an assured and enthusiastic tone that demonstrates his familiarity with and passion for his subject matter. In this 12th story about the woodland creatures who inhabit and defend Redwall Abbey, listeners are treated to a prequel of sorts. In the early days of Redwall, Martin the warrior leaves the still-growing abbey and travels to the Northland shore where his father, the warrior Luke, had abandoned him as a child. Along the way, Martin and his companions must fight off weasels and other evil vermin. But once Martin reaches his destination, the answers to many of his lifelong questions are answered. He discovers the real reason his father was forced to leave him behind. As always, Jacques peppers his storytelling with humor, sumptuous descriptions and abundant adventure. Some listeners may find that Jacques's heavy Liverpool accent takes a bit of getting used to, but once acclimated, will be captivated by this colorful tale. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; 1st Us Edition edition (January 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039923490X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399234903
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A well-known radio personality in his native Liverpool--as well as an actor, stand-up comic, and playwright--Brian Jacques (1939-2011) was the host of "Jakestown" on BBC Radio Merseyside. Ever the performer, Jacques was well-known for applying his acting and entertainment background to his lively presentations to legions of young fans at schools across the United States and England. Brian Jacques 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. He grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks. His interest in adventure stories began at an early age with reading the books of: Daniel Defoe, Sir Henry Rider Haggard, Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Thomas Malory, Robert Michael Ballantyne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Kenneth Grahame. He attended St. John's School, an inner city school that had its playground on the roof. On his first day at St. John's, at the age of ten, he had an experience that marked his potential as a writer. When given an assignment of writing a story about animals, he wrote about the bird that cleaned a crocodile's teeth. The teacher could not, and would not, believe that a ten year old could write that 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 that he had a talent for writing. "My favourite teacher was Mr. Austin Thomas. He looked like Lee Marvin. Big Man. A Captain in World War II. He came to school on a big bush bike with the haversack on back. He was a man's man. Always fair. I was fourteen at the time when Mr. Thomas introduced the class to poetry and Greek literature. (Because of him, I saved seven shillings and sixpence to buy The Iliad and The Odyssey at this dusty used book shop.)" This interest in poetry extended to Wordsworth, Tennyson, and Goldsmith. It was also at St. John's that Brian met a teacher, Alan Durband (who also taught two Beatles, Paul McCartney and George Harrison), who, more than thirty years later would bring about a major change in his life. After Brian finished school at fifteen, he set out to find adventure as a merchant seaman. He travelled to many far away ports, including New York, Valparaiso, San Francisco, and Yokohama. Tiring of the lonely life of a sailor, he returned to Liverpool where he worked as a railway fireman, a longshoreman, a long-distance truck driver, a bus driver, a boxer, a bobby (Police Constable 216D), a postmaster, and a stand-up comic. Jacques passed away in February of 2011 at the age of 71.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! Truly AWESOME!, January 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Legend of Luke (Redwall, Book 12) (Hardcover)

This book is a must-read! It's about how Martin travels to the northlands to find out what happened to his father, Luke the Warrior.

Vilu Daskar is not a very nice stoat! He abused his crew, once having some of them whipped then doused in salt water. Ouch!

Luke is always after Daskar in his tiny vessel, the Sayna, named after Martin's mother. Beau the hare is so funny, his whole crew is. This book is filled with the usual action, adventure, and sadness that is in all the other Redwall books. It has a very sad ending. Sad, but extremely heroic. To those of you that have read it, you know what I mean! And Ranguvar Foeseeker the squirrel warrior, whoa... she's cool! She's one of the most savage warriors in the whole series!

You learn lots of secrets too, like about how Saint Ninian's was built, how the tapestry was made, and all that stuff!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Newest Redwall Novel a legend in the making, May 23, 2000

By 

Harry Almquist (Boston, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend of Luke (Redwall, Book 12) (Hardcover)

The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques

On a misty summer morning, a stranger arrives at the Redwall Abbey. However, as soon as Trimp the Hedgehog enters the Abbey, she immediately causes a commotion. As she works in the fields, she sings the song of her homeland, little does she know she sings of Luke the Warrior, father of the Redwall hero Martin. Martin, having never known his warrior father, is filled with curiosity and wonder. He must know more, and eventually he, Gonff the prince of mouse thieves, and Trimp, travel to the North shores to uncover the secret of Luke the Warrior. Little do they know what legend they will uncover.

In this thrilling saga of the Redwall Series ( It takes place chronologically after Mossflower and before Redwall ), Brian Jacques once again mixes animal life into a medieval fairy tale. He descriptively paints a tapestry into your mind to make you feel every as if you were actually there. He holds you in suspense and wonder until it's over.

In my personal opinion I enjoyed the book. After a slow start, it immediately picks up. The vivid description lets you use your imagination to no end. The battle strategy and plot was astounding, and the character development was terrific. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys adventure, and anyone who has an imagination.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, January 30, 2000

By 

Jinn Resso - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend of Luke (Redwall, Book 12) (Hardcover)

In the beginning of The Legend of Luke, Martin the Warrior, Gonff Prince of Mousethieves, Dinny Foremole, and Trimp the Hedgehog travel to the Northland Cliffs in search of anything that would help Martin discover what happened to his father, Luke. Along the way they find many friends and foes, including an otter named Folgrim, the Guosim Shrews, a tribe of Dunehogs (Hedgehogs), a small squirrel named Chugger, and a funny group of vermin lead by a fox.

After Martin finds members of his fathers old crew, the story really begins. Vilu Daskar has just smashed Luke's tribe on the Cliffs, and has killed Luke's wife, Sayna. Luke vows to get revenge, and to settle the score with his arch enemie, Vilu. Luke evenually gets his paws on a ship, and with a small crew, takes off after Vilu and his slaveship, the Goreleech. To make a long and great story short, Vilu Daskar and his vermin die, unfortunatly, as does Luke. But knowing that his father was ever the warrior, and that he stood true to his promise and got revenge, Martin travels home to Redwall with a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

The Legend of Luke really deserves more than 5 stars, and is the best Redwall book (in my humble oppinion). Brian Jacques really is a great writer, and deserving of every bit of praise that he gets.