Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14) (Paperback)

by Brian Jacques (Author) "The clan of Sawney Rath could feel their fortunes changing, much for the better..." (more)
Key Phrases: blind badger, pear cordial, hurr aye, Friar Bobb, Sister Alkanet, Brother Hoben (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Brian Jacques's 14th fantasy in the popular Redwall series exceeds expectations in this suspenseful tale of good versus evil where the nefarious vermin seek to destroy the peace-loving mice, moles, shrews, and otters of Redwall Abbey. The villainous Sawney Rath clan of rats, weasels, foxes, and ferrets believe Deyna, an otter born of the community at Redwall, is their Taggerung, a great warrior destined to lead them. Members of the Sawney Rath clan kidnap Deyna from his home as a young otter, but to no avail. As Deyna grows, he embarks upon a search for his true family at Redwall.

As ever, the master storyteller's language lends his swashbuckling adventures a mysterious and magical quality, as well as a hint of the Old World as the characters address each other with thees and thous. Hearkening back to medieval times, Jacques presents a tale of courageous warriors and grotesque evildoers alike, each group journeying toward conflicting ends. Danger, fear, action, heroism--Taggerung is an intense page-turner with startling plot twists that will keep readers on their toes. (Ages 9 to 15) --Yvonne Schindler --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
Redwall lovers, rejoice! The epic continues with Taggerung, the 14th book in Brian Jacques's popular series. An otter born in Redwall Abbey is kidnapped by members of an opposing clan who believe he is destined to be a great Taggerung, or warrior hero; Tagg later rebels against his adoptive tribe and goes in search of his true home.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ace (August 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441009689
• ISBN-13: 978-0441009688
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #484,769 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 14 in The Redwall Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taggerung, the best to date, October 9, 2001

By	J. Worden (Concord, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14) (Hardcover)

I have been following this series since I first was enthralled by the first book, Redwall. So when this book came out I went out and picked it up, hoping it would live up to expectations. The truth of the matter it did not make my expectations it blew them away. I was expecting another hero, defending Redwall or the citizens of Redwall, who overcomes another impossibly huge army, by the Sword of Martin. Well this book was nothing like this, it was totally different than any of the previous Redwall books.

The Taggerung is a prophetic warrior, in vermin tribes, that will lead its tribe to victory against any obstacle. In this case an otter is the Taggerung and he is stolen from his parents at a very early age by Sawney Rath. He wants the Taggerung to become his son and lead the tribe to countless victories. The vermin leader, surprisingly, shows respect and almost father-like love to the otter cub and trains him everything he knows about fighting. Eventually clan problems occurr, and the Taggerung has to run from his foster father and clan. He eventually meets Nimbalo the Slayer, similar to Gonff the mousethief, and they many grand adventures on their search for the Abbey of Redwall. During the Redwall plot line, Deyna or the Taggerung, is never forgotten by his family, but they move on to take care of things in the Abbey. Mhera, his sister, becomes involved in a complex puzzle, one that is much better than in any other Redwall book, that takes up much of her time and teaches her to be a leader. The third plot line is the cowardly Gruven, and his adventures to capture the Taggerung and craven flight away from the Taggerung.

This book seems to be the start of a new direction in the Redwall saga. I hope Brian Jacques will continue to use Deyna in more books, because he is the most interesting character he has created to date, even more so than Martin. This book is also Mr. Jacques most mature Redwall book, seems he is trying to gain a larger audience of teenagers and adults. Anyway, I can't wait for the next book, it can't come soon enough.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing new edition to the Spectacular Redwall Series, September 20, 2001

By	Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14) (Hardcover)

For many seasons rumors have gone around that one day a powerful warrior beast called the Tagggerung will join the Juska rat clan and be the most powerful of them all. THe rumors about this beast are almost unbelievable but Sawney Rath wants nothing more than to find him, so when he dose the whole clan is shocked to learn that the Taggerung is no vermin, but an otter! Little Tagg grows up amoung the vermin living a tragic life, never knowing who he really is. But one day he realizes that something is wrong with his life, very wrong.
Meanwhile at Redwall, the Abby has been without an Abbess and Warroir for more seasons than they can count. The only member of the Abby from the old times that hasn't died from old age is Lady Cregga Rose eyes, the badgermum. But soon a series of riddles shows up around the Abby. Riddles that can tell who the Abbess really is.
When I saw this book I was a bit surprised. It was longer than any Redwall book I've seen in a while, but apparently the longer books are the better they are. I haven't Read a Redwalll book this good since Marlfox. Tagg's story is very entertaining and their are countless refrences to a Classic Redwall book that fans of the series will recognize. The new charecters are well drawn (my favorite being little Nimbalo) and for once, Brian Jacques introduces a serious issue in the series, one that readers may relate too. I reccomend this book strongly to fans of the series. You won't be dissapointed!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Plot Theme Opens in Redwall Series-YES!, November 6, 2001

By	A 12-year old reader (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14) (Hardcover)

I've loved the Redwall books ever since first grade when I read Redwall for the first time. I've read it 16 times since, but that's not the point. When Taggerung came out, I was delighted, even more so when I actually read it. Much as I love the Redwall series, the later books' plots do get rather repetitive. I don't hold that against Mr. Jacques. The books are still good. But Taggerung was a completely new plot, standing apart from the others, but just as good; better than some. The plot twists and turns, with things happening that I didn't think would ever occur. I was frequently surprised by the outcome of a section, and the characters were all perfect, developed so they'd fit their station perfectly. The repetitive theme of "Martins sword and/or tapestry is lost, a young creature, male or female, goes out to find it, and invariably succeeds, killing the villain in the process" was gone, though some fragments remained, which was terrific. I happen to like that redundant theme. Anyway, if you like fantasy, you should definately read this book-oh, except you should read the other 13 books in chronological order first. That will make Taggerung better. Happy reading!