“The hare will never adopt the otter,” I thought tearfully to myself, as all I wanted out of this book was for the hare to adopt the otter. AND THEN IN THE LAST CHAPTER THE HARE ADOPTED THE OTTER AND I SQUEALED SO LOUD MY MOM CAME OUT AND ASKED ME WHAT WAS GOING ON.

(I’m completely normal and not at all emotional over Mattimeo by Brian Jacques, a masterpiece of fantasy literature about woodland creatures fighting to rescue their kidnapped children.)

My official first read of 2025! I loved the animated series based on Mattimeo by Brian Jacques, and while I enjoyed the show, this book was truly excellent! I honestly cannot wait to dive into the rest of this classic fantasy series. If you are looking for your next great book review recommendation, this is a must-read!

5+ stars (7/10 hearts). Okay, so I’ve read Redwall 1-6 now. In my opinion so far, Martin the Warrior, Mossflower, Redwall, and Mattimeo are the four essential canon pieces, with the rest serving as wonderful side stories. Oh my stars. I genuinely teared up at the ending. WHAT a perfect, perfect conclusion to the legacies of Martin and Matthias. But let me back up a bit. The setting: Redwall Abbey! It was so much fun to catch up with everyone about ten years after the events of Redwall. Constance...

Mattimeo by Brian Jacques is another highly enjoyable read and a solid addition to the Redwall series. I felt that this installment really took things up a notch in various departments, though the plot did feel a bit predictable at times. That said, I am still having a delightful time exploring this world, and I truly wish I had discovered these books as a kid. If you are looking for a classic fantasy book review or a charming adventure series to dive into, this is a must-read.

Mattimeo is the third installment in Brian Jacques’s Redwall series, and I can’t express to you how much fun I’ve been having as I revisit this series and world that meant so much to me as a child, alongside friends who are experiencing Mossflower and its inhabitants for the first time. This particular installment felt like it had a bit more going on than its predecessors, Mossflower and Redwall, while still holding true to the formulaic, but successfully so, format of the books. And it was fill...

Another lovely, heartwarming, and hunger-inducing read. Three books in and I can see that there’s a pretty standard formula to these Redwall books, but that doesn’t make Mattimeo by Brian Jacques any less enjoyable to read. I truly love the riddle-solving and quest-style adventures that seem to take place in each installment so far. I think as long as I space out my reading of this series, it will work perfectly as a delightful palate cleanser. If you are looking for a charming fantasy book revi...

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: MattimeoMattimeo might be the son of the legendary Matthias, but he is still just a young mouse testing the boundaries of Redwall Abbey. When he lashes out at a guest of the Abbey, his fellow Redwallers are shocked—even if Mattimeo was only trying to defend his family’s honor. At times, the animals of Redwall Abbey are perhaps too trusting. When a traveling troupe of performers arrives at their gates, the residents welcome them in, completely una...

This is the second time I have read 'Mattimeo'. It is a wonderful book and only one of the many books in the Redwall series—originally written for children but enjoyed by readers of all ages—by the brilliant late Brian Jacques. I absolutely love these magical books; they never fail to fascinate me. The Redwall characters, a mix of various animals who live together in harmony, goodwill, and peace (whenever the 'baddies' allow them to), are always ready to defend their Abbey and their way of life ...

Probably my least favorite entry in the Redwall series. While Brian Jacques always brings a certain charm to his storytelling, Mattimeo just didn't hit the same mark for me as the other books. If you're looking for a deep dive into this classic fantasy adventure, this is still a must-read for fans, but it might not be the standout highlight of the saga.

I would likely give three and a half stars to Mattimeo, but four is a distinct possibility. This is, I believe, the most epically powerful adventure that Brian Jacques had created up to this point. I can only shake my head in wondrous awe at the almost ridiculously intricate and ingenious nuances that mark the text of this magnificent story from page one to page four hundred forty-six. There are enough gritty, determined, strong-willed heroes to fill a dozen super-novels, and enough dastardly, c...