If you grew up in the 90s’ or early 00s’ and found yourself in middle school during that time, alongside the likes of Harry Potter, Animorphs, and Eragon, there is a good chance you were also reading Brian Jacques’ Redwall series. This fantasy series of forest critters took readers on adventures with mice heroes, rapscallion pirate otters, and Log-a-Log shrews, that spanned 22 books, with the first releasing in 1986. At least, that was the case until a surprise announcement back in September 2026 revealed a brand new 23rd novel releasing in September 2027 – Orphans of Mossflower. Penned by Jacques and releasing posthumously as the beloved British author passed away back in 2011, the new book will bring a conclusion to this land of mice and heroes after 41 years.
In order to catch yourself up on this series before the release next year (or if you are like me, refresh yourself after being away so long) here is a breakdown of the other 22 novels to help see you off.
Reading Order
Not too dissimilar from The Chronicles of Narnia series (which we also have a handy reading guide for), the chronology of the Redwall series differs from the the order in which Jacques wrote and released the books. The general consensus (ie. myself and the internet) is that for your first readthrough especially, publication order is the route to go, keeping you from spoiling plots from other books and everything. If you find yourself enamoured with the series though, I think rereading the series on a subsequent readthrough is an adventure all its own, giving a better and clearer picture of how this world evolved over the years.
Chronological Order:
Lord BrocktreeMartin the WarriorMossflowerThe Legend of LukeOutcast of RedwallMariel of RedwallThe BellmakerSalamandastronRedwallMattimeoPearls of LutraThe Long PatrolMarlfoxTaggerungTrissLoamhedgeRakkety TamHigh RhulainEulalia!DoomwyteThe Sable QueanThe Rogue CrewOrphans of the Mossflower
Publication Order:
Redwall (1986)Mossflower (1988)Mattimeo (1989)Mariel of Redwall (1991)Salamandastron (1992)Martin the Warrior (1993)The Bellmaker (1994)Outcast of Redwall (1995)Pearls of Lutra (1996)The Long Patrol (1997)Marlfox (1998)The Legend of Luke (1999)Lord Brocktree (2000)Taggerung (2001)Triss (2002)Loamhedge (2003)Rakkety Tam (2004)High Rhulain (2005)Eulalia! (2007)Doomwyte (2008)The Sable Quean (2010)The Rogue Crew (2011)Orphans of Mossflower (2027)
The Book Timeline (listed chronologically)
Lord Brocktree
After the mighty fortress of his father is overrun and taken over by Ungatt Trun, Brocktree of Brockhole, a mighty Badger Lord will take up his broadsword to reclaim it. Alongside allies he meets along the way, including the Dotti the Hare and Log-a-log Grenn, he will reclaim the Salamandastron and force out the Blue Hordes menace.
Martin the Warrior
The character of Martin the Warrior is one that’s central to Redwall itself, and this book serves as the origin story of the series’ legendary hero mouse. This tale, which will show how Martin goes from being captured by sea rats up through him setting off to eventually found the Redwall Abbey itself.
Mossflower
Following on after the events of Martin the Warrior, Mossflower further fleshes out the origins of the series’ titular Abbey, Martin’s sword, and more moments from the hero’s journey. This time, Martin and his allies work to thwart and save the creatures under the rule of the tyrannical wildcat, Verdauga Greeneyes. It’s only with the help of the local resistance that Martin and villagers of the Mossflower Woods will be free.
The Legend of Luke
After hearing songs that include mentions of his father, Luke the Warrior, Martin sets out on another quest to track down details on his father. This story not only follows Martin, but also features Luke’s trials in the way of the story-within-a-story, “In the Wake of the Red Ship”.
Outcast of Redwall
Following the tales of the badger Sunflash who would be lord and the ferret Veil who was abandoned as an infant will have to contented with what destiny has laid out for them while fending off attacks Veil’s true father, Swartt Sixclaw. Veil will have to have to make the hard choice of who family really is – the ones who gave you life or the ones who made you who you are.
Mariel of Redwall
After being cast out to sea by the King of the Searats, Gabool, while on a trip with her father to deliver a Bel, Mariel washes up on the shore of Mossflower. This story follows Mariel alongside her allies as she sets out to get revenge on Gabool at his fortress, Terramort. Gabool, however, faces dangers not just from Mariel and her lot, but also from those closer to him.
The Bellmaker
Picking up four seasons after the conclusion of “Mariel of Redwall”, Joseph the Bellmaker is warned in a dream that his daughter, Mariel, is in danger. Setting out from Redwall Abbey, Joseph and other returning companions sail for the south to get to the bottom of this ominous warning, while dangers at home threaten also the abbey itself.
Salamandastron
The mountain fortress of Salamandastron lays besieged by a vermin army led by Ferahgo the Assassin and his son, Klitch. While being defended by the current badger lord, Urthstripe, his rebellious daughter Mara runs away. Redwall Abbey is suffering from its own issues as well as a deadly illness sweeps through its people and Thrugg and dormouse Dumble are forced to seek out a cure. A path that will lead them to meet Mara and may lead to the salvation of both Redwall and Salamandastron both.
Redwall
The book that started it all tells the tale of Matthias, a young mouse orphan who grew up at Redwall Abbey. When the Abbey becomes besieged by the army of Cluny the Scourge, a nefarious one-eye rat, Matthias sets out to find Martin’s sword and rescue Redwall Abbey.
Mattimeo
When Mattimeo, son of the now Abbey Warrior Matthias, is kidnapped along with other children from Redwall Abbey, Matthias and allies set out to rescue the kids. While its protectors are away, the Abbey is once again beset and under siege and those who remain must find a way to deal with the invading forces.
Pearls of Lutra
Long ago, six pearls known as the “Tears of All Oceans” were stolen by the weasel thief, Graylunk. Now, the pearls have been discovered around Redwall Abbey. Each one has been hidden separately with riddles pointing to their hidden locations and it’s up to Tansy, a hedgehog and Arven, a squirrel to sort it out. The stakes are raised when the Abbey’s Abbot is taken hostage and the pearls may be the only things that can save him.
The Long Patrol
The Long Patrol is an elite group that serves the mighty Badger Lords of the mountain fortress of Salamandastron and the young Tamello dreams of joining the group. A simple trip to Redwall Abbey will put Tamello on a path that collides with a ruthless band of pirates, the Long Patrol, and leave him changed forever.
Marlfox
Marlfoxes are sly and stealthy creatures and when a group of these sneak in and steal a precious treasure of Redwall Abbey, it’s up to a group of young would-be heroes to get it back. While the group works to reclaim the item, the abbey is once again assaulted and must fight back. This Abbey sure gets attacked a lot.
Taggerung
Tagg is an otter who was raised among the likes of brutal and blood creatures but rejects and flees his clan, sick of their violent ways. Pursued by his former clan’s new leader, Gruven Zann and his rogues, Tagg will team up with allies and make his way to Redwall Abbey where more than safety waits for him.
Triss
Triss tells the journey of three different groups – Triss is a young squirrelmaid who after a daring escape alongside a couple of other slaves, are pursued by pirates; Sagax the badger and the hare Scarum set off from the from Salamandastron for adventure; and the two small dibbuns Ruggum and Bikkle uncover the secret and ancestral home of the Badgers, Brockhall- before all coming together to fend off the new inhabitants of Brockhall and other foes.
Loamhedge
Similar to Triss, Loamhedge features multiple narratives with one focusing on a group that sets out to uncover the mysterious and forgotten abbey of Loamhedge that is said to hold a magical cure while the other deals with badger warrior Lonna Bowstripe and the remain citizens of Redwall Abbey to defend it against the assault of Raga Bol and his sea rats.
Rakkety Tam
After the murder his father, Gulo the Savage and his white-fox horde mission to seek out the Walking Stone – a relic needed for him to claim control – will put him on a path and enemies with the mercenary squirrel Rakkety Tam MacBurl and the mighty Long Patrol. Teaching us all you should never get on the bad side of a Scottish squirrel with a sword.
High Rhulain
Tiria Wildlough is an otter and dreams of one day being the Skipper of Otters at Redwall Abbey and after receiving a vision from Martin the Warrior telling her that the otters at Green Isle need her help, she sets off on her mission. Putting her on a direct course into a confrontation with Riggu Felis, the wildcat warlord of the Isle.
Eulalia!
After being taken prisoner by the sea raider Vizka Longtooh, badger Gorath eventually escapes, aided by the small hedgehog Orkwil Prink, who is currently banished from Redwall Abbey after getting caught stealing. After hearing that his new friend has been captured, Gorath chases after Vizka one last time, settling his revenge for killing his family.
Doomwyte
Little did the young mouse Bisky know that his boasts about how his ancestry stole four jewels from a great idol would result in him going on an adventure to seek out those very gemstones. Unfortunately, one of the creatures that listened to boasts belonged to the group those jewels were stolen from, the Doomwytes, and they want them back.
The Sable Quean
Buckler, a hare of the Long Patrol is sent on a trip to Redwall to deliver some new bellropes after finding himself bored with life at the mountain fortress of Salamandastron, unfortunately, the trip proves to be far less relaxing than he’d like. The dastardly Vilaya the Sable Quean and Zwilt the Shade capture a number of Redwall children including Flandor the otter and the squirrel Tura in an effort to get the Abbey to surrender to their demands.
The Rogue Crew
Redwall Abbey is facing a threat it has never seen before – a ship that can travel both over land and by sea. Captained by the vile Razzid Wearat, the Greenshroud has set its sites on the beloved abbey and its citizens will need to work together with the Long Patrol and the Rogue Crew of otters to save the home of Martin the Warrior.
BONUS: The Picture Books and…Cookbook?
Alongside the mainline books, Jacques also created two official picture books set in the world of Redwall. As cooking and food is also a big feature of the series, a cookbook, appropriately titled “The Redwall Cookbook”was also released in 2005, featuring more than 30 food and drink recipes to enjoy!
Picture books:
The Great Redwall Feast (1996)A Redwall Winter’s Tale (2001)
Redwall In Other Media
Despite being largely known as a book series, the creatures of Redwall have also been featured in other mediums over the series’ 40-year history. An animated series aired from 1999 through 2002 and adapted the books Redwall, Mattimeo, and Martin the Warrior, with each getting its own season. A Netflix series and movie unfortunately fell through however.
Redwall has received other more interactive adaptations as well. The Lost Legends of Redwall is a line of games made by Soma Games and include the likes of “Feasts and Friends”, “Escape the Gloomer” and the Scout Anthology. Available on Steam, Xbox One, and PS4.
