Salamandastron

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Title Salamandastron

UK 1st Edition Cover
Author Brian Jacques
Illustrator Gary Chalk
Cover artist Chris Baker
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Series Redwall
Genre(s) Fantasy novel
Publisher Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US)
Released 1992
Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages 336 (UK Hardback) & 391 (US Hardback)
ISBN ISBN 0-09-176433-5 (UK Hardback) & ISBN 0-399-21992-7 (US Hardback)
Preceded by Mariel of Redwall
Followed by Martin the Warrior

Salamandastron is a fantasy novel by Brian Jacques, published in 1992. It is the fifth book in the Redwall series.

Contents

[edit] Plot introduction

In this tale of Redwall, Urthstripe the Strong defends the mountain stronghold of Salamandastron against the forces of Ferahgo the Assassin, two young Redwallers go on a quest to recover the sword of Martin the Warrior, and a brave otter named Thrugg journeys to find a cure to a deadly fever afflicting the Abbey inhabitants.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Salamandastron follows the tale of the Badger Lord, Urthstripe the Strong, and his battle against Ferahgo the Assassin, the weasel leader of the infamous "Corpsemakers." Mara, Urthstripe's young adopted daughter, and her hare friend, Pikkle, decide to leave the great mountain stronghold, Mara having become tired of the way Urthstripe treats her.

Meanwhile, two stoats, Dingeye and Thura, have recently deserted Feragho's army. They manage to find their way to Redwall Abbey and are taken in by the kind beasts that reside there. While tension mounts as to their presence, the ruling beasts of the Abbey decide they may stay: the two stoats, while rude, have done no harm.

US cover of Salamandastron
US cover of Salamandastron

Meanwhile, a young squirrel named Samkim and his mole sidekick Arula are wreaking havoc, as will happen with youngbeasts. They start playing with bows and arrows and almost kill one of the Redwall citizens. One night, a lightning bolt strikes the weathervane of Redwall, and the sword of Martin the Warrior falls from its resting place high above the Abbey grounds and falls at the feet of Samkim, who is dumbfounded by his discovery.

Dingeye and Thura's stay is cut short when they are forced to flee the Abbey after accidentally killing one of the Redwallers (Brother Hal) with the same bows and arrows that Samkin and Arula had used. Dingeye and Thura head towards the countryside, with Martin's stolen sword in hand. Samkim and Arula pursue the two beasts, intent on not only rescuing the legendary sword of their Abbey Champion, but exacting vengeance upon the murdering vermin.

Back at Redwall, a terrible disease has begun ravaging the Abbey. A local woodvole hermit determines that it is Dryditch Fever. There is an old wives' tale saying that the Flowers from Icetor from the Mountains of the North can cure Dryditch Fever, so the brave otter Thrugg sets off to find them. With the mousebabe Dumble along for the ride and an injured falcon who they meet on the road, Thrugg succeeds in securing the flowers from the ruler of the mountain: the mighty Golden Eagle, Wild King MacPhearsome.

Mara and Samkin's paths eventually cross, and together they manage to retrieve the sword of Martin the Warrior. Along their way, they meet a badger named Urthwyte, the long-lost brother of Mara's father, Urthstripe. Heading back to Salamandastron, the group arrives in time to find Urthstripe seized by the Bloodwrath, leaping from the towering mountain with Feragho in his grasp.

Soon after Thrugg returns with his haversack full of flowers, Samkim and Arula, along with Mara and Pikkle, return to Redwall Abbey. Mara because the Badger Mother of Redwall. Urthwyte remains behind as Lord of Salamandastron, along with the surviving members of the Long Patrol.

[edit] Prominent Characters in "Salamandastron"

[edit] Book Divisions (English)

  • Book 1: Questors and Runaways
  • Book 2: Warriors and Monsters
  • Book 3: Destinies and Homecomers

[edit] Translations

  • (Finnish) Salamandastronin aarre
  • (French) Rougemuraille : Salamandastron
    • Tome 1 : Ferrago l'Assassin
    • Tome 2 : La Fièvre du fossé tari
    • Tome 3 : Le Serpentissime
    • Tome 4 : Mara de Rougemuraille
  • (German) Die Jagd nach dem Schatz
    • Von Abenteurern und Ausreißern
    • Von Kriegern und Ungeheurern
    • Von Shicksalen und Heimkehrern
  • (Russian) Мара: Войиа с Торкостаем

[edit] External links

Preceded by
The Bellmaker
Redwall Series
(chronological order)
Succeeded by
Redwall
Preceded by
Mariel of Redwall
Redwall Series
(publication order)
Succeeded by
Martin the Warrior


Books in the Redwall series, by Brian Jacques
v  d  e

Lord Brocktree | Martin the Warrior | Mossflower | The Legend of Luke | Outcast of Redwall | Mariel of Redwall | The Bellmaker | Salamandastron | Redwall | Mattimeo | The Pearls of Lutra | The Long Patrol | Marlfox | The Taggerung | Triss | Loamhedge | Rakkety Tam | High Rhulain | Eulalia

In other languages