The Long Patrol

The Long Patrol is the tenth published book in Brian Jacques' Redwall series, following the adventure of a young hare named Tamello De Fformelo Tussock. Set in the medieval fantasy world of Redwall, the story centers on Tammo's quest to join the legendary Long Patrol, an elite military unit of hares serving at the mountain fortress of Salamandastron. The narrative tracks multiple plot threads, including the rise of a new leader within the fearsome Rapscallion army and structural problems threatening the security of Redwall Abbey. As Tammo travels toward his destiny with a wandering squirrel named Russa Nodrey, they face dangers and meet both allies and enemies along their path. The Long Patrol explores themes of coming-of-age, duty, and the price of warfare through the lens of its animal characters. The book continues the Redwall tradition of balancing moments of warmth and friendship against the realities of conflict and loss.

Readers appreciate this book as one of the stronger entries in the Redwall series, with many noting the female protagonist Tammo brings a fresh perspective. The Long Patrol military unit and hare culture resonates with fans who enjoy the series' military aspects. Readers liked: - Fast-paced battle sequences - Humor and dialect of the hare characters - Character development of Tammo - Less predictable plot compared to other Redwall books Common criticisms: - Some repetitive descriptions of food and feasts - Side characters can blur together - Slower middle section - Dialect writing can be hard to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (220+ ratings) Multiple readers mention the book works well as a standalone story even for those new to the series. One frequent comment from long-time fans is that the antagonist stands out as more complex than typical Redwall villains.

Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter This tale of wild cat clans contains the same blend of animal society, military hierarchy, and coming-of-age journey found in The Long Patrol.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo A medieval fantasy following a mouse hero who defies his community's expectations shares the core quest structure and anthropomorphized animal world.

Watership Down by Richard Adams This epic tale of rabbits seeking a new home presents similar themes of warfare, leadership, and animal society in a more mature context.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The story incorporates comparable elements of animal communities, danger, and unlikely heroes facing impossible odds.

The Mistmantle Chronicles: Urchin of the Riding Stars by M.I. McAllister This series features an island kingdom of squirrels, otters, and hedgehogs with similar military structures and epic quests.

🌟 Brian Jacques worked as a merchant sailor, truck driver, and bus driver before becoming an author - he drew inspiration for Redwall's feasts from his experiences with wartime food rationing. 🌟 The Long Patrol hares speak in a distinctive dialect inspired by British military slang from World War I and II, adding authentic depth to their characterization. 🌟 Salamandastron, the mountain fortress in the book, is named after the salamander, a mythical creature believed by ancient alchemists to live in fire. 🌟 The book contains over 20 original songs and poems, a hallmark of the Redwall series that Jacques included to make his fantasy world feel more complete and culture-rich. 🌟 The character types and society of the Long Patrol hares were partially inspired by the British Royal Air Force, which Jacques greatly admired for their courage during WWII.