Olivia Pickett Title: Mossflower Author: Brian Jacques Publisher: Firebird Year of publication: 2002

Story Introduction  Brian Jacques presents us with a fantasy world were creatures seek to break free of the iron claw of the wildcat queen, Tsarmina. The main setting for the story is in the woods bordering Kotir called Mossflower. It is about the evil wildcat queen who plans to rule all of Mossflower with a totalitarian regime. Making every creature beg for mercy at their knees. Until the quick- thinking mousethief, Gonff, and the brave warrior mouse, Martin, meet in the dungeons beneath Kotir. The peaceful woodlanders help them to escape and then they set off on a dangerous quest, with Dinny the mole, to the mountain of dragons, Salamandastron. There they hope to find Boar the fighter, who is the only one they believe can bring an end to Tsarmina's tyrannical reign.

Protagonist/Antagonist Protagonist:Antagonist Martin the warrior Tsarmina  Strong mouse warrior from Cruel ruler of Kotir and the north. of Mossflower.  Vows to slay Tsarmina for breaking She acquired the throne by his father’s sword. the ultimate of killing her  Joins up with the woodlanders to father and blaming it on her help end Tsarmina’s cruel reign. Brother.

Central Conflict  The central conflict is the battle between the woodlanders and the wildcat queen. The epic battle of good versus evil. The pleasant woodlanders fight to protect what is rightfully theirs. The problem is that the queen wants to rule all of Mossflower and take every creature as slaves. They are fighting desperately to keep their freedom. They think that Boar the Fighter, the rightful ruler, is their only hope of winning the land back. The true hero however has already fallen into their midst and will eventually help them to take back what is theirs and restore peace to Mossflower.

Minor Characters  Gonff Bella of Brockhall He is a mousethief who goes She is the daughter of Boar the with Martin on the quest and Fighter, rightful ruler of Mossflower. helps him out along the way.Her home, Brockhall, is also home to He is Martins best friend and all the woodlanders fleeing companion. Tsarmina’s rule.

Minor Characters (cont.)  Dinny the Mole He is Martin and Gonff’s during Their quest to Salamandastron. He is one of the best diggers in all of Mossflower, and is an important character in the novel.

Minor Characters (cont.) Bella of BrockhallGonff the Mousethief Dinny the Mole

Critics  “Packed with action and imbued with warmth…. Richly inventive.” - Kirkus Reviews (On the back of book)  “I seem to be unable to get enough of the little rodent inhabitants of that country. Brian Jacques is a lovely storyteller, although I’m interested to see if he can break away from the “evil tyrant threatening the humble but tenacious villagers” routine for any of the following books.”

What I think  I liked this book because of the use of animals instead of people. This aspect made the book more interesting because all these creatures were acting and carrying out their lives almost just like humans. The author does a great job of act like humans but still have animal characteristics and behaviors. Even though they walk, talk, and are civilized they still hunt and eat and act like they would in nature.