Despite the lack of an ongoing story, continuity lovers will find much to admire in the consistency of the world surrounding Redwall each book's inside cover features a map of the territory the story covers, and they all fit together very well (although forests and such change significantly in size over the years, and for the duration of one book a large lake suddenly morphs into an ocean). Either way, several exciting medieval-style battles ensue until the book's villains are defeated. Typical stories consist of some villainous horde laying siege to the abbey, while/or some of its inhabitants have to venture somewhere else. Most others do share a few characters, albeit many seasons apart. Only four books ( Redwall and Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall and The Bellmaker) act as direct sequels featuring most of the same characters. In fact, for a while, Jacques wrote the stories wildly out of chronological order, though in his final years, he has set each book further ahead in time than the last one. Most are complete stand-alone stories, so they can mostly be read in any order. The books take place across a vast time period that may span centuries (it's difficult to tell since the characters measure time in ill-defined 'seasons'). The series centers on Redwall Abbey, a commune devoted to peace, though many who live there are quite capable of defending themselves if attacked. Yet they also retain some of their animal natures, which usually manifest as specific skills, such as moles being expert workmen especially at digging, and otters being skilled swimmers and shrimp fishermen. A lengthy series of books by Brian Jacques, about a fantasy world in which all kinds of animals are the equivalents of people: they wear clothes, live in buildings, have humanlike societies, et cetera.

Redwall mattimeo