Redwall Books in Order

How to Navigate Mossflower Wood: Recommended Reading Orders

Brian Jacques’ Redwall series is an epic collection of 22 novels detailing the struggles, victories, and feasts of the anthropomorphic inhabitants of Redwall Abbey and the surrounding Mossflower Woods. Because the series spans multiple generations and centuries of in-universe history, readers often find themselves at a crossroads: should they read the books in the order they were published, or follow the chronological timeline of events?

For almost all readers—especially newcomers—we strongly recommend reading the series in publication order. Although most of the books function perfectly well as self-contained adventures, Brian Jacques steadily expanded the lore and universe with each release. Reading the books in the order they were written allows you to experience the mythology, historical callbacks, and world-building naturally, just as the author intended.

Where to Start: The Best Entry Points

If you are picking up the series for the first time, your absolute best starting point is the original novel, Redwall (1986). It introduces the core setting of Redwall Abbey, the legendary status of Martin the Warrior, and the cozy, food-filled atmosphere that defines the series. From there, you can continue directly to its sequel, Mattimeo, or follow publication order to the prequel, Mossflower.

For readers who prefer a historical entry point, Mossflower (1988) or Martin the Warrior (1993) are also acceptable starting places, as they establish the origin of the Abbey's founding defender. However, beginning with the original 1986 novel remains the most rewarding experience.

Redwall Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete list of all 22 core Redwall novels in the order they were originally published. This order shows how the series grew from a single standalone story into a sprawling multigenerational epic:

• Redwall (1986) – The book that started it all, following the young novice mouse Matthias as he defends the Abbey from the vicious rat Cluny the Scourge.
• Mossflower (1988) – A prequel set before the construction of Redwall Abbey, focusing on the heroic Martin the Warrior as he fights to free Mossflower Wood from Tsarmina the Wildcat.
• Mattimeo (1990) – A direct sequel to the first book, focusing on Matthias’ son, Mattimeo, who is kidnapped by the masked fox Slagar the Cruel.
• Mariel of Redwall (1991) – Introduces the mousemaid Mariel, who seeks vengeance against the pirate king Gabool the Wild.
• Salamandastron (1992) – Dives into the lore of the legendary badger mountain fortress, Salamandastron, and the Long Patrol.
• Martin the Warrior (1993) – A deeper origin story of the Abbey's patron hero, Martin, during his early days of enslavement and rebellion.
• The Bellmaker (1994) – The sequel to Mariel of Redwall, following Mariel’s father, Joseph the Bellmaker, on a quest to rescue his daughter.
• Outcast of Redwall (1995) – Explores the complex relationship between a badger lord and the abandoned son of a villainous ferret.
• The Pearls of Lutra (1996) – A treasure-hunt style adventure centering on the recovery of the legendary Tears of Allspire pearls.
• The Long Patrol (1997) – Focuses on the military hare regiment of Salamandastron as they defend the shores from Rapscall invaders.
• Marlfox (1998) – Follows the theft of the tapestry of Martin the Warrior by the stealthy, camouflaged Marlfoxes.
• The Legend of Luke (1999) – Explores the backstory of Martin the Warrior’s father, Luke, through a framing story set after the events of Mossflower.
• Lord Brocktree (2000) – A deep prequel set centuries before Redwall Abbey was built, detailing the Badger Lord Brocktree's defense of Salamandastron against the Blue Horde.
• Taggerung (2001) – The tale of a young otter raised by a clan of villainous vermin who must fight to reclaim his true identity.
• Triss (2002) – Centers on a brave squirrelmaid who escapes slavery to lead a defense of Redwall Abbey against freebooters.
• Loamhedge (2003) – A dual narrative involving a quest to the ancient ruins of Loamhedge Abbey to find a cure for a paralyzed badger maid.
• Rakkety Tam (2004) – A humorous yet action-packed story of a mercenary squirrel who must defend the realm from a wild Gulo the Savage wolverine.
• High Rhulain (2005) – Follows an ottermaid named Tiria Wildlough as she travels to the Isle of Green Isle to fulfill her destiny.
• Eulalia! (2007) – Tells the story of a young badger, Gorath, who is destined to become the next Badger Lord of Salamandastron.
• Doomwyte (2008) – A dark treasure hunt involving a cult of fanatical ravens and a search for ancient jewels.
• The Sable Quean (2010) – Focuses on the kidnapping of Redwall Dibbuns by the villainous Vilaya.
• The Rogue Crew (2011) – The final novel published after Brian Jacques’ passing, featuring a alliance of hares and sea otters fighting rogue vermin.

The In-Universe Chronological Order

If you have already read the series once and want to experience the history of Mossflower Woods in a strictly chronological sequence, the timeline looks very different from the publication order. Keep in mind that some automated databases simplify the chronological order by merely swapping the first two books (Mossflower and Redwall). The true, narrative timeline starts centuries before the Abbey is built and proceeds as follows:

1. Lord Brocktree (Set in the earliest era of Mossflower history)
2. Martin the Warrior (The youth of Martin)
3. Mossflower (The founding of Redwall Abbey)
4. The Legend of Luke (Framed narrative exploring Martin's father, Luke)
5. Outcast of Redwall (Set shortly after the Abbey's construction)
6. Mariel of Redwall (Mariel's first adventure)
7. The Bellmaker (Sequel to Mariel)
8. Salamandastron (Set generations later)
9. Redwall (The original story of Matthias)
10. Mattimeo (Set shortly after Redwall)
11. The Pearls of Lutra (Set generations after Mattimeo)
12. The Long Patrol
13. Marlfox
14. Taggerung
15. Triss
16. Loamhedge
17. Rakkety Tam
18. High Rhulain
19. Eulalia!
20. Doomwyte
21. The Sable Quean
22. The Rogue Crew (The final chronological era of the series)

Redwall Picture Books, Companion Guides, and Non-Fiction

Beyond the core novels, Brian Jacques wrote several companion books and guides that enrich the world of Redwall. These are excellent additions for younger readers or dedicated fans who want to dive deeper into the lore:

Redwall Picture Books

• The Great Redwall Feast (1996) – A beautifully illustrated rhyming ballad following the Abbey's animals as they prepare a surprise feast for the Abbot.
• A Redwall Winter's Tale (2001) – A cozy story about the winter season at the Abbey and the legend of the mythical Snow Badger.

Accessory Guides and Non-Fiction

• Redwall Map & Riddler (1997) – A fold-out map of Redwall Country paired with a booklet of brain-teasing riddles, quizzes, and trivia.
• Redwall Abbey (1998) – A pop-up/model book providing a hands-on look at the structural layout of the Abbey.
• Redwall Friend and Foe (2000) – A companion directory featuring character profiles of the series' most memorable heroes and villains.
• The Redwall Cookbook (2005) – A collection of vegetarian recipes structured around the four seasons, inspired by the mouthwatering feasts described throughout the novels.

The Tribes of Redwall Books

Between 2001 and 2006, Brian Jacques released five short, illustrated accessory guides highlighting the histories, traits, and famous characters of the major animal species in the series:

• Badgers (2001)
• Otters (2002)
• Mice (2003)
• Hares (2006)
• Squirrels (2006)

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive into Mossflower Woods, there are a few stylistic quirks to keep in mind. First, Brian Jacques wrote these books to be highly accessible, descriptive adventures. He originally developed the stories for children at a school for the blind, which is why the sensory details—especially the sights, sounds, and delicious tastes of the feasts—are so exceptionally vivid. Second, do not worry too much about strict continuity errors. Because the novels were written over a 25-year period, minor details regarding the layout of the Abbey or historical timelines occasionally shift, but the warm spirit and themes of courage and community remain constant throughout.