The Taggerung

Book Review by: Angca

Original Author: Brian Jacques

Summary rating: 4 stars (10 Ratings)
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What is a Taggerung?
Even in a world where animals rule, there are good guys and bad guys.

The ferret Sawney Rath, leader of a barbaric tribe of Juska/land pirate vermin—the Juskarath—has just received news about the Taggerung from his seer, Grissoul, the old vixen. To the Juska vermin, the Taggerung is a legendary beast who is endowed with unmatchable skill and strength. Having the Taggerung in the clan ensures the vermin of gaining greater power and respect of other Juska tribes. Now that Grissoul’s omens show that the legendary warrior has been born, all that Sawney has to do is find a baby with a flower mark on its paw, and raise it as his champion. Then, no one can stand against Sawney Rath!
But there is a problem.
The Taggerung happens to be an otter named Deyna. He is born to Rillflag and Filorn in the legendary abode of noble warriors, Redwall Abbey, and he is also the baby brother of future abbess—Mhera. Sawney is no fool; he knows that many powerful vermin lords and their armies have been vanquished by the Redwallers. But fortune seems to side with Sawney Rath, for Grissoul foresees a chance for him to take the Taggerung babe without even having to enter Redwall. Sawney wastes no time. Taking with him some of his trusted vermin subjects, he journeys into Mossflower Woods, where Redwall stands, and finds Deyna and his father, Rillflag, at a nearby stream of water. Vallug Bowbeast shoots Rillflag dead upon Sawney’s command, and the ferret successfully retrieves the prized Taggerung babe.
Zann Juskarath Taggerung
Deyna is now called Tagg, short for Zann Juskarath Taggerung. Sawney has had the otter tattoed in the way that Juska vermin are; thus, Tagg is barely recognizable as an otter. Tagg has been trained to be the best warrior, and now, nobeast can stand in his way. Sawney thinks that he has succeeded in finding his heir at last, but then Tagg’s true self inevitably comes out. Deep inside, he remains a noble beast, and he refuses to obey Sawney’s command to kill. Tagg is declared a traitor, forcing the otter to run away from the Juskarath who are seeking to kill him.
A series of exciting events ensue. While Tagg flees from Sawney Rath and the vermin, Sawney is murdered by the vengeful stoat, Antigra. Antigra then plots to take over the Juskarath by declaring his coward son, Gruven, as Taggerung. The only way to do this, though, is to kill Tagg who has successfully escaped from his trackers. Thus, she sends Gruven and a party of vermin to kill the Taggerung, but Tagg proves to be very elusive.
Tagg journeys and he not only experiences a lot of adventures, he even meets new friends. Among these friends is his truest buddy—the harvest mouse who calls himself Nimbalo the Slayer. Together, they face many dangers like snakes and crazed woodland animals.
Led by dreams and the hand of Fate, the comrades travel to find and discover themselves. Between mouth-watering feasts, the characters in the novel face many battles and mind-wracking riddles. But soon, the epic-like story brings all the characters together at the heart of all the action—Redwall Abbey...
Other Must-Read Redwall Books:
Ø      Lord Brocktree
Ø      Martin the Warrior
Ø      Mossflower
Ø      The Legend of Luke
Ø      Outcast of Redwall
Ø      Mariel of Redwall
Ø      The Bellmaker
Ø      Salamandastron
Ø      Redwall
Ø      Mattimeo
Ø      The Pearls of Lutra
Ø      The Long Patrol
Ø      Marlfox
Ø      Loamhedge

Published: June 05, 2007

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