'The clan of Sawney Rath could feel their fortunes changing, much for the better.'

Sawney Rath, ferret chief of the Juska tribe is hatching a plan. His seer has prophesized that a Taggerung has been born, a legendary creature with extraordinary fighting skills - superior to all others in strength, fleetness of foot and stealth. Sawney is determined to hunt the babe down, raise him as his own and bring glory to the Juska clan. But there is more. The seer has seen a hawk strike a dove in the air, their cries giving out a bell-like sound. Sawney demands to know what this omen means. The seer smiles triumphantly. 'It means that the Taggerung will be a creature from Redwall Abbey!'

One peaceful summer morning, a big male otter carries his newborn cub through Mossflower Woods to the water that runs from the river to the sea. The babe delights his father by taking to the water and swimming straight away. But this is no ordinary babe. In the palm of his right paw is a four-petal mark, like a tiny blossom, which, unknown to his family and friends, marks him as a creature apart. From the bushes a ferret is drawing his bow.

So begins a tale of deceit, treachery and betrayal - but also adventure, loyalty and courage - where the true spirit of redwall is tested to the full. Brian Jacques weaves myth, legend and high adventure with masterly skill in this thrilling story of goodbeast raised as savage, which will keep his readers enthralled from the first page to the last.

USA edition cover art: