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arwensadler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
purps's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a fun romp with a talking cat, some rats and some kids. It's everything you expect from a Terry Pratchett book
malifaux's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
wouterk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A brilliant little nugget. That's what I'd call this book. It is a very fun YA book about a talking cat with talking cats who have adopted a human and enter a village where something strange is going on. Also, something strange other than the mayor's daughter (Malicia) who lives life a a story.
It is a book for book lover that continually subverts but also confirms tropes as Malicia keeps bringing them up. It is also a cheeky book that quite effectively brings a hypothesis that debunks religion. As the rats become more intelligent and get speech, Pratchett points out that increased perception and the actual ability to imagine allows for two things. First, to come up with questions that have non-observable answers (How were rats made, what happens to the abstract bit when we die?). Second, to fear what we do not know. In no time this combination leads to faith in the big rat under the ground and other such religious ideas. It seems to me that Pratchett implies that the very nature of human intelligence makes us come up with religions to feel safer in this world.
These themes are of course complete side tangents and the story is actually quite action packed and filled with Pratchett's well-known dry and witty humour. I think older kids up to older adults can have fun with this book and would very much recommend it. Actually the recent movie, although somewhat diverging from the plot, is also very fun.
It is a book for book lover that continually subverts but also confirms tropes as Malicia keeps bringing them up. It is also a cheeky book that quite effectively brings a hypothesis that debunks religion. As the rats become more intelligent and get speech, Pratchett points out that increased perception and the actual ability to imagine allows for two things. First, to come up with questions that have non-observable answers (How were rats made, what happens to the abstract bit when we die?). Second, to fear what we do not know. In no time this combination leads to faith in the big rat under the ground and other such religious ideas. It seems to me that Pratchett implies that the very nature of human intelligence makes us come up with religions to feel safer in this world.
These themes are of course complete side tangents and the story is actually quite action packed and filled with Pratchett's well-known dry and witty humour. I think older kids up to older adults can have fun with this book and would very much recommend it. Actually the recent movie, although somewhat diverging from the plot, is also very fun.
turidt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rebekka_m's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tgurl23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely perfect for road tripping with kids. Absurdity, philosophical musings, physical comedy, talking cat (and rats). Not sure who loved it more, me or the boys. Probably me.
And Stephen Briggs is absolutely awesome as a reader. So much of this book is dialog, and having a distinct voice and accent for SO MANY characters is kind of nuts, but so important. Wonderful characterizations.
And Stephen Briggs is absolutely awesome as a reader. So much of this book is dialog, and having a distinct voice and accent for SO MANY characters is kind of nuts, but so important. Wonderful characterizations.
sjgomzi's review against another edition
5.0
My son and I loved this book! Someone forgot to tell Terry Pratchett he was writing a children’s book! The book went to some pretty dark places, with insightful observations about humans and the way we treat each other at times. Funny as Hell too! Another great Pratchett book!