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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Pretty good but I didn’t like the weird cat romances, also I’m not sure this still counts as a children’s series. I don’t know what children can handle but like a cat gets hit by a train
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one was just as great as the first one if not better - the stakes were high, the story was intense and the characters were great. The plot was interesting, Sally Bones was a great and menacing villain. The only thing that bothered me was that I thought that the part with Holly's eye suddenly turning ice blue was going to go somewhere but it didn't. It was still a good book though and I really enjoyed reading it. And the illustrations make it that much better- they are just as amazing as in the first book.
i love it when childhood favourites are as good now as they were when you first read them
I'm not sure why I rated the first book 5 stars, but this series is definitely a 3.5/5 altogether.
It took me so long to realise how quick this story is, despite being a good 500 pages combined. I feel like the author doesn't really take the time to flesh out the story, but instead rushes things to the point where action scenes are like three pages long (which is the equivalent to five paragraphs, given the font size and layout of the novels). Yes, there's some emotions in there, like feeling worthless, loved, etc. But it doesn't actually go into these emotions a lot, which surprises me as this is read in primary schools, where books tend to have in-depth scenes about emotions to help children learn.
I don't know why I didn't like this as much as the first book. It felt a bit boring with not much insight or background information. I was also a bit shocked at the 'romance' between Varjak and Holly. I'm either blind, or the author really just tried to force together a heteroromantic relationship just because it was a boy cat and a girl cat being friends. Same with Tam and... Ozzie? Or was it Omar? I don't know, their names are too similar.
In summary, too quick, unnecessary romance, not in-depth enough, needs more world-building.
Still a good book for children, though.
I'm probably asking for too much as an older reader.
It took me so long to realise how quick this story is, despite being a good 500 pages combined. I feel like the author doesn't really take the time to flesh out the story, but instead rushes things to the point where action scenes are like three pages long (which is the equivalent to five paragraphs, given the font size and layout of the novels). Yes, there's some emotions in there, like feeling worthless, loved, etc. But it doesn't actually go into these emotions a lot, which surprises me as this is read in primary schools, where books tend to have in-depth scenes about emotions to help children learn.
I don't know why I didn't like this as much as the first book. It felt a bit boring with not much insight or background information. I was also a bit shocked at the 'romance' between Varjak and Holly. I'm either blind, or the author really just tried to force together a heteroromantic relationship just because it was a boy cat and a girl cat being friends. Same with Tam and... Ozzie? Or was it Omar? I don't know, their names are too similar.
In summary, too quick, unnecessary romance, not in-depth enough, needs more world-building.
Still a good book for children, though.
I'm probably asking for too much as an older reader.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is somehow maybe even better than the first book, which is unusual!
Where <i>Varjak Paw</i> is about the experience of being marginalised and targeted by another group, this book is about tyrannical political structures.
The city is terrorised by a gang run by Sally Bones, who we meet in the first book - she is powerful, authoritarian, and highly territorial. Now, she has taken over nearly the whole city, and her gang are bloodily enforcing unfair laws for the benefit of those with the most power (i.e. herself and her captains).
I'd say this book is a bit more complex than its predecessor, but its themes of rebellion for what is right and facing one's oppressors head-on carry through just as clearly. It's fun to read and feels empowering: I'd say adults and children alike could learn something from Varjak's adventures.
Where <i>Varjak Paw</i> is about the experience of being marginalised and targeted by another group, this book is about tyrannical political structures.
The city is terrorised by a gang run by Sally Bones, who we meet in the first book - she is powerful, authoritarian, and highly territorial. Now, she has taken over nearly the whole city, and her gang are bloodily enforcing unfair laws for the benefit of those with the most power (i.e. herself and her captains).
I'd say this book is a bit more complex than its predecessor, but its themes of rebellion for what is right and facing one's oppressors head-on carry through just as clearly. It's fun to read and feels empowering: I'd say adults and children alike could learn something from Varjak's adventures.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Varjack Paw has now had his final showdown with Sally Bones! This book was amazing. I loved the way the story exciting story line worked, this is a MUST-READ.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood