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awaywithforestfae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
Another one I've read for work (I'm a year 4 teacher) and I thought this one was a lovely mix of dramatic and sweet.
When Varjak Paw's owner is dead and a strange and suspicious man has taken over the house, Varjak must leave his family and become a street cat. But he has someone to guide him. In his dreams, Varjak's ancestor Jalal, teaches him "The Way", a forgotten feline martial art. Can Varjak free his family, and can he figure out the mystery of the "Vanishings"?
I thought this book was a lot of fun, the concept of a feline martial art, and a cat trying to solve a mystery and save his family. I think my class will really enjoy this one.
There were some darker elements, particularly to the tail end (haha) of the book, which may be scary to younger readers (and to myself, who gets freaked out by these things). I thought it was useful to drive the plot forward though, even though it wasn't really my vibe. (See content warnings)
I didn't feel that invested in the plot. Of course I wanted Varjak to succeed, and to figure out the mystery, but I wasn't majorly attached to the characters, as I often am in books. But I still thought it was a solid narrative, if a bit strange.
I liked the focus on identity, and knowing oneself which ran through the book, and tied together Varjak's resolution. The theme of family and found family was also relevant.
All in all, a fun feline martial art middle grade, with some action, and darker undertones. I'd recommend to children who love cats, and action packed reads, with some mystery.
When Varjak Paw's owner is dead and a strange and suspicious man has taken over the house, Varjak must leave his family and become a street cat. But he has someone to guide him. In his dreams, Varjak's ancestor Jalal, teaches him "The Way", a forgotten feline martial art. Can Varjak free his family, and can he figure out the mystery of the "Vanishings"?
I thought this book was a lot of fun, the concept of a feline martial art, and a cat trying to solve a mystery and save his family. I think my class will really enjoy this one.
There were some darker elements, particularly to the tail end (haha) of the book, which may be scary to younger readers (and to myself, who gets freaked out by these things). I thought it was useful to drive the plot forward though, even though it wasn't really my vibe. (See content warnings)
I didn't feel that invested in the plot. Of course I wanted Varjak to succeed, and to figure out the mystery, but I wasn't majorly attached to the characters, as I often am in books. But I still thought it was a solid narrative, if a bit strange.
I liked the focus on identity, and knowing oneself which ran through the book, and tied together Varjak's resolution. The theme of family and found family was also relevant.
All in all, a fun feline martial art middle grade, with some action, and darker undertones. I'd recommend to children who love cats, and action packed reads, with some mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
add_a_little_spook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
fatherprozac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
zoebaillie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
foxo_cube's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was an impulse purchase because I flicked through and liked the illustrations while a friend was looking for a different book in the kids' section in Waterstones. I don't know exactly what I expected, but it wasn't this - and I mean that in a good way!
The story is of a purebred kitten, Varjak Paw, who starts to suspect things are a bit off upon the arrival of the Gentleman and his two strange cats to the house his family have lived in for generations. Being the family scapegoat, however, he is brushed off by all but his grandfather. His grandfather gives him all he has - a vague hint of their ancestor's knowledge - as a starting point and gives him an opportunity to escape and find help.
Poor Varjak has a lot to deal with in the real world ("the Outside") and reconnects with his heritage over the course of his dreams, makes friends despite the dangerous environment, and proves himself wrong on many fronts.
The story gets surprisingly dark.It struck me as a very good (for the intended age group, at least) allegory for the rise of fascism. The Gentleman, who plies Varjak's family with luxuries while reducing their freedom in a way they accept as reasonable, is killing and stuffing street cats, which the family refuse to fight against, under the impression that they're different and will be kept safe - which, as Holly, a street cat who befriends Varjak points out, won't be the case forever, because even a "special" cat is still a cat in the eyes of the Gentleman.
Although it is a children's book, and so fairly simple, it's engaging, fun, and a good amount of creepy. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
The story is of a purebred kitten, Varjak Paw, who starts to suspect things are a bit off upon the arrival of the Gentleman and his two strange cats to the house his family have lived in for generations. Being the family scapegoat, however, he is brushed off by all but his grandfather. His grandfather gives him all he has - a vague hint of their ancestor's knowledge - as a starting point and gives him an opportunity to escape and find help.
Poor Varjak has a lot to deal with in the real world ("the Outside") and reconnects with his heritage over the course of his dreams, makes friends despite the dangerous environment, and proves himself wrong on many fronts.
The story gets surprisingly dark.
Although it is a children's book, and so fairly simple, it's engaging, fun, and a good amount of creepy. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Gaslighting
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death