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Paperback
Publisher: Firebird
Ratha and her clan are the Named, a band of intelligent wild cats whose society is based on herding deer. the Named have laws, language, traditions, and leaders. they also have enemies. the predatory raiders of the unNamed are driving them close to the edge of survival. then ratha, a mere yearling, discovers what she calls the "red tongue"—Fire. Her new weapon gives the Named a new defense, but it also rouses the ire of Meoran, the tyrannical clan leader. soon ratha finds herself in exile among the un- Named, but determined to survive.
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| Powerful and Compelling |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I am an avid reader of anthropomorphic fantasy, including Erin Hunter's Warriors series, which focuses on multiple clans of wild cats battling for survival in the modern day. When I heard about the re-release of the Named series, which now includes Ratha's Creature, Clan Ground, Ratha and Thistle-chaser, Ratha's Challenge, and the long-awaited fifth book, Ratha's Courage, I eagerly purchased the first book.
Clare Bell's "Books of the Named" tell the story of a prehistoric clan of wild cats based off of modern cheetahs and pumas who have developed human-level intelligence and self-awareness, which they utilize to herd large herbivorous mammals for food. However, the clan's herds are frequently raided by the savage cats of the Un-Named, most which are not intelligent enough to understand anything other than the hunting instinct and the will to survive. This book focuses mainly on Ratha, a young clan female, who discovers what she calls the "Red Tongue", or fire. Believing it to be the perfect defense against the raiders, she brings it to the tyrannical clan leader, Meoran, only to be exiled from clan ground for her free thinking. Beyond the safety of the Named, Ratha finds peril, friendship, and ultimately a tragedy that will scar her forever.
From the moment I began Ratha's Creature, I was intrigued by the compelling plot and complex characters. Ratha herself is stubborn, headstrong, rash, and yet ultimately endearing, and her adventures bring a brisk, thrilling pace to the plot. Despite the anthropomorphic qualties of these prehistoric cats, I was surprised to find them entirely palpable; their human-like charactersitics do not overshadow their animal instincts, which only deepen the characters and make them all tyhe more enthralling. Despite the book's quick pace, Ratha's world was a fully-realized, sprawling prehistoric universe, and her adventures encompassed many important human themes and explored the prospect of this remarkably resourceful band of cats with deft, brilliant prose. The writing is elegant and the detail absorbing; Clare Bell is clearly a talented author if she managed to explore so many morals and evoke so many emotions in her readers in such a relatively short novel.
Because of the complexity of the plot, the book demands an audience mature enough to handle its themes. Several scenes may be considered too graphic for younger readers, including a mating sequence and a battle which is described with chilling detail. This is a book that does not shy away from the harsher side of nature, and brings forth a world where trials and tribulations can be rewarded with both great victory and great loss.
This book is a compelling start to a compelling series. I am now reading the third back, Ratha and Thistle-chaser, and the books have still not lost the invetivness and originality which hooked me in this first book. Cat and fantasy lovers will certainly be pleased by Bell's magnificent achievment in both Ratha's Creature and its sequels.
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| Something New and Exciting |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Okay, so maybe it's NOT so new, but when I read it, it was unlike anything I had read before. I read this one shortly after reading Tomorrow's Sphinx. Big Cats seemed to be common with this author. It was fairly easy to follow with very interesting characters. Ratha is a very interesting character herself and the whole plot kept me interested from start to finish.
The Re-release pleased me greatly and now I have started collecting the series. So, if you're looking for something a little different, this is a nice story to get into.
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| If only cats had conquered fire... |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I am a cat person. I happen to believe that all cat people would enjoy this book, given they like a good infusion of adventure. Clare Bell brilliantly reimagines a prehistory where sentient cats are suggested as being the top species and a cat called Ratha dares to experiment fire. The writing here is top-notch and vivid with description that never gets too flowery. These are cats, but they are not cute and cuddly--think cousins of the saber-toothed cats. Bell gives their characters a wonderful blend of humanity and pure cat instinct. I don't know if I would consider this children's literature, but rather something anyone could read. Wonderful pick for any lover of fantasy adventure.
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| Magnificent |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I have read many feline fantasies,but none of them touch this one.It is better than the Warriors books,and I think that older Warriors fans will love this book.The harsh landscape and the complicated,realistic characters are wonderful!A word of warning,though:this is not a cutsey kitty book.Ratha's Creature is a very deep,allegorical,and thought provoking book.Some of the raw,savage images(mating,wounding a cub,death by fire)may be too much for younger,sensitive readers.I would reccomend this book for mature teens who will be able to understand and enjoy this magnificent,powerful book.Well done,Clare Bell!!
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| Can't miss on this one |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Ratha's creature opens up a whole new world of cats. Long before the Warrior cat series, lived Ratha and her tribe. This book is full of adventure and suspense for any age. I couldn't put it down. Make sure to buy this one first and while you are at it, order the other three so you won't have to stop in the middle of this great adventure. If you love the Warrior Series you will love Ratha's Creature!
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