Scan barcode
buonsai's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jimmy_fleebo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
13vannahclaire13's review against another edition
3.0
This was an odd book.
I was able to clearly imagine what was going on while I was reading, and this was strange (and I think that's what the author was going for).
I've had it on my shelf for a while, so I picked it up. The writing was fine, and the characters were fine, but the plot went all over.
The setting is Earth, but there are magical beings. They walk among humans and it's normal. A girl's sister goes missing, and a talking cat says she can help. It is definitely an October read, I wouldn't want to read this in summer.
I was able to clearly imagine what was going on while I was reading, and this was strange (and I think that's what the author was going for).
I've had it on my shelf for a while, so I picked it up. The writing was fine, and the characters were fine, but the plot went all over.
The setting is Earth, but there are magical beings. They walk among humans and it's normal. A girl's sister goes missing, and a talking cat says she can help. It is definitely an October read, I wouldn't want to read this in summer.
aotora's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This might be one of my favourite books I've read this year. The story was interesting, the protagonist was young but she acts super mature for her age. It actually kept me on my toes and I enjoyed every single page. I wanted more - I would genuinely read an entire series set in this world. I enjoyed the magical creatures we met and the ending genuinely kept me on my toes. I also loved seeing cats with magical powers - it was so fun seeing them change and do interesting things- I love different interesting types of magic and this world definitely has unique magic that you rarely see. I feel like some characters were a bit underutilised but like I said, I would genuinely read more books set in this world because I enjoyed it so much. I also loved the villains and how scary they actually were considering that it's a children's book.
skyzinnia's review against another edition
5.0
I really wasn't expecting this book to be so fantastic.
It was well-written, captivating, had excellent character development. The ending wrapped up the story wonderfully. I really loved every part of it. Emma made some poor choices at times, but it felt right given her age and lack of world experience. They even did that right in this book! I would have liked to see more to find out what became of Helena and the family, but for a short standalone, it's impressive that I wasn't left with any unanswered questions or feeling like it was rushed through.
I was hooked from the beginning, and it just kept getting better and better!
It was well-written, captivating, had excellent character development. The ending wrapped up the story wonderfully. I really loved every part of it. Emma made some poor choices at times, but it felt right given her age and lack of world experience. They even did that right in this book! I would have liked to see more to find out what became of Helena and the family, but for a short standalone, it's impressive that I wasn't left with any unanswered questions or feeling like it was rushed through.
I was hooked from the beginning, and it just kept getting better and better!
magpiesv's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure what age this is best for, most of it felt solidly middle grade, but the less than fairytale/yet less than fairytale ending made it feel a bit more YA. Crossover I guess ;) The harpy was totally my favorite.
Not that it's on the author-but it's always annoying how often female main characters get kicked off the cover in favor of a side character to make it more appealing to boys.
Not that it's on the author-but it's always annoying how often female main characters get kicked off the cover in favor of a side character to make it more appealing to boys.
fritz42's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting book with a lot of great world building.
Emma's human family has to move into a trailer alongside crags, a term used for any magical creature, because they have used much of their finances up in order to look for Emma's missing sister, Helena. Emma discovers Jack, a cat, living in their trailer.
Jack isn't just any cat. He used to be a magical cat like all other cats. He is trying to keep away from the rest of his pride, who are trying to kill him. He figures out a way for Emma to get magic so that she can use that magic to find her sister, and it changes her in more ways than she expected.
Emma's human family has to move into a trailer alongside crags, a term used for any magical creature, because they have used much of their finances up in order to look for Emma's missing sister, Helena. Emma discovers Jack, a cat, living in their trailer.
Jack isn't just any cat. He used to be a magical cat like all other cats. He is trying to keep away from the rest of his pride, who are trying to kill him. He figures out a way for Emma to get magic so that she can use that magic to find her sister, and it changes her in more ways than she expected.
nei's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I enjoyed reading about the hag and of course the cats but the fairies in a nightclub not so much.
zabcia's review against another edition
4.0
80%
A surprisingly unique fantasy fiction book! I really enjoyed Jack the cat and his relationship with the Pride, as well as the other bizarre magical "Crag" creature characters (not sure I'll ever look at rats the same way again, though). The take on faeries was also one I haven't seen before, which I found fascinating - it makes me wish there were some drawings to accompany the writing!
I found Emma's parents to be annoying - I mean really, you're adults, get a grip! But thankfully they weren't too invasive in the story, so they were ignorable. Emma herself acted older than her age a lot of the time, but given the circumstances it's understandable; trauma does tend to make you grow up faster.
A surprisingly unique fantasy fiction book! I really enjoyed Jack the cat and his relationship with the Pride, as well as the other bizarre magical "Crag" creature characters (not sure I'll ever look at rats the same way again, though). The take on faeries was also one I haven't seen before, which I found fascinating - it makes me wish there were some drawings to accompany the writing!
I found Emma's parents to be annoying - I mean really, you're adults, get a grip! But thankfully they weren't too invasive in the story, so they were ignorable. Emma herself acted older than her age a lot of the time, but given the circumstances it's understandable; trauma does tend to make you grow up faster.
angielina's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
Claws was a very...interesting book. It's a book about Emma who has just moved into a trailer in a forest full of magical creatures because her sister, Helena has gone missing. While she is there, she meets a cat named Jack who helps her find her sister.
Honestly, the book never really caught my attention and I had doubts that I wouldn't like it. The beginning was very boring and...blah. I feel like the authors created a very poor fantasy landscape and never really described anything with much detail. The dialogue also felt very awkward a lot of the time, especially when Jack was speaking. I barely liked him at all.
However, characters like Toe-Chewer were ones that I enjoyed. Fat Leon's humor was also very clever. So it has cats, which I like, so I'll give it that!
Another thing is that almost everyone has very bland names. Ex; Emma, Jack, Chloe, Matt, etc. Couldn't the author had come up with better names than that?
Later on, there is more action that kind of held my attention, but other than that, the book wasn't very good. I'm not even sure who I'd recommend it to. It's more for cat people I guess? But it isn't hardcore fantasy.
Claws was a very...interesting book. It's a book about Emma who has just moved into a trailer in a forest full of magical creatures because her sister, Helena has gone missing. While she is there, she meets a cat named Jack who helps her find her sister.
Honestly, the book never really caught my attention and I had doubts that I wouldn't like it. The beginning was very boring and...blah. I feel like the authors created a very poor fantasy landscape and never really described anything with much detail. The dialogue also felt very awkward a lot of the time, especially when Jack was speaking. I barely liked him at all.
However, characters like Toe-Chewer were ones that I enjoyed. Fat Leon's humor was also very clever. So it has cats, which I like, so I'll give it that!
Another thing is that almost everyone has very bland names. Ex; Emma, Jack, Chloe, Matt, etc. Couldn't the author had come up with better names than that?
Later on, there is more action that kind of held my attention, but other than that, the book wasn't very good. I'm not even sure who I'd recommend it to. It's more for cat people I guess? But it isn't hardcore fantasy.