Varjak Paw

By SF Said
Animal: Cat
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue--a purebred cat who has never even been outside. His whole family has been living for generations in this one house owned by a contessa, back from when his ancestor Jalal Paw came from Mesopotamia. Then the Contessa is gone, and a strange Gentleman arrives. The family denies that there is anything to worry about, but the Elder Paw tells Varjak that he must go Outside and fetch a dog (whatever that is) to come and save the family. He entrusts him with the remaining principles of the Way that Jalal taught cats: Slow-Time, Moving Circles and Shadow-Walking--and sends Varjak on his way. Varjak is thrown into a world full of adventure and hardship. He finds unfriendly gangs of cats, terrifying cars, and whispers of "Vanishings" among the cats. But he also finds a couple of friends in Tam and Holly, and when he sleeps, his ancestor Jalal teaches him the Way--a sort of martial arts for cats--in his dreams. Can Varjak solve the puzzle of the Vanishings and save his family? Whether you like animal stories or not, it is hard to not be drawn into this fast-paced adventure story. A big thumbs up! Check out the Varjak Paw website for more on this book and the sequel, The Outlaw Varjak Paw.