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Cat Ninja #5
Cat Ninja: Cat's Claw
Cat Ninja is back in an adventure-packed volume featuring new friends, old foes, and the Cat Lady who started it all!
When a notorious band of ninjas discovers a certain Metro City hero wearing their colors and practicing their Kat Fu, their leader sets out to settle an old score. Plus, a nocturnal ninja flaps into town, Octopunch puts up his dukes (all eight of ’em!), Adonis plays hero, Master Hamster’s creative kitchen repairs end with a scorching surprise, and our favorite frenemies-against-the-odds compete in the villainous Vroomin' Race!
When a notorious band of ninjas discovers a certain Metro City hero wearing their colors and practicing their Kat Fu, their leader sets out to settle an old score. Plus, a nocturnal ninja flaps into town, Octopunch puts up his dukes (all eight of ’em!), Adonis plays hero, Master Hamster’s creative kitchen repairs end with a scorching surprise, and our favorite frenemies-against-the-odds compete in the villainous Vroomin' Race!
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2023
68 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cody
47 books147 followersOriginally from the Midwest, Matthew Cody now lives in New York City with his wife and son. When not writing books or goofing off with his family, he teaches creative writing to kids of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 20, 2025
The... MAIN story is pretty good, dealing with the "dispute about the head of a clan" trope. (Also, !!!) I guess the next story is good, too, though it reuses a very reused joke title. (Seriously, it's starting to lose all meaning to me, as many times as I've seen it used!)
The back-up stories—Bat Ninja, Puppynappers, Training for Trouble, T0ast3r—read as so much filler, like, okay, the first two stories didn't go as long as expected, and we need to make page count, so... make up some short thing and run with it. I kind of got bored by that point, less so because the stories aren't good (they are... for what they are), but because it felt like a distraction from the main event. I don't know why, but I kind of expect this specific genre of graphic novel to be more "one long-running story per volume" if not episodes of a much longer-running story, even though Cat Ninja specifically benefits from the episodic nature of its "deal with one specific problem, next story starts again from the status quo" set-up.
Do I think it should NOT have the shorter stories? I mean... I wouldn't put them all into their OWN volume, since I find in-universe short stories are... FINE, but significantly less engaging than longer stories from the same. What would I change? Maybe keep the first two stories and add another mid-length story, then a short story?
I guess I would have to have most of the stories in-hand to properly arrange them all to my liking. That's a lot of work, though, that I'm not being asked if I can do it. So I have to settle for writing out a probably too-long rambling review instead, haha.
Overall, a great read for fans of the series, possibly *slightly* difficult to pick up for complete newcomers, but not so insurmountable that they can't pick up "cat is a ninja" and run with it.
The back-up stories—Bat Ninja, Puppynappers, Training for Trouble, T0ast3r—read as so much filler, like, okay, the first two stories didn't go as long as expected, and we need to make page count, so... make up some short thing and run with it. I kind of got bored by that point, less so because the stories aren't good (they are... for what they are), but because it felt like a distraction from the main event. I don't know why, but I kind of expect this specific genre of graphic novel to be more "one long-running story per volume" if not episodes of a much longer-running story, even though Cat Ninja specifically benefits from the episodic nature of its "deal with one specific problem, next story starts again from the status quo" set-up.
Do I think it should NOT have the shorter stories? I mean... I wouldn't put them all into their OWN volume, since I find in-universe short stories are... FINE, but significantly less engaging than longer stories from the same. What would I change? Maybe keep the first two stories and add another mid-length story, then a short story?
I guess I would have to have most of the stories in-hand to properly arrange them all to my liking. That's a lot of work, though, that I'm not being asked if I can do it. So I have to settle for writing out a probably too-long rambling review instead, haha.
Overall, a great read for fans of the series, possibly *slightly* difficult to pick up for complete newcomers, but not so insurmountable that they can't pick up "cat is a ninja" and run with it.
June 16, 2023
OK, I'll admit – while reading the third volume in this series I said it was as close to mediocre as I'd seen, and it and I might as well part company. Well, damn my bad memory and blame it for me reviewing this fifth book in the franchise (my fourth). And it's still not bad, but still not great – and perhaps a reminder I might leave some series alone once they've established themselves in the market. The key story here, the lengthier opener, is fine until it has to rush the concluding battle scenes, and as a result feels a little too slight, if anything.
But then the design is a bit on the weak side when it comes to portraying action, as a Wacky Races episode proves – and as to what actually happens a couple of times when a Doc Oc rip-off turns up, well I still don't know. The shorts are definitely of descending quality, so perhaps this is nearer three stars than three and a half, after all – the closing one has a stupidly quick finish, so ends up being all set-up. One tries to defy the slightly unedifying feel and educate us, although the lesson is soon forgotten. All told, slender, disposable, but just bright, kinetic and engaging enough for the less than fully discerning reader with time on his hands.
But then the design is a bit on the weak side when it comes to portraying action, as a Wacky Races episode proves – and as to what actually happens a couple of times when a Doc Oc rip-off turns up, well I still don't know. The shorts are definitely of descending quality, so perhaps this is nearer three stars than three and a half, after all – the closing one has a stupidly quick finish, so ends up being all set-up. One tries to defy the slightly unedifying feel and educate us, although the lesson is soon forgotten. All told, slender, disposable, but just bright, kinetic and engaging enough for the less than fully discerning reader with time on his hands.
July 31, 2023
This was a great continuation of this series! My 7.5 year loved the main story. His only semi-complaint was that the story wasn't longer but he really enjoyed the short stories as well. He said he likes these stories because they exciting. He said that the battles were amazing and he can't wait for another to come out in this series.
I love watching him get excited about a series. Typically, when we read for NetGalley I read to him but he was so excited that he read it on his own in one sitting and I had to read it separately. We both enjoyed the series and I liked learning about Cat Lady's story. We really liked this one and we will continue the series as more come out.
Thank you NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book and share our feedback.
I love watching him get excited about a series. Typically, when we read for NetGalley I read to him but he was so excited that he read it on his own in one sitting and I had to read it separately. We both enjoyed the series and I liked learning about Cat Lady's story. We really liked this one and we will continue the series as more come out.
Thank you NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book and share our feedback.
September 5, 2023
Providing another story about the lore of Cat Ninja, this exciting novel provides a little more information about where Cat Ninja came from. Filled with well known characters and lots of action, this is a great addition to the Cat Ninja series. It includes 5 extra short stories about characters in the Cat Ninja universe. While these were fun, they were all super quick and just didn't really add anything for me. Children who read this though will greatly appreciate it even if they don't get the references.
Copy provided by Edelweiss and publisher.
Copy provided by Edelweiss and publisher.
October 10, 2023
Given that I'm well above the target age demographic, this was a ton of fun and packed with laughs. I'm also an 80s kid who couldn't help but make connections to cartoons from my childhood. The best part and what made me cackle was a jab at Space Karen aka Elon Musk. I read this first and then read it again with a Little visitor and they had a blast with it and requested all the Cat Ninja graphic novels.
Sometimes it's fun to spend time in Neverland while the real world continues on the never-ending path of dumb, and if I can get a Little hooked on graphic novels it's even better.
Sometimes it's fun to spend time in Neverland while the real world continues on the never-ending path of dumb, and if I can get a Little hooked on graphic novels it's even better.
August 22, 2023
Epic! is a great reading resource for my kids. They have used Epic! in school to help with reading and I love the stories so when I saw this book, I wanted to read it. It is a graphic novel, which are very popular. The book is 162 pages of fast paced adventure. The illustrations are perfect for the book and help the reader visualize the story. I would recommend this book for kids interested in good vs. evil stories with fun characters.
August 17, 2023
My 7 year old is a long time fan of the Cat Ninja, and was happy to be able to read this one a bit early thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. He had very positive feedback, and is looking forward to more in the Cat Ninja world.
I loved the seemingly disconnected stories that turned into more, and the fun action packed illustrations.
I loved the seemingly disconnected stories that turned into more, and the fun action packed illustrations.
September 13, 2023
This is an awesome series filled with action superheroes fighting villains and their plans in Metro City and short episodes focusing on different characters written and illustrated by different artists and authors exploring the CatNinja universe and adventures. It's well done and perfect for action-hero readers. I love it.
Got a eARC from NetGalley.
Got a eARC from NetGalley.
December 21, 2023
I'll be honest that I don't normally like graphic novels. I always feel like I'm missing a large chunk of the story and can't keep characters straight.
These ones, I like. I get all the story, I keep the characters straight, I love the characters and to see them grow. I was excited to see this one on the shelves of the library with how much I've loved the others.
These ones, I like. I get all the story, I keep the characters straight, I love the characters and to see them grow. I was excited to see this one on the shelves of the library with how much I've loved the others.
March 13, 2023
The first chapter of "Mysteries of Cat's Claw Clan" was read on January 9th and ended on March 6th.
October 17, 2023
For More information About Cat Ninja: Cat's Claw (Cat Ninja #5)
https://cat-ninja.fandom.com/wiki/Cat...
https://cat-ninja.fandom.com/wiki/Cat...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2023
« I like Ninja cats. » 🙂
August 2, 2024
i would read anything related to cat!!!!! 🫶🏼
and the art was BEAUTIFUL!!!!
thanks to the publisher for the copy!!!!!
and the art was BEAUTIFUL!!!!
thanks to the publisher for the copy!!!!!
August 26, 2025
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews