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Cat Kin #1
Cat Kin
Could you learn to do what a cat can do? Everyone who came across the strange gym class was looking for something else. What they found was Mrs Powell – mysterious Mrs Powell with her silent feet, unnerving stare and merciless warm-up exercises. What they found was pashki, a lost art from an age when cats were worshipped as gods. But Ben and Tiffany who is their eccentric old teacher? What does she really want? And why do they suddenly seem to be able to see in the dark? Meanwhile, in London’s gloomy streets, human vermin are stirring. Ben and Tiffany may soon be glad of their new gifts. But against men whose cunning is matched only by their unspeakable cruelty, would even nine lives be enough?
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First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 19, 2025
Bendžamins jeb vienkārši Bens līdz šim spējis izcelties kā viens no labākajiem ja ne pats labākais pinball mašīnu spēlētajs savā skolā un tuvākajā apkārtnē. Interese starp vienaudžiem tik liela, ka regulāri tiek rīkoti turnīri, kur labākajiem pat tiek necilas naudas balvas, bet ne par to būs Cat Kin triloģijas pirmās grāmatas ar tādu pašu nosaukumu sižets, lai gan ir arī alternatīvs City of Cats nosaukums. Pinball un citu arkādes spēļu mašīnu vietā Bens, kā glābiņu no ikdienas problēmām, mātes mudināts iesaistīties kādā pulciņā, jo nereti no mājas atnāk ar nobrāztu vaigu no kāda, kurš nav mācējis vai nu derībās vai citādi zaudēt. Negaidīti, kļūdas pēc un pavisam nejauši Bens atklās Mrs.Poweel rīkotu jogas, cīņu mākslas un vienkārši tikpat kā aizmirsta senu kustību stilu Pashki pulciņa Cat Kin veidolā. Pulciņu, kurā katram no dalībniekiem pirms pirmās nodarbības katram savas ekspektācijas, kuras nevarētu būt tālāk no patiesības, bet ne sliktā nozīmē.
https://poseidons99.com/2025/10/19/ni...
https://poseidons99.com/2025/10/19/ni...
June 10, 2021
Good memories
December 19, 2012
This brilliant debut is so exciting. An intensely absorbing adventure that will leave you breathless!
The CatKin is an enjoyable read by author Nick Green, and exciting debut novel that I predict will be at the top of many children’s/ YA ‘want to read’ lists. I love thrilling adventures and this book certainly met my expectations with its fast-paced action and dramatic intensity, which had me glued to the pages wanting to read on. If you are looking for a new, original and fun children’s/ Young Adult read then I recommend this as something that will entertain.
Synopsis -
Everyone who came to the strange Gym class was looking for something else. What they found was the mysterious Mrs. Powell and Pashki, a lost art from an age when Cats were worshipped as Gods. Ben and Tiffany wonder: who is their eccentric old teacher? What does she really want with them? And why are they suddenly able to see in the dark? Meanwhile, in London’s gloomy streets, human vermin are stirring. Ben and Tiffany may soon be glad of their new gifts. But against men whose cunning is matched only by their unspeakable cruelty, will even nine lives be enough?
This book reminded me so much of ‘Catwoman’ a film in which a woman unexpectedly gains feline powers; such as sharp sight and great strength. I loved how this inspired element made the story even more exhilarating, for you went with the characters on their journey, experiencing new things as they do which sends chills down your spine. Sat on the edge of my seat in suspense throughout I can honestly say that I was not bored, as the thrilling tale complete with perilous danger at every turn kept me guessing and thinking about each subsequent event. It is a great adventure story and which will appeal to readers who enjoy well-written narrative and a plot with substance; hence I would recommend it to children and teenagers.
An enjoyable, delightful story but one that did not blow me away, therefore I am giving this a 3 to 3 ½ star rating for it was not ‘amazing’ even though I liked the concept as a whole. The ‘Cat’ component is what makes this story intriguing and so I do highly commend the author. It would appeal to a wider readership more if the characters had been drawn better; so that you can connect with them more through their individuality and history (basically I would have liked to have related with either Ben or Tiffany more than I did).
The CatKin is an enjoyable read by author Nick Green, and exciting debut novel that I predict will be at the top of many children’s/ YA ‘want to read’ lists. I love thrilling adventures and this book certainly met my expectations with its fast-paced action and dramatic intensity, which had me glued to the pages wanting to read on. If you are looking for a new, original and fun children’s/ Young Adult read then I recommend this as something that will entertain.
Synopsis -
Everyone who came to the strange Gym class was looking for something else. What they found was the mysterious Mrs. Powell and Pashki, a lost art from an age when Cats were worshipped as Gods. Ben and Tiffany wonder: who is their eccentric old teacher? What does she really want with them? And why are they suddenly able to see in the dark? Meanwhile, in London’s gloomy streets, human vermin are stirring. Ben and Tiffany may soon be glad of their new gifts. But against men whose cunning is matched only by their unspeakable cruelty, will even nine lives be enough?
This book reminded me so much of ‘Catwoman’ a film in which a woman unexpectedly gains feline powers; such as sharp sight and great strength. I loved how this inspired element made the story even more exhilarating, for you went with the characters on their journey, experiencing new things as they do which sends chills down your spine. Sat on the edge of my seat in suspense throughout I can honestly say that I was not bored, as the thrilling tale complete with perilous danger at every turn kept me guessing and thinking about each subsequent event. It is a great adventure story and which will appeal to readers who enjoy well-written narrative and a plot with substance; hence I would recommend it to children and teenagers.
An enjoyable, delightful story but one that did not blow me away, therefore I am giving this a 3 to 3 ½ star rating for it was not ‘amazing’ even though I liked the concept as a whole. The ‘Cat’ component is what makes this story intriguing and so I do highly commend the author. It would appeal to a wider readership more if the characters had been drawn better; so that you can connect with them more through their individuality and history (basically I would have liked to have related with either Ben or Tiffany more than I did).
September 25, 2014
Loved it.
A girl whose brother has problems with his leg has finally found something that might help. A pill.
A boy whose parents are broken up and lives with his mum has been told to move out.
They join a gym class that covers the ancient style of Pashki, from a time where cats were worshipped. They soon learn, among others, abilities of the cat. Are the lessons just messing with their mind?
But one day, Tiffany vaults starting on the wrong side, leaping off the soft mat and landing on the trampoline. Then they begin to have the ability of Mau claws, invisible cat claws that appear when they focus.
But then Ben and Tiffany discover that the tablets that are curing her brother, Stuart, are actually made from cat bile, harnessed directly from the cat's liver. An entire factory is dedicated to taking this directly from big cats' livers. Tiffany tries to stop them, but gets taken prisoner.
Meanwhile, Ben had been thrown out of his own home by accidentally using Mau claws on his mum. He is afraid of his new cat-like reflexes and abilities. After that, he feels that some part of him is missing. When the place is demolished, his mum finally forgives him and they move in with his father. Just when things are starting to clear up, the Cat Kin realise that their teacher and Tiffany are missing. They begin to plot a rescue mission. They look up to Ben to lead him. But when he needs his cat abilities the most, they abandon him. They go without him.
Later, Ben changes his mind. Filled with determination, and no longer afraid of his powers, he joins them.
In the factory, they rescue Tiffany and find that Mrs Powell, the old woman who taught them Pahski, is dead.
Tiffany also finds that her brother actually wasn't swallowing cat bile from tortured cats, but repackaged pills from another company.
While this may seem confusing in a few paragraphs, the way Nick Green wrote it makes sense completely. :)
A girl whose brother has problems with his leg has finally found something that might help. A pill.
A boy whose parents are broken up and lives with his mum has been told to move out.
They join a gym class that covers the ancient style of Pashki, from a time where cats were worshipped. They soon learn, among others, abilities of the cat. Are the lessons just messing with their mind?
But one day, Tiffany vaults starting on the wrong side, leaping off the soft mat and landing on the trampoline. Then they begin to have the ability of Mau claws, invisible cat claws that appear when they focus.
But then Ben and Tiffany discover that the tablets that are curing her brother, Stuart, are actually made from cat bile, harnessed directly from the cat's liver. An entire factory is dedicated to taking this directly from big cats' livers. Tiffany tries to stop them, but gets taken prisoner.
Meanwhile, Ben had been thrown out of his own home by accidentally using Mau claws on his mum. He is afraid of his new cat-like reflexes and abilities. After that, he feels that some part of him is missing. When the place is demolished, his mum finally forgives him and they move in with his father. Just when things are starting to clear up, the Cat Kin realise that their teacher and Tiffany are missing. They begin to plot a rescue mission. They look up to Ben to lead him. But when he needs his cat abilities the most, they abandon him. They go without him.
Later, Ben changes his mind. Filled with determination, and no longer afraid of his powers, he joins them.
In the factory, they rescue Tiffany and find that Mrs Powell, the old woman who taught them Pahski, is dead.
Tiffany also finds that her brother actually wasn't swallowing cat bile from tortured cats, but repackaged pills from another company.
While this may seem confusing in a few paragraphs, the way Nick Green wrote it makes sense completely. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2018
"Yoga," she (Mrs Powell) said, "is about becoming one with yourself. Pashki awakens the part of yourself that is like a cat. For cats have much to teach us."
The Cat Kin is a middle grade novel with two main characters, Ben and Tiffany, who end up attending Mrs Powell's weird gym class. This gym class awakens a side to Ben and Tiffany that they never knew they had, their cat side. When Ben and Tiffany stumble upon a sinister plot in their neighbourhood, they will use what they learned in Mrs Powell's class to uncover the truth.
If there is any book that is written for cat-lovers, it's The Cat Kin. This book is all about awakening the inner feline and witnessing the growth of uncertain adolescents as they literally becoming cat superheroes. I found all the cat training stuff quite interesting.
I also love the plot. The plot is simple and easy to follow and well-thought out.. It was interesting to read about how most of the main characters are tied to the central conflict that occurs in The Cat Kin.
The characters are realistic, but they could have been more developed. I did appreciate that The Cat Kin touched on real-world issues such as health, divorce and unlawful land evacuation thorough the eyes of Ben and Tiffany.
The Cat Kin has quite a cool concept (who doesn't love CAT SUPERHEROES?), good characterisation and a bittersweet, realistic ending.
"Curiosity killed the cat, they say." (Mrs Powell)
September 13, 2011
I read the two books The Cat Kin and Cat's Paw. I bought them for my children but got to them first! I found both stories a thrilling, chilling and occasionally heart-stopping read. I must say I have dreamed of moving in the way Nick Green describes the Cat Kin move. His observation of feline behaviour is perfect. When it comes to the villains in these books ... they are probably the most evil I have ever encountered in a children's story - they are subhuman, they live a subterranean life in which their humanity is subsumed by their animal side. In the second book, Martin Fisher is a character that will haunt you long after you have finished reading. There were also moments when Mrs Powell reminded me of Mrs Coulter in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Material" trilogy. Combine all this with gritty, exciting extended action scenes and a plot premise which is highly imaginative and original, plus tough, streetwise dialogue, several sharp shocks near the end and a final uplifting twist. Congratulations to Nick Green - a first class writer.
January 6, 2017
I couldn't decide if this was a bad book or just a really strange book. In it all humans have a spark of cat soul within their own souls. For most people it's just a tiny spark, but some people have more. By complete random (unbelievable) chance, a woman with a cat soul finds a bunch of kids with lots of cat in their souls and trains them to become cats.
I could kind of go along with the story that far, but then it got into things like "catras" (instead of chakras) and cat-ing other new age stuff. Plus the "cat kin" (kids) did completely unreasonable things (even for cat-kid things). I reached the 50% of the book before giving up on it.
I could kind of go along with the story that far, but then it got into things like "catras" (instead of chakras) and cat-ing other new age stuff. Plus the "cat kin" (kids) did completely unreasonable things (even for cat-kid things). I reached the 50% of the book before giving up on it.
March 10, 2010
I actually didn't like this book as much as I really really wanted to, given the interesting topic and idea of Pashki. I didn't care for the pacing, found myself getting impatient with the two main characters, and found there to be a few glaring plot holes too neatly wrapped up at the end in a rush. Which bummed me out, because I was really hoping for an interesting and better written story about people exhibiting feline traits and skills as they study this martial arts-ish concept. Ah well, maybe it was just me.
July 13, 2015
A book with a lot of potential and interesting ideas, but the plot could have been much better. Two kids learn an ancient form of martial arts, a fusion of unarmed fighting and gymnastics inspired by the movements and agility of cats. Their new skills will be put to use while they try to uncover some illegal practices of companies. The ending is OK, though there are quite a few loose ends.
August 18, 2007
This one isn't available in the US yet, but it's worth getting hold of from Amazon UK. The villains are surprisingly hard-nosed (for a book I found in the 7-12 section) and the plot moves along quickly -- a nice variation on the children with special powers theme.
October 15, 2013
Got to CD 3 and it's so deadly boring that I can't be bothered with it anymore.
April 12, 2014
Awesome!!!
September 9, 2014
Extremely warming and exciting. One does not know what will happen next! Good twist near the end, about the 'liver pills'. Love it. I wish I could have gone to that gym class......
May 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews