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Tag, the Cat #1
The Wild Road
In the grand storytelling style of Watership Down and Tailchaser’s Song comes an epic tale of adventure and danger, of heroism against insurmountable odds, and of love and comradeship among extraordinary animals who must brave The Wild Road . . .
Secure in a world of privilege and comfort, the kitten Tag is happy as a pampered house pet—until the dreams come. Dreams that pour into his safe, snug world from the wise old cat hazy images of travel along the magical highways of the animals, of a mission, and of a terrible responsibility that will fall on young Tag. Armed with the cryptic message that he must bring the King and Queen of cats to Tintagel before the spring equinox, Tag ventures outside. Meanwhile, an evil human known only as the Alchemist doggedly hunts the Queen for his own ghastly ends. And if the Alchemist captures her, the world will never be safe again . . .
Secure in a world of privilege and comfort, the kitten Tag is happy as a pampered house pet—until the dreams come. Dreams that pour into his safe, snug world from the wise old cat hazy images of travel along the magical highways of the animals, of a mission, and of a terrible responsibility that will fall on young Tag. Armed with the cryptic message that he must bring the King and Queen of cats to Tintagel before the spring equinox, Tag ventures outside. Meanwhile, an evil human known only as the Alchemist doggedly hunts the Queen for his own ghastly ends. And if the Alchemist captures her, the world will never be safe again . . .
460 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
107 people are currently reading
3442 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel King
13 books29 followersA pseudonym used by authors M John Harrison and Jane Johnson
Series:
* Tag, the Cat
* Knot Garden
Series:
* Tag, the Cat
* Knot Garden
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 9, 2017
Originally read January 28 - February 20, 2012 .
This book helped me through a rough period when I was in a lot of physical pain, and I have fond memories of it in that regard.
Reread October 16, 2013 - April 1, 2013
(I can take a long time to read a book because I have such a good memory, I can afford to put it down for a while).
I could have done without the ; but this is a very poignant tale of the power of friendship, and the cruelty of humans to "lesser" creatures. This book conjures magic every time I read it.
This book helped me through a rough period when I was in a lot of physical pain, and I have fond memories of it in that regard.
Reread October 16, 2013 - April 1, 2013
(I can take a long time to read a book because I have such a good memory, I can afford to put it down for a while).
I could have done without the ; but this is a very poignant tale of the power of friendship, and the cruelty of humans to "lesser" creatures. This book conjures magic every time I read it.
February 21, 2010
The Wild Road tells the story of two ancient souls and their encounters throughout time - the Majicou, and the Alchemist. The Alchemist has been searching for understanding of the universe, but he has been approaching the problem in all the wrong ways. The Majicou is the guardian of great secrets that humans may not be privy to, and the Alchemist will go to any lengths to learn.
This is a story of magic and mysticism, loyalty and courage, as a group of feline friends set out to defend something which they themselves do not quite understand. It is also a story about how everyone can make a difference to the world, however insignificant their lives may seem.
The storytelling gathers more and more potence as the novel progresses, transporting the reader to times and places seen anew, through the eyes of other creatures. I highly recommend this powerful tale, it is a captivating story and a philosophical journey.
This is a story of magic and mysticism, loyalty and courage, as a group of feline friends set out to defend something which they themselves do not quite understand. It is also a story about how everyone can make a difference to the world, however insignificant their lives may seem.
The storytelling gathers more and more potence as the novel progresses, transporting the reader to times and places seen anew, through the eyes of other creatures. I highly recommend this powerful tale, it is a captivating story and a philosophical journey.
July 5, 2019
I went in expecting to read a Warriors book. What I got instead was a delightful combination of The Last Unicorn and Watership Down. At times it it indulges too deeply in whimsy but all was forgiven at the end.
July 16, 2007
This is a truly excellent book. I fell deeply in love with every character and even named my own cat Tag. Just get through the first 3 chapters and the book will be imprinted on your heart forever.
January 19, 2016
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
For years, this was the favourite book of one of my friends. She'd been telling me for ages to read it, and apparently thought I wasn't doing that fast enough because one day, she just delivered it in the mail to me, so I didn't have an excuse any more and could read it immediately.
And even though it has been years since I read it, I've always found it a special book. It was the first real book with animals as main characters and animal POVs that I read, and it took a while to fully realize that it was done very good in the book. The cats really act like cats most of the time, and are not just furry, four-legged humans.
The story and the writing were nice as well, and even though I've never managed to read the sequel, I look back to reading The Wild Road with pleasure.
For years, this was the favourite book of one of my friends. She'd been telling me for ages to read it, and apparently thought I wasn't doing that fast enough because one day, she just delivered it in the mail to me, so I didn't have an excuse any more and could read it immediately.
And even though it has been years since I read it, I've always found it a special book. It was the first real book with animals as main characters and animal POVs that I read, and it took a while to fully realize that it was done very good in the book. The cats really act like cats most of the time, and are not just furry, four-legged humans.
The story and the writing were nice as well, and even though I've never managed to read the sequel, I look back to reading The Wild Road with pleasure.
August 1, 2017
I began reading this book yesterday, and literally did not put it down except to bathe and sleep until I finished it today. If you deeply love all cats, not just sleek house cats with their soft fur and gentle purrs, but also ferals, furtive and wary, often tattered, hungry and cold, but FREE, and answering only to their own, true names, then this book will wend its way into your heart. I laughed aloud, and wept bitter tears, in the reading of it, and will visit that world again and again. It has captured the soul of Cat so very well.
April 24, 2010
I'm not normally a fan of books where an animal is the POV character, so 3 stars is a lot coming from me. King creates enjoyable characters and I was pleased to discover the character's actually go through some growth along their journey. I also like King's ability to to remember at all times that his characters are cats and not allow them to become too human. After months surviving in the wild Tag's decision to go inside by approaching a screen door of an abandoned house and meowing "open" at it is funny and true to his cat nature. From his perspective, this is how screen doors open after all.
The book has a clear end goal in mind and if it has one flaw, it's that for a while it feels like the character's won't get their until the sequel. My worst fear was that this one was going to end on a cliffhanger. Instead I found that the last couple chapters rushed through the intended ending rather quickly after many chapters that took the story at a much slower pace.
The book has a clear end goal in mind and if it has one flaw, it's that for a while it feels like the character's won't get their until the sequel. My worst fear was that this one was going to end on a cliffhanger. Instead I found that the last couple chapters rushed through the intended ending rather quickly after many chapters that took the story at a much slower pace.
March 31, 2011
Too violent, cat cruelty, ending somewhat unsatisfying
June 24, 2012
YES GOOD WATERSHIP DOWN WITH CATS. MAGICAL CATS. THAT ACTUALLY ACT LIKE CATS. FORGET THAT WARRIORS CRAP, THIS IS THE REAL DEAL FOR KITTY XENOFICTION.
May 14, 2018
I thought this book would be a cat story, just like Watership Down was for rabbits, but this was a little different. It's cats/fantasy, which I didn't see coming, and the magic of the 'roads' the cats can travel on gets a little lost. This book is a 'journey' style book, in which often the characters do no more than search out their next meal, and that was kind of boring. It was also choppy and unfocussed, stopping one scene with action then moving on to the other characters, so that when you got back to the action of the first scene finally you'd forgotten the momentum.
The Kindle edition is littered with spelling errors and the wrong word being used in many cases leaving me to wonder HOW it could have been so badly formatted? No way could a book that's been around since the 90s still be full of such glaring errors. I reported them as I found them, so hopefully they get looked at, but it was a shame.
Not exactly the book I thought it was going to be, but at least one of the earliest books I put on my to-read list is now complete. On to the next one!
The Kindle edition is littered with spelling errors and the wrong word being used in many cases leaving me to wonder HOW it could have been so badly formatted? No way could a book that's been around since the 90s still be full of such glaring errors. I reported them as I found them, so hopefully they get looked at, but it was a shame.
Not exactly the book I thought it was going to be, but at least one of the earliest books I put on my to-read list is now complete. On to the next one!
July 9, 2013
I hate giving this a terrible rating. I don't like giving any author any bad rating because I know that they're proud of their work. Regardless if we as their readers are into their story or not.
I also shouldn't write a review because I didn't finish the book, but I just couldn't get into the story. It's like saying a movie is crap without even actually watching it. If I'm not enveloped in a book by the hundredth page, I unfortunately have to part with it. It's a terrible feeling, this departure. As with any book that I "give up" on. But, it had to happen. I felt the story was going nowhere, and therefore I felt that it was necessary to close the book, and to move on to something else.
I also shouldn't write a review because I didn't finish the book, but I just couldn't get into the story. It's like saying a movie is crap without even actually watching it. If I'm not enveloped in a book by the hundredth page, I unfortunately have to part with it. It's a terrible feeling, this departure. As with any book that I "give up" on. But, it had to happen. I felt the story was going nowhere, and therefore I felt that it was necessary to close the book, and to move on to something else.
May 29, 2017
This is a great book. I love the fact that it is told from the perspective of a cat. There are things that make Tag seem almost human, but there's always his catness that reminds you that you are getting a glimpse into the mind of a predator. The story itself is one that for me extends beyond the book. The characters you come across are all part of something much bigger than just the story that is told. It does really help that I'm a huge fan of fantasy. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who's into fantasy, or has an affinity for cats.
March 27, 2020
A terrific read... a book about cats who are cats , not furry little humans. There's magic and mystery, and some terrific characters... I loved the dream catchers , and 'loves a dustbin' the fox ... must re read !
November 23, 2017
A brilliant unique story full of loveable characters who grow and develop as the as it progresses, told by a man who knows cats. And lord knows I do love man who knows a thing or two about cats.
August 22, 2019
Great characters,interesting story and a happy ending
November 27, 2024
A charming fantasy story, written in a manner fairly targeted at cat-lovers. In most respects fairly typical in structure (a young male responds to the Call To Adventure, is guided by a mysterious wizard, makes plenty of friends along the way) but with the hook being that almost all of the characters are cats (there is also a magpie and a fox) and the fundamental conflict is about protecting the magical inheritance of the feline race from being subverted by an undead Isaac Newton.
King is clearly a cat-lover himself, and the book is dedicated to two cats which this edition memorialises with pictures at the end of the book. These cats are also the inspiration for two of the cat-characters, including the main protagonist. Throughout both the journey and the contextual mythology introduced in the story, King sprinkles in various facets of cat psychology and folklore, and brings to the foreground various cruelties inflicted by mankind on our least-domesticated companions. There are several touching moments that are difficult to forget (I think of Mousebreath's story, and Wriggles) and though you could argue it's easy to make people feel something for well-loved companion animals, King handles this material properly.
The writing is competent but not particularly unusual as a standard fantasy story. I would probably rate this as just 'okay' if it was a human-centred narrative. But, well, I like cats.
December 9, 2022
A DEL RAY FACTORY PAPERBACK has no right to be as good as this is. Oh my word. This book has the most perfect descriptions, the most fascinating turns of phrase, and quotes that broke my heart with their beauty. I did not know what to expect when I bought this FROM LITERAL GOODWILL but I didn't expect a book that perfectly captures not only the majesty and mystery and mythology but also the WHIMSY of cats. Every character is so distinct, the magic in this book is SO GOOD, and the villain is so creepy and is also a historical figure which makes it just unsettling enough. Also. Also. Also. There is a fox whose name is Loves a Dustbin.
September 26, 2023
This book was an emotional roller coaster but I loved it regardless
January 22, 2013
Overall, a fun, but not too spectacular read.
I really enjoyed the way King wrote his cat characters. The way they spoke--a bit distracted and not too wordy--really felt like the way a cat would express itself through verbal language. And there was a lot of body language, head rubbing and sudden tail licking, things that cats usually do when they are in certain moods. Individuals also had distinction in speech and body language patterns, which was well defined and appreciated.
The story itself didn't do too much for me, I found Tag a bit too flat of a character to really take the reins of the tale (this should have been Sealink's story!) It seemed like he never really achieved anything, or added anything to the adventure. There was a touch of magic involved, which grew to far more than a touch, in the last two or three chapters, and I wish it were a bit more evenly spread throughout the entire story.
Lastly, I felt like some of the more poignant moments, like action scenes and sad scenes, were written with more of a flowery touch than the surrounding chapter, and it usually distracted me out of the story. Many times, I had to re-read a fight scene, just to try and figure out who came out on top.
This book is compared frequently to Richard Adams' "Watership Down", but it definitely belongs more firmly in the "Fantasy" genre. "Tailchaser's Song" by Tad Williams is much more similar to "Watership Down", than this novel.
I really enjoyed the way King wrote his cat characters. The way they spoke--a bit distracted and not too wordy--really felt like the way a cat would express itself through verbal language. And there was a lot of body language, head rubbing and sudden tail licking, things that cats usually do when they are in certain moods. Individuals also had distinction in speech and body language patterns, which was well defined and appreciated.
The story itself didn't do too much for me, I found Tag a bit too flat of a character to really take the reins of the tale (this should have been Sealink's story!) It seemed like he never really achieved anything, or added anything to the adventure. There was a touch of magic involved, which grew to far more than a touch, in the last two or three chapters, and I wish it were a bit more evenly spread throughout the entire story.
Lastly, I felt like some of the more poignant moments, like action scenes and sad scenes, were written with more of a flowery touch than the surrounding chapter, and it usually distracted me out of the story. Many times, I had to re-read a fight scene, just to try and figure out who came out on top.
This book is compared frequently to Richard Adams' "Watership Down", but it definitely belongs more firmly in the "Fantasy" genre. "Tailchaser's Song" by Tad Williams is much more similar to "Watership Down", than this novel.
May 10, 2017
This is a very lovely, heartwarming book. The authors describe the landscapes that the cats traverse with such precise and beautiful language that the journey is surreal. Every cat, fox, and bird in this story are cleanly carved as distinct individuals, and the relationships between each of them are wonderfully complex without excessive dialogue. I felt that I was truly following animals, not humans masquerading as quadrupeds, on the grand adventure.
Yes, there is some animal cruelty in this book. It's tragic and awful but valid. Humans sometimes really suck, and we can't pretend that we don't make other species suffer as a result. At the same time, however, humans can be gentle, as demonstrated by Pengelly's relationship with Old Smoky (which I loved SO much). On top of these subjects the book addresses the values of friendship, trust, and altruism. (Also, Cy with her spark plug is perfection.)
There is delightfully more humor than I expected, and the moments of joy, nostalgia, exhaustion, relief, and sorrow are palpable. My only criticisms would be that there are a couple emotional moments that deserve a few more pages and that there are some action scenes that are so superfluously described that they lose clarity. I found myself rereading a few paragraphs.
I highly recommend this book to all animal lovers who enjoy a charming and patient read.
Yes, there is some animal cruelty in this book. It's tragic and awful but valid. Humans sometimes really suck, and we can't pretend that we don't make other species suffer as a result. At the same time, however, humans can be gentle, as demonstrated by Pengelly's relationship with Old Smoky (which I loved SO much). On top of these subjects the book addresses the values of friendship, trust, and altruism. (Also, Cy with her spark plug is perfection.)
There is delightfully more humor than I expected, and the moments of joy, nostalgia, exhaustion, relief, and sorrow are palpable. My only criticisms would be that there are a couple emotional moments that deserve a few more pages and that there are some action scenes that are so superfluously described that they lose clarity. I found myself rereading a few paragraphs.
I highly recommend this book to all animal lovers who enjoy a charming and patient read.
March 9, 2019
This tale started off on a blissful note. The style was almost meditative, with Tag exploring the gardens and fauna of his new found kitten home, and the idea that he had some kind of guardian-cat-angel watching over him, and a special destiny waiting for him to realise. But the story became too convoluted and rough for me; the pacing slow and the plot tedious. It can be awesome to go through trials and tribs with your characters, enjoyable in the way that you are rooting for them, and watching them grow, change and mature. But the suffering in this book felt endless, unendurable and exhausting. And I often marvelled that this book can be found in the genre of Children's Literature, because of the language used, and the sexual references made. (A little too crass and rough round the edges!) There were also some great elements, the spiritual side of the Wild Road, and the abstract writing style - which could unfortunately be a little confusing at times, too.
All in all, just not my cup of tea...
All in all, just not my cup of tea...
January 28, 2013
I was given this book as a present by a dear friend and can honestly say it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. Like the Wild Roads themselves the journey it takes you on is long and winding but feels effortless. The scents, sounds and sensations its heroes experience make it easy to believe that the author really is taking dictation directly from a cat, and the characters will be instantly familiar to any cat lover; I’ve met Cy and Pertelot, and am living with Ragnar’s photonegative. That isn’t to say that it’s an easy read, it doesn’t shy away from predation, death, sickness and animal cruelty that make up the harsher aspects of cats’ lives, and both this book and its sequel The Golden Cat contain scenes of animal suffering that I found very difficult to read. But I’m sure I will come back to this book again and again and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who suspects that cats have their own secret agendas and much more complex lives than we’re aware of.
May 5, 2012
I just love reading books about kitties who talk. There weren't very many cats in the few fairy tales I DID have read to me when I was young. There were dinosaurs and monkeys, and whatnot, but besides Rudyard Kipling's 'The Cat Who Walks By Himself,' I didn't have too many books about cats.
I actually had very few fairy tales read to me, b/c my mom was too occupied with other things to sit down, relax and read her kids a book.
By the time they took me out of the home I was 8 and, according to the foster mother they sent me to, that's too old to have your mom reading stories to you. So, by default - if not some cosmic joke - I was hardly ever read to as a child. Not by my parents.
I actually had very few fairy tales read to me, b/c my mom was too occupied with other things to sit down, relax and read her kids a book.
By the time they took me out of the home I was 8 and, according to the foster mother they sent me to, that's too old to have your mom reading stories to you. So, by default - if not some cosmic joke - I was hardly ever read to as a child. Not by my parents.
September 29, 2017
The Wild Road is a wonderfully magical read. I had seen it described as 'Watership Down, but with cats' and while I can certainly see why, I would say this story branches off in so many different tangents and has so many different elements to it as a result, that it really becomes a case of apples and oranges (or, of course, cats and rabbits!).
Out of all the cats, I found myself most drawn towards Sealink, with her southern drawl and her lioness-like protectiveness and affection.
I am sad to leave her and Tag and all the others behind but alas, The Wild Road was a borrowed book and I'll have to wait for its owner to dig out The Golden Cat before I can pick things up again!
Out of all the cats, I found myself most drawn towards Sealink, with her southern drawl and her lioness-like protectiveness and affection.
I am sad to leave her and Tag and all the others behind but alas, The Wild Road was a borrowed book and I'll have to wait for its owner to dig out The Golden Cat before I can pick things up again!
March 22, 2019
I was really enjoying this book until, with +/- 100 pages left, there was a shockingly graphic description of a cat fighting for its life (and losing) while being boiled alive. I was so horrified and disgusted that I threw the book into the trash without reading another page. I don’t know why the authors decided to take this turn, but it ruined the experience of reading an otherwise exceptionally well-written and originally conceived story about a fellowship of disinherited cats and their struggle to escape the clutches of a malevolent vivisectionist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2010
AMAZING. Very descriptive and an epic adventure! A must read.
Other Highly suggested books If you liked this (in order):
Warriors (20 book series, soon to be 24 books with two super editions, soon to be 4, three field guides, soon to be 6, and 9 mangas, soon to be 10)
Windrusher (3 book series, possibly to be 4)
Tailchaser's Song (single book)
Varjak Paw (two book series)
Other Highly suggested books If you liked this (in order):
Warriors (20 book series, soon to be 24 books with two super editions, soon to be 4, three field guides, soon to be 6, and 9 mangas, soon to be 10)
Windrusher (3 book series, possibly to be 4)
Tailchaser's Song (single book)
Varjak Paw (two book series)
June 30, 2021
I'm sure it is not to everyone, but to me this story is a masterpiece. It still awes me every time I read it, and I have read it nearly 10 times now, since I was 11 years old. A treasure of great sentimental value, but not only that.
February 10, 2018
Cat lovers rejoice!
I Love this book from beginning to end! However, it took me awhile to finish since my own lovable kitty took offense when the kindle was in hand. There are the usual typos that mar the flow of the story a little though. I enjoyed the story despite that.
I Love this book from beginning to end! However, it took me awhile to finish since my own lovable kitty took offense when the kindle was in hand. There are the usual typos that mar the flow of the story a little though. I enjoyed the story despite that.
March 5, 2018
I loved this book - I re-read it at least once a year, in fact my hardcover copy is looking rather well worn these days. If you love fantasy, adventure, and mystical stories of cats, you'll appreciate this book.
August 28, 2025
When I saw it was recommended/ had praise from authors like Richard Adams and Terry Pratchett, I got super excited to read it. A cat magical quest fantasy set in Cornwall? What's not to love?
While the writing style is nice and the descriptions are great, the actual plot and characters are dreadful. This book drags on for 450 pages and it was an endurance run by the end. I would have dnf'd it but I don't like not finishing books. The main character Tag could be written out of the story entirely he is pointless. Plus, more pages are dedicated to what Tag ate/ wants to eat then actually performing magic, witnessing magic or trying to do magic. For a magical apprentice, he does ZERO MAGIC. But you do get a nice description of tandoori chicken because that's always fun. No character deaths had any impact because there was no reason to care, no character developments, it was a nothing story.
A side note: this book was also factually inaccurate on multiple occasions. It talked about witches and cats being burned in the 1665 English plague which never happened. On another occasion a traveling cat character mentions offhand that they enjoyed onion soup. Cats are allergic to onion so I thought they were setting up a subtle hint that this character was lying about travelling but nope, it was purely just an error.
Another more disturbing point is that this meant for a general audience/ childrens. It is not. I love children's books that tackle darker and serious topics but for one, the length would not keep a kids interest and for two, this is not a kids book because it covers topics as dark as Felidae. In fact it has more r*pe in it than Felidae. Who also doesn't enjoy a description of a seagull eating a condom? Or a cat being boiled alive? Or the main character mating with a mentally disturbed cat because she had a spark plug forced into her brain?
Don't read this book.
While the writing style is nice and the descriptions are great, the actual plot and characters are dreadful. This book drags on for 450 pages and it was an endurance run by the end. I would have dnf'd it but I don't like not finishing books. The main character Tag could be written out of the story entirely he is pointless. Plus, more pages are dedicated to what Tag ate/ wants to eat then actually performing magic, witnessing magic or trying to do magic. For a magical apprentice, he does ZERO MAGIC. But you do get a nice description of tandoori chicken because that's always fun. No character deaths had any impact because there was no reason to care, no character developments, it was a nothing story.
A side note: this book was also factually inaccurate on multiple occasions. It talked about witches and cats being burned in the 1665 English plague which never happened. On another occasion a traveling cat character mentions offhand that they enjoyed onion soup. Cats are allergic to onion so I thought they were setting up a subtle hint that this character was lying about travelling but nope, it was purely just an error.
Another more disturbing point is that this meant for a general audience/ childrens. It is not. I love children's books that tackle darker and serious topics but for one, the length would not keep a kids interest and for two, this is not a kids book because it covers topics as dark as Felidae. In fact it has more r*pe in it than Felidae. Who also doesn't enjoy a description of a seagull eating a condom? Or a cat being boiled alive? Or the main character mating with a mentally disturbed cat because she had a spark plug forced into her brain?
Don't read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews