Ratha's Courage

The Named #5

by Clare Bell

Ratha, the fiery and determined female leader of the sentient prehistoric cat clan called the Named, continues her story in this new novel. In Ratha's Courage, the Named attempt an alliance with the other clan of "face-tail" (mammoth and mastodon) hunting cats introduced in Ratha's Challenge.

The hunter clan's group mind, and strange, frighteningly effective unity fascinates yet repels the independent-minded Named, creating a dangerous potential for conflict. The contrasting values of two very different cultures lead to misunderstanding, tragedy, and war. Ratha learns that reaching out to others, especially when the chasm is so wide, takes true courage.

Genres: Fantasy, Animals, Cats, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Animal Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

I've been really busy with the Ratha's Creature Graphic Novel project! The idea of adapting Ratha's Creature as a graphic novel is now moving much closer to reality. Our Kickstarter is 75% funded, with 5 days left.

http://bit.ly/rathakick

Tod, Dani, Ian, and Sheila have put together a real treat for Ratha fans -- a music video about how the artists are developing and visualizing Bonechewer for the Ratha graphic novel.

See it here at: http://youtu.be/CTJ_UilUX2A




















To promote it, project artist Tod Wills
is doing a Livestreaming art marathon:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/icon-day

His info headquarters for the livestream is:

http://djinni.livejournal.com/475140....

Here is a graphic you are free to use to link to the kickstarter:
http://todwills.deviantart.com/art/Ra...

Quick Kickstarter link

http://bit.ly/rathakick

If you like what you see, please pledge on Kickstarter.

A sample page from the Graphic Novel and the promo image are in my Goodreads photos, so take a peek.

I've put more info in the blog below:

If this graphic novel takes off, I will also be further inspired to write more Ratha books!



















Another good thing is happening! Imaginator Press and I are exploring the possibility of doing a Ratha's Creature graphic novel! To measure reader interest, we have a survey here, so please participate.
http://imaginatorpress.wufoo.com/form...

By filling out the survey, you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate from the offline or online bookstore of your choice. Help us out and perhaps win something nice to read.

Many good things have happened since my last update. The first, and best is that Sheila Ruth of Imaginator Press worked with me to get all of the Ratha books back into print. You have probably seen them on this site, in trade format, and gorgeous new covers by artist Lew Lashmit, re-copyedited (though not word of the story changed!) and lovely new interior and graphic design by 1106 Design.

The books are also available in many formats from E-Reads, Amazon, and other sites. I've set up an online bookstore on my webpage so that people can by autographed editions.

I've been publicizing the series by attending many conventions and events. Sheila and I also ran a Ratha fan art contest on the Facebook series fan page ( http://www.facebook.com/rathaseries ) and Wildfire, which was great fun and the artists enjoyed it. We also showcased about 10 artists by posting interviews and images on my upgraded webpage, http://wwww.rathascourage.com.

Even though many of these activities took me away from Goodreads, I'm glad to be back and to support Imaginator Press's Ratha's Creature giveaway.

I've also been reading lots of good books and I will be cataloging and commenting on those as well.

Clare Bell
11/7/2011




Wow, it has been a great Spring 2009!

From March 14 to May 9, I posted an experimental Ratha novelette on Twitter, entitled "Ratha's Island", which kept me very busy. You can find the entire story archived here:
First archive for Ratha's Island on the Forum http://forum.rathascourage.com/index....
While visiting the Forum, check out the Named role-play at: http://forum.rathascourage.com/index....

Ratha's Courage was a finalist for the Ursa Major Awards, and is still in the running for the ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award/

In January, I attended Further Confusion 09 in San Jose as a Guest of Honor and had a great time. I plan to go again to FurCon 2010.





Ratha's Courage is on the Ursa Major Awards Recommended Reading List for Novels. The Ursa Major Awards are the furry/anthropomorphic community's equivalent of the SF world's Hugo Awards http://www.ursamajorawards.org/ReadLi...

Ratha and the Named on Twitter! See the ClanChirps, http://www.twitter.com/rat

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mwahaha. I got a signed "advance uncorrected proof" copy directly from Clare Bell herself. She even drew a little kitty face. I love you, Ratha! ^^
Also thanks to Sheila for the final version and for all her work. :) *hugs both*

My favorite of this series was probably "Ratha and Thistle-chaser", because Thistle is amazing and like the perfect antithesis of Mary-Sueness, but this one is close. Well, they're all close, so I guess it doesn't really matter. ^^; All of these books are very original, taking place in the middle of the Miocene era and starring a species of creature that the author put much time into creating. The story of their creation is very interesting.
Um... I'd say stuff about the plot, but seeing that the book is not formally released yet and won't be until some time later this month, I'll just say nothing except that other Ratha fans shouldn't be disappointed. Enjoy. :3

((accidentally reviewed ebook version before, edited for this one))

[Leonca · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this series I never would have guessed it’d end with the Named meeting the feline version of the Borg. It was refreshing to see Thistle and Quiet Hunter’s romance handled without the “Romeo and Juliet” drama I’ve come to expect from these types of stories. The scenes where they serve as translators were some of my favorite.

There were more plot holes than I remember in the other books. They didn’t ruin the story, but they were a bit distracting. How can True-of-Voice have a grown son already if he didn’t have any offspring in the last book? It feels like maybe a year or even less has passed between books. Also, why do the Named have such a hard time identifying each other by scent? If Night-Who-Eats-Stars is Ratha’s son why can’t she remember his smell or rare coloration?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ratha's Courage was the fifth installment of The Named series. I absolutely loved this book. It starts off with Ratha trying her best to understand the strange ways of the Hunter Clan's dreamlike communication. Misunderstandings arise, and a disastrous accident splinters the Hunter Clan and causes chaos between the two original clans and the new clan. In the end Ratha's willingness to learn even through her occasional stubborn blindness manages to bring tears to my eyes again. The Named continue to grow, learn, and encourage kindness and love in those around them even through the tragedies that life throws at them. I'm hoping Bell continues to bring life to these characters through a sixth book...I would hate for it to end here!

[Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly same complaint as the last book
I still don't really like the hunter tribe, since their weird song thing is just???? Weird
Like I know it's a book about talking cats that herd animals but that's tOo weird for me
What kept me going with this one was the character development rather than the plot
Since I didn't rlly enjoy the plot
Like the mating circle thing at the end? Eh
But seeing how much Ratha has matured is so nice and believable
And her and Thakur's relationship is So Good
All the characters are rlly good tbh and they're what kept me going
I did like the twist with Ratha's son, but it's also like why didn't u recognize him if he had such a unique appearance
AH WELL
the whole series was good, went downhill by the end for me, the first two being the best

[Alex T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really dour ending to this series.

Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...

[Chlorophitum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Allrighty so the book itself was not bad really. The start was going strong, characters truly shined, the growing conflict between the two societies was interesting to observe. It was also pleasing to read Ratha fight her prejudices and xenophobia, asking herself some serious questions about their differences and ways of living. Personally, I enjoyed it. Plus, Quiet Hunter might just be the pinnacle of a man, an absolute ideal. He's just perfect, period. Respect the heck outta him

The bad- like hard rock bottom reached parts- came closer to the end. The whole ordeal with poor in-heat females was so hard and heart-breaking to read about. The males were literally going to r*pe them all, Ratha's own SON was stationed as a possible mate. Technically i know they didnt court, but hell they were so🤏 uncomfortably close to it. Definitely could have been framed differently, without the weird incestuous vibe to it. And the immediate forgiveness after that. I mean, I'm happy for Ratha for developing her character, way to go sis but- forgiving and welcoming people who tried to violently take *your daughter*, you, and killed your cubs couple of days ago is- beyond me. The Named society has just began its progress and growth, so for now this kind of sh*t is acceptable, apparently. Hopefully not for long. Plus, yea, the scenes of females in heat, couples mating, cats' actions and wants were depicted rather explicitly, in my opinion. For an YA book, it was kinda more steamy than your average Adult novels sometimes. Especially since, y'now, they're *cats* which made the scenes a helluva lot more weirder for me :'''')

[Crystal Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world and a lot of the characters. The what-if scenario of big cats gaining sentience is a really nice one. I love the setting, though I wasn't sure that all of the animals belonged in the Miocene in that region. My biggest criticism is that Ratha was initially a hard character to relate to for me, but she really grows through the series and gets easier to relate to. Overall, I would love to read more about the named if the author extends the series.

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m leaving this review because this is one of the last books my grandma ever bought me when I moved in with her. I loved the book and was excited to finally buy it, and she went and bought it for me. It’s bigger than the rest of the series and I will always love this book for itself and the love that came from it being gifted.

[Natasha Light · Rating 1 out of 5]

Instantly forgiving gang-rapists and forcing their victims to do nothing is NOT some great magnanimous act of leadership, however the book tries to spin it. Please, author, stop giving Camp of the Angels legitimacy.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Monroe Orlandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 3/4ths was just as good as the rest of the series. The ending felt rushed and a little insulting. I’m disappointed with it.

[Rose of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

After more than a 10 year hiatus Clare Bell returns to Ratha! It’s like she never left the story, she picks right back where it left off. All the characters we’ve met previously came together for the story, which I really liked. Clare Bell didn’t forget about anyone; it shows how much she cares about her characters.

Little Mishanti started talking, Thistle and Ratha became close and mended their relationship, the clan keeps their comradery. While I didn’t like True-of-Voice too much in the 4th book, this one shows the differences in their clan dynamics with how big cats can act a little more feral when they grow up differently and don’t have as much sentience as Ratha and The Named have. I really liked how New Singer and everyone’s behavior reflected that.

We didn’t get a real explanation on why Night stole the Red Tongue and set fire to the gorge. It could have been an accident, or it could have been on purpose to make True drive out his son New Singer to do what he did. Either way I wish we saw more of Night interacting with Ratha, Thistle, and Thakur. I believe I heard somewhere that Clare wants to write a 6th book…? But I’m not sure. Regardless, I know it’ll probably involve Night since he’s the one plot line that didn’t get completed.

The best part of this book was that Thakur and Ratha finally get together!!! Ratha gets over her fear of having Nameless cubs and takes a risk by accepting her love for Thakur, and it was so beautiful and special the way they expressed their love.

This book was amazing! It’s so hard to find but I managed to get a signed and dated first edition, in perfect condition, off of a used bookstore online who specializes in signed books. And the price was reasonable, considering the book is so rare and the price jumped up fast. I got mine cheaper than an unsigned one. Thank you Chris!

[Rosemary Krystofolski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing and Entertaining Fifth Book of The Named Series

This is the fifth, and as of now, final book in The Named Series. In this book the Named has become distant friends with The nearby clan of Face-tail Hunters led by True-of-Voice. Ratha's daughter Thistle-chaser has fallen in love with a member of the Hunter clan, a young male named Quiet Hunter. Despite the differences in the two groups the clans are allies and the clan firekeepers build fires to help warm the Hunters and their cubs until a male there, a black cat known as Night-who-eats-stars and he watches for an opportunity and when it comes he steals some embers. His careless handling of them results in a raging fire that kills five of the female Hunters. After that True-of-Voice has too many male clan members and is forced to exile his son and the other young males and the consequences of that decision will bring a lot of heartache and hardship upon both groups, The Named and The Hunters.

[Kai C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not believe this is the last book! It was so gosh darn good, and I really have come to love the characters in this book. The description of the characters and other creatures never get old. I picked up this book and struggled to put it down. I just kept truing the pages trying to see where this one was going. The ending was pretty satisfying but I suppose I wanted more. Could I please have another one, just one more volume in the Ratha series? I should not be so greedy but seriously I loved the different types of intelligence within this book. To see the burden of knowledge play out into the plot was simply fantastic. The importance of language and the primitiveness of survival were so well put. I for one just kept thinking of genetics and innate programing. Glad I read this series.

[Letters To Egypt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and there is just no other way to say it. It picks up a bit after the fourth one ended with the Named trying to make a connection The mammoth hunters. The story goes in a way that I simply didn't expect and I love it. This book has three main parts to it (in my opinion). The first part is the slow start with small summaries of the other books, the second is the uneasy calm before the storm, and the third part is the stunning conclusion with this part being the best. The best part of this book to me that's different from the last books is Night-who-eats-stars with his interesting forms of thought. There wasn't one point in this book that bored me and I would gladly read it again. Over all I would say that this is the best book in this series except for the first book which still reins supreme.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Steph for TeensReadToo.com

After a thirteen-year hiatus, Clare Bell returns with RATHA'S COURAGE, the fifth book in THE NAMED series.

The story is about a clan of prehistoric cats that are working toward making a civilization. Ratha, the clan leader, knows the gift of fire and decides to share it with another, different civilization of the "face-tails", which is a clan of mammoth and mastodon hunting cats.

But her courage to reach out to another group might bring the downfall of her own clan.

Bell writes an interesting story that takes the reader into another world where cats rule and try to become more civilized. The reader goes through the story with Ratha, facing every challenge along with her. This book is an excellent addition to THE NAMED series.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book in the series since Clan Ground. It also underscored some great lessons about society and the danger of outsiders that you don't understand. Ratha's tribe is nearly conquered by outsiders that they were just a little too friendly to. At the end, she realizes that it is good to have relations with the other cat tribe, but there must be distance between them. And finally, she and Thakur get together! I want to see what happens next, so hopefully there will be more to come...especially concerning Ratha and Thakur's relationship, possible future cubs and the return of Ratha's son Night. There is so much more to be told!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, the main characters gt together! That was what made me so happy after reading this whole series.

[Tanita Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://readersrants.blogspot.com/2008...

[Casey Mage]

does anyone know where i can find this book. Book stores say that it is OUT OF PRINT. And no library has it?

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never get over how much I love this series!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series of books. I loved the ending , but wish there were more to come.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew the series to a nice close, but was a bit laggy in places.

[Beth Bacon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written on a YA concept, but with the graphic nature of an adult book. It was a pleasant read, but torn between the two ages.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book