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Varjak Paw #2
The Outlaw Varjak Paw
Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang - a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave yet sometimes naive cat?
Soon the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal's Way really be the best way?
This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old.
Soon the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal's Way really be the best way?
This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
123 people are currently reading
1049 people want to read
About the author
S.F. Said
10 books203 followersSaid grew up in the Iraqi diasporic community in London, moving there with his mother at the age of two. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he worked as a press attaché and speech writer for the Crown Prince of Jordan’s office in London. He began a Ph.D. in 1997 looking at the lives of young Muslims in Britain, but left academia to focus on film journalism for the Daily Telegraph – where he brought attention to much 'world cinema', including contemporary Islamic cinema – and writing for children
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 14, 2020
okay first things first: (((elizabeth)))!!!
thank you so much for such a wonderful stack of birthday books! and for somehow creating a paperback edition of this book to go along with my paperback of the first book. i could only find hardcover editions listed online, and i like my books to match. and now they do.
best.
so last week, i tore through varjak paw so i could get on this one. it is also illustrated by dave mckean, and is another dark little tale of littlecat survival in a bigcat world.
in the first book, varjak paw was taught physical fighting skills by the dream-vision of his famous cat ancestor. in the sequel, he learns how to fight a mental game - the psychological tactics that keep a cat alive in a tough world.
because this time, the stakes are higher. sally bones, the super-creepy one-eyed cat who knows the same ancient fighting secrets as varjak, is taking over the city: she and her gang are barging into territories and intimidating the non-gang cats into giving them food and slowly forcing them into smaller and smaller free-zones where they are allowed to live and try to sustain themselves. "pussies," you scoff, "why don't they fight back??" oh, because sally bones' gang is big and strong and if she doesn't like you, she will have them rip off your ears and your tail which is pretty damn badass, as far as creatures without opposable thumbs go. bad kitty!
so, yeah, it's pretty dark. but varjak has a motley "gang" of his own, with a dog and a classroom while he sleeps. so he's going to be okay. but some of the cats around him, cats that he considers to be friends... there will be consequences. i really like that this isn't a sweetie-pie story where all the good fluffy kitties are okay and all the nasty kitties get punished. there is a little of that, but it is still a little tougher than a lot of middle-grade fiction.
this book is nearly twice as long as the first one, and the cast of characters is much bigger and more developed. i assume he is finished writing these, because this one came out in 2005, and there hasn't been another since then, but i really hope he chooses to revisit these characters, because i think this could be a successful series, if someone could keep the damn things in print!!
and again with dave mckean - there is no better choice for an illustrator for this book.
nicely done.
come to my blog!
thank you so much for such a wonderful stack of birthday books! and for somehow creating a paperback edition of this book to go along with my paperback of the first book. i could only find hardcover editions listed online, and i like my books to match. and now they do.
best.
so last week, i tore through varjak paw so i could get on this one. it is also illustrated by dave mckean, and is another dark little tale of littlecat survival in a bigcat world.
in the first book, varjak paw was taught physical fighting skills by the dream-vision of his famous cat ancestor. in the sequel, he learns how to fight a mental game - the psychological tactics that keep a cat alive in a tough world.
because this time, the stakes are higher. sally bones, the super-creepy one-eyed cat who knows the same ancient fighting secrets as varjak, is taking over the city: she and her gang are barging into territories and intimidating the non-gang cats into giving them food and slowly forcing them into smaller and smaller free-zones where they are allowed to live and try to sustain themselves. "pussies," you scoff, "why don't they fight back??" oh, because sally bones' gang is big and strong and if she doesn't like you, she will have them rip off your ears and your tail which is pretty damn badass, as far as creatures without opposable thumbs go. bad kitty!
so, yeah, it's pretty dark. but varjak has a motley "gang" of his own, with a dog and a classroom while he sleeps. so he's going to be okay. but some of the cats around him, cats that he considers to be friends... there will be consequences. i really like that this isn't a sweetie-pie story where all the good fluffy kitties are okay and all the nasty kitties get punished. there is a little of that, but it is still a little tougher than a lot of middle-grade fiction.
this book is nearly twice as long as the first one, and the cast of characters is much bigger and more developed. i assume he is finished writing these, because this one came out in 2005, and there hasn't been another since then, but i really hope he chooses to revisit these characters, because i think this could be a successful series, if someone could keep the damn things in print!!
and again with dave mckean - there is no better choice for an illustrator for this book.
nicely done.
come to my blog!
September 26, 2015
I loved SF Said Varjak Paw and did not want it to end. I had seen there was a sequel and thought I would give it a go for the love of the first book. Being a film lover, there is not a second film that has ever filled me with love I had for the first. This sequel, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, is just brilliant and I loved it.
It fills you with excitement and warmth through friendship and pride. It fills you with dread and frustration, through bullies and darkness. But most of all, it fills you with satisfaction through fantastic writing from SF Said.
I thoroughly recommend this book if you have read Varjak Paw!
It fills you with excitement and warmth through friendship and pride. It fills you with dread and frustration, through bullies and darkness. But most of all, it fills you with satisfaction through fantastic writing from SF Said.
I thoroughly recommend this book if you have read Varjak Paw!
November 5, 2016
I think I enjoyed this sequel even more than the original "Varjak Paw." The Outlaw is much more action-packed, and includes many new loveable characters.
I am left, however, wanting more information. The ending was wrapped up neatly, but I have several unanswered questions such as *spoilers* "What in the world happened to Holly's eye?", and "If Jalal invented The Way, how does Sally Bones know it?". Definitely would have loved a little more back-story.
I am left, however, wanting more information. The ending was wrapped up neatly, but I have several unanswered questions such as *spoilers* "What in the world happened to Holly's eye?", and "If Jalal invented The Way, how does Sally Bones know it?". Definitely would have loved a little more back-story.
June 2, 2024
3.5* maybe
every single cat devoured in this one & also cludge...not you sally bones though
every single cat devoured in this one & also cludge...not you sally bones though
February 11, 2025
It’s a great book and a huge success.I think that S.F said should write another Varjack Paw book! Both of your books are amazing and in fact they are my second favourite books I’ve ever read! I love how brave varjack paw is facing Sally Bones in the second book.
September 25, 2025
Every bit as good as the first one, about facing, both only bullies, but fear and darkness, both within you and without. About friendship and family, and courage and taking chances.
June 4, 2023
Entertaining. Easy to read. Definitely recommend it to get out of a reading rut. Multiple pieces of wisdom - simple yet profound. Read it to dive into a world of feline gangsters and mythical powers.
April 7, 2021
Perfect is the word that comes to mind after reading this sequel.
Beautifully written and imagined, S.F. Said strikes again with a whirlwind of excitement, spookerloos, and suprises! Like it's predecessor, you won't want to put this one down.
In this, we continue with a question left over from the first book, what about Sally Bones? It seemed strange back then for a villain to be introduced, and then to be mostly ignored, but that, my dears, is exactly what this book goes over. Sally Bones, her gang, and her laws.
We, of course, meet both old and new characters in Varjak's adventures, some good, some bad, and some a mix and match of the two. And this time, we have less of the mildly shadowed dark aspects, and more of a cruel methodology.
All around, The Outlaw Varjak Paw is definitely a story worth reading, and it's predecessor too (Though the first one is not at all required to enjoy this book)!
Beautifully written and imagined, S.F. Said strikes again with a whirlwind of excitement, spookerloos, and suprises! Like it's predecessor, you won't want to put this one down.
In this, we continue with a question left over from the first book, what about Sally Bones? It seemed strange back then for a villain to be introduced, and then to be mostly ignored, but that, my dears, is exactly what this book goes over. Sally Bones, her gang, and her laws.
We, of course, meet both old and new characters in Varjak's adventures, some good, some bad, and some a mix and match of the two. And this time, we have less of the mildly shadowed dark aspects, and more of a cruel methodology.
All around, The Outlaw Varjak Paw is definitely a story worth reading, and it's predecessor too (Though the first one is not at all required to enjoy this book)!
October 12, 2021
It was a little different to what I remember it being from when I originally read it 10+ years ago, but that doesn't mean it wasn't as good.
Sally Bones rules over the city, and her word is law. Her gang terrorizes the occupants and punishes anyone who steps out of line. Its winter and Sally Bones dictates that no one is allowed to hunt except her gang, food found belongs to her gang, the cats of the city are starving. Varjak is the only one who has a chance of standing up to Sally Bones for they are the only two cats who know The Way.
It was a nice short book, but admittedly the kindle formatting ruined it. I originally read this book in physical form, and I also own a copy of the first book, where the illustration placement makes a lot more sense, and in general just looks better. I love the pictures in these books, the art style is so different, but it took away from the emersion sometimes when you'd have one sentence on a page, then the next would hold the picture, before the third finally continuing the tale. In physical copies the illustrations are side by side with the text, most the time only taking up part of a page with the writing around it.
Other than this, I enjoyed my revisit to this tale, but I do feel like there's still more to the story. I know S.F. Said has mentioned he would like to do a final book on Varjak, one for the end of his life since the other two focused on the beginning and the middle, but there is nothing else on this. I do hope he eventually gets around to closing out Varjak's story.
Sally Bones rules over the city, and her word is law. Her gang terrorizes the occupants and punishes anyone who steps out of line. Its winter and Sally Bones dictates that no one is allowed to hunt except her gang, food found belongs to her gang, the cats of the city are starving. Varjak is the only one who has a chance of standing up to Sally Bones for they are the only two cats who know The Way.
It was a nice short book, but admittedly the kindle formatting ruined it. I originally read this book in physical form, and I also own a copy of the first book, where the illustration placement makes a lot more sense, and in general just looks better. I love the pictures in these books, the art style is so different, but it took away from the emersion sometimes when you'd have one sentence on a page, then the next would hold the picture, before the third finally continuing the tale. In physical copies the illustrations are side by side with the text, most the time only taking up part of a page with the writing around it.
Other than this, I enjoyed my revisit to this tale, but I do feel like there's still more to the story. I know S.F. Said has mentioned he would like to do a final book on Varjak, one for the end of his life since the other two focused on the beginning and the middle, but there is nothing else on this. I do hope he eventually gets around to closing out Varjak's story.
April 26, 2019
This book was about varjak paw and his friends Holly and Tam who are helping him to defeat the main villain Sally Bones. I liked this book because of its illustrations and the way SF Said talked about where they are, what was happening and made the scenes dramatic, scary, nice and so on. My favourite character from the book was Jalal (Varjak Paw’s ancestor who taught him the seven skills in the way of himself) because he always made Varjak think but he did not defeat Sally Bones. The funniest part of the book was – there is literally no funniness. The saddest part of the book was when Sally Bones ripped off a cat’s ear and later on in the book she got rammed by a train.
May 1, 2019
The outlaw varjak law is a book about a cat who is learning about the path of a fighter cat. He grew up as an ally cat and has to try and defeat Sally bones ,the main Gillian who wants varjak dead because he is the top fighter, it ends up the varjaks friends help him by taking over her land and then killing her to end everyone's suffering.
August 29, 2021
FIGHTER CAT MEETS OTHER CATS: A SHOWDOWN
February 20, 2023
omg i love varjak paw!!!! one of my favourite book series ever <33333 i love it so much. I love the way each character was written, especially cludge
November 30, 2023
The Karate Kit Part II
The Meowtrix Second Life
Immortal Iron Paw
The Meowtrix Second Life
Immortal Iron Paw
March 3, 2017
My first review and it's a *****. These 5* reviews will be rare, but this deserves it. I generally like stand alone books, but this is the rare sequel which surpasses the first book. It's expertly paced and structured and builds and builds to a remarkably exciting and tense third act finale. SF is (in)famous for taking a long time in writing his books, but the effort really shows here as he doesn't put a foot (paw?) wrong. Just like Varjak himself there's no fancy footwork in the language, just clean, spare prose that evocatively builds the world and conveys the action. The writing is seamlessly blended with McKean's beautiful artwork creating a cohesive, perfectly formed work. It's also begins a move towards the overtly political and human rights engagement of Phoenix, SF's third masterpiece.
Yep, I liked it.
By the way, SF has written in his blog that there might be a third book in Varjak at some point. I'd agree. I would love to see SF deal with aging and mortality and the old warrior coming out for a final battle. A sort of the Dark Varjak Returns. We'll see.
Yep, I liked it.
By the way, SF has written in his blog that there might be a third book in Varjak at some point. I'd agree. I would love to see SF deal with aging and mortality and the old warrior coming out for a final battle. A sort of the Dark Varjak Returns. We'll see.
August 14, 2015
Ο Βάρτζακ Πο και η Κοκαλιάρα Σάλι στην πιο σκληρή τους αναμέτρηση. Η συμμορία της Κοκαλιάρας Σάλι έχει τρομοκρατήσει την πόλη: περιπολίες στους δρόμους, τα ψάρια και τα ποντίκια είναι μόνο για τους γάτους της, ο κόσμος πεινάει αλλά φοβάται. Ο Βάρτζακ Πο πρέπει να την αντιμετωπίσει για δεύτερη φορά και να προσπαθήσει να τη νικήσει για το καλό των φίλων του. Θα τα καταφέρει; Η Κοκαλιάρα Σάλι έχει ακριβώς τις ίδιες δεξιότητες με τον Βάρτζακ Πο και την ίδια δύναμη. Ποιο είναι το αδύνατο σημείο της; Θα το βρει ο Βάρτζακ Πο; Τι προσπαθεί να του πει στα όνειρά του ο παππούς του από τη μακρινή Μεσοποταμία; Ένα εκπληκτικό, δυνατό κείμενο που προσωπικά θα το πρότεινα σε παιδιά από 14 χρονών και πάνω.
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της ιστορίας του Βάρτζακ Πο ξεφεύγει αρκετά από το πρώτο. Είναι πιο δυνατό, πιο σκληρό, πιο έντονο σε συναισθήματα και σκηνές μάχης και βρίθει πολλών νοημάτων. Έχουμε φιλία, έχουμε έναν διακριτικό έρωτα που τον χωρίζει το Κακό, έχουμε αλλαγές στρατοπέδου (οι κακοί γίνονται καλοί), έχουμε την αγάπη, τη φιλαλληλία, το Καλό να συναγωνίζεται το αδυσώπητο Κακό, το μίσος, την τιμωρία, την εκδίκηση. Οι περιγραφές των μαχών, των τσακωμών, της αδυναμίας που οδηγεί στην απελπισία κι από κει στο ρίσκο είναι εξαιρετικές. Πόνεσα, δάκρυσα, οργίστηκα, ανακουφίστηκα, ένιωσα πάρα πολλά διαβάζοντας το κείμενο. Γι’ αυτό και το συνιστώ για μεγαλύτερα από 11 χρονών παιδιά. Δεν έχουμε αίματα, άντερα ή ό,τι μπορεί να βρει κανείς σε σκληροπυρηνικά βιβλία μαχών, όμως οι σκηνές δίνονται τόσο έντονα και ανάγλυφα που δύσκολα θα τις αντέξει ένα μικρότερο παιδί. Η εικονογράφηση, με την αδυσώπητη ασπρόμαυρη έκφραση, κάνει το περιβάλλον πιο σκοτεινό και τη δύναμη των συναισθημάτων πιο έντονη.
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο πηγαίνει την ιστορία σε άλλη διάσταση. Οι δύο θανάσιμοι αντίπαλοι έχουν την τελευταία ευκαιρία να κερδίσει ο ένας από τους δύο, η εξέλιξη της πλοκής είναι γεμάτη αγωνία για τη συνέχεια, οι ανατροπές και οι εκπλήξεις περισσότερες και ο Βάρτζακ Πο καταφέρνει να κερδίσει πολλούς εχθρούς του, ώστε όλοι μαζί να επιτεθούν στη συμμορία της Κοκαλιάρας Σάλι. Στην τελική αναμέτρηση όμως μόνο δύο θα είναι οι αντίπαλοι. Μη χάσετε τη συναρπαστική συνέχεια της αγαπημένης σας ιστορίας!
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της ιστορίας του Βάρτζακ Πο ξεφεύγει αρκετά από το πρώτο. Είναι πιο δυνατό, πιο σκληρό, πιο έντονο σε συναισθήματα και σκηνές μάχης και βρίθει πολλών νοημάτων. Έχουμε φιλία, έχουμε έναν διακριτικό έρωτα που τον χωρίζει το Κακό, έχουμε αλλαγές στρατοπέδου (οι κακοί γίνονται καλοί), έχουμε την αγάπη, τη φιλαλληλία, το Καλό να συναγωνίζεται το αδυσώπητο Κακό, το μίσος, την τιμωρία, την εκδίκηση. Οι περιγραφές των μαχών, των τσακωμών, της αδυναμίας που οδηγεί στην απελπισία κι από κει στο ρίσκο είναι εξαιρετικές. Πόνεσα, δάκρυσα, οργίστηκα, ανακουφίστηκα, ένιωσα πάρα πολλά διαβάζοντας το κείμενο. Γι’ αυτό και το συνιστώ για μεγαλύτερα από 11 χρονών παιδιά. Δεν έχουμε αίματα, άντερα ή ό,τι μπορεί να βρει κανείς σε σκληροπυρηνικά βιβλία μαχών, όμως οι σκηνές δίνονται τόσο έντονα και ανάγλυφα που δύσκολα θα τις αντέξει ένα μικρότερο παιδί. Η εικονογράφηση, με την αδυσώπητη ασπρόμαυρη έκφραση, κάνει το περιβάλλον πιο σκοτεινό και τη δύναμη των συναισθημάτων πιο έντονη.
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο πηγαίνει την ιστορία σε άλλη διάσταση. Οι δύο θανάσιμοι αντίπαλοι έχουν την τελευταία ευκαιρία να κερδίσει ο ένας από τους δύο, η εξέλιξη της πλοκής είναι γεμάτη αγωνία για τη συνέχεια, οι ανατροπές και οι εκπλήξεις περισσότερες και ο Βάρτζακ Πο καταφέρνει να κερδίσει πολλούς εχθρούς του, ώστε όλοι μαζί να επιτεθούν στη συμμορία της Κοκαλιάρας Σάλι. Στην τελική αναμέτρηση όμως μόνο δύο θα είναι οι αντίπαλοι. Μη χάσετε τη συναρπαστική συνέχεια της αγαπημένης σας ιστορίας!
August 1, 2022
incredible!!!!!!
April 9, 2024
***Graphic gorey content***
I had read the first book and found myself quite enjoying it so didn't think twice when I came upon the sequel in a used bookstore. And now I wish I had just let the first book end as the telling of the story since I really didn't enjoy this book.
First of all for a book that is geared towards younger readers it is rather really graphic when Sally Bone's punishments. And then the resulting pariah-ship of these poor cats as not even being fully cat afterwards makes for a really bad taste in my mouth such as if we are reliving the hibakusha of Japan. And these moments of graphic gore aren't related to a few events that can be overlooked but are constant while even showing up in the illustrations to the book to some degrees. Furthermore there is the time where some cats are killed by an oncoming train, which fortunately wasn't shown and the almost torture of a kitten of all things.
The rest of the story also seemed to drag - can't be beat, small victory, beat, not so special, repeat seems to be the formula to the story, which definitely means this book was boring a lot more than in the other. And of course we knew how the story was going to end but were just trying to see how the story got to the end.
Another two aspects that annoyed me the most was first that cats tend to have good olfactory sense but in this book that fact is constantly overlooked. And secondly there was a moment where Jalal taught Varjak that he needs to learn how to jump but that lesson was never utilized in the rest of the story even in a scene or two where you think that it may have been a good lesson to utilize.
Like the original book, the illustration medium is one of those strange in-betweens thus they appear to be stylistically simple although detailed enough to be a bit more complex. The shapes aren't always realistic either thus making the cats portrayed to be a bit more abstract than actual cats in real life while there is no included color.
All in all it was an okay book if you like adventure that can be set aside for truth and overlook the gore factor but there also similar-type books that do the store a lot better than what was presented in this particular book.
I had read the first book and found myself quite enjoying it so didn't think twice when I came upon the sequel in a used bookstore. And now I wish I had just let the first book end as the telling of the story since I really didn't enjoy this book.
First of all for a book that is geared towards younger readers it is rather really graphic when Sally Bone's punishments. And then the resulting pariah-ship of these poor cats as not even being fully cat afterwards makes for a really bad taste in my mouth such as if we are reliving the hibakusha of Japan. And these moments of graphic gore aren't related to a few events that can be overlooked but are constant while even showing up in the illustrations to the book to some degrees. Furthermore there is the time where some cats are killed by an oncoming train, which fortunately wasn't shown and the almost torture of a kitten of all things.
The rest of the story also seemed to drag - can't be beat, small victory, beat, not so special, repeat seems to be the formula to the story, which definitely means this book was boring a lot more than in the other. And of course we knew how the story was going to end but were just trying to see how the story got to the end.
Another two aspects that annoyed me the most was first that cats tend to have good olfactory sense but in this book that fact is constantly overlooked. And secondly there was a moment where Jalal taught Varjak that he needs to learn how to jump but that lesson was never utilized in the rest of the story even in a scene or two where you think that it may have been a good lesson to utilize.
Like the original book, the illustration medium is one of those strange in-betweens thus they appear to be stylistically simple although detailed enough to be a bit more complex. The shapes aren't always realistic either thus making the cats portrayed to be a bit more abstract than actual cats in real life while there is no included color.
All in all it was an okay book if you like adventure that can be set aside for truth and overlook the gore factor but there also similar-type books that do the store a lot better than what was presented in this particular book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2024
*spoilers*
I'm having the same trouble with this one as a did the first one. I like the characters, the overall plot, and I like a good dark, kinda edgy kids book.
However, the ending was, once again, abrupt and unsatisfying. For one, it is unclear to me whether Sally Bones was supposed to somehow actually be Saliya of the North, or if she was a descendant who learned from her the same way Varjak learned from Jalal. Also, he beat her with.. daylight? Why? How? And they were in the middle of a snowstorm (but also a thunderstorm??) so the sun wouldn't have even been visible anyway, but even so, why did sunlight hurt her? Is she supposed to be like a ghoul or something? Is that also why she hoards all the food in the city, but is also emaciated at the same time?
And then what did she do to Holly? No explanation whatsoever about her new magic blue eye that can see into Varjak's soul or whatever??
I'm also disappointed that we still never really learned anything about Cludge. He did something so bad he ran away from his family and thought they'd never have him back, but then he returns and it's just fine and no mention of whatever happened? The dogs in general just seemed to be written really shallow and dumb, and kind of just there for convenience, which is a shame.
But anyway, I still had fun reading it, and I'd still recommend it to the kids at work, so it can have 3 stars.
I'm having the same trouble with this one as a did the first one. I like the characters, the overall plot, and I like a good dark, kinda edgy kids book.
However, the ending was, once again, abrupt and unsatisfying. For one, it is unclear to me whether Sally Bones was supposed to somehow actually be Saliya of the North, or if she was a descendant who learned from her the same way Varjak learned from Jalal. Also, he beat her with.. daylight? Why? How? And they were in the middle of a snowstorm (but also a thunderstorm??) so the sun wouldn't have even been visible anyway, but even so, why did sunlight hurt her? Is she supposed to be like a ghoul or something? Is that also why she hoards all the food in the city, but is also emaciated at the same time?
And then what did she do to Holly? No explanation whatsoever about her new magic blue eye that can see into Varjak's soul or whatever??
I'm also disappointed that we still never really learned anything about Cludge. He did something so bad he ran away from his family and thought they'd never have him back, but then he returns and it's just fine and no mention of whatever happened? The dogs in general just seemed to be written really shallow and dumb, and kind of just there for convenience, which is a shame.
But anyway, I still had fun reading it, and I'd still recommend it to the kids at work, so it can have 3 stars.
September 19, 2022
I'm not sure why I rated the first book 5 stars, but this series is definitely a 3.5/5 altogether.
It took me so long to realise how quick this story is, despite being a good 500 pages combined. I feel like the author doesn't really take the time to flesh out the story, but instead rushes things to the point where action scenes are like three pages long (which is the equivalent to five paragraphs, given the font size and layout of the novels). Yes, there's some emotions in there, like feeling worthless, loved, etc. But it doesn't actually go into these emotions a lot, which surprises me as this is read in primary schools, where books tend to have in-depth scenes about emotions to help children learn.
I don't know why I didn't like this as much as the first book. It felt a bit boring with not much insight or background information. I was also a bit shocked at the 'romance' between Varjak and Holly. I'm either blind, or the author really just tried to force together a heteroromantic relationship just because it was a boy cat and a girl cat being friends. Same with Tam and... Ozzie? Or was it Omar? I don't know, their names are too similar.
In summary, too quick, unnecessary romance, not in-depth enough, needs more world-building.
Still a good book for children, though.
I'm probably asking for too much as an older reader.
It took me so long to realise how quick this story is, despite being a good 500 pages combined. I feel like the author doesn't really take the time to flesh out the story, but instead rushes things to the point where action scenes are like three pages long (which is the equivalent to five paragraphs, given the font size and layout of the novels). Yes, there's some emotions in there, like feeling worthless, loved, etc. But it doesn't actually go into these emotions a lot, which surprises me as this is read in primary schools, where books tend to have in-depth scenes about emotions to help children learn.
I don't know why I didn't like this as much as the first book. It felt a bit boring with not much insight or background information. I was also a bit shocked at the 'romance' between Varjak and Holly. I'm either blind, or the author really just tried to force together a heteroromantic relationship just because it was a boy cat and a girl cat being friends. Same with Tam and... Ozzie? Or was it Omar? I don't know, their names are too similar.
In summary, too quick, unnecessary romance, not in-depth enough, needs more world-building.
Still a good book for children, though.
I'm probably asking for too much as an older reader.
November 30, 2023
The only true thing in this novel is its rhythm.
You come out of it dazed, as if YOU were in *Slow-time* all the way through. Sure, there’s some fun reversing of the tradition white and black evil spectrum, but even that occurs in a dazed manner, with that spiky, blue-eyed phantom-like white cat being smashed to smithereens in even paler snow. Colour imagery’s prevalent.
And it is like stepping into a place you half-remember, even though you’ve surely not been there before… whatever incense was involved in the making of this book, it has certainly left its mark n a carefully crafted narrative that feels too weighty to end pleasantly.
But why the silver blue? I’m putting my hand on that idea of difference… (insert a trillion acres of character contrasting between Sally Bones and Varjak Paw)
Oh and did I mention the gooey piles of cheese between Varjak and his friends? In just a few pages, the average, but wise, housecat may start noticing serious relationships cropping up, and the even more seasoned alley-cat may start giggling.
Yet the novel can also be viewed as a satire of simplistic political tyranny… which may be reading too much into epic prose, but all the same, it’s a truly wholesome and crumbly note to taste in mind. Mmm. Why does this novel make me think of ratatouille pie?
You come out of it dazed, as if YOU were in *Slow-time* all the way through. Sure, there’s some fun reversing of the tradition white and black evil spectrum, but even that occurs in a dazed manner, with that spiky, blue-eyed phantom-like white cat being smashed to smithereens in even paler snow. Colour imagery’s prevalent.
And it is like stepping into a place you half-remember, even though you’ve surely not been there before… whatever incense was involved in the making of this book, it has certainly left its mark n a carefully crafted narrative that feels too weighty to end pleasantly.
But why the silver blue? I’m putting my hand on that idea of difference… (insert a trillion acres of character contrasting between Sally Bones and Varjak Paw)
Oh and did I mention the gooey piles of cheese between Varjak and his friends? In just a few pages, the average, but wise, housecat may start noticing serious relationships cropping up, and the even more seasoned alley-cat may start giggling.
Yet the novel can also be viewed as a satire of simplistic political tyranny… which may be reading too much into epic prose, but all the same, it’s a truly wholesome and crumbly note to taste in mind. Mmm. Why does this novel make me think of ratatouille pie?
July 20, 2017
Wow this sequel was actually better than the first book, and the ending fixed the problem of the first book which was an anti climatic ending as the ending for this was epic. I won't say what it was as I don't want to spoil the book, but it was very good. I like how it continued with the mysterious character sally bones being the enemy in this one, and how it gotten worse with her running things. There was some things in the book that wasn't explained however like how/why can sally bones live as long as she could ( I assumed she was actually an undead creature tbh but it wasn't stated that way anywhere in the story) , and the thing with holly at the end with her eye being the color it was? Maybe they latter will be explained in book 3, but I dunno bout the other thing... maybe it will I dunno. Other than that I still loved this story, and will be reading the 3rd book if it does come or is made.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
Varjak Paw is one of my favourite stories.
So cleverly crafted and written that you very quickly forget that the characters are cats.
Said has extended his story with ‘The Outlaw’ - in which we meet the same cast of cats as the original, which a few extra felines to develop the world.
This story is where Varjak and his friends must overcome the powerful enemy, Sally Bones, a well crafted villain who is seeking to take over all the resources of the cats’ world and withholding their food by enforcing her brutal ‘Law’.
I have always enjoyed Varjak’s journey of self-discovery in his dreams of Jalal in Mesapotamia - he continues to do this here.
Not quite as powerful as the first story but written with the same wit, wisdom and detail that means if you liked Book 1, you will enjoyed Book 2.
So cleverly crafted and written that you very quickly forget that the characters are cats.
Said has extended his story with ‘The Outlaw’ - in which we meet the same cast of cats as the original, which a few extra felines to develop the world.
This story is where Varjak and his friends must overcome the powerful enemy, Sally Bones, a well crafted villain who is seeking to take over all the resources of the cats’ world and withholding their food by enforcing her brutal ‘Law’.
I have always enjoyed Varjak’s journey of self-discovery in his dreams of Jalal in Mesapotamia - he continues to do this here.
Not quite as powerful as the first story but written with the same wit, wisdom and detail that means if you liked Book 1, you will enjoyed Book 2.
June 4, 2022
I enjoyed the magical realism. I felt like things moved a little quick though. The books could have been longer in my opinion but it did a great job with the length it was. To be fair though, the shortness of the book was my complaint with the first book, too. Still, the characters are fun, if not a tad shallow; I'd the most fleshed out characters were Varjack, Razor, Holly, and Cludge; the rest are easy and cute background characters. I will admit though, at first, I was a little put off that Varjack didn't just have the natural ability to win, but watching him learn it was great and realistic, and I realized I was being silly and watching a character grow was exactly what I wanted anyway. It was kind of refreshing to see losses and then a big win.
April 16, 2021
I had to re-read this book after recently re-reading the first in the series. I prefer this book, as there is far less need for scene-setting: Varjak Paw has already moved from his life as a pampered housecat into the rough and dangerous city streets, already created his little gang of friends, so the entire book is focused on his mission to right wrongs and to make the city's cats free again. That is, free from the dreaded influence of Sally Bones, literature's most evil cat. Beautifully illustrated and very well written, this is action-packed reading from start to finish. Top stuff!
July 25, 2017
A fantastic book for Key Stage 3 students that addresses genuine human dilemmas through the means of animals. I liked how it touched upon the little-explored pre-Islamic culture of ancient Iraq / Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilisation. My students were intrigued when I read the first chapter out, with one saying he had disliked the previous book in the series quite intensely but that this one sounded exciting.
December 1, 2018
Not bad. A kids book so it does read pretty young. Some violence (what the bad guys do to punish rebellious cats is downright horrific).
My one disappointment is that unlike other cat books I've read recently (Warriors, traveling cat chronicles, Wildlings), the characters in Varjak Paw don't really feel super cat-like. Like if you replace them with humans or other animals, the story won't really change.
My one disappointment is that unlike other cat books I've read recently (Warriors, traveling cat chronicles, Wildlings), the characters in Varjak Paw don't really feel super cat-like. Like if you replace them with humans or other animals, the story won't really change.
April 17, 2019
If anything, even more intense than the first book. Otoh, it's really just another adventure; it doesn't carry anyone's story a whole lot further, at least in any interesting way. Only read this if you aren't satisfied by the first, if you want to spend more time with Varjak, Jalal, and these worlds.
As before, the art is ugly, imo, but fitting. Much as I love cats, they are master predators.
As before, the art is ugly, imo, but fitting. Much as I love cats, they are master predators.
July 21, 2019
This is the sequel to the classic story Varjak Paw and it takes the gang of cats on new adventures and pits them against new and more frightening foes for Sally Bones, the thin white cat with with crystal blue eye also knows The Way. She is the best fighter and she controls the city with fear, terror and cruelty. This is a tale of loyalty, friendship and overcoming evil against the odds. It is action packed and not for the squeamish.
March 5, 2023
Not as scary as the first, this follow-up to Varjak Paw picks up where the first book left off and, as expected, concludes the Sally Bones storyline. There's still some scary ideas and imagery but is not as scarring as the previous entry in my opinion. (Though that may be because I have read a lot of books that involve animal violence.)
A fine ending to this duology.
A fine ending to this duology.
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