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A Fast and Brutal Wing
She leapt, a perfect arc, lithe muscles propelling her through the air, leaving what was human behind, clothes fallen to the ground. She was cat, claws unsheathed, teeth bared. Loving the hunt, the chase, the pounce and the strike, her teeth sinking into flesh, blood spurting in her mouth.
Animal ruthless and swift. And totally satisfying.
A provocative, richly layered, and utterly compelling novel that asks the what is truth, and what does it mean to be human?
Niki and Emmet are siblings with a their ability to change from human to animal, and back-their ability to transform-she to a cat, he to a hawk. Their mother is clueless, but how much does the elusive writer Slanger know? Is their classmate Doug as superficial as he seems? Is the psychiatrist a caretaker or an enemy? And what did she have to do with their father's disappearance?
Alternating 4 voices, paralleling the transformations of adolescence itself, this book is also about the transformative power of great literature, on the border between the darkest fantasy and our own reality.
Animal ruthless and swift. And totally satisfying.
A provocative, richly layered, and utterly compelling novel that asks the what is truth, and what does it mean to be human?
Niki and Emmet are siblings with a their ability to change from human to animal, and back-their ability to transform-she to a cat, he to a hawk. Their mother is clueless, but how much does the elusive writer Slanger know? Is their classmate Doug as superficial as he seems? Is the psychiatrist a caretaker or an enemy? And what did she have to do with their father's disappearance?
Alternating 4 voices, paralleling the transformations of adolescence itself, this book is also about the transformative power of great literature, on the border between the darkest fantasy and our own reality.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 22, 2016
Since this book has been released I have read it at least once a year; there was even a few years where I read it twice.
When this book first came out, I was about 12. When I was much younger I use to imagine I could turn into a cat - a black one specifically- and pretended that I belonged to a witch and would ride around her broom, etc. So of course this book appealed to me.
The plot is not extremely exciting, but I like it all the same, it has just enough intrigue and wonder. The format of it is really great, with the different styles and character views. I also really liked that you could open-end interpret the ending as you pleased; of course I always believed that they could shapeshift.
The book is still a five star for me because, even though I am older and I can see some of the flaws and such, it still holds a special place in my heart. I consider it one of my comfort books and like to take my time reading it when I am feeling particularity down.
When this book first came out, I was about 12. When I was much younger I use to imagine I could turn into a cat - a black one specifically- and pretended that I belonged to a witch and would ride around her broom, etc. So of course this book appealed to me.
The plot is not extremely exciting, but I like it all the same, it has just enough intrigue and wonder. The format of it is really great, with the different styles and character views. I also really liked that you could open-end interpret the ending as you pleased; of course I always believed that they could shapeshift.
The book is still a five star for me because, even though I am older and I can see some of the flaws and such, it still holds a special place in my heart. I consider it one of my comfort books and like to take my time reading it when I am feeling particularity down.
September 24, 2025
This was a favorite book of mine when I was about 13. I still recall being fascinated by the shifting perspectives, the newspaper clippings, the notes, the in-book chapters. The ending tortured me as a kid. I finally got my hands on a copy now to reread as an adult. I have to say: This book is even more excellent and tad bit more disturbing as an adult read. I could not put it down. This is psychological YA drama at its finest.
March 17, 2010
I'm giving this 4 stars because the plot was so interesting and the way it was written so gripping that I was compelled to keep reading because I HAD to find out how it ended. Chapters alternated between the viewpoints of 3 teens, each of whom experienced the same events but with radically different interpretations/points of view. It kept you guessing as to which of them was seeing events as they really happened. I'd have given it 5 stars if I hadn't been dissatisfied with the ending, and I won't say why so that I don't spoil it for others. This would make a great book group choice, because there's lots to discuss here. Recommended!
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May 5, 2020Cats have it made, don't you think? They lie around all day sleeping, getting people to pet them, no worries.
Niki is like a cat. She can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, she always wants to be close and snuggles up next to whomever she sits by.
Her brother Emmett describes her like this: Read p. 6" Listen, she keeps a hard edge … forever watching."
Is Niki's idea fantasy, just a story? Can Emmett change into a hawk?
Read p. 31: "Emmett was virtually without limit … rule."
Niki is like a cat. She can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, she always wants to be close and snuggles up next to whomever she sits by.
Her brother Emmett describes her like this: Read p. 6" Listen, she keeps a hard edge … forever watching."
Is Niki's idea fantasy, just a story? Can Emmett change into a hawk?
Read p. 31: "Emmett was virtually without limit … rule."
January 4, 2017
Although it's been at least two decades since reading Owl in Love, this book definitely reminded me of that one by Patrice Kindl. The alternating narrators and narrators who can't be trusted kept my attention, the action and mystery moved along at a pace that held my interest, and the intertwining of characters' stories was well done.
August 12, 2012
A blurry line between reality and fantasy, both as part of the plot and in the minds of the characters. This book left me wanting more, even though the ending was perfect. And I feel I have to give props to an author who knows when to stop, and that not every intriguing book needs a sequel.
April 23, 2008
Faux-clever overwritten melodramatica with bonus INCEST!!!1!.
February 7, 2010
A very strange book. I'm having a hard time deciding whether I liked it or not. But if you're looking for something very different...
November 1, 2011
In a word: disturbing. And not in a fun chills running up and down your spine sort of way.
July 19, 2012
boring, hard-to-read format, not a very good plot.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews