The Alchemist's Cat

The Deptford Histories #1

by Robin Jarvis

The year is 1664 when young Will Godwin comes to London. In order to survive, he becomes an assistant to a wicked alchemist, Elias Theophratus Spittle. On an errand one freezing night, Will finds a mother cat and her three kittens, and brings the family back to his master's lab. Among the bubbling bottles and evil smelling jars of his master's apothecary shop unfolds an extraordinary tale of villainy, sorcery, and murder. The Deptford Mice trilogy witnessed the harrowing battles between the mice of Deptford and Jupiter, lord of darkness and treacherous disguises. Now in this gripping prequel, Jupiter's secret history is revealed.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Animals, Cats, Horror

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Robin Jarvis (born May 8, 1963) is a British children's novelist, who writes fantasy novels, often about anthropomorphic rodents and small mammals—especially mice—and Tudor times. A lot of his works are based in London, in and around Deptford and Greenwich where he used to live, or in Whitby.

His first novel—The Dark Portal, featuring the popular Deptford Mice—was the runner up for the Smarties book prize in 1989.

Reviews

[X · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part alternate history (or perhaps historical fiction), part anthropomorphic animal story, and part dark fantasy. Set in 1600's London, it tells the back story of Jupiter from The Deptford Mice trilogy. While I enjoyed it very much, there were a few anthropomorphic animal inconsistencies that prevented me from giving it five stars, though I might do 4 1/2 if we could. Cats having "arms" works fine in a true anthropomorphic animal story, but when humans are more prominent in the story, it seemed a bit odd to me. Despite such minor complaints, I'm looking forward to the rest of this trilogy.

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the most bleak children's book I've ever read, but still - it's difficult to put down. It tells an important back story for Jarvis' original Deptford Mice trilogy.

It's a mix of 1600s London, with the Black Plague and Great Fire featuring heavily, with another one of Jarvis' classic supernatural thrillers as the main story.

Some people on Goodreads don't seem to be so happy with the strange mix of subplots - featuring humans and anthropomorphic animals.

But Jarvis' storytelling instinct is as keen as ever and I find the whole thing hangs together very well. I wouldn't give to any younger readers who might be sensitive about the book's themes.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love a bit of fantasy, love talking cats. Don’t like some of the nastiness and I don’t think it’s a book for children.

[Leoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had a quick look at some of these reviews, I think I must have been a very strange child. Reviewers talk about it being 'horrifically dark', while this was one of my favourite books at around the age of 11, which I read again and again (along with its sequels). As a result, it's one of those books that still conjures the feelings and imagery of a unique world, perhaps 15 years later. I am now a library manager and am disappointed that we don't seem to have any Robin Jarvis on our shelves. I am keen to address this, but am worried that I won't have the same love for these books if I was to re-read them. I also think that imagery in books is only as dark as you have the ability to imagine, so is often more of a reflection of yourself. Perhaps these books are darker than most aimed at children, or perhaps adults are having darker experiences of them because we have had darker experiences, and forget that children can handle more than we think they can and we want to preserve their innocence. I have to give this book five stars because that's how good I remember it being!

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a violent and unbelievably horrific book. Example: Will is beaten to a pulp but when Molly finds him and hugs him "tightly" he doesn't even flinch...really? The characters are so miserably pathetic I was never sure who to root for (which talking, unlikable cat will we end up with since the ones we kind of liked are dispatched to grisly deaths?) Perhaps, this will be revealed in one of the sequels I do not intend to read.

[Laura Hassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember how disturbingly dark this story was and what a good story it was

[Amélie Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book was an amazing written book!!!!

[Emily D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the worst books I've read. It was so weird! I love cats, but these cats were evil, or went through beatings and torture, and I just don't want to go through that mental experience again! I know this is supposed to be young adult fiction, but seeing the vengeful rivalry between two boy kitties, reading allusions and innuendos about cat romance, and the evil vendetta foreshadowed at the end....I just can't comprehend it all. I was just...very weirded out...

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary book. I knew it was going to be more in depth compared to the Deptford Mice Trilogy, but it was terrifying at times. It amazes me how the author has given human-like mannerisms to these animals. I would use this book to teach my students how to do that with a character of their choice and have them share their stories to the class.

[Liam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect way a prequel SHOULD be written. With hidden surprises, twists and lovely plot developments. Even if it's in a bit of bleak setting (it's okay, most of Jarvis' Deptford books are) it's still a good read.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every now and then I return to Robin Jarvis' work like somebody finding dry land after weeks at sea. I first came across the Deptford books a long while ago, somewhere in that messy early nineties period of children's literature where nothing was quite sure of itself and the era defining books had not yet been born, nor had we quite recovered from the eighties. Children's literature was in a place that it did not quite yet understand and then there was Jarvis and his wild, rich fantasy steadily burning in the dark. The Deptford books. The Whitby books. They were local, intimate, everyday wildness. The importance of having a book set in places you knew about and not just named with a mash of a keyboard. Children who went to school in schools like you. Real world stories embedded in magic.

These are brutal books and violent, too, and there will be moment that will be difficult for some readers. Yet alongside this is a powerful and deft story that rolls steadily along and pulls the reader with it every step. There's a wildly moving subplot that was all too briefly present for me (you'll know it towards the end of the book) and I'd have welcomed more of that. I love those moments when Jarvis juxtaposes the brutality of man (and animal) with a kind of raw hope and faith in what people can achieve and be. I love that.

I also love how much faith Jarvis shows in his readers. These are big, big books that cover a lot of complex and often quite adult themes, but they work because Jarvis believes in his readers. He doesn't go delicately into that good night but rather he tells you how it is for these people and it's up to you to find the good - to learn how to see them and find the spaces for hope and kindness, even in all the grotesque shadows.

As this is a prequel to The Dark Portal, I was wondering whether to recommend that you read that first or this. I think you get a lot of benefit either way but for the full kick, it would probably be The Dark Portal (and indeed, its sequels) before heading to The Alchymist's Cat (and its sequels).

And, as a final note, it's beyond time for these books to be adapted for the screen.

[Noah W · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Alchemist's cat was a good book it jumped around a lot and it was hard to understand what they were talking about and there were some spelling mistakes. 830 was the Lexile Level was, Robin Jarvis it was very hard to follow but I loved that he got a cat familiar.
I liked that they had magic and I did not like the way they treated the boy cause he didn't even have a bed or anything. Also the Alchemist was treated awfully but the boy was very nice to the cats even to the runt I was sad when the mom cat died.
In the book they would randomly see what the Alchemist doing then go back to the boy then it would be some really bad spelling. But I love magic and love animals but I am still surprised that the Alchemist let the cats live there and then treats then like trash and also he only likes Jupiter and that is his familiar but if your going to treat them like that just let them go.

[C. D. Brinker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of anthropomorphic fiction, this may be a book for you but it’s best to lower your expectations somewhat. The humans in the story are the primary characters, and the cats are somewhat secondary, although integral to the story — and though I haven’t read any of the other Deptford stories, I suppose the cats were integral to the overall series. This probably wasn’t the best book to start the series with (being a prequel), but it was the book I had. It was an easy read, though. Very descriptive passages and beautiful prose, well drawn out characters. It was fairly simplistic and predictable, but it wasn’t bad at all. I definitely plan to read more within the series.

[Snarhooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I should start with the prequels rather than the first of the Deptford Mice series but I think it might be better to do it the other way around.

I liked the historical setting and how real life events such as the plague and the Great Fire of London were worked into the story. I didn't really like any of the characters, Will and Molly were okay but underdeveloped, the cats and the alchemist were just awful. There is a lot of unpleasantness and gruesomeness in the story, some quite shocking. So, despite the writing being good, it was a bit of an effort to get through the book as I didn't like what was happening. But, I can see the gruesomeness appealing to some readers.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that sparked my love of reading. I absolutely devoured all Robin Javis's books as a child. I am sad to see that, while trying to buy a copy for my 12-year-old son, I can only buy second-hand books. Is it really out of print? I hope that is not the case as this and all the Deptford Mice series are absolutely amazing books. Yes, they are dark in places but I will forever remember the heart thumping, page turning excitement these books brought. Isn't that what books are about?

[Jess Popps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Jarvis can do no wrong, and this book is no exception.

I first read these *years* ago, after I stole them from my cousin, and both the Deptford Mice series and then the Deptford Histories helped inspire my love of creepy books for kids - which is now what I'm trying to write, so that was pretty powerful inspiration.

The vibes of this book are, to me, perfect - and I very much appreciate the opportunity to witness a villain become... villainous.

Lush, the whole thing. Love it.

[Nightshade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excessively dark and brutal I think, especially for a young audience. Although I don't believe in shielding children from darkness in literature, I don't think I would classify this as a children's book, some scenes were too graphically described. The writing is very good, engaging and something I would highly rate, but I am not sure I could actually recommend it to anyone, as I found it triggering where animal abuse and cruelty were involved. 

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who are trying to avoid human on animal violence. This is not a good book for you to read.
To elaborate would give spoilers, but if anything like that is a deal breaker for you, then don’t pick up this book.

It’s an excellent prequel and answered many questions I had about Jupiter when I read The Dark Portal as a kid.

[Jenny Bergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when I was 12. One of the few books I have read more than once. Dark story that didn't pull any punches when it came to hurting characters. The prologue makes me wonder if the father cat was Balcon god (rat) mentioned in the deptford mouse trilogy.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some pretty gruesome scenes in this story, it was not static was expecting at all.

[Maeve Lanning Stockman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf pg 85

[Jenna Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth listening to the audiobook but it wasn't really all that great and I doubt il read or listen to the others in the series.

[Angel . ink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book as a child, and I've never forgot it, even the cover will occasionally come to mind. I would say it's surprising that it's listed as a children's book though 🤔

[Jon Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest of the trilogy, and narrowest in scope, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Robin Jarvis may write the darkest and most f’d up children’s fiction ever.

[April Cridland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sad as most of the characters die. Still really good though.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Robin Jarvis fan, I dove into this book eagerly and in high anticipation of something creepy, dark, magical and engrossing. I've always been fond of the blend of horror and fantasy woven into this author's anthropomorphic tales.

The book highlights the birth and events of Jupiter's past and how the cat came to possess and know about megic. However, humans come to be the main characters of this book and in my opinion, stole the story with their woes and one character's evil deeds. For the majority of the book, the humans took center stage, and the cats, while touched on, do not feel like they are a major part of the story until later.

The books ends with the rise of Jupiter, but, tapers off from the main human's story, leaving us wondering what exactly came to be of him and why he was so important and got so much time in the story anyway if he was just going to disappear. He did play a small part in Jupiter's life and helped bring the cats to the alchemist so they could possess magical knowledge, but still. You wonder if he has anymore part to play. So much time was invested in Will's story, and he just disappears in the end with a hint of mystery from Molly, who vaguely says she'll explain where she's been all this time "later". But we don't find out later, and that's the last we see of them.

As always, Jarvis paints vivid and almost poetic pictures with the descriptions. The writing is pretty, and captures a time long passed.

In the end it was a decent read. It wasn't my favorite, but I didn't dislike it either. However, I look forward to getting up to my elbows in the story of the Oaken Throne, which I'm off to read next.

[Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twist ending was awesome. Just awesome.

Though I didn't particularly like the setting, it wasn't a bad book at all. I rather liked it. (Perhaps the lack of illustrations helped. I often find illustrations [particularly Jarvis'] distracting, because I have something else imagined and it turns out to be totally wrong.)

Somehow, when I heard that there were three kittens, and one of them was a runt, I thought the runt would turn out to be Jupiter. And then his brother was orange and named Jupiter. So I thought I was wrong. And then I was right in the end.

I also thought Spittle was Samuel Godwin. Then he was introduced as Elias Theophratus Spittle, and I revised my opinion. But then he was Samuel Godwin. I suppose my intuition merits a good listen now and then. I started out hating Jupiter, once I knew his name, because I knew he turned into an evil pimple of a rat god later. But then he started being really nice to Leech, so I was conflicted.

The plot was great. As said before, the twist ending was marvelous. I never saw it coming. (That is, I sort of subconsciously saw it.) So if you read this and get stuck in the middle somewhere, keep plowing through it. It is not worth it until the end. Everything you think about Jupiter is wrong until the end. If you don't finish, go ahead. It's your loss.

[Kat Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Alchemist's Cat, you find yourself diving straight into 1600's London, England in any iconic British fantasy's hayday, following alongside a despicably wicked alchemist and his unwillingly young assistant, Will Godwin. This book virtually covers any European-fantasy lover's itinerary, filled with the dark magic apothecary shops, anthropology, and overly developed violence in the midst between those with magic and not. Imaginably enjoyable for any young adult interested in venturing down the darker side of fantasy, perfect for starters but perhaps less shocking of a read for those who are more experienced in this genera.

[Ally Tiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago, so I'm not too fresh on details, but I know this was a good book, slow at parts, and it was unlike other cat books.
Like other cat books there meant for kids. But, this is YA (young adult), it's interesting, and its hard to pick the cat or character you like best because theres all something that is similar to you. (for me anyways..)

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1600 England, a The Alchymist's Cat is the story behind the rise of Jupiter from the Deptford Mice Trilogy. It combines both anthropomorphic and human characters. Personally, although it was reasonably well written, I did not find any of the characters believable or appealing. There were too many minor inconsistencies.