Ratha's Courage
The Fifth Book of the Named
by Clare Bell
Named series news: Imaginator Press has acquired the rights to Clan Ground, Ratha and Thistle-Chaser, and Ratha's Challenge, and will be publishing new trade paperback editions of these books with all new artwork. We're working to get these books back into print as quickly as possible. Stay tuned for more information!
Ratha's Courage a Written Art Awards finalist! On September 1, 2009, RebeccasReads.com announced the finalists for their Written Art Awards, and Ratha's Courage is a finalist in the Fantasy/Science Fiction category! Winners will be announced on October 1. You can see the list of finalists here. RebeccasReads.com reviewed Ratha's Courage here.
New review: TeensReadToo reviewed Ratha's Courage on May 6, 2009.
More great news! The final nominees for the Ursa Major awards were announced, and Ratha's Courage is one of them! The Ursa Major awards are awarded for excellence in the anthropomorphic arts (non-human characters with some human characteristics). For each category, the top five works that received the most nominations made the final list, so a big thank you to everyone who nominated Ratha's Courage and helped it make the list. Click here to see all nominees!
Great news! Ratha's Courage is a finalist in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards in the science fiction category! Foreword Magazine covers independent publishers, and their awards are one of the big awards for independent publishers. Winners will be announced at BookExpoAmerica on May 29. View and search Book of the Year finalists.
Ratha's Courage is the fifth book of the Named series; the first four books were published in the 80s and 90s and this is the first new book in the series in 14 years. The series was praised by reviewers and awards committees; the first book, Ratha's Creature, garnered a Booklist starred review, an IRA award, a PEN award, and a Locus award nomination, and three of the books in the series made the Best Books for Young People list.
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 independentminded
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.
With rich sensory description, well-developed characters,
and intense conflict, both internal and external, this
new novel returns to the strengths of the first book in the
series, Ratha's Creature. The story envelops the reader in
the mind of a big cat, looking out through her eyes while
discovering her world.
Reviews
"The narrative oscillates between deep description, world building - an
amazing array of visuals, smells, and kinesthetic responses - and
action, with some ruminative passages providing background. The
characterization is successfully realized, rich in nuance, and alive with individual quirks and humor."
—VOYA
The characters are intriguing and model characteristics of caring, strength, independence and courage. Clare Bell is a master plot weaver and carries the tale forward at a pace that draws the reader in and carries them along. This book is recommended for all fantasy readers, and would also be attractive to young adult readers.
—Sandie Kirkland for RebeccasReads.com. Read the entire review
"This is a series that should be read by every fantasy lover, especially animal lovers. I cannot recommend them enough. Each character is painted with stunning reality and each conflict wretches your heart."
—Aye Captain Read the entire review
"I wish there was another volume for me to read right now cause I could really enjoy spending more time in Ratha's world."
—Cloudscome, a wrung sponge Read the entire review
"An unexpectedly poignant adventure in the lives of the Named..."
—TadMack, Readers' Rants Read the entire review
"After a few doubts about sharing a story with sentient cats, I found myself swept into Ratha's world. I hadn't read any of the previous books, but this was not an issue. The cats became real characters in my mind, and their problems were gripping."
—Charlotte's Library Read the entire review
"Bell writes an interesting story that takes the reader into another world where cats rule and try to become more
civilized. ...This book is an
excellent addition to THE NAMED series."
—Steph at TeensReadToo Read the entire review
Clare Bell web site
Ratha and the Named forums
Ratha's Courage
The Fifth Book of the Named
by Clare Bell
Imaginator Press
ISBN: 978-0-9745603-6-6
Classification: Young Adult Fantasy
Ages: 14 and up
Publication date: October 7, 2008
Trade paperback / 384 pages / $12.95
Trim: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Awards for the Named series
- IRA Award, 1984 (Ratha's Creature)
- PEN Center USA Award, 1983 (Ratha's Creature)
- Locus award nomination, 1983 (Ratha's Creature)
- ALA Best Books for Young People, (Ratha's Creature,
Clan Ground, and Ratha and Thistle-Chaser)
- Booklist Starred Review (Ratha's Creature)
Praise for Clare Bell
"... the setting is richly realized, characters have vitality and credibility
both as felines and as intelligent beings, and the theme of rebellion cum
advancement is brilliantly developed, making this a powerful, moving,
and memorable story that will draw readers right in and hold them to
the final page."
—Booklist, March 15, 1983, Starred Review (Ratha's Creature)
"Powerfully written, the reader is immediately enveloped in a vividly
recreated past world that could have easily be happening now or in the
future.... Despite the turbulence of life around her, Ratha is portrayed
with such sensitivity that her very fears, thoughts, frustrations and
anxieties are humanly comprehensible."
—Language Arts, Vol. 60 No.7 Oct 1983 (Ratha's Creature)
"Readers of fantasy who demand excellent craftsmanship, complex
characters, a compelling plot, and fresh insights into family and society
will be more than satisfied with this powerful novel."
—School Library Journal (Ratha and Thistle-Chaser)
About the Author
Clare Bell is a scientist, engineer, and author whose work has taken her to Norway to build electric cars, to Tahiti for research, to Marine World/Africa USA to meet a cheetah, and into the depths of prehistory to develop the Ratha series. She is the author of four other books about Ratha and the Named: Ratha's Creature, Clan Ground, Ratha and Thistle-Chaser (all of which were ALA Best Books for Young Adults), and Ratha's Challenge. Bell and her husband live in the hills west of Patterson, California, where they have their own solar and wind systems.
Large Print Editions
Ratha's Courage is now available in large print in five different sizes. To find out more information about the formats, download samples, or order from ReadHowYouWant, see their web site here. Find Information for libraries here, or email library@readhowyouwant.com
ReadHowYouWant titles can also be ordered in Braille and Daisy formats. More information on their Braille and Daisy formats can be found here.
The Large Print editions can also be purchased from Amazon.com:
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