... 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
Young she-cat Ratha rebels against the clan leader and dares to bring change to a developing civilization of sentient prehistoric cats.
This is a page-turner—full of suspense and action—that will be enthusiastically welcomed by Ratha’s admirers.
—Booklist
When Ratha admits an Un-Named stranger to the clan, he brings a change as great as Ratha’s taming of fire. Does the orange-eyed newcomer understand the power of Ratha’s fire-creature—and the hearts of her people—better than she does? Worship and control of fire may strengthen the Named and expand their domain, yet subjugation to the Red Tongue’s tyranny threatens to diminish them. The herding teacher, Thakur, offers a gentler alternative, but dare Ratha try it? Her choice will determine the future of the clan—and her own place in it.
This is a page-turner—full of suspense and action—that will be enthusiastically welcomed by Ratha’s admirers.
—Booklist
When Ratha admits an Un-Named stranger to the clan, he brings a change as great as Ratha’s taming of fire. Does the orange-eyed newcomer understand the power of Ratha's fire-creature—and the hearts of her people—better than she does? Worship and control of fire may strengthen the Named and expand their domain, yet subjugation to the Red Tongue's tyranny threatens to diminish them. The herding teacher, Thakur, offers a gentler alternative, but dare Ratha try it? Her choice determines the future of her leadership and the clan's survival.
Among the joys of this series are the well-observed feline protagonists who chew at fleas and sense first with their noses, all the while observing their primitive world with acuity and catlike humor. Skilled 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.
Readers will find enough suspense, adventure, and even romance to satisfy them.
—Booklist
As Ratha struggles to reconcile with Thistle-chaser, the daughter she once tried to kill, the Named are locked in another struggle when they confront a strange clan of hunter cats who are driven by and completely dependent on the telepathic song of their leader, True-of-voice. When an accident leaves True-of-voice on the brink of death, Ratha must choose whether to destroy or to save the hunters. It is her daughter who has the knowledge to show Ratha the way.
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.
