The Wild Road by Gabriel King Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wild Road
Book Review: A book you CAN put down
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is, well... all I can say is FLAT. The plot is too hyped up, the characters flatter than a pancake (and just as interesting as one), and the whole thing just monotonous beyond belief. I love fantasies AND cats, and thought this would be a good one, but... well, I have to admit I put it aside many a time to re-read other novels of mine. This was ONE SLOW READ.Book Review: A lively and energetic book!
Summary: 4 Stars
Very good book! Starts off a little slow, but quickly builds in action. Meet Tag, the star of the book and the little kitten chosen to protect the Queen of Cats. His job is to make sure the evil Alchemist doesn't get her or her kittens to carry out his plan to rule the world. This book is filled w/adventure, romance, and laughter. Enter Tag's world, meet new and interesting friends, adventure on the quest for the Golden Cat, and see why Tag is the 'Chosen One.' A 'Watership Down' for cats, this book is not to be beat!Book Review: A personal favorite, but not for everyone.
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading some of the reviews on this page, I felt compelled to write one myself. I own the Wild Road as well as the Golden Cat, and read both when I was still a young student in highschool. I enjoyed the Wild Road especially but found the plot a tad convoluted and confusing, both due to the author's writing style, and the puzzling and fantastical qualities of the subject matter in general. Upon reading it at a later date a second time, I was able to appreciate it much more thoroughly, picking up on subtle nuances in the writing that made it a much more understandable read; it has since become among my favorite books.
However, it is not to be mistaken as kin to Tailchaser's Song, Watership Down, The Sight, or other animal epics; if you expect to read a book of those sorts, you will probably be dissapointed. The Wild Road and The Golden Cat alike are first fantasty, and secondly animal epic; you must be open to some extremely outlandish concepts traditionally only found in the realm of fantasy and sci-fi novels to enjoy this book. It deviates vastly from the very natural, organic approach most animal epics take, delving deep into the mysticism and allegory that are usually only found as small underlying currents in the genre.
Furthermore, the author of this book was clearly an animal welfarist (or even animal rights activist), as evinced be re-occuring motif of man's cruelty. Starving strays, tortured victims of vivisection, and similar themes dominate both books. This may be difficult for sensitive animal lovers and irritating to those who will percieve this as "PETA propoganda." I personally think that the element of graphic violence brutality gave the book more weight, but many found it gratuitous or offensive.
In short, this book is a fantastic read if you can keep an open mind and enjoy it for the writing and particularly the fantastic characters, but if any of the above comments have made you think twice, trust you SECOND instinct and pass it by. It is certainly not a book for everyone.
Book Review: A refreshing look at an old story
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard of this book. Admittably, I am a huge cat lover, however I am first and foremost a lover of SF, so this fantasy-like novel turned me off when I first read the blurb. But, as I gradually grew more open to the world of fantasy literature, I decided to take the plunge. I've not regretted it. This novel begins with a look at a playful lifestyle, full of joy and excitement. But the real adventure doesn't begin until Tag leaves the warm comforts of his home to face the wild world - and the Wild Roads. The images of a young cat barely surviving in the cold, harsh English winter, are, for many, myself included, quite disturbing, as are the later scenes with the Alchemist's evil creations. Unfortuantely, it is exactly these graphic depictions that lend the book its stark realism, and uncompromising believability. Of course, that realism is slightly weakend due to the author's (or authors', actually; Gabriel King is actually a pseudonym for a team of two writers, living in London and the USA, as is revealed on the official website) somewhat discordant narrative style. It's readable, once you get used to it, and help immerse one in the atmosphere, but it can be a bit jarring. Also, I felt the entire mystery of the Wild Roads was poorly integrated into the narrative, leaving one to scratch ones head about what the Highways are exactly, and how they came to be, at what significance they have to both animal and human life. And, lastly, I felt the characters of Ragnar and Pertelot were poorly presented at the beginning of the novel, though they improved as the story developed. (I'll not even mention what a happy little coincidence it was they just *happened* to be at Tintagel court). All in all, though, after a rocky start, this story blossoms into one of the most ambitious novels I've read in a long time, full of loveable characters ("Call yourself a cat?"), powerful villans, a magic as old as the world itself, and a climactic ending that will leave you trembling. If you are a lover of a good fantasy story (and having a passing familiarity with cats helps, too, but is not prerequisite), I feel you'll enjoy this story.Book Review: CY RULES!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
I LOVEthis book! The only thing I don't like is they make fun of dogs too much and I love dogs. My favorite charachters are Cy, Loves A Dustbin, and One For Sorrow. I love Cy! ::giggles:: She's actually a whole lot like me.=)I'm hyper and high-strung and weird, but I don't got a spark plug in my head(thank goodness) I think anyone who loves animals should read this book. I can't wait for the sequal! "Kings and queens and jumping beans; Nothings ever what it seems!"