Review of Dark Clowder Cats
Posted: 10 Dec 2023, 13:13
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dark Clowder Cats" by Ruby Knight.]
"At the heart of every storm, there is stillness ... There is never one without the other." (Dark Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight, p.50)
I doubt anyone welcomes adversity and mistakes, yet they often provide the best opportunities to learn and grow. At any rate, routine lesson learning isn't easy for a young cat named Storm who is struggling to focus on the rudiments of her warrior training. For Storm is no pet cat (nor a mangy stray), but a member of a "clowder" living as a group in the wild. Her home, High Clowder, is run on principles of cooperation, order and balance with nature. It's way ahead of the usual feral way of life where cats walk alone and the strong prevail: it's a veritable feline utopia. This is in stark contrast to the notorious Dark Clowder that gives this fantasy novel its title - Dark Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight.
Yet Storm may be too coddled by her home and status as the clowder leader's daughter as she fails to discipline herself again and again. Things get even more tumultuous when a new cadet arrives with warrior skills that make Storm furious with envy. She wonders how he learned to be so still (he is even named Still) and there's something familiar about him that she can't quite put her paw on. It turns out that a rival for Storm's classmates' attention is just the start of troubles that put all the cats to the test.
This novel's premise of a cat society was brilliant. I loved the spiritual messages inherent in the warrior rules - the daily drill was meditative. The clowder has a rich spiritual life, receiving guidance from its sacred Stone. I grieved with the cats as hard times hit the clowder, yet was thrilled to see them learn and grow. There is something so satisfying about seeing hard-earned discipline like warrior training being applied to real-life challenges, and about seeing characters struggle to stay true to their morals when survival is threatened.
Of course, the cats were strictly speaking anthropomorphic, but they convinced on the page as felines with their rolling play, stalking and scavenging. However, the world-building slipped a little at times. I would have liked to see the author go further in immersing us in the lives of real cats. For example, Still says to Storm, 'Surely, that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black!' (p.88). These cats are described as feeding on prey; they don't have pots and kettles. While this may be an "English translation" of a feline expression, I'd have loved to hear more cat-centred proverbs. Otherwise, the characters start to feel too much like people. Another example where this happens is a training exercise where the kits are to blindfold themselves by sticking leaves over their eyes with sap. Such details were beautifully imagined, but I'm pretty sure that would be tricky without opposable thumbs!
Alongside some slight lapses in the world-building, the novel lacked tension at times when situations were resolved a little too quickly. Although I loved the explorations of the principles of staying virtuous in the face of threats and transforming mistakes into learning and growth, the characters were sometimes too self-aware. I would have appreciated the lessons learned being "shown" rather than "told". These minor shortcomings led me to deduct one star from my rating, resulting in a still-high rating of four out of five stars, earned through a fabulous premise, relatable characters who grew through their struggles and awe-inspiring spiritual dimensions.
The spiritual content is Zen-like, but this is not a religious book and could appeal to those of all religions or none. As I say, I did find the resolution of some problems a little hurried, but this did make for a quick read, which can be a boon. My younger self would have thrived on this inspiration to keep on trying whenever you fail: this book is highly recommended to young adults. My current self loved that too, as well as the reflections on leadership, which came at just the right time for me - everything happens for a reason! I look forward to reading more about the wonderful world of the clowders.
******
Dark Clowder Cats
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
"At the heart of every storm, there is stillness ... There is never one without the other." (Dark Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight, p.50)
I doubt anyone welcomes adversity and mistakes, yet they often provide the best opportunities to learn and grow. At any rate, routine lesson learning isn't easy for a young cat named Storm who is struggling to focus on the rudiments of her warrior training. For Storm is no pet cat (nor a mangy stray), but a member of a "clowder" living as a group in the wild. Her home, High Clowder, is run on principles of cooperation, order and balance with nature. It's way ahead of the usual feral way of life where cats walk alone and the strong prevail: it's a veritable feline utopia. This is in stark contrast to the notorious Dark Clowder that gives this fantasy novel its title - Dark Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight.
Yet Storm may be too coddled by her home and status as the clowder leader's daughter as she fails to discipline herself again and again. Things get even more tumultuous when a new cadet arrives with warrior skills that make Storm furious with envy. She wonders how he learned to be so still (he is even named Still) and there's something familiar about him that she can't quite put her paw on. It turns out that a rival for Storm's classmates' attention is just the start of troubles that put all the cats to the test.
This novel's premise of a cat society was brilliant. I loved the spiritual messages inherent in the warrior rules - the daily drill was meditative. The clowder has a rich spiritual life, receiving guidance from its sacred Stone. I grieved with the cats as hard times hit the clowder, yet was thrilled to see them learn and grow. There is something so satisfying about seeing hard-earned discipline like warrior training being applied to real-life challenges, and about seeing characters struggle to stay true to their morals when survival is threatened.
Of course, the cats were strictly speaking anthropomorphic, but they convinced on the page as felines with their rolling play, stalking and scavenging. However, the world-building slipped a little at times. I would have liked to see the author go further in immersing us in the lives of real cats. For example, Still says to Storm, 'Surely, that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black!' (p.88). These cats are described as feeding on prey; they don't have pots and kettles. While this may be an "English translation" of a feline expression, I'd have loved to hear more cat-centred proverbs. Otherwise, the characters start to feel too much like people. Another example where this happens is a training exercise where the kits are to blindfold themselves by sticking leaves over their eyes with sap. Such details were beautifully imagined, but I'm pretty sure that would be tricky without opposable thumbs!
Alongside some slight lapses in the world-building, the novel lacked tension at times when situations were resolved a little too quickly. Although I loved the explorations of the principles of staying virtuous in the face of threats and transforming mistakes into learning and growth, the characters were sometimes too self-aware. I would have appreciated the lessons learned being "shown" rather than "told". These minor shortcomings led me to deduct one star from my rating, resulting in a still-high rating of four out of five stars, earned through a fabulous premise, relatable characters who grew through their struggles and awe-inspiring spiritual dimensions.
The spiritual content is Zen-like, but this is not a religious book and could appeal to those of all religions or none. As I say, I did find the resolution of some problems a little hurried, but this did make for a quick read, which can be a boon. My younger self would have thrived on this inspiration to keep on trying whenever you fail: this book is highly recommended to young adults. My current self loved that too, as well as the reflections on leadership, which came at just the right time for me - everything happens for a reason! I look forward to reading more about the wonderful world of the clowders.
******
Dark Clowder Cats
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Your description immediately had me thinking of how easy it would be for me to forget this was about cats...and then your comments on the world-building had me shaking my head yes! I could absolutely see that. Your feedback about the cat-centered proverbs is on point, that would be such a creative stroke in this work. What was it in the book about leadership that struck you the most?! I'm super curious! Love, loved, loved, this review! Until next time...
