Review of Hunters

Leia Temple · Post by **Leia Temple** » 30 Jun 2024, 17:23

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hunters" by Athena Luo.]

5 out of 5 stars

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"Hunters: Fire and Water" by Athena Luo follows the story of a family of highly intelligent leopard-cats and the challenges they face in their environment. This book explores themes of family and survival, with Smoke, Mist, and their four children as key characters in the turmoil.

Leopard-cats were the result of human efforts to rebalance the ecosystem; however, the cats gained intelligence through the injections instead. This was the premise behind the world-building that followed. I loved the subtle analysis of how the leopard-cat population faced existential challenges from the Two-Paws. At first, I was confused by who or what the Two-Paws were, but after a few chapters, it became rather evident. The language used in this book brilliantly reflected the mind of a cat, especially in how they view and interact with their surroundings and foes. Smoke's firsthand account of the Two-Paws' cities highlighted the disparity between the species, while Cloud's curiosity truly underscored the animals' struggle with the unknown. The cats' discussions about resisting the Two-Paws also demonstrated how intricate the world-building was.

Additionally, the plot development was very well-paced. The development of Mist's and Smoke's kits was smooth and believable. These young characters grew from playful kittens into resourceful warriors. Their occasional squabbles and silent exchanges using their tails, whiskers, and ears lent an authentic charm to their society. I was also thoroughly impressed by the code of rules followed by the various cat groups. They all had characteristics and behaviors that were unique to them. The character that stood out most to me in this regard was Leaf. Despite being blind, Leaf overcame the limitations that the other cats expected of him and played a pivotal role in the story.

I found "Hunters: Fire and Water" by Athena Luo deserving of 5 out of 5 stars. I had no criticisms for this book, nor was there anything I particularly disliked in the narrative. Furthermore, I only identified one minor grammatical error in the otherwise well-edited prose. Naturally, as a book geared towards younger audiences, it contained no profanity or explicit content.

"Hunters: Fire and Water" will no doubt provide valuable life lessons about unity and family for children. It stands out by incorporating action and adventure into its narrative. Importantly, Athena Luo doesn't trivialize the young leopard-cats' coming-of-age journey.

******
Hunters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 22 Oct 2024, 22:52

Leia Temple wrote: ↑30 Jun 2024, 17:23 [Following is a volunteer review of "Hunters" by Athena Luo.]

5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review

"Hunters: Fire and Water" by Athena Luo follows the story of a family of highly intelligent leopard-cats and the challenges they face in their environment. This book explores themes of family and survival, with Smoke, Mist, and their four children as key characters in the turmoil.

Leopard-cats were the result of human efforts to rebalance the ecosystem; however, the cats gained intelligence through the injections instead. This was the premise behind the world-building that followed. I loved the subtle analysis of how the leopard-cat population faced existential challenges from the Two-Paws. At first, I was confused by who or what the Two-Paws were, but after a few chapters, it became rather evident. The language used in this book brilliantly reflected the mind of a cat, especially in how they view and interact with their surroundings and foes. Smoke's firsthand account of the Two-Paws' cities highlighted the disparity between the species, while Cloud's curiosity truly underscored the animals' struggle with the unknown. The cats' discussions about resisting the Two-Paws also demonstrated how intricate the world-building was.

Additionally, the plot development was very well-paced. The development of Mist's and Smoke's kits was smooth and believable. These young characters grew from playful kittens into resourceful warriors. Their occasional squabbles and silent exchanges using their tails, whiskers, and ears lent an authentic charm to their society. I was also thoroughly impressed by the code of rules followed by the various cat groups. They all had characteristics and behaviors that were unique to them. The character that stood out most to me in this regard was Leaf. Despite being blind, Leaf overcame the limitations that the other cats expected of him and played a pivotal role in the story.

I found "Hunters: Fire and Water" by Athena Luo deserving of 5 out of 5 stars. I had no criticisms for this book, nor was there anything I particularly disliked in the narrative. Furthermore, I only identified one minor grammatical error in the otherwise well-edited prose. Naturally, as a book geared towards younger audiences, it contained no profanity or explicit content.

"Hunters: Fire and Water" will no doubt provide valuable life lessons about unity and family for children. It stands out by incorporating action and adventure into its narrative. Importantly, Athena Luo doesn't trivialize the young leopard-cats' coming-of-age journey.

******
Hunters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

As a dog owner, I have always been mystified by how cats act and wondered how they think. They certainly are amazing creatures and are so different from dogs. Athena Luo must be a cat owner. This author has written a children's book that I should read. I will learn how cats operate. The lessons about unity and family will benefit children and their families. Congratulations to the author for penning a truly unique book.