Review by chiefsimplex -- Cat Detectives in the Korean P...

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 26 Mar 2019, 14:13

[Following is a volunteer review of "Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula" by R.F. Kristi.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula: Diary of a Snoopy Cat, The Inca Cat Detective Series: Book 8 is a children's novel by R.F Kristi. The story focus on several themes including love, adventure, sacrifice and determination.

It is in the midst of a ceasefire between North and South Korea. As part of the peace building initiatives, the two parties have organised a cooking competition. Inca, a detective cat and her feline friends accompany Solo and Missy (their human companions) to the event. Through their exquisite crime detection skills, Inca and company have solved many difficult cases before. As they learn of the upcoming event, they are ecstatic, imagining the wide range of possibilities awaiting them on this particular journey. In the course of events, they find themselves in a tricky predicament. Solo has to extract a cat-Bo Mi from across the tightly secured border. The cats consider this a too risky endeavour; they decide to intervene immediately.

The simplicity in this story is captivating. While the author deals with such complex themes as peace building, she graciously dilutes them with humour to cater for a young audience. In addition, the story has appropriate pictorial illustrations, which remarkably simplify the plot.

The characterization is superb. In a hilarious manner, the author personifies the cats. She manages to establish an impeccable balance between the human and animal traits such that the young reader could easily relate. Inca and her friends possess acute curiosity and a ridiculous sense of self-importance. However, they like to assume some dignified aspect of professionalism.

Within this narrative, I noticed a distorted perception of relationships. The distortion appears to be deliberate and apparently functional in understanding the world from a supposedly cat-perspective. Through the plot, Inca and her feline friends honestly believe that they own Solo and Missy and apparently, they misunderstand the relationship between the two. In the same manner, Bo Mi also believes that she owns Ji. I therefore understood that accuracy on the matter of relations carries little significance to the key themes delivery.

The author's prudence in tension-relief alternation is impressive. The sustenance of tension is optimal. That is, enough to pique the reader's curiosity, but not excessive as to cause frustration. Also notable, is the fine balance between the need to entertain and to impart practical lessons and information to the reader. While the story is largely fictional, I noticed some historical facts such as creation of the Demilitarized zone in 1953 as well as the North-South Korea peace building talks. I did not find any error .I therefore give the read a 4 out of 4 score and recommend it to young children in the pre-teen stage.

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Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
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Aniza Butt · Post by **Aniza Butt** » 01 Apr 2019, 12:21

I am not a teenager but still love children books and this one seems great. Would love to read it. Thanks for the review chiefsimplex

Delaney35 · Post by **Delaney35** » 01 Apr 2019, 13:31

This is such a cute premise and the artwork is amazing. Excellent review!

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 01 Apr 2019, 15:54

Anna Bellle wrote: ↑01 Apr 2019, 12:21 I am not a teenager but still love children books and this one seems great. Would love to read it. Thanks for the review chiefsimplex

I really enjoyed reading this one and the humor is great.Thanks for stopping by.

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 01 Apr 2019, 15:55

Delaney35 wrote: ↑01 Apr 2019, 13:31 This is such a cute premise and the artwork is amazing. Excellent review!

Absolutely ,thanks for commenting.

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 02 Apr 2019, 09:41

This sounds like a fun and informative read for children - I think both of these aspects are equally important when looking for a good children's book. Thanks for the detailed review!

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 02 Apr 2019, 14:03

Solving a mystery and crossing the demilitarized zone, all with a feline twist? Sounds interesting! Thanks for a great review.

nooregano · Post by **nooregano** » 03 Apr 2019, 11:38

Aw, I've been seeing this one on my review options for a while now. To be honest, I wasn't sure if this was a children's book that would be trying to tackle to many moral themes at once. But I'm glad I read your review and you liked it so much. I'll definitely check it out!

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 03 Apr 2019, 13:44

gen_g wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 09:41 This sounds like a fun and informative read for children - I think both of these aspects are equally important when looking for a good children's book. Thanks for the detailed review!

indeed,i was impressed. The author's audience targeting was just precise.Thanks for your comment.

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 03 Apr 2019, 13:50

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 14:03 Solving a mystery and crossing the demilitarized zone, all with a feline twist? Sounds interesting! Thanks for a great review.

The detective team was a hilarious bunch.Cats are naturally known to be detached ,the way they were portrayed in this tale is interesting.Thanks for commenting.

chiefsimplex · Post by **chiefsimplex** » 03 Apr 2019, 13:54

nooregano wrote: ↑03 Apr 2019, 11:38 Aw, I've been seeing this one on my review options for a while now. To be honest, I wasn't sure if this was a children's book that would be trying to tackle to many moral themes at once. But I'm glad I read your review and you liked it so much. I'll definitely check it out!

At first,i was not so keen myself.I was not so sure if i would enjoy reading a children's book.I did not regret.Thanks for stopping by.

Jaime Lync · Post by **Jaime Lync** » 05 Apr 2019, 21:21

Great review. I am interested in the info given about Korea in general and the talk about peace is also intriguing. Thanks for the review.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 06 Apr 2019, 03:12

Thanks for the enthralling and well-written review. The author was indeed able to balance between entertainment and also imparting practical lessons. I also read the book and rated it 4 out of 4 stars.

Charlyn Tuzon · Post by **Charlyn Tuzon** » 06 Apr 2019, 04:27

I'm about to read this book. Good to know that it's a captivating story. Thanks for the review.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 06 Apr 2019, 08:12

This book has not been on my list of books to choose from, but if it shows up, I will select it. I am curious to see how the relationship between North and South Korea is handled. Perhaps a copy should be sent to the leaders of both countries to see how to negotiate.