Wickedly brilliant

Adults and children will enjoy this simple retelling

A wonderfully original creation: a fearless feline with a gift for whizzy martial arts . . . grippingly vivid . . . Dave McKean's scratchy, lean drawings perfectly capture Said's dark narrative

It's refreshing to enter a world of cats. And not just any old cats, but the rich collection of heroes and villains in the world of Varjak Paw . . . The Outlaw Varjak Paw is another swift, compelling tale. And Varjak is an appealing and believable hero

The bleakness of the story is magnified by Dave McKean's brilliant illustrations. The combination of his blood-spattered paintings and Said's staccato descriptions lends the fight scenes an almost balletic quality . . . The world inhabited by these emaciated cats becomes engrossing, while the emotional ambiguities offer plenty for adults to think about

Great new characters and some cracking fight scenes. Unputdownable

Said writes with an elegance and clarity that will appeal to readers keen to get their teeth into more substantial fare

This is a book with true crossover appeal. Buy it for the kids, then enjoy it yourself - even the stylish cover won't give you away . . . with simple but stunning illustrations from Neil Gaiman collaborator Dave McKean, Said tells his story in spare, elegant prose that maintains its tension without playing on all too obvious sentimental tricks. Dark and wonderful

The first Varjak Paw book was brilliant and the follow up is just as good . . . once again features the fantastic drawings of Dave McKean . . . a real Christmas treat for readers aged eight to 12

Said's latest creation is not one to be forgotten easily. This rich and colourful portrayal of a cat's struggle for power effortlessly combines shimmering imagery and visual delicacies, alongside a compelling tale of loyalty, darkness and the truth behind what is right and what is wrong . . . The powerful combination of mystical artwork and stylish narration will have every parent fighting over whose turn it is to read to the kids next

Utterly gripping, with graphic fight scenes, sensitive characterisation, fabulous dream-like sequences and a thrilling plot . . . McKean's scratchy, angular style is the perfect complement to Said's descriptions

S F Said has continued his story with consummate skill . . . This is an excellent novel on the themes of bullying, friendship and loyalty, which are thoughtfully depicted to skilfully produce an excellent read

Dave McKean's edgy illustrations provide the perfect foil for this elegant and imaginative read

Dramatically emphasised though the illustrations by David McKean; illustrations that are not mere decoration but are integral part of each page, adding an exciting visual dimension to the text

A little more dark and threatening in tone than the first book. Dave McKean's stark illustrations add to the atmosphere . . . a fine example of the many excellent new books aimed at teenage readers, it deserves to be read

Everything that made the original so entertaining is still here. From thrilling action sequences to deeper reflection on self-discovery and freedom, and the evils of bullying and cruelty, there is never a dull moment . . . Said's introduction of cats to the martial arts genre is a unique and interesting premise . . . a great read

The seemingly simple storyline is amazingly engrossing, with graphic fight scenes, sensitive characterisation and evocative, dreamlike sequences. The book is beautifully presented and the scratchy illustrations blend well with the words and move the story along

Great for both girls and boys . . . I loved the plot and the illustrations were interesting and spooky

Enthralling...This beautifully written story will keep readers enchanted until the very last page.

When fairytales grow up the are often rebranded fantasy, a genre that readers tend to love or hate. I picked up this novel on the strength of having been previously impressed by Red Spikes, a collection of the author's short stories. Margo Lanagan can inhabit an unusual character, see the world from their point of view and transfer that to the page. The Brides of Rollrock Island relates to selkie myths which have often been retold, but Margo Lanagan makes them her own by treating her characters as individuals, rather than types. She particularly considers the motivation of the witch Misskaella who can call beautiful, biddable women from the bodies of seals and uses this power to destroy a community that has shunned her. As the book moves through its different sections, time passes and we trace the effects on Rollrock Island from the point of view of different characters. As Margo Lanagan is completely inside her characters' experiences, information is slowly revealed and sometimes needs unravelling, a strength in the writing but one which may prove challenging. A brilliant novel that draws you in to its particular world and holds you spellbound.

Readers will find themselves beguiled by Lanagan’s deliciously unsettling and haunting prose

Bracing, powerful, resonant

This book is utterly enchanting, the dark atmosphere adding to the tension within the narrative. A brilliantly written story that I highly recommend.