Ratha and her clan are the Named, a band of intelligent wild cats whose society is based on herding deer. the Named have laws, language, traditions...
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Nov 09, 2007
Caroline
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I originally read this about 15 years ago, and it's always stuck with me as one of my favorite series ever. I'm working on re-reading them all, especially with a brand-new book in the series having just been released.
So far, they're as good as I remembered them being. The story is set sometime in pre-history (it's hard to tell at times), where a Clan of sentient big cats survive by herding their own deer for food. Ratha begins the story as a cub just learning the ways of the herder, More...
So far, they're as good as I remembered them being. The story is set sometime in pre-history (it's hard to tell at times), where a Clan of sentient big cats survive by herding their own deer for food. Ratha begins the story as a cub just learning the ways of the herder, More...
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Nov 15, 2011
Heavensent1
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Ratha's Creature is the first book in the Named series.
Ratha is a yearling herder of the Named, she is from a clan of intelligent, prehistoric wild cats who keep deer and horses. Her mentor, Thakur, believes she has great promise and also believes she would make a good mother to his cubs, however, before any of this is to occur, a fire breaks out and sends the clan scampering for protection.
During this panic, Ratha has learned how to "control" fire and her leaders More...
Ratha is a yearling herder of the Named, she is from a clan of intelligent, prehistoric wild cats who keep deer and horses. Her mentor, Thakur, believes she has great promise and also believes she would make a good mother to his cubs, however, before any of this is to occur, a fire breaks out and sends the clan scampering for protection.
During this panic, Ratha has learned how to "control" fire and her leaders More...
Jun 03, 2011
Teri
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I originally read this book, for the first time, when I was in the sixth grade (roughly 1994, I believe.) Back then, it had a different cover, though. I remember thinking "Didn't I see this as a cartoon once...?" because of the CBS Special that aired about it. In any case, I'm a big cat person, so to have found a book about talking cats that was so well-written was something that excited me beyond belief.
The way the story flows, the hardships that Ratha faces (as well as t More...
The way the story flows, the hardships that Ratha faces (as well as t More...
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Jan 03, 2009
GirlwiththeBraids
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The Named, a group of prehistoric cats, herd packs of various animals including dapplebacks and three-horns. Ratha, a yearling, was getting trained to be a herder by Thakur. But he is hiding something about the mysterious Unnamed pack. Ratha can smell it. All of the Named have been taught that the Unnamed are stupid; they don’t know how to talk. Ratha swears she heard one speak. Then the forest is devoured by the “Red Tongue”-fire. Ratha discovers that fire can be used to their advantage and not
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Jun 19, 2008
Katarina
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Despite the cheesy tag line on the back of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed rereading it (I first read this book when I was 12). The description is amazing, the characters interesting, and the idea more or less original (despite all the cat books that have been written after this book came out in 1983). If you like "Watership Down", I would highly recommend this book-- and so far my students like it!
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Jan 03, 2011
Xarah
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I first read this years ago and remembered really enjoying the series. In re-reading it, I found I didn't remember any of it, but I still really enjoyed it! I also found it to be a little more "grown-up" than I had remembered it to be, especially for being classified as a young adult.
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Dec 10, 2011
Austin
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I give this book one and a half. I started off liking this book a lot but in the end I thought it was okay. I didnt like Ratha as a main character. Thakur and Bonechewer were much better. Bell's writing is good but this book lacked story. I found it kind of found it that it dragged on and on. The book is called Ratha's Creature but the creature(Red Tounge) had nothing to do in this book. She caught the creature, got kicked out of the clan and then the creature drowned. This book also l
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Dec 05, 2011
Sparrowkeeper
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This book is now one of my all time favorites - it is an amazing story written by Clare Bell, and a story I shan't forget anytime soon. I was brought into the thrilling world of Ratha and the Named, intelligent cats living millions of years ago. By the first page I was hooked; all the characters were well developed and the plot exciting and original. Clare obviously researched to write these novels, and for that I respect her for it. She's an amazing, talented author and now one of my all time f
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Dec 05, 2011
Anna11
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I Think that this is a great book. I LOVED it! Not only has it taught me quit a bit about mountain lions it has also inspired me to want to read more books. Before I read Ratha's creature I didn't want to have anything to do with reading. I also love goodreads it is amazing i started to find many books that i would like to read. I loved the way ratha really learned to like the red tonge(fire) and used it to help her clan keep the "un-named" cats off her land.
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Oct 27, 2010
Ana
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I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book, but for some reason it called to me anyway. I had read the author's Jaguar Princess and this title was acutally recommended by LivingSocial books, so I bought a paperback copy at my local Borders. I ended up being hooked! I mostly read these kinds of books growing up, with intelligent animals, etc, and I was able to jump back into it. The story was fun and the characters where interesting. The description and details were just right (
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Sep 22, 2011
Achilles
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My wife gave this to me and I was surpised how much I liked it. It’s a young adult novel that actually covers a lot of emotional conflicts. The relationship that starts between two characters is very interesting and probably my favorite part of the novel. They never actually say the words “I love you” to each other, but you completely see their feelings illustrated in their action.
Jan 22, 2010
Dragon Eyes Loves Manga
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Ratha's Creature was apparently about cats of some kind, but in the context of the story I couldn't actually tell what kind of animal they were. It starts out talking about herding animals and a person automatically thinks of dogs, (or occasionally someone think 'Babe.')
Overall it was a good story that grew more exciting the farther I read. I'm not especially looking forward to reading the next three in the set, but this book was good enough that if I come across them in the library I wil More...
Overall it was a good story that grew more exciting the farther I read. I'm not especially looking forward to reading the next three in the set, but this book was good enough that if I come across them in the library I wil More...
Jul 12, 2009
Karen
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This is my favorite book of all time. It isn't a literary masterpeice or anything but something about it just gets to me. I found it in the Seattle Public Library on a random shelf when I was about 12 or 13 and have probably read it about 15 times since. No one has ever heard of it. It's now a series and the following books were not as good- but this one is a gem to me.
Jun 19, 2009
Ali
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I had difficulty predicting where this was going nine times out of ten, which surprised me. The scope of Ratha's character arc is immense. Loved the author's prose, and how unrelentingly harsh many of the decisions Ratha faces are. Her hot-headedness is portrayed as both a blessing and a curse. I'm definitely interested in picking up the rest of the series at some point.
Jan 03, 2012
Faith
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Did anyone else find this book disturbingly depressing? And the mating scene was a little too explicit...
POOR RATHA!!!! Everything bad that could happen happens to her!I am going to give the next book a chance - hopefully it improves on this story! If not...
This would have been a five-star book if not for that scene and being overwelmingly depressing!!!!!!!!!
POOR RATHA!!!! Everything bad that could happen happens to her!I am going to give the next book a chance - hopefully it improves on this story! If not...
This would have been a five-star book if not for that scene and being overwelmingly depressing!!!!!!!!!
Jul 09, 2011
~Megan~
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I've been on a quest to find good anthropomorphic cat books for the past while. It's funny how there's this book, which is about prehistoric cat-like creatures, is so different from the Tales of the Barque Cats series (which is about cats who inhabit spaceships). So far Warriors is still my favorite. :)
Oct 16, 2011
Kat
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I came back and gave this a three star rating, because my previous one was only 2 stars. After I finished it, I couldn't get it out of my head, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. Though gruesome and depressing, it's almost poetic in a dark, haunting way. It actually makes me want to get the second one and possibly read the whole series.
UPDATE 10-16-11: Ah, to heck with it, I'll give it a four star! *audience cheers*
UPDATE 10-16-11: Ah, to heck with it, I'll give it a four star! *audience cheers*
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Oct 30, 2008
Selena
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I often find myself rather disappointed with the main character, Ratha, and her behaviour towards others. But then, I'll keep reminding myself that she isn't human and it's just impossible for me to expect for her to act the way I expect for her to do.
It's very often that that conflict arises and I would get quite frustrated with the author. Of course, it's no one's fault but my own for being so expectant.
Now, putting that aside, this book was a fantastic read! This is More...
It's very often that that conflict arises and I would get quite frustrated with the author. Of course, it's no one's fault but my own for being so expectant.
Now, putting that aside, this book was a fantastic read! This is More...
Jun 11, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
It started out a little slow, but I got into it the more I read.
It's a story about a prehistoric cat, who as a cub, finds fire and attempts to tame it, thus exiling herself from the clan "the Named". She is forced to join the clan's enemies "the Unnamed". This fantasy chronicles her journeys throughout the wilderness and how she changes from cub to cat.
It wasn't the best animal fiction story I've ever read. Erin Hunter's Warriors Series is much better, even though More...
It's a story about a prehistoric cat, who as a cub, finds fire and attempts to tame it, thus exiling herself from the clan "the Named". She is forced to join the clan's enemies "the Unnamed". This fantasy chronicles her journeys throughout the wilderness and how she changes from cub to cat.
It wasn't the best animal fiction story I've ever read. Erin Hunter's Warriors Series is much better, even though More...
Aug 10, 2011
Kcscooby
rated it:
Very interesting. I was glued to the pages. Bell had a brilliant way of describing things so you could understand the characters in a human way but you could also understand their rules of society.
Aug 10, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
Interesting. I liked the style of writing, and the story wasn't half bad either. Nothing much seems to happen here, but hopefully the sequel won't disappoint!
Jun 07, 2011
Sheila
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Ratha's Creature is an intense, emotional roller coaster of a book. It's the coming of age story of a remarkable adolescent, but it's also a story of the eternal battle between social status quo and social change. Ratha is a remarkable character that you can't help but like in spite of her shortcomings, and teens will identify with her struggle to make sense of the world around her and find her place in it. Recommended for mature teens due to violence and adult situations.
Read my ent More...
Read my ent More...
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Jul 21, 2010
Chelsea
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My brother Brady recommended this to me to me when I was in 7th grade and I loved it. Very interesting point of view for a book.
Aug 01, 2011
PEN Center USA
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1983 PEN Center USA Award Winner for Young Adult Literature (tie)
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Jul 15, 2011
Alyson
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Interesting concept, but a little slow in reading. The Warriors books are much better and much more engaging.
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Nov 07, 2008
Patty
rated it:
As a kid, I watched the "CBS Storybreak" and ABC specials that adapted books, I first saw the animated version of this book. It wasn't until many years later that I actually found the book (and series) to read at the Library I came to work at! Like most stuff that gets adapted for t.v. or movies, the book was way better!
Sep 21, 2010
Kathryn
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Well, sis liked it, but Ratha was a very bitter character. I would have liked to see more of Thakur, he was much more interesting, and so was Bonechewer. All in all: if you like it or not depends on your personality.
Jun 20, 2011
Stephanie / seenonflickr
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Yes, this is a book about prehistoric cats who <strike>solve crime</strike> discover fire as a tool/weapon. This was OK. I think I would have liked it much better as a pre-teen or teen, which is when I read the second book in the series and loved.
Jul 03, 2008
Brett
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I read this as a kid and I really liked it. I'm definitely not going to go back and read it again though. :-)
