Under the cat's eye

by Gillian Rubinstein

Jai and his friends at boarding school join forces with shape-shifters in their attempt to defeat the fiendish headmaster who steals the souls and futures of the students.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade, Novels, Mystery

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillian_...

Also works under the pen name Lian Hearn

Reviews

[Dandelionsteph · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off slowly. The writing and occasionally the events depicted within were disjointed, surreal, dreamlike, and occasionally faux-meaningful.

The premise itself was unique. I especially liked the twist that the protagonist wasn't the important and magical one.

The experience of reading this book brings to mind what little I read of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising, as well as E.Nesbit's The Book of Dragons.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really deserves more attension.
I've read it countless times since I got it back in elemtary school and i'll be finishing high school soon...

It has a nice plot and likeable characters, plus a cat that talks and even a dog if i remember correctly.

you should try it, it's a quick and pleasant read.

[Tona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read when I was a wee lad, good enough

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last of her children/young adult books I've read, and it might be one of her best.
She likes to weld the natural world and technology, and she likes to make the ordinary and mundane turn to the extraordinary and macabre.
And I'm here for it.

I didn't used to be big on the shapeshifting type of books but getting older and seeing them as an allegory for transition periods is peaceful.

[Dee Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book when I was younger and I am happy to say I still have the hard copy. Great read

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird book 10/10 would trip on again

[Sarah Sherrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always love this book. I still remember picking it up in 5th grade at the school library and falling head over heals for this world that had been created and even 17 years later, I find myself enraptured by this story. I am so glad to have found another copy of it. Fantastic book!

[Jenn]

oh my gosh I remember being OBSESSED with this book when I was in elementary school and I've been looking for it for YEARS because I couldn't remember what it was called! Definitely time for a re-read, over 15 years later!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery that takes you into parallel worlds, however briefly. An interesting contrast between what is probably a representation of our world, and one that is not quite the same as ours, but which we think is ours at the beginning.

[Amy Cornwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the ideas in this book and the imagery, some of it still sticks with me after all these years. I found it an interesting read.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this in 6th grade and loved reading it again over 20 yrs later! Very sweet and cleverly written with a good amount of spook and fantasy. I think it'd make an incredible mini series .

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Maggi Reedel]

hometown bookshelf reread #6
a favorite of mine as a kid. it’s amazing in hindsight how simplistic it is, how obvious the twists were, but I enjoyed in greatly all the same. what matters is I never saw it coming as a kid, time and time again

[Isabella Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book- I would highly recommend it to parents who are encouraging their children to begin reading novels. I read this book for the first time when I was ten, and adored it. Reading Under The Cat's Eye was a pivotal moment- I moved away from short stories and developed a love for long, engrossing novels. The story is entertaining, action-packed and suspenseful without being too scary for youngsters. A delightful book which you will find yourself (or your children) coming back to time after time.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the first time when I was between 8 and 10 years old and loved it. I just read it again at 27 years old and still enjoyed it. I will say that the first half of the book was very slow and focused a bit too much on foreshadowing, but it eventually led to a very fast-paced and satisfying conclusion. I can see why this appealed to me as a kid; there were talking animals, shapeshifters, alternate dimesions, and some clever plot twists.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reads quickly, but a bit predictable. Rubinstein gives all the characters believable quirks, like how Jai does math problems in his head to calm himself down when he is nervous or sad. Definitely written for kids. The use of technology from one dimension to another is a nice touch. A decent, light read.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shares some similarities to the Dark Materials Trilogy, involving two parallel worlds and and evil scientist-esque villain who is leeching the spirits of children at a boarding school. I thought it was a very good read, If you liked the Dark Materials trilogy, you'll probably enjoy this book as well.

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under The Cats Eye is more of a fiction fantasy book. It also includes alot of weird intradiverse world time traveling. But I really enjoyed this book in many ways, the characters in this book are descripted so realisticly. Furthermore the book itself is very very random.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated by E., 11 years old.

It started out a bit uninteresting, but keep reading - it becomes REALLY interesting! I especially liked the character who could turn into a cat and that she was not evil.

[Amar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my favorite for awhile as a kid, and I can see why. It’s imaginative and unpredictable, with animal themes, a PoC as the main character, and references to Indian culture. Definitely worth the re-read.

[Neill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jai is sent to a boarding school because his parents have to leave the country because their visas have expired. The boarding school has a peculiar feel to Jai – and a weird headmaster – and students who become oddly complacent.

[Katrina Bergherm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reads quickly, but was a bit predictable to me. Although my daughter Rachel really seemed to like it and really it is written for kids.

[Rachel T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really good book. It's definetly a fanatsy book and deals with magic. It really makes you think and i would reccomend it to anyone that likes fantasy books.

[Madison.712 · Rating 5 out of 5]

all i can say is this book is really weird and scary to me!... but its a good story line and plot

[Anisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book with a very interesting and original premises. Definitely deserves more attention!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it so long ago, and went back and read it again at least once per year. Thi sbook needs more attention, and is definitely one of the books that will symbolize my childhood.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of weird, but definitely entertaining.