47 books
—
3 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Alchymist's Cat (The Deptford Histories, #1)” as Want to Read:
The Alchymist's Cat
(The Deptford Histories #1)
by
The first of three terrifying prequels to the Deptford Mice Trilogy reveals a shocking truth: How did Jupiter, the Lord of the sewer rats, come to be the sower of such evil? It is the winter of 1664 and young Will Godwin, an alchemist's assistant, chances upon a mother cat and her three newborn kittens in a London churchyard. Taking pity on the freezing family, Will
...more
Published
(first published 1989)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Alchymist's Cat,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about The Alchymist's Cat
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Alchymist's Cat (The Deptford Histories, #1)
Nov 23, 2007
X
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of Deptford and Robin Jarvis
This book is part alternate history (or perhaps historical fiction), part anthropomorphic animal story, and part dark fantasy. Set in 1600's London, it tells the back story of Jupiter from The Deptford Mice trilogy. While I enjoyed it very much, there were a few anthropomorphic animal inconsistencies that prevented me from giving it five stars, though I might do 4 1/2 if we could. Cats having "arms" works fine in a true anthropomorphic animal story, but when humans are more prominent in the
...more
This is a violent and unbelievably horrific book. Example: Will is beaten to a pulp but when Molly finds him and hugs him "tightly" he doesn't even flinch...really? The characters are so miserably pathetic I was never sure who to root for (which talking, unlikable cat will we end up with since the ones we kind of liked are dispatched to grisly deaths?) Perhaps, this will be revealed in one of the sequels I do not intend to read.
Having had a quick look at some of these reviews, I think I must have been a very strange child. Reviewers talk about it being 'horrifically dark', while this was one of my favourite books at around the age of 11, which I read again and again (along with its sequels). As a result, it's one of those books that still conjures the feelings and imagery of a unique world, perhaps 15 years later. I am now a library manager and am disappointed that we don't seem to have any Robin Jarvis on our shelves.
...more
Apr 01, 2015
Alison
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
grade-5,
chapter-books
This is a scary book. I knew it was going to be more in depth compared to the Deptford Mice Trilogy, but it was terrifying at times. It amazes me how the author has given human-like mannerisms to these animals. I would use this book to teach my students how to do that with a character of their choice and have them share their stories to the class.
Apr 03, 2013
Liam Smith
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
prequels-done-right
The perfect way a prequel SHOULD be written. With hidden surprises, twists and lovely plot developments. Even if it's in a bit of bleak setting (it's okay, most of Jarvis' Deptford books are) it's still a good read.
Oh my gosh this book was an amazing written book!!!!
The Alchemist's cat was a good book it jumped around a lot and it was hard to understand what they were talking about and there were some spelling mistakes. 830 was the Lexile Level was, Robin Jarvis it was very hard to follow but I loved that he got a cat familiar.
I liked that they had magic and I did not like the way they treated the boy cause he didn't even have a bed or anything. Also the Alchemist was treated awfully but the boy was very nice to the cats even to the runt I was sad when the ...more
I liked that they had magic and I did not like the way they treated the boy cause he didn't even have a bed or anything. Also the Alchemist was treated awfully but the boy was very nice to the cats even to the runt I was sad when the ...more
There are some pretty gruesome scenes in this story, it was not static was expecting at all.
As a Robin Jarvis fan, I dove into this book eagerly and in high anticipation of something creepy, dark, magical and engrossing. I've always been fond of the blend of horror and fantasy woven into this author's anthropomorphic tales.
The book highlights the birth and events of Jupiter's past and how the cat came to possess and know about megic. However, humans come to be the main characters of this book and in my opinion, stole the story with their woes and one character's evil deeds. For the ...more
The book highlights the birth and events of Jupiter's past and how the cat came to possess and know about megic. However, humans come to be the main characters of this book and in my opinion, stole the story with their woes and one character's evil deeds. For the ...more
Mar 25, 2012
Nix
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who have read The Dark Portal
Recommended to Nix by:
Pvmom
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
In the Alchemist's Cat, you find yourself diving straight into 1600's London, England in any iconic British fantasy's hayday, following alongside a despicably wicked alchemist and his unwillingly young assistant, Will Godwin. This book virtually covers any European-fantasy lover's itinerary, filled with the dark magic apothecary shops, anthropology, and overly developed violence in the midst between those with magic and not. Imaginably enjoyable for any young adult interested in venturing down
...more
Jan 04, 2015
Emily Dybdahl
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya-literature
This was one of the worst books I've read. It was so weird! I love cats, but these cats were evil, or went through beatings and torture, and I just don't want to go through that mental experience again! I know this is supposed to be young adult fiction, but seeing the vengeful rivalry between two boy kitties, reading allusions and innuendos about cat romance, and the evil vendetta foreshadowed at the end....I just can't comprehend it all. I was just...very weirded out...
I read this book a while ago, so I'm not too fresh on details, but I know this was a good book, slow at parts, and it was unlike other cat books.
Like other cat books there meant for kids. But, this is YA (young adult), it's interesting, and its hard to pick the cat or character you like best because theres all something that is similar to you. (for me anyways..)
Like other cat books there meant for kids. But, this is YA (young adult), it's interesting, and its hard to pick the cat or character you like best because theres all something that is similar to you. (for me anyways..)
Set in 1600 England, a The Alchymist's Cat is the story behind the rise of Jupiter from the Deptford Mice Trilogy. It combines both anthropomorphic and human characters. Personally, although it was reasonably well written, I did not find any of the characters believable or appealing. There were too many minor inconsistencies.
Aug 22, 2012
Lauren
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
male-authors,
2012
I haven't actually 'read' this book. I have never in my life not finished a book but this is so boring I dread picking it up. I advise you not to read it , but you might like it so I wouldn't listen to me if I were you.
Sorry
Sorry
I haven't read the Deptford Mice Trilogy yet, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was very dark but quite the page turner, I really enjoyed it and was shocked by the end. Can''t wait to read the rest of the series!
I have read a lot of books about cats, but this one tops it! It doesn't give cats unrealistically human qualities like other books, and it focuses on characters other than the cats from time to time. Just, beautiful.
I read this book back when I was in primary and I must say that it was a believable read for a young mind, but then you still know that it won't happen in real life but then have that mind soar that your imagination just grew...
loved it, loved it, loved it.. :)
loved it, loved it, loved it.. :)
The most absorbing book I've ever read after the Inkheart Series! It was really catchy with the mysteries and plot twists it possessed and a sad one as well, with a touch of adventure. Don't stare there, go read it!
A shallow read. The plot is jumpy and the language used is somewhat lacking. In no way did the book capture my interest, as I had to force myself to finish it. I would only recommend it to those are fans of the series.
I enjoyed this book, found the period of history interesting and a must for any fan of the Deptford mice. My least favourite of the three Deptford History books though, I think because this had the weakest ending
omg awsome!!!!!!!!! a very beautifly macabre book!!!!!!! have read it 4 times
Feb 14, 2008
Clara
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fantasy lovers
I love the action and fear intertwined along with the subtle expression of subservience in this book. Very well written!
Surprisingly good book. So many plot twists!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Fantastic read for kids and adults education in a fun way
Mar 28, 2014
Edward Davies
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
5-star-reads,
childrens-books
I loved this prequel to The Deptford Mice, which manages to produce yet another fantastic twist in the tale.
I just couldn't get into it like I have done with his other books. Although I might try it again, I haven't read it in years.
the idea is good, but it is far too gruesome in my oppinion and the only likeable characters are Will and Molly.
The cats are all terrible creatures, either weak, selfish or evil.
The cats are all terrible creatures, either weak, selfish or evil.
Wonderful book about a boy who's family dies of smallpox, and he is forced to take care of his farm alone, until one of his family members sends him a convincing letter...
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Robin Jarvis (born May 8, 1963) is a British children's novelist, who writes fantasy novels, often about anthropomorphic rodents and small mammals – especially mice – and Tudor times. A lot of his works are based in London, in and around Deptford and Greenwich where he used to live, or in Whitby.
His first novel – The Dark Portal, featuring the popular Deptford Mice – was the runner up for the ...more
His first novel – The Dark Portal, featuring the popular Deptford Mice – was the runner up for the ...more
Other books in the series
The Deptford Histories
(3 books)
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
