I can’t remember the last time I read an animal story. It seems I’ve been missing out. If The Tygrine Cat is a typical example of this genre, then I’ll have to look out some more.

Mati is a cat, but he’s no ordinary cat. He is special – the last of his race. Young and unaware of his heritage, Mati is sent away by his Amma (mother) on a ship to a faraway land for his own safety. When the ship makes dock, he must not only escape without notice, but make a new home in the foreign land in which he finds himself.

Inbali Iserles has done a great job in this story of demonstrating the relationships between the cats in a local territory (Cressida Lock). From the dominant tom cat, Pangur, down to the lowest kittens, she shows how cat courtesy and hierarchy works in the neighbourhood that young Mati finds himself in. This is a book of adventure and magic, as Mati has certain abilities that appear strange to the local cats, marking him as different – an alien in the community. Then there’s the Kank’s, a rival territory run by Hanratty, a trouble-making tom cat who’s keen to take control of Cressida Lock.

Throughout the story stalks a mysterious assassin cat, Mithos the Destroyer, sent across the world by the Suzerain to kill Mati and end the line of the Tygrine cats. I found this story fascinating and it will no doubt delight young people who have an interest in animals and their behaviour, but also those who like a little magic in their stories. This story has been added to my list of recommended books for younger readers who have an advanced reading age, as there is nothing unsuitable in the story for anyone aged about seven and up, although I’d say it is more written for nine to twelve-ish. The Tyrine Cat will make great bedtime reading for my son in a couple of years, so I will no doubt return to it. In the meantime, I’ve passed it on to my ten year old daughter, who will no doubt devour it with relish (normally Picallily – strange child!) A great read.

Coming soon – review of Hunger by Michael Grant.

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