Monday, July 22, 2013

Book Review: "A Cat Called Ian", By Wolfren Riverstick

One of the many things I love about blogging, are the people that I have been blessed to connect with along the way. One of the ways that I have met some truly wonderful folks has been through my book reviews. Sometime in 2012 I was contacted by author Wolfren Riverstick (is that name not the BEST??!!), asking if I would be interested in reviewing his self-published book: A Cat Called Ian. If memory serves me correctly, Wolfren lives in the UK but he has a Michigan connection, I believe he has family here and that is how he first discovered my blog, but don't quote me on that!
Book Cover
Courtesy of

 www.crazywolfbooks.co.uk


Wolfren was supposed to mail me his book late last year, well," best laid plans," it didn't arrive until MAY of this year. SOME things are worth waiting for, and A Cat Called Ian is one of them

Wolfren's target audience for his books are children ages 9-12, but the lessons learned in A Cat Called Ian are lessons that the most "seasoned" among us could use some reminding of.

A Cat Called Ian begins with "The Boy" being cruel to his sister (Ellie). "The Boy" has a mouth that never ceases spewing vicious insults, which bring his sister to tears. "The Boy" also has a distaste for cats, particularly tortoiseshell cats.

After a particularly vile exchange with Ellie, "The Boy" takes off and ends up by a giant great white oak tree which is rumored to be haunted.

From A Cat Called Ian: Legend had it that the tree was haunted, perhaps possessed by evil spirits, although nobody knew for sure."  "The Boy" has always wanted to climb this tree, but had never attempted to. 

When "The Boy" attempts to take on the great white oak and climb it, an Alice-In-Wonderland -esque adventure ensues.

"When a young boy decides to climb the magnificent oak tree on top of Sunrise Hill he discovers that there is much more to it than first meets the eye. After mysteriously stumbling into the mystical world of Catland, the unruly ten year old is whisked into a courtroom where he is punished with the Sentence of Nine Lives in an attempt to make him change the error of his ways...."

"The Boy" is turned into what he loathes, A CAT, a tortoiseshell cat at that! In order to return to the mortal world, he has to repent for the multitude of evil things that he has done. The question is, will he?  You will have to read the book to find out.

I was surprised at how engrossed I was while reading A Cat Called Ian. It was a quick read, both in length (155 pages) and in the suspense that lies within its pages. I read it in one sitting which was just a few hours.

A Cat Called Ian is lively, imaginative, humorous, sensitive, fun and  packed with lessons about how to treat others, (as well as how to treat animals) and is a worthwhile read indeed!

Visit Amazon to purchase A Cat Called Ian or any major bookstore.

Visit www.crazywolfbooks.co.uk






49 comments:

  1. As a total tortie fanatic I simply must get my hands on this one! Wonderful review :)

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    1. Melissa thanks so much, I think you will greatly enjoy it!

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  2. What a cool concept for a book! ....And we thought of Melissa right away! haha!
    I think it would be fun to live in Catland.
    : ) GG

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  3. Sounds wonderful - a naughty boy turned into a cat and we hope he learns the error of his ways - paws crossed! Fantastic! Thanks for the review and the info, Caren! Hello handsome Cody and adorable Dakota! Take care
    x

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  4. I think it's a lovely book, Cody. Happy Monday :)

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  5. That sounds like a great book! Tutu can't imagine anyone not liking tortiseshell kitties. She says "we are the best"!

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  6. The cover is so cute. I'll put this one on my to read list. I decided I'm going to write a book about Avalon too. My first idea was a picture book, but now I think a memoir will do him more justice. It's my way of keeping his spirit alive and expressing all the love I feel for him.

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    1. Ohhhhh I think that is a MARVELOUS IDEA! So happy you will be writing a memoir about him! He was truly such a special cat and always will be! ((((hugs)))))

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  7. That sounds like a great read. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  8. Sounds like a really delightful and clever story. I just adore the cover art - the expression on the cat's face is GREAT!

    Kitty Hugs, Sammy

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    1. Sammy that expression is PURRFECT for the purrsonality of the little boy :)
      Love, Cody

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  9. Great review! Love that book cover. Sharing.

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  10. sounds great - I will have to check it out!

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  11. That does look like a great book. We love reading animal books. Thanks for the super review. Take care.

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    1. Marg it most definitely is! Thanks so much!

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    2. Sounds like a great book! I love books about cats MOL! Psssss...thanks for "teaching" me what "MOL" is LOL!:-).Love Ragdoll mommy:-)

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    3. OMC! My cat (Star) she is not a Ragdoll though.But she is a "Tortoiseshell"!!! Btw "She is a longhaired one they are really rare!!! Btw again "tortoiseshells are all most always female"!!!:-).MOL!

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  12. Thanks for the review. Love the cover. It sounds like a great book.
    Sue B

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  13. We have a couple of nieces that would love this book!

    cats of wildcat woods

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  14. The book cover is beautiful and it sound like a great story!!!

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  15. Sounds very cool and lots of kids will like that one!

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  16. Sounds like a great story. Will have to check it out!

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  17. Sounds like a great story, and I have a soft spot for torties since my Kallie is one also!

    And I believe that it is never too early to begin to educate children on how to treat animals, and other people.

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  18. We like to have Dad read to us at night instead of Bird-TV (the go to sleep hissss) so keep these book reviews coming.

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    1. Awwww thanks Timmy!!!! Books are much better at night than Bird-TV is! No birdies at night!

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  19. One of my human brother's name is Ian. Me is going to has to reads this book!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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    1. there ya go Nellie! That sounds like a plan! BTW tell your Mom to go easy on my Mom MOL!
      Love, Cody

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  20. Don't we all live in Catland? :)
    A great review and it sounds very well worth a read.

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    1. I guess those of you with multiple cats do! :)
      Thanks so much!

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  21. That's a great review! I think it's not just for the kids!! Is that name for real?? mol

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    1. thank you!! Nope it most definitely isn't just for kids. I know...isn't that name just the greatest?

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    2. Have a goodnight:-).love Ragdoll mommy&the kitties!

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  22. It sounds like a great book! Poor Ian doesn't look very happy on the cover, but its for a good cause. We really like the concept of learning by walking in another's shoes.

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    1. Yep Ian isn't supposed to look happy because that goes with the story! Hope you have been well!

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  23. Aha, a dog named Penny thinks, "A Cat Called Ian" seems like a lovely book for kids and animals of all ages. Really like the book cover.

    And yay! I'm under instruction to share this by Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! Even on 'Farcebark'! :)

    Penny's alleged human,

    Gary

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    1. Yes, well, and really busy! I'm helping a friend put together and print a book of her ancestors for a family reunion. Then my dad found some marriage and birth certificates from the 1800's on his side of the family. I'm supposed to be translating them from Hungarian using Google translate, but . . .

      I hope you've been well too! I want to call soon, but need to get this book out of the way. Aug 2 is the deadline. I have a funny story to tell you.

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    2. You are soooooooo busy!!! I am tired just reading this! LOL! How cool that your Dad found those certificates!!
      No worries, we will chat when things slow down for you (If they ever do!!) Looking forward to hearing the story!
      ((((hugs))))

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  24. Well, thank you so very much, Caren, for your lovely review! I am pleased that you enjoyed the story. (And thank you also to your readers for their kind comments, of course!) Love, Wolfie x

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    1. Hi Wolfie! How kind you are to have stopped by! I LOVED THE BOOK! I am hoping that some people will purchase it because it is definitely a worthwhile read! I read it straight through last Friday night while it was storming outside. It was just perfect! Your book was the perfect companion with my kitty and my dog! Keep in touch! Love ya! xoxo

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  25. Wow, that sounds like a really cool book! Neat concept for sure.

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  26. Sounds like it might be a great book for some of my nieces. I will have to look into it for Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing, janet

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  27. Sounds like a fun book. I need a little suspense. Mostly I just have confusion!

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