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Ratha's Courage

Clare Bell
Imaginator Press (2008)
ISBN 9780974560366
Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland for RebeccasReads (9/09)

"Ratha's Courage" is the Fifth Book in the The Named series by Clare Bell.  The book centers around two clans of cat.  Ratha is the leader of The Named.  She reaches out to another cat clan in this book, seeking an alliance with them.  It is a hunter clan and much different from The Named clan.  The Named value independent thinking, as demonstrated by their choice of Ratha, a strong female leader.  The other clan enforces group unity at all costs.  This unity gives them strength but is diametrically opposed to the values of The Named.

The proposed merging of the clans is fraught with difficulties, with many conflicts that eventually lead to war.  Readers of this series will be interested to see how Ratha manages to steer The Named through this adventure and the many lessons that are learned from it.  They learn that reaching out to others will be dangerous and requires true bravery.

The series includes the following books: Ratha's Creature, Clan Ground, Ratha and Thistle-Chaser, Ratha's Challenge and Ratha's Courage.  Those readers looking a great, involved fantasy series will appreciate this one.  Although "Ratha's Courage" can be read as a stand-alone, the other books provide background that make reading this one even more rewarding.  The characters are intriguing and model characteristics of caring, strength, independence and courage.  Clare Bell is a master plot weaver and carries the tale forward at a pace that draws the reader in and carries them along.  This book is recommended for all fantasy readers, and would also be attractive to young adult readers.

 


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