In a contemporary fairytale as irresistible as catnip, one girl discovers that some magic cuts deep... Emma's sister is missing. Her parents have spent all their savings on the search. And now the family has no choice but to live in a ramshackle trailer park on the edge of the forest, next door to down-and-out harpies, hags, and trolls. Emma wonders if she'll ever see Helena, and if she'll ever feel happy, again.

Then she makes a friend. A smooth-talking, dirty-furred cat named Jack. He's got a razor-sharp plan to rescue Emma's sister. He just wants one small favor in return..

I loved the cover of CLAW, it's simple, it's magical, it says everything of what the book is. I especially enjoyed the facts given in every chapter about cats, witches and other supernatural being from CragWiki.

CLAWS is about a young girl named Emma that takes on more than her share of problems in the world. Her sister goes missing, her family spent their money to find her and ended up living in the woods where the Crags live, thinking they might get information from them of her sister's whereabouts. Crags refer to any magical creature. She met this talking cat named Jack who gave her powers although he has lost his own. The other crags don't like her because she's human and the humans who discovered she has now magic, doesn't like her too. She got thrown out of school and together they set on an adventure that not only to find her sister but it is more sinister and serious than that.

I enjoyed the diverse cast. Emma is clever, likable, real, independent and fearless. Jack is funny, charming and a rogue. I enjoyed the talking animals; how they retain they're behaviors while being magical; the descriptions of each of them, which I found fascinating.

At first, you'll think this is just a simple fantasy, mystery, but later on, there're a lot of themes, that adults would greatly enjoy.

The book is very fast-paced, there's no boring chapter. The characters are kept to minimal. The plot is wonderfully weaved that you get to understand it at the end but not overly neat. CLAWS is lively, fun, short and sweet. An original fantasy, light read about magic, cats, fae, harpys, elves, family, friendship. It all wraps in the end, but Emma could have more adventures.

I'm 19 already, but it still feels good to read a book targeted for middle school readers. I believe this could be for parents too or anyone who enjoys a good read about magic and adorable talking cats.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves taling animals and if ever there's a series, I can't wait to read more from this is it!

Book Summary

Twelve-year-old Emma Vu, having just moved into a trailer park inhabited by magical beings known collectively as crags, begins learning cat magic in hopes of finding her missing sister, Helena.