This is one tale of many available stories about animals that take on human characteristics. Going beyond the simple emotions and plots of many children’s books using animals which show love, kindness, fear, and sadness, this book includes a broader range of emotions and actions, many which humans are not proud: power, domination, oppressors against the oppressed, greed, world domination, conflicts, injuries, emotional roller coaster, grief due to death of a loved one. The animals play out several current conflicts between mankind today. The animals take the reader on several adventures through the use of power struggles within and between the five animal kingdoms. And like we observe today in the Unites States, the animals even speak of becoming desensitized to things that previously evoked e stark reaction. Here is an example of a quote, spoken by animals, but reflects true human emotions and how our cultures can impact what we become desensitized to when tragic events happen too frequently:

Quote:
“Like everyone else, I had become desensitized after seeing so many animals devoured until it affected my immediate family. Losing the two sisters I had grown up with had traumatized me.”

The animals plan their strategies, much like humans, using intelligence gathering, analysis of their observations, and conclusions about which particular animal groups were chummy with other groups and how this impacted the kingdoms. And, as if the content is not already jam packed, the author also uses humor at the kid (and adult) level. For example he does not pass up any opportunity to point out age-appropriate humor kids enjoy such as herbs that are bowel irritants that result in an animal discharging “her pungent and profuse dung all over the place.”

In summary, if you are looking for a book for a teen (and also for adults) who enjoy complex adventurous stories, full of emotions, exposing the good and bad sides of humanity, topped off with a dose of humor-this is a book for you (and your teen!).

Full Disclosure -there are graphic details which some parents and children might not stomach. All in all, most kids of the age group for which it is intended, would not object to these descriptions.

I recommend this book which easily earns 5 stars.

David Bush weaves a magical tale of the five groups in the animal kingdom and the fight for power. His world building, delightful characters and descriptive words bring wonderful, yet sometimes horrible, scenes to life.

Lions ruled and the various feline groups below them held lesser status. Doubly cursed, common cats are at the low end of the Feline totem pole, only tolerated by the larger felines because they serve a purpose to deliver news and collect taxes. They lived in a dangerous world, scorned by all.

Miaow is our main character, a timid house cat. His parents, sent to collect taxes from other feline kingdoms, were killed passing through wolf territory. Miaow's wife and children were attacked and massacred by coyotes.

The dominant group suppressed the other animal groups into servitude and fear. Miaow isn't happy with this entire system. He is an intelligent cat and knows how wrong this system is, but he's too timid to voice his opinion or change anything. He is bullied and hides if there is any sign of trouble.

Along comes Jack, a young boy, who meets Miaow and between them, they attempt to change the whole hierarchy. He and Miaow build an intriguing story of espionage among the ranks, turning kingdoms against each other through the use of devious trickery, right down to using mice and moles to aid in this fight for power.

With a mix of heart-warming humour and evil forces, David's tale will keep you turning pages as the story leads the readers into a fight for life and death.

Cheers! I give David Bush 5 stars for a very unique and innovative story to be enjoyed by all from teens to adults in their golden years.