Clan Ground [Library Binding]

Clare Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1984

The stranger Orange-Eyes, recognizing that the one who controls fire can become absolute ruler, challenges Ratha's authority over the Named, a clan of intelligent wild cats living twenty-five million years ago.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a page-turner—full of suspense and action—that will be enthusiastically welcomed by ratha’s admirers. -- Booklist --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Born in England in 1952, I moved to the US with my family in 1957. I worked in oceanography, electrical engineering, test equipment design and mechanical engineering before I wrote my first book, Ratha's Creature (Atheneum-Argo Margaret K .McElderry 1983) , the story of a prehistoric wildcat who learns to tame fire. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 258 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (December 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689503040
• ISBN-13: 978-0689503047
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,971,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in England in 1952, I moved to the US with my family in 1957. I worked in oceanography, electrical engineering, test equipment design and mechanical engineering before I wrote my first book, Ratha's Creature (Atheneum-Argo Margaret K .McElderry 1983) , the story of a prehistoric wildcat who learns to tame fire.

Since then I have continued to write fantasy and science fiction for children and adults. I continue to be fascinated by big cats, as showcased in Tomorrow's Sphinx (cheetahs in Tutanhkmen's Eygypt) and Jaguar Princess (were-jaguars in Aztec and Olmec Mexico).

My stories tend to show sociological themes as well, exploring the changes that are brought about in culture through technology. I also enjoy creating plausible and workable alien critters ( the aronan fliers in People of the Sky). The central theme of my fiction is evolution, having been influenced early by the works of C.S. Lewis, Olaf Stapledon , and Arthur C. Clarke.

I have degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering, biology and chemistry and have continued working in technical areas in addition to writing fiction. I became involved in building and designing electric vehicles and spent a year in Norway working on a production EV. I have also participated in electric vehicle racing in the Arizona Public Service Company-sponsored Solar and Electrics competitions, held from 1991 to 1998. My electric Porsche 914, known by her racing number, 13, was a well-known competitor in these races. I was also involved with the Women's Electric Racing and Educational Team (WE'RE-IT) when we raced the Porsche and our converted race-Rabbit, #6 Hop-along.

After moving to a remote site in California's coastal mountains, I and my partner put together our own solar and wind systems and experimented with a power-generating waterwheel. A naturalized citizen of the US, I now live with my partner-become-husband, Chuck Piper, in the hills west of Patterson, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clan Ground is FANTASTIC! I want to read the others!, August 6, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Clan Ground (Library Binding)

I found Clan Ground in my library and didn't like the cover, so I didn't get it. Ages later I saw it again and thought I might as well have a read as it's about cats. At first I was a bit lost, as I hadn't read Ratha's Creature, but I soon picked it up and found it to be the best book ever! Clare Bell has a real talent, and I want to get the other books! You can really love the characters, and hate the others. My faveourites are Ratha, of course, Thakur, Fessran and Bira. I hope I can get the other books some time, though I doubht it, as I want to know what happened Bonechewer, and if Ratha has any more cubs. Does she? I hope so. This is an excellent book and I recomend it to all cat and fantasy lovers! In fact, I think everyone should read it. Keep up the good work Clare!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking adventure, November 2, 2008

By 

Backroads "Scatter-brained book fan" (Cache Valley, Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Clan Ground (Named) (Mass Market Paperback)

I think I am slowly becoming addicted to Clare Bell books. She is someone who has somehow made the concept of prehistoric kitties absolutely brilliant. This is the second in her series of "The Named" and is a thoroughly fine adventure of her feline heroine Ratha. Ratha and her clan are strugging to keep up their new life using fire until they are challenged by a newcomer who has other plans for the fire. Bell's writing is simple but well-crafted with plenty of attention to detail and emotion. Besides the evident adreline-pumped storyline, Bell deals with an ancient way of life and the struggle between mercy and the harshness that keeps this clan of sentient cats alive and the battle between physical and spiritual. And this is all told via a story of prehistoric cats. Brilliant. This is a fantastic book for anyone who loves a thought-provoking adventure.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Sequel, July 21, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clan Ground (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a wonderful sequel to the most loved book: Ratha's Creature. This book also holds a valuable lesson for both Ratha and the reader. The characters spring to life, evil and good. Clare Bell is a wonderful author!