21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Precursor to Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn - still good, July 2, 1998
I read Tad Williams' Memory Sorrow and Thorn trilogy years before reading Tailchaser's Song, and was continually struck at how much of what he did in Tailchaser was reused in Memory Sorrow and Thorn. They are different stories, yet it is neat to see how the author has continued to develop some of his earlier ideas and worked them into a greater piece as his skills improve.
More specific to this novel, Tailchaser's Song is a wonderful tale of adventure and coming into one's own. The personal ethics expressed in this story are rather unique in the fantasy world. The values are real and are not based on some extrodinary gift of the character (which typically separates the reader from the character), but on a choice and dedication to what is right.
Williams does a wonderful job of spinning this tale and keeping interest. Parts of it are predictable, but there are few (if any) let downs. The most impressive feature of the book, and what really makes it stand out, is the perspective. The main character is a cat, and the whole world is cleverly shown through a cat's eyes. It is very believable, and makes you look at your own pet differently -- with more respect, even.
This is a great book for anyone who likes adventure or fantasy stories. Tad Williams fans will feel at home, and cat lovers will delight in the telling of the tale.
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28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Unique Look at a Fantasy Feline World, August 10, 2003
Fritti Tailchaser is chosen among The Wall Council of cats to go and discover what is happening to a large number of their kin who have suddenly begun to disappear. And Tailchaser has his own agenda, too, that will clash with the world he once thought he knew; he has to find Hushpad, his chosen mate who is one of the cats whos disappeared.
As Tailchaser leaps upon this heroes journey, he finds that all is wrong with the cat world. A strange darkness has descended upon their Ka (spirit), and the further Tailchaser gets from his home, the more prevalent this sensation becomes, weighing him down. Something terrible is amiss. The cat Gods of long ago may still be battling it out for supremacy. But how is Tailchaser, a little tabby with a small white star on his head, supposed to help out? He has some help from some companions. Pouncequick, a youngling feline, starts the journey with Tailchaser. Pouncequick is an energetic but inexperienced hunting cat. Tailchaser feels him more of a burden (initially) then a benefit. Along the way Tailchaser and Pouncequick pick up Roofshadow, a female feline with more experience in the world then either of them. Now a trio, this band of brethren cats move from unfamiliar territory to unfamiliar territory, searching for clues to all the cats disappearance. They soon bump into Eatbugs, a strange cat that speaks incomprehensibly at times. He follows the trio and becomes a pain in the tail. But nothing, not even Eatbugs irrationality, couldve prepared them for The Mound: a horrible underground domain built by one of the Ancient Cat Gods. It is here that Tailchaser and his group of friends find the answers to the disappearing cats. Tailchaser, along with his companions, must foil the plans of Hearteater, one of the firstborn Gods of this cat-ish realm. Hearteater has unleashed a terrible power upon the world with his evil ways and has created the underground world of The Mound to bring light and darkness under his control.
An impressive amount of research went into the writing of this novel. Most notably is the cat behavior, cat language (singing, not talking, and High Singing), the movement of the moon and sun across the sky as seen from a felines perspective, and much work on the curious names given to all the characters.
Now Im not a cat person. I dont own one and havent been in a home with one since I was a teenager living with my parents (back in the late 70's and early 80's), but this story didnt require that I be so inclined toward cats. It was interesting enough to read the heroes journey, and that kept me turning the pages night after night.
So why only 4 stars and not 4-and-a-half or 5? Well, the parallels to Tolkien and other fantasy worlds were smackingly obvious. But Mr. Williams (the author) kept it entertaining enough, and varied enough, to make it a fun read. I think this would be a good gateway book for younger readers who might later want to tackle that magnum opus of a book: The Lord of the Rings.
Good Dancing to you all.
B+ rating
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captures the magic and mystery of life and cats, January 7, 2000
Tailchaser's Song is a philosophic quest that is told in an enchanting way. The requisite battle between light and darkness is there, but there are no straight paths, just a lot of wisdom to gather if you keep your ears perked. I still greet cats with the musical language Tad Williams transcribes for those of us who are a bit too slow to understand cat speech just yet. This is one of my sacred trio of favorite books. As an added bonus, the quotes that introduce each chapter are wonderful as well.
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