Customer Reviews

Tailchaser's Song

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I picked up Tailchasre's Song not expecting it to capture my interest, although I am a cat-lover. I was between Warriors Books. When I started reading it, it was amazing to me how much it was like the Warriors, which I LOVE. I'm not finished with it yet but I will be soon. It's so hard to put it down.

Tailchaser and young Pouncequick set off on a journey to find Tailchaser's fela(girl cat)friend, Hushpad. Along the way they meet Roofshadow who is also missing some friends. They suspect strange "cats" with red claws (as Pouncequick put it).

Roofshadfow's family and friends were attacked by them yet there were also some cats missing.

Roofshadow, Tailchaser and Pouncequick set off into the unknown to try to find their missing friends.

I read A LOT of books, and Tailchaser's Song is one of the best books I have ever read. I must have read this book at least a dozen times (no, really!). You don't have to be a cat lover to be enchanted by Williams' best work, but it helps. To me, the sad thing is that most "average" people will pass this book up at first glance because they assume that it's a kiddie fairy-tale type thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am a senior in high school and there are parts in Tailchaser's Song that even startled me the first time I read it. The effect is really enhanced because the story is so intricately woven that the reader is drawn in. You will feel as if you are actually padding along beside Tailchaser as he journeys deep beneath the Earth's crust, and you will find you actually care about what happens to the stories characters... Anyone who is reading this, please read this book! I have loaned my copy out many, many times, and it is always returned to me with a smile (and also a bit of reluctence) and some sort of comment along the lines of "Man, am I ever glad you convinced me to read this!"," It's even better than you told me!", and" To think I would have missed out on this if it weren't for you!" You will feel the same way once you read this book. In closing, let me say once more: BUY THIS BOOK!!! If nothing else, check out the price; less than six bucks! You couldn't even get into a movie for that much! And unlike a movie, this is an experience that you will savor over and over again. Don't cheat yourself; order Tailchaser's Song TODAY!!!

Tailchaser's Song is one of the best books I have ever read! It creates an entire world, not just a story. It's full of cat folklore, stories, and even some words (there is a glossary in the back). There is action, too, and plenty of it. The descriptions of the Hearteater's underground realm (he's evil) are a bit haunting. You will find yourself not being able to stop reading-I stayed up until 2am reading it the first day I had it :-). It *is* long, and detailed, but not in a boring way. I'd recommend in for fantasy fans of young adult age or older (younger kids will find it too long). However, people who don't like cats, longer books, or fantasy will probably dislike it. >^..^<

I just read this wonderful book on the heels of Gabriel King's new novel, "The Wild Road", which I really loved. This one was truly special as well, and there are certainly parallels one can draw between the two. The idea of the quest, the journey from innocence to experience, the coming of age of the main character in each novel-- very well done. The characters themselves were quite completely realized, too--although I think that Gabriel King managed to pull this off a bit better, through the use of really interesting , often humorous dialogue which certainly revealed each individual character. I loved the cat language Tad Williams created, and the way he enables the reader to truly see the world through a cat's sensibilities. (e.g. distance always is referred to in "jumps.") As with "The Wild Road," I felt hungry for a sequel to this remarkable book!

I had to struggle a bit to rate Tailchaser's Song. On the one hand it's a fairly well-written fantasy novel with a likable hero, hefty challenges along the way, and a seriously evil foozle to get rid of. On the flip side the story didn't really grab me and the feline slant on things seemed to merely be a thin veneer on otherwise human characters. Apparently I'm one of the few readers who failed to be captivated by the novel; the previous reviews are for the most part gushing with praise. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Many years ago I read Richard Adams's "Watership Down" and "The Plague Dogs". I have very fond memories of those works and even though I was a teen then, my feeling is that they are far superior to Tailchaser's Song w.r.t. adventure books written from animals' perspectives.

There were quite a few delightfully humorous moments. The tales told by the older cats were noteworthy, especially the ones about the origin of man and about the horrific discovery of neutering. Williams did a nice job describing the unlikely and fragile alliance between the cats and squirrels. The sad ending surprised me and added some emotion that was generally lacking throughout the story.

Characterization was nothing special but not poor either. I could say the same about the story. The young and inexperienced Fritti Tailchaser sets out to find his missing beloved and along the way encounters a great menace. He sets aside his personal quest to tackle the more noble cause and manages to save the animal world. He doesn't actually do any major fighting, but instead acts as a catalyst for allowing far more powerful forces to take care of the problem. Then he goes back and finishes his personal love quest. Yeah, you've seen variations on these themes before in other novels and movies. Ho hum.

Based on other reviews I've got a bunch of Tad Williams's fantasy novels sitting on the bookshelf. I really hope that they're more mature and involving than this one. Tailchaser's Song is a good effort for a first major novel and Williams shows promise. I think it'd be good for young teens. For adults my overall recommendation is to read something else.

This book its trully great. It really reels you in, then keeps you moving along at a nice, yet swift pace. You really feel like you're in the story. Also, you know how sometimes when you're reading an animal story, and in the middle you forget that the characters are even animals, they're so human-like? Well, that NEVER happens here. There is so much description and nature-like activity that you'll always remember that the characters are CATS.

Summary - Fritti Tailchaser is a young cat who wishes to find his missing friend, Hushpad. Along the way, he meets up with many dangers as he and his friends try and save the world of the cats.

One of the only things I found could be edited was the plot itself. Fritti goes on the journey to find his friend, but that mission is almost, like, forgotten in the middle because of the other plot. Then, at the end, Hushpad finally pops up SPOILER>>>>>>AHEAD>>>>>>, but its like she doesn't matter anymore.

However, despite this slight flaw, this was trully a great book. Read it!

Tailchaser's song is a wonderfull book about a young tom cat named Fritti Tailchaser. When Fritti's feline friend Hushpad goes missing, Fritti along with a young kitten named Puncequick, and a old crazy tom named Eatbugs, will journey far into the cat world of legend and lore,of kings and queens,princesess and princes, and even travel where all cats fear, cat hell itself

By:Hannah (AKA) Graciecat