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Fantastic Tails Adventure #2
The Cat Ninja and a Cabal of Shadows
A missing puppy. An evil gang. And a hidden enemy lurking in the shadows..
She’s a cat. She’s a ninja. She’s a cat ninja. When Miko’s friend Sukoshi the field mouse comes calling with a new job, she agrees to investigate. But when it turns out the job entails helping the family an old enemy, little does Miko know that she’ll need to face her past in order to solve the case before it’s too late.
If you like talking animals, stealthy ninjas, and beating up bad guys, then you’ll love The Cat Ninja. This chapter book deals with many themes including anger, loss, abandonment, and fear. It is perfect for fans of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Redwall by Brian Jacques and The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, along with other fantasy series including The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 5, 2020
Clearly inspired by Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Erik DeLeo has created a world where a cat and a mouse work together to secure jobs that require the special skills of a ninja and where humans may live in, but are never seen.
The story opens with Miko in the middle of a job where she has been hired to steal a rare Japanese coin. Scaling walls and walking in shadows with only her kobachi sword in paw. The night doesn’t end the way Miko or her mouse partner, Sukoshi, would have liked and now they are desperate for a paying job. After all, Sukoshi has 12 mouths to feed at home.
Not to long after Sukoshi is able to find a job that gives hope of a nice payout: A young puppy has gone missing and the mother is desperate to find who took her baby. But, the more Miko looks into the disappearance the more danger Miko and Sukoshi find themselves in.
Miko, our cat ninja, is a complex and compelling character. As the story progresses we learn more and more about what has made Miko into the cat she is today. When still a young kitten, she lost her mother and brother and this fact still haunts her and has defined who she has become. Now, her heart is dead set on revenge and she keeps her friends and others at a paws length, even as she fights against some of the negative tendencies. However, her reasons for revenge on one individual dog is never fully explained as we are only given a single name that caused the death of her mother, but never given any information as to how Miko came to this decision. As a reader I wasn’t sure if Miko was just jumping to conclusions or if the information was based on facts.
Although there is quite a bit of action that keeps the story moving forward, the center and heart of the story is Miko’s journey to forgive and open herself up to friendship. As a reader, I really enjoyed reading the story, but there were lingering questions about the cabal and other things that I felt it missed. The cabal is only seen or known about at the end of the story and you never quite see their full influence in society. I do think a second book would help flesh some of these things out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
The story opens with Miko in the middle of a job where she has been hired to steal a rare Japanese coin. Scaling walls and walking in shadows with only her kobachi sword in paw. The night doesn’t end the way Miko or her mouse partner, Sukoshi, would have liked and now they are desperate for a paying job. After all, Sukoshi has 12 mouths to feed at home.
Not to long after Sukoshi is able to find a job that gives hope of a nice payout: A young puppy has gone missing and the mother is desperate to find who took her baby. But, the more Miko looks into the disappearance the more danger Miko and Sukoshi find themselves in.
Miko, our cat ninja, is a complex and compelling character. As the story progresses we learn more and more about what has made Miko into the cat she is today. When still a young kitten, she lost her mother and brother and this fact still haunts her and has defined who she has become. Now, her heart is dead set on revenge and she keeps her friends and others at a paws length, even as she fights against some of the negative tendencies. However, her reasons for revenge on one individual dog is never fully explained as we are only given a single name that caused the death of her mother, but never given any information as to how Miko came to this decision. As a reader I wasn’t sure if Miko was just jumping to conclusions or if the information was based on facts.
Although there is quite a bit of action that keeps the story moving forward, the center and heart of the story is Miko’s journey to forgive and open herself up to friendship. As a reader, I really enjoyed reading the story, but there were lingering questions about the cabal and other things that I felt it missed. The cabal is only seen or known about at the end of the story and you never quite see their full influence in society. I do think a second book would help flesh some of these things out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
April 18, 2020
Such a fun, clever book. A cat ninja is basically the best thing ever.
One of the many wonderful things about NetGalley is that you come across books that would otherwise never have crossed your radar. Over the last year I have discovered that I have a love for fantastical, magical, middle grade, adventure stories.The Cat Ninja by Erika DeLeo
The Cat Ninja and a Cabal of Shadows by Erik DeLeo is my latest read and guys it was just as much fun as the title suggests.
Yes we have a cat who is a ninja, she has an agent who happens to be a mouse, she has a tragic backstory and a thirst for vengeance. What more could a reader ask for? Puns? Well we have them too. The bad guys are after all known as the Barkuza and they are heavily tattooed, muscular dogs who aren’t to be messed with. The Cat Ninja is a glorious feast of fun for your eyes and imagination. Also, cutest cover ever!
‘The sun had broken through the morning gray, and it’s gleaming rays were beginning to heat up the tile floor. It called out silently to Miko, tempting her to get off the chair.
“Since I get moody without enough light, I’m going to go lay down by the window. It helps prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder.”
“Cats can’t get that.”
“I’m a unique case.” ‘
I think Miko is an entire mood. I love her.
I don’t want to delve into the story to much as it will ruin the fun of reading it, but I will say Miko, our cat ninja, has taken on the job of finding a missing puppy, which goes against her better judgement, especially when she discovers the father of the pup is the dog who murdered her own family. Everything gets mighty complicated for Miko and she soon discovers that it isn’t just one pup that is missing. Someone is trading in dogs.
This was a blast to read, it’s fast paced with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns. The setting is wonderful. The streets of Kyoto, with the vivid descriptions, make for a wonderful backdrop to the story. The attention to detail was great. Miko is a teahouse cat, which adds a whole other element. We get so much cat purrsonality, she likes naps, she likes the sun, she hisses when scared, she is emotionally distant with a dislike of getting wet. It’s cliché, but fun.
One thing that did get on my nerves as I was reading it was the way the author would use the Japanese word for something and then immediately follow it with a translation. Essentially saying the same thing twice in a sentence. It didn’t happen once or twice, it continued for most of the book. I think that the author should have had a bit more faith in his readers and their ability to work it out for themselves without constantly being told. It seemed to be a classic case of telling not showing.
Other than that, it was a fun, quick read that I would recommend for anyone after an enjoyable, quirky read.
One of the many wonderful things about NetGalley is that you come across books that would otherwise never have crossed your radar. Over the last year I have discovered that I have a love for fantastical, magical, middle grade, adventure stories.The Cat Ninja by Erika DeLeo
The Cat Ninja and a Cabal of Shadows by Erik DeLeo is my latest read and guys it was just as much fun as the title suggests.
Yes we have a cat who is a ninja, she has an agent who happens to be a mouse, she has a tragic backstory and a thirst for vengeance. What more could a reader ask for? Puns? Well we have them too. The bad guys are after all known as the Barkuza and they are heavily tattooed, muscular dogs who aren’t to be messed with. The Cat Ninja is a glorious feast of fun for your eyes and imagination. Also, cutest cover ever!
‘The sun had broken through the morning gray, and it’s gleaming rays were beginning to heat up the tile floor. It called out silently to Miko, tempting her to get off the chair.
“Since I get moody without enough light, I’m going to go lay down by the window. It helps prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder.”
“Cats can’t get that.”
“I’m a unique case.” ‘
I think Miko is an entire mood. I love her.
I don’t want to delve into the story to much as it will ruin the fun of reading it, but I will say Miko, our cat ninja, has taken on the job of finding a missing puppy, which goes against her better judgement, especially when she discovers the father of the pup is the dog who murdered her own family. Everything gets mighty complicated for Miko and she soon discovers that it isn’t just one pup that is missing. Someone is trading in dogs.
This was a blast to read, it’s fast paced with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns. The setting is wonderful. The streets of Kyoto, with the vivid descriptions, make for a wonderful backdrop to the story. The attention to detail was great. Miko is a teahouse cat, which adds a whole other element. We get so much cat purrsonality, she likes naps, she likes the sun, she hisses when scared, she is emotionally distant with a dislike of getting wet. It’s cliché, but fun.
One thing that did get on my nerves as I was reading it was the way the author would use the Japanese word for something and then immediately follow it with a translation. Essentially saying the same thing twice in a sentence. It didn’t happen once or twice, it continued for most of the book. I think that the author should have had a bit more faith in his readers and their ability to work it out for themselves without constantly being told. It seemed to be a classic case of telling not showing.
Other than that, it was a fun, quick read that I would recommend for anyone after an enjoyable, quirky read.
April 2, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
This was a cute idea that was poorly executed. I wasn't expecting a lot going into this simple children's book, and even then I was disappointed. I had four problems with this book while reading it: the language, the plot, the world building, and the audience.
The Audience: DeLeo has trouble throughout the book deciding on what audience level he is writing for. One minute he is shoehorning in word definitions with the assumption that the reader won't be able to understand things from context clues and the next dealing with themes of animal cruelty and gangsters and throwing in a joke about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Is this book meant for a six year old or a twelve year old?
The Plot: very, very generic and relies on a lot of unbelievably convenient clues being left around/overheard to keep moving. DeLeo spends the entire book telling the reader what they should be thinking/feeling at every moment. The main point of Miko's entire revenge story-line literally only works if
The Language: A lot of the English sentences are clunky and fractured while the "Japanese" use reads like DeLeo had a short vocabulary list to tick off, which he was going to do no matter what. There are a lot of ungainly sentences like "The cool, damp air heightened the smell of the cherry blossoms called sakura," or "don't be baka!" or, my personal favorite, "This is Nihon." For that last one DeLeo literally just named a character Japan in case the reader forgot that this story takes place in Japan.
The World Building: The above sentence brings me to my final point. The world building is shoddy. First, aside from the occasional toss in about a famous temple or tea house, this book could have been set in any small town.
Second, I honestly could not tell if humans existed in this world or not. This really bothered me because Miko would do things like go into a dog's house and there would be a regular kitchen table for eating, and dog bowls on the floor, but no humans even mentioned despite the fact that she's in a home in the middle of the night. Further, there is a big deal made about the fact that Miko absolutely cannot ride the bus, but the why is never explained. Why would a cat riding a bus freak people out more than one walking around town dressed in a ninja suit (no shoes), walking upright, and carrying a sword? A different cat even says later that he has "bills to pay." Again, are there no people? Animals can pay bills but not ride the bus?
This might seem like an insignificant gripe, but it was numerous small, inconsistent details like this throughout the book that prevented me from being able to get invested in the world, plot, or characters.
This was a cute idea that was poorly executed. I wasn't expecting a lot going into this simple children's book, and even then I was disappointed. I had four problems with this book while reading it: the language, the plot, the world building, and the audience.
The Audience: DeLeo has trouble throughout the book deciding on what audience level he is writing for. One minute he is shoehorning in word definitions with the assumption that the reader won't be able to understand things from context clues and the next dealing with themes of animal cruelty and gangsters and throwing in a joke about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Is this book meant for a six year old or a twelve year old?
The Plot: very, very generic and relies on a lot of unbelievably convenient clues being left around/overheard to keep moving. DeLeo spends the entire book telling the reader what they should be thinking/feeling at every moment. The main point of Miko's entire revenge story-line literally only works if
The Language: A lot of the English sentences are clunky and fractured while the "Japanese" use reads like DeLeo had a short vocabulary list to tick off, which he was going to do no matter what. There are a lot of ungainly sentences like "The cool, damp air heightened the smell of the cherry blossoms called sakura," or "don't be baka!" or, my personal favorite, "This is Nihon." For that last one DeLeo literally just named a character Japan in case the reader forgot that this story takes place in Japan.
The World Building: The above sentence brings me to my final point. The world building is shoddy. First, aside from the occasional toss in about a famous temple or tea house, this book could have been set in any small town.
Second, I honestly could not tell if humans existed in this world or not. This really bothered me because Miko would do things like go into a dog's house and there would be a regular kitchen table for eating, and dog bowls on the floor, but no humans even mentioned despite the fact that she's in a home in the middle of the night. Further, there is a big deal made about the fact that Miko absolutely cannot ride the bus, but the why is never explained. Why would a cat riding a bus freak people out more than one walking around town dressed in a ninja suit (no shoes), walking upright, and carrying a sword? A different cat even says later that he has "bills to pay." Again, are there no people? Animals can pay bills but not ride the bus?
This might seem like an insignificant gripe, but it was numerous small, inconsistent details like this throughout the book that prevented me from being able to get invested in the world, plot, or characters.
February 18, 2020
I found this to be an excellent, well-written book. I loved that the protagonist is a female, feline ninja, and her sidekick is a male mouse. I laughed at the thought of a cat dressed in ninja gear. I would think any young girl or boy who is interested in martial arts would especially like this book. The mystery evokes feelings of both sadness and joy, and I smiled several times throughout. Hidden lessons teach the importance of friendship and loyalty, and conquering our weaknesses. The author uses many Japanese words throughout and does a good job of explaining the definitions so the reader can learn without looking them up. I loved the ending!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 9, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
This was a great addition to the Fantastic Tails Adventure series. I actually liked this story more than The Squirrel Squire (which was also very good). Being a dog owner I was a little bummed the villains were dogs, but it led to the "Barkuza" which was pretty clever. This series, and this book in particular, is perfect for young readers who have enjoyed the Warriors series. I liked Miko as a lead character and Sukoshi as a friend/sidekick. They're unlikely friendship was sweet and they worked well together. The twist involving one of Miko's most trusted advisors was predictable (for me as an adult) but the audience for which this is written will probably be surprised. I would love for more books about Miko's investigative adventures and his search for his brother!
This was a great addition to the Fantastic Tails Adventure series. I actually liked this story more than The Squirrel Squire (which was also very good). Being a dog owner I was a little bummed the villains were dogs, but it led to the "Barkuza" which was pretty clever. This series, and this book in particular, is perfect for young readers who have enjoyed the Warriors series. I liked Miko as a lead character and Sukoshi as a friend/sidekick. They're unlikely friendship was sweet and they worked well together. The twist involving one of Miko's most trusted advisors was predictable (for me as an adult) but the audience for which this is written will probably be surprised. I would love for more books about Miko's investigative adventures and his search for his brother!
March 27, 2020
We loved the cat ninja! My 8 year old gives it a 10 out of 5 stars.
Miko's journey to solving the mystery of the missing pup & discovering the truth about her past has many great messages in it. The story flowed well, and was engaging enough to keep my daughters attention. She read the whole book in one sitting! I found the story to be well written with the younger reader in mind.
Loved the various characters, and how they acknowledged their normal rivalries but also were able to put aside their differences and work together when needed. Miko is a strong lead that shows bravery and forgiveness, her personal arc in this story is inspiring to young readers.
We received this book via NetGalley
Miko's journey to solving the mystery of the missing pup & discovering the truth about her past has many great messages in it. The story flowed well, and was engaging enough to keep my daughters attention. She read the whole book in one sitting! I found the story to be well written with the younger reader in mind.
Loved the various characters, and how they acknowledged their normal rivalries but also were able to put aside their differences and work together when needed. Miko is a strong lead that shows bravery and forgiveness, her personal arc in this story is inspiring to young readers.
We received this book via NetGalley
April 14, 2020
Review: The Cat Ninja.
This book was too cute! A female cat ninja and her male mouse sidekick steal items. This story had me giggling the whole way through. This would be a great read for a 6-10ish year old I’d highly recommend.
If your son\ daughter is into ninjas and animals this is definitely a cute action packed book for them to spend the afternoon reading.
4/5 stars because the world building wasn’t as much as I wanted, but it is also a children’s book and they aren’t always hugely world-built.
Thank you netgalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was too cute! A female cat ninja and her male mouse sidekick steal items. This story had me giggling the whole way through. This would be a great read for a 6-10ish year old I’d highly recommend.
If your son\ daughter is into ninjas and animals this is definitely a cute action packed book for them to spend the afternoon reading.
4/5 stars because the world building wasn’t as much as I wanted, but it is also a children’s book and they aren’t always hugely world-built.
Thank you netgalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2020
Cats and mice living together! It is anarchy! OK, maybe not. I don't even remember what that is paraphrased from, but it went through my head as I was reading this cute story. A cat and a mouse working together to solve crime. And a missing puppy!
This has a little something for all kids-talking animals, bad guys getting beat up by ninjas, and action! I can't wait to get back into my classroom, eventually, and put this series on my book shelf. Fun to read.
This has a little something for all kids-talking animals, bad guys getting beat up by ninjas, and action! I can't wait to get back into my classroom, eventually, and put this series on my book shelf. Fun to read.
February 21, 2020
This was such a cute book for cat lovers and Miko the cat ninja and her friend Sukoshi are adorable characters. So much fun and a story that kept my kids focused while I read to them. This would make such a fun movie!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2020
Reminiscent of The Secret Life of Pets, The Cat Ninja features a spunky feline named Miko and Sukoshi, her family-oriented mouse agent. These polar opposites who work side-by-side while going on a caper to find a missing puppy.
If you (or a young person you know) become thrilled at the mere thought of animals that speak and act like humans, epic sword fights, and daring exploits, then you may enjoy The Cat Ninja.
Read the full review on The Literary Apothecary.
If you (or a young person you know) become thrilled at the mere thought of animals that speak and act like humans, epic sword fights, and daring exploits, then you may enjoy The Cat Ninja.
Read the full review on The Literary Apothecary.
March 24, 2021
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and NetGalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Cat Ninja is the second in the series of Fantastic Tails Adventures series. Mr. DeLeo has a gift of creating delightful and exciting scenes that are perfect for readers of all ages. It has the right balance of adventure and emotion to keep even reluctant readers engaged. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.
The Cat Ninja is the second in the series of Fantastic Tails Adventures series. Mr. DeLeo has a gift of creating delightful and exciting scenes that are perfect for readers of all ages. It has the right balance of adventure and emotion to keep even reluctant readers engaged. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2020
3.5*
Definitely had some twists and turns I wasn't expecting...
Overall a good little story
Definitely had some twists and turns I wasn't expecting...
Overall a good little story
March 5, 2020
I loved this book that made me smile and talked to my inner child.
I think it will be loved by both adults and children.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I think it will be loved by both adults and children.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
October 25, 2020
Princess Fuzzypants here: This book would be great fun for young and old readers alike.... and for kitties like me. It tells the story of Miko, who was orphaned as a kitten when a vicious dog killed her mother and brother. Mentored and trained by a wise teacher, she becomes a ninja cat who is hired out by her agent, a mouse with 12 children, of whom he constantly reminds Miko.
This unlikely duo are hired by a dog family to find their kidnapped pup. Miko never likes working for dogs but is made an offer she cannot refuse. Complicating the issue is the father dog is the one who killed her family and upon whom she has sworn revenge. She is conflicted and even has a perfect opportunity to exact that revenge but something stops her.
She returns to her teacher, fearful she has lost her edge, and enlists his help. But things are not as they seem and there are some deadly twists that could easily be the death of her and her mouse friend. She must find the inner strength and courage to battle on even when the odds are so clearly against her. In the end, she learns lessons that are both joyful and tragic. It makes for an entertaining read.
Five purrs and two paws up.
This unlikely duo are hired by a dog family to find their kidnapped pup. Miko never likes working for dogs but is made an offer she cannot refuse. Complicating the issue is the father dog is the one who killed her family and upon whom she has sworn revenge. She is conflicted and even has a perfect opportunity to exact that revenge but something stops her.
She returns to her teacher, fearful she has lost her edge, and enlists his help. But things are not as they seem and there are some deadly twists that could easily be the death of her and her mouse friend. She must find the inner strength and courage to battle on even when the odds are so clearly against her. In the end, she learns lessons that are both joyful and tragic. It makes for an entertaining read.
Five purrs and two paws up.
February 9, 2020
This is my first read by this author and I was surprised it is set in Japan; did not pay attention when I received the book. Unlike other books set in Japan that I have read, this author does well with his dialogues and actions. I like the cat and the mouse characters and their rapport.
Miko is both ninja and cat, which creates a bit of bother when on the job. The cat side sometimes overrules the ninja side and is mischievous. Unfortunately, for a ninja, Miko has too much self-doubt.
While this story is well told, this is not a children's book. There are bullies, the Barkuza - a spinoff of Yakuza the Japanese mafia, a traitor, violence and adult vices such as gambling and drug use. Needs editing since my kids are taught not to end their sentences with at and are taught proper grammar. This reads as an adult book with fantasy characters. My older teenagers would not read this and the younger bunch will not see this book. I found this book on Booksprout. 3*
Miko is both ninja and cat, which creates a bit of bother when on the job. The cat side sometimes overrules the ninja side and is mischievous. Unfortunately, for a ninja, Miko has too much self-doubt.
While this story is well told, this is not a children's book. There are bullies, the Barkuza - a spinoff of Yakuza the Japanese mafia, a traitor, violence and adult vices such as gambling and drug use. Needs editing since my kids are taught not to end their sentences with at and are taught proper grammar. This reads as an adult book with fantasy characters. My older teenagers would not read this and the younger bunch will not see this book. I found this book on Booksprout. 3*
August 14, 2020
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Spoiler warning. This was the first book I read by Eric DeLeo and it was so good. It us cute enough and mature enough for a middle grader to read. I loved the descriptions of Miko and the teahouse where she lived. I felt so very bad for her that her mom had died and she blamed herself for it. I was also so so happy that she found out her brother is still alive. I also couldn't believe that Kobayashi was working with the Barkuza to steal the puppies. Sukoshi also made me laugh because he was always hungry or thinking about food. I'm going Mr. DeLeo brings out a second part to this book so we can see if Miko finds her brother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
Blurb: A missing puppy. An evil gang. And a hidden enemy lurking in the shadows.
She’s a cat. She’s a ninja. She’s a cat ninja. When Miko’s friend Sukoshi the field mouse comes calling with a new job, she agrees to investigate. But when it turns out the job entails helping the family an old enemy, little does Miko know that she’ll need to face her past in order to solve the case before it’s too late.
If you like talking animals, stealthy ninjas, and beating up bad guys, then you’ll love The Cat Ninja. This chapter book deals with many themes including anger, loss, abandonment, and fear. It is perfect for fans of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Redwall by Brian Jacques and The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, along with other fantasy series including The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.
Length: 186 pages
Age Level: 8 - 12
My thoughts: Wow. If you were expecting a cutesy animal story, think again! Miko is one kick-ass cat with a kick-ass reputation, complete with a kobachi sword called Amai Fukushu (Sweet Revenge) and a mouse sidekick (because why shouldn’t she?). As a kitten, she witnessed the death of her mother and brother and as a stray living on the streets she was taken in by a Ninja Master – Kobayashi (‘a rare male tortoiseshell’) who taught her all his skills.
Before leaving her safe, Miko’s mum left her with an heirloom – an omamori – which she wears round her neck as a reminder of what she has lost. Since then, Miko has been out for revenge and whilst completing this new job, she comes up against the dog that she believes was responsible for killing her family. With Sukoshi and Kobayashi at her side, she is sure to succeed. But not everything is as it seems…
“Battling yourself is tougher than any fight with a sword”.
Only £2.99 on kindle at the moment.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Erik DeLeo for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
She’s a cat. She’s a ninja. She’s a cat ninja. When Miko’s friend Sukoshi the field mouse comes calling with a new job, she agrees to investigate. But when it turns out the job entails helping the family an old enemy, little does Miko know that she’ll need to face her past in order to solve the case before it’s too late.
If you like talking animals, stealthy ninjas, and beating up bad guys, then you’ll love The Cat Ninja. This chapter book deals with many themes including anger, loss, abandonment, and fear. It is perfect for fans of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Redwall by Brian Jacques and The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, along with other fantasy series including The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.
Length: 186 pages
Age Level: 8 - 12
My thoughts: Wow. If you were expecting a cutesy animal story, think again! Miko is one kick-ass cat with a kick-ass reputation, complete with a kobachi sword called Amai Fukushu (Sweet Revenge) and a mouse sidekick (because why shouldn’t she?). As a kitten, she witnessed the death of her mother and brother and as a stray living on the streets she was taken in by a Ninja Master – Kobayashi (‘a rare male tortoiseshell’) who taught her all his skills.
Before leaving her safe, Miko’s mum left her with an heirloom – an omamori – which she wears round her neck as a reminder of what she has lost. Since then, Miko has been out for revenge and whilst completing this new job, she comes up against the dog that she believes was responsible for killing her family. With Sukoshi and Kobayashi at her side, she is sure to succeed. But not everything is as it seems…
“Battling yourself is tougher than any fight with a sword”.
Only £2.99 on kindle at the moment.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Erik DeLeo for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2020
There was a lot to like about this middle-grade work. A strong female main character. Subtle and not so subtle lessons about love, forgiveness, bravery, empathy, and so much more. Enough action to keep readers on their toes, and enough redemption to offset the story arc of revenge and atonement. For those who loved the Squirrel Squire, this book will not disappoint. For those who have not had the opportunity to enjoy Squirrel Squire, this book serves perfectly well as a standalone.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.
January 15, 2022
I loved the Squirrel Squire and was excited to see the second installment was a cat ninja - what’s more fun than that?? And I truly did enjoy the character of Miko. But, I felt like this one lacked in details, glossed over major plot points, and simply told the reader what to believe without any proof…plus that ending just turned everything the reader had been told on its head with no hint of a sequel coming! Overall, I think the young readers that this book is geared towards will love it, but as a seasoned reader it lacked finesse in my opinion.
December 9, 2020
Cute book! Not my favorite though!
October 18, 2022
I read this to a 4th grade class and we enjoyed it. We all found the ending somewhat abrupt. They wanted to know if there was a sequel which is a good sign!
July 22, 2025
I'm so invested in this cute series! The second book in the series is about a ninja cat that lives at a teahouse. Her agent—a field mouse—assigns her a new case. This one involves a missing Shiba Inu puppy. However, things are not as cut and dry as they seem. I liked Miko; she was an entertaining protagonist. I really enjoyed the part with the bottle on the countertop—of course, a cat would do that! The banter between Miko and Sukoshi was fun to read about. A cat and a mouse are an unexpected duo, but they work well together. Overall, the book was fun and fast-paced, kids would definitely enjoy reading it.
Note: Using new rating system starting 2025.
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