The Outlaw Varjak Paw

Original and amazingly engrossing … it is much enhanced by its high-quality production and the beautiful illustrations by Dave McKean * Daily Telegraph *
To today’s overprotected children, Varjak Paw is the perfect emblem of the joys and dangers of freedom. Beautifully illustrated by Dave McKeen and written in spine-tingling prose, the novels have a suspenseful edginess that children instantly respond to * The Times *
A wonderfully original creation: a fearless feline with a gift for whizzy martial arts … grippingly vivid … Dave McKean’s scratchy, lean drawings perfectly capture Said’s dark narrative * Evening Standard *
It’s refreshing to enter a world of cats. And not just any old cats, but the rich collection of heroes and villains in the world of Varjak Paw … The Outlaw Varjak Paw is another swift, compelling tale. And Varjak is an appealing and believable hero * The New York Times *
The bleakness of the story is magnified by Dave McKean’s brilliant illustrations. The combination of his blood-spattered paintings and Said’s staccato descriptions lends the fight scenes an almost balletic quality … The world inhabited by these emaciated cats becomes engrossing, while the emotional ambiguities offer plenty for adults to think about * Time Out *
Great new characters and some cracking fight scenes. Unputdownable * Newsround online *
Said writes with an elegance and clarity that will appeal to readers keen to get their teeth into more substantial fare * Sunday Herald *
This is a book with true crossover appeal. Buy it for the kids, then enjoy it yourself - even the stylish cover won’t give you away … with simple but stunning illustrations from Neil Gaiman collaborator Dave McKean, Said tells his story in spare, elegant prose that maintains its tension without playing on all too obvious sentimental tricks. Dark and wonderful * Zero Magazine *
The first Varjak Paw book was brilliant and the follow up is just as good … once again features the fantastic drawings of Dave McKean … a real Christmas treat for readers aged eight to 12 * Newmarket Journal *
Said’s latest creation is not one to be forgotten easily. This rich and colourful portrayal of a cat’s struggle for power effortlessly combines shimmering imagery and visual delicacies, alongside a compelling tale of loyalty, darkness and the truth behind what is right and what is wrong … The powerful combination of mystical artwork and stylish narration will have every parent fighting over whose turn it is to read to the kids next * Daily Echo *

SF Said’s first book, Varjak Paw, won the Nestle Smarties Prize for Children’s Literature. The sequel, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, won the BBC Blue Peter Book Of The Year. Phoenix is his third book. He has written widely about literature, films and the arts for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph; and works regularly with CLPE, promoting reading and literacy in schools.

Dave McKean has illustrated and designed many ground-breaking books and graphic novels including Varjak Paw (SF Said), The Magic of Reality (Richard Dawkins), The Savage (David Almond) and The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman). He wrote and illustrated Pictures That Tick and the multi-award winning Cages. He has created hundreds of CD and comic covers and directed five short and three feature films.

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