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When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar.
Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by a terrible evil, it will take all of Aldwyn’s street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!
The calculated invocation of too many tropes makes for a joyless fantasy debut. Aldwyn may be an orphaned alley cat with a mysterious past, but he has street smarts in abundance, so when young wizard-in-training Jack adopts him as his "familiar," Aldwyn knows he's on to a good thing. To secure his position among the other familiars--Skylar, the know-it-all bluejay, and Gilbert, the goofily genial tree frog--he pretends to possess magic as well. But when the three apprentice wizards are kidnapped by an evil sorceress, Aldwyn's lie puts their already-impossible rescue mission in danger. There isn't a fantasy cliché left out of this tale nor anything particularly clever or original in their use. The familiars might as well have been named Harry, Hermione and Ron, with only the barest nod to nonhuman traits; the magical system is painfully muddled; the plot is driven by random encounters and ridiculous coincidences; the climactic Big Reveal is telegraphed far in advance; the denouement serves only as a blatant advertisement for a sequel. Pass. (Fantasy. 8-12)
thefantaseer
Posted October 12, 2010
My daughter picked this out when she saw the cover - she enjoys The Warriors and Harry Potter - and we read the book together over the course of several evenings. We absolutely loved it. But to my surprise, my 11 year old son, who isn't much of a reader, "borrowed" the book when we were finished and read it himself in a few nights! I can see why it appealed to both of them - there's lots of humor, great action and adventure, and in this parent's opinion, some excellent lessons as well (friendship, loyalty, believing in oneself). I know this family is eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
31 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 6, 2011
The Familiars was a very good book. I read it before I got my NookColor. It's about a stray alley cat who find himself getting chased there and doing magic here. First, he is a sneaky alley cat. Then he finds himself getting chased into a very weird lookig pet shop. Then he gets adoped and soon find himself away from home. He gets new magical friends and soon find their selfs saving their new home. Will just a regular alley cat save his magical home? Read this book to find out...
16 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 3, 2011
heck, I love it and im twelve years old! trust me, this is an EPIC book. and there is a movie coming out!
14 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Okay - so I'm not a fan of books where animals speak and the story generally revolves around animals (and no, I never read that Warrior series). I used to love the movies centering around animals as a kid (Hello, Homeward Bound and Beethoven), but outgrew them in my teenage years.
Then The Familiars made it's way through the blogosphere.. well, I would say.. burst its way instead of made its way. I'm seeing this book everywhere. My dislike of animal books kept me from outright buying it.. but now that I've read my library's copy I'm thinking I may just have to make the investment.
This is the best middle grade book I've read in a while., ranking up there with the Gregor series and the Ranger's Apprentice series (which I love, love, love). The story could have been corny - I mean, we're talking about a cat, a tree frog and a blue jay here - but it worked. And I loved said tree frog. He made the book for me. I'm still cackling with laughter over some of his lines.
If you have a middle schooler, definitely get this book for him or her to read. She will devour it, and you will too. Fun, fun story and I can't wait for the next one!
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 28, 2011
If you are looking for a magical fable about adventure,freindship, and loyalty, then the familliars is your book.
I have read it once and liked it so much it is my new fave book
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 12, 2010
My school librarian suggested this as a read-aloud for my class of 4th graders, and my kids were hooked from the opening chapter. You know it's a good sign when they beg and plead with you to put off a history or science lesson to keep reading. They hardly ever do that (maybe once, when I read them Percy Jackson). This is a really fun story about the magical animal companions to wizards and witches -- think Hedwig from Harry Potter on an adventure of his own. Here, we follow Aldwyn, an orphan alley cat who gets mistaken as a familiar and has to pretend to have magical powers. He's a great character, scrappy and clever. There's also the comic relief, Gilbert, and the smart know-it-all Skylar (for the girls). I recommend to teachers and parents with reluctant readers, as this is a sure pleaser.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I’d have to say this is one of the best Middle Grade novels I have ever read so far. Not only does it provide a very interesting and different point of view (this book focuses on familiars, not the magic users), but the book also provides illustrations - which were well done and nice to look at to provide a good visual picture for the story. I absolutely loved the plot. From the start of the book you could already tell this was going to be a book filled with adventure and action. This is definitely a book that you won’t stop reading until you are done. The bits of humor also makes this book a great light read (Gilbert happens to be the great comic relief in this book) for readers of all ages (but mostly geared towards younger readers). I thought it was an interesting and different approach to have the story told through the point of view of the familiars and not the magic casters - which is what is usually seen throughout fantasy books. The magic system is simple and easy to understand but it’s also interesting to see the Familiars themselves also having to cast and deal with magic as well. I loved the characters in this book! Aldwyn of course, is my particular favorite because of his underdog status and he’s a great character overall. The Familiars themselves are great characters and are fun to read. Gilbert is there for the comic relief, and Skylar - she can be annoying, but she’s also quite intelligent and has her uses throughout the book. What stands out is Aldwyn and his clever ways to attempt to pretend he’s a magical familiar, although this does have serious consequences, you’ll find it only gets better as Aldwyn finds his true talent deep within. I am definitely going to get the second book of this series. There’s lot of questions that haven’t been answered and there is so much more to look forward to! It’s really not until the final chapters of the book where the real plot was just about to begin. Yes, you were taken on a journey with three Familiars, but that was just a great big introduction to what looks like a very interesting storyline. This was a wonderful read, geared towards children, yet I think it’s a fun read for adults as well. Filled with lots of action, fun, you’ll find it’s a great read for those that want a light fantasy, with no complicated plot hooks, magic systems, and worlds. It’s a light fast read that will keep you turning the pages, and wanting to look forward to the next book in this series.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 27, 2011
I thought that this was an interesting book and also could not stop reading it! I reccomend this for people who love adventure and animals
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2012
Super good it is one of my favorite books! If you like harry poter you would like this book!!!!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 24, 2012
It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 3, 2012
I love this book. I know there's a sequel but I couldn't find it in my library. I read it because I love Harry Potter and fantasy. It is definately a book I would reccommend, so if your reading this and haven't read it BUY IT NOW!!!!!!! It's not as good as Harry Potter or the Hunger Games but it's still really good!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 14, 2012
Love it i would recommend it!!!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 4, 2012
So....... I'm sorry to say i am still reading it but its super cute and very enjoyable!!!! You should read it
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 1, 2012
This book is about a cat that becomes a familar accidentaly. He really dosent have any powers. He goes on an epic journey. That is the best book ever
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2011
it is filled with humor and action
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 5, 2011
I picked up this book for my almost 8 year old son because it was long (voracious reader)and was about animals. He devoured it in two days!! He absolutely loves this book and can't wait for the next one to come. Think I may have read it mself now...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 12, 2010
I saw that this was being made into a movie by a Pixar director and the guy who made Spider-Man so I picked it up. It was a very cool story. Kind of like that movie How to Train Your Dragon but with these three animals who have magic talents. I really liked the cat, Aldwyn. He's just an ordinary alley cat, but he pretends he has telekinesis. There's a lot of action and some really funny parts too. I can't wait to see the movie. I love anything in 3D.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 12, 2010
I got this book and started reading it when I got home from bookstore. I went to my bedroom and couldn't put it down. My mom had to bring me lunch because I wouldn't come out of my room. I ended up finishing it by dinner. It was so good. I loved Skylar. She's a really really smart blue jay who can cast illusions and knows about tons of stuff. And Gilbert it really funny too. I liked how all the familiars worked together as a team and became friends. I hope there's a second book because I would read it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 3, 2013
Its so good it maybe 5 dollars but its so worth it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 26, 2013
GREATEST BOOK EVER! I have never read a book this far! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! OMG! GREATSY GREAT GREAT. GET THIS BOOK NOW ! IF YOU'R NOT GETTING THIS BOOK ................................................................................................................................................................................................ YOU NEED TO NOW! GET IT! GET IT! GET IT! GET IT! GET IT NOW!THIS IS THE GREATEST BOOK EVER!JUST GET THIS BOOK! YOU"LL BE WANTING TO GET ALL OF THESE BOOKS!I GIVE THIS BOOK 5 STARS! IF I COULD PUT INFINITY STARS I WOULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar.
Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training...