The Outlaw Varjak Paw (S F Said)***

I hadn’t read the sequel before, but I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it was about from the opera. I didn’t. The opera only really shows the very end and the book has different characters in.

The problem with sequels is that they can be disappointing. Even the most brilliant characters can have their limits, and only so many stories can be told about them. Also, Varjak has learned all the Seven Skills of the Way in the last book, Varjak Paw. So where could the character go from here?

But S. F. Said seems to have thought about this. Sally Bones makes only a fleeting – although very memorable – appearance in Varjak Paw but she’s someone who stays in your mind. She’s not the sort of character you’d create, only to limit her to one appearance. And in The Outlaw Varjak Paw, the character is given the story she deserves. She’s one of the most chilling villains I’ve ever read about and remains so even now I’ve read the book, and I know all her secrets. (Or I think I do.)

Varjak defeated The Gentlemen at the end of Varjak Paw, and has now returned to life on the streets. However, he’s not out of danger as cats are still disappearing – or worse. In a way, it surprises me this is a children’s book, as a lot of it is terrifying. But I don’t think I was scared of anything much as a child. Now, I’ve realised the world is dangerous and there are people out there who want to hurt you. In some ways, I haven’t grown up at all, and some people would say I’m quite babyish in the things I’ve scared of. But I do think adults have a more developed sense of fear.

Jalal no longer needs to teach Varjak The Way – although his powers have conveniently and rather inexplicably deserted him. I never quite understand why Varjak lost his powers or how he got them back, but it did give the situation an extra sense of urgency. Jalal teaches Varjak other things instead – and, as in the earlier book, Jalal’s teachings help Varjak as he progresses through the story.

Said is great at creating strong characters and there are lots of new ones to enjoy here. The Scratch Sisters (for some reason I keep calling them The Snatch Sisters), a trio of kung-fu Siamese cats, are my favourites. Then there are a couple of Sally Bones’ minions who change side, Omar and Ossie, who seem rather more cuddly. I loved the way such different individuals – mostly cats, but with Cludge the dog, of course - were bonding together in order to fight Sally Bones.

But the veiled sex references didn’t seem quite appropriate. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen the opera, where Holly is presented as being around sixteen, with Varjak no more than ten. So when Said starts hinting that there might be Holljak kittens before too long, it’s a little bit disturbing. Maybe if I hadn’t seen the opera, I’d think it was sweet, but I have, so I don’t.