Product Description

Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang - a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave, yet sometimes naive cat? Soon, the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal's Way really be the best way? This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11408 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-07
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Evening Standard, November 7, 2005
A wonderfully original creation...grippingly vivid...Dave McKean's scratchy, lean drawings perfectly capture Said's dark narrative.

Daily Telegraph, 10 December, 2005
Original and amazingly engrossing...it is much enhanced by its high-quality production and the beautiful illustrations by Dave McKean.

Birmingham Post, 3 December, 2005
Utterly gripping, with graphic fight scenes, sensitive characterisation, fabulous dream-like sequences and a thrilling plot.

Customer Reviews

Martial Art Cats? Now You've heard everything......
Outlaw : Varjak Paw is the rivetting sequel to Varjak Paw by S.F Said. Admittedly, it may move quite slowly in early chapters, but once it picks up, Outlaw is pure brilliance, with many unforsee-able plot twists and a completely original story line.
For Varjak Paw, a cat who has recently dicovered a secret power of martial art within him, the streets are about to get a lot more dangerous. Sally Bones has him named as an Outlaw, and she wants him dead or alive. In a town where cats are forbidden to even hunt for themselves, lest they be punished in a barbaric and brutal act, Varjak Paw must rise to his potential, and fight for the lives of his friends. If you enjoyed book one, the warriors series or any similar books, this action filled, gripping sequel is something you should definately read. Even if you wouldn't normally read a book with an animal as a main character, this book may just surprise you. Get your paws on a copy of Outlaw : Varjak Paw now!

Amazing Book and Great Story
This is an amazing book and great story. I can't recommend it enough.

Food is scarce. Sally Bones and her gang are imposing their law on all
the cats. Every cat suffers, but none can face Bones. She's the
fiercest, best fighter the cat world has known. She knows The Way that
Varjak knows, but has been practising it for far longer. She could
even be a better fighter than the mystical Jalal, of Varjak's dreams.

However, there are things more powerful than fighting. Jalal suggests
"seeing" is more powerful. I would add the starlight between Holly and
Varjak, the courage of Mrs Mogg, the loyalty of Cludge the dog (and
you get to learn about his family), the cunning of Razor and the
ability to make cats as prone to fighting as the Scratch Sisters and
the Orrible Twins, come together in peace are all just as important.

What a great story SF Said takes us through. Not only do we learn more
about the wonderful characters but we get new ones, such as Ozzie and
Omar the Orrible Twins, and great relationships between the
characters. The pacing is fast and superb. The language is beautiful
and at times poetic

" like a string of lights, strong between two windows… like whisker of
starlight, fine and strong between them."

…But always readable. And let me not forget the illustrations, which
are the usual Dave McKean masterpieces, just the right counterpoint to
the story.

I don't think you need to read the first Varjak book to read this one,
but it might help in explaining some of the background between Holly &
Varjak, and Jalal & Varjak.

The book is about facing your fears, but still going on to do what you
know is right. It's about what you love and the "strength of the
starlight" between those you love. It's about trying and trying and
not giving up. It's an heart lifting moving story, and most
importantly it's a gripping read. Now go and get it.

Let's hope SF SAID "keeps the Way alive" and writes another one.

because it's cool for cats
so the title of the review probably shows my age (old enough to remember when jools holland was actually cool. sort of) but that's important: this book is not just for kids. anyone who enjoys kickass writing that can turn from comic to tragic to hardcore action to gentle romance on a penny, and who loves the thoughtful but witty works of, say, joss whedon or howard hawks, will find much to enjoy between the gorgeously illustrated covers of The Outlaw Varjak Paw.
If you're looking for a book to read with your kids that won't bore you, embarrass you, scare them or put them off reading, this is it. The pictures illustrate the story beautifully for younger children ready for a complex story with loveable heroes (especially Cludge the dog, who will melt your heart) and the prose is satisfying and full of new vocabulary but not verbose for children ready to read alone. Best of all, there will be no gender gap in readers -- boys (and girls) who think reading is nancy will latch on to the active, funny characters here.
warning: this book is set in the real world, and some sad and occasionally violent things occur. they are not gratuitous, but described seriously. readers of a sensitive nature should be prepared, but also reassured that the book's fighting scenes are for a higher ethical purpose that carries through the nasties.
And while I can't recommend digging out 80s classics to read to, a playlist of cat-influenced tunes and artists (Love Cats by the Cure and anything by Cat Power are on my list ;) will add to the rich pleasure of this novel.