Plain Kate
Erin Bow’s debut novel Plain Kate introduces a talented carver struggling to make her way in the world.
Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses. When Kate's village falls on hard times, the townspeople look for someone to blame, and their eyes fall on Kate. Enter Linay, a stranger with a proposition: in exchange for her shadow, he'll give Kate the means to escape the town that seems set to burn her, and he'll grant her heart's wish. But Kate soon realizes that she can't live shadowless forever—and that Linay's designs are darker than she ever dreamed.
I can’t discuss Plain Kate without gushing over my favourite character: Taggle, the talking cat. He’s the closest thing to family Kate has. When Linay gives him the gift of speech, fulfilling Kate’s wish to not be alone, Taggle’s personality leaps off the page. He sounds exactly like I imagine a cat would if they could talk.
The bond between Kate and Taggle is unbreakable, even in death. His sacrifice to save not only Kate, but the people of a highly-populated city were incredible. I’m glad the book ended with Kate and Taggle reunited, and although his speech was gone, the two were able to continue their journey together.
A major theme in this book is the concept of family. After Plain Kate is orphaned, Taggle is her family. After her deal with Linay, she joins up with a troupe of Roamers. Like Kate, they too are ostracized. She befriends a girl close to her age that is willing to help her get her shadow back. Through her weeks with the Roamers, she gains a sense of belonging that she’s missed since her father died.
Although Linay’s intentions are questionable, he too acts almost like an uncle to her. An uncle who wants her shadow for dubious means, but he provides for her in his own way. Kate doesn’t agree with his vengeful plans, yet when he dies she does miss him. She understands why he did what he did.
Bow’s novels are always a pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book to younger readers making the foray into Young Adult/teen books. It won’t disappoint.
Plain Kate Rating: ★★★★
Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses. When Kate's village falls on hard times, the townspeople look for someone to blame, and their eyes fall on Kate. Enter Linay, a stranger with a proposition: in exchange for her shadow, he'll give Kate the means to escape the town that seems set to burn her, and he'll grant her heart's wish. But Kate soon realizes that she can't live shadowless forever—and that Linay's designs are darker than she ever dreamed.
I can’t discuss Plain Kate without gushing over my favourite character: Taggle, the talking cat. He’s the closest thing to family Kate has. When Linay gives him the gift of speech, fulfilling Kate’s wish to not be alone, Taggle’s personality leaps off the page. He sounds exactly like I imagine a cat would if they could talk.
The bond between Kate and Taggle is unbreakable, even in death. His sacrifice to save not only Kate, but the people of a highly-populated city were incredible. I’m glad the book ended with Kate and Taggle reunited, and although his speech was gone, the two were able to continue their journey together.
A major theme in this book is the concept of family. After Plain Kate is orphaned, Taggle is her family. After her deal with Linay, she joins up with a troupe of Roamers. Like Kate, they too are ostracized. She befriends a girl close to her age that is willing to help her get her shadow back. Through her weeks with the Roamers, she gains a sense of belonging that she’s missed since her father died.
Although Linay’s intentions are questionable, he too acts almost like an uncle to her. An uncle who wants her shadow for dubious means, but he provides for her in his own way. Kate doesn’t agree with his vengeful plans, yet when he dies she does miss him. She understands why he did what he did.
Bow’s novels are always a pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book to younger readers making the foray into Young Adult/teen books. It won’t disappoint.
Plain Kate Rating: ★★★★