Review by Booklist Review
Mythical monsters have returned to nineteenth- century Scotland, and Cat Douglas is proud to follow in her father's footsteps by taking part in her local monster-hunting society and acting as bait to draw out the creatures. After the society's usual monster hunts are interrupted by reports of an enormous sea dragon making off with a fisherman's children, Cat and her crew set off in search of the beast. It's the biggest mark they've ever faced, and it will take all of their bravery and cunning to rid the coastal village of their fearsome foe, though Cat feels the stirrings of sympathy inside her hunter's heart. The suspenseful series opener immediately establishes a superb Scottish setting, and despite the story's shorter length, it feels like a fully realized episode. There's a bit of gore, a lot of action, and the occasional comic-book illustration to add to the fun. Scottish terminology is scattered throughout, and vivid descriptions beautifully bring the characters--and monsters--to life. Readers on the hunt for a marvelous monster story will find it here.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this lively historical fantasy set in 1890 Fife, Scotland, 14-year-old Cat Douglas is training as a member of monster hunting society the Royal & Ancient to defend her home from the creatures that terrorize the land. As the first girl to serve in her town's R&A chapter, Cat feels as if she has a lot to prove, and as the smallest, she acts as bait, luring the monsters in for the kill. Things are going well until the R&A is dispatched to handle reports of a treacherous sea dragon, the likes of which hasn't been seen for many years. The monster hunters are shocked to learn, however, that where there's one sea dragon, there are likely more, sending Cat and her crew on a high-stakes mission to save the village. Cat's lilting first-person narration adds a potent sense of identity to this atmospheric action-adventure series starter by Yolen (The Scarlet Circus). Poppy saturated comics pages by Lowenthal appear throughout, evocatively rendering Cat's world and the fearsome creatures that inhabit it. Most characters are Scottish. Ages 8--11. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--6--A new fantasy series from beloved author Jane Yolen. Living in Scotland in 1890, 14-year-old Cat Douglas is the youngest member of Anstruther's Royal & Ancient monster hunters. The R&A hear of a sea dragon pulling two young men overboard and rush out to investigate. So begins a long journey to keep Fife safe from the sea dragons. Not for the faint of heart, this story offers pragmatic descriptions of monster trappings and killings. Characters speak with a slight Scottish brogue and Yolen provides readers with a glimpse into life in small coastal fishing villages. The book includes a handful of graphic novel color inserts, along with character profiles at the end. VERDICT A historical fantasy full of adventure and thrilling monster hunts.
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Review by Horn Book Review
Fourteen-year-old Cat Douglas is the newest (and smallest) member of her Scottish fishing village's Royal and Ancient team of monster hunters, led by no-nonsense Mr. Harris, and with classmates Calum and Jamie. The story begins with Cat's first hunt against a cow-eating monster, which is quickly dispatched, but down at the harbor a much larger sea dragon has just killed two fishermen, and the R&A is called on to track it to its island lair. Yolen's tale is a short but intense outing exploring the practices of the monster-fighting crew, including Jamie's unique invention: an electric "zapper" that can temporarily stun a dragon. The story's drama revolves around whether the R&A will prevail over the sea dragon or vice versa and, for Cat, whether she will have the courage to meet the moment. Yolen's depiction of 1890s Scottish culture and setting is impressive, including dialect that will either delight or befuddle readers and adroit details such as the copper coins Cat takes with her to "buy the wind" at sea. Graphic novel-style panel illustrations at interludes throughout the book add panache and a bit of swagger to a straightforward adventure that will set hearts racing at just the right speed for middle-grade and middle-school readers. Anita L. BurkamSeptember/October 2025 p.80 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
