Review of “The Adventures of Angel” by Ross Alan Hahn

Score: 92/100 (9.2 out of 10)

Join Angel, a kind, adventurous kitten, as she explores her farmland and considers the wonders of the world beyond it...

The Adventures of Angel is a unique book written from the naive perspective of a pet. These types of stories are always a little extra special. There's just something about seeing the world from the perspective of one of God's littler creatures as opposed to the human beings we're so accustomed to.

Kids will laugh and jeer as the curious kitten gets herself into a lot of shenanigans throughout the course of the book.

The one thing about this book that slightly holds it back is that it seems to lack a clear plot. Yes, there are times where there is tension such as when Angel gets herself locked out of the screen and separated from Mamakitty or when Angel encounters a mean, hungry fox in the field, but there isn't really a traditional plot with a rising and falling action. It's more episodic. Things just happen to Angel or Angel experiences a new thing.

The closest thing we can think of to a plot is in Angel trying to earn her stripes and respect among her peers, namely the barn kittens Long Tails, Jasper, and Calico Girl. They are all passionate and adept hide-and-go-seekers, playing the game daily. Calico Girl is especially skilled at this, pretty much being the Lebron James or Tom Brady of their hide-and-go-seek crew. Angel learns that by being the one to discover Calico Girl's secret hiding spot, she could rise in the hierarchy of their crew.

What this book really excels all is in capturing the naivity and innocence of a young person (in this case a kitten) as they see and experience things they've never seen or experienced before. One of the best examples of this is when Angel goes to the veterinarian for the very first time. She has no idea what's going on, but she's fascinated by all the other animals there and their different situations. One of our favorite animals at the vet was Stinky, a smelly cat who obviously earns his name.

Another aspect of interest in this book is that of a young person realizing that there's more to the world than meets the eye. When Angel goes on a short road trip, she returns to tell Long Tail all about how the world is bigger than just the farm, that there are rivers, lakes, and mountains out there.

Lastly, the illustrations in this book are cute and beautiful. They are a cherry on top.

So, while this book left a lot to be desired in terms of a tangible plot, it did have some cute and interesting moments and characters as well as solid illustrations.

Check it out on Amazon!