Orphaned Suri, an aspiring monster tamer, inadvertently steals a magic ball of twine from a shapeshifting cat-like creature called a Caitsith.

As expected from the illustrator of Daughter of Ys, Rioux's stunning artwork is full of bold colors and lush textures and is easily the best part of the graphic novel. Unfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't hold up simply because there isn't enough of it. The world-building is light (plot points are scarce, so most of it is carried by Rioux's pretty backgrounds), and Suri is a resourceful, likeable protagonist, but the story is not complete at all. Instead, readers get an introduction to Suri's quest, the characters, and some brief plot details, then the book just sort of ends.

Buy this for the 3-5 grade set and have it ready on your shelf for when the sequel hits, but try not to recommend it to anyone just yet. Readers will be dissatisfied when the sequel isn't immediately available to draw them deeper into Suri's world.

I looooove this art style, and I'm very into this story!!! I wish I had a sequel IMMEDIATELY, I can't believe some people have been waiting years to hear how the story continues. Kudos to First Second for re-releasing this absolute gem of a book. If you like monsters, monster hunters, excellent main characters, and giant sized lap dogs, please give this a read.
Also realized after I read this that the author's local(ish) to me! I am surrounded by such TALENT.

The Cat's Cradle is an enchanting and delightful middle grade graphic novel. The Golden Twine is the first edition and follows the start of an adventure for amateur monster hunter Suri, after she accidentally steals a magical piece of twine from a Caitsith (a cat monster disguised as a human). The artwork and colouring of this novel is beautiful and definitely added to the magical elements of the story. It was a fast paced and quick read but ended rather unexpectedly, however it is the first book of a trilogy so I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses.

Thank you to NetGallley and First Second Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute and enjoyable middle grade graphic novel. The fantasy element will appeal to a lot of middle grade readers who want something more than 'school stories.' I thought Suri was a fun and likeable character. I love her spunk and quest to be more than what everyone tells her to be.

This is exactly the kind of graphic novel that the upper elementary students at my school would love! This was a quick read but it was still able to establish an interesting cast of characters and a larger mystery. I am eager to continue learning more about them all in the next installment. The old-fashioned folktale feel was done very well and kept me guessing to the end. Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book to review!

It was worth requesting this title. The first few pages caught my attraction. A cat in human form? How adorable that. This book tells the journey of Suri which is the main character in this book that believes she has the ability to tame the monster. The climax of the book is when there is a misunderstanding between Suri and the Caitsith (cat in the human body) but the ending of this book is hanging because it's a series! now you ruined my sleep, I need to know the ending. I will wait until the series is complete before purchasing it.

I'm totally enchanted by the introduction to this world! It's fast-paced and has an adorable twist. I would like it to be a little longer but I do recommend it anyway. I love the whole circus thing, it was just so fun to read. This volume it's a set-up for a long story that I'm really looking forwart to read. Children are going to adore this, and everyone else too. The cat and dog element it's my favorite along with the art style. Really recommended. Thanks you NetGalley and the author for the ARC! I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity <3

A create redesign of the original graphic novel. A unique magically world that our characters are just starting to adventure into!

WOW AAA I NEED THE NEXT PART

This graphic novel was incredible and adorable, the illustrations and characters were the best along with the story that is formed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC because I was able to read before its publication date.

When I finished this graphic novel, I was so mad! Why couldn't I read more? Why couldn't I already have the next Cat's Cradle? It so SO GOOD! Why must I wait?

Cat's Cradle: The Golden Twine is about a tenacious monster tamer who finds herself on an unexpected journey with monstrous friends and enemies.

Fun, beautifully drawn, and a total romp of a middle-grade good time! And, at the very same time, we've got emotional nuance and cool world-building and a lovable giant dog. The only bummer is that it's so short, and very little has happened yet! But this is a series, so there's more to come, and I'm excited for it.

I am so in love with the giant lap dog! This is a great fantasy graphic novel for middle grade readers. I'll be watching for the next volume!

The first part of an eventual fantasy comic series. This first edition is short and spends most of its time introducing key characters. I would probably advise my library to wait to purchase once a completed collection of the entire series is available.

Ugh this story was so good!! But it was too short!! I could have easily read more. The artwork is excellent and the story is very interesting. I can't wait for the next volumes.

I love this creator's artistic style! The texture and expression really adds to the characters. I was also excited by the canine sidekick; I've been seeing a lot of cat characters, so it's nice to see other pet representation. The cliffhanger REALLY left me wanting more - I'm more likely to sell a full story arc, even if it is more expensive. Definitely excited by Jo's solo debut, and I can't wait to read more!

This is a delightful graphic novel, and I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel (it's the first of a trilogy). From the gorgeous art to the by turns cute and then properly-scary-for-a-middle-grade-audience conceits, this book was a joy to read. I particularly liked the twist on the big, scary monster that we get about two-thirds of the way through the book, and it bodes well for the plot of the second volume. I also adored the main character--she's tenacious and assertive and very quick-witted, despite her age and diminutive size. What a great start to a series!!

Suri is an orphan who travels with a caravan of traveling merchants. Almost everyone in the caravan likes Suri except for their leader who keeps trying to get rid of her or leave her behind. She manages to accidentally steal a valuable item from some kaitsith. They come looking for it and are going to eat Suri until she is saved by a dog-like monster and his owner (reluctantly). When she goes to return to the caravan, she finds that she has been left behind. She is distraught until she decides to help the dog-like monster find a home with a giant.