This initial lack of credibility sets the tone for what is to come. The authors take a fair, if not too original idea, and turn it into something that is hugely disappointing and politically correct to an almost painful degree. A prime example is when Rafi is attempting to recapture the runaway Charlie, and asks people if they've seen 'a brown boy.' As if black is a dirty word. No British youth with Rafi's background would ever use such a phrase. Worse by far is the frequent, nanny-like occurrence of meaningless swear words substitutes; Bliddy, plackett, sniking, crike and graspole. I can understand not wanting to include profanity, but there are enough real words in the English language that could have been used, without resorting to nonsense. Then there are problems of continuity, and clumsiness. The latter coming when Charlie boards a circus ship named Circe, which he remembers is pronounced Sirky. When in fact Circe, the name of a Greek goddess, is pronounced sûrsê. Either this is poor research or deliberate misuse, neither of which should've made it past the editor.

As Charlie's adventure proceeds, I found it increasingly hard to believe that a boy from a fairly sheltered, middle-class background could do the things he does. I'm not talking about his special abilities, but the street smarts required to escape captivity, make his way across a city, lie to the police, and join the crew of the circus ship. Early on we're told that Charlie's teacher is someone named Brother Jerome, yet at no point are we made aware that this tutor has even realised that Charlie is missing. Ditto Charlie's friends, relatives and the authorities. Similarly, Charlie's kidnapped parents are supposed to be top research scientist, on the verge of a major breakthrough, so it seems very strange indeed that nobody is shown to be concerned by their disappearance.

There are a couple of good points in LionBoy's favour. The best are the cats, who are more interesting and plausible than the human cast, and often get better dialogue. The cats clandestine associations with Charlie give a glimmer of something more worthwhile to come, as this trilogy progresses. The same is true of the murky conspiracy which resulted in Charlie's parents being snatched. There's an element of authenticity about it, which if written well, could yet form the basis of a good yarn by the time book three arrives.