Roque Ja is a big puddy-tat. A really big feline who prowls the eastern mountains where Fone Bone and his friends have found refuge -- and danger. Roque Ja (or Rock Jaw, as his acquaintances call him) believes everyone must chose sides in the coming war -- but his own leanings seem uncertain to the Bones who stumble into his domain.

Rock Jaw, the fifth volume in Bone, focuses on a game of cat and mouse (or, rather, cat and rat) as the Fone and Smiley Bone venture through the foothills to reunite their cuddly rat-creature foundling with its people -- dangerous and predatory though they are. Besides Roque Ja, they also run afoul of the nightmarish Kingdok, the foul-tempered big cheese of the rat creatures, as well as a pair of bumbling deserters, and they're aided by a troupe of orphaned woodland creatures.

This book is a detour in the progression of the Bone saga, without any developments in the stories of Thorn, Gran'ma Ben, Phoney and Lucius. Don't let that dissuade you, however; it is a vital chapter in the overall tale. Jeff Smith continues to write a winner.

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 30 August 2003