Erin the Literary Cat : Adventure

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Sunday 17 December 2023

CAT SUMMER (Book one in The Cat Seasons tetralogy)

by Mollie Hunt;

Cat Summer book cover. It shows a lawned and hedged garden scene. Three lead catcharacters from the book apppear on the cover. Front and just right of centre is a large ginger tom with bright yellow eyes. Behind in the middle ground is a fluffy tuxedo cat, and sitting in the border under a hedge is a fluff silver gray feline. Cat Summer title appears in a salmon orange along the top, along with the Cat Writers Association Muse Winner Badge. Auhors name is in white upper & lower text along the bottom.

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring this week an Middle Grade Adventure Fiction.

This week, as the year slowly draws to an end, I offer you our final review of 2023. We have an adult book to review, called Lie or Die, by Firefly Press. It's LONG. So, Mrs H has got a stash of mince pies in and a fresh bottle of sherry, and we'll be busy reading throughout the rest of December. Me, I have six boxes of cat food and some long-life cream and catnip and valerian cushions to while away the quiet hours between chapters.

So, without further ado, here's the review!

AUTHOR: Mollie Hunt

Cover art by: Roslyn McFarland

Published by: Independent Published

Publication date Paperback: This 2nd edition 7/2/2023

Paperback ISBN: 978-1984134844

Cover price for Paperback: £11.77

Kindle UK price: £4.99

Pages: 353

Age range: ADULT

Any dogs or cats? Absolutely chocked full of cats, plus some interesting humans, too!

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters.

Thank you to...

I am incredibly grateful to Mrs H for buying me this for an early festive holiday present.

As always, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.

The plot

Our protagonist, Lise, awakes at night in her bed. It's hot, and she can't sleep. Forgoing dressing, she skips downstairs through the large, empty house. Her aged tuxedo cat, Percy, lies snuggled on the sofa. That is where the familiarity of the scene ends, for sitting on the floor is a large orange tabby. When she asked herself out loud who he was, he actually answered her. He is called Evermore Artair Eckx or plain Tom. The two cats discuss Lise's suitability to be 'She Who'. Tom thinks she is too big and clumsy to fit in their world. But time, it seems, is short, and their mission has to happen on Tri-Night, which is now. So, Lise is what they have to work with. But the cats head off, and Lise, for better or worse, follows. Still uncertain of what is really going on, but driven by curiosity and the guiding of the cats, she drops to all fours and dove whiskers first through the flap into the night beyond. Here marks the start of their journey and perilous mission.

The cats offer little in the way of information as to the task that must be done. But soon, it becomes clear there is a demonic-like force, an evil that has been driving and feeding off man's wickedness and destructive nature. The name of the beast is Seh. And if he isn't stopped now, they never will be able to.

In an old neighbourhood shed, they come across one of Seh's minions, and it's not pretty. The cats flee, and soon enough, Lise realises there are many cats out there to help in the fight to bring an end to Seh's powers. It will be too late if they leave it till the next Tri-Night. Tri-nights give all sentient beings, of which cats are one, the ability to do things they could not before, like talk to each other.

It is a mission that will bring them face to face with friends and foes, some feline, others creatures of this world but turned bad within. Lise is warned by a feline she meets en route to watch out for their eyes. If they are red, they are evil and in league with Seh. The journey also takes our heroes, for that is what the ultimate band of felines is, on a quest that will transcend realms, maybe dimensions, where they will take on different forms and face not only the devilish workings of Seh but also Seh itself in a tangible form.

Like the best stories, those like LOTR, the heroes will be tested to breaking point, maybe even death. In the Alter tier– the realms cats can visit beyond their bodies and beyond the mortal world– things are not what they seem, nor people or creatures.

So as not to spoil this adventure, I shall leave my review here. I have but covered the intro to the first half of this story, which moves forward briskly to not one, but two conclusions. To say more would ruin the drama that unfolds and who features.

So, what did we think? Beware, Spoilers!!!!

The story is divided and defined by both chapters and time. It is also very descriptive; the writer has taken great pains to create a solid and compelling ambience-filled setting for the feline and human characters and the grizzly baddies in all their forms, wherever they may be. There is a very credible and clever link between the science and the fiction, which gives the story a grounding, especially in the second half.

I have to say, Mrs H and I were taken aback when, halfway through, we reached the second part and jumped 100 years. But the transition to what are effectively new characters was handled well. You'll note I say 'effectively new'. That will become clear when you read the story. Suffice it to say, this is a story with twice the punch. The ultimate ending (though arguably, given there are more books to come, this isn't the ending) was gripping and heartfelt.

There is as much a journey of discovery for Lise as there is action and adventure. A higher purpose to her life, maybe the lives of all humanity. Thought-provoking.

I loved the cats, which are studies in feline behaviour and mannerisms. Knowing how skilled a cat carer Mollie is, this should be no surprise to any of her readers. This is a standout example, within its genres, of how we feel an excellent feline book should be for those who have neither cats nor read feline-themed adventures.

For us, there are many ways of depicting cats in adventure stories. Over the years, they have been relegated in human-based detective stories to mere sidekicks or hooks to lure cat lovers and humanitarians. Don't get us wrong; any books featuring positive enforcement for fellow sentient creatures are to be applauded. More recently, I am pleased to see our favourite sentients, the cats, get a fair crack at the whip and move to speaking and action rolls.

I have reviewed LT Shearer's first two books, The Cat Who Caught a Killer and The Cat Who Solved Three Murders, and was pleased with the intelligent portrayal of Conrad, the talking feline co-protagonist. It is also pleasing to see children's/Middle-Grade books with all manner of other sentient creatures ably portrayed.

There are what we consider 'adult' moments in this book, which, for me, would make this an adult-only read.

So . . . .

Crunch time.

A story worthy of Ray Bradbury – Old School in the best way. Keenly written, a blend of spiritualism, fantasy and science fiction that is not overpowering yet deliciously on the edge, or rather, straddling a rift between earthly and alternate worlds.

Of the books and films we have read and seen, Mrs H thought it was like Madeleine L Engle (A Wrinkle in Time) meets Twilight Zone and Dr Who with undoubtedly a soupçon of Star Trek.

We both agreed that this book is very much a parable for humanity and a fragile, on-the-brink planet. Thought-provoking in the best way.

So, loads to love and well worth dipping more than a toe or paw in for Christmas.

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, in whatever reality you may be in, please saunter, float or morph on down to your local independent bookshop. There are plenty out there, realities and bookshops, and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

Mollie Hunt's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue in America.

Small image. The Cat on My Head Sunday Selfies Blog Hop badge. Features a yellow-haired lady with a tuxedo cat on her head.

And here is my selfie. Mrs H said she wanted to get all of me in the frame, so I obligingly obliged with an early Sunday morning 'Breakfast Roll'. 🙂

Till laters!

ERin

Sunday 20 August 2023

ALICE ÉCLAIR, SPY EXTRAORDINAIRE! in A SPRINKLING OF DANGER.

by SARAH TODD TAYLOR;

Small book cover. Alice Eclair leans over the edge of the hot air balloon basket, pointing to Paris below. The sky is filled with stars, and there is a blue, purple and light umber horizon picking out the buildings and eiffel tower below. Casper, the white cat, hangs on for dear to the outside of the basket. The balloon is of verticle stripes alternating in red and yellow. The basket has multicoloured bunting on the outside. 'Alice Eclair Spy Extraordinaire', appears in an ornate cake-pink panel edged in gold at the top of the page. Within the panel are a small crossed wooden spoon and magnifying glass. 'A sprinkling of Danger' and the author's name appear in dull gold at the bottom of the cover. The burner in the centre of the balloon is lit and a bright white and yellow flame roars up into the balloon body.

Image ©

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction.

If you are here for my selfie, please read on down to the bottom of the page.

The latest fun gangster-style story hasn't quite got itself finished, so there is no warm-up/B-Movie to go along with this 1930s spy adventure.

So, without further ado, please open your mind and enter the world of 1930s France, a place where German spies abound. If you are into fine eating, especially gastronomic cakes to make you drool, you'd head to Paris's finest bakery, Vive Comme L'Éclair.

ALICE ÉCLAIR, SPY EXTRAORDINAIRE! in A SPRINKLING OF DANGER.

Large book cover. Alice Eclair leans over the edge of the hot air balloon basket, pointing to Paris below. The sky is filled with stars, and there is a blue, purple and light umber horizon picking out the buildings and eiffel tower below. Casper, the white cat, hangs on for dear to the outside of the basket. The balloon is of verticle stripes alternating in red and yellow. The basket has multicoloured bunting on the outside. 'Alice Eclair Spy Extraordinaire', appears in an ornate cake-pink panel edged in gold at the top of the page. Within the panel are a small crossed wooden spoon and magnifying glass. 'A sprinkling of Danger' and the author's name appear in dull gold at the bottom of the cover. The burner in the centre of the balloon is lit and a bright white and yellow flame roars up into the balloon body.

Image ©

Author: SARAH TODD TAYLOR

Artist: BEATRIZ CASTRO

Published by: NOSY CROW

Publication date: 14 September 2023

Paperback ISBN: 978 - 183 994 88 55

Cover price for Paperback £7.99

Pages: 272 (approx)

Age range: Middle Grade (9 AND upwards)

Any dogs or cats? Yes, a feline called Casper, who gets more than he bargains, AGAIN!

To see our review of book 1, click this LINK. OR type this link https://erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2022/07/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire-recipe.html

To see our review of book 2, click this LINK. OR type this link https://erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2022/12/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire.html

SPOILER ALERT

Yes, some as to wider plot direction and characters.

Thank you to...

We are exceedingly grateful to Sarah Todd Taylor and Hannah Prutton of Nosy Crow Publishers for the fantastic proof copy of this highly-anticipated, delectable book before publication.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we like and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their children, friends and students will enjoy.

The plot

Our story opens with Alice and her spy boss, Claude, overhearing the apparent demise of a French agent at the hands of Alice's traitorous uncle Robert. It is the latest in a string of incidents where agents or their locations have been compromised, or worse. Claude believes the theft of a secret map showing the agents' positions, the incidents and the presence of an American director, Glen Carmine, at the Palace Versaille to make a film are linked. Carmine is believed by Claude to be a traitor from the first war, though he could never prove it.

Somehow Carmine has to be sending snippets of info from the map out to foreign agents. As the current checking of the film production's post and telephone calls has not proven anything, Alice goes undercover on the film set to keep Carmine under close observation.

When Alice presents some of her delicious macarons to the star of the film, Catrine Belle, she gains favour, a request for daily cakes, and thus access to the set. Unfortunately, Alice has been paired up with an adult agent and new recruit called Pierre, who manages to secure a role on set as Catrine's personal hairstylist. He, however, does not like playing any sort of part with Alice. It is a conflict that only gets worse and threatens the mission. In fact, Pierre seems eager to get Alice off the set and off the case! But why? Has it anything to do with notes he is seen passing to Carmine, who is doing her best to ignore him?

When Alice is sent tumbling to the gutter to avoid being run over by Catrine's car, it seems there is another suspect to be watched.

During her spying, Alice discovers a fake vase. Clearly, someone has stolen the original. But with the thief of a clock already fired, is there another thief in the cast and crew? Alice has a plan, and surprisingly it involves a dusting of icing sugar and more of her cake-making skills.

Help soon arrives in the form of an adult, Stella Blythe – Alice's reporter friend from book two, but not before another attempt on her life which leaves her cold in more ways than one. It seems that the spy, or spies, are on to Alice. Stella was attending a meeting where the map was stolen from and was, as they say, in the frame. Duly freed, Stella intends to find the culprit, who Claude says is at Versaille.

Through her investigations, Alice spots the set designer going out in the snowstorm and handing over something to somebody who soon vanishes from the grounds. Could he instead be the spy?

With clues leading this way and that, will Alice bring the real master spy to justice? More to the point, will she be alive to do it. y the time the film is a wrap?

With only a radio set and a small lipstick-size flare, she sets out on what could be a mission impossible!

So, what did we think?

First, I need to caveat the above by saying I have simplified the plot slightly to preserve a lot of action, adventure and mystery. It is, for want of a phrase, just a tasty morsel of a much bigger, cream-filled, strawberry-topped gateau that is just waiting in the patisserie window with your name on it. No calories, just lots of filling.

I love that in this adventure, Alice is developing as an agent. Trusted by her boss, Claude, she isn't just a kid with incredible baking skills. Alice has proved her worth as an asset in the service of France and the post-WW1 free world in the preceding two adventures. But, in a primarily male and adult world, she is also very vulnerable. So she fights on a few fronts, both age and gender. I think this great dynamic will appeal to most young readers. And in an age where to do what Alice and some of the characters do was to risk all, the peril we see here is well placed and informed for the Middle-Grade reader.

This is Alice's third mission, and my, she really has quite a mountain to climb to expose the villains.

There are nice twists and turns, especially as we are never quite sure where the main characters' loyalty lies. I do like that guessing game.

The joy of the story has to be Casper, the cat, who, in true feline fashion, willingly or unwillingly, gets himself into far deeper hot and cold water than a cat should. I doubt he'll be going outdoors anytime soon after what he gets goes through.

We have come to expect mouth-watering cakey creations, and this adventure is no exception. They are used to very clever effect throughout the story. I'll be wary next time I'm confronted with a sizeable multi-tier cake, I can tell you.

If I was to add anything to this story, it would be scratch-and-sniff cards to give the smell of the cakes......

So, Crunch time.

This is an excellent sequel. A super stylish, atmospheric period adventure, beautifully placed inside the Palace of Versailles and its snow and ice-covered grounds, that takes Alice to dizzying, heartstopping new heights and far greater peril.

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please sail or saunter down to your local independent bookshop. Of course, a feline on the shoulders is optional. There are plenty out there (both book shops and cats), and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

Sarah Todd Taylor's WEB page can be found HERE or type this: https://sarahtoddtaylor.com/

Nosy Crow's web page can be found HERE. or type this: https://nosycrow.com/product/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire-a-sprinkling-of-danger/

Beatriz Castro's web page can be found HERE. or type this: https://beatrizcastroilustracion.com/

After all that reviewing, I shall leave you with a selfie of little old feline me. 🙂 🙂

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kittes Blue and their mum, Janet Blue.

This is me and Logi the mouse settling in for a nap together . . . Mrs H thinks I'm dreaming of cake. Me, I think it may have been cake covered in soft icing with layers of cream, and just a sprinkling of danger(ous marzipan mice) on top.

Till laters!

ERin

Sunday 6 August 2023

The DOG SQUAD. The Newshound.

Written and fully illustrated by Clara Vulliamy.

A small version of book cover. Wafer the whippet sits front and centre on top of the letter 'o' in the centre of the word DOG. The three protagonists are either side of him set slightly further back so the look the same size as Wafer. The turquise backdrop has buildings and trees so is likely set in the local park. Clara's name is picked out in white at the op of the book. The Word s "The Dog Squard occupy the bottom third of the front page. The word 'squad sits in a bone shaped orane nametag that hangs off the letter 'O' in Dog. The words 'The NEWSHOUND is at the very bottom of the page in smaller yellow capitals.

Image © C Vulliamy

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction.

This week are incredibly honoured and happy to bring you the latest and most beautiful adventure from the author of the 'Marshmallow Pie, Cat Superstar' adventures, Clara Vulliamy. (To see my review of those fab books click this link)

This time, she has brought the younger readers the first adventure in a new series featuring a dog and three eleven-year-old school reporters.

So, stopping only for a quick scratch behind the ear and to check the food bowl and water are topped up, let's get straight into the review!

A large version of book cover. Wafer the whippet sits front and centre on top of the letter 'o' in the centre of the word DOG. The three protagonists are either side of him set slightly further back so the look the same size as Wafer. The turquise backdrop has buildings and trees so is likely set in the local park. Clara's name is picked out in white at the op of the book. The Word s "The Dog Squard occupy the bottom third of the front page. The word 'squad sits in a bone shaped orane nametag that hangs off the letter 'O' in Dog. The words 'The NEWSHOUND is at the very bottom of the page in smaller yellow capitals.

AUTHOR: Clara Vulliamy

All art by: Clara Vulliamy

Published by: Harper Collins Childrens Books

Publication date: Paperback 3 Sept. 23

Paperback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 856 533 - 6

Cover price: Paperback £6.99

Pages: 114

Age range: 7 - 11

Any dogs or cats? Oh YES! Whilst this book mainly features dogs, Frank the cat does appear.

SPOILER ALERT

Inevitably as this is a short book, there are some as to plot direction and characters.

Thank you to...

We are exceedingly grateful once more to Clara, who sent me a personal copy of this delightful adventure to share with you all. Clara has also sent us some of the delightful artwork from the story for you all to enjoy.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we love and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their children, friends, and students will enjoy. That is our guarantee to you.

Wafer the whippet leaps across a turquise backdrop. He is wearing an orange and pale pink chequed coat with a neck that extends onto his forelegs.

The plot

Eva lives with her mum, elder brother, Wes, and younger sister, Macy. The story opens with a bang when Eva's mum enters their kitchen, stops stunned, and demands to know "WHAT. IS. THAT?" That is the introduction to a scared puppy, soon known as Wafer, who Eva has under her chair. Alas, try as she might, Eva can't hide the fact she has smuggled Wafer in.

Eva spotted the dog alone and scared outside a shop several times during the previous week. Having saved the stray pup from being run over, it followers her home.

A black and white image showing our three protagonists walking along the pavement beside some shops. They are dressed in jackets and have back packs on. Ash has their THEY THEM badge on, a larger copy is at the top of the image. From left to right there is Eva, Simone and Ash.

Alas, the landlord does not allow pets. What to do? Well, mum insists Wafer can only stay one night. After that, they will need to take him to a rescue centre. This is where Eva and her two pals, Simone and Ash, get to play sleuths. They run their own newspaper, most aptly called The Newshound. Simone is not so good with interviewing people but fantastic at artwork, and so does the paper's lettering and illustrations. Ash – they are the cleverest person in the whole world – is the Star Researcher, which leaves Eva as the lead reporter.

A black and white image. Ash crouches to left of Wafer, who is in his chequered jacket. Simone kneels to the right. Both kids are petting Wafer.

Finding out how such a wonderful pup came to be alone on the streets, and who their real owner is, becomes their primary concern and the latest hot article in the making for the Newshound reporters. But whilst Eva's mum is slowly being won over to having Wafer in the flat, time and luck are rapidly running out.

A black and white image. Wafer the whippet lays curled in his bed.

Can the eager young reporters successfully unravel Wafer's story? Can they keep Wafer from the landlord's ever-watchful eyes? And will they get invites to what promises to be a great party but have been excluded from for being slightly different? All this and more will be revealed in the closing chapters!

So, what did we think?

I have to say straight up that I fell in love with Clara's artwork from the off. I mean, who could not be captivated by such appealing images of dogs and the characterful situations they and the child protagonists find themselves in and investigating. They are on almost every page, ranging from full page to small title sequences.

Double width black and white iamge. Two staff from the Wags and Whiskers dog walking business are walking down the road. They have 7 dogs between them ranging from a sausage dog, to a great Dane and a lurcher like wolf hound. In the background is the White Rabbit Book shop, Hair We Go, a hairdressers. There also seems to be a cake and tea shop. A dog on a lead waits outside the bookshop.

The images are but half of this review. The storyline is both compelling and fun, as well as displaying diversity in its lead characters, one of whom is non-binary. It rewards the young reader with healthy, balanced world-building, adventure, a pinch of mischief, and a wonderful message about caring for and the conscionable approach to adopting pets. Top Marks, and a few weepy eyes, all round.

So . . . .

Crunch time.

For most adults, this will be a speedy, enjoyable read. But I think this will be a perfect book for a read-along at home over a few days or in schools to engender cognisance and discussions of broader issues whilst bringing a smile to the face. So, without a doubt, an absolute must. It's as simple a recommendation as that.

Would you like to hear an extract from the story?

Clara has read an extract from the first chapter, which appears on the READING ZONE webpage. You can link to this page by clicking HERE. Or copy and paste the following: https://www.readingzone.com/books/the-dog-squad-the-newshound/

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please do choose your local independent bookshop. There are plenty out there, and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

Clara Vulliamy's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://claras.me/

Harper Collins Children's Books web page can be found HERE or type this: https://harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk/explore/

The winners of our GIVEAWAY prize of a copy of Michael the Amazing Mind Reading Sausage Dog are:- The Brian's Home blog, and all the guys at the The Oceanside Animals blog. If you will both please leave us a comment (which wont be published) as to where you want Amazon to send your copy of this book.

After all that sleuthing and those doggy delights, I shall leave you with a selfie of little old feline me. 🙂 🙂

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kittes Blue and their mum, Janet Blue.

Mrs H isn't quite sure how to describe this position. Maybe the 'levelling pose' would be apt?

Till laters!

ERin