If a winter setting, a magical baking oven, and cats galore don’t say cozy fantasy, then I am not sure what does. So, grab a hot coca and perhaps a chocolate brioche as you settle in to meet Agnes, cat shelter administrator extraordinaire, and Havelock, the notorious Witch King. The charm of the author’s voice and style shine through in the characters’ quirks and dialogue. Agnes is a force to reckon with when it comes to protecting her feline charges. Havelock is a mix of power and tinkering recluse. Plot pacing is spot on and the twists all come together nicely to click the puzzle pieces together.
Those familiar with the Emily Wilde series will note some similarities or echoes in the characters and the setting. This is not a repackaging of that series, but rather the novel is consistent with the author’s style when it comes to mixing a real-world setting and fantasy worlds and to creating non-stereotypical protagonists. The familiarity is endearing and satisfying rather than feeling repetitive.
This book concludes on a satisfying note that allows it to be a stand-alone story. However, there is a door literally and figuratively left open that would allow this to be the first in a series, should the author choose to continue. I, for one, would be delighted to have more adventures with Agnes and Havelock.
Review of a Digital Copy Advance Reading Copy Provided by the Publisher
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 3 religious exclamations; 8 mild obscenities; 6 religious profanities; 5 derogatory names.
Violence/Gore: Report of magical dueling that resulting in destruction of property; brief descriptions of cats found with injuries (e.g. broken ribs), medical ailments, mites, etc.; several page battle scene between magician’s involving destruction of property, fire, constraining people, flinging people against objects, etc.; character throws small objects at another; reports of people being trampled; report of 10 people being killed; character is injured, brief description and mention of blood pooling on the floor; cats fight; character says he has killed half a dozen people; battle between magicians involving destruction of property, some deaths; cats occasionally bite and scratch characters throughout the book; verbal threats of harm; magician’s battle, minor injuries, one is trampled by a horse resulting in death; character throws a cat at someone; character cuts arm, mention of trickle of blood; battle between magicians, destruction of property, bodies seen lying motionless, injuries; character jokes about feasting upon the hearts of infants and sleeping under kitten hides.
Sex/Nudity: Female and male characters are attracted to each other; female and male characters kiss; female and male characters embrace; passing reference to a man’s husband; someone wonders in passing about the nature of a relationship between two characters.
Mature Content Matter:
Death of a spouse (reference to), battles (magical), deaths.
Drug/Alcohol Use:
None
