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A review by secre
Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales by Karin De Havin, Rachel Ann Michael Harris, J.L. Rowan, H.L. Burke, Jenelle Leanne Schmidt, A.J. Bakke, Savannah Jezowski, Sharon Hughson, Pamela Sharp, Lelia Rose Foreman, Naomi P. Cohen, Grace Bridges, Ace G. Pilkington, Laura L. Zimmerman, Jeremy Rodden, Janeen Ippolito
5.0
A brilliant collection of short stories from a wide range of authors that caught my heart and kept me desperate for more. I loved how so many of these authors captured the whims and the arrogance of our feline companions so well, and just how much imagination was showcased throughout. Whether or not you are a fan of shorts, I would thoroughly recommend this anthology; there are no duds on display at all here, which is impressive for a collection with this breadth.
The Witching Hour by Savannah Jezowski: 4 stars. A cute little story featuring a princess, a chimney sweep and a snarky cat who knows what it wants and just how to get it. Really well written and a slightly new take on the old tale of the princess who has to marry.
The Tail of Two Kitlings by Sharon Hughson: 4.5 stars. Another excellently written tale about brothers and responsibility and the importance of a tail. There's some amazing world building here considering the length and I loved the depiction of the two brothers growing up and only wished that it could have been longer.
Black Knight by Laura L. Zimmerman: 3 stars. Far shorter and not as much meat to it, but enjoyable enough to read.
Sulphur and Sunshine by Grace Bridges: 3.5 stars. Interesting set up and bonus points for the inclusion of a dragon. I think this might have worked better as a slightly longer novella as there wasn't a chance for the author to really explore what was going on, but it's well written and sweet.
The Magic of Catnip by A.J. Bakke: 4 stars. Cute and hilarious, I really enjoyed this little bite of cat centred urbanesque fantasy. It's quirky and unusual, although the action at the end seemed a little out of place.
The Secret Treasons of the World by J.L. Rowan: 4.5 stars. This short tale moves us straight into high fantasy and really sets up a fascinating world exceptionally well. Apparently the author's other tales are set in the same universe, so I'll be interested to have a look and see what they are like.
The Poor Miller and the Cat by Lelia Rose Foreman: 3.5 stars. A short morality tale with a bitter sweet ending.
Alex the Cat and Alex the Prince by Ace G. Pilkington: 4 stars. I really enjoyed this bite sized fantasy piece which puts a different spin on a faerie tale of old. I loved the characters and felt that the tension and snark put together made for an excellent tale.
Whisker Width by H.L. Burke: 4.5 stars. Another excellent snippet of a tale that has really intrigued me about the author's full length works. I loved the teleporting cat and the hint of romance that could lead somewhere was well done, despite me not being a big fan of romance.
The Honourable Retrieval of Miss Sunbeam Honeydew by Pamela Sharp: 4 stars. I loved this little tale that once again tells a tale of siblings and of rivalry, but also touches on themes of love and loss.
The Witch's Cat by Rachel Ann Michael Harris: 3 stars. A very short little piece that is over almost as soon as it begins. Cute though!
The Cat-Dragon and the Unicorn by Janeen Ippolito: 5/5 stars. A wonderful little story that captures all the arrogance and snark of the feline and the dragon, without losing sight of humanity and love. I adored the world and the imagination showcased here and have bought the first in The Ironfire Legacy series to continue the adventures.
Destined For Greatness by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt: 4/5 stars. A cute little tongue in cheek story about what 'being destined for greatness' really means. I certainly didn't see where it ended up going and had great fun reading it.
Sammy's Secret by Karin De Havin: 4/5. Another beautifully written tale, although with less of the snark from a few of the preceding entries. I enjoyed how reality and fantasy were interwoven and felt the simple narrative lent itself well to the short format.
Death Always Collects by Jeremy Rodden: 5/5 stars. Oh my, this is heart-breaking and heart-warming both and left me with tingles up and down my spine. Stunningly written this is a look at the impact a single life, even that of a 'silly Siamese cat' can have. My favourite piece, hands down.
The Wild Hunt by Naomi Cohen: 4/5 stars. Since falling in love with the Toby Daye series, I'm a sucker for fae stories and particularly Cait Sidhe stories. This is both and is beautifully entertaining to boot.
The Witching Hour by Savannah Jezowski: 4 stars. A cute little story featuring a princess, a chimney sweep and a snarky cat who knows what it wants and just how to get it. Really well written and a slightly new take on the old tale of the princess who has to marry.
The Tail of Two Kitlings by Sharon Hughson: 4.5 stars. Another excellently written tale about brothers and responsibility and the importance of a tail. There's some amazing world building here considering the length and I loved the depiction of the two brothers growing up and only wished that it could have been longer.
Black Knight by Laura L. Zimmerman: 3 stars. Far shorter and not as much meat to it, but enjoyable enough to read.
Sulphur and Sunshine by Grace Bridges: 3.5 stars. Interesting set up and bonus points for the inclusion of a dragon. I think this might have worked better as a slightly longer novella as there wasn't a chance for the author to really explore what was going on, but it's well written and sweet.
The Magic of Catnip by A.J. Bakke: 4 stars. Cute and hilarious, I really enjoyed this little bite of cat centred urbanesque fantasy. It's quirky and unusual, although the action at the end seemed a little out of place.
The Secret Treasons of the World by J.L. Rowan: 4.5 stars. This short tale moves us straight into high fantasy and really sets up a fascinating world exceptionally well. Apparently the author's other tales are set in the same universe, so I'll be interested to have a look and see what they are like.
The Poor Miller and the Cat by Lelia Rose Foreman: 3.5 stars. A short morality tale with a bitter sweet ending.
Alex the Cat and Alex the Prince by Ace G. Pilkington: 4 stars. I really enjoyed this bite sized fantasy piece which puts a different spin on a faerie tale of old. I loved the characters and felt that the tension and snark put together made for an excellent tale.
Whisker Width by H.L. Burke: 4.5 stars. Another excellent snippet of a tale that has really intrigued me about the author's full length works. I loved the teleporting cat and the hint of romance that could lead somewhere was well done, despite me not being a big fan of romance.
The Honourable Retrieval of Miss Sunbeam Honeydew by Pamela Sharp: 4 stars. I loved this little tale that once again tells a tale of siblings and of rivalry, but also touches on themes of love and loss.
The Witch's Cat by Rachel Ann Michael Harris: 3 stars. A very short little piece that is over almost as soon as it begins. Cute though!
The Cat-Dragon and the Unicorn by Janeen Ippolito: 5/5 stars. A wonderful little story that captures all the arrogance and snark of the feline and the dragon, without losing sight of humanity and love. I adored the world and the imagination showcased here and have bought the first in The Ironfire Legacy series to continue the adventures.
Destined For Greatness by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt: 4/5 stars. A cute little tongue in cheek story about what 'being destined for greatness' really means. I certainly didn't see where it ended up going and had great fun reading it.
Sammy's Secret by Karin De Havin: 4/5. Another beautifully written tale, although with less of the snark from a few of the preceding entries. I enjoyed how reality and fantasy were interwoven and felt the simple narrative lent itself well to the short format.
Death Always Collects by Jeremy Rodden: 5/5 stars. Oh my, this is heart-breaking and heart-warming both and left me with tingles up and down my spine. Stunningly written this is a look at the impact a single life, even that of a 'silly Siamese cat' can have. My favourite piece, hands down.
The Wild Hunt by Naomi Cohen: 4/5 stars. Since falling in love with the Toby Daye series, I'm a sucker for fae stories and particularly Cait Sidhe stories. This is both and is beautifully entertaining to boot.