Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Little Background
Back in February 2022 we received a review request for a “dog book.” It sang the praises of a pit bull, Stella. Here’s how we wrapped up that review:
So there’s no doubt Stella is a wonderful dog. (Not as wonderful as a certain Border Collie mix. But nobody’s perfect.) After awhile, however, I just wanted this book to end. Additionally, Kimber has a story of her own on the subject. Sort of.
Kimber: When I was about a year old, Mom and I were out for a walk. On a public street. Chugging along. Minding our own business. All of a sudden two dogs tore out of a house, racing straight toward us. They had us surrounded faster than you can say “Rin Tin Tin.”
One dog grabbed my shoulder. Mom pushed him off. He came back again. Mom jumped between us. She morphed into Mama Grizzly Mode, yelling and screaming at those dogs to Go away! Go home! Leave us alone! Get. Your. Dogs! (Note: You so don’t want to mess with Mama Grizzly Mom the Raving Lunatic. Ever.)
The owner finally came out of the house. The dogs didn’t pay any attention to her. Another human finally came out and got ahold of those two dogs. It took some doing.
We got away. I wasn’t hurt. But I was scared! Those were the most aggressive dogs I’ve ever seen.
Note: We received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“I dunno, Mom. This book smells funny.. Methinks it’s a little too… feline.”
“Oh c’mon Kimster! Yeah, it has ‘cat’ in the title. But the summary says it has a dog, too. And a pig! Besides. I bet Fido the dog is the smartest, most dependable, loyal, heroic and magnificent character in the whole book. Kinda like… You!”
“Alright, alright, Mom. Flattery will get you … everywhere.”
Sniff, sniff.
And that’s how I, Kimber the Magnificent, got talked into a feline-ish book. Sort of. So as long as we’re here, might as well dive in. Like this:
Step into a magical world of talking animals, dastardly villains, high adventure, and daring rescues in Kevin Blakeslee’s eminently enjoyable middle grade fantasy, The Cat Half-Elven.
The three main characters are Fido the sheepdog, Bruno the orange cat, and Plato the barnyard pig. They spy strange hooded men lurking about, making inquiries about a cat with unusual abilities. But the hooded men don’t seem human. If they’re not human, then what are they? And why are the mysterious riders looking for a “cat half-elven”?
Bruno, Fido, and Plato aren’t about to stick around to find out. They flee into the forest and embark upon an adventure into the unknown, with the hooded riders hot on their trail. Can “The Three Wayfarers” make it to Elven Island before they’re caught by the ruthless and murderous Bogles?
We soon learn that Bruno has the blood of both Elven and Mortal Worlds flowing through his veins. By examining it, the evil Bogles hope to discover how to give themselves the powers of Elves. Kindly note that the “elves” in this story are not the traditional North Pole type. Nor are they the tall and powerful type of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. They’re more like angelic or “semi-divine beings” who “more or less served in the role of ‘gods’ in Irish mythology.” This makes these characters particularly strong and unique.
Along the way, the trio encounters all sorts of adventures and dangers as well as friends and protectors. These include ogres and wizards. Great warriors. The Battle of Bluefoot. Pirates. The Chasm of Doom. Trolls. A shape-shifting dove. A Question Unanswerable. One-Eyed, One-Legged Dudes. Tree fairies. Goblins. A rabbit named “Rabbit.” “You may have the cat, but I have the umbrella.” (You will get that if you read the book.)
There’s lots of action and plenty of adventures as readers join The Three Wayfarers on their epic quest to Elven Island and The Secret Vale. Themes of loyalty, camaraderie and family percolate throughout this sturdy and beautifully written story. The three main characters are especially dynamic, as Bruno, Fido, and Plato all learn and grow throughout the story. I especially loved the character of Constantine the mouse. (Hi, Reepicheep.)
Told with a twinkle and rapier wit, it’s a hoot and a half! Besides. A title like “The Cat Half-Elven”? Well. Who can resist that?
This book is simply delicious! It’s a little Charlotte’s Web. A little The Hobbit. A little Puss in Boots. All heart. Bonus points: The illustrations at the start of each chapter are terrific. The chapter headings are hilarious!
Readers who love clever combinations of fantasy and animal-themed stories will enjoy The Cat Half Elven. It will certainly resonate with its target audience of middle grade readers and anyone who enjoys a crisp and creative story that’s fresh and original and includes a generous helping of sass and spunk. Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia will also appreciate this warm and whimsical read. It’s just delightful! Mom LOVED it and didn’t want it to end!
One of us is already looking forward to more from this talented author – and hopes to see The Three Wayfarers in another adventure soon!
Kimber the Magnificent here. Being all brilliant and beauteous. As usual. Telling you that Mom and I have been thinking. (Mom says “noodling.” No idea what that means. Or what pasta has to do with anything. But you know Mom!)
Anyway, you know we have our Big Kitty Litter Box in the Sky Awards, right? Reserved for books that hit it right out of the park in the Stinkasaurus Stupendi category. But we’re thinking of creating a new award: The Liar! Liar! Pants on Fire Award.
Cuz if it’s one thing that chaps our hides, it’s a book that’s not honest about who/what it is. You know the type? You pick up a title at a bookstore. Library. Online. Read the summary/synopsis. Think to yourself, “Hey! This sounds pretty good. I’m in!”
The Unpardonable Book Sin
You start reading. Then, wham! It starts getting warm and toasty. The fire alarm goes off. And you realize you’ve been had. Lied to. Cuz the book you grabbed on the basis of its own description turns out to be something else. Commits the Official Mom and Kimber Unpardonable Book Sin: Pretends to be something it’s not. Misrepresents itself. Fakes it. Has a hidden agenda.
So. Not. Cool.
Tip for Authors: (Throwin’ this in for free): You soooo don’t want to do this. Mom’ll nail ya on it. Every time.
Ever finish a book and just kinda want to sink back into your favorite reading chair, snuggle up under a soft blankie and smile and sigh? Just kinda sit there and savor the read for a few? That’s what finishing Viola Shipman’s warm and whimsical holiday-themed novel, The Secret of Snow, is like.
“Now, not everyone would think of scooping up a book called The Secret of Snowin the middle of July,” spake I, Kimber the Magnificent. “But you know Mom! Thus, (isn’t that a great word, “thus”? Mom taught it to me. No idea what it means. But if Mom likes it, then so do I.”)”
Hidden Gem
“As I was saying – neither Mom nor I had ever heard of this author before. Ditto the book. So we decided to take a chance on both the other day. (We do that sometimes.)
We had no idea what to expect when opening the cover. But Holy Meow Mix! Did this book ever surprise us! Talk about a hidden gem. Here’s the scoop (pun intended)”:
“I’ll be back soon” Mom chirps as she heads out the door. “Be good.”
No problemo, I bark, tail wagging. You know I’ll be here when you get back. Besides. When am I ever NOT good? (Well, there was that one unfortunate incident with The Powder Puff and a can of unsupervised red paint. Nobody’s perfect.)
Meantime, I’ll just stay here and guard the house. Say hello to the neighbors. Do my puppy eyes thing on the postal carrier (always good for a free treat). I will also protect my turf from stray felines, menacing deer and sketchy-looking plastic bags.
Now, let’s see. Where was I? Oh yeah. Mom and that magic room. The place she wanders off to with an armload of books to do that “reading” thing. It has her favorite reading chair. Lots of books. And a “Summer Reading Program.” Whatever that is.
“That’s why this was the perfect murder, and it’s why I will never be caught. Tomorrow belongs to the people who plan for it today, and I planned for this day for years.”
Kimber: Mom was doing that “fly by” thing the other day. That’s when she swoops over to the library. Flies inside like Maverick in Top Gun. Nabs a coupla new books and checks out at warp speed. Also like Maverick. Or maybe Ice.
All this rush cuz Yours Truly is waiting outside with the patience of Job. Sort of. Kinda like this book. Lemme ‘splain:
Kimber: Ever get a tune stuck in your head on auto-play? Like, it goes around and around and around and Will. Not. Shut. Up? (Advertisers spend million$ coming up with this stuff. No idea what that means. But I know this is true cuz Mom says so.)
Anyway, Mom has author John Grisham stuck in her head these days. So we thought we’d share. From three of his novels that one of us finally got around to reading, The Street Lawyer and The Brethren. And The Boys From Biloxi. Here goes:
Kimber: I hate to admit it. But it’s true. One of us just got around to reading Amy Tan’s beloved best-seller, The Joy Luck Club. One of us kept passing it up in the library, aiming to get to it “later.” Never mind that it was published back when dinosaurs roamed the earth (in 1989). One of us is a little slow. (Hi, Mom.)
So now that Her Royal Momness finally got around to reading this classic, we thought we’d feature it in today’s edition of Book Beginnings and Friday 56. Besides. We loved this book!
And Mom’s nothing if not quick. (Insert face palm here.)
Kimber here. Mom is busy rustling up some Independence Day eats. I’m not too sure about the potato salad and corn on the cob thing. But I’m all over the grilled burgers! Yeah, Lassie!
Well. The subject of “best U.S. historical fiction” came up the other night. We were watching videos of last year’s fireworks or somethin’. You know. The stupid Big Boom things. (Why do humans do this every Independence Day? I don’t get it.)
I was all ears. (For the book list. Not the Big Boom things. Mom got me a Thunder Shirt for that.)
Anyway, just in time for Independence Day, Mom and I put together a list of the best historical fiction reads set in the U.S. Mom says we aren’t even going to try to cover books by decade, social movement, issue, or what not. That’d take us like, till the cat comes home. Gag me with Meow Mix!
Death by Pitbull:
Pages & Paws 