Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter

8.3 X 5.5 X 0.9 inches | 1.1 pounds, 368 pages

English language

Published by Random House Worlds.

ISBN:: 9780593973257

(1 review)

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life—and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a much-needed cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for lost cats.

But after she is forced to move the cat shelter, Agnes learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front—for an internationally renowned and thoroughly disreputable magic shop. Owned by the disorganized—not to mention self-absorbed, irritating, but also decidedly handsome—Havelock Renard, magician and failed Dark Lord, the shop draws magical clientele from around the world, partly due to the quality of Havelock’s illicit goods as well as their curiosity about his shadowy past …

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life—and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a much-needed cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for lost cats.

But after she is forced to move the cat shelter, Agnes learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front—for an internationally renowned and thoroughly disreputable magic shop. Owned by the disorganized—not to mention self-absorbed, irritating, but also decidedly handsome—Havelock Renard, magician and failed Dark Lord, the shop draws magical clientele from around the world, partly due to the quality of Havelock’s illicit goods as well as their curiosity about his shadowy past and rumors of his incredible powers. Agnes’s charity offers the perfect cover for illegal magics.

Agnes couldn’t care less about the shop—magical intrigue or not, there are cats to be rescued. But when an enemy from Havelock’s past surfaces, the magic shop—and more importantly, the cat shelter—are suddenly in jeopardy. To save the shelter, will Agnes have to set aside her social conscience and protect the man who once tried to bring about the apocalypse—and is now trying to steal her heart?

Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats…

3 editions

lastblossom reviewed Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

A cozy adventure packed full of magic and many many cats. Fans of Fawcett's other work will be delighted.

No rating

I normally try to avoid comparing one book to another, but this book feels very much like it was purposefully grown in the same soil as Howl's Moving Castle, so I will say that it hits with very similar vibes in terms of the leads and how their relationship forms, along with a lot of the external conflict. You've got your practical leading lady with a fondness for checklists and order, the disaster magician with a bad reputation who may or may not be evil (of course he's not), and a cozy spark of romance between them. The magic in the world building is vague, but consistent, with a fairy tale-like quality to it. Add to that a supporting cast of immediately likable friends and family, with a dash of political maneuvering and a powerful magical antagonist, and you've got a solid standalone novel.

The main difference is, of course, …

I normally try to avoid comparing one book to another, but this book feels very much like it was purposefully grown in the same soil as Howl's Moving Castle, so I will say that it hits with very similar vibes in terms of the leads and how their relationship forms, along with a lot of the external conflict. You've got your practical leading lady with a fondness for checklists and order, the disaster magician with a bad reputation who may or may not be evil (of course he's not), and a cozy spark of romance between them. The magic in the world building is vague, but consistent, with a fairy tale-like quality to it. Add to that a supporting cast of immediately likable friends and family, with a dash of political maneuvering and a powerful magical antagonist, and you've got a solid standalone novel.

The main difference is, of course, the cats. If you are a cat person this will be a huge bonus. Not only are there are lot of cats in here, but they behave in all the way cats do, from the infuriating to the endearing. It's extremely charming for this reader, and I found myself enchanted with all the cats and their personalities. You could probably read it even if you don't like cats, but it might test your patience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!

Subjects

Fantasy
Magic
Cats

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