I became a huge fan of Heather Fawcett on the first page of Emily
Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies. What a glorious, romantic, silly,
unexpected adventure those three books were! I picked up Agnes Aubert's
Mystical Cat Shelter with anticipation and was richly rewarded. Like Emily
Wilde, this story brings together an unusual heroine (obsessed with saving
every stray cat in 1930s Montreal) and a mysterious, wounded dark wizard
(widely known to have almost caused the end of the world). In this world, like
Emily’s, magic exists on the fringes of human society. Most uncomfortably so,
for at the beginning of the story, a duel between two magicians resulted in the
partial destruction of the building that Agnes has leased for her cat shelter,
and she (and her irresistible sister, Elise) must find new quarters before
winter storms sweep in. The only suitable place that will rent to her is the
shop above the secret hideout of Havelock, the notorious “dark wizard” widely
known to have almost brought about the apocalypse. Inevitably, they encounter
each other…only to discover that he is allergic to her beloved cats.
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter is a delightful
concoction of whimsy, dark secrets, grief, quirky characters, and cats. The
cats, of course, have their own personalities and agendas. The magical system
is fresh and interesting (and a little scary in its own right). Second chances
are not only for rescue kitties.
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