Tags
I received this e-book from NetGalley and Curiousity Quills in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Just a typical kitten saves the afterlife story, dddisguised as a book about death. In a world where every culture’s mythology is real, Medusa’s sisters want revenge on Poseidon, Troy is under siege again, and the Yakuza want their homunculi (mythological artificial humans) back. Near Atlantis’ Chinatown, a kitten and her human campaign for homunculi rights. Against them are Japanese death gods, an underworld cult, and a fat Atlantean bureaucrat. The main character dies (more than once) and a few underworlds’ way of death is threatened. Also with giant armored battle squids.
You know that saying, “everything but the kitchen sink”? This is basically what Nathan Croft has done. He’s mixed just about every fantasy and mythological trope into one story, and therein lies the problem. The idea behind the book is clever, but the result is confusing and has left me conflicted in regards to my feelings toward it.
The main character is an adorable winged kitten who has just begun the first of her nine lives. She sacrifices that life when she saves the life of a homunculus. Thankfully, she has eight more to go. She teams up with Tyro who is determined to fight for the civil rights of the homuncului. This quest sends the pair all over the known world, and quite a few other ones. During their travels they meet all sorts of gods and goddesses, mermaids, dragons, fey, vampires, and just about everything mythological and fantasy figure and creature you can possibly imagine. The problem is that there are so many characters, and different POVs that I almost instantly became lost. Because the cast is so large, there really isn’t any room for actual character development. This also makes the plot seem fractured in places which adds to the confusion.
What is especially frustrating is that I think this book would have worked much better if the author/editor had been a little more choosy about who and what was going to be part of the story. I’m a firm believer in “quality over quantity”, and I think this adage could have served a purpose here. That said, the story is quite imaginative, and has plenty of action which makes it a fairly quick read. There’s also a lot of wry humor which helps balance some of the darker, more disturbing moments. Underneath the fantasy elements there’s a very serious political undercurrent involving the groups against the supposedly “soulless” homunculi and those who are trying to help them. This has a direct correlation to some of the social injustices taking place today. I found myself wishing that the author had focused on this a little more.
Overall Homunculus and the Cat is a flawed but still enjoyable story that will appeal to teens and adults who enjoy light-hearted fantasy and are looking for something a little different. If you like the irreverent humor of Piers Anthony’s Xanth series, I definitely suggest you try this. It is the first book in a planned trilogy and despite my reservations, I’m interested in seeing where Nathan Croft goes next with this.
vinnieh said:
This sounds very eventful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It was very strange Vinnie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I could sense that from your review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Once more your review was stunning. When you did that movie review for The Others, you showed real flair for movie reviewing. Have you ever considered it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie! I think Emma and I may be doing another one for Christmas. Have you checked out David’s blog @ http://thatmomentin .com lately? He’s branching out into video games and books. I just wrote my first book review there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I love reading David’s blog and will be sure to check your book review out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Just read that book review on David’s site, wonderful work Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Vinnie! My second one just got posted today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I’ll be sure to give it a look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
filmfunkel said:
Though many keep trying, the only author I know to brilliantly synthesize various cultural myths is Tolkien.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
He did so brilliantly didn’t he?
LikeLiked by 1 person
filmfunkel said:
Tolkien & Shakespeare – if only I could be trapped on an island with all their works. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ahh! You and me both!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jen said:
Oh goodness, that’s a lot of creatures in one book. And I’ve never heard of squid before in a book, that is utterly unique and interesting! Here’s hoping you enjoy the second book even more in the future. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It really was overwhelming. I think maybe the author got just a little too ambitious.😕🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jen said:
Definitely sounds like it! 😄😉
LikeLike
HusbandAndHusband said:
It sounds like a strange one….I have so many other great ones you have picked out for me, Kim that I shall be reading first. Maybe later on I’ll squeeze this one in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
There have been so many superlative YA debuts this year that I definitely wouldn’t rush to read this Jonathan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HusbandAndHusband said:
Your are the YA master reviewer so I shall take your word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww! Shucks! There have just been so many good ones this year. Have you voted for your favorite books on Goodreads yet?
LikeLiked by 1 person
HusbandAndHusband said:
No not yet. I wouldn’t even know were to begin. I’m pretty bad with keeping up with goodreads. That should be my new year revolution
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😊😊
LikeLike
HusbandAndHusband said:
Have u yet?
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I have but it’s not easy. So many good books this year!
LikeLike