Early Review - Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos by Simon Tofield (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: All Ages
Genre: Humor/Cartoon
Size: 240 pages
Publisher: Akashic Books
Release Date: April 16, 2013
ISBN: 978-1617751585
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Simon’s Cat series
Source: ARC through Librarything’s Early Reviewers
Rating: 4/5 stars

I got a copy of this book to review through Librarything’s Early Reviewer Program. Thanks to Akashic and Librarything for a chance to review this book. This was a super fun and cute read that cat fans of all ages will love.

This is the third book released featuring Simon’s Cat. The focus of this book, as the title suggests, is the addition of a new kitten to the household and how exactly Simon’s cat feels about all of that.

Simon’s cat started out as a web comic. For those who have followed the web comic, you know there are no words in the cartoons. So there are no words in this book, just the whole series of cartoons. The cartoons start from the acquisition of the new kitten, to later in the year when Simon’s Cat and the kitten are finally working together more.

All ages of cat lovers will find this book hilarious. My family and I just got a new kitten a few months ago and so we could relate, first hand, to a lot of the kitten antics that were in here. My six year old son laughed so hard he was almost in tears and my husband and I also found the book to be incredibly funny.

As you can imagine this book explore how a kitten can make an older cat’s life very difficult. It also looks out how a kitten and cat can work together to make a human’s life very hectic. As the book goes on there are even dogs, birds, bunnies, and hedgehogs involved.

The first portion of the book was the funniest. As the bunnies and hedgehogs got involved my family had a harder time relating to the comics and didn’t find them quite as funny.

The final part of the book gives instructions on how you too can draw all of the animals in this book.

Overall a very cute and funny read. Highly recommended to all fans of cat humor. The drawings are cute and the antics of the kitten and cat are pretty darn accurate. I really enjoyed this book, it will make a great book to sit on the coffee table to make people laugh.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
- 150+ Reading Challenge

Review - City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Size: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-0062121301
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Amazon Vine for Review
Rating: 4/5 stars


This is Forster’s debut novel and it was an excellent one. The blurb on the back compares this book to Graceling and The Girl of Fire and Thorns; that is a pretty apt comparison. I got a copy of this book through Amazon Vine to review; so thanks to Vine and HarperTeen for making this book available. I really enjoyed the characters and interesting world in this novel.

Nisha was left the City of a Thousand Dolls at the age of six. An age considered too old to start training in the City of a Thousand Dolls. Nisha lives in a world where parents are only allowed to have two children, as a result many parents abandon their female daughters. The City of a Thousand Dolls was created to take in these abandoned girls and teach them a skill that will make them Redeemable and allow for their placement into new lives.

Nisha was considered too old to train and has been a messenger for the Matron since she arrived, but now girls are dying and if Nisha cannot figure out why her own freedom will be at stake.

This was very much a fantasy mystery. Don’t come into this book expecting to read something that is action packed. This is a deliberately paced mystery as much as anything. There is some romance thrown in here as well, although it is definitely not what drives the story.

Nisha is an interesting character. She is definitely in a tight spot, she doesn’t have any family around or anyone who loves her. She does however have some important friends, the foremost of which are the talking cats that inhabit the City of a Thousand Dolls. Nisha isn’t an incredibly rebellious or outgoing heroine. She spends most of her time trying not to be noticed and makes a number of mistakes throughout the story. She does however stand up for what she thinks is right when the time comes.

I enjoyed the cats, which spoke to Nisha telepathically. Initially they are just very fun to have in the story, as things continue they end up being part of something much bigger. There isn’t a lot of magic in this book, it is mostly present in the various people and races throughout.

The world is very well built. There is definitely an Asian influence to this world. The limit on the number of children per family echoes that. A somewhat apocalyptic event in the past is hinted at but never fully explained.

The plot is well done. Nisha ends up the sole investigator of a series of murders, her freedom ends up being the price if she can’t solve these mysterious murders. There are a number of twists and turns to the story that I found surprising, yet they never came off as contrived.

The book takes a look at a number of interesting themes including what happens when you impose a child limit on families and women’s rights.

The book was very well written and engaging. I found it hard to put down and it was very easy to read.

Overall an excellent young adult fantasy mystery novel. Nisha makes a believable heroine who is easy to engage with; she isn’t all that assertive but she is strong in her own way. The mystery and world-building were both well done, and I also enjoyed the telepathically speaking cats. I would recommend to those who enjoy fantasy mysteries.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge
- 150+ Reading Challenge
- Debut Author Reading Challenge
- Young Adult Reading Challenge

Graphic Novel Review - Binky Takes Charge by Ashley Spires (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Cihildren’s
Genre: Graphic Novel/Humor
Size: 64 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Release Date: September 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1554537686
Stand Alone or Series: 4th book in the Binky series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4.5/5 stars


This is the 4th book in the Binky the Space cat children’s graphic novel series. This was a cute installment in the series and my son and I really enjoyed reading it together.

Binky has been authorized to train in other space cats. He is excited to welcome his new cadet and has worked very hard on a training program. When his cadet shows up though he is nothing like Binky thought he would be...in fact Binky thinks he might even be an alien spy!

These books are super fun. The drawings are humorous, well-done, and adorable all at the same time. If you love cats you will love Binky the Space cat. The whole premise of these books is that Binky thinks his house is a space ship, insects are aliens, and outside the house is space. He is on a mission to protect his humans from the evil aliens.

There’s a great little mystery here as Binky and his neighboring space cat try to figure out what’s up with this new cadet. Along the way the cats learn a lesson in tolerance. They learn that people can be good at different things and that you should accept people for who they are and allow them to contribute to a cause in their own way.

These are well written graphic novels that are entertaining for both adults and kids. I highly recommend them; especially if you have a kid that’s a fan of cats.

Overall a great installment in the Binky series. The illustration is well done and the story is full of twists and turns. Binky is funny but always well-meaning and his mission to save humans from all aliens is one to be admired. Recommended to cat fans of all ages.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Challenge
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge

Graphic Novel Review - Binky Under Pressure by Ashley Spires (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Children’s
Genre: Graphic Novel/Humor
Size: 64 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Release Date: September 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1554537679
Stand Alone or Series: Part of the Binky series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars

I first read Binky the Space Cat with my son last year; we really really enjoyed it. So I was excited when I saw Binky Under Pressure sitting on the shelf in the library. It was another great Binky book.

Binky is still a certified Space Cat but then Gracie shows up. Gracie is an adorable striped kitten and Binky is determined to expose her flaws to the family. During his investigation he finds out a shocking truth about Gracie and all of Binky’s Space Cat skills are tested.

This is an absolutely hilarious and adorable book, suitable to all ages. Binky is funny, witty, a bit accident prone and super cute. My five year old loves this series of books and I love reading them with him.

As with all of these books there is a bit of a message/learning here. Binky learns not to judge a book by its cover and to cope with feelings of jealousy. He also learns how teamwork can save the day.

Overall another great Binky book. Highly recommended for kids and parents who love to read with their kids. This is a funny, cute, and very well done book. If you love graphic novels this is one of those great ones that parents and kids will equally enjoy.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Challenge
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge

Graphic Novel Review - Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Children's
Genre: Graphic Novel
Size: 64 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Release Date: August 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1554534197
Stand Alone or Series: Part of the Binky's Adventures series
Source: Swapped through Bookmooch.com
Rating: 5/5 stars


I really enjoyed this cute book about a cat who is determined to go to space and fight aliens. The illustration is very cute and well done and it is enjoyable across a large range of age groups.

Binky wants to go into space and is determined to build his own rocket to do so. He wants to fight the evil aliens (bugs) that annoy his humans and wipe them out once and for all. But what happens when the space ship isn't big enough and Binky has to choose between his people and space?

This book was very funny and very cute. I read it with my 5 year old son and he got a huge kick out of it. The drawings are humorous and very well done and match the story perfectly. This is done in more of a graphic novel format than a picture book format.

Lots of great messages to about protecting those you love, the importance of family, imaginative play and accomplishing your dreams...all delivered in a humorous and cute package that should appeal to a broad age group. I can see everyone from small kids to adults getting a good amount of entertainment from this book...especially if you love cats.

Overall just an absolutely wonderful little graphic novel that should appeal to both kids and adults. This made me and my son both want to go back and pick up the other Binky Adventuresbooks. Recommended for fans of cats and adventure.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Graphic Novel Challenge
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge