THE CATS OF SILVER CRESCENT, by Kaela Noel, Greenwillow Books, April 30, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl discovers a family of talking cats and must help them harness the magic that made them that way in The Cats of Silver Crescent, by Kaela Noel.
With her mother busy traveling for work, Elsby isn’t thrilled to be spending a few weeks with her great-aunt Verity. Luckily, she has her notebook and a lush garden to sketch to help pass the time. But a visitor takes Elsby by surprise: a cat standing on its two hind legs and dressed like a sailor dashes across the garden and into the neighboring woods!
Elsby can’t believe her eyes, and she can’t imagine that Aunt Verity would believe her, either. But that night, the cat and three of his cat companions approach Elsby. They need Elsby’s help. While the cats can talk, think, and behave like humans, the magical spell that made them that way will revert if it’s not renewed soon. Elsby might be the only one who can save them—but every enchantment comes at a price. —Synopsis provided by Greenwillow Books
The Cats of Silver Crescent is a contemporary fantasy that’s sort of hit and miss.
The book starts out strong. The setup and setting are somewhat magical, and there’s lots of curiosity on Elsby’s part. Even the cats are quirky, but charming to start with. But as the story progresses, the cats become creepier, the cat’s “favors” become increasingly more complicated, and the plot overall becomes darker. Though Elsby is 12, the book reads like the author is trying to appeal to adult sensibilities rather than children. Overall, it was just kind of meh. I suggest checking this one out from the library prior to purchase.
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