Book 68, 2023

[chez_jae]

Reserved for the Cat by Mercedes Lackey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I finished the book Reserved for the Cat last night. It's by Mercedes Lackey, and it's part 5 of her "Elemental Masters" series.

The story begins in France, with ballet dancer Ninette Dupond being called upon to replace the injured star of the Paris Opera Ballet. Ninette's debut as the prima is a smashing success...so successful, in fact, that the star herself insists she be ousted. With few options other than prostitution, Ninette is in despair. That is, until a tabby cat begins speaking to her, advising her to travel to England and assume the identity of a famous Russian ballerina. In the relatively small town of Blackpool in the 1920's, who will guess at the subterfuge? Unfortunately for Ninette, the real Nina learns of her deception and vows vengeance. Even more unfortunately, the real Nina is no more. She has been consumed and absorbed by an Elemental--one who now has its sights set on Ninette.

I've always loved Lackey's high fantasy stories. This was more of an urban fantasy, set as it was in a familiar setting yet peopled with magic wielders and creatures. The story was beautifully written with lush descriptions and amazing characterizations. However, I had trouble getting lost in the book. It failed to hold my attention, in spite of Lackey's masterful prose. This was purely subjective on my part.

Favorite lines:
♦ There was a Minister for practically everything else in the government, there damned well ought to be a Minister of Magic!
♦ "When a Scotsman butchers a pig, he uses everything but the squeal."

Alas, not even the talented Mercedes Lackey has eschewed the 'holding my breath' line:

♦ He took a deep breath in a gasp, and in that moment, Ninette found she was holding her breath and did the same.

I'm giving this four stars. It probably deserves five, but again, I found it difficult to get engrossed in.