Catrina in Space

The Catrina Chronicles

by Michael S. Atkinson

Princess Catrina knows she's a story character, and she's learned to love it. Almost too much. She knows she's the heroine, which means she always wins and her arch-nemesis, Susan, always loses. Even when she gets killed, her author always finds a creative way to resurrect her. She's got mad sword-fighting skills, and she's saved her world at least twice. She's even started a relationship with her sidekick, Perry, cousin of the librarian of Shmirmingard Castle. Princess Catrina believed that her story was destined for a happy ending. But then Susan shows up, and Catrina is suddenly plunged into an entirely different story. Now she must face a nemesis that makes Susan look like a cuddly snuggle bunny, not just a Big Bad, but a Bigger Bad. Her only chance is to join forces with the valiant hamsters of the starship Dangling Participle, in a desperate attempt to withstand the peril before it becomes really perilous. But even with the space hamsters, Catrina isn't sure if she'll survive. Because now, the rules have changed. Now the heroine doesn't always win. Now, if she wants a happy ending, she's going to have to earn it.

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2012

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first met Princess Catrina back when she was called Princess Caitlin, and appeared in a Chrysalis Experiment story in 2011. Little did I know where Caitl-rina's journey would take her - 53 episodes of the Catrina Chronicles and one complete Catrina novel, the one I just read! I haven't read all the episodes yet, but I'm up to episode #45 and slowly but surely getting all caught up!

It took me a while to get around to reading CATRINA IN SPACE, but now that I have, I can say I was not disappointed. There are so many things to love about this story - the kick-arse heroine Catrina herself, the space hamsters and occasional mentions of the hamster rock band Gerballica (classic!). Undeniable heroics with a towel, and the fact that there's a woodmouse with a Southern accent called Becky-Jane. As always, the evilness of Susan and how it was eclipsed by the evilness of Murphy. The almost teaming up of Catrina and Susan (I thought the universe really was going to break at that point). And the Pen of Creation? Genius. I also appreciated that the author had ultimate control (even if he can't necessarily control the characters' sassy backtalk. haha.) I guess it reassures me as a writer myself that my characters do NOT have the final say...or at least I like to think so.

I also confess that I love that I got an acknowledgement as a loyal Catriniac in the back of the book. Thanks Michael, but the pleasure really has been all mine. ;)

What I really want to do now is go through the novel again and add some of my favourite quotes (of which there are way too many to count), so that you guys can get a taste of Michael Atkinson's genius comedy.

[Tina Ambury · Rating 4 out of 5]

very weird but very funny.