What do you think?
Rate this book
Cat Dragon
‘On the whole, Aloysia Papplewick was proud of this year’s crop of Prattling Pumpkins; but that didn’t mean that they were proud of her.’
Welcome to the whimsical world of Tangleroot Valley, where magic thrives in every corner, and witch Aloysia Papplewick tends to her Prattling Pumpkin patch. But there’s one thing Aloysia doesn’t have – her familiar. The magical folk of the valley take flight astride and depend upon their majestic yet adorable companions – cat-dragons. Fluffy yet fierce, playful but protective, each cat-dragon is a unique blend – which is rumoured to say something about the witch or wizard it bonds with, and perhaps even predict their future. Aloysia has failed thirteen times already to bond with her own – until now – and no sooner has she done so than the two of them are whisked away on a quest to protect the valley…
Embrace the magic as this delightful tale weaves a cozy spell of adventure, self-discovery, friendship and romance. For fans of Studio Ghibli, Harry Potter, The Spellshop and cottagecore.
Welcome to the whimsical world of Tangleroot Valley, where magic thrives in every corner, and witch Aloysia Papplewick tends to her Prattling Pumpkin patch. But there’s one thing Aloysia doesn’t have – her familiar. The magical folk of the valley take flight astride and depend upon their majestic yet adorable companions – cat-dragons. Fluffy yet fierce, playful but protective, each cat-dragon is a unique blend – which is rumoured to say something about the witch or wizard it bonds with, and perhaps even predict their future. Aloysia has failed thirteen times already to bond with her own – until now – and no sooner has she done so than the two of them are whisked away on a quest to protect the valley…
Embrace the magic as this delightful tale weaves a cozy spell of adventure, self-discovery, friendship and romance. For fans of Studio Ghibli, Harry Potter, The Spellshop and cottagecore.
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2025
873 people are currently reading
11313 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Birch
2 books72 followersSamantha Birch is an author and writer of cosy video games, beginning with prehistoric shopkeeping and life sim Amber Isle. She was a copywriter and a journalist for titles including GLAMOUR and Brides before moving into fiction. Cat Dragon is her first fantasy novel, and the realisation of a childhood dream.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 537 reviews
July 14, 2025
✦ My Overall Thoughts ✦
This was such a beautiful and whimsical story! I really had fun reading this cozy novel. It made me feel lighthearted, adventurous and emotional. It had mysterious vibes as well. This also gave me some laughs! It is a medium paced read that includes a witch and a cat dragon. The main characters in this book were strongly devoloped in the story. This has a diverse cast of characters, all lovable! Even the minor characters stood out to me. This also comes with a romantacy and magic! The world building of Tangleroot Valley was cozy and charming. This story came with vivid imagery, a clear thesis and was stylistically unique. This novel is plot driven, as the story follows a witch that struggles to bond with her cat dragon. This book came with everything that I love in a fantasy! The pacing was a little slow at the beginning, but it picked up and I couldn’t put this book down!
✦ Quick Synopsis & Rating ✦
“Cat Dragon” is a novel that revolves around a witch in training, named Aloysia. In this cozy story, bonding with your own cat dragon is very important in becoming a witch. Aloysia struggles to bond with her cat dragon. This story starts taking us on a journey with Aloysia and her best friends’ brother named Hollis! They start heading for the mountains and come across dangers, adorable creatures and unexpected feelings for one another. I give this cozy novel a 4 out of 5 stars!
✦ Who I think would enjoy this book ✦
I think fans of Harry Potter and anyone that loves magical worlds would really enjoy reading this book! There are not any content warnings, as this is a very clean book.
✦ Thank You ✦
Thank you to NetGalley, author Samantha Birch and Harper 360 | One More Chapter for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
✦ Release Date ✦
This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025! The publication date may change.
✦ Book Tropes ✦
🪄 Magical Bonding
✔️ Grumpy & Sunshine
🪄 Cozy Vibes
✔️ Quirky Magical Creatures
🪄 Forced Proximity
✔️ Found Family
🪄 Magic Gone Wrong
✔️ Slow Burn Romance
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
This was such a beautiful and whimsical story! I really had fun reading this cozy novel. It made me feel lighthearted, adventurous and emotional. It had mysterious vibes as well. This also gave me some laughs! It is a medium paced read that includes a witch and a cat dragon. The main characters in this book were strongly devoloped in the story. This has a diverse cast of characters, all lovable! Even the minor characters stood out to me. This also comes with a romantacy and magic! The world building of Tangleroot Valley was cozy and charming. This story came with vivid imagery, a clear thesis and was stylistically unique. This novel is plot driven, as the story follows a witch that struggles to bond with her cat dragon. This book came with everything that I love in a fantasy! The pacing was a little slow at the beginning, but it picked up and I couldn’t put this book down!
✦ Quick Synopsis & Rating ✦
“Cat Dragon” is a novel that revolves around a witch in training, named Aloysia. In this cozy story, bonding with your own cat dragon is very important in becoming a witch. Aloysia struggles to bond with her cat dragon. This story starts taking us on a journey with Aloysia and her best friends’ brother named Hollis! They start heading for the mountains and come across dangers, adorable creatures and unexpected feelings for one another. I give this cozy novel a 4 out of 5 stars!
✦ Who I think would enjoy this book ✦
I think fans of Harry Potter and anyone that loves magical worlds would really enjoy reading this book! There are not any content warnings, as this is a very clean book.
✦ Thank You ✦
Thank you to NetGalley, author Samantha Birch and Harper 360 | One More Chapter for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
✦ Release Date ✦
This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025! The publication date may change.
✦ Book Tropes ✦
🪄 Magical Bonding
✔️ Grumpy & Sunshine
🪄 Cozy Vibes
✔️ Quirky Magical Creatures
🪄 Forced Proximity
✔️ Found Family
🪄 Magic Gone Wrong
✔️ Slow Burn Romance
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
October 3, 2025
First, thank you so much to author Samantha Birch and publisher One More Chapter for the ARC of Cat Dragon 🧡
I was instantly drawn to this book because of the adorable cover and the fun description. I had really high hopes going into it and wanted to
love it. Unfortunately, I only made it a little less than halfway through before deciding I needed to DNF.
I’m an avid fantasy reader and have read plenty of books with really intense and complex world-building, so I usually don’t mind being dropped into a new world and learning as I go. But in this case, I found the writing style and descriptions confusing. A lot of the language and world history just didn’t click for me, and I felt like I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening instead of being able to immerse myself in the story. Because of that, I struggled to stay engaged and even found myself skimming sections, which is always a sign that a book isn’t working for me.
That being said, I think the idea behind it is really cute and creative. It’s such a fun concept, and I could absolutely see why others might enjoy it more than I did. For me, it just fell short in execution, and I had to make the tough choice to set it aside.
I’m still giving this two stars because I don’t think it’s a bad book, just not a book that worked for me personally. I love the creativity and the unique concept, but I wish the world-building and descriptions had been clearer and easier to follow. I think this story will absolutely find its audience, but unfortunately, I wasn’t it.
I was instantly drawn to this book because of the adorable cover and the fun description. I had really high hopes going into it and wanted to
love it. Unfortunately, I only made it a little less than halfway through before deciding I needed to DNF.
I’m an avid fantasy reader and have read plenty of books with really intense and complex world-building, so I usually don’t mind being dropped into a new world and learning as I go. But in this case, I found the writing style and descriptions confusing. A lot of the language and world history just didn’t click for me, and I felt like I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening instead of being able to immerse myself in the story. Because of that, I struggled to stay engaged and even found myself skimming sections, which is always a sign that a book isn’t working for me.
That being said, I think the idea behind it is really cute and creative. It’s such a fun concept, and I could absolutely see why others might enjoy it more than I did. For me, it just fell short in execution, and I had to make the tough choice to set it aside.
I’m still giving this two stars because I don’t think it’s a bad book, just not a book that worked for me personally. I love the creativity and the unique concept, but I wish the world-building and descriptions had been clearer and easier to follow. I think this story will absolutely find its audience, but unfortunately, I wasn’t it.
July 14, 2025
Cat Dragon is a cozy fantasy filled with magical charm—talking pumpkins, quirky creatures, and the enchanting village of Tangleroot Valley. On paper, it has all the elements I usually love in a lighthearted fantasy. Unfortunately, the execution made it hard to enjoy.
The biggest challenge for me was the writing style. The author uses a lot of uncommon and overly complex language, which made the story difficult to follow. I often found myself rereading sections, especially during action scenes, just to understand what was going on. The plot moves quickly but without much clarity or connection between events, leaving me feeling lost more than once.
While the whimsical worldbuilding was fun in theory, I struggled to stay invested. There’s definitely a cozy, magical tone throughout, but I needed more structure and clearer storytelling to fully engage.
This book just wasn’t for me. Readers who enjoy dense prose and eccentric fantasy worlds may find something to love here, but I had a hard time connecting with the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The biggest challenge for me was the writing style. The author uses a lot of uncommon and overly complex language, which made the story difficult to follow. I often found myself rereading sections, especially during action scenes, just to understand what was going on. The plot moves quickly but without much clarity or connection between events, leaving me feeling lost more than once.
While the whimsical worldbuilding was fun in theory, I struggled to stay invested. There’s definitely a cozy, magical tone throughout, but I needed more structure and clearer storytelling to fully engage.
This book just wasn’t for me. Readers who enjoy dense prose and eccentric fantasy worlds may find something to love here, but I had a hard time connecting with the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2025
I saw this cover, read the blurb and I immediately thought this would be for me. There were no room for doubts. This cozy cat dragon book was screaming my name.
But what was going on with the execution?? I read complex Fantasy books, but the writing for this one confused me. I kept rereading parts to make sure I hadn’t gone over something but no… it just skipped from one thing to the next without anything tying it all together. The structure needed major adjustments for this to work. In some instances, I couldn’t even tell you what the author was trying to say. Some parts were literal gibberish.
—•pre read
This is one of the CUTEST cover I’ve ever set my eyes on. I wish cats had wings 🥺 (miss Eva would definitely destroy everything I own but the level of cuteness would be worth it)
But what was going on with the execution?? I read complex Fantasy books, but the writing for this one confused me. I kept rereading parts to make sure I hadn’t gone over something but no… it just skipped from one thing to the next without anything tying it all together. The structure needed major adjustments for this to work. In some instances, I couldn’t even tell you what the author was trying to say. Some parts were literal gibberish.
—•pre read
This is one of the CUTEST cover I’ve ever set my eyes on. I wish cats had wings 🥺 (miss Eva would definitely destroy everything I own but the level of cuteness would be worth it)
July 5, 2025
I received a free copy of, Cat Dragon, by Samantha Birch, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Aloysia lives in Tangleroot Valley, as a witch,, but she is having problems other witches are not, she cant bond with a cat-dragon, and she has tried over a dozen times. This is a nice witchy read.
July 16, 2025
I was invited directly by the publisher to review this book, so thank you to One More Chapter and HarperCollins UK.
Cat Dragon had such an interesting premise that had me looking forward to diving into this cozy tale… but unfortunately I feel a bit let down. To me, the story was often hard to follow. The transitions between scenes were abrupt and clunky, and it felt like the author threw a lot of information at us with no explanation for it.
I often found the wording choices odd, and it was hard to tell who exactly was speaking at times. The human/witch characters were unengaging for me, and I especially disliked the main character. Aloysia has a terribly annoying habit of being all “woe is me”, and it got to be a bit much. When Hollis is trying to describe to her how he feels that he hasn’t found his purpose yet and she’s just laughing? Oh boy did I want to strangle her.
Overall, I’m of the opinion that this story could use a lot more editing to make it easier to follow, and to deliver its promised vibes.
Cat Dragon had such an interesting premise that had me looking forward to diving into this cozy tale… but unfortunately I feel a bit let down. To me, the story was often hard to follow. The transitions between scenes were abrupt and clunky, and it felt like the author threw a lot of information at us with no explanation for it.
I often found the wording choices odd, and it was hard to tell who exactly was speaking at times. The human/witch characters were unengaging for me, and I especially disliked the main character. Aloysia has a terribly annoying habit of being all “woe is me”, and it got to be a bit much. When Hollis is trying to describe to her how he feels that he hasn’t found his purpose yet and she’s just laughing? Oh boy did I want to strangle her.
Overall, I’m of the opinion that this story could use a lot more editing to make it easier to follow, and to deliver its promised vibes.
July 28, 2025
Unfortunately, after reading over half of this book, I’ve decided not to finish Cat Dragon. The concept had so much potential, and I really wanted to love it—but the execution just didn’t work for me. That said, I can definitely see it being a good fit for readers who enjoy cozy fantasy with a more whimsical, YA-adjacent feel.
What made it hard to stay engaged, personally, was the main character’s voice—it felt a bit too young and impulsive for me, which made it tough to connect with her. The side characters also didn’t feel fully developed, and I kept hoping for more personality or depth from them to help carry the story.
The writing style itself was another hurdle. It leaned really heavily into flowery, descriptive language—even in places where a more straightforward approach might’ve worked better. The pacing dragged for me because of it, and instead of being drawn in, I found myself drifting.
It’s always a bummer when a book doesn’t land, especially one that should’ve been right up my alley. But I know this will absolutely work for the right reader—it just wasn’t the one for me.
What made it hard to stay engaged, personally, was the main character’s voice—it felt a bit too young and impulsive for me, which made it tough to connect with her. The side characters also didn’t feel fully developed, and I kept hoping for more personality or depth from them to help carry the story.
The writing style itself was another hurdle. It leaned really heavily into flowery, descriptive language—even in places where a more straightforward approach might’ve worked better. The pacing dragged for me because of it, and instead of being drawn in, I found myself drifting.
It’s always a bummer when a book doesn’t land, especially one that should’ve been right up my alley. But I know this will absolutely work for the right reader—it just wasn’t the one for me.
August 17, 2025
A Magical and Cozy Escape
Sometimes, you just need a book that feels like a warm hug. Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is that book. It’s a wonderfully whimsical and sweet escape, perfect for when you want to get lost in a world that feels both magical and comforting. If you've been waiting for a new cozy fantasy book to explore, this is it.
Reading this story is like the book equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of chamomile tea—soothing, calming, and comforting. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to curl up with by the fireplace (or maybe just a YouTube video of one) with your hot tea and beloved animal companion sleeping by your side. The story is a mashup of everything we love about Studio Ghibli and the coziest scenes from Harry Potter, making it feel instantly familiar and beloved.
Birch has created a vibrant world with detailed lore that feels alive and lived-in. Her descriptions of the cat dragons are an absolute treat, and you’ll find yourself wishing you had one of your own. They have the charm of a beloved feline friend and the fantastical wonder of a creature like Buckbeak.
The story is a delightful blend of adventure and whimsy, with magic in every sense of the word. It's definitely a wonderfully nerdy and delightfully geeky read that celebrates the natural world, from its magnificent creatures to its fantastical plants and botany. The story takes its time to build its world, introducing a variety of characters and different cultures, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the magic.
The story is so deeply rooted in its own world that you’re simply invited to jump in and go along for the ride. It’s truly a charming fantasy story that you'll want to get lost in. I can see this being one installment of many more in the future, bringing readers back to the whimsical magic of Tangleroot Valley.
Perfect for Fans of:
📚😻 Cozy fantasy
💕 Studio Ghibli films
✨️ The magical feel of the Harry Potter universe, specifically classes like Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology
💛 Classic fantasy books like the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
❤️ The adventures of Eragon, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, and Tamora Pierce books
A special thanks to Harper Collins, Harper 360, One More Chapter, NetGalley, and the author, Samantha Birch, for providing an advanced reader copy of this book. Cat Dragon will be published on September 23, 2025 for US readers.
Sometimes, you just need a book that feels like a warm hug. Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is that book. It’s a wonderfully whimsical and sweet escape, perfect for when you want to get lost in a world that feels both magical and comforting. If you've been waiting for a new cozy fantasy book to explore, this is it.
Reading this story is like the book equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of chamomile tea—soothing, calming, and comforting. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to curl up with by the fireplace (or maybe just a YouTube video of one) with your hot tea and beloved animal companion sleeping by your side. The story is a mashup of everything we love about Studio Ghibli and the coziest scenes from Harry Potter, making it feel instantly familiar and beloved.
Birch has created a vibrant world with detailed lore that feels alive and lived-in. Her descriptions of the cat dragons are an absolute treat, and you’ll find yourself wishing you had one of your own. They have the charm of a beloved feline friend and the fantastical wonder of a creature like Buckbeak.
The story is a delightful blend of adventure and whimsy, with magic in every sense of the word. It's definitely a wonderfully nerdy and delightfully geeky read that celebrates the natural world, from its magnificent creatures to its fantastical plants and botany. The story takes its time to build its world, introducing a variety of characters and different cultures, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the magic.
The story is so deeply rooted in its own world that you’re simply invited to jump in and go along for the ride. It’s truly a charming fantasy story that you'll want to get lost in. I can see this being one installment of many more in the future, bringing readers back to the whimsical magic of Tangleroot Valley.
Perfect for Fans of:
📚😻 Cozy fantasy
💕 Studio Ghibli films
✨️ The magical feel of the Harry Potter universe, specifically classes like Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology
💛 Classic fantasy books like the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
❤️ The adventures of Eragon, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, and Tamora Pierce books
A special thanks to Harper Collins, Harper 360, One More Chapter, NetGalley, and the author, Samantha Birch, for providing an advanced reader copy of this book. Cat Dragon will be published on September 23, 2025 for US readers.
December 24, 2025
Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is a cozy, whimsical fantasy adventure that feels like autumn in book form, full of soft magic, quirky creatures, and gentle self‑discovery. The story follows Aloysia Papplewick, a witch in Tangleroot Valley, a village where every witch bonds with a cat dragon familiar, a magical creature that is part cat, part dragon, and both adorably furry and unexpectedly fierce.
But Aloysia still hasn’t found her own cat dragon yet, which leaves her feeling out of step with her community and overwhelmed by her chaotic magical farm, her talkative pumpkin patch, and the impending Harvest Festival she’s meant to prepare for. When her best friend’s infuriating brother, Hollis, arrives on the scene, the two of them are swept up in a quest to a mysterious mountain that brings magic, mayhem, and a spark neither expected as they contend with danger, friendship, and maybe even love along the way.
The book embraces cozy fantasy energy with all its cottagecore magic: smoke‑breathing cat dragons, sentient pumpkins, and a charming village atmosphere that feels like Studio Ghibli meets classic witches‑and‑familiars tales. This book is light, charming, and heartwarmingly funny, with a whimsical world that’s transportive and adorable, perfect if you want a fantasy that wraps you in comfort and delight rather than high‑stakes grimness.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Cat Dragon four stars because it so beautifully balances whimsy, warmth, and gentle enchantment that it feels like curling up with a magical blanket. Aloysia’s journey toward confidence and bonding with her cat dragon is charming and heartfelt, and the autumnal, cottagecore world of Tangleroot Valley made me feel cozy and uplifted, even when the plot wandered.
While it’s not a high‑intensity fantasy, its combination of friendship, romance, and enchanting creatures makes it a delightful escape for fans of cozy, character‑driven fantasy with plenty of heart and magic.
But Aloysia still hasn’t found her own cat dragon yet, which leaves her feeling out of step with her community and overwhelmed by her chaotic magical farm, her talkative pumpkin patch, and the impending Harvest Festival she’s meant to prepare for. When her best friend’s infuriating brother, Hollis, arrives on the scene, the two of them are swept up in a quest to a mysterious mountain that brings magic, mayhem, and a spark neither expected as they contend with danger, friendship, and maybe even love along the way.
The book embraces cozy fantasy energy with all its cottagecore magic: smoke‑breathing cat dragons, sentient pumpkins, and a charming village atmosphere that feels like Studio Ghibli meets classic witches‑and‑familiars tales. This book is light, charming, and heartwarmingly funny, with a whimsical world that’s transportive and adorable, perfect if you want a fantasy that wraps you in comfort and delight rather than high‑stakes grimness.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Cat Dragon four stars because it so beautifully balances whimsy, warmth, and gentle enchantment that it feels like curling up with a magical blanket. Aloysia’s journey toward confidence and bonding with her cat dragon is charming and heartfelt, and the autumnal, cottagecore world of Tangleroot Valley made me feel cozy and uplifted, even when the plot wandered.
While it’s not a high‑intensity fantasy, its combination of friendship, romance, and enchanting creatures makes it a delightful escape for fans of cozy, character‑driven fantasy with plenty of heart and magic.
October 15, 2025
This was such a cute cosy fantasy read!
For a low-stakes cosy fantasy the world building in this was absolutely incredible.
You would think the author was a zoologist or a botanist in a past life! I loved all the descriptions of the different creatures in the book. The cast of characters were also loveable and quirky.
Definitely one to pick up to put you into an autumnal/witchy mood.
My only critique is I would also not recommend the audiobook of this as I felt the narration was overdone and put me off the book at times at it was primarily how I consumed this.
For a low-stakes cosy fantasy the world building in this was absolutely incredible.
You would think the author was a zoologist or a botanist in a past life! I loved all the descriptions of the different creatures in the book. The cast of characters were also loveable and quirky.
Definitely one to pick up to put you into an autumnal/witchy mood.
My only critique is I would also not recommend the audiobook of this as I felt the narration was overdone and put me off the book at times at it was primarily how I consumed this.
August 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️ 2/5
I really wanted to love this. The concept? Adorable. A grumpy cat-dragon companion, cozy magic, talking pumpkins, and a magical quest? It sounded like the whimsical fantasy hug I was craving. But honestly? It just didn’t click for me.
I struggled with the writing from the start—it’s incredibly flowery and dense. I kept having to reread entire paragraphs just to figure out what was happening, which made it hard to get immersed. The pacing was all over the place, with abrupt transitions that yanked me out of the story right when I was starting to settle in. And for all the charm in the premise, the emotional connection felt surface-level. Even Littlewick, the cat-dragon himself, didn’t quite shine the way I hoped he would.
I can see this being a cozy read for someone who loves gentle, low-stakes fantasy with quirky characters and rich (sometimes overly rich) descriptions. But for me, the style and structure just didn’t work. It was cute in theory, but felt more like a sleepy wander through fog than a magical adventure.
Still, it’s a unique idea—and readers who are big fans of cottagecore fantasy might have a better time with it than I did. I just wish the execution had lived up to the promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🐾📚
I really wanted to love this. The concept? Adorable. A grumpy cat-dragon companion, cozy magic, talking pumpkins, and a magical quest? It sounded like the whimsical fantasy hug I was craving. But honestly? It just didn’t click for me.
I struggled with the writing from the start—it’s incredibly flowery and dense. I kept having to reread entire paragraphs just to figure out what was happening, which made it hard to get immersed. The pacing was all over the place, with abrupt transitions that yanked me out of the story right when I was starting to settle in. And for all the charm in the premise, the emotional connection felt surface-level. Even Littlewick, the cat-dragon himself, didn’t quite shine the way I hoped he would.
I can see this being a cozy read for someone who loves gentle, low-stakes fantasy with quirky characters and rich (sometimes overly rich) descriptions. But for me, the style and structure just didn’t work. It was cute in theory, but felt more like a sleepy wander through fog than a magical adventure.
Still, it’s a unique idea—and readers who are big fans of cottagecore fantasy might have a better time with it than I did. I just wish the execution had lived up to the promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🐾📚
October 6, 2025
Book Review 📖🐾🍂✨
Thank you partner @booksparks @onemorechapterhc #FRC2025 #PracticalBookMagic for the gifted copy!
Cat Dragon
by Samantha Birch
About the book 👇🏽
She’s far from bonding with her fiery feline familiar, and with her magical farm in chaos, her prattling pumpkin patch meddling in her life and the annual Harvest Festival to prepare for, Aloysia has enough to handle – even before her best friend’s insufferable brother, Hollis, brings danger and distraction to her door.
When she and Hollis are whisked away on a quest to a mysterious mountain, Aloysia must contend with magic, mayhem – and a spark she never expected.
🐾 My thoughts:
A magical and cozy quick read that’s great for autumn! I love to read witchy books this time of year and I am happy that this was one that I got to read. Moving quickly and with a tone that is warm and cozy, it’s easily binged. I loved that the writing was descriptive and I was able to imagine all the going’s on which really made this feel like an adventure. If you enjoy whimsical reads with tropes like found family and magic gone wrong, this is a really good option to read this autumn. Cat Dragon is out now!
Happy reading 📖✨🐾🍂
Thank you partner @booksparks @onemorechapterhc #FRC2025 #PracticalBookMagic for the gifted copy!
Cat Dragon
by Samantha Birch
About the book 👇🏽
She’s far from bonding with her fiery feline familiar, and with her magical farm in chaos, her prattling pumpkin patch meddling in her life and the annual Harvest Festival to prepare for, Aloysia has enough to handle – even before her best friend’s insufferable brother, Hollis, brings danger and distraction to her door.
When she and Hollis are whisked away on a quest to a mysterious mountain, Aloysia must contend with magic, mayhem – and a spark she never expected.
🐾 My thoughts:
A magical and cozy quick read that’s great for autumn! I love to read witchy books this time of year and I am happy that this was one that I got to read. Moving quickly and with a tone that is warm and cozy, it’s easily binged. I loved that the writing was descriptive and I was able to imagine all the going’s on which really made this feel like an adventure. If you enjoy whimsical reads with tropes like found family and magic gone wrong, this is a really good option to read this autumn. Cat Dragon is out now!
Happy reading 📖✨🐾🍂
August 19, 2025
It was really beautiful, cosy and heartwarming book. Loved every character, magical creatures and the pacing of the book was really good. Reminded me of the fantasy movies and books I've watched and read in childhood and i loved that nostalgia while reading it. The magical world building was top notch and I really enjoyed it
Loved the tropes of
Grumpy & Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Magic Gone Wrong
Slow Burn Romance
These were well executed and given that I'm such a sucker for found family and slow burn romance books, this book is one of my favourites already! .
Thank you so much avonbooks and the author for the copy!
Loved the tropes of
Grumpy & Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Magic Gone Wrong
Slow Burn Romance
These were well executed and given that I'm such a sucker for found family and slow burn romance books, this book is one of my favourites already! .
Thank you so much avonbooks and the author for the copy!
July 8, 2025
3.5 stars
Cat Dragon is a cute YA cozy fantasy read about Aloysia who is a witch that lives in Tangleroot Valley. Witches bond with their cat dragon starting from the time they turn 8, but Aloysia still has not been able to find her match. Some things happen with their Guardian and she is thrown into a quest with her best friend’s brother.
This is a cozy adventure read that includes animal companions with a sprinkle of romance. The romance and plot are fun and cute and I did enjoy those. Loved that plot twist at the end as well. I thought I had it figured out but nope.
Parts of this story include more difficult vocabulary and other languages thrown in that disrupt the flow a little. I prefer a more easy read with my cozy fantasies but that is just my preference.
Overall I recommend this for those who love
🍂 Cozy fantasies
🍂 Adventure plots with twists
🍂 Best friend’s brother cute romance
🍂 No spice
🍂 Sentient plants
🍂 Animal companions
🍂 More adventure and plot with a sprinkle of romance.
Thank you to Harper 360 for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Cat Dragon is a cute YA cozy fantasy read about Aloysia who is a witch that lives in Tangleroot Valley. Witches bond with their cat dragon starting from the time they turn 8, but Aloysia still has not been able to find her match. Some things happen with their Guardian and she is thrown into a quest with her best friend’s brother.
This is a cozy adventure read that includes animal companions with a sprinkle of romance. The romance and plot are fun and cute and I did enjoy those. Loved that plot twist at the end as well. I thought I had it figured out but nope.
Parts of this story include more difficult vocabulary and other languages thrown in that disrupt the flow a little. I prefer a more easy read with my cozy fantasies but that is just my preference.
Overall I recommend this for those who love
🍂 Cozy fantasies
🍂 Adventure plots with twists
🍂 Best friend’s brother cute romance
🍂 No spice
🍂 Sentient plants
🍂 Animal companions
🍂 More adventure and plot with a sprinkle of romance.
Thank you to Harper 360 for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 28, 2025
In this story we follow Aloysia as a botanical witch who still hasn’t bonded with a cat dragon. However when tragedy strucks, she will have to team up with Hollis a guardian on a quest to save magic.
Personally I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing in some parts, but the story overall was quite cute. I wasn’t a big fan of the love story line simply because I thought it was unnecessary to the rest of plot. Loved all the animal companions both Crow and LittleWick!! Also I was a fan of the quest and how the story ended.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Personally I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing in some parts, but the story overall was quite cute. I wasn’t a big fan of the love story line simply because I thought it was unnecessary to the rest of plot. Loved all the animal companions both Crow and LittleWick!! Also I was a fan of the quest and how the story ended.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
Cat Dragon is a cosy fantasy story. I enjoyed reading about all the magical creatures, and the characters were interesting (AND the romance between Aloysia and Hollis was good!). The story itself had its charm as well.
But despite all this, unfortunately this book was not it for me. The writing style was overly complicated which made reading it not as enjoyable as it should be. Such a bummer for me personally since this book does have the ingredients for a great story.
Cat Dragon is a cosy fantasy story. I enjoyed reading about all the magical creatures, and the characters were interesting (AND the romance between Aloysia and Hollis was good!). The story itself had its charm as well.
But despite all this, unfortunately this book was not it for me. The writing style was overly complicated which made reading it not as enjoyable as it should be. Such a bummer for me personally since this book does have the ingredients for a great story.
September 15, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
July 8, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
Cute, cozy read. I feel like it took a little long to get to the actual point and that the author brought up the Prattling Pumpkins way more than needed seeing as how they had no purpose to the story. Overall I would recommend if you want something comfy to read especially in the fall.
Cute, cozy read. I feel like it took a little long to get to the actual point and that the author brought up the Prattling Pumpkins way more than needed seeing as how they had no purpose to the story. Overall I would recommend if you want something comfy to read especially in the fall.
August 31, 2025
This author created a setting that’s like, my dream to live in. The characters (especially the animals) and the dialogue were wonderful.
My real qualm is in the rest of the writing. If I hadn’t loved what I mentioned earlier, I would’ve dnfed. I kept feeling disrupted and having to reread because I genuinely struggled to follow what was happening on the page at times. It’s like the writing needed to be simplified to align with the vibe of the cover and blurb.
I found myself pretty endeared by the end of it,though. Confused or not, I’d probably pick up the next one. I could see ‘cat dragon’ turning into a series that improves itself as it develops. 3.5 stars.
My real qualm is in the rest of the writing. If I hadn’t loved what I mentioned earlier, I would’ve dnfed. I kept feeling disrupted and having to reread because I genuinely struggled to follow what was happening on the page at times. It’s like the writing needed to be simplified to align with the vibe of the cover and blurb.
I found myself pretty endeared by the end of it,though. Confused or not, I’d probably pick up the next one. I could see ‘cat dragon’ turning into a series that improves itself as it develops. 3.5 stars.
August 20, 2025
I picked this one up purely for the title (Edit: I meant THE COVER 😂). I mean, look.at.it! Gorgeous! And the two-in-one goodness of cats and dragons rolled into cat-dragons was every bit as cute as I hoped.
Cozy-ish books have been a bit hit-and-miss for me this year, and while I didn’t fully love this one, I definitely enjoyed parts of it. There are witches, talking pumpkins, a whole range of magical creatures, and an adventure. I especially liked the side characters and the road-trip feel of the story. The main characters had their moments too, but for me the book just dragged a little - it felt too long.
Still, it’s a lovely candidate for a cozy autumn read if you’re in the mood for higher-stakes, low-fantasy with a sprinkle of cat-dragon charm.
3.5/5 ⭐
Cozy-ish books have been a bit hit-and-miss for me this year, and while I didn’t fully love this one, I definitely enjoyed parts of it. There are witches, talking pumpkins, a whole range of magical creatures, and an adventure. I especially liked the side characters and the road-trip feel of the story. The main characters had their moments too, but for me the book just dragged a little - it felt too long.
Still, it’s a lovely candidate for a cozy autumn read if you’re in the mood for higher-stakes, low-fantasy with a sprinkle of cat-dragon charm.
3.5/5 ⭐
August 24, 2025
“Cat Dragon” by Samantha Birch turned out to be one of my most disappointing reads this year. I went in with high expectations. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited about a story featuring a cat dragon? Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I buddy read it with @elvinareads and we were both so hyped… until I actually started reading.
The writing felt clunky and confusing, to the point where I honestly didn’t know what I was reading most of the time. I pushed through a few chapters but eventually had to stop because it just wasn’t working for me. Even the main character, Aloysia, was hard to connect with.
And it’s a shame because the premise had so much potential: a whimsical Tangleroot Valley, witches with cat dragons, a magical farm gone chaotic, meddling pumpkins, and even a quest to a mysterious mountain with a spark of unexpected romance. It sounds amazing on paper, but sadly, the execution fell flat for me.
Still, I’m grateful to @times.reads and @putrifariza for sending me a copy. Just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t find the right reader out there. ✨
The writing felt clunky and confusing, to the point where I honestly didn’t know what I was reading most of the time. I pushed through a few chapters but eventually had to stop because it just wasn’t working for me. Even the main character, Aloysia, was hard to connect with.
And it’s a shame because the premise had so much potential: a whimsical Tangleroot Valley, witches with cat dragons, a magical farm gone chaotic, meddling pumpkins, and even a quest to a mysterious mountain with a spark of unexpected romance. It sounds amazing on paper, but sadly, the execution fell flat for me.
Still, I’m grateful to @times.reads and @putrifariza for sending me a copy. Just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t find the right reader out there. ✨
September 3, 2025
The cover and description are very clearly AI.
September 1, 2025
Cat Dragon was such an absolute delight to read! Aloysia Papplewick is a heroine you can’t help but root for, and her journey to gather ingredients for a spell turned into such a charming adventure. I loved tagging along as she traveled with her best friend's brother Hollis (a favorite trope of mine!!!) and the descriptions of all the magical lands and creatures was so whimsical and fun. Every stop along the way felt fresh and imaginative, and I never wanted the journey to end.
This book gave me cozy adventure DnD vibes, and is the perfect fun fall read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book gave me cozy adventure DnD vibes, and is the perfect fun fall read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2025
honestly gained an extra star solely for the concept of hollis carrying littlewick in a babybjorn
August 15, 2025
This is the author’s debut entry into the fantasy world. I absolutely love the charming cover and the fall vibes it gives.
I think the story started out alright and the pacing was okay. However, I found the writing style a bit challenging at times. It often required rereading to fully grasp certain passages, which slowed down the overall experience and became somewhat frustrating.
The characters were cute and I loved the animal companions in this novel. However, I feel there weren’t much depth or development in the main characters.
The romance subplot didn’t quite land for me. It felt abrupt and somewhat out of place, and I think the story would have been just as strong, if not stronger, without it.
Apart from that, I felt the editing could have improved further, as I started skimming mostly after about halfway through the book. Some scenes could have been edited out.
Overall, if you are into cozy fantasy, with some whimsical world building and going on magical quest, this book might work for you.
Review copy courtesy of Times Reads.
I think the story started out alright and the pacing was okay. However, I found the writing style a bit challenging at times. It often required rereading to fully grasp certain passages, which slowed down the overall experience and became somewhat frustrating.
The characters were cute and I loved the animal companions in this novel. However, I feel there weren’t much depth or development in the main characters.
The romance subplot didn’t quite land for me. It felt abrupt and somewhat out of place, and I think the story would have been just as strong, if not stronger, without it.
Apart from that, I felt the editing could have improved further, as I started skimming mostly after about halfway through the book. Some scenes could have been edited out.
Overall, if you are into cozy fantasy, with some whimsical world building and going on magical quest, this book might work for you.
Review copy courtesy of Times Reads.
September 9, 2025
In the whimsical world of Tangleroot, Aloysia Papplewick is an anomaly. She is a powerful magical botanist, but without the Cat Dragon that every witch has a a familiar, she will never be reaching for her full potential. An incident that puts all the magic in Tangleroot at jeopardy further, Aloysia and her best friends' brother set out on a quest for ingredients that should heal their beloved guardian, but even with the help of new friends it might all be far too late.
Pro's:
+ This is is a truly magical world and from the first chapter you can feel that magic seeping through in every letter. From talking pumpkins, to magical dragon/ cat hybrids, this world is just as cute as it is whimsical.
+ I did not expect the pace of this story, but it was much higher that I could have guessed from the summary. It did fit the story though and there is quite a lot of story for you to enjoy in this book.
Con's:
- The writing is quite chaotic and even after reading the ending there are so many unfinished loose ends, I almost hope there will be a second book just to wrap up all the loose ends in this one. This story is severely unfinished and I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a standalone.
- Even though the cover and the summary of this book suggest this is a cozy fantasy, I found the story not really that cozy at all. Sure, it has some witchy, autumnal vibes, but there is way too much action and excitement to make this story cozy at all.
Well, this was not was I was expecting at all, the vibe from the cover and the summary was very much different from the actual story in the book. The writing was also not that great, with many plotholes and even more loose ends even after finishing this book. It is however a true fantasy story and I think the bar is very low to step into this story, making this story also really accessible for non-fantasy readers. It was fun, but it really felt like it was written by a novice writer and I'm not sure what I think about that.
Pro's:
+ This is is a truly magical world and from the first chapter you can feel that magic seeping through in every letter. From talking pumpkins, to magical dragon/ cat hybrids, this world is just as cute as it is whimsical.
+ I did not expect the pace of this story, but it was much higher that I could have guessed from the summary. It did fit the story though and there is quite a lot of story for you to enjoy in this book.
Con's:
- The writing is quite chaotic and even after reading the ending there are so many unfinished loose ends, I almost hope there will be a second book just to wrap up all the loose ends in this one. This story is severely unfinished and I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a standalone.
- Even though the cover and the summary of this book suggest this is a cozy fantasy, I found the story not really that cozy at all. Sure, it has some witchy, autumnal vibes, but there is way too much action and excitement to make this story cozy at all.
Well, this was not was I was expecting at all, the vibe from the cover and the summary was very much different from the actual story in the book. The writing was also not that great, with many plotholes and even more loose ends even after finishing this book. It is however a true fantasy story and I think the bar is very low to step into this story, making this story also really accessible for non-fantasy readers. It was fun, but it really felt like it was written by a novice writer and I'm not sure what I think about that.
Read
September 4, 2025DNF - might come back to it at about 80%
September 28, 2025
I have no idea what I just read
July 21, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
I was lucky enough to win a proof copy from Harper Collins for Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch. So thank you for that.
If you’re after a cosy, witchy, cottagecore vibe with some fantastical adventures, oh and a cute baby cat dragon, then this is the book for you.
It really is perfect for autumn, especially with the botanical side of things. This is very much Earth witch magic (amongst others).
The pacing is very good and progresses really well. The characters are all very loveable and the settings read beautifully. It definitely gave off Japan vibes at one point and Norwegian (or Icelandic I’m not quite sure which - could be both).
One thing I did struggle with at times was the writing style and following what was going on. There were parts where I read something and thought “wait was this mentioned before” or “what does that mean”. But it didn’t take too much away for me to carry on reading.
Overall a perfect read for witchy season.
I was lucky enough to win a proof copy from Harper Collins for Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch. So thank you for that.
If you’re after a cosy, witchy, cottagecore vibe with some fantastical adventures, oh and a cute baby cat dragon, then this is the book for you.
It really is perfect for autumn, especially with the botanical side of things. This is very much Earth witch magic (amongst others).
The pacing is very good and progresses really well. The characters are all very loveable and the settings read beautifully. It definitely gave off Japan vibes at one point and Norwegian (or Icelandic I’m not quite sure which - could be both).
One thing I did struggle with at times was the writing style and following what was going on. There were parts where I read something and thought “wait was this mentioned before” or “what does that mean”. But it didn’t take too much away for me to carry on reading.
Overall a perfect read for witchy season.
October 2, 2025
3.5⭐️
🖤Cozy magical fall fantasy read
🖤Witches and magical creatures
🖤Harvest Festival
🖤A fun magical adventure
So, I enjoyed the STORY in this book but I am just not a fan as to how it was told- the writing style is unnecessarily dense, adding details to moments and situations that aren’t necessary- speeding through certain situations that should be slowed down, and visa versa- and even some of the grammar felt dictionary forced and made the experience more difficult than it needed to be. This book also had no business being this long for this reason. When I pick up a cozy autumn read I expect it to just be cozy and easy and fun. Reading this felt like work because I did enjoy the story and wanted to know what was going to happen.
Thank you to @booksparks , @onemorechapter and the author for a gifted copy of this book
🖤Cozy magical fall fantasy read
🖤Witches and magical creatures
🖤Harvest Festival
🖤A fun magical adventure
So, I enjoyed the STORY in this book but I am just not a fan as to how it was told- the writing style is unnecessarily dense, adding details to moments and situations that aren’t necessary- speeding through certain situations that should be slowed down, and visa versa- and even some of the grammar felt dictionary forced and made the experience more difficult than it needed to be. This book also had no business being this long for this reason. When I pick up a cozy autumn read I expect it to just be cozy and easy and fun. Reading this felt like work because I did enjoy the story and wanted to know what was going to happen.
Thank you to @booksparks , @onemorechapter and the author for a gifted copy of this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 537 reviews