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The Septimus #2
Cat and Mouse
Catriona hates mice—but not as much as Nicky does. And mice are what they have to deal with. Then there are the mysteries surrounding the boys...
It's hard enough for Cat, an ordinary modern woman, to get used to living in a magical medieval world, even without having mice pop up at every turn. Good thing Cat isn't as squeamish about rodents as her friend Nicky, who has her own issues to cope with back in the regular world. What does the strange rat-like man want with young Ben, Nicky's ward? And just what is her relationship with her roommate Sepp turning into—quite aside from his odd stories about having come from another world?
Meanwhile, in Ruph, Cat wonders if the mouse plague has any connection with the new apprentice her husband has taken on, a boy who won't speak and seems to be in the grip of a dark force.
What will it take for Cat and Nicky to find their way through the issues confronting them? And can they get the better of the mice?
Book Two of The Septimus Series, begun in SEVENTH SON.
It's hard enough for Cat, an ordinary modern woman, to get used to living in a magical medieval world, even without having mice pop up at every turn. Good thing Cat isn't as squeamish about rodents as her friend Nicky, who has her own issues to cope with back in the regular world. What does the strange rat-like man want with young Ben, Nicky's ward? And just what is her relationship with her roommate Sepp turning into—quite aside from his odd stories about having come from another world?
Meanwhile, in Ruph, Cat wonders if the mouse plague has any connection with the new apprentice her husband has taken on, a boy who won't speak and seems to be in the grip of a dark force.
What will it take for Cat and Nicky to find their way through the issues confronting them? And can they get the better of the mice?
Book Two of The Septimus Series, begun in SEVENTH SON.
ebook
First published February 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Offenwanger
9 books8 followersI have loved books ever since I was six years old, when I picked up a copy of LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY and found that I could read it on my own. Some decades later, I discovered that I could write books myself, and I have done so ever since. My preference is for stories that are set in other worlds, whether they are fantastical worlds full of magic or long-gone times and places; humour is a must, romance highly desirable, and a good mystery almost indispensable.
At any given time, I have at least two books sitting beside my bed - usually more, sometimes MUCH more. When they start to encroach onto my sleeping space, they get moved back to bookshelves. The latter are found in nearly every room of my house (with the only exceptions being the bathroom, workshop and furnace room). Books are indespensable to my life, and have been for as long as I can think.
At any given time, I have at least two books sitting beside my bed - usually more, sometimes MUCH more. When they start to encroach onto my sleeping space, they get moved back to bookshelves. The latter are found in nearly every room of my house (with the only exceptions being the bathroom, workshop and furnace room). Books are indespensable to my life, and have been for as long as I can think.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 6, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Seventh Son, so was very happy to meet up with Cat, Guy and the rest of their family and friends again. It was fun to see some of Cat's challenges as she learns to settle into her new life, new world, and learning to use her newfound gift. The story that unfolds is intriguing and drew me in so that I really didn't want to put the book down. Ms Offenwanger writes with a light touch, cleverly blending together fantasy, fairy tale, and historical family life. The characters are all very appealing (well, except for the bad guys, of course) and I'm now looking forward to seeing what their next adventures will be. I can highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a clean, entertaining, and well-written book.
September 19, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Cat and Mouse is the second book in A.M. Offenwanger's Septimus series and the sequel to Seventh Son (which I also gave five stars) Please note that this review does contain spoilers for Seventh Son, so if you haven't read it yet, go download your FREE copy today. Seriously, do it now. It's only free for a limited time. (Sorry future readers!)
The plot of Cat and Mouse picks up after Catriona (Cat) and Guy's wedding. At first, all seems to be well for the newlyweds and the land of Ruph. Cat and Guy learn how they operate as a married couple, Bibby is her regular adorable self, and Guy even takes on an apprentice, a mute boy who Bibby names "Andy." However, their peaceful life is disrupted by a plague of mice...and the appearance of a mysterious rat-faced man.
Back in the regular world, Cat's best friend Nikky is dealing with her own drama. Sepp (Guy's brother) has stuck around, and she finds herself slowly falling for him. Likewise, Nikky ends up with guardianship of her step-nephew Ben...who is also plagued by the presence of a mysterious rat-faced man.
I really enjoyed reading Cat and Mouse. As in the first novel, the characters and the world of Ruph stood out as my favorite parts. Offenwanger has crafted realistic, complex characters, with profound and believable relationships in a relatively quick space. As a reader, I got to know the characters from the first novel even better, while still meeting a few new friends. My favorite character arc was Nikky's, as she moved from being "Cat's best friend" to taking on an important role in the story. Reading as Nikky played the protective aunt, discovered truths about herself, and braved her fears was incredibly satisfying.
Another great aspect of Cat and Mouse was learning more about the world of Ruph. This happens through Cat, as she explores new parts of the village and takes on an active role in the community. Ruph remains a beautiful mixture between a Renaissance Fair and a fantasy land, with an ever-expanding palate of magical abilities and intricate mythology to inspire the reader. I cannot wait to see what layers Offenwanger peels back in the next book.
As for the plot itself, it moves along at a steady pace. Pieces of the mice mystery, Andy's quietness, and Ben's panic attacks slip neatly into place. For the most part, I guessed the respective outcomes. (However, regular readers of my reviews will know that I don't mind this in a novel.) Although, I will admit that there was one piece of the puzzle that I did not foresee, but very much enjoyed.
Overall, Cat and Mouse is a fitting second book for the Septimus series and continues much of what readers will have loved about the first novel. If you like medieval stylings, family relationships, a dash of magic, and folk tales, you'll love Cat and Mouse.
QUICK REMINDER: As I said at the beginning of this review, the first novel in the Septimus series, Seventh Son, is FREE for a limited time. Download your copy now, then leave your own review for Ms. Offenwanger!
Cat and Mouse is the second book in A.M. Offenwanger's Septimus series and the sequel to Seventh Son (which I also gave five stars) Please note that this review does contain spoilers for Seventh Son, so if you haven't read it yet, go download your FREE copy today. Seriously, do it now. It's only free for a limited time. (Sorry future readers!)
The plot of Cat and Mouse picks up after Catriona (Cat) and Guy's wedding. At first, all seems to be well for the newlyweds and the land of Ruph. Cat and Guy learn how they operate as a married couple, Bibby is her regular adorable self, and Guy even takes on an apprentice, a mute boy who Bibby names "Andy." However, their peaceful life is disrupted by a plague of mice...and the appearance of a mysterious rat-faced man.
Back in the regular world, Cat's best friend Nikky is dealing with her own drama. Sepp (Guy's brother) has stuck around, and she finds herself slowly falling for him. Likewise, Nikky ends up with guardianship of her step-nephew Ben...who is also plagued by the presence of a mysterious rat-faced man.
I really enjoyed reading Cat and Mouse. As in the first novel, the characters and the world of Ruph stood out as my favorite parts. Offenwanger has crafted realistic, complex characters, with profound and believable relationships in a relatively quick space. As a reader, I got to know the characters from the first novel even better, while still meeting a few new friends. My favorite character arc was Nikky's, as she moved from being "Cat's best friend" to taking on an important role in the story. Reading as Nikky played the protective aunt, discovered truths about herself, and braved her fears was incredibly satisfying.
Another great aspect of Cat and Mouse was learning more about the world of Ruph. This happens through Cat, as she explores new parts of the village and takes on an active role in the community. Ruph remains a beautiful mixture between a Renaissance Fair and a fantasy land, with an ever-expanding palate of magical abilities and intricate mythology to inspire the reader. I cannot wait to see what layers Offenwanger peels back in the next book.
As for the plot itself, it moves along at a steady pace. Pieces of the mice mystery, Andy's quietness, and Ben's panic attacks slip neatly into place. For the most part, I guessed the respective outcomes. (However, regular readers of my reviews will know that I don't mind this in a novel.) Although, I will admit that there was one piece of the puzzle that I did not foresee, but very much enjoyed.
Overall, Cat and Mouse is a fitting second book for the Septimus series and continues much of what readers will have loved about the first novel. If you like medieval stylings, family relationships, a dash of magic, and folk tales, you'll love Cat and Mouse.
QUICK REMINDER: As I said at the beginning of this review, the first novel in the Septimus series, Seventh Son, is FREE for a limited time. Download your copy now, then leave your own review for Ms. Offenwanger!
March 3, 2015
That rare jewel, a sequel which is a complete story in and of itself, and stands well on its own while adding depth and richness to the world and characters of the first.
I am such a character-driven reader that I probably would have enjoyed a sequel of nothing more than Cat adjusting to her new life, and Cat and Guy (and Bibby!) figuring out their relationship, and "Cat and Mouse" provided plenty of that for me. It didn't stop with that, though - we got to get to know Cat's friend Nicky, only mentioned in the first book, and see more of Sepp, and meet a few new characters as well. Out of all of these, Ben was probably my favorite, with his tough-guy young teenage exterior, and the hidden depths underneath.
I also love the library, and the librarian, and that Cat didn't lose books along with everything else when she left out world.
The mystery surrounding Ben and Andy, and all the mice, and the strange rat-like men spying on the boys, was deftly handled, with just enough clues dropped (er, perhaps I shouldn't use "drop" when talking about mice ...) to keep the reader engaged, without giving too much away. The way the problem was solved at the end, with everyone using their own unique skills yet working together, was also extremely well done.
I am looking forward to Checkmate, and any other books that might follow in this series!
I am such a character-driven reader that I probably would have enjoyed a sequel of nothing more than Cat adjusting to her new life, and Cat and Guy (and Bibby!) figuring out their relationship, and "Cat and Mouse" provided plenty of that for me. It didn't stop with that, though - we got to get to know Cat's friend Nicky, only mentioned in the first book, and see more of Sepp, and meet a few new characters as well. Out of all of these, Ben was probably my favorite, with his tough-guy young teenage exterior, and the hidden depths underneath.
I also love the library, and the librarian, and that Cat didn't lose books along with everything else when she left out world.
The mystery surrounding Ben and Andy, and all the mice, and the strange rat-like men spying on the boys, was deftly handled, with just enough clues dropped (er, perhaps I shouldn't use "drop" when talking about mice ...) to keep the reader engaged, without giving too much away. The way the problem was solved at the end, with everyone using their own unique skills yet working together, was also extremely well done.
I am looking forward to Checkmate, and any other books that might follow in this series!
February 2, 2017
I am enjoying this series, and I like the way this story rolled out. I don't even have any critiques to offer as I often do. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews