What do you think?
Rate this book
Simon's Cat: The Story of Puss in Boots
When Simon's father dies, he leaves his oldest brother the business, his middle brother the house, and Simon, the youngest, his beloved Pet, Cat.
While his brothers quarrel about what to do with the remains of their father's estate, all Simon wants is for his family to go back to the way it was. He's sure money will help. And clever Cat has an idea of how to get it.
While his brothers quarrel about what to do with the remains of their father's estate, all Simon wants is for his family to go back to the way it was. He's sure money will help. And clever Cat has an idea of how to get it.
- GenresM M RomanceNovelsFantasy
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2016
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Lotus Oakes
15 books4 followersThe secret writing identity of someone doing her best to play the role of a Responsible Dayjob Adult in the offline world. Everything she writes wants to be a fairytale when it grows up.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 28, 2018
2.75 stars rounded up
A so-and-so fantasy retelling of Puss in Boots. I am underwhelmed with the lackluster romance, to be honest. Check out Elaine White's review for more coherent thoughts since I thought she said what I was thinking really well. I'm too lazy writing my own opinion.
A so-and-so fantasy retelling of Puss in Boots. I am underwhelmed with the lackluster romance, to be honest. Check out Elaine White's review for more coherent thoughts since I thought she said what I was thinking really well. I'm too lazy writing my own opinion.
June 18, 2017
Book – Simon's Cat
Author – Lotus Oakes
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 116
Cover – V. Nice
POV – 3rd person, multi-character
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – LGBT, Fairytale, Fantasy
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I'm a little unsure of what to make of this story. While I enjoyed it, I also felt a little detached from it, somehow. Like there was some fundamental thing missing that should have had me incapable of putting it down for hours and unable to stop thinking about it.
The setting was primarily quite obvious as a fantasy story, in a world with Pets who were built as machines and programmed, in a steampunk element, while having contemporary aspects such as medical care. The miller's part of the story didn't feel quite comfortable alongside trains and King's and Pets that cost a fortune and barcode tattoos. Unfortunately, neither the Pets, the blocks, barcode tattoos or the way the world functioned was really explained at a place where it made sense. Some parts were explained with action or dialogue, but others didn't have any explanation at all, at least not of the time that satisfied my curiosity. Because this was a complex world and the world building only really covered so much of it.
There were three main POV's: Simon and Cat's, with the addition of the brother, George. Now, I get why George was added, to show how snobbish he was and things that happened out of Simon's view/hearing, but I'm not sure it was strictly necessary to include him.
When it comes to the characters, I liked Simon, but it bothered me how often people kept talking about how slow he was, as though it was some mental disability or birth defect that no one cared to acknowledge or mention. It felt a little insulting at time, but perhaps that's because I have a mental handicap that often makes it hard for me to discern people's intentions and meanings, as well. On the other hand, I can't figure out if Simon is supposed to be autistic in some way, just without the author spelling it out. It's confusing, but frustrating the way it's constantly brought up and that even Simon believes he's worthless because of it.
Cat is interesting, but a little too overbearing and pushy, for my liking. And the question of just what Simon's father wanted him for was never answered, which makes the whole romance between him and Simon a little squidgy to me. I also didn't understand how no one ever heard movement in that room before now or that no one ever realised there was an inhabitant in that room, over the last ten years. It just didn't ring believable, to me. Especially not when it's revealed that the father ordered the paperwork to be submitted before the mother died, which begs the question of why? Which is never answered. And for what? Which is also never really answered.
It also bothers me that Cat makes this incredible deal with Simon within hours of meeting him, to gain his freedom in exchange for making the impossible happen. Yet, never in all of his ten years with Simon's father did he think up of a way to do the same with him? And why did the father keep betraying his promise to free Cat? Was it because he was just a Pet and a toy to be used? Was it because he truly loved Cat? Or was it because he wasn't the great man his kids all thought he was and he just didn't want to give up what he considered his property? Either way, surely there was something Cat could have done for him or given him in exchange for his freedom, in the same way he did with Simon, without risking Simon's father shirking the deal. It just felt a little to contrived that only Simon could free him, because Simon was the stupid, slow one that didn't do anything right or know what he was doing.
Not that there was much romance; they held hands and gazed into each other's eyes, with a rare kiss or two, but that was the extent of the romance, which was slightly disappointing. I'd been hoping for a little more, even just in one or two strategic places where an adrenaline fuelled kiss would have been welcome.
I certainly didn't like either of Simon's brothers.
Overall, it was a bit lacking in detail, world building and romance, while relying too heavily on Cat's cleverness and underhanded tactics. It didn't feel like a story that was well balanced between Simon and Cat; it was completely and wholly about Cat's adventure through fulfilling his agreement and the consequences of that. Simon was simply a catalyst to get Cat starts and that didn't make it feel like a very authentic or original retelling of the Puss in Boots story.
Author – Lotus Oakes
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 116
Cover – V. Nice
POV – 3rd person, multi-character
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – LGBT, Fairytale, Fantasy
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I'm a little unsure of what to make of this story. While I enjoyed it, I also felt a little detached from it, somehow. Like there was some fundamental thing missing that should have had me incapable of putting it down for hours and unable to stop thinking about it.
The setting was primarily quite obvious as a fantasy story, in a world with Pets who were built as machines and programmed, in a steampunk element, while having contemporary aspects such as medical care. The miller's part of the story didn't feel quite comfortable alongside trains and King's and Pets that cost a fortune and barcode tattoos. Unfortunately, neither the Pets, the blocks, barcode tattoos or the way the world functioned was really explained at a place where it made sense. Some parts were explained with action or dialogue, but others didn't have any explanation at all, at least not of the time that satisfied my curiosity. Because this was a complex world and the world building only really covered so much of it.
There were three main POV's: Simon and Cat's, with the addition of the brother, George. Now, I get why George was added, to show how snobbish he was and things that happened out of Simon's view/hearing, but I'm not sure it was strictly necessary to include him.
When it comes to the characters, I liked Simon, but it bothered me how often people kept talking about how slow he was, as though it was some mental disability or birth defect that no one cared to acknowledge or mention. It felt a little insulting at time, but perhaps that's because I have a mental handicap that often makes it hard for me to discern people's intentions and meanings, as well. On the other hand, I can't figure out if Simon is supposed to be autistic in some way, just without the author spelling it out. It's confusing, but frustrating the way it's constantly brought up and that even Simon believes he's worthless because of it.
Cat is interesting, but a little too overbearing and pushy, for my liking. And the question of just what Simon's father wanted him for was never answered, which makes the whole romance between him and Simon a little squidgy to me. I also didn't understand how no one ever heard movement in that room before now or that no one ever realised there was an inhabitant in that room, over the last ten years. It just didn't ring believable, to me. Especially not when it's revealed that the father ordered the paperwork to be submitted before the mother died, which begs the question of why? Which is never answered. And for what? Which is also never really answered.
It also bothers me that Cat makes this incredible deal with Simon within hours of meeting him, to gain his freedom in exchange for making the impossible happen. Yet, never in all of his ten years with Simon's father did he think up of a way to do the same with him? And why did the father keep betraying his promise to free Cat? Was it because he was just a Pet and a toy to be used? Was it because he truly loved Cat? Or was it because he wasn't the great man his kids all thought he was and he just didn't want to give up what he considered his property? Either way, surely there was something Cat could have done for him or given him in exchange for his freedom, in the same way he did with Simon, without risking Simon's father shirking the deal. It just felt a little to contrived that only Simon could free him, because Simon was the stupid, slow one that didn't do anything right or know what he was doing.
Not that there was much romance; they held hands and gazed into each other's eyes, with a rare kiss or two, but that was the extent of the romance, which was slightly disappointing. I'd been hoping for a little more, even just in one or two strategic places where an adrenaline fuelled kiss would have been welcome.
I certainly didn't like either of Simon's brothers.
Overall, it was a bit lacking in detail, world building and romance, while relying too heavily on Cat's cleverness and underhanded tactics. It didn't feel like a story that was well balanced between Simon and Cat; it was completely and wholly about Cat's adventure through fulfilling his agreement and the consequences of that. Simon was simply a catalyst to get Cat starts and that didn't make it feel like a very authentic or original retelling of the Puss in Boots story.
November 24, 2018
This was ridiculous, but also really really cute and a fun twist on the old fairy tale.
November 26, 2016
3.5* Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
I find myself with mixed feelings about this one. On the whole, I enjoyed the ‘modern’ twist on the tale of Puss in Boots and making Cat a type of android was unique and I appreciated that. The story progressed much like the original tale, at least from what I remember of it, and as I remember liking the story as a child, it was kind of like taking a trip down memory lane, at least to a point.
The main characters of the story are Cat and Simon; Cat was, of course, very clever but there was also an underlying vulnerability under the confidence that made him seem more human and easier to connect with. Simon was, at his very core, a sweet individual who, while trying to keep his family together, finds that doing the right thing is more important than anything else his brothers might want. I liked them both though never really felt they worked together as a couple for a few different reasons. One reason deals with an aspect of the story that I really didn’t like at all and that is Cat’s origins. Spoiler ahead so be warned: When Simon inherits Cat, it is found that he’d been kept by Simon’s father as a sex slave for at least the last decade. While certainly a different, and completely unexpected, take on the Puss and Boots story, I just couldn’t reconcile the ‘relationship’ Cat had with Simon’s father with the one he and Simon were moving towards at the end of the story. It squicked me out a bit to be perfectly honest. If the relationship with Simon’s father had been anything other than it actually was, I probably wouldn’t have had an issue.
The story itself was enjoyable from a fairytale standpoint but the last section after Cat secured a Lordship for Simon was by far my favorite part of the book. Simon’s life changes while he still manages to remain as kindhearted as he was previously and Cat gets exactly what he deserves and more. Things ended on a happy note, which is always nice, and I was fairly content with how everything left off. If you enjoy a good fairytale, you’ll probably enjoy this one though if the relationship aspect with Simon’s father in the mix squicks you a bit like it did me, you’ll still like it but maybe not as much as you would otherwise.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/11/1...
I find myself with mixed feelings about this one. On the whole, I enjoyed the ‘modern’ twist on the tale of Puss in Boots and making Cat a type of android was unique and I appreciated that. The story progressed much like the original tale, at least from what I remember of it, and as I remember liking the story as a child, it was kind of like taking a trip down memory lane, at least to a point.
The main characters of the story are Cat and Simon; Cat was, of course, very clever but there was also an underlying vulnerability under the confidence that made him seem more human and easier to connect with. Simon was, at his very core, a sweet individual who, while trying to keep his family together, finds that doing the right thing is more important than anything else his brothers might want. I liked them both though never really felt they worked together as a couple for a few different reasons. One reason deals with an aspect of the story that I really didn’t like at all and that is Cat’s origins. Spoiler ahead so be warned: When Simon inherits Cat, it is found that he’d been kept by Simon’s father as a sex slave for at least the last decade. While certainly a different, and completely unexpected, take on the Puss and Boots story, I just couldn’t reconcile the ‘relationship’ Cat had with Simon’s father with the one he and Simon were moving towards at the end of the story. It squicked me out a bit to be perfectly honest. If the relationship with Simon’s father had been anything other than it actually was, I probably wouldn’t have had an issue.
The story itself was enjoyable from a fairytale standpoint but the last section after Cat secured a Lordship for Simon was by far my favorite part of the book. Simon’s life changes while he still manages to remain as kindhearted as he was previously and Cat gets exactly what he deserves and more. Things ended on a happy note, which is always nice, and I was fairly content with how everything left off. If you enjoy a good fairytale, you’ll probably enjoy this one though if the relationship aspect with Simon’s father in the mix squicks you a bit like it did me, you’ll still like it but maybe not as much as you would otherwise.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/11/1...
September 22, 2016
Simon’s Cat is one of the best fairy tale retellings I’ve read in a while. It’s got terrific characters, and despite the fact that it’s a retelling, it manages to be surprising anyway. Lotus Oakes’ writing style is flippant at times and serious at others. Oakes captures Simon’s slow, thoughtful tone perfectly. They’re equally adept at capturing the quick motions, thoughts, and words of Cat in all his moods. Yes, moods! Because despite the fact that Cat is supposed to be a Pet built entirely for the satisfaction of his master, it’s very clear that this Pet has a mind of his own and is desperate for his freedom–but only on HIS terms. I was held rapt by this story from start to finish, and I can’t wait to see more from this author.
In fact, after I’d looked in to Oakes’ bibliography, I realized that she is the author of RavenHeart! I loved that book so much, but sadly the review never saw the light of day after several (CATastrophic lol) computer failures that resulted in me losing several of my reviews.
I jest but this really was pretty catastrophic for me because by the time I came to terms with losing them, they had already been published and I’d forgot too much of the books to be able to review them without rereading them.
But anyway… I highly encourage you to read this book if you’re a fan of Megan Derr’s writing. In particular if you liked her Tournament of Losers book.
This review was posted on my blog as well. You can check it out here- www.gardensandgoodreads.tumblr.com.
In fact, after I’d looked in to Oakes’ bibliography, I realized that she is the author of RavenHeart! I loved that book so much, but sadly the review never saw the light of day after several (CATastrophic lol) computer failures that resulted in me losing several of my reviews.
I jest but this really was pretty catastrophic for me because by the time I came to terms with losing them, they had already been published and I’d forgot too much of the books to be able to review them without rereading them.
But anyway… I highly encourage you to read this book if you’re a fan of Megan Derr’s writing. In particular if you liked her Tournament of Losers book.
This review was posted on my blog as well. You can check it out here- www.gardensandgoodreads.tumblr.com.
November 20, 2016
5 stars!
This was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting the plot and I greatly enjoyed it. It was really clever and I wished the book had been longer. I'm going to admit that I don't really know the original tale of puss in the boots (though of course I know of it thanks to Shrek and spin-off books based on that tale that I really enjoyed as well) but for some reason I was expecting
I really liked Simon and for all that he's slow, he just needed more time to think thoroughly and was really sweet. As for Cat, he was really ingenious. The story in all was short and sweet though I felt like it could have expanded because there was much more to the characters that I would like to see but I liked it just as it is as well.
Some unanswered questions though
Overall, a good read that really brought a bright spot in this exam period.
This was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting the plot and I greatly enjoyed it. It was really clever and I wished the book had been longer. I'm going to admit that I don't really know the original tale of puss in the boots (though of course I know of it thanks to Shrek and spin-off books based on that tale that I really enjoyed as well) but for some reason I was expecting
I really liked Simon and for all that he's slow, he just needed more time to think thoroughly and was really sweet. As for Cat, he was really ingenious. The story in all was short and sweet though I felt like it could have expanded because there was much more to the characters that I would like to see but I liked it just as it is as well.
Some unanswered questions though
Overall, a good read that really brought a bright spot in this exam period.
November 18, 2016
An interesting take on Puss in Boots, Simon's Cat has a lot of promise, but ultimately was not as thrilling as it could have been.
With a sci-if twist, we have Simon and his cat - and a cat is actually a cat android person of sorts. Basically, sex slaves. When Simon has a row with his older brother, the cat brings him on a journey to find a better life. Following the same path as the original fairy tale (finding favor from the king, off to fight the giant, etc), Simon and the cat are definitely successful. The thing is, there isn't really much drama going on. Since it follows the fairy tale, we needed an extra bit of something to bring some interest to the plot, but the slight overtones of romance, while interesting, were just not quite enough.
With a sci-if twist, we have Simon and his cat - and a cat is actually a cat android person of sorts. Basically, sex slaves. When Simon has a row with his older brother, the cat brings him on a journey to find a better life. Following the same path as the original fairy tale (finding favor from the king, off to fight the giant, etc), Simon and the cat are definitely successful. The thing is, there isn't really much drama going on. Since it follows the fairy tale, we needed an extra bit of something to bring some interest to the plot, but the slight overtones of romance, while interesting, were just not quite enough.
October 20, 2016
I liked this story. It was short, sweet, and while it remained predictable and very compact, it still worked for me. It is listed clearly as romance, and not erotica, so I did expect to find more of that in there, but there wasn't, really, until the end, which disapointed me a little. However, the story works as it is, so it's okay. I liked it, it was a cute read, but it was not amazing.
December 18, 2016
Well, that's the twist to a classic tale about Puss in boots I wasn't expecting.
Basically the cat is a sex bot. Despite that, the story does not feature sex, really. The story is interesing and the characters are nice.
The beginning was good, but then it felt too short and abrupt, it kinda fell into nowhere.
Basically the cat is a sex bot. Despite that, the story does not feature sex, really. The story is interesing and the characters are nice.
The beginning was good, but then it felt too short and abrupt, it kinda fell into nowhere.
April 4, 2017
Title: Simon's Cat
Author: Lotus Oakes
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
ISBN: 978162004841
Buy Link: https://lessthanthreepress.com/books/...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
THE STORY OF PUSS IN BOOTS
When Simon's father dies, he leaves his oldest brother the business, his middle brother the house, and Simon, the youngest, his beloved Pet, Cat.
While his brothers quarrel about what to do with the remains of their father's estate, all Simon wants is for his family to go back to the way it was. He's sure money will help. And clever Cat has an idea of how to get it.
Total Score: 4/5
Summary:
This took the old Puss in Boots story in a different direction giving life to many of the characters. IT was fascinating how none of the brothers knew anything about their father's secret room until Simon was given the key to the room after their fathers death. In it they found their fathers loved pet Cat who now belongs to Simon. Simon sees his brothers fighting over the estate and all he wants is to keep his family together. Thus begins Cat's secret plan, but things don't always come out as they thought especially when dealing with a pet. This was a delightful and intricate story with a surprise ending!
Author: Lotus Oakes
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
ISBN: 978162004841
Buy Link: https://lessthanthreepress.com/books/...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
THE STORY OF PUSS IN BOOTS
When Simon's father dies, he leaves his oldest brother the business, his middle brother the house, and Simon, the youngest, his beloved Pet, Cat.
While his brothers quarrel about what to do with the remains of their father's estate, all Simon wants is for his family to go back to the way it was. He's sure money will help. And clever Cat has an idea of how to get it.
Total Score: 4/5
Summary:
This took the old Puss in Boots story in a different direction giving life to many of the characters. IT was fascinating how none of the brothers knew anything about their father's secret room until Simon was given the key to the room after their fathers death. In it they found their fathers loved pet Cat who now belongs to Simon. Simon sees his brothers fighting over the estate and all he wants is to keep his family together. Thus begins Cat's secret plan, but things don't always come out as they thought especially when dealing with a pet. This was a delightful and intricate story with a surprise ending!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews