posted on 05 May 2018

Alley’s Cats and the Mystical Journey by Winifred Alexander

Before I begin my review of this unusual fantasy novel I need to let you know that I am not really a lover of cats. It is clear from the introduction written by by this new author that she is very keen and hoping to spread this enthusiasm to readers. She hasn't changed my feeling about real cats but I do rather like Velvet and Lulu the two who are central to the plot because they are unusually intelligent, empathetic, clean and vegetarian. This is because they are really Velvetta and Luetta, other worldly creatures, who are visiting earth with a mission to save  animals from danger. They are part of the entourage of Bastet, who is the ancient Egyptian warrior deity who visits them from time to time to provide explanations, encouragement and wise words for Alley, the human protagonist who works in a museum.

It seems that Alley has been chosen by the gods to provide a home for the two cats because they are so concerned about the exploitation and cruel treatment of wild animals by mankind. Bastet tells Alley that they are also apparently planning to influence change because ‘ even though I exist now in your past, this world is soon to become the future of my people’s descendants’. 

I liked the premise of the book which describes how the two cats influence the behaviour of animals in the local park and help Alley out with the housework, rather like the elves helped the shoemaker in Grimm’s fairy tale or Samantha in the ‘ Bewitched’ TV series that I used to watch avidly when I was a child. They are entertaining companions for the rather lonely Alley and always use their magical powers in positive ways whether it is in London , Zimbabwe and other places where they visit via a handy portal that opens up when they are needed.

I could imagine this story being turned into a graphic format or certainly inspire some interesting artwork because the various events make me think of super hero comics. I think that it would be enjoyed by children, even though it has an adult central character and has some gentle  love interest along the way. The stage is set for further adventures and its a good job that cats are born with nine lives as there are always plenty of animals to be saved in the world. The  author is very concerned to promote  awareness of cruelty against animals and part of the proceeds will go to relevant animal and pet charities.

Karen Argent

May 2018