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11/26/23

Nimbus, by Jan Eldredge

If magical cats are a thing you like, Nimbus, by Jan Eldredge September 2023, Balzer + Bray) is an obvious and excellent choice!  

Nimbus was rescued by Fletcher's family when she was a wounded, abandoned kitten, unwanted because of being a black cat.  Nursed back to health and dearly loved by Fletcher, Nim thought her bad luck was a thing of the past.  But then Flecher opens an old jar which had imprisoned a nightmare demon.  Nim instantly fought the demon when it attached Fletcher, and thought she'd one, though she'd been badly injured.  But Fletcher's cat-hating Aunt Caroline, roused by the commotion, assumed Nim had been the one to attach the boy, and took her off to a dump and left her there.

Happily, a friendly rat helps Nim reach the safety of a witch's home.  Agatha has a soft spot of cats in need (she has four already), and tries to help Nim heal (though Nim is so desperate to get back to Fletcher to make sure he's safe that this is rather frustrating for Agatha).  While at Agatha's, Nim discovers she's taken the demon's ability to dream walk, and at night she finds herself in the dream world, where her travels through the dreams of her new cat companions, and her own dreaming, help her to figure out how to defeat the demon for once and for all.

It's about more than just cat vs demon, though....a large part of the story is set at Agatha's house, an interlude of little direct action and much about Nim learning from the other cats, and understanding their stories.  It's also about the brave rat friend who helped Nim, who has his own important role in defeating the demon.  I found this enjoyable reading, though kids who come for demon fighting action might find it a bit slow....

That being said, the final demon showdown is great, with Aunt Caroline making a humorously grotesque appearance! 

Nim is a very sweet brave kitten, and the supporting cast of rat, cats and witch are great too!  I enjoyed it, and it would be a great gift for a kid who read all the Warriors books last year and still doesn't want to part with them.


1 comment:

  1. What an adorable cover!! Need to see if the library has this.

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