The Keeper of Cats

Skyla #3

by Elizabeth H. Boyer

When Jutta's mother sent her to tiny, windswept Bardhol to stay with their ancient female relations, she hinted slyly that those crafty crones might be hiding a fortune. But all Jutta found was boredom, toil -- and cats, spoiled pets demanding constant attention. Their only neighbors were antiquated, mad, or resting -- permanently -- in the graveyard at the foot of the hill. Jutta's grandmothers warned her away from the graveyard, but the cats went, and Jutta followed. What she found there would change her life forever.

Genres: Fantasy

346 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 30, 1994

Reviews

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Skyla series. I have not read the first two books in the series but the books are only loosely related. I read the first 120 pages and just couldn’t get into it. This wasn’t an awful book, it was just slow moving and boring. There wasn’t a lot going on here that I was interested in; the writing style felt very stilted and dated to me.

The story is about a 19 year old girl who is sent to live with her five grandmothers. The grandmothers are obsessed with their cats that they say aren’t cats at all but are magical creatures from another realm.

I really struggled to stay engaged with this story and decided to set it aside. The world wasn’t explained that well and none of the characters were that interesting to me. It looked like an interesting mystery might be developing around the grave barrows near where Jetta is sent to live; however it was just so slow moving that it never really grabbed my attention.

The book does have a very classic mid-90’s fantasy feel to it. So if you are feeling nostalgic for an older, slower moving fantasy you might enjoy this one. As I said, it wasn’t awful it just wasn’t all that great either. If I had nothing else to read I would have probably finished it.

Overall an okay fantasy book but a bit too slow moving and boring for me. Has a very classic fantasy feel to it. I wish the world had been better developed, the characters more interesting, and the story more fast-paced an engaging. I don’t plan on reading anymore by Boyer.

[Katherine Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I liked the variety of the ensemble cast in general, but no one in particular. The lead character seemed quite irregular in her choices and behaviors, and I observed no events that would have really made her grow and change, moments of revelations, or remorse for previous bad behavior. The cats the reader is meant to come to like never really cease their horrible behaviors or present any redeeming ones until the very end. The plot overall does hold together, and moves a decent pace, but I didn't especially understand what sort of consequences there were for failure--or even what would constitute a failure. It was pretty obvious who the baddie was from early on, though I did have a few moments of doubt as the author inserted a bit here and there to get the reader to question what seems obvious by considering other characters. Not planning to re-read.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple little fantasy where I was enraged at the lack of sight by the main girl and the lack of communication with the grandmothers. If they were trying to keep the family heritage alive, wouldn't they talk to her about it? Then she would know who the good guys/ bad guys were...
Did like the kittens and their actions.

[Colleen Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmother lent me this book. I was really reluctant to read it because the cover was so terrifying but she said that it was really good so I couldn't just ignore it. Turns out that The Keep Of Cats was one of the better books that I read last year. Go figure.