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Queen of Kats #1-3
Queen of Kats: The Complete Saga
It should have been so simple…
Remarin is a thief. He was hired to steal a gem. No big deal, right?
Yeah, right.
He stole the gem, then everything went sideways, and now he's running for his life across rooftops, through sewers, and all over the godsforsaken world trying not to get dead.
And who is this kid, Kit, anyway?
This new fantasy adventure from the creator of Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter and The Black Knight Chronicles takes John Hartness' standard snark and drops them right into a high fantasy world full of magic and mayhem. Fans of David Eddings, Michael J. Sullivan, and Raymond Feist should love this thrilling tale of intrigue, espionage, murder, mayhem, and magical talking daggers!
Remarin is a thief. He was hired to steal a gem. No big deal, right?
Yeah, right.
He stole the gem, then everything went sideways, and now he's running for his life across rooftops, through sewers, and all over the godsforsaken world trying not to get dead.
And who is this kid, Kit, anyway?
This new fantasy adventure from the creator of Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter and The Black Knight Chronicles takes John Hartness' standard snark and drops them right into a high fantasy world full of magic and mayhem. Fans of David Eddings, Michael J. Sullivan, and Raymond Feist should love this thrilling tale of intrigue, espionage, murder, mayhem, and magical talking daggers!
- GenresFantasy
282 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2018
28 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
John G. Hartness
192 books596 followersJohn G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love.
He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles (Bell Bridge Books), the Bubba the Monster Hunter comedic horror series, the Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter dark fantasy series, and many other projects.
In 2016, John teamed up with a pair of other publishing industry ne’er-do-wells and founded Falstaff Books, a small press dedicated to publishing the best of genre fictions “misfit toys.”
In his copious free time John enjoys long walks on the beach, rescuing kittens from trees and playing Magic: the Gathering.
For free short stories and to follow his activities and appearances on his newsletter, follow this link - http://eepurl.com/fV4In
He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles (Bell Bridge Books), the Bubba the Monster Hunter comedic horror series, the Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter dark fantasy series, and many other projects.
In 2016, John teamed up with a pair of other publishing industry ne’er-do-wells and founded Falstaff Books, a small press dedicated to publishing the best of genre fictions “misfit toys.”
In his copious free time John enjoys long walks on the beach, rescuing kittens from trees and playing Magic: the Gathering.
For free short stories and to follow his activities and appearances on his newsletter, follow this link - http://eepurl.com/fV4In
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 25, 2018
I am so thrilled this trilogy came out that I ended up pre-ordering it and purchasing it on my husband's account even though I was eventually given it as an ARC. Technically, I am a verified purchase (though our kindle account is in his name). I wish I could afford to buy more of John Hartness and Falstaff books--they deserve every penny!
I am fortunate to receive advance review copies, and I have been asked to give my honest opinion. I do make a point to do so. Anyone who reads me may notice I tend to to give Falstaff books high ratings--this is because the writers at Falstaff are very talented people, and I genuinely find myself loving their books.
John Hartness is a remarkable writer, even advertised on the View (and he deserves every bit of praise). I came across his work during a time my arthritis gets especially bad. John Hartness books
make me chuckle and take the pain away. So far I do not know a series he has started that is not worth recommending--Bubba is my favorite for now (this was the series that distracts me most from arthritic pain and makes me laugh so hard any water I drink spews out my nose).
I am finally getting the knee surgery that will put an end to a lot of my arthritic pain as soon as I recover. I destroyed my own kneecap before age 50--how many people can say that? Hopefully
my other joints can hold out longer. If they do not, Bubba soldiers on. Of course the Quincy Harker series also continues, and I adore this series as well.
Queen of Kats was another favorite, but I had only been able to get the first book in the trilogy. Fans of Fritz Leiber's Faferd and the Grey Mouser will appreciate this tale, especially
since it lacks the sexism that Leiber's series had within it. The protagonist is named Remarin (the Mouser of this tale), his Faferd is physically trapped within a mystical dagger that Remarin
uses in his work.
On the day that Remarin gets hired to do a simple heist, he discovers that his fence has betrayed him to the authorities. He finds a young man who claims he was abducted for slavery, and the two of them set out to figure out how to survive. The boy he escapes with can hear Trand, who has plenty to say about his partner's foolishness. Hartness is skilled at snark, and there are chuckles aplenty throughout the tale.
Expect suspense in the series, as nobody you meet is exactly how he or she seems. It's a delightful romp in a medieval world with a bit of magic thrown in to confuse things further.
I highly recommend this trilogy! The end will leave you wanting more, but that's what good endings are supposed to do. I hope Hartness continues the trilogy, as I fell in love with Trand, Kit, and Remarin. I wouldn't trust them anywhere near any valuables (if I had any), but neither would you.
I am fortunate to receive advance review copies, and I have been asked to give my honest opinion. I do make a point to do so. Anyone who reads me may notice I tend to to give Falstaff books high ratings--this is because the writers at Falstaff are very talented people, and I genuinely find myself loving their books.
John Hartness is a remarkable writer, even advertised on the View (and he deserves every bit of praise). I came across his work during a time my arthritis gets especially bad. John Hartness books
make me chuckle and take the pain away. So far I do not know a series he has started that is not worth recommending--Bubba is my favorite for now (this was the series that distracts me most from arthritic pain and makes me laugh so hard any water I drink spews out my nose).
I am finally getting the knee surgery that will put an end to a lot of my arthritic pain as soon as I recover. I destroyed my own kneecap before age 50--how many people can say that? Hopefully
my other joints can hold out longer. If they do not, Bubba soldiers on. Of course the Quincy Harker series also continues, and I adore this series as well.
Queen of Kats was another favorite, but I had only been able to get the first book in the trilogy. Fans of Fritz Leiber's Faferd and the Grey Mouser will appreciate this tale, especially
since it lacks the sexism that Leiber's series had within it. The protagonist is named Remarin (the Mouser of this tale), his Faferd is physically trapped within a mystical dagger that Remarin
uses in his work.
On the day that Remarin gets hired to do a simple heist, he discovers that his fence has betrayed him to the authorities. He finds a young man who claims he was abducted for slavery, and the two of them set out to figure out how to survive. The boy he escapes with can hear Trand, who has plenty to say about his partner's foolishness. Hartness is skilled at snark, and there are chuckles aplenty throughout the tale.
Expect suspense in the series, as nobody you meet is exactly how he or she seems. It's a delightful romp in a medieval world with a bit of magic thrown in to confuse things further.
I highly recommend this trilogy! The end will leave you wanting more, but that's what good endings are supposed to do. I hope Hartness continues the trilogy, as I fell in love with Trand, Kit, and Remarin. I wouldn't trust them anywhere near any valuables (if I had any), but neither would you.
September 1, 2019
Thank you FalStaff books for publishing another great John G. Hartness novel! I know he had to sell himself pretty hard to get his book out there. ;)
Besides the various typos here and there throughout the book, I really enjoyed the expanding plot of this story. One minute you are following an already intricate plot line, and the next minute you are on a side plot that only strengthens the first one, but can sometimes leave the reader confused. Some of those confusing moments feel like "fluff" spots when reading, but at the end of the book, the final scenes tie those loose adventures all together and everything makes sense. Lesson? Keep reading, it gets better!!
I admire John's ability to write such intricate stories and weave every moment to have meaning or a connection to something later on. The book is split up into three parts, which means that the beginning of each part can sound a bit repetitive to the reader reading the book as whole like I was. Being reminded of what's happening in the character's lives and who is who and what is what (especially the talking dagger, Trand) can turn a reader off, but I persevered because I absolutely love these characters! Another aspect of John's writing that I took notes from as a young writer myself was his ability to create engaging and coherent dialogue. I knew who was talking without being told who said what. His word choice, tone and verse all blended together perfectly to create the scene like I was there myself engaging in what each character said.
I highly recommend sitting down with a cup of tea and a blanket as you soar across roof tops, avoid flying daggers, and disrupting brothels on this fantastical adventure!
For more book reviews, please visit my website at https://mjrileyonline.com
M. J. Riley
Besides the various typos here and there throughout the book, I really enjoyed the expanding plot of this story. One minute you are following an already intricate plot line, and the next minute you are on a side plot that only strengthens the first one, but can sometimes leave the reader confused. Some of those confusing moments feel like "fluff" spots when reading, but at the end of the book, the final scenes tie those loose adventures all together and everything makes sense. Lesson? Keep reading, it gets better!!
I admire John's ability to write such intricate stories and weave every moment to have meaning or a connection to something later on. The book is split up into three parts, which means that the beginning of each part can sound a bit repetitive to the reader reading the book as whole like I was. Being reminded of what's happening in the character's lives and who is who and what is what (especially the talking dagger, Trand) can turn a reader off, but I persevered because I absolutely love these characters! Another aspect of John's writing that I took notes from as a young writer myself was his ability to create engaging and coherent dialogue. I knew who was talking without being told who said what. His word choice, tone and verse all blended together perfectly to create the scene like I was there myself engaging in what each character said.
I highly recommend sitting down with a cup of tea and a blanket as you soar across roof tops, avoid flying daggers, and disrupting brothels on this fantastical adventure!
For more book reviews, please visit my website at https://mjrileyonline.com
M. J. Riley
January 20, 2021
Queen of Kats is available for sale as three stand-alone novellas (99 cents for Betrayal, 2.99 for Survival, and 2.99 for Revolution) or as one collection (4.99). - pricing from 1/18/2021
Queen of Kats is reminiscent of the heyday of sword & sorcery fantasy of the late 20th century, where the adventure focuses on the thieves (Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser by Fitz Leiber is one example). The fights in Queen of Kats are amazingly detailed, the break-ins and skills needed engrossing, and the political action layered. I think this series is some of Mr. Hartness' best work so far.
I reviewed the stand-alone novellas separately to prevent spoilers here.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.
Queen of Kats is reminiscent of the heyday of sword & sorcery fantasy of the late 20th century, where the adventure focuses on the thieves (Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser by Fitz Leiber is one example). The fights in Queen of Kats are amazingly detailed, the break-ins and skills needed engrossing, and the political action layered. I think this series is some of Mr. Hartness' best work so far.
I reviewed the stand-alone novellas separately to prevent spoilers here.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.
April 7, 2018
Good story
I enjoyed the story, a lot of action. Could use another edit, not to bad (ie: the word and instead of an a) couple of simple word mix ups. No overt foul language nor sex scenes.
I enjoyed the story, a lot of action. Could use another edit, not to bad (ie: the word and instead of an a) couple of simple word mix ups. No overt foul language nor sex scenes.
May 3, 2018
I got this book at a local Comicon and met the author. He was a a great guy. I wanted to love this book but alas I did not. I would not classify it as a high fantasy. More like a quick fantasy and missing out on some character building. Overall a pretty typical story
November 28, 2018
Really liked the world-building and twisty plot of this one. Much more lighthearted that some of the author's other books but preserving the humor he's noted for (in a cleaner version). I would love to see more of these characters!
January 31, 2019
Another epic book.
Really really good story, characters, plot, everything was perfect....except... I'm desperate for what happens next. But i want another book from every series he's written!
Really really good story, characters, plot, everything was perfect....except... I'm desperate for what happens next. But i want another book from every series he's written!
January 19, 2021
Great Adventure
Great characters and high action made this one a page turner. I hope there I more coming in this series. I wish the author would get a better proof reader though. Still, a great read!
Great characters and high action made this one a page turner. I hope there I more coming in this series. I wish the author would get a better proof reader though. Still, a great read!
January 2, 2022
It's high fantasy where the main character is the best character -- the thief! While many fantasy pick pockets have been my favorite characters for their series (Silk from the Belgariad, anyone?) this book really hits the mark.
October 9, 2025
Okay with a push
July 9, 2018
I listened to the audiobook and greatly enjoyed it. The Reader had the perfect amount of snark.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews