Against all odds, Ben the Bengal cat defeated the demon dragon and sent it back to the Seventh Dimension.
Consequently, Ben’s nemesis, the evil warlock Astravar is ever so slightly miffed. That demon dragon was meant to take over the realm for Astravar, while the warlock stayed in a tower with a nice cup of tea and watched the conquest from afar. But it didn’t quite work that way...
Now, as a mysterious student prodigy emerges in Ben’s academy, Ben’s new feline-fae friend starts behaving rather odd, and Astravar seems to be concocting a spangling-new nefarious plan, Ben realises he’ll have to go on another adventure. One that involves fairies, chimeras, and hippopotami, and that also crosses dimensions.
When Chris Behrsin isn’t out exploring the world, he’s behind a keyboard writing tales of dragons and magical lands. He was born into the genre through a steady diet of Terry Pratchett. His fiction fuses a love for fantasy and whimsical plots with philosophy and voyages into the worlds of dreams.
Visit www.chrisbehrsin.com to learn more about him and to download a free novel.
I was provided an eARC copy of A Cat's Guide to Meddling with Magic by the author, Chris Behrsin, through his ARC reader email list. Thank you for the opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
I read the first book in the series for a blog tour and just happened to be scheduled to share my review a few short days before the ARCs for book two were going out. I loved A Cat's Guide to Bonding with Dragons so much I just had to see if there was still time to sign up to review the future books, and there was! I wish I had arranged my schedule differently and read the previous book far in advance so I could have had the time to read this one sooner and help get a review out in time for its first week on the market, but I hope my review helps anyway. I'll be sharing on both my personal book blog and a group book blog. Find my posts here:
Ben, Salaranja, and all our friends from Bonding with Dragons still have a lot of work to do in order to rid their world and all the others of Astravar and the evil warlocks. Astravar can still get inside Ben's head while he dreams, but now he has a tighter hold on Ta'ra as well, and Ben & Salanraja's crystal has called for Ben to select a team to hunt Astravar down, rescue Ta'ra, and defeat a demon chimera.
Just like last time, I absolutely adore Ben! I couldn't have captured a more perfect cat personality in this unlikely hero archetype, and I am thoroughly entertained. I wish my own pair of feline overlords could understand the complexities (simplicities?) of human language so that I could share Ben's genius with them.
I'm still in awe of the multi-layered world Behrsin has created for this adventure, and I love the feeling that we the readers are only scratching the surface. The author's note at the end exposes a lifetime of reading Pratchett, and it shows in these books. I wouldn't say these books are absurdism on nearly the same level, but the humour and silliness are clearly inspired, and these books are the wonderfully clean and just plain fun fantasy books for the whole family that Pratchett and his contemporaries are known for. Although this book isn't billed as YA and is definitely enjoyable for an adult audience, it's perfectly suitable for younger readers as well. The language is not too complex and there are no mature scenes.
My only "complaint," if you can call it that, is that be the time you've made it through both of these novels so far (and possibly even the prequel novella) you really do forget that Ben has only been in this world for a matter of weeks, it feels so much longer, and thus it starts to become a little grating that Ben is still dreaming so fiercely of going back to his old life and that he still lets his housecat fight or flight instincts override his morals and duty. I really do feel for Salanraja every time she tells Ben how much it hurts her that he doesn't take things seriously or that he's still dreaming of a life without her.
I'm really enjoying the continued romantic intrigue between Rine and his two potential matches, and the budding affections between Ben and Ta'ra are just so darn sweet! I'm really rooting for both Ben and Rine to open up their eyes, grow a pair, and make it official with the ladies they're clearly best suited for.
I recommend this book to all lovers of clean fantasy and humorous adventures with magic, but I do urge you to read A Cat's Guide to Bonding with Dragons first. This is very much a second/middle book and would not make nearly as much sense if read first or as a standalone. You can, however, read the prequel novella later if you wish.
* * * Audiobook Story: C+ (maybe B- if I'm feeling generous) Narration: C (this is already generous)
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.
The first book was a disappointment, but I decided to soldier on with the second. (The audiobook is free only until the end of the month.) I will say there was improvement in the story/writing, especiallywith character-building. I pretty much found all the characters to be unpleasant to one degree or another in the first book, but there's been improvement on that front in this one. The biggest change is in Ben. This has been a kind of coming-of-age/maturing book for him. He's learning to face his fears and to care about other people and the effects of his actions.
Despite this, I still find the world-building and premise to be under-developed and simplistic.
Then there's the narration. That's...not good. The narrator has a great voice when he's not doing character voices. But that's a large part of the book, and those voices are almost universally terrible and are ruining the experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Chris Behrsin has written a second delightful tale detailing the dragoncat's new adventure. All the dragoncat wants to do is go home, but his friend is acting strange, and it is left up to the dragoncat and his friends from the Dragonsbond Academy to figure out what is going on, and what needs to be done to help his friend. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend it to other readers who like this genre. I was given a free copy of the ebook, and I have voluntarily left this review.
Still enjoying this series. Ben is learning more and more of this world he has been dragged into. There are still a lot of things he doesn’t understand, but he’s beginning to. He’s also trying to change his attitude bit by bit. He’s not the great hero yet - and maybe never will be - but he’s not quite as self-centered as he was. He’s still hungry all the time though.
I enjoy the series. The author has entwined fantasy and the nature of a cat. Ben is a typical lazy cat who just wants food. I will continue reading the series as the stories are fun.
**** SPOILER ALERT **** Chris Behrsin's "A Cat's Guide To Meddling With Magic: Dragoncat, Book Two" takes we readers back to the first dimension where Ben, a Bengal cat from Wales, has been transported to by an evil warlock and managed to bond with a dragon and save the first dimension. While Ben won the initial battle, the war has just begun. This time around Ben meets a dreamwatcher, with a secret, that freaks him out. Ben is also granted his second gift by the magical crystal. Behrsin continues their top notch world building as it is fleshed out even further in this book. In addition the arc of character development is very, very well done. Particularly that of Ben. The author maintains some humourous elements in the book, but also delves a bit into things a bit more dark. While reading the book, some questions may arise in your mind. Q: Will Ben learn to be selfless rather than self-centred? Q: Will Ben and company be able to save the capitol city from Astravar? Q: Will Ben finally get a clue about how he truly feels about Ta'ra? A: Grab this book, read it and find out. But wait.... There's MORE!! Yes!! Behrsin has published "A Cat's Guide To Saving The Kingdom: Dragoncat, Book Three" ( I'll be reviewing that soon ) and the author will soon be working on Dragoncat 4. In the interest of transparency, I was given two copies of this book. Allow me to explain. I received the copy that I edited for Behrsin. I enjoyed it while I was editing it. The second copy was given to me after the author had gone through my editing suggestions. This review is based from reading the second copy and I enjoyed it even more! Yes, I am a bit biassed, however, with forty six years as an AVID reader, I cannot help but EXTOLL this excellent book. I am voluntarily sharing this review. It is my own opinion.
I received this book at no charge and agreed to post an honest review.
So far, I've read 4 from this series, & this one is so far the one I enjoyed the most. If they allowed 1/2 stars, I'd give it 4 1/2.
Ben, the cat is learning how to adjust his attitude regarding having been forced to go to another dimension (world) & fight. All he really wants to do is eat & sleep. He is slowly learning that he has actual friends on the world he was unwillingly brought to. He also amusingly wants to be a matchmaker between 2 wizard students, but has trouble seeing he's doing the same things with his compatible kitty love as he keeps complaining his human friend is doing!
Definitely G rated, with lots of putty humor, Ben & his magic & dragon friends continue to fight a powerful, evil Warlock. It's also a refreshing change this decade to read a paranormal fantasy where romance isn't the featured plot!
Long story, but I've been reading these out of order. While I don't recommend that. of the 1st 3.5 (of 7 afaik); this one works the best of any I've read so far as a standalone. It also was the strongest can't put it down/page turner of any of the 1st 3.5.
A very imaginative story. Ben, a cat who can now speak human language in this new dimension he has been brought to finds himself and his fellow dragon riders pitted against a dark warlock who wants dominion over all seven dimensions. Just a typical power mad tyrant but with magical powers that makes him formidable.
I enjoyed the story and if you love talking dragons, cats and their interactions as well as teaming up to stop the wicked warlock Astravar well look no further because this story will be a delight to you. It’s interesting to see things from a cat’s perspective but even Ben finds he needs to be humbled in his arrogance. There are some good lessons he learns that we humans need to learn as well and so the book is good at reminding us of what and where we should place our trusts and that we should really look deep inside us to make us the humans we should be as well.
I recommend this book as a fun, exciting, thoughtful book which is enjoyable to read as well as one to ponder those choices we’re contemplating to see if indeed they’re the right choices for us.
Poor Ben! After coming out a hero in his last adventure, all he wanted was some well-deserved R&R, or better yet, to go back to South Wales where there's a family waiting to spoil him and feed him salmon. But the evil warlock Astravar still wants to drag him into his plot to dominate the world. He kidnaps his friend Ta'ra, the faery-turned-cat, and uses her to open a portal to the faery dimention. So of course Ben must go and save her. Salanraja, his bonded dragon, helps him, along with the Council of Three, prefects and initiates, and one special student who can see into dreams. And their dragons. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm writing this review with a cat purring on my lap. I love stories about cats, or dragons, or both. This is a good example of such a story. Also, I got this copy for free in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for the third part of the series.
And I read a lot. After meeting my 2022 numbers I realized I was struggling to get my daily reading in. After reading books 1 and 2 in the Dragoncat books I realized that I was just picking bad choices. It's not the books so much but I was choosing Saturday morning cartoons instead of reading fast paced action adventures. I have varied taste in literature but I was picking books that slowed me down with poor sentence structures and plot crumbs that went nowhere. The Dragon cat books opened my reading appetite again. The characters are serious, but have fun downtime. The writer uses a couple of new words a book for me and I can't wait for the next book.
This second book in the series has dragon riding Bengal cat, Ben, involved in more adventures. The evil warlock, Astravar is cooking up more high villainy and Ben is called upon to save the world from certain destruction. Ben is such a lovable little guy with a really brave heart. This book has no sex, cursing, or gory violence, so you can share this book with your whole family. I would heartily recommend this book and am looking forward to the next installment in the series. However, there seemed to be a technical problem with the book. About 2/3 of the way through, the first page of each chapter was missing, which made reading it a little more difficult.
Come along on the further escapades of Ben, a cat who is bonded with a dragon. Ben will be tested beyond his wildest imaginings … will he finally rise above his desire to be fed and cossetted? Will he realize how important his friends are to him? Can he finally come into his own as the hero that others see in him? If not, Astravar’s plot to destroy the capital city and then to destroy all the other dimensions will continue unabated. I received a free copy of this book, with no obligation.
In this story Ben the Bengal confronts again Astravar the Warlock as he tries to save Ta'ra, and accidentally opens tha way for the warlock to go the fairy dimension. A funny story full of adventures that made me enjoy it from the start till the end. If you enjoyed this book, look for A Cats Guide to Bonding with Dragons and the Secicao Blight stories you'll enjoy this one too and be on your toes waiting the next installment.
Magic abounds, and Kittie Ben, overcomes and adapts!
Love this self-serving kitties, Ben, attempting always to figure out was which will initially profit himself. But, as inreal life, nothing ever works out exactly as planned. If you love start dragons, loads of magic, scary Elders, a truly evil sorcerer, and toppe off by Be, trying to maneuver throughout! You will love this book/series! I'm ready for Book 3! Oh, yeah!
While the story is as catty as before, the plot is about Ben’s inner growth and about the team of which he struggles to find his role and place. There are new characters to expand the team and a lot of great character development. The story kept me interested. The mix of introspection, selfishness, growth, and action was nicely balanced. Round two of the battle against Astrovar ends with a great launching point for the next book.
I have loved all the first books so much; guess it is primarily for Ben! I love cats in general, but Ben comes through with flying colors no matter what tries to trip him up. His personality is all snark and get you can't help to love him. Don't miss this series; it is so much fun!
Good follow-up to the first. The biggest complaint I had was that Ben didn't seem to change much between the two books. I saw more character development in this one, and I hope that it remains in the third book instead of having Ben go back to the way he was in the first. Beyond that, it was a fun read and I enjoyed it.
Ben was a Welsh cat in our world and perfectly contented until an evil warlock brought him to another dimension to be his slave. Having escaped and finding a new destiny in book one, he and his friends must combat Astrovar and his minions before they take over the faeri realm and attack the capitol in this dimension. Good clean fantasy for any age.
Fast paced action packed adventure in a fantastical land across 7 dimensions. Earth as we know it is the fourth. Brilliant writing and an engaging story that keeps the reader enthralled, almost as if by magic. Be sure to read the books in the right order and get the prequel for free from the authors website to read first.
I imagine that sometimes it is difficult to get into the mind of a character that isn't your species but Chris does a great job of writing from a cat's point of view. It's interesting to see Ben grow into the powerful kitty he can be.
OMG! This is such a fantastic series, following along with Ben as he learns to overcome his fears and how he grows. I've even pre-ordered the next book in the series and I just don't do that. I am so looking forward to how Ben and his dragon handle the next threat.
Ben, the Bengal, is an interesting cat. I enjoy how Chris Behrsin gets inside Ben's thoughts and expresses what a cat might think and say. Good read and fun concept.
Really enjoyed this.book and.Book 1. Didn't realize it was meant for youngsters. As I am a very.mature woman, I can attest that anyone can get carried away with cats and dragons. Look forward to Book 3.
Ben, the dragoncat, learns more about his destiny and his teammates in a quest to save his new friends and their world from Astravar. This is not as well edited as the first book, but still an engaging read.
The title caught my eye on this series about a cat and a dragon. I soon read through the first book and then the second book as I have found the story very entertaining.
The constant whining of the cat ...don't want to in post spoilers...gets a bit old. But I still liked it and am heading to download the third one. I guess he is like any teenager who finds he has to be a hero.
Ben is still learning to play well with others and not make everything about himself (and his stomach), especially after Astravar takes over Ta-ra's mind. It's nice to see his progression. I'm intrigued enough to continue the series.