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Stray Cat Strut #2
Stray Cat Strut 2
A young warrior discovers her true potential as a cybernetic samurai battling conspiracies and aliens in this original, action-packed cyberpunk series.
There’s always a need for heroes in the city of New Montreal. So when a young girl is kidnapped by business-backed mercenaries, Catherine “Cat” LeBlanc—who’s been a cyber-samurai for little more than a day—teams up with pyrotechnic nun-samurai Gomorrah to determine why a corporation would target a child . . . and what exactly they did to her.
Having only recently ascended from your average nobody to what many would consider the pinnacle of humanity, the inexperienced Cat is overwhelmed, to say the least. She’s worried about how her girlfriend, Lucy, will react to the changes, and wonders whether she can use her newfound power and growing influence to care for her “kittens,” a group of orphans in her charge.
Meanwhile, as if black-ops assassins and their corporate masters weren’t dangerous enough, the alien Antithesis have infiltrated the mining town of Black Bear. Capable of mimicking inanimate objects, the aliens could be anywhere—and anything. Rooting out and combatting these shapeshifting aliens would be a chore for even the most seasoned samurai. For Cat, it will test the very limits of both her fighting skills and her ability to save lives.
There’s always a need for heroes in the city of New Montreal. So when a young girl is kidnapped by business-backed mercenaries, Catherine “Cat” LeBlanc—who’s been a cyber-samurai for little more than a day—teams up with pyrotechnic nun-samurai Gomorrah to determine why a corporation would target a child . . . and what exactly they did to her.
Having only recently ascended from your average nobody to what many would consider the pinnacle of humanity, the inexperienced Cat is overwhelmed, to say the least. She’s worried about how her girlfriend, Lucy, will react to the changes, and wonders whether she can use her newfound power and growing influence to care for her “kittens,” a group of orphans in her charge.
Meanwhile, as if black-ops assassins and their corporate masters weren’t dangerous enough, the alien Antithesis have infiltrated the mining town of Black Bear. Capable of mimicking inanimate objects, the aliens could be anywhere—and anything. Rooting out and combatting these shapeshifting aliens would be a chore for even the most seasoned samurai. For Cat, it will test the very limits of both her fighting skills and her ability to save lives.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2022
92 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
RavensDagger
49 books209 followersA bird that likes comfy and happy things, and also knives. Once ate a god’s eye and awakened the ability to see all that is good in the world. Known to steal shiny ideas and baubles. Currently forbidden from writing his own bios.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 8, 2024
This is second in a sort-of System Apocalypse almost LitRPG where the series follows tightly along. Read in order.
So you know what to expect. Mostly. There's a lot of fallout from the first story and the plot has to move on from the immediacy of the invasion that created Cat. So we see her interact more with her orphans (dubbed kittens in the cutest disharmony ever) and her girlfriend. So we have some domestic bits. And a developing friendship with another beginner Samurai we met in the last book. If you liked the interactions in the previous book, you'll probably be great in this one.
So there are definite differences from the first. Not least is the Steam tag below. With Cat's downtime comes alone time with her girlfriend and the author chose to go behind closed doors. I'll discuss that below.
This remains at a strong five stars for me. A lot of that is the humor and that the we find another (smaller) invasion that Cat and her nun friend pretty much take on by themselves (mostly). So we still have the great action along with the continuing snark. And I'm definitely interested in the next in the series.
A note about format: I picked this book up mid stream. I had been reading on Royal Road when I regretted not being able to share all these fantastic highlights. It was enough that I bought the book pretty much just to share the humor. I am told by reliable authorities that these are not the draw I believe them to be so I'm just going to stick with having fun highlighting and sharing even if nobody else gets any benefit from them.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes that are long enough (a chapter each) putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're a bit of a tone shift and completely unnecessary. Gratuitous. That's the word. They're fairly well done, so if you're into it go for it. They're also easily skipped because they're each a single chapter, so if you aren't into that you have the option to simply skip without missing out on anything. There are random cuddles and gropes. But the actual steam is well contained.
So you know what to expect. Mostly. There's a lot of fallout from the first story and the plot has to move on from the immediacy of the invasion that created Cat. So we see her interact more with her orphans (dubbed kittens in the cutest disharmony ever) and her girlfriend. So we have some domestic bits. And a developing friendship with another beginner Samurai we met in the last book. If you liked the interactions in the previous book, you'll probably be great in this one.
So there are definite differences from the first. Not least is the Steam tag below. With Cat's downtime comes alone time with her girlfriend and the author chose to go behind closed doors. I'll discuss that below.
This remains at a strong five stars for me. A lot of that is the humor and that the we find another (smaller) invasion that Cat and her nun friend pretty much take on by themselves (mostly). So we still have the great action along with the continuing snark. And I'm definitely interested in the next in the series.
A note about format: I picked this book up mid stream. I had been reading on Royal Road when I regretted not being able to share all these fantastic highlights. It was enough that I bought the book pretty much just to share the humor. I am told by reliable authorities that these are not the draw I believe them to be so I'm just going to stick with having fun highlighting and sharing even if nobody else gets any benefit from them.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes that are long enough (a chapter each) putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're a bit of a tone shift and completely unnecessary. Gratuitous. That's the word. They're fairly well done, so if you're into it go for it. They're also easily skipped because they're each a single chapter, so if you aren't into that you have the option to simply skip without missing out on anything. There are random cuddles and gropes. But the actual steam is well contained.
November 17, 2024
Not as good
Book one is all action, so you don't notice or care that it's kinda dumb. It's too much fun to care.
Book two goes into character development and world building so the dumb stands out. and there is so much more of it.
It gets better before the end, but I wanted to quit several times in this book.
Oh, this book also got sex scenes (2) that weren't in book one and don't help the story at all.
Book one is all action, so you don't notice or care that it's kinda dumb. It's too much fun to care.
Book two goes into character development and world building so the dumb stands out. and there is so much more of it.
It gets better before the end, but I wanted to quit several times in this book.
Oh, this book also got sex scenes (2) that weren't in book one and don't help the story at all.
July 13, 2023
Bloody fabulous and the smut (at least on Royal Road, as I don't have the physical book on me) is opt-in without breaking the plot. Literal separated chapters that can be skipped without breaking plot. Win.
March 14, 2024
Love the story, hate the Lucy and the X rated
I really, really enjoy the parts of this book dealing with the Antithesis, and I'm also seriously enjoying the relationships between Cat and the other samurai and her AI. I am super glad the last portion of this book dealt with that.
However, I basically had to fast forward and skip I don't even know how many chapters because I just couldn't handle the super cringy, unapologetically disgusting x rated bits. It's just so prevalent, repulsive, and ENDLESS in the first chapters! I mean come tf on, tentacle machines and ruining cabs and biohazarding bedrooms while orphan kids listen outside? BOASTING about this disgusting, base behavior like it's something to be proud of or it makes the MC edgy and cool? Please, spare me. Super selfish and truly icky just isn't the right kind of edgy. And the author KNOWS it's disgusting, because every other character is repulsed by the MC's actions with the loathsome Lucy! Legitimately, I hate who Lucy is and who she turns Cat into so very much that by the fiftieth time I had to skip or suffer yet more nausea and disgust, I would have cheerfully paid for a nice drawn out scene where the Antithesis kill her very dead. That would have hopefully sent the parts of Cat that act like ANYTHING they got up to every other breath was attractive, appealing, or acceptable in any way straight to the abyss. The author could have made a solid relationship between these two with some private scenes that appealed rather than causing a need to be sick and feel extreme pity (where is CPS?!) for the children they basically kidnapped. Instead, they chose to highlight (and be inordinately proud of) one of the reasons why teens raising kids leads to absolutely child abuse, and it's exhibited in some of the grossest ways EVER. For shame.
I really, really enjoy the parts of this book dealing with the Antithesis, and I'm also seriously enjoying the relationships between Cat and the other samurai and her AI. I am super glad the last portion of this book dealt with that.
However, I basically had to fast forward and skip I don't even know how many chapters because I just couldn't handle the super cringy, unapologetically disgusting x rated bits. It's just so prevalent, repulsive, and ENDLESS in the first chapters! I mean come tf on, tentacle machines and ruining cabs and biohazarding bedrooms while orphan kids listen outside? BOASTING about this disgusting, base behavior like it's something to be proud of or it makes the MC edgy and cool? Please, spare me. Super selfish and truly icky just isn't the right kind of edgy. And the author KNOWS it's disgusting, because every other character is repulsed by the MC's actions with the loathsome Lucy! Legitimately, I hate who Lucy is and who she turns Cat into so very much that by the fiftieth time I had to skip or suffer yet more nausea and disgust, I would have cheerfully paid for a nice drawn out scene where the Antithesis kill her very dead. That would have hopefully sent the parts of Cat that act like ANYTHING they got up to every other breath was attractive, appealing, or acceptable in any way straight to the abyss. The author could have made a solid relationship between these two with some private scenes that appealed rather than causing a need to be sick and feel extreme pity (where is CPS?!) for the children they basically kidnapped. Instead, they chose to highlight (and be inordinately proud of) one of the reasons why teens raising kids leads to absolutely child abuse, and it's exhibited in some of the grossest ways EVER. For shame.
July 21, 2025
After a good night at home with the kittens and Lucy, Cat is asked to find a missing girl for Deus Ex. The girl might be a new samurai, and she disappeared in an orange zone during the infestation. Cat might not be very good at finding people, but she does not have much of a choice since Deus Ex is paying for the hotel and did save Cat's life. What follows is a story filled with sass, bullet and explosions. I like these kinds of stories, including the high paced action, disregard for authorities and innuendo filled rather rude conversations although at times it does go on a bit too long. The characters are also a bit simple with little character development though. Still, a fun entertaining read. Looking forward to the next part.
June 29, 2023
Cat LeBlanc returns in what is effectively two action packed novellas linked together by a little too much world building. The first novella involves Cat searching for a young girl who was kidnapped by corporate thugs. The probable reason for her abduction is that she’s a new samurai like Cat is. Samurai are individuals chosen by a race of “good” aliens to help humanity defend itself against “bad” aliens. The good aliens do this by sticking an AI into the chosen human’s head and that AI gives them access to extraordinary alien technology that is purchased through a reward system in which points are given to the human host for killing bad aliens and protecting humans. Many human corporations are interested in acquiring alien tech and Cat and her friends suspect that this young woman was kidnapped so a corporation can experiment on her. It’s a good story with the now standard combination of action and banter. It also shows us one of the things samurai can do when they are not fighting a new bad alien incursion.
The second novella involves Cat having been hired by a corporation to help them shut down a slow developing alien incursion in one of their mines. Like the first novella, it’s a good story with lots of action and shows a different side of the bad aliens than we saw in the first book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, but I do think there was too much graphic sex in the beginning and too much world building in between the novellas. The sex just wasn’t necessary. The book would have been better if it happened off screen. The world building was interesting, but lowered my esteem for Cat’s AI who I don’t think got her the best deal on the new home she wanted to buy for herself, her girlfriend, and her fellow orphans. When the seller triples the price because you offered them what they asked for, something is wrong. Fortunately, that part of the novel ended and we went back to the super-heroic action that makes these stories so enjoyable.
The second novella involves Cat having been hired by a corporation to help them shut down a slow developing alien incursion in one of their mines. Like the first novella, it’s a good story with lots of action and shows a different side of the bad aliens than we saw in the first book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, but I do think there was too much graphic sex in the beginning and too much world building in between the novellas. The sex just wasn’t necessary. The book would have been better if it happened off screen. The world building was interesting, but lowered my esteem for Cat’s AI who I don’t think got her the best deal on the new home she wanted to buy for herself, her girlfriend, and her fellow orphans. When the seller triples the price because you offered them what they asked for, something is wrong. Fortunately, that part of the novel ended and we went back to the super-heroic action that makes these stories so enjoyable.
June 25, 2024
Another fast paced, action packed adventure with Cat. Once again, all the elements for a good LitRPG plus at least a basic plot. This one was more disjointed than the first book. You could more easily tell that this was written as a web serial originally. The story involved several different plots, but no overarching storyline that easily tied them all together. Still it was well written and fun to read.
Still in love with Cat and all her snark and humor. Loved getting to know Lucy a little better. She definitely has Cat wrapped around her finger, and everyone knows it. It was also cool to see Lucy and Myalis team up to embarrass and tease Cat. Gomorrah is starting to become more fleshed out as a character as well.
The spicy scenes were well marked and not pertinent to the storyline at all, so can easily be skipped by those that aren't interested in it. The scenes themselves felt very awkward and vague. It read like it was written by a guy that wasn't very familiar with the female body or how to give a woman pleasure. Lots of "touching something" and "touching somewhere," just very vague descriptions and awkward word choices.
Still in love with Cat and all her snark and humor. Loved getting to know Lucy a little better. She definitely has Cat wrapped around her finger, and everyone knows it. It was also cool to see Lucy and Myalis team up to embarrass and tease Cat. Gomorrah is starting to become more fleshed out as a character as well.
The spicy scenes were well marked and not pertinent to the storyline at all, so can easily be skipped by those that aren't interested in it. The scenes themselves felt very awkward and vague. It read like it was written by a guy that wasn't very familiar with the female body or how to give a woman pleasure. Lots of "touching something" and "touching somewhere," just very vague descriptions and awkward word choices.
October 20, 2022
too much Lucy
This book isn’t as good as the first one. Not much happens and a lot of it is just Kat hanging out with people and talking about whatever. Annoyed by the constant lewd remarks about Cat’s love life and how hot and great Lucy is. Those domestic characters should stay in the background because they aren’t that interesting. I almost stopped reading half way through the book because nothing was happening. No aliens and mainly just Cat enjoying the frills of her new status and buying alien stuff from the AI. Another incursion doesn’t happen until the book’s last third after a dozen boring chapters of how Cat will leverage her AI tech for a building for her family.
This book isn’t as good as the first one. Not much happens and a lot of it is just Kat hanging out with people and talking about whatever. Annoyed by the constant lewd remarks about Cat’s love life and how hot and great Lucy is. Those domestic characters should stay in the background because they aren’t that interesting. I almost stopped reading half way through the book because nothing was happening. No aliens and mainly just Cat enjoying the frills of her new status and buying alien stuff from the AI. Another incursion doesn’t happen until the book’s last third after a dozen boring chapters of how Cat will leverage her AI tech for a building for her family.
October 24, 2022
Definitely spicy
It's the second book in the series. Why are you reading reviews? You should already know if you want to read it based off the last one unless you're some weirdo that likes spoilers? Well let's try writing something anyway. Not so sweet to give cavities like her other series and some very steamy intimate scenes to break up the amazingly done alien butt kicking and slice of life goodness. I'm enjoying this one as much as cinnamon bun but for very different reasons. Can't wait for the next books in all your series Miss RavensDagger. And unfortunately with this I'm all caught up on your work and have the unenviable task of trying to figure out what to read next.
It's the second book in the series. Why are you reading reviews? You should already know if you want to read it based off the last one unless you're some weirdo that likes spoilers? Well let's try writing something anyway. Not so sweet to give cavities like her other series and some very steamy intimate scenes to break up the amazingly done alien butt kicking and slice of life goodness. I'm enjoying this one as much as cinnamon bun but for very different reasons. Can't wait for the next books in all your series Miss RavensDagger. And unfortunately with this I'm all caught up on your work and have the unenviable task of trying to figure out what to read next.
January 31, 2023
Honestly the story so far, book one and two, has not been the greatest.
Whenever there is something action related happening the mc seems to be wasting time, being slow and just overall not behaving intelligently babbling nonsense and what not with weird inner monologues, glib nonsensical conversations with her AI or other characters.
Totally inappropriate stuff, I lost count of how many times I nearly gave up on the story altogether because of it.
There is a part in book two f.ex where an orbital artillery strike is incoming, with a 1 min warning, and it was just beyond annoying to listen to what the mc gets up to during that minute. Anyway the problem is that its not the only such odd wtf manner of frustrating thing to boggle a readers mind thru the story, not by a longshot.
Whenever there is something action related happening the mc seems to be wasting time, being slow and just overall not behaving intelligently babbling nonsense and what not with weird inner monologues, glib nonsensical conversations with her AI or other characters.
Totally inappropriate stuff, I lost count of how many times I nearly gave up on the story altogether because of it.
There is a part in book two f.ex where an orbital artillery strike is incoming, with a 1 min warning, and it was just beyond annoying to listen to what the mc gets up to during that minute. Anyway the problem is that its not the only such odd wtf manner of frustrating thing to boggle a readers mind thru the story, not by a longshot.
August 27, 2023
I wish this story had an MC that wasn’t just another empty headed goody goody. I mean the MC’s backstory has her growing up as a poor orphan in the slums of a horrible society. How is she so naive? It is not endearing at all, just obnoxious. Also why does everyone keep calling her a stealth specialist when she only ever thinks about blowing things up? I would be more inclined to believe that she is brain damaged than I would believe she is a stealth specialist. None of her actions seem to line up with her backstory and they are never stealthy. It is like she makes the dumbest decisions possible just so the story has more drama. Is that why so many stories have self righteous morons as MCs, just to add low quality drama?
June 3, 2024
my one gripe is there's no overarching plot or at least a long term character goal. I get that LitRPGs have been on nothing more than numbers go up plots, but I can't remember if cat has ever explicitly said she wants that. she's having fun and making a lot of money, but she only ever wanted to take care of Lucy and the kittens, and had accomplished in the first book.
I might not have noticed this at all if book 2 hadn't felt more like two story arcs with a big chunk of filler in the middle.
regardless I love the world building, characters, dialogue, humor, and everything else too much to give less than 5 stars.
I might not have noticed this at all if book 2 hadn't felt more like two story arcs with a big chunk of filler in the middle.
regardless I love the world building, characters, dialogue, humor, and everything else too much to give less than 5 stars.
October 20, 2022
I started this as soon as the Audible version dropped into my player. A bit slower than the first one as there is a lot of house keeping and a bit of naughtiness going on. But when the action kicks in there is lots of things burning and going boom. It is left with a bit of a cliff hanger so I hope the next one is out sooner than this on was compared to the first. As always always Hollie Jackson does an excellent job with her narration as does Pavi Proczko at the start of each chapter with the asides.
January 7, 2024
Book 2 continues with the action and snark while upping the sexual innuendos (and smuttiness). I don’t really seek out smut but when it’s done well, and with romance as opposed to just sex, I can get onboard. This book sections off explicit scenes so you can skip completely.
The book plot is actually two arcs pushed together. The world-building is nicely expanded. On to book 3!
The book plot is actually two arcs pushed together. The world-building is nicely expanded. On to book 3!
April 9, 2025
More of Cat and, (her partner in saving the Earth) Gomorrah. More killing aliens, but this book also has a missing person mystery. This is such a fast, fun series! Also, this book has gratuitous sex scenes. They're not badly written or anything, but they weren't necessary. Easily skipped if you're not interested in spice.
November 16, 2022
The smut was a bit of a surprise as the first book didn’t have it, but it is engineered so you can skip it if it’s not your cup of tea. Slower to build momentum than the first, but a fun universe leaving me hungering for the next installment.
February 26, 2023
More slice of life than action for the first half of the book. Wasn't bad, but really off on the pacing. Still an enjoyable book and will be reading the 3rd. Performance was overall good, but had several artifacts which caused missing words.
April 18, 2025
As good as the first one
Cat is becoming a powerful low tier samurai, she keeps getting thrown in battles and very difficult situations, but she's not alone the hot nun is with her and the action and jokes makes everything awesome. I'm picking up the next one right now.
Cat is becoming a powerful low tier samurai, she keeps getting thrown in battles and very difficult situations, but she's not alone the hot nun is with her and the action and jokes makes everything awesome. I'm picking up the next one right now.
October 22, 2022
Another great book!!
Love it man keep up the great work. Was excited when I saw you were publishing this. Hope the next one comes quickly.
Love it man keep up the great work. Was excited when I saw you were publishing this. Hope the next one comes quickly.
November 1, 2022
Great sequal
I enjoyed the sarcasm of the main character and the humorous cat themed stuff. The action was exciting as well.
I enjoyed the sarcasm of the main character and the humorous cat themed stuff. The action was exciting as well.
November 1, 2022
Excellent
Very good continuation of the previous story. A heads-up: some (2) lewd scenes that do further the story. And plenty of innuendo and snark.
Very good continuation of the previous story. A heads-up: some (2) lewd scenes that do further the story. And plenty of innuendo and snark.
January 3, 2023
I'm such a big fan of RanvensDagger's writing style and beautiful sapphic relationships. Looking forward to book 3 when it drops. 👍🏾👍🏾
January 19, 2023
I loved the first book. This one was a bit slower compared to the first, less action/fighting. But I still enjoyed this one
February 5, 2023
Every bit as good as volume 1. Highly recommend this series.
February 18, 2023
Very pulpy!
March 1, 2023
Absolutely fantastic
I read it in two days. Two days when I was SUPPOSED to be writing. I blame RavensDagger for my lost productivity… now where’s book 3…?
I read it in two days. Two days when I was SUPPOSED to be writing. I blame RavensDagger for my lost productivity… now where’s book 3…?
March 6, 2023
It's pretty good, I wish it was longer though, if the author continues to expand on the story I would like to see how Cat gets on with the more established samurai.
February 23, 2024
I read the first book 0n a whim, and really enjoyed it. I was worried this book would suffer the 'sophomore slump'. I am happy to report that I enjoyed this book as much as the first.
October 22, 2024
6.5/10
August 9, 2025
good shit
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews