Early Book Review: Cat’s Tale: A Fairy Tale Retold

Cat’s Tale: A Fairy Tale Retold by Bettie Sharpe is a new take on the classic story of Puss in Boots. It is due to be released on June 27 2011. In this retelling, our main character is Catriona, a beautiful but conniving woman with the morals of an alley cat. She schemes her way into a marriage with the king, and is far from a faithful wife. When the king dies, Cat’s fortunes start to fall and she is willing to do anything to keep her status and wardrobe. Unfortunately, her efforts backfire and result in the court wizard changing her into a cat and trying to drown her. When she survives, Cat discovers that she has regained the ability of human speech and works to walk on her hind legs. Cat meets and collaborates with the local miller’s son, Julian, who is gorgeous, sweet and melts Cat’s heart. She is sarcastic, greedy and amoral while Julian is honest and kind. Can the pair foil the evil wizard’s scheme, secure a title for Julian, help the princess, and find a way to live happily ever after? Cat worries that her prior scheming and less that honorable behavior will ruin everything, but perhaps true love really can conquer all. The retelling is well done, with twists that kept the classic story fresh. It was a quick read, full of snarky wit and satiric moments. Cat’s Tale was not the best of the fairy tale retellings that I have encountered, but it would be a great read for a lazy night at home.