How could I resist that title and that gorgeous cover?!? I couldn’t. I didn’t even try. Cats and magic, only the best for les amis des chats.
Agnes runs a charity shelter finding forever homes for the street cats of 1920’s Montreal. Unfortunately a sorcerous duel on her street blasted a hole in one of the shelter’s walls, necessitating a quick move before winter soon sets in. High rents and landlords who aren’t as interested in rescuing cats force Agnes towards the shop everyone is warning her away from. The price is right, so what could possibly be wrong with it? That depends on how you feel about magic, magicians, pastry, old enemies, and a smidge of romance. And lots and lots of cats.
When this book popped up through my library I immediately grabbed it based on the title alone. I didn’t realize till I took a closer look later that this was the author of the Emily Wilde books, which I had also greatly enjoyed. I found Agnes to be a more relatable character than Emily though. While she has a ferocious work ethic and intense devotion to her mission, Agnes is a widow who works with her sister. She seems to live more in the world than Emily who would ignore all but her studies (and Shadow!). I guess soliciting donations for one’s charity would force you to get more comfortable interacting with the public. While I agreed with other reviewers that the story does seem to go a little 0 to 100 towards the end, that did not take away from my enjoyment whatsoever. I hope we revisit Agnes and Les Amis Des Chats in the future.
