Witchy Whiskers

Nine Lives Magic Series, Book 1

By: Danielle Garrett

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Have you ever wished your cat could talk to you? If so, allow my story to be your cautionary tale.

My life was going just fine by most standards. I ran a successful business in a tight-knit magical community, and lived just blocks from a beautiful lake and series of hiking trails.

Then Selene showed up.

According to some magical code I inherit my aunt's ancient familiar; a grumpy 10-pound cat with a broken filter. She fancies herself something of a saber-toothed tiger, and claims to have wrestled the thread of her ninth life from the hands of the Fates themselves - although, I'm pretty sure that last part isn't true.

Almost positive.

I'm still looking into the magical fine print, but in the meantime I'm stuck as the guardian to a cat with the personality of Sophia from the Golden Girls. Oh, and by another cruel twist of fate, my ex-husband just moved back into town. I thought I couldn't take any more, but when a murder rocks my small community, I wind up entangled in the investigation thanks to a handsome stranger.

If only life came equipped with a rewind button.

©2021 Danielle Garrett (P)2021 Tantor

Weak Start, Strong Finish 3.5

I am a massive Danielle Garrett fan have listened to every one of her series available on Audible but after feeling disappointed with the first volume of her Sugar Shack series when I began listening to this tale I was very worried. However despite the rocky start I enjoyed the story and was drawn in as it continued. I love, love, love Danielle's concepts about magic and how it is worked and desperately wish there was more of this written throughout. She goes into detail in literally the last chapter of the book which leads to a bit of a cliff hanger ending and I was left desperate for more of this woven throughout her books instead of just the occasional paragraph or two peppered in. The idea of the eccentric animal familiar feels very commonplace in the genre of witchy cozy mysteries and Selene the cat really isn't snarky (a character style that Danielle can actually write very well), she's just a standard diva cat. For me I would have liked a little more use of humor. An older series Paramour Bay by Kennedy Layne actually has a great spin on this with the main character's familiar also being inherited but had their memories (and mind) scrambled by magic so they randomly remember and forget important magical information in a way that is very comical. The events that cause the protagonist Cora to get involved in the mystery are so thin and contrived and go far beyond the typical suspension of belief in the whole just met you, we have no connection, number one suspect but of course I will endanger myself to help you because my gut says you're good despite all evidence to the contrary. Oof. It's so hard to swallow, and yes I know that this is the genre we are listening to but I just wish there was some effort to not just expect audiences to completely hand wave these plot movements. I know many folks don't even care about this but for me I just almost want to drop out of the story or would honestly enjoy something really new where this tendency backfires on the main character. I will say despite my early concerns the story pulled me in along with Amanda's great narration as always. I love Cora's candle shop and the way magic does come out in the story. I do appreciate that there is some push back and a little tension around will our duo pull it off, but of course there are only ever happy endings here and quick resolutions. I feel like things were pretty easy to figure out, but there is a larger story around Cora and Selene's missing family member that clearly will continue over more than one volume. Again for many the quibbles I have will not even register on their radar, for folks like me who really appreciate an author taking the time to create a story that the audience can get behind instead of having to overlook you will need to get through a rough patch in the beginning but be rewarded for sticking around. I look forward to the next installment.

Wonderfully entertaining

I loved this audiobook and cannot wait for the rest of the series! Amanda Ronconi does an amazing job of bringing this wonderfully entertaining story to life!

Fun times

This was one I got on a whim to launch October. It was a great, fun, easy listen with a good story, funny characters, and a nice touch of magic.

Pat

Thank you. Loved it. Good storytelling. Looking forward to more of these kind of stories by this author.

GREAT NEW ADDITION TO PARANORMAL COZIES

I enjoyed this book and am ready for the next. The characters are relatable. Serene is what I call a "delightful pain," and I love that everyone can hear and understand her. The candle shop is an interesting twist. All in all, there is so much potential. I recommend the book and look forward to the series.

good listen

first time listening to this authors work. I enjoyed the story.. some giggles on the cat

Wonderfully told

This was very whimsical and a welcomed break from the drama of day to day

Cute Story

Some editing/continuity issues, but overall not a bad listen. Narrator is not bad either.

Another good book

I always enjoy the light hearted books by DG and with AR s the narrator it’s always a home run

Fun and light

It’s a very nice light story, with enough mystery to keep you interested,a lovable familiar and a new twist on the magical world.