"Buddy
stood in the fading sunlight, his muscles twitching and tense. The Gathering!
The new Cat Master would be anointed tonight. His mind raced. Jett would do
anything to stop Buddy’s coronation, and if his plan succeeded, Zekki,
Pris, and Shan Dara would be in great danger. The old Master’s words
echoed in Buddy’s brain, and a resolute sense of duty filled his heart. He
would honor his father’s wishes . . . even if it cost him his
life."
Tension is growing between the Ferals
and Indoors, and the old Cat Master, spiritual leader of all felines, is dying.
Time is running out, and he must choose a successor that will rule wisely and
keep peace among their kind. Of all his descendents there are only two brothers
that are qualified: Jett, the powerful, ambitious Feral who has survived the
perils of the alley and quiet, complacent Buddy, who was rescued by a human and
now lives the pampered life of an Indoor. With his last breath, the old cat
decides. He alerts Buddy through mind-talk. "Rise from the alley, my
son," he commands. "Of all my blood, you are The Chosen." But his
message is intercepted telepathically, and Darkness suddenly reigns in the cat
world. Driven by jealousy and desperation, brother is pitted against brother in
the fight to rule their species . . . a struggle that will confront
Buddy’s deepest fears and threaten the lives of those he loves
most.
Against a backdrop of dangerous alleyways and a scorching Texas
summer, Buddy discovers the power of friendship, the lure of evil, and the
knowledge that no peace can come without sacrifice.
First-time author
BONNIE PEMBERTON has
written a book for animal lovers of all ages. She is the inventor of Sticky Paws
for Furniture, and her company Fe-Lines, Inc., markets pet
products world wide. She lives in Texas with her husband, five cats, and two
dogs. Visit the author on the Web at: http://www.bonniepemberton.com/
Pet Lovers' Choice Awards
Kansas State Reading Circle Adoption, 2008
Children's Choices 2008 IRA/CBC
Top 40 Fiction Titles Pennsylvania School Librarians Association
, June 2008
The Cat Master
Reviews
"The
characterizations of the various animals are well limned, combining their
sentience with realistic behaviors typical of the various species. ...this first
novel will appeal to fans of animal fantasies along the lines of Erin
Hunter’s Warrior series, which began with Into the Wild
(2002)." —Booklist,
June 1,
2007
"...a strong
cast of supporting characters covers a multitude of melodramatic sins and keeps
the action moving to an ultimately satisfying
conclusion." —School
Library Journal, June
2007
"This urban
animal fantasy will attract attention with its striking feline dust jacket
illustration and appealing images of the story’s many animal characters on
the front and back
endpapers." —VOYA,
December 2007
