If you think the only way Howl’s Moving Castle could possibly be better is by adding cats, this is your book!
Agnes Aubert will do anything for her cats, even move her cat shelter to the same building where the magical Dark Lord, Havelock Renard, resides. Thanks to the selfish nature of magicians, Agnes’ previous building now only has three of four walls, so she has no other choice but to share the same address as the man who almost destroyed the world. At least he runs his magical shop from the basement, and he is decidedly handsome.
Fawcett truly has the ability to craft a whimsical world that is immersive from the start. Within the first few pages, I was already intrigued by the world and the characters. While other fantasy books often possess the dreadful habit of making the introduction of a new world an overwhelming task, Fawcett counters this narrative with humor and minute, entertaining details.
Plus, the chemistry is spectacular. From Agnes’ and Havelock’s first shared moments, there is no doubt that they would make an adorable pairing. While they both are very present in the current moment, it is apparent that their past is not easily contained and, despite their determination, they just might need a helping hand after all…
I am unsure if Fawcett intended to write a book mirroring several aspects of Howl’s Moving Castle, but I felt the same whimsy and dynamics as the Ghibli film and the Diana Wynne Jones novel. While some might argue that a novel such as this is predictable, I do not think total originality was the target of this book, but rather the comfort of a delightful adventure.
For sheerly the joy and giddiness this novel brought me, I would easily rate Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter a five-star read. But the addition of the many references that only a lover of feline friends would understand was an amusing addition.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Spice Rating: 🌶️️(1/5)
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett is expected to be published on February 17, 2026.
Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey, for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this novel for an honest review. Also, thanks to Heather Fawcett for crafting this wonderful adventure.
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