Musing and Realizing

Awakening magical powers? Yes! Solving a murder, sure. But turning into a cat? Who, me? On the weirdest day of my life, my cat starts talking, my car kidnaps me to a charming hidden village, and I inherit a mystical library. Plus, I discover I have superpowers! As an orphan who grew up in foster care, I had no idea I came from an enchanted land full of furry shapeshifters, including—surprise!—me. Or that I had a gifted grandmother, who’s been murdered. Now it’s up to me, with the help of a handsome, otherworldly detective and my know-it-all cat, to uncover the truth… if someone doesn’t kill me first. Enjoy cozy mysteries with talking animals? Love tales of awakening supernatural abilities and small-town bookstores and libraries? Share the excitement and the thrill of discovery in this endearing paranormal cozy mystery by Jacqueline Diamond, the USA Today bestselling author of Shadowlight and Yours, Mine and Ours.

Hey readers, how are you? I am not good actually. But maybe that was the reason I wanted to read and I was posting my review of the previous book on NetGalley and I found this book. Just the title was enough to make me interested. And the description reeled me in.

Duchess, is an amazing character. Why? She seemed tough to me. She lost her mother and then she found out about her grandmother’s death and she had to fight for her inheritance and everything. Personally, losing someone is really very hard. I struggled and am struggling now.

That aside, I loved the first chapter. There is a talking cat and a self-driving car that takes her back to her hometown which she had forgotten. Awesome, in my view.

And the plot starts there. No spoilers but I loved reading the book. I was again glued to a book. Haha. So, I kept reading and reading, and pretty soon, I came to read the epilogue. I have to say, really excited about the second book.

The writing is pretty smooth and magick lovers will love this mystery. For once, I was really close to finding the murderer. Haha. A great plot with well-written characters.

My only problem here is that I wanted more. Then again, you cannot write everything in the first book, right? That’s why, I was pretty much invested about the other antagonists, I guess, than the antagonist in this book.

There are puzzles, talking cats, weird seeds, cute shifters, awesome cousins, and a level-headed heroine.

NetGalley review:

Filled with Magick and mysteries, definitely a charming read. Talking cats, and all kinds of magick abilities with a place still dealing with the effects of the past, a very interesting and attention-grabbing plot.
I liked Chess, she is just so good. I am looking forward to reading more about her. And the other characters are really good as well. Like Priya, and of course, all the friends she made there.
I just couldn’t stop reading it till I finished it.

4.5 stars

A Cat’s Garden of Secrets by Jacqueline Diamond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just couldn’t stop reading it till I finished it.
Filled with Magick and mysteries, definitely a charming read. Talking cats, and all kinds of magick abilities with a place still dealing with the effects of the past, a very interesting and attention-grabbing plot.
The plot was good, and fast-paced with a smooth flow. I definitely liked it. A talking cat and a self-driving car, I loved that. And the part about magick is awesome. And the main character Duchess, I have to say, I liked her.
The characters were all good. And that’s the point for me because I somehow wanted to read more about them. Maybe I will feel happy when I read the second book because the first book only added more to the mystery. Like what more powers did Chess have? Her parents and her ancestors, the whole town actually, because I somehow feel the antagonists are going to cause more trouble.
That aside, I loved it because I like reading about magic. And there were some cool plants here with cryptic messages. So I have to say, 4.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley for the review copy!

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