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When I first mentioned to desrose way back when that I had gotten The Book of Night With Moon for my birthday, she said that I’d have to tell her what I thought of it. I told her not to worry, because now that I had someone who knew this fandom she’d probably have to contend with me having lots to say after the last page was turned.

This is me having lots to say. Spoilers, obviously.

<1. The cat characters. Duane has always had a talent for building characters with depth and multi-dimensions, and in this she does not disappoint. Rhiow is a terrific balance between dry witted, unruffable leader and warm, caring friend. Urruah is the cocky big brother who will knock you down flat and then laugh at you while he helps you up. Saash is practical, funny, and sweet, and I loved the ending Duane wrote for her. And Arhu is one of the most adorable little snots I’ve seen in a while.

2. I was endlessly amused after I realized that the way the cats view humans is a pretty good mirror to how we view them.

Also, when Carl makes an appearance early in the book, Rhiow describes him as friendly looking, but mentions that she’s learned you can’t "felidomorphize". I am much more amused by that then I should be.

3. I am also more amused then I should be that I can know say that in my fandom, dinosaurs ate Pavarotti. But don’t be upset, they fixed it. Nothing against Pavarotti at all, mind you. I just love the randomness.

4. The humorous, tasteful references to sex. I think my new favorite euphemism is "cat scarring activities", and I about fell over when I realized what was going on in the hotel room Arhu was idly looking into during the air walking lesson. >


< 1. The cat language, especially the names. T’hom is Tom, obviously, but I never would have guessed that Hhuha and Iaehh are Susan and Mike. And then the switching happens, like sometimes he’s Carl and sometimes he’s Har’lh.

2. The description of the science and the scenery. I like the idea that she has logic behind the things she does (instead of just "believe me its magic"), but this much science detail bogs the story down a bit. >

< 1. The Carl-goes-missing subplot. At first it was interesting. I got that Carl got taken because he was the advisory who knew the gates, and it gave us the cutest Tom/Carl line ever:

"He wouldn’t be –dead-would he?" Saash said, with the greatest reluctance.
"I don’t think so," Tom said. "I’m pretty sure I would know."

But after a quick bit the mythology subplot took over and the search for Carl kind of became an afterthought, like plotplotplot take a minute to remember that he’s missing plotplotplot. And then in the end he sorta just shows back up. I wanted a rescue scene, at the very least.

2. The end fight was terrific up until the very end, and then suddenly it was over and we were wrapping up. I would have liked to see more banter, more to it. Still a terrific ending though. >

All in all, I highly recommend this book. A great addition to the YW universe.

Comments

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

Also, when Carl makes an appearance early in the book, Rhiow describes him as friendly looking, but mentions that she’s learned you can’t “felidomorphize”. I am much more amused by that then I should be.

This is probably one of my favourite lines too, although that has to be contextualised in light of the fact that tom and carl are my FAVOURITES EVER and therefore any line that's about how one of them looks friendly to a cat is kind of amazing. (Although I also think it tells us a lot about what Carl looks like, which is kind of neat.)

I have to go reread those scenes where Carl goes missing now. Tom gets so angsty and pale! Love it.