Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montréal turns to a grouchy but charming magician to help save her shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.
“Absolutely magnificent! Full of cats and magic, this is the kind of book you want to instantly reread. I loved every character, every cat, and every moment with all my heart!”—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.
Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.
Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.
Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. . . .
“Absolutely magnificent! Full of cats and magic, this is the kind of book you want to instantly reread. I loved every character, every cat, and every moment with all my heart!”—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.
Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.
Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.
Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. . . .
BUY THE BOOK
Join a book club that is reading Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter!
Community Reviews
I started reading it because of the cats, I continued reading it because of the cats, and I finished reading it because of the cats.
The novel possessed an interesting premise. The setting of 1920’s Montreal seemed intriguing but never really justified itself. Multiple times when you read the book, you completely forget it was taking place in the 1920’s. Talk about a lack of atmosphere! I wished they just took out the historical setting and placed the story in modern day.
Don’t read this book for the romantasy! The romance was very thin. Almost paper-thin. To categorize this book as a romantasy would be a bit of a stretch. There are certainly far superior books out there for the genre.
You know that characters were badly written when the only likable characters were the cats. Agnes Aubert and Havelock Renard were pretty one-dimensional. My favorite cat was His Majesty. Just that name alone was worthy of praise. I liked how His Majesty played a significant role in the overall story.
I can only recommend this book with the caveat that it is a cozy fantasy. There are no high stakes and no immersive world building. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed.
The novel possessed an interesting premise. The setting of 1920’s Montreal seemed intriguing but never really justified itself. Multiple times when you read the book, you completely forget it was taking place in the 1920’s. Talk about a lack of atmosphere! I wished they just took out the historical setting and placed the story in modern day.
Don’t read this book for the romantasy! The romance was very thin. Almost paper-thin. To categorize this book as a romantasy would be a bit of a stretch. There are certainly far superior books out there for the genre.
You know that characters were badly written when the only likable characters were the cats. Agnes Aubert and Havelock Renard were pretty one-dimensional. My favorite cat was His Majesty. Just that name alone was worthy of praise. I liked how His Majesty played a significant role in the overall story.
I can only recommend this book with the caveat that it is a cozy fantasy. There are no high stakes and no immersive world building. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed.
This was a fun ride! Warm and whimsical and witty the way we love from Heather, I really can't complain. I liked the characters, I loooved the world, the cats were all delightful. I wouldn't say this "doesn't have a plot" BUT it's definitely lower stakes than usual, as is to be expected in the cozy fantasy genre, so really that's not a fault with the book itself lmao
It was so so so Howl's Moving Castle, much more than Emily Wilde was, but I didn't mind that. My main issue might be that it veered a bit more "tell" than "show" at times. There were also a couple of threads that felt under-explored, maaaaaybe leaving room for a sequel?
I would happily read another book in this same universe, but if she doesn't have one planned, I'm content with this one 💜
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.