Journi McCutcheon is a scarcastic soothsayer in an alt-reality where magic is just another skill to be bought and sold. On just another of those "check out future of middle class kid's future" jobs, she gets some seriously bad omens. Kids' futures are being cut short in a nasty way, but no one's taking her warnings seriously. When the town's cats start going psycho, it's up to her magically-inclined family (and a mysteriously handsome vet) to find out why and stop impending the capocalypse.

There's something here that makes me think of this as being a pilot episode - think Charmed but with much more snark, innuendo, and the odd dash of gore. Your main cast of magicals come from 3 different generations and very different points of view. There's Journi, the goth girl with plenty of attitude and a hint of belated teenage rebellion; her mother Josephine, very prim and proper even when armed with a taser; Gramma Jude, the tobacco chewin' powerhouse; and Aunt Frieda, the cat lover with a kind heart (and an eye for the younger man). They're a family of chalk and cheese, but they gel well together somehow. Journi is that kick-ass snarky heroine trope, but done right. #her character arc is nicely done as well, naturally letting us get to know her as events unfold.

I did have a few issues, but I stress these are personal preference things and may not phase anyone else in the slightest. Firstly, the gore. Yikes. It doesn't happen often, but when it did I found it a bit shocking, being so tonally diferent from the paranormal/humour/cosy-mystery vibes of the rest of the story. Secondly, while the action is top notch, there's a lot of it without much time to get to have things described (I'm still not sure what Dr Daniel even really looked ). This being a relatively short and light read, it does well at establishing the world setting and the characters in a short space of time, so perhaps it's just me hoping for something deeper. The humour here just wasn't to my taste, but hey, I don't begrudge the McCutcheon's their bawdy jokes.

Overall it's an interesting supernatural tale, well-written and with a great cast all ready for some more unusual cat-based adventures. I'd love to find out more about the world this crazy cat lady lives in.cats e-books fantasy ...more Freya Wildt Nørrevig6

[“Read” as an audiobook]
[Received a promo code for a review]

If you appreciate the overlap between magical and real...

When I read the description of this book, I had absolutely no doubt that I had to get it - and I wasn’t disappointed.

Journi McCutcheon lives in a town that has been changed by magic, making it normal to have some sort of supernatural gift, side, or what have you. Journi herself is a soothsayer. Cats aren’t her jam, and in this story, she has visions and supernatural experiences that might just make it worse - and one that may just change her mind.

This story is well written and well performed - so much so that I didn’t just expect that this is a part of a series (as this type of book/story often is) - but I sincerely hoped for it. Whaddya know: it’s the first volume of The Hissing Booth Chronicles! Yay!

I would recommend this for fans of the fantasy genre who the overlap between the magical/supernatural world and the real world.

As it says in the book: The end. Per now.audiobooks Krystyna5,134 40

When the cats strike back!

A good read but sadly missing the humour of the first. Well I missed it - a few quips here and there would have raised this to 5* from 4.5. A plot based on how sometimes seniors are a bit too set in their ways. The characters are great but again seem a bit muted without the good one liners but it's good to see our heroine have a bit of romance sent her way.
She has been asked to read the future of a woman's daughter and unborn child. Everything seems fine until she sees them torn apart and covered in blood. The woman won't listen to advice but the nanny does. Her family too have felt an evil rise in the neighbourhood. But it's Halloween and she has been guilted into helping give out candy at the cat shelter. However an innocent touch of a child's hand points to more children being victims. Then the cats start to act strange. Can she with her three family members plus the hunky vet take on what is coming? Will they win against a God? Rosalie49

More crazy antics and derring-do from Journi, a cat-hating soothsayer who, when saying sooth to a mother-to-be, finds out that there is a Catpocalypse about to arrive in town. To prevent this she's aided by her slang-challenged magical mother, her aunt-by-choice who's got a cat sanctuary (HORRORS!), and a grandmother who supplies her with magical marbles for protection. And don't forget the (gorgeous) new veterinarian, who's got a furry secret of his own. I won't go into the senior citizens, you need to have some surprises. Part comedy, part thriller, it's quite a ride through a world where you never know what magic the person or animal next to you may hold. Great fun and I can't wait for more. Josh Levine179

This was a series recommended to me by my wife and is well outside the norm of my traditional listening pleasures (space opera, sci-fi, simulation theory, post-apocalypse).

After listening to the prequel, I knew I would have to listen to the remainder of the series. Gemma has a truly wonderful talent for writing and I really enjoyed the various characters she brought to life in her words, especially Aunt Frita! There is so much humor throughout these pages that it brought a smile to my face on several occasions.

Lynn is a wonderful narrator and I can honestly say she is one of only a handful that I feel have a natural talent for the art of translating written words into a great audio narration.

5/5 and I can't wait to move on to book two! Sharon Adams31

a fun romp

i loved it. i am a crazy cat lady, but you don't have to be one to enjoy this book. it has old and young characters, is witty and over the top at times, has a heroine that is neither too young or too old, and is descriptive and interesting. the heroine is sort of goth which is a different kind of touch. it is a cozy mystery meets magical family fun with what looks a little romance to come. i will buy more of her books. Kimberly Clanton3

Meow!!

This book features a main character with a snarky attitude and a quirky and loving family ( a nice change from the tortured " I have a dark past" heroes that seem to be required by urban magical fiction these days). Read it, it will make you smile and laugh a little...and who doesn't need that, right? Janice E. Ryberg719 4

4.5 stars I love this crazy cat lady!

Cute story and I enjoyed Journi's snarky retorts. Her family sounds perfect with cats, love and witchcraft. Please hurry with book two in the series. I know it will be purfect! Oh no, it is contagious!! Melody333 1 follower

Lots of giggles

I laughed several times throughout this story. It's a joy to read a story that makes one lol. The characters are charming and the story is total escapist fun. Interesting world building. I'm sure to get the next one. Cheryl73 1 follower

Riveting fun

Loved this book. Spent a fun afternoon enjoying my new favorite cat lady. Recommend for a fun read. Can't wait for more on this series. My new role model will be grandma Jude. Vicky Yorke15

Funny, quirky & cats!

Did I mention Cats! Great story line! Laugh out loud humour & well Cats! In all their glory(mutated glory! That is). Read the prequel novella to get the background story! Love Grandma she’s a hoot !!! More please! Don’t make me wait!!! Cate60 1 follower

A cute, quick read

Thankfully not too much gore and I certainly couldn't have coped with cats deaths! Fast paced, and fun characters, I'm very much looking forward to the next in the series :) Cory Cravens180 1 follower

Holy Cat Freakout!

Well this book was so enjoyable. From the beginning to the end, pure funtasy! I cats but I wouldn't want to mess with cats in this story. They are a hard nut to crack for the characters this time. Give it a go and you'll it. Lynall1,145 4

Great imaginative story

This is a really imaginative and very entertaining story, I love the characters, the women are awesome ! If you paranormal stories with some action and a very unly set of villains, this is the story for you. TheresaK430

Holy catnip!

Murderous spells and crazy black magic, don’t make for a good time.. This book had a couple of twists I wasn’t expecting. a gorgeous doctor/vet. Soothsaying cant be that much fun! Kathy Brann35

A hoot

Wonderfully hilarious and in parts scary, and sad. Enjoyable read and reread and maybe a third read. I loved it.
martina brinson4

Laugh out loud funny

I can't wait for the next book in this series. I love cats and my family is a little nuts too so I can relate to this family. Write faster please Audrey Stars in Her Eye1,037 7

I love the books in this series! They are so much fun. I love the blend of humor and magic and of course cats. Gemma Thorne is such a fun author and this a great series! Dorothy Stone300 2

Addictive

Love these books and so will you. They are fun and funny and I can't wait to read the next one. stephanie huntington2,559 6

Entertaining and engaging Amanda Sheehan28 1 follower

The story continues

Excellent continuation of the story! Really enjoyed reading more of Journi's story and all the other characters. Can't wait for more. Melissa Levine1,027 42

Where to start? I loved the story, and the narrator did a terrific job.

The story itself was fast-paced, entertaining, and had me chuckling throughout. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other. They were sarcastic goofballs who’d I’d love to have in my own family.

The narrator, a first-time listener, was so natural it was hard to imagine she was reading from a script. Maybe it was her pace, which seemed a smidge faster than most narrators I listen to, but it was perfect for the story.

This was one of those stories that was so good I had a hard time pausing it to go to sleep.

I’m definitely interested in reading more by the author and hearing more from this narrator. Great job, ladies! BostonTerrierLuv110 2

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