Catalyst

A Tale of the Barque Cats, Book 1

By: Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

From the team of Anne McCaffrey (author of the Dragonriders of Pern series) and Nebula Award-winning author Elizabeth Ann Scarborough comes a thrilling new science-fiction tale featuring telepathic cats that are invaluable to the spacefarers who own them.

Thomas's Duchess - or Chessie, to those who love and depend on her services - is no ordinary cat. She's a purebred Barque Cat, trained to patrol the ship on which she serves, sniffing out oxygen leaks and spotting other problems. But when a corrupt government announces it has found an epidemic that requires the impounding and possible destruction of animals across the galaxy - Barque Cats included - two young people, a kitten, and a mysterious, powerful cat with a hidden agenda, are all that stand between the galaxy's animals and total destruction.

©2010 Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

it was pretty good. compare to warriors.

it was pretty good. compare to warriors. cant wait to read catacombs. the authors style is complimentory to the plot, and also showa imense knowlege of cat behavior! took me to a new world! i was actually listening to this while hunting deer believe it or not!

Fun

This was a fun book to listen to while driving or house cleaning. Times when I want my mind not too distracted. Nice people and a different story line.

Barque Cats

Great story, good mystery, a lot of questions left still. Looking forward to the next one!

Wonderful!!

Very enjoyable and excited to listen to Catacombs. Thank you for this cat based adventure!

catalyst

This book was very enjoyable. These authors never let a reader/ listener down. A must read for those who love cats.

If you love cats, you will love this story!

Loved it. Read it a year ago and now listened to the audio book. A cat lovers dream story.

A lot of fun.

This is my first McCaffrey novel and I enjoyed every moment. I’m found of both sci-fi and books with Cat point of views. So this was a double win. PS. It’s a two parter and ends with a cliffhanger. Have a spare credit ready.

Enjoyed the story very much.

I enjoyed the story very much. The woman reading it it was pleasant to listen to and good with inflections and voices. Looking forward to reading the next one.

This is really half of a book

Would you try another book from Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough and/or the narrator?

Yes, but mostly because I have read and loved other works by Anne McCaffrey.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

What ending? The book stopped in the middle of the story. It really annoys me when when it's obvious that a story is not complete and it's broken up into two books like this, as it seems to me that the only reason for it is to sell more books. Either finish the story, or label it as a multi-book story like trilogies do so that the reader is at least expecting it.

Did the narrator do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The narrator seems to think that using a nasal, high pitched voice is sufficient to differentiate the characters. It did not work very well for me.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It would depend on whether the entire story was going to be told. I might consider it, but not if it was just going to end in the middle.

Any additional comments?

The book was entertaining, although not up to the usual standard I expect from Anne McCaffrey. I have just purchased the next book, and I am very much hoping that this one at least will have an actual ending.

McCaffery and Scarborough together again

I am pleased that the beautiful Barque cats are getting their story told. I remember the first time I heard them mentioned in Anne McCaffrey's "The Rowan", and was intrigued. As expected, the story is well written, and leaves you anxious and hopefull for a series. While written for young adults, older folk (especially those owned by a cat or two) should enjoy "Catalyst" as well.