Reserved for the Cat

by Mercedes Lackey

Book Overview

In 1910, in an alternate London, a penniless young dancer is visited by a cat who communicates with her mind to mind. Though she is certain she must be going mad, she is desperate enough to follow the cat's advice and impersonates a famous Russian ballerina. The cat, it turns out, is actually an Elemental Earth Spirit, and leads her to minor stardom. Meanwhile, the real Russian ballerina has fallen victim to an evil troll who takes over her body and...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756403626
• ISBN13: 9780756403621
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The Best of the Series

This is the latest and best in her Elemental Masters series. The characters are interesting, the setting unique, and the plotline extremely clever. The character of the cat is delightful, with a wonderfully wry sense of humor which is characteristic of Lackey at her best. Heartily recommended.

A wonderful read!

As someone who once (many years ago) was a dancer, I found this book fascinating. I love Misty's work anyway, but it is rare to find someone who is not a dancer who understands the blisters, the pain, the strains, the panic, the in-fighting, and conversely, the sense of passion and glory that makes it all worthwhile. And as someone who is currently owned by three cats, the mix was irresistable to me. I just wish I could find someone who COULD tell me what mine are saying!

Off to Seek Her Fortune

Reserved For the Cat (2007) is the fifth fantasy novel in The Elemental Masters series, following The Wizard of London. In this novel, Ninette Dupond is a sujet -- a soloist -- in the ballet company of the Paris Opera. Just before one matinee performance of La Sylphide, the etoile -- La Augustine -- tripped on a curb and the understudies were not available, so Ninette danced the part of the Sylphide. In the reviews the next morning, La Figaro praised her performance. Unfortunately, La Augustine was furious at Ninette, especially since her patron was considering Ninette as his new paramour. Naturally, Ninette was promptly fired from the ballet. After all, sujets are commonplace, but premier danseurs draw the crowds. Although Ninette tries to find a position with another company, such openings are not presently available. As she runs out of rent money, Ninette begins to consider other possibilities. But then the cat suggests an alternative. Ninette is bemused when Thomas the cat appears to talk to her. At first she believes herself to have gone mad, but her down-to-earth practically soon rejects that possibility. So she follows the cat's instructions, waiting to see what results. The cat provides her with tickets and money. Soon she takes the Metro to the train station and then catches the boat-train to Calais. There she takes the ferry to Dover and an English train to Blackpool. Still following the cat's instructions, she walks to a boarding house run by a French woman from Lyon and pays for room and board. In this story, the cat helps Ninette adjust to the strange town and country, even slipping English lessons into her dreams. He also gives her snippets of Russian. Then he stages a shipwreck scene that attracts the attention of two English mages and an African Grey Parrot who claims to be the reincarnation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Nigel Barrett is an Air Elemental Master as well as the owner of the Imperial Music Hall. Arthur Gilbert is an Air Elemental Magician and the conductor of the Imperial Music Hall orchestra. Wolfgang the parrot is the composer of all new music for this orchestra. Nigel has been thinking of a new approach to music halls. Currently, the various acts are engaged for a short time -- usually six weeks -- and then move on to other venues. Nigel is thinking of producing grand shows that will engage the same company to extended periods, much like the opera houses operate. When found on the beach, Ninette claims to be Nina Tchereslavsky -- a fairly wellknown Russian dancer -- as instructed by the cat. Soon Nigel starts considering Ninette as the principal dancer in his new show. Then he sees her dance and her role becomes a prominent part of his planning. This story is going swimmingly until the real Nina Tchereslavsky learns of the imposture. Unfortunately, the real Nina is only one persona of an ill-natured Elemental. The Troll sets out to investigate this blatant impostor. Thomas the cat is

Lackey's Back!

This is the newest of the Elemental Masters series. Although I was disappointed in the last two of the series, this one is excellent. It's a graceful adaptation of Puss-in-boots, with well developed characters, and a nicely twisted plot. I am impressed with the consistency of Lackey's magical system and plotting, but the thing I've missed the most in the books she writes with others is the distinctive 'voice' that I learned to love in the Valdemar books. It's back and in fine form in this book. The only criticism I have is that it isn't long enough! Could more of the adventures of Thomas, Wolf, and the Oriental Pearl be in the works?

beautiful romantic adult fairy tale

Growing up poor Ninette Dupond's mother made sure her offspring would be accepted by the Paris Opera Ballet in Montmartre. She now hopes to find a wealthy a wealthy patron. Ninette loves to dance and is given the starring role in La Sylphide when the lead hurt her ankle. She attracts the interest of the star's paramour, but that leads to her being fired with no money to pay for food or her rent. A cat telepathically tells her that he was sent by her father, an Elemental Master to help her. The stray persuades Ninette to go to Blackpool, England pretending to be the famous Russian ballerina Nina Tchereslavsky, who they will say vanished during a ship wreck. The dancehall her feline guide escorts her to is run by an Elemental Master of Air while his closest friend, a magician is an Elemental Master of Fire. They accept her and protect her while Ninette tries hard to fit in. Nobody is aware that the real Nina knows about the impersonator and is furious plotting revenge for stealing her name and reputation. Nina is an Earth Elemental who got freed of her Master and likes living on the mortal plane; she intends to keep doing so by absorbing humans in order to take over their form and intellect. Assimilating Ninette is the perfect disguise as the pretender has already taken up her role. The Elemental novels are beautiful romantic adult fairy tales. RESERVED FOR THE CAT contains a wicked villainess who makes the Snow White Queen seem benevolent, a courageous cat to rival Puss n Boots, and a fine brave heroine in peril (take your pick). Ninette is a strong willed intrepid individual who believes she must actively help in her defense. Master magician Mercedes lackey writes a charming fantasy. Harriet Klausner