28 Feb Review: The City of Lost Cats
The City of Lost Cats
Written by: Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Tundra Books, 2025
ISBN: 9781774882108 (hardcover)
9781774882115 (EPUB)
9781774888223 (audiobook)
$24.99 CAD (hardcover)
$11.99 CAD (EPUB)
$24.99 CAD (audiobook)
288 pages
Ages: 10 years and up
Review by: K. Joan Harrison
The City of Lost Cats novel centres on Fiona, a 12-year-old who is not happy with her summer camp and runs away, only to discover an abandoned house full of stray cats (and a couple of birds). The story is told in the third person from a variety of perspectives, indicated by chapter headings: Fiona, a demolition worker, three cats and the parakeets (who uniquely speak in verse). While the reader is privy to the thoughts and conversations of the animals, there are no talking animals in Fiona’s world. Flyers, emails, and other inserts appear between chapters, add interest, and supply information and foreshadowing. While the main plot is whether Fiona will be able to save the building from demolition, there are enough plot twists and side stories to keep readers’ interest to the final resolution. The City of Lost Cats is a satisfying story about community, touches on homelessness (both animal and human), and will appeal to young animal lovers everywhere.