I had to Google the story of Puss in Boots before I read the book so I could see how it was retold. Of all the Elemental Masters books, this has the weakest link to the original fairy tale, until you get to the end. I won't spoil that here, but I knew how the final crisis would resolve because I read the original story. Otherwise, it's on par with the rest of the series, with the same basic plot. Orphaned girl in bad circumstances needs help, falls in with Elemental Masters (usually strong men), finds her own magic, and everything ends well. There were several places in the book that told us the same thing again and again, and I thought, "OK, we established this already. Move on!" Otherwise, it wasn't a bad book. If nothing else, how many retellings of Puss in Boots can you find?

There aren't any solid ties to the other books, so you can read this one out of order.

Share/Like this Review?

I had to Google the story of Puss in Boots before I read the book so I could see how it was retold. Of all the Elemental Masters books, this has the weakest link to the original fairy tale, until you get to the end. I won't spoil that here, but I knew how the final crisis would resolve because I read the original story. Otherwise, it's on par with the rest of the series, with the same basic plot. Orphaned girl in bad circumstances needs help, falls in with Elemental Masters (usually strong men), finds her own magic, and everything ends well. There were several places in the book that told us the same thing again and again, and I thought, "OK, we established this already. Move on!" Otherwise, it wasn't a bad book. If nothing else, how many retellings of Puss in Boots can you find?

There aren't any solid ties to the other books, so you can read this one out of order.

Share/Like this Review?

Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters series has another worthy addition to its ranks. This story, a variation of Puss in Boots, involves Ninette, a poor young ballerina trying to make her way in the world by attempting to attract a patron rich enough to ensure her elevation from poverty. When her successful solo debut earns her the enmity of a prominent ballerina who fears the loss of her patron to her younger rival, her cat reveals itself to be a magical creature who helps her leave Paris for Blackpool, England, where he brings her to the attention of a couple of Elemental Mages who run a theater. Unfortunately her success here causes a dangerous Earth Elemental magician to attempt to destroy her, and Ninette's mage friends must try to discover her enemy before she is killed. As always, Lackey's strength is in the depth and complexity of her characters, and the spunky Ninette, the intriguing mages, the amusing parrot who is actually Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the intrepid cat Thomas all make for an entertaining story.

Share/Like this Review?