We’ve made it to the quarterfinals of the fourth annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition. Team Tar Vol On has sifted through 32 randomly assigned books and selected a top four. That number has since dropped to two, so we’ll be evaluating a pair of our own and a third-place book from one other team in order to select a pair of favorites to send forward to the semifinals. While it’s a rare book that’s a winner for everyone on the team, every book in this stage has been recommended by at least one of us, and we’ve all shared our thoughts in hopes it will help other readers find books that will appeal to them.
Today, we’re proud to announce our first semifinalist: the zany time travel romp, Time of the Cat by Tansy Rayner Roberts.
Azrah’s Review and Rating
This was an entertaining read through and through and I loved how whacky all the characters were, including the cats who each had their own boisterous personalities and also talked! It is both a love letter to fandom culture and a wholesome adventure between friends where the stakes may be high with the potential threat of causing travel banning Events as well as encounters with members of the enemy group The Anachronauts, but the casual tone made it more fun to follow along with than anything else.
If you’re loving cosy sci-fi/fantasy books as well as books involving cat/animal companions that are all the hype at the moment then you’re in for a treat with this book that combines both! I can’t recommend it enough.
Azrah has rated Time of the Cat 7.5/10. For more, check out her full review.
Champ’s Review and Rating
The idea of cats and time travel is both novel and, at the same time, I am surprised I’ve never seen it before. And the logic of the story world? I bought into it. It’s breezy, fun, and incredibly easy to read. The pages turn swiftly, and I time travel while I read it. Hours pass in the blink of an eye. The characters are distinct and interesting, each adding flavor to an endearing ride through history and fandom.
This is the perfect book for a grown-up Harry Potter fan who loves storyworld building, fandom, deep lore, and yes, footnotes. Lots of footnotes. If you enjoy books that don’t just tell a story but play with how stories are told, Time of the Cat is a delight.
Champ has rated Time of the Cat 7.5/10.
Dave’s Review and Rating
I enjoyed this book very much, especially as I’m all about cozy sci-fi nowadays. It reminds me of Drew Melbourne’s Percival Gynt and the Conspiracy of Days (an SPSFC2 finalist). Also, it had Terry Pratchett vibes. Of course, cats can talk and are required for time-travel. Totally makes sense.
The story involves a layered complex world with even more complex politics, which, frankly, I couldn’t keep track of. But who cares? I loved Ruthen, and wished he was more active in the plot. He was always around, but not really driving the action. That’s my only note. The ending was satisfying and the book finishes on a hopeful note – that humanity may not be wiped out.
Dave has rated Time of the Cat 7/10.
Erin’s Review and Rating
This is a very silly book. To me, that’s not a bad thing at all! The footnotes reminded me delightfully of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld (Which is awfully high praise, as any true fan of footnotes will know!). I do wish Kindle would handle footnotes better, but that’s not really on the author. I expect most fans of British humor will find this book oddly charming.
The editing was overall good, and I really enjoyed the main character. Some of the side characters were very flat, but it sort of worked with the tone that the author was going for. Some of the reveals felt unearned, and I got very lost in the middle, but some of my confusion was clearly intended by the author.
In the end, it was a fun adventure that I enjoyed reading, and I’d read a sequel if there was one.
Erin has rated Time of the Cat 8/10.
Jay’s Review and Rating
Overall, Time of the Cat is trying to be simply a whole lot of fun, and it succeeds. It’s an extremely online love letter to fandom, in the form of a cat-heavy, zany time travel story. If you’re looking for a tense thriller or a character study, you won’t find it here. But if you want a change-of-pace that will keep you smiling the whole way? Enjoy this one.
Jay has rated Time of the Cat 7.5/10. For more, check out his full review.
Josh’s Review and Rating
Time of the Cat is a light fun humorous time travel romp that will be very enjoyable for those who are looking for a lighter read that isn’t trying to be anything more.
Josh has rated Time of the Cat 7.5/10. For more, check out his full review.
Official Scores
| Azrah | 7.5 |
| Champ | 7.5 |
| Dave | 7 |
| Erin | 8 |
| Jay | 7.5 |
| Josh | 7.5 |
| Team | 7.5 |