Domino by Kia Heavey

Domino
by Kia Heavey

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Unfiltered Creative (January 21, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-0692609873
Kindle: 2485 KB
Publisher: Kindle Press (January 19, 2016)
ASIN: B018J5QAS8
Complimentary review copy
Available on Amazon

Fantastic Fable

This book surprised me. I thought I was going to read a charming tale of a barn cat's adventures, and for the first few pages that's what it seemed like. Then it turned into a gripping thriller which had me staying up past midnight to finish it.

Domino is a working cat living on a farm. He patrols his territory, protects the chicken coop by keeping it free of mice. When his work is done he socializes with neighborhood cats. It's a pretty idyllic life which only got more interesting when he meets Celine, a sleek black cat who lives in the woods.

But Domino's happy life is in danger of turning into a surreal nightmare with another new arrival, a strange new Siamese named with nonsensical ideas that are turning all the other cats heads around. Things get really bad, and it's up to Domino to save himself and everyone he loves from an threat no one could have imagined would ever happen.

I really liked how the author wrote the animals - cats are cat-like, dogs are dog-like - everything feels right - until things go wrong, that is. And I really felt how wrong that was. Not only is this book a great story in itself, it's also quite clearly a parable for current events. Beyond just talking about why an ideology can be pernicious, it has me thinking about how things that are contrary to the natural order can be so very dangerous.

This is a story that younger readers and adults can enjoy on several levels. This is a clean read - there is violence, some of it graphic, and danger, but no bad language or sex. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by VM on Month DD, YEAR