I found this good-condition softcover at the Book Cellar, and as I'd enjoyed Volume 2, I had to pick up this one to fill in the start-of-series. The story's about a solitary artist whose agent despairs of getting him to agree to show his work - because he's still grieving the loss of his beloved cat, who'd been more of a sibling to him as he grew up. He storms out into the rain after another fight about this - only to discover a stray cat, soaking wet and furious, with a collar bearing the nametag "Loki".

The charming scenes of the cat-rescue turn a bit weird when the cat seems to greet Ameya as "brother" - or is Ameya just recalling his lost pet Luka?

The artist starts to show Loki as a cat-boy in some scenes, and as a normal cat the rest of the time. This gets even more entertaining at the first trip to the vet, where the curious Loki investigates a parrot and is intimidated by a dog, both of whom get humanoid forms. (Oddly enough, Ameya seems clueless of the chaos erupting around him!)

There are wonderful scenes of a scared, semi-wild cat (and cat-boy) gradually learning that Ameya means no harm. And we gradually learn more about Luka (and even see an illutration of him in cat-boy form here and there - not to mention the glimpse of the portrait Ameya was painting of him, also in cat-boy form).

There's a trip to an art show, with Ameya insisting on bringing Loki along - though the most fun part was the huge painting of a sexy, nude Ameya, sound asleep; seems some of his friends took advantage of his deep sleep one time... Nice to know the poor guy *has* friends, and so thinks his beleaguered manager. And his friends seem to think that the manager's his girlfriend, or will be soon - but then she tells him to let Loki go; bad mistake!

Very cute story here, especially for cat lovers.

I'm adding this to spacedog's Manga/graphic novel bookbox, which will be on its way soon. Hope someone enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2016 What's In A Name release challenge. ***

Pulled from the manga and graphic novel book box.

As one of my cats is named Loki I was very happy to see this was still in the book box when it got to me.

I read this during my commute today and it is a charming little story. I did however get pulled out of the story a bit when the artist showed Loki as a cat boy. I really enjoyed Loki the cat but was kinda eh with the cat boy version of Loki the cat. I think I prefer anamorphasized cats like in chi Chi's sweet home better.

However after reading Gory's review of volume 2 I think I will continue with the series. As I would like to know more about Loki and Amaya the artist.

I am using this to seed a new graphic novel and manga book box.

Took out of Nimrodiel's manga/graphic novel box.

I thought this would be slightly different-the constant perspective shift of Loki being a cat to being an anthropomorphised human kept throwing it off. I'd probably enjoyed it more (and finished it) if the shift wasn't there.

Released for You’re such an animal release challenge

When he looked up again Tas had gone. Rising to join the others, he caught sight of something small and abandoned on the floor. "Tas you forgot your pipe." He picked it up and then saw words carved into the wood he had not seen before. Find the music, find the magic.
"Did you carve this?"
Tas did not turn. "Yes," he said, reluctantly. "I have to leave it."
"But, Tas, why?"
Tas squared his shoulders as though firming some resolve. But still he did not turn. "Because the shepherd said that it could only be used once. Thats why I can't get the pipe to play that song-or any song. I've used the magic." He took a deep breath and went on. "And he said that once I found the magic I had the pass the pipe on." he paused and then he did turn, a scamp's humor in his long brown eyes. "It's going to be a long winter. I'm going to leave it here for someone else to find." "Snowsong" by Nancy Varian Berberick

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