Category: Furry/Anthro Book Reviews

It is described as

Intrigue, adventure, and octopi await! On the eve of war between Earth and Jupiter, one brave tabby cat embarks on a journey that will rock the foundation of her world as she travels between the depths of the sea and the depths of space. While Kipper seeks an audience with the octopus oligarchy, her sister Petra struggles against tyrannies and conspiracies among the dog and cat government of the Uplifted States. Meanwhile, across the solar system, the otter Jenny leads her team of pirates and scientists as they try to uncover the secrets of the ancient, abandoned Europa base. Can the creatures of Earth, working together, stop the Jovian fleet in time?

My review

It is a very unique story and frankly breaks all pre conceived ideas what you think about war, battles and even slavery. For the record the octopus are slaves of the birds… the book is not clear what they actually do. That part confused me, but overall it’s a pretty good story. Lots of twists and turns and frankly even if you read a few. It is surprising.

Although I do think Otters in Space 4 is better I still give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Currently unless you find a copy at a convention. You can get a Kindle edition from Amazon

It is described as

When two relative giants—a cat and an otter—attend Yvette’s gymnastics competition, they’ve come to recruit the mouse for their new space program. Yvette can hardly refuse and joins an interspecies team (including cats, dogs, octopi, an otter, a raptor, and a squirrel) building an interstellar spaceship using ancient octopus technology.

The political tides turn, and the crew of The Lucky Boomerang must decide—will they sacrifice everything to become the first of their species to travel beyond the boundaries of their solar system? Or will the fanatically religious dogs of the Uplifted States take their spaceship away before it can get off the ground?

My Review

When I picked up this book was for it’s cover. But then I began to read through it I was totally delighted. It was a story of both interesting characters, as well as a story which kind of hangs you on the edge not quite certain if they would find their ultimate goal or not.

It was only when I was half way through that I discovered it was written for young adults. But this older guy loved it to the very end. Can’t wait to see if there is any future sequel and see where the author takes the plot.

I can honestly highly recommend this book. If you want something that is both light and enjoyable.

I give it a very solid 8 out of 10

It’s on https://www.amazon.com/ and available both as a paperback and on Kindle

I have always been a fan of furry history ever since I dived head 1st into the primitive days of the early fandom. My own collection of furry fanzines, what I could find that is still online and what pdf and jpeg files.

Early days of conventions can be a bit weird. As those who been around for a while namely MFF and Anthrocon seem to handle those early days differently. One openly talks about it, while the other one doesn’t.

Having a chance to interview Tim Stoddard was a delight for me. To learn someone put there heart and soul in to those early days was a delight. Of course his choice to cover was in the UK, but I really would like him to do something on American fur cons.

But with that out of the way, why should you get his book. Because the UK seem to have even a more interesting history than any other place you can name. For example Eurofurence got started by the British and their 1st con was in the Czech Republic. Or that in the days since they started the UK has more failed furry gatherings than you would believe. That in some cases it was pure luck of the very ones we know about were even successful in the very beginning.

This book has 100s of stories like that. Each in detail and names named.

Ever hear of Fred Patten? You would be stunned at the number of British cons he co founded. Frankly I wish he was still alive so I could do a follow up interview. Still think I might try and track down the others.

If Furtannia is one thing, it is very surprising. You don’t just don’t have to be a fan of furry history to buy this book. If you love surprising stories, that are true about the fandom.

This book is for you.

I want to give a 10 out of 10. But that might be a bit much, so instead I am giving it 9.7 out of 10

Really a MUST BUY for anyone who wants to know more about the fandom.

https://www.unclebearpublishing.com/furtannia.html#/

I will fully admit that is my own readers that have been suggesting that I check out The Blacksad series for quite a while. I always seem to give it a pass up until I saw Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1 at thew recent MFF.

Very seldom do I come across a book that matches an interest on mine. You see I love Detective films from the 1930s/40s The Big Sleep being a personal favorite. Blacksad takes those old stories and makes them better. We still get the same hardcore story set in a time where someone was not scared to fire a gun or confront a ruthless criminal head on.

Dark Horse Comics calls it

In this exceptional noir tour de force from writer Juan Díaz Canales and artist Juanjo Guarnido, the hotly anticipated worldwide bestseller returns to American shores after a seven-year hiatus with a brand-new two-part storyline! Following its chart-topping 2021 release in Europe and now translated for English-language readers by the team of Brandon Kander and Diana Schutz, this volume features feline private eye John Blacksad as he tangles with the unions, the mob, and mid-century construction magnate Lewis Solomon, who plans to pave New York City’s green space, come hell or high water. From soaring heights to terrifying depths, Blacksad must steer the right course between the lofty world of Shakespearean theater and the seedy nether regions of the city. Towering above it all is the foreboding figure of Solomon, who will let nothing thwart his dream of power.

Murders, crooked elected leaders, seagulls in iron lungs, a city that is going to replace it’s subways with freeways, and so much more. I totally agree with the reviews I found. Blacksad is a delight for those who want ACTION.

Really I give it a very solid 10 out of 10 you can’t miss with Blacksad. Well worth reading, now I need to read the entire series.