Catalyst Audiobook By Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough cover art

Catalyst

A Tale of the Barque Cats, Book 1

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Catalyst

By: Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Narrated by: Laural Merlington
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From the team of Anne McCaffrey (author of the Dragonriders of Pern series) and Nebula Award-winning author Elizabeth Ann Scarborough comes a thrilling new science-fiction tale featuring telepathic cats that are invaluable to the spacefarers who own them.

Thomas's Duchess - or Chessie, to those who love and depend on her services - is no ordinary cat. She's a purebred Barque Cat, trained to patrol the ship on which she serves, sniffing out oxygen leaks and spotting other problems. But when a corrupt government announces it has found an epidemic that requires the impounding and possible destruction of animals across the galaxy - Barque Cats included - two young people, a kitten, and a mysterious, powerful cat with a hidden agenda, are all that stand between the galaxy's animals and total destruction.

©2010 Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc. Adventure Animals Genre Fiction Science Fiction Space Exploration
Futuristic Cat Adventure • Intriguing Space Setting • Excellent Narrator • Authentic Cat Behavior • Entertaining Storyline
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it was pretty good. compare to warriors. cant wait to read catacombs. the authors style is complimentory to the plot, and also showa imense knowlege of cat behavior! took me to a new world! i was actually listening to this while hunting deer believe it or not!

it was pretty good. compare to warriors.

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This was a fun book to listen to while driving or house cleaning. Times when I want my mind not too distracted. Nice people and a different story line.

Fun

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Great story, good mystery, a lot of questions left still. Looking forward to the next one!

Barque Cats

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Very enjoyable and excited to listen to Catacombs. Thank you for this cat based adventure!

Wonderful!!

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Would you try another book from Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough and/or the narrator?

Yes, but mostly because I have read and loved other works by Anne McCaffrey.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

What ending? The book stopped in the middle of the story. It really annoys me when when it's obvious that a story is not complete and it's broken up into two books like this, as it seems to me that the only reason for it is to sell more books. Either finish the story, or label it as a multi-book story like trilogies do so that the reader is at least expecting it.

Did the narrator do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The narrator seems to think that using a nasal, high pitched voice is sufficient to differentiate the characters. It did not work very well for me.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It would depend on whether the entire story was going to be told. I might consider it, but not if it was just going to end in the middle.

Any additional comments?

The book was entertaining, although not up to the usual standard I expect from Anne McCaffrey. I have just purchased the next book, and I am very much hoping that this one at least will have an actual ending.

This is really half of a book

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I am pleased that the beautiful Barque cats are getting their story told. I remember the first time I heard them mentioned in Anne McCaffrey's "The Rowan", and was intrigued. As expected, the story is well written, and leaves you anxious and hopefull for a series. While written for young adults, older folk (especially those owned by a cat or two) should enjoy "Catalyst" as well.

McCaffery and Scarborough together again

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This book takes us to the origin of cats and comunication between people and their beloved cats🤔

Another good one by anne

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Out of the 1295 titles I have through audible, I have never written a review be for...
I am now because of all the unfair and bad reviews for this book.

This is a Good YA Sci-Fi. it should be judged by what it is trying to be.
If you are looking for a Military Sci-Fi, then you will be disappointed.

Do you have to love cats to enjoy this book?

No. I like dogs and it still made me smile and root for the cats.

Did the Narrated give a one star Performance?

Absolutely not!

I have 9 more books that Laural Merlington narrated and I love all of her Performances!
I can see some one say it is a 4 star performance, but as some one who has tried to narrate a book before... she gets a 5 out of 5

Is it one of the best Sci-Fi's out there?

No. But it made some good points about how animals are harmed by us humans for the sake of convenience or money.(this is for YA. It is OK if you get hit in the head with a point)

Did this book make me laugh out loud?
No... but it did make me smile.

If there is a second book would you pick it up?

Yes. I am going to pick up the next book.

Why All the Hate? This is a Good YA Sci-Fi

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If you've ever met a cat, then you could relate to this futuristic tale of space faring kittens. Writers definitely have spent time with felines to have pegged them so completely.

Thoroughly Entertaining

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Written 10 years after Lackey's canon establishing amazing short story SKITTY, this seems to be a rather disappointing continuation of the idea......the psychic ShipsCat......valued members of every spacefaring crew.....

Since Mccaffrey and Lackey have co authored before, I was hoping this would be a continuation of the story......alas it is not.....

After hearing this series, PLEASE go get and read (sadly it's NOT available on audio) a copy of Werehunter, the collection of short stories that introduces the ORIGINAL shipscat, SKITTY.....guarantee you'll love it.....

Bad copyCAT of Mercedes Lackey's "Skitty"

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