Trueterra is a world of cats. One in which Puss in Boots would have been comfortable. This thoughtful fantasy novel follows Sunny, a typical housecat, through a picture frame into a medieval world that awaits him. He appears to fulfill a prophecy, but he must grow into the role of hero to perform the task that lay destined in his path.
Ultimately, it is a story about purpose and new direction, discovery and consideration, life and death, with a little bit of fate thrown in.
Trueterra is a world of cats. One in which Puss in Boots would have been comfortable. This thoughtful fantasy novel follows Sunny, a typical housecat, through a picture frame into a medieval world that awaits him. He appears to fulfill a prophecy, but he must grow into the role of hero to perform the task that lay destined in his path.
Ultimately, it is a story about purpose and new direction, discovery and consideration, life and death, with a little bit of fate thrown in.
By Charles Kiernan
Dedication
To all the innumerable stray cats that have ventured into our home and into our hearts.
(Plus, a nod to Puss in Boots.)
The Drought
The mystic opened her eyes. The smell of damp earth filled the air. Light from the rising sun sent a prism of colors filtering through the mist. She uncurled, stretched, and rose. She stood on a low hill, under a sprawling, ancient tree, surrounded by a grassy plain.
Pulling a pale, cloth mantle across her sleek, white fur, she raised paws into the air toward the sun and began the chant, a prayer—a command—a hope. She recited the chant three times. As the words rose skyward, two white birds appeared on the horizon, gliding toward the hill, settling above her in the gnarled tree.
“Birds—of course.”
#
The warrior’s fur bristled. “Prophesies! Now is not the time for prophecies and visions. We need to make decisions.” The cat clenched his paw, slamming it down on the table.
Bianca sat wrapped in her pale mantle against the cold of the Steward’s chamber.
“But BraceLion,” said the Steward, “what decisions would you have us consider? What decisions are there to make? We are victims of the drought.”
The Steward shifted his ample bulk in a wicker curl-up beside the low table the three had gathered around.
“Emigrating, as our ancestors did when they came here, is not a solution for us. There is no place that isn’t affected.”
BraceLion scowled, turning his head to stare out the window and across the courtyard.
The Steward returned his attention to Bianca, and she continued.
“In my vision, I saw two birds. The first identifies The One Prophesied, but what is the purpose of the second? Could it be a reflection of the Companion? I expect two cats to appear soon. We will know the first by the symbol ‘V,’ as prophesied.”
The Steward reflected on her words; BraceLion snorted softly.
#
Old Dame Calico listened, ears tipped forward, to her great-grandnephew Graysley.
“What does Bianca say they will look like?” she asked.
“Well, Bianca didn’t. There’s the ‘V,’ and something about birds, though.”
Graysley split and shelled a pea pod with a single deft slice of a nail; he always busied himself helping out when he visited.
Birds, they appeared in my dreams as well, Dame Calico thought.
“I have heard these rumors before, Graysley, spread by other soldiers, and yet I give them credence.”
“At any rate, something is supposed to happen soon.” Graysley slit open another pod, the shriveled dry peas rattled as he swished them into a wooden bowl. “Some say he’ll be green, and rain clouds will follow him like a herd of goats. He’ll be easy to spot if that’s the case.”
“That I would not count on, Graysley.”
He grinned. “My favorite is that he is twenty tails tall and stronger and fiercer than BraceLion, but I think somecat made that up.”
“Oh—somecat like you?”
Graysley’s grin broadened at Dame Calico’s words. He set the bowl of peas aside and fixed his eyes upon her.
“What do you think? Might it be true this time? Something has to change if we are to see another year without starvation.”
Dame Calico pawed some unshelled peas into her apron, reflecting before speaking.
“There are times when wishing makes a thing true. If you believe a thing may happen, then it may happen. Our future is not fated. Our thoughts can shape it.”
She turned her attention again to the peas, saying, “But wishes are a wisp. Greater is the nature of these two beings, be they green or twenty tails tall. What is in their minds, what is their intent, is what we will see. But see, I think we will.”
The story hooks the reader's attention right from the start. Being a cat lover definitely adds to the charm of the plot. But what is most fascinating is how authentic and genuine the whole world seems despite having cats as its protagonists. Exceptional world-building!
In fact, the story has a fable-like quality which makes it both easily accessible to children and bountiful in the wisdom it imparts. Personally loved the stories narrated by Dame Calico or the Steward, the constant banter between Graysley and Solay or even the riddles they shared with each other, and poems recited by others. His strong relationship with his mentor, BraceLion and his close-knit group of friends is what keeps him motivated throughout his transition phase and helps him eventually undertake his role as the ultimate warrior. But it is the author's groundwork in building these relationships with careful details and consistent character development that makes the whole hero's journey so convincing.
Appearances can be deceiving, and the message still holds true in this epic where the little kitten Sunny happens to chance upon the realm of Trueterra through a picture, in time discovering the true purpose of his life and coming to terms with his new identity that fate seemed to have kindly bestowed on him. Although sunny yearned for his brother, Midnight's approval and company, he does not let that deter him from pursuing his own dream, literally. That's undoubtedly a very important message to the young readers who are the target audience for this book.
Noticeably, the language used in the story is also suitable for children, not lacking in new vocabulary yet flowing smoothly so as to make the reading experience enjoyable. There were many word puns and humourous expressions like "thank her from the tip of my tail" that were truly delightful to read too. Overall, an inspiring and cheerful story!