Recent Reads: The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi 

Publisher: Tundra Books
Publication Date: March 4, 2025 

 

Format: Hardback

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A stubborn young girl named Fiona stumbles upon an abandoned house full of stray cats, just as it is threatened by a demolition team, a leadership crisis, and two potentially malicious budgies. Can Fiona save the house and all its inhabitants? A new middle-grade novel by critically acclaimed author Tanya Lloyd Kyi.

When Fiona wanders into an abandoned mansion down by the harbor, she discovers the house is full of stray cats (and two chaotic budgies). Fiona feels a great deal of sympathy for the animals; she understands what it's like to need a safe home. Ever since her parents died, she's been struggling to adjust to the tiny apartment where she and her Aunt Tanis now live. And Aunt Tanis has little time to spare for Fiona, between her job at The Municipal Hall and her horrible, hair-gelled boyfriend. 

When the mansion is threatened by a demolition team, Fiona is determined to save "The City" and its residents. But the cats have their own priorities. Cot (short for Cottonball Fluffikins Magnificent III, a name he refuses to acknowledge) has lived in the mansion for two years and is the self-proclaimed king. He's convinced the demolition effort has been organized by the recently arrived budgies. Those birds have got to go! 

Cot's feline rival, Piper, is sure she can intimidate the demolition team and force them to leave, if Fiona will simply stay out of her way. And the budgies . . . well, the budgies just want to go home.

As the demolition team begins tearing down the house next door, Fiona looks for any help she can find — at the library, the butcher shop, and even at The Municipal Hall. Can the efforts of one small girl and an assortment of animals stop a luxury condo development? Can they create something better in its place? 

It's going to take some quick thinking on the part of Fiona, not to mention the cooperation of all the cats, to give The City a future.

Review: 

The City of Cats is an utterly charming middle grade book that will steal the hearts of cat lovers (and animal lovers in general). Fiona lives with her self-centered aunt who doesn’t understand her, leaving Fiona feeling lonely and overlooked. When she decides to run away, she stumbles upon a crumbling old mansion...one that just happens to be home to a lively group of stray cats. Determined to save the house from demolition and protect the cats’ home, Fiona throws herself into a mission fueled by community spirit, activism, and peaceful protest.

The story is told not just through Fiona’s eyes but also through the perspectives of several cats (Cot, Piper, Tarantino) and even two birds, Fries and Gravy, which adds humor and heart to the narrative. Fiona herself is stubborn, determined, and wonderfully resourceful, especially when she enlists the help of her local library.

One of my favorite touches was the inclusion of illustrated town flyers sprinkled throughout the book — they were fun to read and gave a great sense of how the community was reacting various local events.

Overall, The City of Cats is a warm, delightful read about standing up for what you believe in, the importance of community, and the love we have for the animals around us. Highly recommended for young readers — especially those who adore cats! 🐾