This is one of those books that is neither bad, nor good. It had a feel to me of just not trying hard enough. The story was clever in its way, and the world building thorough and creative. Occasionally a little too creative. Using the dogs as horses, very clever. Having their own personalities, also clever. Droning on and on about each one, tedious. Cats personified, very clever, and fun. Sadly though, it had a childish feel that I couldn't seem to get past. Then there was adult content that made me feel a bit creepy. Less childish and it would have been more appropriate. A little less adult and it would have made a marvelous middle grade book. As it was, it just didn't work overall for me and I couldn't finish it.

This is a masterfully envisioned novel of the old west similar in type to the pulp fiction novels of that era but there the similarity stops - the main character is a cat. Elvis is a talking cat , a cowboy with his own ranch and dogs he rides like horses. Elvis is a gunslinger and out for justice. This is an intriguing tale with twist and turns of unusual delight. I don't know when I have had more fun reading and envisioning a story. It is cute and puny and weird but lots of fun to read!.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very clever, funny book adapting cowboy tales from the past to a feline world where instead of horses, dogs are used for transportation and cats rule the wild west.
Elvis is well know and sought out to aid in upholding the law, admired and feared throughout the land. He is smart and attractive to the ladies. He and his sidekick, Frank, are called in to take down the slimiest and stinkiest bad guy around, Fatscat..
It reads like a genuine western and the reader has to pull back on occasion to remember this is an alternate universe. It really recreates a combination of the traditional western as a cat world. A fun and entertaining read.

This delightfully quirky cat-themed Western is on the right track, but would benefit greatly from aggressive editing. I would like to rate it higher based on the adventure factor and creativity of the writing, however there are some stylistic speed bumps that disrupted the flow of the text.

Pros: the cat imagery will give you a few chuckles. I especially like the way the villain is written -- I had this goofy image of a grimy Grumpy Cat wearing cowboy clothes. The layout, font choices, and cover were all well-chosen.

Cons: there are occasionally multiple speakers in the same paragraph and it makes it difficult to remember who is speaking to whom. Some scenes felt a bit wordy, and would be much more readable condensed.

Overall: recommended for Western or adventure fan. I will most likely try to read this again. While I have some reservations and recommend some edits, it is certainly readable in its current form.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
As I was reading this book, I kept trying to think of which human cowboy Elvis most reminded me. Fast on the trigger, a dead eyed shot, smart and resourceful and a real "hound dog" with the ladies, Elvis is a larger than life character, especially for a cat.
This is a very clever book with lots of puns on words as the cowboy tales we have known and loved are adapted to a feline world where instead of horses, dogs are used for transportation and three foot high ceilings are the norm. Elvis is a law cat admired and feared throughout the land. He is pure catnip for the ladies and as he is ably assisted by his sidekick, Frank, he is called in to take down the slimiest and stinkiest bad guy around, Fatscat..
It reads like a genuine western and the reader has to pull back on occasion to remember this is an alternate universe. It really recreates a combination of the traditional western as a cat world. It would be fun for the feline afficiando as well as the cowboy, er cowcat, genre fan.
It is fun and entertaining.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.

Excellent,,, this book was SO fun to read. The continuous reference to 'cat' names was so entertaining. I recommended this book to two people already. Highly recommend