Cat Dragon is about a witch looking for and then bonding to her Cat Dragon familiar, while adventuring to save the magic for her town.

I am writing this review at 50% when I decided to not finish this book. I was very excited for a fall cozy fantasy book about mythical creatures and witches. The story starts out strong on the whimsy with talking pumpkins, but lost me shortly after. The world building was well done, and had the cozy vibe, but the writing style made it hard for me to stay engaged and interested. The author uses complicated and unusual words for everyday items that make you re-read sections that shouldn't be difficult to understand.

The plot moved along fairly quickly, but there wasn't much linking the each action scene. I was hoping there would be more around the Witch's relationship with her Cat Dragon.


Thank you Harper 360 and NetGalley for an early copy for my honest review.

LOVED the premise (and cover!), but didn't care for the writing style. I would not classify this as a romance since there is just a tiny bit of super slow burn romance included. Very cozy, but just didn't work for me.

This was such a good cozy fantasy! I loved the variety of magical creatures and the journey the main characters went on to find a cure for the Guardian. The mystery aspect with little clues being shown in each stop kept the story engaging and fun. The pace did feel slow at times to me, but it didn’t take me too out of the story. Thank you to Harper 360 for an early copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this cute whimsical book.I loved how cute it was the pumpkins,cat dragon the characters it was a very fun read.

This is a cute little cozy mystery. I would probably have renamed it because the title is misleading and also the main reason I picked up the book. While there were cat dragons in the book doing cat dragon things, the majority of the book had nothing to do with cat dragons and everything to do with magical botany. I'd probably retitle it "A Magicobotanists Adventure" or something. There were a lot of magical plant descriptions, the plot revolved around magical plants, the main character is a magico-botanist.

Thank you to HarperCollins for an ARC of this book!

I just love a cozy fantasy, especially as we're settling into fall, and what better way than to start with a book aptly titled "Cat Dragon" which features two of my favorite things. Cats + dragons? I mean, what could be better?!

I went into this book with no expectations, I just wanted to go along for the ride and enjoy it as it unfolded. This was a cozy adventure quest - one to save the town. I won't say it was a low-stakes book, because saving an entire town is kind of a big deal, but it wasn't filled with tension like you get in high stakes fantasy. More like a fun romp?

I particularly enjoyed Crow as a character in this book. He had some funny moments. I of course, also adored Littlewick.

One of the things I struggled with in this book was the writing, and sometimes the often jarring transition from one thing to the next. Scene, idea etc, it all seemed to kind of jumble together, and part of that I think was the pacing. Because while this is cozy and whimsical, it still needs a pace that works, and that is one of the items I think I struggled with in the book.

This book definitely had a whimsical feel to it, and was definitely witchy. You also have a bit of a romance between the main characters in this book, and it's cute.

Overall, this is one I think some people will really enjoy, and it'll miss the mark for others.

Time of Death: 5%
Reason: The names.

Thank you for this ARC NetGalley and Harper Collins in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, this did not hit for me right from the start. I was immediately overwhelmed by the names and how odd and complicated they were. I love cozy fantasy, but this was a type of cozy that while others find adorable, and I found it annoying. I'm sorry that a book combining two animals I love just wasn't it for me!

*I don't rate books I do not finish, but unfortunately NetGalley requires a rating.*

Soft dnf'ing the book for now at 50 pages. I know, I knowwww I'm not that far into it but I just cant get into it much. I placed a hold on the audiobook on Libby, WILL be listening to that once it's published. So sorry :/
Three stars because the main character is pretty likeable so far. So hate to the book or the author. Just currently overwhelmed by the amount of books I have to read soon and I have an upcoming vacation.

I think I can update netgalley reviews? I'll update the stars (if possible) once I actually finish the book. Thank you for the arc even though I won't be able to finish it!

It had all the makings of being a cute cozy fantasy. The writing was hard to follow along, I felt confused or lost throughout most of the story. Overall was disappointed in this one.

I love, love, loved this book! The plot locked me in from page one, and spit me out a new person on the last page. The characters became real to me and will live in my brain forever. The setting was tangible and perfect. The pacing was riveting, but not rushed. All coming together to be a book I can't wait to recommend to my friends.

Although I typically love cozy fantasy I had a lot of trouble getting into this book. I just couldn't connect with the main character and the plot was meh for me. Could be a great read for someone else but wasn't for me.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

2.75 stars. Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this book! The Cat Dragon definitely lived up to its cover in levels of cuteness. I love the warm fuzzy feeling I get from cozy fantasy so I will read them anytime, but this one does include magical pumpkins and an autumn festival making it perfect for fall!

The descriptions of the cat dragons themselves were so adorable I think they will live in my head rent-free forever. But there are also a seemingly endless number of other weird and cute creatures throughout the whole book. It felt like the author really let their imagination run wild. There was truly unique magical world building in this book which is pretty rare considering most fantasy books all run together after a while.

The author likes to use creative word choices whenever possible, and a lot of times it added to the quirky and cute vibes. Other times, it did confuse me especially in combination with odd sentence structure, and run-on sentences. I think the writing style needs to be simplified for easy reading. Cozy fantasy is specifically a genre I crave when I'm not feeling well, and don't have all my braincells to help me read lol. So this genre in particular benefits from clear writing in my experience.

Lastly, the plot felt rapid fire at times and we jumped from scene to scene quickly. I felt like I didn't really know our MC Aloysia very well, and so I was never able to develop an emotional connection to her, or any of the other characters. I think the book could benefit from more character development and fewer plot points.

There were things I really loved about this book but overall I struggled through the reading experience. This was a cute fall time read, but needs some technical improvements.

a cozy and magically adventurous fantasy!

All witch Aloysia Papplewick wants is a quiet life with her plants and her very own cat-dragon familiar. Years after the time that most witches receive their familiar, Aloysia is lacking in that last magical step. One faithful night, her life is turned upside down when Tangleroot Valley's Guardian deity is injured under Hollis's - Aloysia's best friends brother - and Aloysia's care and the entirety of the valley's magic falls on their shoulders as they leave the valley in search of the cure. The silver lining to all of this? Aloysia's cat dragon finally appears to her and helps stir up the budding attraction between Aloysia and Hollis.

this book took so many twists and turns and felt so like an epic quest fantasy like the hobbit or eragon! I loved the world building and how magical everything sounded! And I fell in love with Aloysia's scientific and wondrous views of the flora of the world. The side characters were fun, sassy, and emotional and created a beautiful found family. The romance is sweet and gentle and I can't wait to see if there's a book 2 that expounds on it! Especially with the few open threads left at the end of the story!

if you love coziness, magical worlds, witches, romance, and epic quests, read this book!

Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is pure cozy fantasy magic. From the very first page, Tangleroot Valley came alive with charm, whimsy, and the kind of enchantment that wraps around you like a warm quilt on a crisp autumn night. Aloysia Papplewick is a heroine I couldn’t help but adore—flawed, funny, and wonderfully relatable as she navigates magical mishaps, meddling pumpkins, and the chaos of her unbonded cat dragon.

The story strikes a perfect balance of heart, humor, and adventure. The Harvest Festival setting brims with cozy seasonal atmosphere, and the quest with Hollis adds just the right spark of tension and slow-burn romance. The world feels both whimsical and deeply lived-in, reminding me of Studio Ghibli’s charm and Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop, while still being completely its own.

I laughed, I sighed, I rooted for every magical twist—and I never wanted it to end. If you love cottagecore vibes, talking pumpkins, and a fantasy that feels like coming home, Cat Dragon is a new favorite. Completely delightful!

3.5 rounded up for the cat dragons!

This is a very cute and cozy fantasy. While not the most compelling or exciting, still a solid story. The characters are interesting . All of the magical creatures are darling. Perfect but of romance. I enjoyed the “world building” especially the town of Tangleroot.

A little more *something* to keep it interesting was needed. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was confusing at times and could be difficult to follow. For a fantasy that’s not unusual but I don’t expect that from a cozy fantasy. I kept putting it down rather than getting lost in the story. The vibes were ever so slightly off to make this a 5 star. I’d be interested to read more from this author though, this is a very fun idea.

While I loved the premise of this book, as well as the characters and overall theme of the book, I found myself questioning a lot of the plotline and the transitions within the story. I felt like there was a lot left unsaid on the page, which is fine in small doses, but I felt like the reader was left to fill in a lot of gaps that the narrative didn't exactly provide context for. A lot of chapter endings left me lost as to what was going on, and subsequent chapters didn't do much to help me find my way back. It was an enjoyable story, just with some confusing transitions.

This was such a fun, cozy, adorable story! It's a super adorable fantasy with some likable characters and adorable animal friends! The world of Tangleroot Valley had me wishing It existed in real life, as well as adorable Cat Dragons!

This was a gorgeous blend of whimsical fantasy and cozy, heartwarming vibes. For sure a good read to kick off Autumn.

I want to personally thank NetGalley, as well as the author, publisher, and anyone else involved in providing copies, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for granting me an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. It is out now!

3.5 stars, rounded up. This book tells the story of a witch named Aloysia who is a magicobotanist in the Tangleroot Valley. Aloysia spends her days tending to her gardens but one thing she has been missing is her cat dragon. In a world where most witchy folk bond with a cat dragon when they are kids, Aloysia is now in her thirties and has yet to find her own. But when she finally does, witchy shenanigans ensue Aloysia and her ragtag team are swept up in a quest to save the valley.

Overall, I think this was a fun, lighthearted read. I think the writing style definitely took time to get used to. The language is pretty verbose with very long sentences that often spanned entire paragraphs ( I did listen to some of this on audio and I do think it's better suited to audio than physical reading, in part because of the language). I was also often confused by the plot. The plot starts to shift part way from witch needs a cat dragon to witch is being blamed (in a way that really didn't make sense) for destroying the valley and goes on a quest to save it. I will say, I did really enjoy the characters (though they felt VERY young for how old they were supposed to be, especially the main leads). The world was very whimsical and I think the world building was very well-done.

I think if you like cozy, whimsical adventures you might like this one. And I highly recommend the audio!

Book review: Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch.
Published by Harper 360 | One More Chapter — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Reading Cat Dragon is like stepping into a world where your pumpkins gossip, your farm has opinions, and your most important relationship might be with a creature that is part kitten, part dragon, and fully unimpressed with your life choices. Samantha Birch delivers a charming, whimsical fantasy full of seasonal magic, snarky vegetables, and just the right amount of reluctant romance. It’s a story that cozies up next to you like a warm blanket—if that blanket occasionally caught fire and lectured you about your unfulfilled potential.

The heart of the story is Aloysia Papplewick, a witch in her thirties who has never quite hit her magical stride. While everyone else in Tangleroot Valley has bonded with their cat dragons and settled into their niche, Aloysia is still battling her pumpkin patch, struggling with a prickly little cat-dragon named Littlewick, and trying to make sense of a magical system that seems determined to leave her behind. Her life is messy, frustrating, and funny—and it feels real in a way that’s rare in fantasy. She’s not some chosen one; she’s just trying to do her job, tend her farm, and not get roasted (literally or metaphorically) by her peers.

Then there’s Hollis, the best friend’s brother who shows up like a walking contradiction—helpful and irritating, competent and infuriatingly good-looking. Their banter is crisp, the slow-burn is believable, and the romance builds organically from tension, mutual annoyance, and just the right amount of forced proximity. It’s enemies-to-lovers, cottagecore edition.

The worldbuilding in Cat Dragon is a double-edged wand. On one hand, it’s lush and imaginative—talking pumpkins, oversized magical guardians, a seasonal festival that feels like a mashup of Midsommar and your local harvest fair. The magic is rooted in the natural world and deeply connected to individual personality and practice. It’s cozy without being quaint, and fantastical without being overwhelming… until it is. Birch’s prose is lyrical and dense, sometimes so wrapped up in its own cleverness that it slows the story down. There were passages I had to reread not because I didn’t get it, but because the phrasing was so ornate it distracted me from what was actually happening.

And yet, there’s something undeniably satisfying about how much care went into every sentence. Birch doesn’t phone in a single description. Every flower, every creature, every sarcastic pumpkin line feels intentional. One of my favorite lines? “On the whole, Aloysia Papplewick was proud of this year’s crop of Prattling Pumpkins; but that didn’t mean that they were proud of her.” It’s the kind of opening that tells you exactly what kind of world you’re about to enter—one where nature talks back, nothing is quite as simple as it seems, and magic is less about wand-waving and more about stubborn self-trust.

The story leans heavily into atmosphere, with soft fall energy woven into every page. Think crunchy leaves, glowing lanterns, and a sense that even the shadows are friendly if you give them a name. This isn’t high fantasy with political intrigue or dark magic; it’s magic that hums under your feet and lingers in your tea. That said, don’t be fooled by the cozy exterior—there’s real emotional heft here. Aloysia’s journey isn’t just about fixing a broken Guardian or surviving a magical quest. It’s about letting go of what she’s supposed to be and leaning into who she actually is. The romance is sweet, but it never takes over the plot. Instead, it complements the bigger arc of self-worth and belonging.

The pacing is uneven, especially in the first half, where exposition occasionally weighs down the flow. There are moments where the story feels like it’s meandering more than moving, and some readers may find the prose a bit too self-indulgent. But once the quest kicks in, the book settles into a groove. From mountain caves to magical mishaps, from cryptic visions to surprisingly tender conversations with familiars, the journey is full of small, satisfying moments.

And then there’s Littlewick. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to raise a kitten who breathes fire and judges your every decision with a twitch of its tail, you’ll love this tiny menace. He’s not just a pet—he’s a character with opinions, agendas, and (possibly) a vendetta. The relationship between Aloysia and Littlewick is one of the best parts of the book, starting with mutual frustration and slowly blooming into trust and loyalty. Honestly, if you’re not sold by the end, you might be a prattling pumpkin yourself.

Ultimately, Cat Dragon is a whimsical, slow-burning fantasy about finding your magic, even when the world insists you’ve missed your window. It’s cozy and clever, sentimental without being saccharine, and filled with characters who feel like they wandered in from your favorite fairy tale and stayed for tea. If you like Studio Ghibli vibes, seasonal magic, and fantasy with emotional depth wrapped in whimsy, this is your book.