PLANET OF THE CATS

A boy finds danger, adventure, and friendship on an Earth ruled by felines in Ness’ middle-grade SF novel, one in a series.

In this entertaining sequel to the SF adventure Rolo the Pet Earthling (2023), 13-year-old Rolo escapes the planet Blorx (where “hoomans” are pets) and lands on Earth, accompanied by his brainy, one-eyed, multi-limbed companion Quiggles. Expecting to meet free “hoomans,” Rolo learns that felines now dominate the Earth. After being hauled to the vet for a rough tongue bath and vaccinations, he is taken before a judge who rules that, because he’s beyond his “cute years” and too old to be adopted, he is to be locked up in the “Litterpool Pound for Stray Hoomans.” Rolo escapes, stows away on a sky-ship belonging to the elephantlike Madame Marvelli and her Fantastical Flying Circus, and is discovered by prickly 11-year-old human Ailey, who performs with the troupe. Ailey agrees to help him find the legendary home of Earthlings who went underground generations before. The book is a wild ride filled with humor and action, but Ness adds emotional depth with Rolo’s inherent optimism, the pain behind Ailey’s prickliness, and the reasons for Madam Marvelli’s kindness and understanding (and bounty hunter Wicks’ cruelty). Feline behavioral quirks are delightfully on display: Wicks (whose apelike minions’ repartee is a hoot) is distracted by a laser pointer; a cat watches “funny hooman” videos; a tabby baker blissfully kneads dough; Rolo’s judge deliberately knocks a cup of pens off the bench; and a human catnip smuggler is sentenced to scoop litter boxes. There’s a bit of shivery horror in the mix, too, as the author (in the voice of an unnamed feline narrator) explains that humans’ rampant genetic tinkering in the 2100s led the now-sentient cats to rebel during the “Night of the Billion Claws,” reducing humanity by two thirds and ushering in the “great Felion Empire.” The epilogue includes an intriguing teaser for the next book in the series, involving Rolo’s encounter with a pirate crew of outcast canine “houndrels.” Komarenko’s vivid, imaginatively conceived digital illustrations complement the action.

An enjoyable SF fantasy with a likable young protagonist, memorable characters, heart, and humor.