the cats of queens: a tale of extraordinary felines

＂Queens, New York. A brutal winter. A band of street cats. One rule: survive together-or not at all.＂

Beneath the towering skyline of Queens, a different kind of community struggles to survive. In The Cats of Queens, the story unfolds through the eyes of its street cat residents: Cosmo, a battle-scarred warrior; Aura, whose boundless love holds their family together; Karma, a wise elder; and Zuzu, a once-pampered house cat now thrust into a world she never imagined. Along with two housecat allies-Murphy, a food-loving optimist, and Josephine, whose tough exterior hides a heart of gold-they form an unbreakable bond.

As one of the harshest winters in years threatens their survival, they must combine their strengths and instincts to endure. Together, they discover that family is not defined by blood but by those who stand beside you in your darkest moments.
When tragedy strikes, their bonds are tested but ultimately strengthened-especially as romance blossoms between Aura and newcomer Finn, bringing new hope in the form of six precious kittens. Raw, powerful, and deeply moving, this novel explores universal themes of survival, belonging, and the unbreakable ties of family. Through loss, hardship, and bitter cold, these extraordinary cats prove that love and loyalty can overcome any challenge-and that the families we create can be stronger than those we’re born into.

★★★★★ ＂Beautifully Observed Character Study＂ Carmen Schmidt
I was stunned by how invested I became in these feline characters. The author has a remarkable gift for crafting distinct personalities that leap off the page-Cosmo’s gruff exterior concealing a deeply loyal heart, Aura’s nurturing nature balanced with street-smart practicality, Karma’s wisdom as the elder, and Zuzu’s transformation from naivety to becoming a capable, resourceful cat. The portrayal of Queens through seasons feels authentic and lived-in, with details that only a keen observer of urban life would notice. What impressed me most was the novel’s handling of loss and grief, particularly surrounding Karma’s storyline, which is approached with dignity and emotional truth rather than sentimentality. The writing moves at a perfect pace, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the survival narrative. This is ultimately a story about finding your place in a world that wasn’t designed for you-something many of us can relate to, regardless of species.