Shardai, a YA fantasy

Blurb

Shardai is a large sleek cat with attitude. He has the courage of a tiger and the disdain of a king. The fearless feline has only one weakness…his guardian. He would do anything, including coming back from the afterlife, for her.

Excerpt

“We will put it to a vote. All those in favor of allowing Shardai to return to earth raise your right paw.”

Four paws shot up. Nefret’s, Lolita’s, Luna’s and Frodo’s stayed flat on the table.

Shardai felt his muscles tighten, as he looked at Ramses. He was so close. He had to get back to his beloved mistress. He strode round the table till he stood directly in front of Ramses.

The Abyssian’s golden eyes narrowed. “I distrust that look, Shardai. Don’t think to sway me with one of your pretty speeches.”

Shardai leaned his front paws on the table and looked into Ramses eyes, his expression intense, his long tail swishing. “I never beg or plead, though I would in this case if I thought it would get me home to her. Instead, I ask you to remember, fifty years when you died. The boy was what, twelve, thirteen? Trembling on the threshold of young adulthood and he still cried into his pillow every night for two weeks for his beloved Ramses. And even after all these years speaks fondly of you to his grandchildren. The bond was there, Ramses, you knew it, you felt it. You know what its like. There were cats and dogs that came after you over the years but no one took your place. That corner of his heart he locked away and you’ll always reside there.”
Shardai felt the gaze of the council on him, but focused on the Abyssinian, who held his fate in his paws.

A warm light breeze ruffled the cats’ fur but neither Shardai nor Ramses felt it, their eyes locked. The silence stretched out for several heartbeats.

Shardai’s gut tightened and the nerve endings under his skin quivered and jumped. Just as he opened his mouth to hiss out his rage and pain, Ramses shoulders slumped and he threw up his paws. “If this is what you wish, so be it. He stood up, tall and regal, the sun at his back, glistening on his fur as he began to chant:

“For troubled shores now thee leave

Man’s imperfections to receive

With mortals weakened, faulty shell

So shall ye among them dwell”

Ramses paw shot out rigidly in front of him.

Shardai was gone, leaving a wisp of blue smoke floating in the spot he had inhabited only moments before.

Review

With a deep knowledge of cats and their ways, Sandra Cox writes a story told from the point of view of a cat that will touch you deeply and stay with you forever. You will never again look at cats in quite the same way. The bonds of love between humans and their animal companions, as well as the love between animals for each other, are a wonder to behold.

I truly recommend this book for young adults, as an eye opener to the wonder of cats, their unique personalities, the dangers they face and the kindness we can show them. I read Shardai with a smile on my face, a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat. This is a story that truly deserves to be placed amongst the classics.

Angela Verdenius

Heart & Soul

sci-fi/futuristic romance

Shardai can be purchased in e or paperback at www.wings-press.com