KADEN'S MONSTER by Barbara Elsborg

4* Been waiting for this one for a few years, and it didn't disappoint. 

This book isn't the first Sci-fi tale from BE, but it's definitely unique - what sweet, lovely Joe is forced to do will make your eyes water, both times, and yes, he's tortured by it, but his instinct to live, by whatever means possible, means that it's inevitable. And, I think the part of him he left behind, definitely did its thing along the way for Kaden. 

I don't know who I liked more. Gentle Kaden with his great dad and a great relationship with his dad, or lovely Joe who literally had no one and nothing to his name. I know who I didn't like - the ex, but for once, him not getting Scorpio-level-satisfaction comeuppance sat OK with me. I was hoping he wouldn't turn even more dastardly with the hitchhikers he'd picked up, but nope, Marmite al rescate! 

The book ends well, many years down the line. The boys are happy cat slaves. Joe's brain is helping him help humanity, but not in a showy way - Muskrat and Bozo could do well to learn from him. The freebie short that's available from the author's website is the icing on the cake - make sure you don't miss it! 



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