Cat Navigators of Solara by R. H. Ryhenced is a middle grade book which includes images and is fairly short. This is good for younger readers and those who are starting to dive deeper into chapter books. The visuals are done in a way that looks partially painted and not as structured as other forms of illustrations, but I feel like this is done purposely as it adds to the aesthetic of the story.

As for my overall view of this story, it comes off a little too preachy, which is an automatic negative for me. There are ways to express the importance of topics so it is received naturally and not forced. With that being said, I continued on and things didn’t get a whole lot better, but there is a good story rooted in there. It would be much better if it wasn’t so straightforward/on the nose. Even if it is meant for a younger audience, it doesn’t have to be this is this and that is that. Tweens will understand nuances. There’s a lot of potential for this book and the concept is actually super cool, which is what drew me in in the first place.

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Cat Navigators of Solara from R. H. Ryhenced via NetGalley

One thing I love is a good fantasy I love a book that can make me forget what's going on in the world and go into an imaginative world where the impossible happens and you meet characters and creatures you would never meet for real and this book had ot all

I love cats that's what initially drew me to this book. What got me to stay was the unique solar steampunk world. The book can be a little environmentally preachy at some points but I think it's more noticeable to adult readers. I don't think the target audience of younger readers will find a problem with this. I could see this book being used in an english class when talking about utopian futures and environmental issues.

An educational adventure with cats and futuristic elements. 🐱

I'm certainly not the target audience for this book, which I imagine is the 8-12 age range. That's why I missed more character development. I'm used to reading books written for "young kids" (I loved Percy Jackson, for example) and I don't think this one will appeal to older readers because of that.

A positive point of the book is that it brings up several scientific concepts and about environmental preservation. My younger self would certainly love that part.

🚀 Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

What a title, it caught my attention as it will it’s intended audience. This is an exciting fantasy children’s book with the environment and team building underlying the story. This is definitely written for children, adults would probably find it too simplistic, but the language and style of writing is perfectly suited to younger readers. The artwork adds to this. At the end of hace chapter there is a nice summary of what has taken places, and some positive thoughts about the team building aspects. I can see this being useful in the classroom, or with parents wanting to chat about what the reader has understood about the story, and how it might be a useful skill to have. Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley; the opinion below is my fully independent one (of a person way outside the target age group but who reads children's literature out of scholarly interest).

I decided to try this book for the esthetics. Solarpunk, huh? Never heard this term before, but it makes sense, continuing the line of "steampunk" and "cyberpunk," to call the stories set in a world with this futuristic esthetics, tech running on solar energy, carbon-catching recycled materials, vertical gardens and so on - "solarpunk." What else? Tech-enhanced cats, who can voice out their thoughts thanks to AI! The cat characters are the best that there is in this story: fully intelligent creatures who sarcastically tease one another for their remaining habits more suitable for house pets.

So, there's a team called Cat Navigators: two cats, five (young) humans, who live in the futuristic city of Solara and whose vocation is to explore mysterious ruins and bring back artifacts for the city council. One day they are following some leads and searching for additional information in the library and find a clue from some 12 thousand years ago - about a potential location of the city of an ancient civilization called the Progenitors who once inhabited these lands but then disappeared. So their next mission is to explore the location, obviously!

But, unfortunately, it takes more to create a compelling story than just a cool idea of a setting and a couple of characters with interesting interpersonal dynamics. For instance, it is usually much more attention-grapping if the narrative arc is based on a conflict and its resolution but anything similar to a plot-propelling conflict only appears about halfway the text. The writing style is also way too often that of "tell, don't show" and it feels like the narrator doesn't know much more about the characters and their world than what the text directly says, so there are no background motivations that would inform the characters' actions. The entire first chapter (just as not to go further and give out spoilers for the chapters further along the way) is spent claiming that each of the characters is excited that today is the day to go to the library and then infodumping about their city and the tech they use. Clearly, the visit to the library is only necessary in the plot for the characters to find the map. But that is framed as an accidental discovery! What was the motivation to go to the library in the first place, what were the questions that led them there - made them apply and wait for months for the approved day, hence the mentioned excitement? Every person (human or augmented cat alike), at every moment of their existence on the pages of a book, are on a way from somewhere to somewhere, even if what is important for the remaining story will totally derail their previous trajectory on the next page. And there is no difference with that regard whether this is a children's adventure story or a serious self-conscious writing for sophisticated adults. The psychological complexity of those motivations and the number of simultaneously active motivations might differ but not the fact that they should exist. If anything, it's sophisticated postmodern literary fiction that shouts "look at me, these are not real people, these are just letters on a piece of paper" that is allowed to go free with the unmotivated cardboard figures, to make a metaliterary point. Us adult literary scholars are actually more forgiving in that regard than actual children who are intensively told that they should care about a character's quest but not provided a single reason to do so, not knowing what that character believes their quest to be. It just makes me sad when categorizing a book as children's literature serves as a justification for lazy writing.

This book actually touches upon some really important topics: the nature of the greater good; is any utopia doomed to stagnation; monopolization of power and knowledge; excessive reliance on technology. But I am not sure that two cats' lovely sarcastic bickering is enough to keep the reader's attention long enough for the story to arrive at the point when they are discussed.

2 stars.

Couldn’t finish it.

Introduction and the about the author section heavily implied that the entire book would be preachy. When I read I the synopsis of the book, I did not realize that environmentalism would be mentioned in every page.

Introduction was not formatted properly (not sure if it was because I read from a Netgalley copy?) World building seemed decent.

I enjoyed how well the fantasy and solarpunk elements worked together to tell a interesting story, the characters were everything that I expected and was hooked from the first page. I thought the world was a unique concept and enjoyed the use of a eco-adventure in this. The characters had that element of alien that I was hoping for and was glad I got to read this. R. H. Ryhenced has a strong writing style and I would be happy to read more in this world.

“Cat Navigators of Solara: Eira’s Epic Journey” with the aid of R. H. Ryhenced is a charming combination of solarpunk, cli-fi, and fantasy that takes readers on an eco-journey thru a global of sun-powered wonders and ancient mysteries. The tale follows Eira and her group of cybernetically-more desirable Cat Navigators as they embark on a perilous adventure to uncover the secrets of the lost metropolis of the Progenitors.

Pros:

Innovative Setting: The solarpunk and cli-fi factors create a completely unique and imaginative international this is each futuristic and environmentally aware.
Dynamic Characters: The diverse forged of characters, including each people and cybernetic cats, every deliver specialized abilities which are important to the undertaking.
Engaging Plot: The narrative is packed with interesting adventures, deadly traps, and tough puzzles that keep readers on the threshold in their seats.
Eco-Conscious Themes: The e book promotes sustainability and environmental attention, making it a concept-provoking read for eco-conscious readers.
Rich World-Building: The detailed descriptions of Solara City and the ancient civilization of the Progenitors upload depth and richness to the tale.
Cons:

Pacing Issues: Some readers would possibly locate the pacing uneven, with sure sections feeling rushed while others drag on.
Complex Terminology: The use of technical jargon related to the solarpunk and cli-fi factors is probably difficult for some readers.
Character Development: While the characters are various and exciting, some may sense that their development is rather superficial.
Overall Impression: “Cat Navigators of Solara” is a thrilling and innovative journey that mixes factors of myth, technological know-how fiction, and environmentalism. The ebook’s strengths lie in its progressive putting, dynamic characters, and tasty plot. However, it does have some pacing issues and complicated terminology that could detract from the general revel in for some readers. Despite those minor drawbacks, it's far a compelling examine that gives a fresh angle on eco-adventures and the importance of sustainability.

For fanatics of solarpunk and cli-fi, “Cat Navigators of Solara” is a ought to-study that guarantees an unforgettable journey thru a global where technology and nature coexist harmoniously.