Book Review: STRAY CAT STRUT by Raven's Dagger
STRAY CAT STRUT by Raven's Dagger is a LitRPG cyberpunk novel that was originally published as a web serial but was late released on Amazon as a novel series. The premise is that the Earth is a typical cyberpunk dystopia with megacorps ruling the land, immense poverty, and cool toys mostly available to the rich. The two big differences are that mankind is being invaded by an aggressive dimension-hopping plant species called the Antithesis and a race called the Protectors that has uplifted a bunch of humans ala the Guardians from the Destiny franchise.
Catherine "Cat" Leblanc is a woman who runs an orphanage for disabled children with her girlfriend, Lucy, when they find themselves caught in the middle of an alien incursion. Empowered by the Protectors with an AI that allows her to summon weapons and armor out of thin air if she has the "points." What is the only way to make points? By shooting up the aliens invading the Earth!
Stray Cat Strut is a primarily action-heavy science fiction novel that doesn't take itself seriously but has a few very clever bits. Raven's Dagger doesn't mind calling out wealth inequality in a kind of Paul Verhoven-esque way. There's a lot being said about how it sucks to be poor and corporations taking over, but it's done as jokes, and I think that's a lot more acceptable to casual readers than being bombarded with lectures. Cat is also an out and proud lesbian with a long-term girlfriend as well as care for a dozen children that would otherwise be on the streets, which shouldn't be a statement but is.
The action is the primary centerpiece of the story and most of the book consists of Cat trying to fight ger way through the museum while learning how to master her variety of weapons as well as the point system. It feels very much like a video game tutorial and the subsequent early levels, which is exactly the point. This is meant to be brain candy and aside from the occasional dig at looter capitalism, is just harmless fun.
For those looking for a heavy amount of LitRPG material, this is probably not the series for them. Cat ‘levels up’ by gaining new armor and equipment while remaining a relatively fragile human without any change to her physical or skill abilities. The point system is easy to understand but not really that stat-intensive. I love Cat’s relationship with her AI as it is a cat-obsessed oddball that reminds me of a good version of Guilty Spark from Halo.
In conclusion, this is a fun and enjoyable LitRPG. I prefer the audiobook version of Stray Cat Strut as it is better than the ebook version due to the latter's odd formatting. Also, I really like the narrator. The LitRPG elements are somewhat mild, but the action is well-written, and the characters are likable. Plus, I love all the satirical cyberpunk bits. This is an excellent book for reading for fun and an easy introduction to indie. cyberpunk.
