Name: Renacera (Signed) · Date: 25 Feb 2021 10:59 AM · For: Chapter 1

Oh my gosh, this is so cute. 

I'm absolutely thrilled about this story. :D  I love that Crookshanks is this Legend around the Muggle neighborhood and that he even has a sidekick of sorts in Sassy. And I adore that he has a nemesis! And not just a nemesis, a bulldog! xD  I laughed so hard at the ridiculousness of their confrontation.

Have you seen the movie Cats and Dogs? It's very similar to this insofar as the animals have these secret double lives and are living this spy movie/war while the humans are totally oblivious to it all, haha. It's a pretty funny movie, despite being absurdly over-the-top. 

So, great job with your characterization of our half-kneazle friend and with his growing notoriety around the neighborhood! Oh to be a cat(-ish) with free reign of a kingdom! :D

Well done!
—Emily


*for the Fairyland review event*

Author's Response:

Thanks. I have seen Cats and Dogs, but I was, honestly, thinking more Looney Tunes cartoons as I wrote this.

Name: Oregonian (Signed) · Date: 22 Feb 2021 05:08 AM · For: Chapter 2: Pied Fwooper of Hamlin

Hi, Barbara.

 

I love this story.  It's so much fun.  A mystery (Who is this Hamlin?), a crisis (the little animals are falling under the Fwooper's spell), the desperate effort by the hero to save them all, the first plan than doesn't work (What will Crookhanks do now?) the brilliant plan thought up on the spur of the moment, and eventually the enthralled animals joining in the fight to save themselves.  

 

What an adventure!  Crookshanks is brave and smart.  And he didn't use magic this time, just his own strength and wits.  It was good to see that the animals who joined together to defeat the enemy were celebrating together at the end, even though many of them are natural adversaries and predator/prey.  Tomorrow it will all be back to normal, I'm sure.  But for one day, even Crookshanks and Tody can shake hands and say "Even."

 

I'm always impressed when I read something that's really original and I can say, "I haven't read anything like this before."

 

Good job!

 

Vicki

Snow Foxes

Author's Response:

Thanks for the review.

Name: Oregonian (Signed) · Date: 22 Feb 2021 04:52 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hi, Barbara.

 

I'm here for the Winter in Fairyland Reviewing Event, to give you a review on this story that promises to be quite entertaining.

 

Crookshanks sounds like a tough customer. full of self-confidence but friendly with other cats.  He says, "I can take that stupid canine [Toby ] anytime."  Sassy has no idea the tricks that Crookshanks has 'up his sleeve'.  I like the way you compare Toby the bulldog to Wile E Coyote as regards his inventiveness in planning ways to get the best of the cat.

 

Of course this is all tongue-in-cheek absurdities,  Not only do cats and dogs talk in your story, but Toby has managed to get ahold of a tape player and has made (or otherwise obtained) a tape of Hermione's voice.  That's pretty good, since Hermione has been away at school for a long time.  Toby must have been planning this job for months.  He thinks he can't fail.  He even has tape or rope in his doghouse in readiness.

 

We are all rooting for Crrokshanks to escape somehow, but I did not expect the exploding doghouse.  That's a good image -- the three dogs running from the doghouse whimpering with their tails between their legs.  Despite their technical prowess, in the end they're just dogs.

 

So I guess that Crookshanks does have magic after all, though the other cats can't believe that. "Nine lives" makes more sense.

 

A simple story like a cartoon, and in the end, like in the cartoons, nobody is injured.   A fun chapter.  Thank you  for writing.

 

Vicki

Snow Foxes

Author's Response:

Thanks for the review. You're right. It's a lot like a Looney Tunes cartoon.

Name: RonsGirlFriday (Signed) · Date: 21 Feb 2021 03:56 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hi Barbara, I’m here for the fairyland reviewing event!

I love that you’re doing a little series of stories about Crookshanks and his hijinks at home. I always do wonder what the life of a cat is like, just patrolling the neighborhood and tormenting dogs, happy as can be.

I enjoyed the anthropomorphization and the cartoonish silliness of Toby’s plot here with the voice recorder — truly a very Wile E. Coyote-esque stunt.

I also always wondered what exactly the magic of a kneazle is!

I also loved the irony at the end where Crookshanks tells Sassy he used magic and she didn’t believe him, so then he said, “9 lives,” and she was like, “Oh, ok, that makes sense” — ha!

 

Melanie

Author's Response:

Thank you for the review, Melanie. I'm not sure what magic a kneazle has but as I add more chapters to the story, perhaps we'll figure it out.

Name: Raspberry_cordelia (Signed) · Date: 11 Aug 2020 02:30 AM · For: Chapter 2: Pied Fwooper of Hamlin

Hi Barbara!  Hope you're staying safe.  Back for more amazing Crookshanks and also for the Gryffinclaw Take Flight Review Event!

 

Aww, this was a really sweet chapter, and for whatever reason, it reminded me a lot of the bulldog from Tom and Jerry.  No reason.  It just did.  Once again, I am very impressed by how well you've crafted your animal characters - you're really only going off of physical behaviour in canon, and the personality is a very different thing.  It's super cool how you've perfectly captured the mindset of a kneazle such as Crookshanks!

 

I loved how you incorporated fwoopers into this story!  They certainly do not sound like a creature I ever want to come across, but it was very interesting to read about!

 

Crookshanks is very nice in this story actually, revealing his horrific singing voice to the rest of the world lol.  And aww, he makes friends-ish with Toby!  That's very adorable.

 

An excellent, chapter, if I may say so myself!

 

Much love,

Raspberry <3

Author's Response:

Thanks Raspberry. Glad you enjoyed it.

Name: Raspberry_cordelia (Signed) · Date: 06 Aug 2020 05:38 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hi Barbara!  Hope you're doing well.  Here for the Gryffinclaw Take Flight Review Event, and also because I want to see why Crookshanks is an amazing half-kneazle!

 

I loved this short little story.  It was super adorable, and I'm super impressed by how realistically you got into the mind of a literal cat!! TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.  No, honestly, I think your narration was really nice.  Aww, and it's really cute that Crookshanks doesn't need the magic of Hogwarts to be entertained, he's just happy to be in the presence of other cats :)

 

Aww, poor Crookshanks, being chased around by that dog :(  Oof, I have to admit, Toby was kind of smart.  Still not cool though, Toby!  YAY CROOKSHANKS!! Go stand up for yourself!

 

Lmaoo the ending was so cute!

 

Hugs,

Raspberry <3

Author's Response:

Thanks Raspberry! Crookshanks is such a fun character to write about.

Name: juls (Signed) · Date: 21 Jul 2020 03:05 AM · For: Chapter 2: Pied Fwooper of Hamlin

Dear Barbara!

Thanks so much for writing this and gifting it to me. I'll treasure it always, for it's so lovely.

 

Crookshanks makes such a terrific hero, doesn't he? He made the ultimate sacrifice by singing to his friends and his enemies. I'm just glad that Toby was there to catch young Sassy so she didn't get hurt beyond a sprained paw. While I don't expect a Crokkshanks-Toby bromance to suddenly pop up in the queue, it's nice to think that they partnered up together just that once.

 

Because, of course, Toby did try and kill Crookshanks. Crook has the right to be wary of that paw of friendship.

 

This was truly delightful. A worthy second chapter that keeps me begging for more. Cause who doesn't love a kitty story.

 

Thanks again, Barbara. <3 <3 <3

Author's Response:

Hey Juls, 

I was walking down the beach, trying desparately to think of a gift for the House Cup gift exchange. Then I remembered that you loved the Crookshanks, so Crookshanks needed another enemy. Who was worse than Toby etc. etc. By the time I finished my walk, the story was written in my head. Glad you enjoyed the 2nd chapter too.

Name: magemadi (Signed) · Date: 14 Jul 2020 06:31 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hi barbara! This is too effing cute as a day in the life type thing for crookshanks when he’s home with hermione for the summer holidays, but i want more of this so bad! The dialogue between all of the creatures is great and adds some comedy to this piece especially because it's surprising (to me at least?) that the cats and dogs understand each other perfectly well, but maybe that’s because i’ve never had either as a pet :P crookshanks having a little minion follower in sassy the calico cat is adorable, and i’m glad they are besties and she fills him in on all the neighborhood gossip; it seems appropriate and also feels very suburban wine mom of her to do that *joy emoji* okay loved this byeeee

 

~Madi

Broom racing

Author's Response:

Of course cats and dogs can communicate each other. Haven't you ever watched Looney Tunes cartoons?  Thanks for the review. 

Name: shadowycorner (Signed) · Date: 13 Jul 2020 01:07 PM · For: Chapter 1

Holy cow (or should I say kneazle-cat? :D) ! This made me grin so much. Crookshanks is such a brilliant creature and I loved this little fairy tale-ish piece about him. The fact that he as a reputation, friends and enemies, back in Hermione's neighborhood is amazing and now a headcanon. And Toby sounds like a douche, no wonder he's such a mean dog. I liked how Crookshanks compared him to Will E Coyote because that means Crookshanks knows the cartoon and how does he know the cartoon? All I'm imagining right now is Crookshanks turning the tv on by pressing the remote when the Grangers are out and watching it because WHY NOT HE'S A KNEAZLE! But I mean I gotta also give it to Toby, maybe he has some magic blood in him too, coming up with the scheme of faking Hermione's voice. It was quite hilarious to see these animals scheming and plotting against one another just like in the cartoons I watched growing up.

 

The ending is glorious, with Crookshanks being smooth af, saying "Why magic, of course!". Also LOL at Sassy not believing it but being absolutely reassured that it's the nine lives thing. This was funny and super adorable, thank you for writing this! <3

 

Eli

Author's Response:

Of course, Crookshanks knows Wile E. Coyote. Where else would he get all his ideas against Toby hie nemesis? Of course, Toby might be getting his ideas from the same place. I'm so glad you noticed the ending and believing nine lives versus magic. It was a big quick and I was worried that I should have stretched it out a bit more. Thank you for reviewing.

Name: TidalDragon (Signed) · Date: 12 Jul 2020 07:02 PM · For: Chapter 1

Howdy! I am stopping by the 19-20 HC!

 

I was really psyched when I clicked in to see that the story would actually be told from Crookshanks' POV. I wondered how you would handle it, but I think you did a really good job of putting personality into Crookshanks. Obviously we get some of those vibes from canon and from the fact that Crookshanks is kneazle, but you handled the voice of this arrogant creature really well. And there were the voices of the other animals like Toby who you can almost see as this bumbling version of a crime boss.

 

I forgot to mention about the personality that I love the way Crookshanks trolls Toby. It being something of the spark for what (almost) happens in the end is too funny.

 

Thanks for sharing!

Author's Response:

Crookshanks--arrogant? Do you think so? Well, maybe a little bit, but he's a rather knowledgable kneazle, so I doubt the neighborhood muggle animals can come close to him. Thank you for the review.

Name: juls (Signed) · Date: 29 Jun 2020 04:14 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hey, Barb, I'm here to review you for the HC 2020 Finale, to help build the sandcastle. But I'd be here anyhow, cause this was bloody fantastic.

 

You know I'm a cat lover, and just seeing this is about our love, Crookshanks had me clicking!

 

You're portrayal of his and his friend Sassy is great. I smell a romance down the line, or is that hopeful wishing? Anyhow, she makes a great friend and foil for our half-kneazle tom. It is always nice to have friends to come home to, and someone who can give him all the news and gossip of the goings-on while he'd been away.

As for Toby. Bad form hiring two dobies to do his dirty work. It was lovely how Crookshanks got his revenge and 'took out' the competition in the way he did.

Boom. Flying dog house parts everywhere. It was so Cats versus Dogs splendor, I can't wait to see if there's a squeal to this madness.

 

Again, Barb, I loved this and it's a great addition to the archives.

 

<3juls

Author's Response:

Juls,

I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. Sometimes ideas just pop into your brain during the pressure of house events. No, I didn't imagine a romance. I pictured them more of a role model/star struck younger cat relationship.