To Visit the Queen

To Visit the Queen is a fantasy steampunk novel that follows a group of feline wizards in Victorian-era Britain. The cats must prevent an alternate timeline where nuclear weapons are developed far too early in history. The story combines elements of magic, time travel, and historical fiction as the feline protagonists navigate both the supernatural world and Victorian London. The cats interact with significant historical figures while working to maintain the proper flow of time and prevent catastrophe. This sequel to The Book of Night with Moon showcases Duane's world where cats serve as guardians and wizards protecting reality itself. The novel integrates British historical elements with fantastical worldbuilding and complex magical systems. The book explores themes of responsibility, power, and the delicate balance between progress and destruction through its unique lens of feline magic-users in a steampunk setting.

Readers consider this a solid follow-up to The Book of Night with Moon, though not quite reaching the heights of the first book. Readers praise: - The historical research and Victorian London setting - Character development of Rhiow and her feline team - Complex plot involving time travel mechanics - Integration of multiple mythologies - Humor and clever dialogue Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - More complicated plot that some found hard to follow - Less emotional impact than the first book - Some felt the historical elements overshadowed the cat characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (50+ reviews) Multiple readers noted they needed to re-read certain sections to fully grasp the time travel elements. One reviewer said "The Victorian era details are meticulously researched but sometimes bog down the narrative." Another praised how the book "makes you think differently about cats you see on the street."

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher Talking cats with supernatural abilities join airship crews in a steampunk world to prevent catastrophic threats to their society.

The Warrior Cats: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter Cats with mystical powers form complex societies and engage in epic quests to protect their territories and maintain cosmic balance.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy A streetwise London cat forms alliances with literary figures like Charles Dickens while navigating Victorian-era intrigue.

The Wild Road by Gabriel King Cats traverse magical highways through time and space while protecting ancient feline powers from dark forces.

Mort by Terry Pratchett Time manipulation and reality-altering magic combine with British humor in a story about maintaining cosmic order.

🔹 Diane Duane began her career writing Star Trek novels, penning several acclaimed entries in the franchise before creating her own original fantasy series 🔹 The book's Victorian London setting coincides with the period when cats were first officially employed by the British Post Office to control mice, a practice that continued until 2007 🔹 The concept of feline wizards draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian mythology, where cats were considered magical beings and the goddess Bastet was depicted as a powerful feline deity 🔹 The novel's steampunk elements reflect the real Victorian era's rapid technological advancement, during which Britain experienced its Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914) 🔹 "To Visit the Queen" shares its time travel and historical preservation themes with Connie Willis' "To Say Nothing of the Dog," another celebrated science fiction novel set in Victorian England