Can you imagine a world without cats? Jon Blake has in The Last Free Cat. In a far future Britain, sixteen-year-old Jade found a cat that had wandered into her backyard that she cannot resist keeping even though it is forbidden by the autocratic government. When the HN51 flu passed from a cat to a human in Surinam the world’s governments reacted swiftly to destroy infected cats and restrict cat ownership giving two giant corporations, Viafara and Chen, control of the breeding, vaccinating, and sale of cats, charging up to two million euros. Even though her family was relatively wealthy before the death of her father, they could never have afforded a cat. She convinces her mother to let her keep the cat, whom they name Feela, promising that she will keep her hidden. When an antagonistic boy from school discovers her secret, a series of tragic events is set in motion beginning with a raid by comprot (community protection) followed by the death of her mother, and ending with Jade on the run with Feela and Kris heading toward Ireland where there is a free cat community. The action will keep readers engaged and the well-imagined world will get kids thinking about the role of government and large corporations in the world today. ( )

In a world where we are used to hearing about the government controlling resources, or monopolies on products, or epidemic scares such at the swine flu, this book rings true in a lot of ways. Using such a commonplace thing as a cat to represent the governmental and corporate control of a resource really brings to light how much we take for granted and how fast it can be taken away. The addition of the deadly cat virus just shows that much more how dependent we are on what information the government chooses to share and how we can be manipulated as a society by introduction of an extreme fear.

I would recommend this for readers who enjoy realistic dystopian stories.

3.5 out of 5 stars. ( )

A most unusual dystopian novel with a fast-paced, thrilling narrative and fascinating premise that explores big, dark ideas but also has some nice touches of humor. Gripping and provocative. ( )

while the writing is patchy in places this is an interesting story.

set in England in the undisclosed future, the powers that be have declared that all cats are anathema. HN51, or cat flu, is supposedly the cause of millions of deaths and as a result most cats were destroyed. (which is terrible). Jade and her mom find a cat in their garden one night and let her into their home. this triggers a series of events that turns Jade's life upside down. she finds herself on the run with an unlikely ally and her illegal cat.

an interesting take on how our fears control us and how much we are influenced by what the media shows us.

I'd also like to note that I read this with a cat on my lap. the irony is not lost on me. ( )

Blake's attempt at a YA dystopian fiction story is most definitely a failure. The premise for the story is interested in a middle-grade, intro to dystopia kind of way. The plot is full of holes, the characters are ridiculous, the actions that the protagonists take are not believable, the story is really just laughable. I did not like it, no matter how much I tried. ( )