Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is pure cozy fantasy magic. From the very first page, Tangleroot Valley came alive with charm, whimsy, and the kind of enchantment that wraps around you like a warm quilt on a crisp autumn night. Aloysia Papplewick is a heroine I couldn’t help but adore—flawed, funny, and wonderfully relatable as she navigates magical mishaps, meddling pumpkins, and the chaos of her unbonded cat dragon.

The story strikes a perfect balance of heart, humor, and adventure. The Harvest Festival setting brims with cozy seasonal atmosphere, and the quest with Hollis adds just the right spark of tension and slow-burn romance. The world feels both whimsical and deeply lived-in, reminding me of Studio Ghibli’s charm and Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop, while still being completely its own.

I laughed, I sighed, I rooted for every magical twist—and I never wanted it to end. If you love cottagecore vibes, talking pumpkins, and a fantasy that feels like coming home, Cat Dragon is a new favorite. Completely delightful!

Thank you very much for allowing me to read the arc of Cat Dragon

I fully enjoyed Cat Dragon, it was everything I wanted. I loved the storyline. I found Crow hilarious with his one liners.
It's so cozy I really want my own cat dragon smelling of maple syrup and pancakes.
I loved it so much I have the special edition and I also bought the audiobook Ezra Saifie bring Samantha Birch's story to life, she does the voices so well and gets Crows sass down to a tee.
Absolutely love everything about this novel and would recommend to everyone.

Cat Dragon is a cute and cosy book, in a cute and cosy world, with cute and cosy creatures. The vibes are peak autumnal/spooky season with magic, witches, a sassy crow companion, adorable familiars (that are both cat and dragon), talking pumpkins and a quest. There’s a sense of found family and a diverse cast of characters with a sweet best friends brother romance…on paper it has all the elements that make up some of my favourite reads.

Unfortunately, this didn’t quite deliver as I’d hoped- I felt that, while the world was magical and diverse, there wasn’t the worldbuilding that I needed so I felt a little lost and I wanted to know more about the different places and cultures. I also struggled to stay invested and ended up feeling a little bored and slumpy because the book felt like it had come to a natural conclusion and things were being resolved but then there was a whole second stint of questing that personally I felt dragged the book out a bit :(

Despite this, this was still a light and fun read that many fans of cosy fantasy and romance will enjoy!

Okay this book was so cozy and cute! I loved getting into this book and just being immersed in this whimsical fantasy that feels perfect for going into the fall season! The writing was cute, my brain was off, and I absolutely just enjoyed this book in one sitting!

The cast of characters in this book were phenomenally written and I had so much fun reading this book!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is such a delightful and whimsical read! 🐉🐾 I was instantly drawn in by the quirky premise and charming writing style — it’s warm, funny, and full of heart.

The story strikes a lovely balance between magical chaos and heartfelt moments. The world-building feels fresh and imaginative, and the characters are so endearing that it’s hard not to root for them. I especially loved the dynamic between Aloysia and the mischievous “cat dragon” — their bond adds so much humour and sweetness to the book.

While there were a couple of slower moments in the middle, the charm of the story and its playful tone more than made up for it. Samantha Birch has a real talent for crafting a cosy, escapist read that leaves you smiling.

If you’re looking for something light, magical, and wonderfully unique, Cat Dragon is the perfect choice. I can’t wait to see what Birch writes next! ✨

A cute and cozy read filled with lots of magic and a touch of romance. I really enjoyed the world that Samantha Birch created here and felt instantly drawn in from the very start. I loved the idea of the Prattling Pumpkins especially at the start. I found Aloysia to be sweet and endearing, easily a main character you are rooting for as she tries to show everyone just how magical she is. Her best friend Ivy was also one of my favourite characters and I adored how she was so supportive and caring towards Aloysia and stood by her even as everything was falling apart. Hollis was a wonderful love interest for her as they go from enemies to more over the course of the book. I did find myself wishing for more time to be spent on the build of that relationship as it just sort of happens at one point and there were only a few brief exchanges that made me think this could be a thing. By far my favourite character was Crow. He brought the comic relief and was just too adorable.

I have to agree with a few of the other reviews I read that there are places were the writing was a bit choppy and I too, found myself rereading sections trying to figure out what had happened. I found it particularly hard in the action sequences as well. I think some of my issues might have been in the formatting but that might have been fixed in the final edition since I was reading a pre release copy of the book.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and got all the cozy, fall, witchy vibes that the cover promised. In the end the story felt like it had been (mostly) tied up but it left room for something more in the future which I would happily read.

I received an early digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I preferred the latter half to the first half but I still enjoyed the book. I found all the animal sidekicks to be absolutely adorable especially the cat dragon namesakes. I would tell you to stick with it and if you love slow burn this is the book for you because the burn is slow. Cosy fantasy with a hint of adventure served up on a platter here.

Cat Dragon is a cozy fantasy by Samantha Birch. Complete with magical creatures, spells, and of course a bit of romance, it’s the perfect fall read.

Welcome to Tangleroot Valley, where Witches Help. That’s the motto Aloysia Papplewick has always lived by, but frequently feels she falls short of. After failing to bond with a Cat Dragon multiple times, she’s a bit discouraged. But when duty calls and she is forced to go on the quest of a lifetime to save Tangleroot, Aloysia will quickly find out just how courageous, brave, and helpful she is.

Samantha does a fantastic job of creating a story that is the perfect balance of adventure and coziness. Cat Dragon brings all the cool weather, cuddles on the couch with a blanket, and a cup of tea vibes. Alloysia is a strong, caring FMC who you’ll be rooting for from the beginning. I adore that while there’s some romance mixed in, this is first and foremost a story about Alloysia and her growth as a character. Her animal sidekicks are frisky and keep Alloysia on her toes, and she has wonderful friends who challenge her in all the right ways. If you enjoy a cozy fantasy, you should definitely pick up Cat Dragon.

Thank you, Harper Collins UK - One More Chapter, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5* rounded up to 4* for review.

This was a really fun and magical story. It was very much a cosy read and really made me feel all the autumnal feelings.
Cat Dragon is a really enjoyable and easy read, being able to feel like you're going on the adventure with the main character, one thing I wasn't a huge fan of, was each element of the adventure they collected another side character who would join their band of companions.

I enjoyed the romance within the book as well, our witch Aloysia and her best friends brother Hollis who appear to irritate each other, but actually have been harbouring feelings for each other and the quality time this adventure sends them on finally gets them to see one another in a different light.

Thank you Netgalley for this eArc.

I think this might be my favorite cozy read ever. We are coming up on the perfect time to read it too so this is going to the top of my recommendations!

Cat Dragon is certainly not my usual genre of choice but when I received an invite from the publisher, One More Chapter, to read an ARC, I thought I'd give it a shot. The cover and concept seemed cute and might be a delightful YA story. However this was definitely not the book for me.

Cat Dragon has a wonderfully cozy premise, a witch, her reluctant cat dragon, and a magical valley full of quirky charm. There are talking pumpkins, magical guardians and intriguing Cat Dragon companions.

Unfortunately, the execution falters. The prose is dense and sometimes confusing, transitions feel abrupt, and the pacing wobbles between sluggish and rushed. The characters, while likable, don’t always feel fully developed, and even the cat dragon doesn’t shine as much as expected.

In the end, this book has lots of charm in concept but uneven storytelling. Perfect if you’re seeking cozy cottagecore vibes, but less so if you want a polished, engaging read.

Cat Dragon is a cosy and whimsical treat, that is just perfect for this time of year. The slow-burn romance is enjoyable but I do wish the adventure storyline had moved at a faster pace. However, the characters are unusual and fun. Who would not fall in love with a cat dragon?

I really wanted to love this one. The stat of it really drew me in and I was excited for a witchy read which is usually right up my street. Unfortunately I just couldn’t feel invested in this story at all and it dragged for me. To the point that I decided to give up around 40% in.

There is a lot to like about this book, the world building is rich and the characters and magical beings cute and charming. There is plenty to like about the story itself, the premise and the characters. However I found the pacing a bit all over the place and sometimes just felt a bit lost as to what was going on.

It might well be a bit right now thing as I do really love the concept. And I’m sure many others will absolutely adore this witchy, whimsical book!

Oooh this was a book for me alright 🥰

I love the coziness of it all, the unique magic and it definitely made me start my summerween era on those rainy days! 🌧🎃
It also gave a hint of a Terry Pratchett vibe which I loved!
This book was just fantastic and made for me it seemed: I enjoyed the magical gardening explanations (the solanum lycopersicum and the allium ursinum 🤭), the Japanese and French references 🇫🇷, and all the other languages that popped up throughout the book as we travel outside Tangleroot with Aloysia, Hollis and Lan and Shikah to help the huge creatures that are the Guardians protect the magic. Without forgetting Littlewick and Crow 🥹

Cute, cozy, funny, whimsy and light-hearted, but also sad and emotional 😢 and full of tension and yearning 😍
Samantha has an endless imagination for her world building through the botanical and zoological aspect in a magical way!

My last plea:
Can I please keep my grandma around as a prattling pumpkin though?

This book is for you if you love:
- cozy fantasy with romance subplot
- FMC in her thirties
- talking plants and animals
- Blind rep who's a badass with a guide cat dragon
- an FMC who fights for what she believes in
- MC who yearns 😍
- cat dragons as a familiar
- reluctant allies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- one bed at the inn 🤭
- slow burn YA with tension and yearning ❤️
- magical plants and animals

⭐️ 3.5 stars, rounded up!

thank you to One More Chapter, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the ARC!

i wanted to love this. i really, really wanted to love this – but every time i felt myself slip into the world of tangleroot valley, i would find myself being pulled out of it just as quickly. the writing style made the story both difficult to get into and awkward to follow, and i was tripped up by it more times than i can count. it was overly descriptive in some parts, and confusingly vague in others. the made-up magical terms felt excessive, and whilst the inclusion of different languages (in total: japanese, french, norweigan, hindi and german) was cool to start with, after pages and pages of keeping my phone open on google translate, it got very tiring, very quickly. the characters were the only thing keeping me from giving up entirely, but even they felt somewhat overlooked at times (lán, i’m looking at you).

overall, cat dragon felt rushed in some places, dragged in others – and underwhelming in most. it still retained some of its charm with its characters, but, apart from their little found family, i didn’t find myself caring for much else.

I wanted to love this but the writing style wasn’t for me! I do think a lot of people would enjoy it as a cute cosy autumn read though

It was a really beautiful, cosy and heartwarming book. Loved every character, magical creatures and the pacing of the book was really good. Reminded me of the fantasy movies and books I've watched and read in childhood and I loved that nostalgia while reading it. The magical world-building was top-notch notch and I really enjoyed it
Loved the tropes of
Grumpy & Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Magic Gone Wrong
Slow Burn Romance
These were well executed and given that I'm such a sucker for found family and slow burn romance books, this book is one of my favourites already!

Okay, as a total Hufflepuff, wannabe gardener, and foodie, Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch was SO my vibe! It’s my first cozy fantasy, and I really enoyed being reading about Tangleroot Valley. I’m so grateful I got to hang out in this world—it’s cute, it’s witchy, and it’s got sooo many delicious snacks!
For me, Tangleroot Valley ( and around) is like a fairy tale with a Scandinavian-German-Hufflepuff-TheHobit twist. There’s snow griffins (super important for the land’s magic), cat dragons (aka dramalkittens that smell like maple syrup—yum!), talking papplewick pumpkins, a sassy crow, kestrels, cockatrices (weird snake-egg-chicken monsters), and coos (chubby cows with crème brûlée milk—hello, foodie heaven!). As a gardener, I enjoyed the magical plants—it’s like Mrs. Sprout’s class but with extra sparkle. The world feels so real, thanks to Sam’s cozy words like “higgledy-piggledy” and “biscuit-finding mission.”
The main crew is awesome! Aloysia (Alo), a 30-year-old witch (yay for not being 20!), is a magicobotanical queen. Her nickname “Wick” from her BFF Ivy is adorable. Alo’s best pals are her talking crow and her cat dragon. Then there’s Hollis, Ivy’s grumpy brother who’s a total woodworker hunk. He’s got my heart with stuff like buying Alo a purple hat and a cat dragon carrier. Lan, Shikha, and Eckhart round out the gang, and they all shine in their wild adventures. Oh, and Alo’s annoying relatives? Ugh, I was like, “Girl, how do you deal?!” But Alo’s so strong, even if she feels like everyone expects too much from her.

So, I’m not a native English speaker, and the start was kinda slow for me. All those made-up fantasy words were tricky, and the world-building with Guardians, plants, and creatures felt like a lot. But stick with it! After Chapter 8, when Alo gets her cat dragon familiar, it’s like BOOM—non-stop action! The gang faces crazy challenges, and every time I thought, “Yes, they’ve got this!”—swoosh, nope! More drama pops up. The last 100 pages? Total Sarah J. Maas vibes! It’s an emotional rollercoaster with so much action I could barely breathe. The ending? OMG, I did NOT see it coming, but it was the good kind of surprise. I’m dying for a sequel! ( Yes, Sam, I sense you have a looooot more to tell us, also I need more from Lan, pretty please!) 
I enjoyed Sam's writing and found it so cozy and fun. I laughed at lines like “The crystal ball, the vapours, and the soles of my feet all agree – this year’s Shepherd will be a woman!” The cat dragons (Catty, Lemon, Pussy Willow, and one nameless cutie) are sooo cute, and the food stuff—like crème brûlée milk—had me hungry the whole time. Freindly rec- get some snack and tea or pumpkin spice latte when you read this!
What I would love is a map, to see where our people went.
Cat Dragon was truly an adventure! And it had my most favourite tropes.
Best friend's brother
He fell first long ago
Slow-burn romance
ONLY ONE BED!
Witches and magic!
Hufflepuff and The Hobbit vibes

Firstly thank you to One More Chapter, NetGalley and Samantha Birch for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story. Came for a cosy feel good fantasy and got more adventure than expected. I didnt struggle with the book and adored the world built but at around 25% into the book I hit a mental block, but I blame life events which scrabbled my brain and made it hard for me to follow anything! Took a break and came back to it and the pacing was good for remainder of book and I got to grips with the characters and world.

One for cosy reading season!

a new fav cosy book perfect for fall.
Sometimes, you just need a book that feels like a warm hug. Cat Dragon by Samantha Birch is that book. It’s a wonderfully whimsical and sweet escape, perfect for when you want to get lost in a world that feels both magical and comforting. If you've been waiting for a new cozy fantasy book to explore, this is it.