Ninth Life – How far would you go to make your last life count?
Paperback, Fiction, 252 pages; also available as a kindle ebook
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Description
Cat has one mission: to keep the unruly human practitioners of the Serene Lotus Centre for Health and Wellbeing in line and find the mysterious Silver Crescent Nest, so that she can graduate from her ninth life to become a spirit mentor.
But when a scandal rocks the centre, everyone’s livelihoods are at risk, and it’s up to Cat to guard and protect them against harm. Or should she be enforcing the rules? Cat knows one thing – she needs to make her last life count. But how far will she go to do that? And how far will the centre’s practitioners go to save their jobs?
A charming, beguiling story full of quirky characters who keep Cat on her paws as she uncovers the secret of her first life and why she is so driven to get this – her ninth life – just right.
‘Jane Teresa Anderson’s NINTH LIFE fully commits to a quirky premise with a surprisingly rich payoff.’
– Dan Accardi for IndieReader
Reviews
‘Jane Teresa Anderson’s NINTH LIFE fully commits to a quirky premise with a surprisingly rich payoff. Cat is on her ninth and final life, but she’s not entirely sure what comes next. She’s supposed to leave her earthbound body and become a spiritual guide for another creature—or she’ll remain on Earth and go through another cycle of nine lives. Musing on the particulars, Cat wanders into the Serene Lotus Centre for Health and Wellbeing, where she finds a host of spiritually attuned humans, all of them offering or seeking guidance of their own. The Centre proves to have all the right resources for Cat to unpack her prior eight lives and learn what she needs in order to ascend to her next level of being.
Jane Teresa Anderson’s NINTH LIFE has an unabashedly weird premise: a reincarnating cat who can transmit psychic messages to humans becomes embroiled in the life of a spiritual wellness center, whose employees include at least one woman who literally sees ghosts and conveys their messages to the living. Yet NINTH LIFE, despite all its spiritual trappings, is surprisingly grounded and often deeply human. Cat, the protagonist, is largely scent-driven, and the prose is heavy with olfactory pleasures like “the peppermint fragrance of newly cut grass;” but it also acknowledges the workaday details of the Centre, like the omnipresent “whiff of hot, milky morning coffee in paper takeaway cups.” The plot is also just as concerned with the material as with the spiritual: Cat wanders into the Centre, and almost immediately the humans there wonder if they can work her into their marketing materials to bring in more business. If nothing else, this is one of NINTH LIFE’s primary strengths: it portrays an institution of spiritual wellness while fully acknowledging that it is a business run by humans; and those strictures mean that providing spiritual services (even when done in good faith by an experienced practitioner) can be complex and uncomfortable.
NINTH LIFE also has a firm grasp of its central themes. The dichotomy between appearance and reality, especially concerning identity, is established very early on: Cat’s name is Cat, and she’s a long-lived being with certain psychic powers, but the humans of the Centre are oblivious to this—calling her “Amantha” and treating her like a normal cat. This theme plays out in investigations of other characters and their motivations—especially Freya, a perimenopausal psychic whose hot flashes interfere with her readings; and Serenity, the business-savvy yogi who runs the Centre. Though this internal-external dichotomy can be read as true-false, or spiritual-material, NINTH LIFE never settles into uncomplicated complacency. On the contrary, issues like hot flashes affecting function, or the economic viability of a business linked to the misbehavior of a powerful male figure, appealingly counterbalance the more supernatural elements of the text.
NINTH LIFE is a story about reincarnation told by a psychic cat, but its concerns are entirely human. The text’s closely observed depictions of spiritual wellness practitioners, often both affectionate and critical, render it much more complex and rewarding than it appears at first glance: yet another dichotomy between perceived realities and internal truths.
Jane Teresa Anderson’s NINTH LIFE fully commits to a quirky premise with a surprisingly rich payoff.’
– Dan Accardi for IndieReader
‘An engaging character and an intriguing plot: I loved the story of Cat as she wrestled with her personal dilemmas, with the advice of her wise but mysterious friend. The novel was a fascinating combination of the real world financial and reputational issues of running a wellbeing centre and the complexities of its historical context. I really enjoyed the multiple strands of the plot and characters and didn’t foresee the final revelations. I’d really recommend Ninth Life as a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking read.’
– Nicola Turner, UK (Amazon review)
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky tale! It’s a story with many layers and meanings, and subject matter unlike anything I’ve read before. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different to read.’
– Katey Love, Author, Mesmerised Books
‘Ninth Life by Jane Teresa Anderson ranks among the weirdly good books I’ve read this year. The story is told from the perspective of a cat in her ninth life, who is on a mission to find the mysterious Silver Crescent Nest, which would help her to graduate as a wise spirit mentor. The setting is the Serene Lotus Center for Health and Wellbeing, where Cat (called Amantha by the humans) takes on the role of protector for the center and its inhabitants. When a scandal hits the center, Amantha helps generate positive publicity and gets promoted as a psychic cat, generating income and helping the center recover. Cat is torn between her mission to find the Silver Crescent Nest and her desire for recognition and fame. Will Cat be able to overcome the moral dilemmas and expectations placed on her?
Jane Teresa Anderson has written an engaging tale in Ninth Life. The story is narrated from the viewpoint of a feline, and I felt it was both imaginative and grounded. Anderson has blended fantasy with relatable human experiences to create a charming storyline. The Cat as a central protagonist was interesting. Cat’s internal monologues and interactions with the neighboring cat, Pearl, showed her thoughts and how there was a constant struggle between Cat’s instincts and ethical responsibilities. The supporting characters, like Emmy, Abby, Serenity, and Freya also bring their perspectives to the plot and add to the overall narrative. Anderson has also explored themes of fertility issues, and perimenopause faced by the women at the center, encouraging readers to reflect on these topics throughout the story. Ninth Life focuses overall on second chances, personal growth and understanding, and following one’s purpose. I’m sure that cat lovers would especially love this engaging read.’
– Priya Mathew, USA
‘Ninth Life’s author, Jane Teresa Anderson, has created a clever, inventive novel that is as charming as it is amusing. It is a delightful read, with lots of plot twists and turns to keep you guessing what is in store for Cat.’
– Joan McGovern, former journalist, communications specialist and would-be author
‘In this captivating book, the author takes us behind the scenes of running a wellness center, blending the politics of ethics and business with delightful storytelling. The dilemmas faced by the characters are thought-provoking and resonate deeply, showcasing the complexities of maintaining integrity while striving for success.
One of the standout elements of the story is Cat, a brilliantly crafted animal character who imparts wisdom and offers a unique perspective on the unfolding drama. Through Cat’s eyes, we get a fly-on-the-wall look at the diverse cast of characters, adding an extra layer of depth and charm to the narrative.
The author skillfully intertwines a subplot of intrigue and mystery, keeping readers engaged until the very end when all is revealed. This quirky tale is not only full of wisdom but also sharp observations of human nature, making it a truly enjoyable and insightful read.’
– Barbara Courtille, Australia
‘In Jane Teresa Anderson’s Ninth Life, Cat is living her ninth life; if she does well, she will become a wise spirit mentor to another living being. Known as Amantha to the humans at The Serene Lotus Center for Health and Wellbeing, this honey-colored cat has to ensure that everyone follows the rules. After all, she has appointed herself the unofficial guardian of everyone stepping inside the health center. From the talented practitioners to the multiple array of clients, Cat is there to help those who need it. However, when some of those she has vowed to keep on the right path seem to stray from it, Cat feels she might fail in her grand mission and spend another cycle of nine lives living as a cat.
Author Jane Teresa Anderson has created an intriguing and spiritually enlightening sanctuary in the setting of this book. The character growth of our protagonist is strong and evident, coming full circle with the cast of supporting characters. Written in the third-person narrative from the perspective of Cat, we are privy to her thoughts, feelings, and desires. I loved how everyone was associated with a specific combination of smells. In this regard, stimulation of the senses was abundant from a different perspective than usual. I loved this interesting spin on the theory of a cat having nine lives and their destiny afterward. This book is suitable for all ages and caters to readers who enjoy thinking about the deeper aspects of life itself.’
– Ronél Steyn
‘With a touch of mystery, humor, and drama, Jane Teresa Anderson tells a captivating tale that keeps your attention from the first page to the last. Ninth Life is funny, charming, heartfelt, and surprisingly poignant. Anderson does a brilliant job of capturing a cat’s psyche in the pages through the portrayal of the protagonist, Amantha (Cat). Her actions and how she thinks and sees the world and judges human behavior make you believe she is a real-life cat. The plot is very well-paced, and you don’t know what to expect at any point in the story. I loved the different personalities of the human characters, especially Abby, Milly, Clary, and even Serenity and Freya. Cat’s friendship with Pearl was another highlight for me. If you like cats and mystery adventure tales, you’ll love this book!‘
– Pikasho Deka
‘Jane Teresa Anderson narrates Ninth Life from the cat’s unique perspective. The whimsical main character invites us to follow the path of self-improvement. We are intrigued by her motives and amused by her keen observations. The author speaks about widespread feline adoration with a touch of irony and highlights its ugly reverse with compassion toward cats. Anderson thoroughly explores the themes of temptations and making the right choices despite them. Freya is a multidimensional character that combines positive and negative features. Her example helps us better understand our fears and insecurities. The enthralling twists in the plot lead to the revealing of old secrets equally important to humans and felines. Anderson’s apparent love for animals and cats particularly motivates us to be kinder to our feline friends. An engaging read for fans of urban fantasy, drama, women’s fiction, and books about animals with a paranormal twist.’
– Nino Lobiladze
‘Cat is the protagonist and narrator in Jane Teresa Anderson’s whimsical novel Ninth Life. Cat’s mission is to earn the right to become a wise spirit mentor to an earthbound being. To do this she must pass the tests and graduate from this, her ninth life. The pads of her paws contain marks indicating she previously passed her first eight lives. This one counts for it all. As the guardian of the Serene Lotus Center for Health and Wellbeing, Cat must ensure the staff follows the rules while she stays focused on her own mission. She has her paws full staying on top of Serenity, Abby, Emmy, and Freya, who provide yoga and various therapies at the center amid a scandal and a reinvention of marketing strategies focusing on Cat.
The goings-on at the center and the side stories of various clients will keep readers of Ninth Life amused. Cat, who is also referred to as Amantha by the humans she consorts with, has a mystical sense of knowing her people well. Author Jane Teresa Anderson manages to balance Cat’s narration and thought process with enticing prose and humorous dialogue from the humans. Anderson includes luscious details like “hot fig toast” and garden botanicals and creates reader empathy when Cat realizes that her reach is much larger than those in the yoga studio via hundreds of online followers. We easily fall in love with Cat as she daydreams about where her portrait, yet unpainted, should be hung. Ninth Life has an attractive cover, and Anderson cleverly uses a paw print to denote chapter divisions — paws to pause. Ninth Life is a fun, mystical, and spiritual read.’
– Donna Parrey, USA
‘Cat’s struggle to reconcile her pride and ego with encompassing what’s right for the greater good, is something most can identify with. I enjoyed reading about Cat’s odyssey, a blend of providence and Cat’s own will charting the path for her burdensome journey and we, as readers, are given lots of opportunities to learn and grow through the process of her completing her ‘ninth life’ mission. I think this book should come with a warning: reading about Cat’s abilities could influence one to rush out and acquire a cat, but be warned – not all are living out their ninth life.’
– Kerry Kroesen, Australia