Aya Gatherer is not an ordinary girl. She has only one dream: to become a cat guardian and learn how to ride the magical Firecats in the great cat parade. The Firecats are the protectors of the White Mountains, Aya's home. Her favorite Firecat is Mika-the giant red cat at the front of the parade-and Mika's current guardian Master Lazu needs a new apprentice. Aya is not the only one with her eyes set on the open apprenticeship, however. Aya's worst enemy Balda wants it, too.
With Master Lazu's decision only days away, Aya discovers that a mysterious darkness threatens her wondrous world. It is about to destroy the White Mountains and everything she loves. Aya must set out on a mission, not only to become Mika's guardian but to save her home. She will go far and learn who her friends and enemies really are...
The story - in short:
Aya lives with her father Guido and little brother Kali in Firecity; a wonderous city in the White Mountains. Here, she goes about her life surrounded by a host of magical creatures: mice that can sing, bees that can dance, bears that can give directions, and birds that can count and offer helpful advice. The most special animals, however, are the Firecats; the protectors of the White Mountains. They are gigantic, bear-like cats that live inside the Golden Forest in the valley beneath the city walls. Were the cats to leave Cat Valley, all life in the White Mountains would disappear. Once every summer, the city hosts a special parade in honor of the Firecats. Then, the Master Guardians lead the cats out of the forest and ride them through the city. Aya watches the parade with her friends every year, for her dearest wish is to join the Master Guardians as the caretaker of Mika, the mesmerizing, red Firecats with the black eyes at the front. But when Darkness comes to the White Mountains, threatening the lives of everyone they hold dear, Aya and Mika must embark on a journey into the unknown in search of the long-lost cure.
This is the first book in the series about Aya Guardian and her magical Firecat, Mika.
Statement from the author:
"Aya and the Firecats is the fantasy story of the young girl Aya and her Firecat Mika, who must go on a journey together to save their world from destruction. The story is a tribute to the wonderful personality of the pet cat. Every cat lover will see the traits of their own cat reflected in Mika and her friends. The story was born when I was a little girl who dreamed about being small enough to ride my favorite barn cat and follow her on her adventures in the fields. It is also the story of the wonder of nature and all its creatures and of the need to protect the environment. I hope you will consider reading it, either yourself or to your children or grandchildren."
