Marked Territory by Neal F. Litherland

Watch my official YouTube book review on Marked Territory here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tglm4bmozfQ

If you’re looking for a cute, heart-warming animal story, you’re in the wrong place. Marked Territory is an action-packed tale of strays and wilds that battle for turf in the unforgiving streets of New York City. Our main character is a big bottlebrush longhair grey cat named Leo; a skull-crushing bruiser who gets an unexpected call for help from a church mouse named Charity.

Reading a story from the POV of a feral cat living on the streets of New York City is a wildly new experience. Marked Territory captures the gritty, in your face feel of the local scene while giving a fresh perspective due to the unique character. The packs of dogs, nests of rats, and other ragtag groups of animals that have banded together out of need was a fun new take on the classic mob/gang trope.

Make no mistake, this is not a fantasy world or dystopia devoid of humans. They are simply background pieces, allowing the animal characters to take center stage, but still benefit from the kindness, or have to avoid the perils that humanity brings.

Imagery and scene details suck the reader in due to the nature of the animal characters. Smells and sounds are key in this story and will have you on the edge of your seat so to speak while reading this action-packed tale.

Many stories about NYC focus on the "Big Apple" and Time Square feeling - taking on the big bad city and carving out a place of your own. Marked Territory challenges this overhyped "glamorous" trope with a dirty, wild, and dangerous local angle. Even scenes in the iconic Central Park are hardly the sweet strolls through lush nature. Leo goes, literally, off the beaten path of the park to find intel at a great personal risk. As we read through his adventures, we realize that nowhere is truly "safe" so much as some spaces are safer than others. And then, it's only a question of for how long.

Beyond the novelty of the animals - Marked Territory also tackles common local issues in impoverished urban communities. The impact of gentrification, deterioration of buildings and neighborhoods, as well as the human impact on the environment itself. The fate of St. Bart's is a common theme in most communities, groups and families being pushed out of places, whether by companies, gentrification, or other locals. It's an ugly truth that Marked Territory brings to light and shows the importance of maintaining communities and fighting for the well-being of the elderly and the disabled.

It would be easy to hail Leo as the "hero" in this story, however, it's far more complicated than "good vs bad". While there is the "goodness" of community spirit in this story, there is also the harsh reality of life on the streets - always look out for "number one". Leo doesn't head out to defend St. Bart's, banners waving. He has to be convinced not just as the "reluctant hero", but also as a practical street scoundrel. Why risk his skin? What's in it for him?

Leo is careful in both his negotiations and fights. He can't afford to burn bridges with his scrappy allies, as most are on shaky ground with the "eat or be eaten" way of life on the streets. But he also has a mission to fulfill and vengeance to be paid. "Street justice" is put on full display in this story. There is no mention of any sort of "higher authority". It's simply fend for yourself, or hope someone stronger is willing to protect you.

This story is not for the faint of heart, as life is not guaranteed for any of these street critters. The twists and turns with the drama at St. Bart’s will keep you guessing until the very end. A real page-turner that I simply could not put down! Order yours on Amazon today!

https://www.amazon.com/Marked-Territory-Neal-F-Litherland-ebook/dp/B08FYY9HGH