Although I’m a semi-jaded reader, I would like to believe I am above casting judgment based on cover art and publisher descriptions. I certainly wasn’t expecting to become so enthralled with Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series based on what I saw out of the box. But after consuming the first two novels in two days, I obviously need to work on my preconceived notions of what makes a book a worthwhile read.
Kitty Norville is a fairly run-of-the-mill twenty-something that seems to attract all sorts of uncomfortable life-transforming misadventures. But then, she becomes not-so-run-of-the-mill: a werewolf. And she still attracts misadventure, though now it’s mostly of the paranormal kind. Like any twenty-something, she has to figure out who she has become and what she’s willing to sacrifice in order to get by.
In book one, Kitty and the Midnight Hour, Kitty is at the bottom of the pecking order in her local pack, but her first taste of freedom post-werewolf bite comes at her own late-night radio talk show. That popularity turns out to be a bad thing when her oppressive Alpha and the local Vampire troupe feel it as a challenge to their authority. Book two, Kitty Goes to Washington, sees Kitty on the run from her Denver, Colorado pack, and though she goes all the way to the nation’s capitol, she still finds herself a pawn in the unkind machinations of the local DC evil. Book three, Kitty Takes a Holiday, follows Kitty into a retreat from fame and civilization, and where Kitty goes the big bad will follow. Book four, Kitty and the Silver Bullet, finally brings our heroine back to her native Denver to take care of her family. In returning home, Kitty really grows up, but she is also forced to a bloody stand-off with her old pack and Alpha pair.
Book five, Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand, is the real focus of our attention. Released on January 27th, the fifth novel in the series is part one of a double-header taking us deeper into the shadowy paranormal world that Kitty strives to bring into the light. On her way to Vegas to get married to Ben, her lawyer/mate/fiancé, Kitty finds that not everything that happens in the glittering town stays there. Though they do manage to tie the knot, the couple gets dealt yet another dose of crazy lycanthropic mayhem and convoluted vampire plotting. This doesn’t imply that the series is getting repetitive, either. The layers that have been building as Vaughn continues Kitty’s story have really hit pay-dirt in this latest installment, with promise of more to come in book six, Kitty Raises Hell, forthcoming a few short weeks into February.
The amazing thing about this series, in my humble opinion, is Vaughn’s vision of her main character. Kitty may be young, but she has strength of moral fortitude that transcends her youth, becoming almost the Joan-of-Arc of changelings. In the course of battling corrupt Masters, abusive alphas, wannabe despots, murderous warlocks, and all manner of crazy politician, Kitty’s uncanny ability to engender the support of non-werewolves is almost as miraculous as her magnetic attraction of nasty evil. She always comes out on top – she wouldn’t be a good heroine otherwise – but she also manages to be the force of good because her internal make-up would never allow it to be any other way.
These books aren’t all about having a finely-tuned moral compass, either. This series is the full package – action, sex, romance, vampires, irony, pop culture, exquisite humor, literary references, music, and a smidge of social commentary – we’re talking a sit-down buffet of juicy morsels between the dust jackets. There aren’t many authors that can pack that much fun into a novel without the end result seeming disjointed or contrived. Vaughn works her magic beautifully.
Contest: Here’s the best bit for you readers: We have the chance to offer you the opportunity to sink your teeth into Kitty’s adventures firsthand. The publisher has offered to help us hook up one lucky reader with all six books of the Kitty Norville series as a lovely thank you. Read the article above and leave a comment below by 11:59 PM PST February 10, 2009, and we’ll use a random number generator to choose the winner. We’ll announce the winner February 11th and contact you via email to get your mailing information.
This contest has now ended. Thanks to all of you who entered!
If you feel up to a little refreshment of your paranormal palate, give Kitty a try. She doesn’t disappoint, and she really knows how to get up to her eyeballs in messy.
On January 27, 2009, Dakota Lewis said:
Sounds very interesting. I may have to go snag them sometime after I get this job. Definitely sounds worth the read though.
On January 28, 2009, John Smith said:
Give me free books!
On January 30, 2009, Virginia said:
I’d love to read the whole series. I have book 1 and the most recent book. Would be willing to pass on to someone else to get them hooked as well.
On January 30, 2009, shayla said:
saw this off the Vampire Wire site and thought i check it out, wow, sounds like more books to add to my reading pile.
On January 30, 2009, Donna S said:
Great article. I loved the first Kitty books and cant wait to read the 2 new ones.
On January 30, 2009, Holly said:
What an excellent article, and great giveaway!
On January 30, 2009, Cathy M said:
I’ve never read this series, and this sounds like a fabulous way to get started.
On January 30, 2009, Renee said:
I’m really excited that she’s got back-to-back releases! I’ve waited for a year for KatDMH, and can’t wait to read it.
On January 30, 2009, Christa Martin said:
I actually had thought about picking up these books, but I hadn’t heard any reviews on them. Your review makes me want to read them more. If I don’t win, I’ll probably buy them anyway!!!!
On January 30, 2009, Mo (Un-Mainstream Mom Reads) said:
I recently read and reviewed all five Kitty books, and they are great. The storyline gets better with every book, and I cannot wait for #6.
Thanks for the great contest!
On January 30, 2009, Deborah said:
What a great giveaway! These books sound awesome!
On January 30, 2009, Donna said:
I have been wanting to get these books, your review just makes me want to go right out and buy them now!
On January 31, 2009, Dawn M. said:
I love the Kitty books and can’t wait to read books 5 and 6! Winning the whole set would just make my day. :0)
Thanks!
On January 31, 2009, Margay said:
I’m always up for a new series.
Margay
On January 31, 2009, Calamity Jane said:
A series that has tons of good reviews. It’s on my TRB list so this is one hell of chance ;)
On January 31, 2009, JACK S. said:
Looking forward to reading theses books.
On January 31, 2009, michele said:
This series rocks! Free books are always a good thing!
On January 31, 2009, RKB said:
It’s really nice seeing an author grow, and Carrie Vaughn really does in this series. The first book I read when it was initially published. It wasn’t my favorite, but I gave the second book a try and enjoyed it a heck of a lot more. I’ve been hooked on the series ever since.
On January 31, 2009, drey said:
Me! Me! Just ‘cuz I’m hosting my own giveaway doesn’t mean I get ‘em, so I’m going to be throwing my name in every hat but my own. =)
On January 31, 2009, Emily said:
Love them! Love them! Love them!
On February 1, 2009, Johanna said:
What I like about these books is yes, that they poke holes in some of the more annoying stereotypes of the genre. I’d sure love to have a whole set of the books for my own. :)
On February 1, 2009, Mark Hibshman said:
I have read the first book and I liked it. I am an active participant/commentor in Carrie’s Vaughn’s blog and plan to own the rest eventually. Most of the werewolf books in the last 25 years have been terrible but I enjoyed carrie’s book a lot. Probably the first werewolf book to deal with pack dynamics in a way that you can believe.
On February 1, 2009, Slynne said:
Awesome books, awesome give-away!
On February 1, 2009, Gayle Jackson said:
Love Carrie and Kitty! Series just keeps getting better and better!
On February 1, 2009, Mervi Hämäläinen said:
Great article! I’ve heard so much good about these books that I’d love to read them.
On February 1, 2009, Lisa N. said:
I haven’t had a chance to read the whole series, but it sounds great! I’d love to read (and own) them all!
On February 1, 2009, Meghan said:
I want free books! And, yes, the Kitty Norville series is my standard for judging urban fantasy. Very little else even comes close.
On February 1, 2009, Bobbi Kilbarger said:
I’m always up for free books! I’ll even read them and post a review on my blog.
On February 1, 2009, NimirRa said:
I’ve read the first two and thought they were great. I’ve been trying to get my friends to read them as well.
On February 1, 2009, Leslie said:
A series I’ve heard about but have yet to read. I’d love to win these.
On February 1, 2009, Teresa W. said:
My favorite genre to read, I’m always looking for new authors to read! Sounds like my kind of series.
On February 2, 2009, Nancy said:
Great article. I love the Kitty Series and can’t wait to see what this book is like :)
On February 2, 2009, Zita said:
I just finished reading “Dead Man’s Hand” and I’m already jonesing for “Raises Hell.”
On February 2, 2009, Anita Yancey said:
Wow! These books sound good. Would love to read them. Please enter me.
On February 2, 2009, b-girl said:
I really want to read these books. Love the review and great giveaway!
On February 2, 2009, bridget3420 said:
Great contest!
On February 2, 2009, Margaret said:
I’ve heard lots of good things about this series and would love to give it a try!
On February 2, 2009, Kenyetta said:
Sound like a good series!
On February 2, 2009, RoseWrayth said:
well i did read the first book…and thoroughly enjoyed it! i havent found any of the other books in my bookshops… so…
free books please? Just in time for my birthday too!!
XD
On February 3, 2009, Adam Lipkin said:
Oh, I love this series. Winning these books would be great!
On February 3, 2009, Sharon N. said:
I love Kitty! So excited for the next book to be in my paws
On February 6, 2009, Christopher said:
Looking forward to reading the two new ones!
On February 7, 2009, Sue said:
I heard about the Kitty Norville in the blog reviewers I follow however, I never actually pick up any of the books. I am excited that you are offering all these books up for grabs. Squee! I am big fan of paranormal series and this one is right up my alley. It is an added bonus that the heroine is a kick ass werewolf. Among my favorites werewolves characters are Curran and Derek from Magic Bites/Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, Billy and the Alphas from Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and Elena Michaels from Bitten by Kelley Armstrong. Thanks.
On February 7, 2009, Kara said:
I love the series! Can’t wait for more, provided I have the money to pick them up. Being a broke college student is no fun. Here’s hoping I have a shot at a free copy!
On February 8, 2009, Seth said:
Gotta love anything with shapeshifters. I really like the series alot, VERY VERY creative, and I cant wait to see where carrie will lead us next ^,.,^
On February 9, 2009, Joe said:
Very interested in this series, I think my wife would like it too.
On February 10, 2009, Mama Kate said:
I’ll read ‘em! I’m due for another series. And the more they grab me, the happier I’ll be!
On February 22, 2009, Cathy (Wolfy) ,,,^..^,,,~ said:
I Love ALL the Kitty Norvelle stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve read all of them and fixin’ to start on Kitty Raises Hell. I Love WEREWOLVES and WOLVES!!!!!!!!!