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Kitty Norville #3
Kitty Takes a Holiday
After getting caught turning wolf on national television, Kitty retreats to a mountain cabin to recover and write her memoirs. But this is Kitty, so trouble is never far behind, and instead of Walden Pond, she gets Evil Dead. When werewolf hunter Cormac shows up with an injured Ben O'Farrell, Kitty's lawyer, slung over his shoulder, and a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes starts sniffing around the cabin, Kitty wonders if any of them will get out of these woods alive...
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2007
About the author
Carrie Vaughn
266 books4,476 followersCarrie Vaughn is the author more than twenty novels and over a hundred short stories. She's best known for her New York Times bestselling series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty who hosts a talk radio advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged. In 2018, she won the Philip K. Dick Award for Bannerless, a post-apocalyptic murder mystery. She's published over 20 novels and 100 short stories, two of which have been finalists for the Hugo Award. She's a contributor to the Wild Cards series of shared world superhero books edited by George R. R. Martin and a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop.
An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado, where she collects hobbies.
Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com
For writing advice and essays, check out her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carrievaughn
An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado, where she collects hobbies.
Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com
For writing advice and essays, check out her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carrievaughn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 655 reviews
August 20, 2020
It probably wasn't exactly what I expected. Although, to be completely honest, I don't know really what I expected. This series has never been and will never be my favorite. It's okay, but these are books I can't remember at all after a month. This was also the case with all the previous books in this series. Therefore, apart from the fact that the main character's name is Kitty and she is a werewolf, I didn't remember anything.
However, it did not significantly affect my reception of this book. I don't think there are any strong connections between the books in this series. There is no single main thread that we look forward to developing in the next books. And this book is rather average and a bit dull. It's okay when you read it, but then it instantly fades into your memory.
I think there are two reasons for this. First, although we have a pretty decent storyline here, there is definitely a lack of action. This is a description of what happened, rather than something particularly exciting. Secondly, there are a few threads that might interest me, but none has been fully developed or used enough to actually do so. The mystery of Kitty's harassment is solved fairly quickly and leads to further events - a new thread. But among the other events in this book, I didn't even have time to fully feel the horror and anxiety that Kitty might feel. All emotions are kind of subdued.
But perhaps what surprised me most was the darkness of this book. No, darkness is not exactly the word I would describe it. I guess my point is that this book is quite realistic about the ramifications of the characters' decisions. Nothing is sweetened, including the ending. There is also nothing sweet about Kitty and Ben's relation. I don't quite know how to explain it.
Many people like this series very much. And this book is not bad despite all the things I wrote above. Probably one day I will read another book in this series. But if I don't, I won't regret it. We'll see how it goes.
However, it did not significantly affect my reception of this book. I don't think there are any strong connections between the books in this series. There is no single main thread that we look forward to developing in the next books. And this book is rather average and a bit dull. It's okay when you read it, but then it instantly fades into your memory.
I think there are two reasons for this. First, although we have a pretty decent storyline here, there is definitely a lack of action. This is a description of what happened, rather than something particularly exciting. Secondly, there are a few threads that might interest me, but none has been fully developed or used enough to actually do so. The mystery of Kitty's harassment is solved fairly quickly and leads to further events - a new thread. But among the other events in this book, I didn't even have time to fully feel the horror and anxiety that Kitty might feel. All emotions are kind of subdued.
But perhaps what surprised me most was the darkness of this book. No, darkness is not exactly the word I would describe it. I guess my point is that this book is quite realistic about the ramifications of the characters' decisions. Nothing is sweetened, including the ending. There is also nothing sweet about Kitty and Ben's relation. I don't quite know how to explain it.
Many people like this series very much. And this book is not bad despite all the things I wrote above. Probably one day I will read another book in this series. But if I don't, I won't regret it. We'll see how it goes.
June 15, 2010
This review is probably going to sound really odd because I totally feel like I just read 2 books in 1.
The first part of this book was all about Cormac bringing Ben hurt and in trouble to Kitty's cabin (in which she is playing hide from the world as an aftermath from the events in book 2). This part of the books was great. Kitty is being threatened with some form of blood magic and something seems to be stalking them in the woods surrounding her cabin. Kitty was strong, Cormac emotional, and Ben messed up royally. I felt super invested in the characters and it was all very suspenseful despite all taking place in a 1 bedroom cabin in the backwoods. So much characterization happens. We get to know the 3 main much more, get glimpses into their reasoning, their emotions, and it was great. And this is where the book should have ended.
The second part of the book was all about the aftermath of the climax of the book (solving the blood magic and stalking issues). It was like a whole separate book written in the last 100 pages. The book went from funny, insightful, and suspenseful to boring, depressing, and never ending. Although yes, it did finally end and I totally disliked the ending which I thought was a total cop out on the authors part to remove one of the characters for a while until it was convenient to bring them back. In this section Cormac is basically non-existent, Kitty is smothering, and Ben frustrating.
So the first part was about 3.5 stars, but the second half was like 1.5 stars. I seriously thought this series was getting better after having enjoyed the second book and the first 2/3's of this book, but with the ending tacked on here I am starting to think I may have spoke too soon. I will still read the 4 and 5th books as I have already requested them from the library, but I am glad I didn't purchase these books.
One of my favorite lines from the book flew out of Cormac's mouth and described Kitty so perfectly it was awesome! "You talk to much and are nosy as hell."
BEWARE...SPOILERS BELOW...
Cue Jeopardy music so some can scroll and others look away...
SPOILERS
The ending of this book ticked me off. First off I didn't expect the romance in this book to go the way it did, and then I felt like Vaughn just felt the need to get rid of Cormac for a while so that Ben and Kitty would have interference. Now I have nothing against Ben and I don't doubt he would be good for Kitty's character, but it was odd to have everything building up for Cormac and then have the author pull the rug out from under you. I had never looked at Ben as a interest for Kitty because her relationship with Cormac was always hinted at, and because I never thought about him like that I am finding it difficult to believe in the sincerity of their feelings for one another. It seems more like it is stemming from their lycanthropy and pack bond than real attraction.
The first part of this book was all about Cormac bringing Ben hurt and in trouble to Kitty's cabin (in which she is playing hide from the world as an aftermath from the events in book 2). This part of the books was great. Kitty is being threatened with some form of blood magic and something seems to be stalking them in the woods surrounding her cabin. Kitty was strong, Cormac emotional, and Ben messed up royally. I felt super invested in the characters and it was all very suspenseful despite all taking place in a 1 bedroom cabin in the backwoods. So much characterization happens. We get to know the 3 main much more, get glimpses into their reasoning, their emotions, and it was great. And this is where the book should have ended.
The second part of the book was all about the aftermath of the climax of the book (solving the blood magic and stalking issues). It was like a whole separate book written in the last 100 pages. The book went from funny, insightful, and suspenseful to boring, depressing, and never ending. Although yes, it did finally end and I totally disliked the ending which I thought was a total cop out on the authors part to remove one of the characters for a while until it was convenient to bring them back. In this section Cormac is basically non-existent, Kitty is smothering, and Ben frustrating.
So the first part was about 3.5 stars, but the second half was like 1.5 stars. I seriously thought this series was getting better after having enjoyed the second book and the first 2/3's of this book, but with the ending tacked on here I am starting to think I may have spoke too soon. I will still read the 4 and 5th books as I have already requested them from the library, but I am glad I didn't purchase these books.
One of my favorite lines from the book flew out of Cormac's mouth and described Kitty so perfectly it was awesome! "You talk to much and are nosy as hell."
BEWARE...SPOILERS BELOW...
Cue Jeopardy music so some can scroll and others look away...
SPOILERS
The ending of this book ticked me off. First off I didn't expect the romance in this book to go the way it did, and then I felt like Vaughn just felt the need to get rid of Cormac for a while so that Ben and Kitty would have interference. Now I have nothing against Ben and I don't doubt he would be good for Kitty's character, but it was odd to have everything building up for Cormac and then have the author pull the rug out from under you. I had never looked at Ben as a interest for Kitty because her relationship with Cormac was always hinted at, and because I never thought about him like that I am finding it difficult to believe in the sincerity of their feelings for one another. It seems more like it is stemming from their lycanthropy and pack bond than real attraction.
July 10, 2017
Definitely (finally) liking this series more. I can't help but be sad at some of the events that took place in this and sad that some relationships didn't happen but I am happy at the ones that did. Looking forward to continuing the series.
August 16, 2007
This series is unlike most of the genre: it's about how Kitty grows internally, not about her powers, her worldly power, or her exploits. The first book has her going from bottom beta to independent, getting even me to understand why she's happy as the (literal) bottom dog at first. the second is about her changing concept of community, pack, and pack responsibility.
This book is about her accepting responsibility. Not responsibility for her actions--she isn't "owning up," she's accepting responsibility among her peers and learning to accept respect within the supernatural community, the non-supernatural community, and her professional community. In all three cases, there are positive and negative repurcussions to accepting status and respect. All of these are new to her.
This is a more "talky" book. Maybe not in terms on lines of dialog or lines of internal monolog, but in Kitty Goes to Washington she interacted with a wide variety of characters. Kitty Takes a Holiday has a very spare cast and most of her time is spent in a one-room cabin with two other people. The conversations and her ruminations both seem less narrative as a result.
I like what she's trying to do and I think it mostly works; at times, however, it approaches being an essay or an after-school special. When it backs off of that (and it generally does pretty quickly), it's an excellent book.
The plot is nicely creepy, involving one or more unknown people casting curses and performing dark rituals, all seemingly aimed at Kitty. The complication is a hunt gone bad for her hunter and lawyer friends. The complication ends very nicely, with revelations, secrets, and loads of hooks for ongoing plotlines.
This is by far the best of the three books from a character standpoint, although the most challenging to get through, especially after the excitement of the first two. I hope the author keeps going in the direction of such strong character development.
This book is about her accepting responsibility. Not responsibility for her actions--she isn't "owning up," she's accepting responsibility among her peers and learning to accept respect within the supernatural community, the non-supernatural community, and her professional community. In all three cases, there are positive and negative repurcussions to accepting status and respect. All of these are new to her.
This is a more "talky" book. Maybe not in terms on lines of dialog or lines of internal monolog, but in Kitty Goes to Washington she interacted with a wide variety of characters. Kitty Takes a Holiday has a very spare cast and most of her time is spent in a one-room cabin with two other people. The conversations and her ruminations both seem less narrative as a result.
I like what she's trying to do and I think it mostly works; at times, however, it approaches being an essay or an after-school special. When it backs off of that (and it generally does pretty quickly), it's an excellent book.
The plot is nicely creepy, involving one or more unknown people casting curses and performing dark rituals, all seemingly aimed at Kitty. The complication is a hunt gone bad for her hunter and lawyer friends. The complication ends very nicely, with revelations, secrets, and loads of hooks for ongoing plotlines.
This is by far the best of the three books from a character standpoint, although the most challenging to get through, especially after the excitement of the first two. I hope the author keeps going in the direction of such strong character development.
July 15, 2012
Oh how I loved Kitty, Ben and Cormac in this book! It's my favourite so far, because it takes a different turn from the first 2 books. Kitty's basically on a break from her radio show to recover from the developments of the past 2 books, starting her own radio show, being caught on TV, coming out as a werewolf.
Resulting in her being in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, tuning into her competition's radio show and somehow finding solstice in trying to sabotage it every week. When Cormac and Ben turn up needing to take refuge for a few days, that's when the tension between the three start. And it's this tension that feels so raw and emotional; I absolutely loved Ben in this and the way Kitty nurtured him all the way through. This series just feels somehow real in the emotions it conveys, and there's this addictive quality about the series that makes you want to keep reading.
There's something about Kitty that resonates with me much more than the typical badass heroine, she's just so real, kind and caring. I imagine an attractive blonde woman who is good with the gift of gab, and just takes the world upon her shoulders to help people with struggles to feel better about themselves.
Ben, can't say much about it because of spoilers but he had this vulnerable quality about him in the book that just turned on Kitty's mothering side. It was heart-warming to witness what unfolded between them. He feels a lot different to those flawless "Gods gift to women" men who are always love interests in books, and I think I preferred that because he felt more real.
Cormac on the other hand, there's a bit of unresolved feelings here which we may not experience due to the events of this book.
Just love this series and want to read the next one ASAP.
Check out Happy Indulgence for more reviews!
Resulting in her being in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, tuning into her competition's radio show and somehow finding solstice in trying to sabotage it every week. When Cormac and Ben turn up needing to take refuge for a few days, that's when the tension between the three start. And it's this tension that feels so raw and emotional; I absolutely loved Ben in this and the way Kitty nurtured him all the way through. This series just feels somehow real in the emotions it conveys, and there's this addictive quality about the series that makes you want to keep reading.
There's something about Kitty that resonates with me much more than the typical badass heroine, she's just so real, kind and caring. I imagine an attractive blonde woman who is good with the gift of gab, and just takes the world upon her shoulders to help people with struggles to feel better about themselves.
Ben, can't say much about it because of spoilers but he had this vulnerable quality about him in the book that just turned on Kitty's mothering side. It was heart-warming to witness what unfolded between them. He feels a lot different to those flawless "Gods gift to women" men who are always love interests in books, and I think I preferred that because he felt more real.
Cormac on the other hand, there's a bit of unresolved feelings here which we may not experience due to the events of this book.
Just love this series and want to read the next one ASAP.
Check out Happy Indulgence for more reviews!
September 21, 2012
This book ruined the Kitty Norville series for me. It gets off to an OK start. Kitty has locked herself away in a cottage, basically in the middle of nowhere, to help heal and cope with what happened to her at the end of "Kitty Goes to Washington." Kitty comes off a bit weak and even immature at moments in this book. Her calling in the other supernatural talk show under false names, to try and rile up or shake up the DJ. I just couldn't believe this was the same character. You are the girl who stood in a cage, faced down your assailants and turned their evil plan in your favor? You are the girl who literally pulled a fae over your spell circle? I can get taking a break from the show, but crank calls and stupid jealousy because you put your show on hold and someone else had the gal to have a show similar to it?
To make matters worse, Cormac brings a recently bitten Ben to her doorway.This is when the story goes completely south for me. It had such great promise, the idea that Ben, the ever cool lawyer is now a werewolf and Cormac, the werewolf hunter must now decide whether or not he's going to kill his cousin and best friend. The issue is that Ben is an annoying wolf.Don't get me wrong, I get that being turned into a wolf is traumatic, but Ben becomes a victim. He is always whining and relying on Kitty to talk care of him. The amount of times he yelled or whimpered "Kitty!" needing her was soooo annoying and made me roll my eyes lots.
Added to that, there is their relationship. HOW? I am sorry. Kitty has a short attention span. She throws herself at Cormac, while sleeping with Carl. Cormac is a bit freaked, which is to be expected seeing as he was raised to hunt werewolves, and so Kitty turns to Luis, who was boring as all hell. Now, all of a sudden she's into Ben? Cormac and Kitty have had chemistry since the first book. Their banter has made me laugh, etc. I liked Ben in earlier books, but there was never any real chemistry or attraction to each other. In fact, Ben spent the first two books telling Kitty how into her Cormac is, etc etc. Now all of a sudden they're together? I would have been ok with this, if after their initial hook up, there was a sign of romance, of attraction, of heat. NO, Ben just needs someone to take care of him because he's a submissive wolf and that bugs me. I am all for strong female characters, but an alpha female needs an alpha male, not some beta wolf that is going to bow his head and wait for her to get in the middle of the battles. I mean she is hurt protecting him and he's like "i should have done something" YES! You should have. Also, he goes from this badass lawyer who stared down overzealous senators on the senate floor, to a hack who cannot even handle some small town newbie prosecutor?
They're relationship is all about convenience. He's a wolf, she's a wolf, hey lets be a pack and while we're at it, lets have sex! Never mind that we never had any real attraction or interest in each other. Never mind that my cousin likes you. Never mind that when you would meet up, Ben would order lunch and barely pay you attention besides work.
I have said it before, a book is as good as it's romance and this romance was cheap, sloppily thrown together and not organic or even interesting. That coupled with Kitty's immaturity and the fact that they could not figure out simple little mysteries and threw Cormac under the bus really ruined this series. I have read some spoilers and I guess whats to come in the series is interesting, but I am disappointed, UF has not been bringing it's agame for me.
To make matters worse, Cormac brings a recently bitten Ben to her doorway.This is when the story goes completely south for me. It had such great promise, the idea that Ben, the ever cool lawyer is now a werewolf and Cormac, the werewolf hunter must now decide whether or not he's going to kill his cousin and best friend. The issue is that Ben is an annoying wolf.Don't get me wrong, I get that being turned into a wolf is traumatic, but Ben becomes a victim. He is always whining and relying on Kitty to talk care of him. The amount of times he yelled or whimpered "Kitty!" needing her was soooo annoying and made me roll my eyes lots.
Added to that, there is their relationship. HOW? I am sorry. Kitty has a short attention span. She throws herself at Cormac, while sleeping with Carl. Cormac is a bit freaked, which is to be expected seeing as he was raised to hunt werewolves, and so Kitty turns to Luis, who was boring as all hell. Now, all of a sudden she's into Ben? Cormac and Kitty have had chemistry since the first book. Their banter has made me laugh, etc. I liked Ben in earlier books, but there was never any real chemistry or attraction to each other. In fact, Ben spent the first two books telling Kitty how into her Cormac is, etc etc. Now all of a sudden they're together? I would have been ok with this, if after their initial hook up, there was a sign of romance, of attraction, of heat. NO, Ben just needs someone to take care of him because he's a submissive wolf and that bugs me. I am all for strong female characters, but an alpha female needs an alpha male, not some beta wolf that is going to bow his head and wait for her to get in the middle of the battles. I mean she is hurt protecting him and he's like "i should have done something" YES! You should have. Also, he goes from this badass lawyer who stared down overzealous senators on the senate floor, to a hack who cannot even handle some small town newbie prosecutor?
They're relationship is all about convenience. He's a wolf, she's a wolf, hey lets be a pack and while we're at it, lets have sex! Never mind that we never had any real attraction or interest in each other. Never mind that my cousin likes you. Never mind that when you would meet up, Ben would order lunch and barely pay you attention besides work.
I have said it before, a book is as good as it's romance and this romance was cheap, sloppily thrown together and not organic or even interesting. That coupled with Kitty's immaturity and the fact that they could not figure out simple little mysteries and threw Cormac under the bus really ruined this series. I have read some spoilers and I guess whats to come in the series is interesting, but I am disappointed, UF has not been bringing it's agame for me.
November 17, 2024
Kitty takes a Holiday follows Kitty, after the traumatic events of the last book, isolating herself in a literal cabin in the woods, under the pretense of taking time off her show to write a book.
With her lycanthropy being public knowledge, it doesn’t take long for the locals to voice their displeasure in graphic and gruesome displays of intimidation — and more than just a little witchcraft. But before Kitty can get to the bottom of that, Cormac arrives at her cabin with Ben, whose been bitten by a werewolf.
The evolving dynamics between Cormac, Kitty and Ben is the heart of the book, and where it eventually landed was genuinely surprising. In Urban Fantasy, the Ben’s — the regular, everyday normal guys — often get the raw deal. Especially when romance is concerned. And while, yes, his lycanthropy certainly elevates his status, he doesn’t get a personality change to reflect that.
Ben’s struggle to accept this life-altering change is, unfortunately, way too quickly entangled with a sexual relationship with Kitty for my liking. Even as they’re about to have sex for the first time, Kitty acknowledges the uncomfortable dynamics at play — and she’d know with Carl as her previous alpha. Sadly this goes completely unexplored in favour of mostly unspoken “what are we?” questions about their relationship and added friction over the unconsummated attraction Kitty and Cormac share, which is equally frustrating.
While I love Ben, and like Kitty and Ben together a hell of a lot more than Kitty and Cormac, the fact that Kitty is still pining over the what-if’s of her relationship with Cormac by the end of this book isn’t a great sign.
The conflict with the locals and the monsters Cormac was hunting are the plot outside of this, and the introduction of Skinwalkers is a subject I don’t feel capable of commenting on other than wondering how necessary it was.
With classic folklore, its a free-for-all creatively, but I wish white authors took more time and care before dipping into other cultures stories and traditions, and I just didn’t feel that care. The native American characters are thinly drawn to service a concept Vaughn thought was cool, and if it wasn’t real people we were talking about, that wouldn’t be an issue.
Anyway, Cormac suffering consequences for excessive force over killing the Skinwalker is actually a stroke of genius, in my opinion. The legal system and the supernatural world are often — understandably, for the most part — treated like oil and water, two worlds running parallel but never intersecting in consequential ways (at least for the supernatural side), and Vaughn made a concerted effort to go against that, and the story here is better for it.
The fact that Cormac is forced into a plea deal and will have to serve prison time is the icing on that cake. I like Cormac, but this conclusion is just the more impactful choice.
At the same time, Kitty takes a Holiday doesn’t have much action. After a quick confrontation with the Skinwalker halfway, the rest of the story doesn’t rise above tense exchanges, and while I can appreciate slower, character-driven stories, this story didn’t end on a decisive end; it just felt like Vaughn ran out of steam and tacked on an epilogue clearing up one or two things.
With her lycanthropy being public knowledge, it doesn’t take long for the locals to voice their displeasure in graphic and gruesome displays of intimidation — and more than just a little witchcraft. But before Kitty can get to the bottom of that, Cormac arrives at her cabin with Ben, whose been bitten by a werewolf.
The evolving dynamics between Cormac, Kitty and Ben is the heart of the book, and where it eventually landed was genuinely surprising. In Urban Fantasy, the Ben’s — the regular, everyday normal guys — often get the raw deal. Especially when romance is concerned. And while, yes, his lycanthropy certainly elevates his status, he doesn’t get a personality change to reflect that.
Ben’s struggle to accept this life-altering change is, unfortunately, way too quickly entangled with a sexual relationship with Kitty for my liking. Even as they’re about to have sex for the first time, Kitty acknowledges the uncomfortable dynamics at play — and she’d know with Carl as her previous alpha. Sadly this goes completely unexplored in favour of mostly unspoken “what are we?” questions about their relationship and added friction over the unconsummated attraction Kitty and Cormac share, which is equally frustrating.
While I love Ben, and like Kitty and Ben together a hell of a lot more than Kitty and Cormac, the fact that Kitty is still pining over the what-if’s of her relationship with Cormac by the end of this book isn’t a great sign.
The conflict with the locals and the monsters Cormac was hunting are the plot outside of this, and the introduction of Skinwalkers is a subject I don’t feel capable of commenting on other than wondering how necessary it was.
With classic folklore, its a free-for-all creatively, but I wish white authors took more time and care before dipping into other cultures stories and traditions, and I just didn’t feel that care. The native American characters are thinly drawn to service a concept Vaughn thought was cool, and if it wasn’t real people we were talking about, that wouldn’t be an issue.
Anyway, Cormac suffering consequences for excessive force over killing the Skinwalker is actually a stroke of genius, in my opinion. The legal system and the supernatural world are often — understandably, for the most part — treated like oil and water, two worlds running parallel but never intersecting in consequential ways (at least for the supernatural side), and Vaughn made a concerted effort to go against that, and the story here is better for it.
The fact that Cormac is forced into a plea deal and will have to serve prison time is the icing on that cake. I like Cormac, but this conclusion is just the more impactful choice.
At the same time, Kitty takes a Holiday doesn’t have much action. After a quick confrontation with the Skinwalker halfway, the rest of the story doesn’t rise above tense exchanges, and while I can appreciate slower, character-driven stories, this story didn’t end on a decisive end; it just felt like Vaughn ran out of steam and tacked on an epilogue clearing up one or two things.
March 24, 2011
I find that the Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn is a nice little distraction. While the series is not the best UF series out there, I do find that each book has been consistent for me. Kitty’s world includes werewolves, vampires, and other paranormal creatures. I loved how the Native American skin walkers were incorporated into this book.
It’s difficult to review this book without giving away a major spoiler, but let’s just say that Kitty spends her time in this book helping out her friends. One of her friends needs to sort through a problem and the other friend has legal issues. We’ll leave it at that.
Kitty is on a much needed vacation in a cabin in the mountains. Her show is on a temporary hiatus. Kitty is trying, rather unsuccessfully, to write a book. Peace and quiet never really lasts long in Kitty’s world and soon things start happening. Dead rabbit on the doorstep. Surprise guests with issues. And so the story begins.
In this book, we learn more about Cormac and what makes him tick. Cormac’s background is interesting. I did not like the turn the book took with regards to Cormac; I’ll be interested in seeing how it turns out in the next book.
Mild mannered Ben. Oh, Ben. I did not expect that at all.
Kitty’s transition from weak pack member in the first book to head of her own small pack in this book is awesome. I loved how Kitty became stronger and more assertive in this book. Kitty is truly an Alpha wolf in her own little pack of friends.
Kitty’s absence in the late night radio world opened up a spot for an imitator, Ariel. At first, Kitty’s reactions are a little playful, if not spiteful. Kitty’s little prank calls to the show managed to get an interesting reaction from Ariel. As Ariel praised Kitty for starting these types of shows, she reconfirmed that Kitty was her inspiration.
I found that while I enjoyed this book parts of it had a Law and Order: Supernatural Division kind of feel. I’ll continue reading this series. I do enjoy Kitty and the company she keeps.
It’s difficult to review this book without giving away a major spoiler, but let’s just say that Kitty spends her time in this book helping out her friends. One of her friends needs to sort through a problem and the other friend has legal issues. We’ll leave it at that.
Kitty is on a much needed vacation in a cabin in the mountains. Her show is on a temporary hiatus. Kitty is trying, rather unsuccessfully, to write a book. Peace and quiet never really lasts long in Kitty’s world and soon things start happening. Dead rabbit on the doorstep. Surprise guests with issues. And so the story begins.
In this book, we learn more about Cormac and what makes him tick. Cormac’s background is interesting. I did not like the turn the book took with regards to Cormac; I’ll be interested in seeing how it turns out in the next book.
Mild mannered Ben. Oh, Ben. I did not expect that at all.
Kitty’s transition from weak pack member in the first book to head of her own small pack in this book is awesome. I loved how Kitty became stronger and more assertive in this book. Kitty is truly an Alpha wolf in her own little pack of friends.
Kitty’s absence in the late night radio world opened up a spot for an imitator, Ariel. At first, Kitty’s reactions are a little playful, if not spiteful. Kitty’s little prank calls to the show managed to get an interesting reaction from Ariel. As Ariel praised Kitty for starting these types of shows, she reconfirmed that Kitty was her inspiration.
I found that while I enjoyed this book parts of it had a Law and Order: Supernatural Division kind of feel. I’ll continue reading this series. I do enjoy Kitty and the company she keeps.
January 22, 2016
I brought the first three Kitty books hoping for a truly interesting read. I’ve never been the biggest of werewolf fans – I like them, but I do not love them in the way I love other supernatural creatures – yet I was hoping this series would turn me around. It was such a promising idea. It was such an interesting idea. A radio host of a supernatural chat show who just so happens to be a werewolf – colour me interested.
Unfortunately, the story failed to pull me in the way I had hope it would.
The first book left me feeling ‘meh’. The second book almost brought about some positive emotions. This third book sat somewhere in the middle. It wasn’t as meh as the first book… yet it had been knocked back a bit from the enjoyment of the second book. It is a bit of a lull, as I thought we were going somewhere after the second book.
For me, I feel as though this book exists solely to force the story in a particular direction. If the truth is to be told, I’m not sure if I like the direction that it seems to be heading. It was unexpected – there is no question of that – yet for once the unexpected is not something I seem to enjoy. It is far too forced. It was an unnatural turn of the story. It does not seem to be a natural progression for the characters. It appears to be what fits the end results.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a clear attempt to make this work. It almost does. However, it still feels so unnatural. It is throwing away what has been worked towards with some of the characters over the first two books. Suddenly characters are being thrown into places they should not be going. Daring, but this does not make it right.
A part of me is tempted to carry on with the series, simply to see if it can be salvaged after this turn of events. However, I have no desire to waste my time with something that isn’t really exciting me – especially now that the things I was starting to enjoy appear to have been turned around.
Perhaps I will one day borrow the rest of the series from the library, but as it currently stands such a thing is highly unlikely.
Unfortunately, the story failed to pull me in the way I had hope it would.
The first book left me feeling ‘meh’. The second book almost brought about some positive emotions. This third book sat somewhere in the middle. It wasn’t as meh as the first book… yet it had been knocked back a bit from the enjoyment of the second book. It is a bit of a lull, as I thought we were going somewhere after the second book.
For me, I feel as though this book exists solely to force the story in a particular direction. If the truth is to be told, I’m not sure if I like the direction that it seems to be heading. It was unexpected – there is no question of that – yet for once the unexpected is not something I seem to enjoy. It is far too forced. It was an unnatural turn of the story. It does not seem to be a natural progression for the characters. It appears to be what fits the end results.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a clear attempt to make this work. It almost does. However, it still feels so unnatural. It is throwing away what has been worked towards with some of the characters over the first two books. Suddenly characters are being thrown into places they should not be going. Daring, but this does not make it right.
A part of me is tempted to carry on with the series, simply to see if it can be salvaged after this turn of events. However, I have no desire to waste my time with something that isn’t really exciting me – especially now that the things I was starting to enjoy appear to have been turned around.
Perhaps I will one day borrow the rest of the series from the library, but as it currently stands such a thing is highly unlikely.
July 11, 2009
Needing a break after the cataclysmic events of KITTY GOES TO WASHINGTON, Kitty has retreated to a wilderness cabin with a book contract, leaving her radio show in repeats while she listens to a show by a wannabe and grinding her teeth. She doesn't know what she wants to do. When someone local--she thinks--begins to place curse signs on her cabin, she learns that local law enforcement is not inclined to help, unless she asks them to help her pack. Then Cormac arrives with a badly hurt Ben, and everything goes downhill, with Native American magic, Wicca, folk magic, and the development of weres thrown in.
I liked this least of the three I've read so far--so much doom and gloom, with little of the zest that was in the first book, or the humor. I'll try a fourth book because the first two were fun reads, but if I want dark and doom, I'll watch the news from Iran. (Hey, wait--I do watch the news from Iran.)
I liked this least of the three I've read so far--so much doom and gloom, with little of the zest that was in the first book, or the humor. I'll try a fourth book because the first two were fun reads, but if I want dark and doom, I'll watch the news from Iran. (Hey, wait--I do watch the news from Iran.)
March 28, 2021
Kitty Takes a Holiday
3.5 Stars
In the aftermath of her exposure to the world, talk show host and werewolf, Kitty Norville, takes a much-needed break to lick her wounds and write her memoir in a small cabin in the Colorado mountains. However, Kitty's vacation soon takes a turn for the worse when gruesome animal sacrifices are left on her doorstep. This is only exacerbated by the arrival of bounty hunter Cormac Bennett bearing Kitty's unconscious lawyer, Ben O'Farrell, who has been bitten by a werewolf.
While this is an entertaining series with good world-building and an appealing heroine, there is something missing. It is clear from this installment that that something is the romance, or more importantly, the lack thereof.
Yes, Kitty's chemistry with the enigmatic Cormac was hinted at, but never actually developed into a relationship. Now with Ben becoming Kitty's new love interest, it is clear that any possible romance with Cormac is dead in the water. This would not be an issue if Ben were anything other than a mundane beta, but he is and had absolutely no chemistry with Kitty whatsoever. In fact, it seems that their relationship is nothing other than lycanthropy-induced sex.
The plot itself is engaging with Kitty's mysterious stalker and the attack on local cattle. The eventual explanations are satisfying with some exciting moments. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that Kitty isn't more of a kick-ass heroine. She's a freakin' werewolf for crying out loud, so why doesn't she act like one.
Overall, this series has potential, so I will be reading the next book. Nevertheless, if the romance and character development don't improve, I may have to call it quits.
3.5 Stars
In the aftermath of her exposure to the world, talk show host and werewolf, Kitty Norville, takes a much-needed break to lick her wounds and write her memoir in a small cabin in the Colorado mountains. However, Kitty's vacation soon takes a turn for the worse when gruesome animal sacrifices are left on her doorstep. This is only exacerbated by the arrival of bounty hunter Cormac Bennett bearing Kitty's unconscious lawyer, Ben O'Farrell, who has been bitten by a werewolf.
While this is an entertaining series with good world-building and an appealing heroine, there is something missing. It is clear from this installment that that something is the romance, or more importantly, the lack thereof.
Yes, Kitty's chemistry with the enigmatic Cormac was hinted at, but never actually developed into a relationship. Now with Ben becoming Kitty's new love interest, it is clear that any possible romance with Cormac is dead in the water. This would not be an issue if Ben were anything other than a mundane beta, but he is and had absolutely no chemistry with Kitty whatsoever. In fact, it seems that their relationship is nothing other than lycanthropy-induced sex.
The plot itself is engaging with Kitty's mysterious stalker and the attack on local cattle. The eventual explanations are satisfying with some exciting moments. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that Kitty isn't more of a kick-ass heroine. She's a freakin' werewolf for crying out loud, so why doesn't she act like one.
Overall, this series has potential, so I will be reading the next book. Nevertheless, if the romance and character development don't improve, I may have to call it quits.
April 11, 2016
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
Every hard hitting Urban Fantasy heroine deserves some down time, but Norville hasn’t exactly done enough to warrant an extended stay at a mountain cabin in my opinion, and she definitely hasn’t reached memoirs status yet. KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY is only installment #3 after all. Carrie Vaughn attempted to fast track this series, and the later chapters came close to accomplishing that; however the fact remains that too much of this audiobook was about the protagonist throwing a pity party in the boonies, screwing up her love life, and not hosting her radio show.
I enjoyed the mystery of who (or what) was leaving dead animals around Norville’s rented digs, and Cormac’s subsequent trial for killing the threat in front of a cop was a close second because it lead to more knowledge about the sexy bounty hunter. Ben surprised me once again! He’s progressed from lawyer, to vampire slayer, to his current condition, and although I was taken off guard by a recent development, I am impressed with how his character is shaping up. Unfortunately, the pacing, and long stretches of inaction stole a lot of the plot’s thunder.
So, let’s recap, Kitty has 1. come out as a werewolf on air, and 2. shifted on live television. That’s a lot for anyone to endure, especially within a matter of weeks. That being said, she’s the only MC that I’ve come across who’s written an autobiography, and quite frankly she’s also the least deserving. Norville began her journey as a submissive, and has made a sliver’s worth of progress on that front, but in this novel she lost ground. There were too many why-me moments, and her jabs at Ariel, Priestess of the Nigh, were petty. I missed listening to the Midnight Hour!
Marguerite Gavin’s performances have been middle-of-the-pack thus far, but she clearly has more talent than the voice inside my head because originally I quit reading this series after two books. She really excels at the radio bits which were MIA in this particular volume, so that was unlucky, and the accents she used for the various members of the Wilson family didn’t quite hit their mark. Aside from those cons, Gavin remains one of the lead reasons why I haven’t abandoned KITTY NORVILLE (again). However, her narration was no substitute for Vaughn’s uninspired writing.
I need a vacation from snoozeville after KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY.
Every hard hitting Urban Fantasy heroine deserves some down time, but Norville hasn’t exactly done enough to warrant an extended stay at a mountain cabin in my opinion, and she definitely hasn’t reached memoirs status yet. KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY is only installment #3 after all. Carrie Vaughn attempted to fast track this series, and the later chapters came close to accomplishing that; however the fact remains that too much of this audiobook was about the protagonist throwing a pity party in the boonies, screwing up her love life, and not hosting her radio show.
I enjoyed the mystery of who (or what) was leaving dead animals around Norville’s rented digs, and Cormac’s subsequent trial for killing the threat in front of a cop was a close second because it lead to more knowledge about the sexy bounty hunter. Ben surprised me once again! He’s progressed from lawyer, to vampire slayer, to his current condition, and although I was taken off guard by a recent development, I am impressed with how his character is shaping up. Unfortunately, the pacing, and long stretches of inaction stole a lot of the plot’s thunder.
So, let’s recap, Kitty has 1. come out as a werewolf on air, and 2. shifted on live television. That’s a lot for anyone to endure, especially within a matter of weeks. That being said, she’s the only MC that I’ve come across who’s written an autobiography, and quite frankly she’s also the least deserving. Norville began her journey as a submissive, and has made a sliver’s worth of progress on that front, but in this novel she lost ground. There were too many why-me moments, and her jabs at Ariel, Priestess of the Nigh, were petty. I missed listening to the Midnight Hour!
Marguerite Gavin’s performances have been middle-of-the-pack thus far, but she clearly has more talent than the voice inside my head because originally I quit reading this series after two books. She really excels at the radio bits which were MIA in this particular volume, so that was unlucky, and the accents she used for the various members of the Wilson family didn’t quite hit their mark. Aside from those cons, Gavin remains one of the lead reasons why I haven’t abandoned KITTY NORVILLE (again). However, her narration was no substitute for Vaughn’s uninspired writing.
I need a vacation from snoozeville after KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY.
March 16, 2009
I'm really starting to like this series. Once I got past the boring title, I enjoyed the well-written character development between Kitty and her three-person quasi-pack. Vaughn has a quick, dialogue-heavy writing style that I'm appreciating more and more in authors and has the added bonus of making novels quick to read, even for notoriously-slow me. I polished this one off during a plane ride.
Cormac is slowly becoming my new favorite novel hero, though I'm kinda disappointed that he's not a werewolf. The tension between him and Kitty becomes more relevant but then goes unresolved, which is annoying. That relationship alone is probably enough to get me to read the next book. In general, Kitty's romantic relationships are more interestingly played out in this book, and far more gripping than her fling with the were-jaguar in her last adventure.
This book has some weird pacing. About 2/3 through, most of the plot has been resolved leaving only one mystery for Kitty and Ben to sort through (sadly sans Cormac, though explaining why would give most the plot away).
Aside from the interesting new mystery that "Kitty Takes a Holiday" presents, I did enjoy the subplot of Kitty struggling to write her memoirs and dealing with her new-founded fame. She's a pretty easy character to relate to, even though sometimes I feel she's been too simplified.
I think I like best the down-to-earth tone of the series, which allows its various supernatural elements to feel like realities. Vaughn doesn't try to play up the possible drama of a courtroom scenes, for example, but rather calls them out for the boring, legalistic processionals that they are. Kudos.
Cormac is slowly becoming my new favorite novel hero, though I'm kinda disappointed that he's not a werewolf. The tension between him and Kitty becomes more relevant but then goes unresolved, which is annoying. That relationship alone is probably enough to get me to read the next book. In general, Kitty's romantic relationships are more interestingly played out in this book, and far more gripping than her fling with the were-jaguar in her last adventure.
This book has some weird pacing. About 2/3 through, most of the plot has been resolved leaving only one mystery for Kitty and Ben to sort through (sadly sans Cormac, though explaining why would give most the plot away).
Aside from the interesting new mystery that "Kitty Takes a Holiday" presents, I did enjoy the subplot of Kitty struggling to write her memoirs and dealing with her new-founded fame. She's a pretty easy character to relate to, even though sometimes I feel she's been too simplified.
I think I like best the down-to-earth tone of the series, which allows its various supernatural elements to feel like realities. Vaughn doesn't try to play up the possible drama of a courtroom scenes, for example, but rather calls them out for the boring, legalistic processionals that they are. Kudos.
November 30, 2010
Originally posted to The Book Bundle - if you like my review, please consider popping over there for a look :-)
Book 3 in the series, so beware spoilers for 1 & 2!
My thoughts: I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I read it all in one sitting, starting at about 11pm with the intention of reading a couple of chapters, and stopping somewhere between 1 and 2 am. Normally, reading a book this quickly would be a sign that I really enjoyed it, but there are a lot of things about it that annoy me.
I read wanting to find out what happened with Kitty and Cormac. He's gorgeous, and in previous books you could feel the chemistry between the two of them in every conversation they had. Situations in this book change things. I think Kitty chose the wrong guy. I kept reading, waiting for it to be fixed, and it never was, and that just didn't sit right. A character seems to have been pushed away to the side, and I'm still sitting blinking going, 'Huh? Why?'
Some bits that I did like were the fall out from Kitty's TV appearance at the end of book 2. I think that was realistic, and I'm glad we get to see the impact of it not just on Kitty's life but on the supernatural and everyday world as well.
I don't know where I'm going to go from here with this series, if I'll read the rest of it sometime from the library, but for now I think I need a break from it. I like Kitty, but the books just don't quite fit with me, I'm afraid.
I give it 6 out of 10.
Book 3 in the series, so beware spoilers for 1 & 2!
My thoughts: I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I read it all in one sitting, starting at about 11pm with the intention of reading a couple of chapters, and stopping somewhere between 1 and 2 am. Normally, reading a book this quickly would be a sign that I really enjoyed it, but there are a lot of things about it that annoy me.
I read wanting to find out what happened with Kitty and Cormac. He's gorgeous, and in previous books you could feel the chemistry between the two of them in every conversation they had. Situations in this book change things. I think Kitty chose the wrong guy. I kept reading, waiting for it to be fixed, and it never was, and that just didn't sit right. A character seems to have been pushed away to the side, and I'm still sitting blinking going, 'Huh? Why?'
Some bits that I did like were the fall out from Kitty's TV appearance at the end of book 2. I think that was realistic, and I'm glad we get to see the impact of it not just on Kitty's life but on the supernatural and everyday world as well.
I don't know where I'm going to go from here with this series, if I'll read the rest of it sometime from the library, but for now I think I need a break from it. I like Kitty, but the books just don't quite fit with me, I'm afraid.
I give it 6 out of 10.
February 1, 2014
With a book to write, Kitty takes some time off from her day job and all the people who want to kill her and moves into a small rental cabin in a rural town. But things never go smoothly for her and she soon discovers someone is using blood magic to curse her. Then Cormac arrives in the middle of the night with Ben who has been attacked and infected by a werewolf and what was supposed to be a holiday goes from bad to worse.
Kitty Takes a Holiday is good fun for lovers of werewolves, witches and shape shifters. Of the three books I've read, I think this one is probably the weakest but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. It was entertaining enough even if the book lost it's way a little and the resolution wasn't entirely adequate.
Kitty Takes a Holiday is good fun for lovers of werewolves, witches and shape shifters. Of the three books I've read, I think this one is probably the weakest but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. It was entertaining enough even if the book lost it's way a little and the resolution wasn't entirely adequate.
June 13, 2012
(audio version) Things change, Kitty's life changes in a blink of the eye. She is alone with her wolf and herself, avoiding reality. She rents a place outside of a small town where the residents don't seem too happy having the infamous werewolf about. Dead, bloody warnings start showing up then things get worse. Cormack the werewolf hunter drives down her road. This visit changes everything for one of them.
I really loved the twist and turns for the characters in this book. Ms. Vaughn gave them a fresh new path that I am looking forward to continuing.
Quote" 10 Ways to Defeat Macho Dickheadism"
I really loved the twist and turns for the characters in this book. Ms. Vaughn gave them a fresh new path that I am looking forward to continuing.
Quote" 10 Ways to Defeat Macho Dickheadism"
July 28, 2017
Let me start off by saying, no summer lite and fluffy list would be complete without at least one book about my favorite talk Dj turned werewolf, Kitty Norville. This is the 3rd book in the series. and It was just ok for me. These novels are best when they revolve around her radio talk show. I just did not find this storyline as interesting this time.
Still and all, I love this series and am going to try to squeeze in at least one more book this summer.
Still and all, I love this series and am going to try to squeeze in at least one more book this summer.
March 12, 2015
This is how I picture Kitty looking like. The chick from Blood and Chocolate. Ironic right? I think she'd play a great Kitty.
January 9, 2010
Seriously... him? seriously = /
August 17, 2019
After everything that happened in book two Kitty needs to get away from it all and repairs to a cabin in the woods to take a break and maybe write her memoirs. While this is a good thing for her it minimizes my favorite aspect of the series - the wonderful conversations that Vaughn writes, especially when Kitty is hosting her radio show.
The first two thirds is your usual urban fantasy. Kitty is helping someone who was recently turned into a werewolf while figuring out who is leaving curses and dead animals outside her front door. The last third, though, concentrates on a trial where the action stops dead. It feels like two different stories grafted together.
My overall impression was mediocre, and not helped by the depiction of a skinwalker, which is a figure from Navajo tradition. A quick look at the wikipedia page shows that Dené folk would rather white people not appropriate the idea. The issue came to the fore when J.K. Rowling did just that, which put it on my radar. Kitty Takes a Holiday was written before the hullabaloo so I'm willing to overlook it to a point, but I'm not sure about the quality of the Native rep, period, and I've yet to find an own voices review.
The grafted stories, rep I'm not sure about, and miasma of meh did not work well for me. I'll be pushing though to the next book soon in hopes that things get better.
The first two thirds is your usual urban fantasy. Kitty is helping someone who was recently turned into a werewolf while figuring out who is leaving curses and dead animals outside her front door. The last third, though, concentrates on a trial where the action stops dead. It feels like two different stories grafted together.
My overall impression was mediocre, and not helped by the depiction of a skinwalker, which is a figure from Navajo tradition. A quick look at the wikipedia page shows that Dené folk would rather white people not appropriate the idea. The issue came to the fore when J.K. Rowling did just that, which put it on my radar. Kitty Takes a Holiday was written before the hullabaloo so I'm willing to overlook it to a point, but I'm not sure about the quality of the Native rep, period, and I've yet to find an own voices review.
The grafted stories, rep I'm not sure about, and miasma of meh did not work well for me. I'll be pushing though to the next book soon in hopes that things get better.
November 2, 2018
I have to give this Kitty Norville 5 stars, i am so glad i stuck with this series, although written fantastically i found book one and two to be 3 star reads, but this one knocked my socks off, I LOVED IT!!!!!
Kitty seems to be Depressed hiding out in the woods, using the excuse of trying to write a memoir, while she is failing at. One night Cormac shows up with Ben who has been attacked by a werewolf, add some weird witch lore and it is a great read!
I have to admit i was disappointed at the love interest, i was hoping for it to be someone else, but i think the way its worked out fits nicely, and is probably more suitable in the long run to what Kitty needs.......
Yea and amazing read i just hope the series doesn't slope back to the way it started....
Kitty seems to be Depressed hiding out in the woods, using the excuse of trying to write a memoir, while she is failing at. One night Cormac shows up with Ben who has been attacked by a werewolf, add some weird witch lore and it is a great read!
I have to admit i was disappointed at the love interest, i was hoping for it to be someone else, but i think the way its worked out fits nicely, and is probably more suitable in the long run to what Kitty needs.......
Yea and amazing read i just hope the series doesn't slope back to the way it started....
August 19, 2021
Love this book. I dropped a star because I wish the show had been a bigger part.
Will continue onto book 4.
Will continue onto book 4.
April 15, 2011
Book 3 in Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville series is the best yet. Kitty Takes a Holiday details Kitty's efforts to get away from it all after her kidnapping at the end of
Kitty Goes to Washington
. She's decided to rent a cabin in the woods and write her memoirs. Only it's not going so well. She starts getting harassed... People leaving dead animals on her porch and whatnot. But things only get worse when werewolf hunter Cormac shows up with lawyer Ben, who has been bitten and has contracted lycanthropy. Cormac figures Kitty can help Ben recover and learn how to accept his wolf. But Ben's not on board; he wants Cormac to kill him.
We've been watching the will-they or won't-they between Kitty and Cormac since the beginning of the series.
So imagine my shock and surprise, when Remember the scene at the end of Final Destination, when the girl is arguing with her friends, then turns to stomp off and gets hit by a bus? I was completely blindsided by that scene. It came out of nowhere, but at the same time, it made sense in the context of the movie. That's how I felt when
In addition to the dead animals and the threat of a curse outside Kitty's door, it also appears that the wolf involved in Ben's infection has followed him to the cabin. But is it really a wolf or something scarier?
A lot was going on in this book, but it never felt scattered or confusing. I never realized that I cared about Ben, but by the end of the book, I was surprised to find out that I do. And I see why Kitty does. And the whole is intriguing. I hate what happened with Cormac in the end, but I hold out hope that this will be resolved in the next book or one soon after.
5 stars. If you are a Kitty fan, don't miss this one. It's a game changer. If you've never read Kitty before, start with Kitty and the Midnight Hour and keep going with the series. You'll be glad you did.
We've been watching the will-they or won't-they between Kitty and Cormac since the beginning of the series.
So imagine my shock and surprise, when Remember the scene at the end of Final Destination, when the girl is arguing with her friends, then turns to stomp off and gets hit by a bus? I was completely blindsided by that scene. It came out of nowhere, but at the same time, it made sense in the context of the movie. That's how I felt when
In addition to the dead animals and the threat of a curse outside Kitty's door, it also appears that the wolf involved in Ben's infection has followed him to the cabin. But is it really a wolf or something scarier?
A lot was going on in this book, but it never felt scattered or confusing. I never realized that I cared about Ben, but by the end of the book, I was surprised to find out that I do. And I see why Kitty does. And the whole is intriguing. I hate what happened with Cormac in the end, but I hold out hope that this will be resolved in the next book or one soon after.
5 stars. If you are a Kitty fan, don't miss this one. It's a game changer. If you've never read Kitty before, start with Kitty and the Midnight Hour and keep going with the series. You'll be glad you did.
June 10, 2009
The Kitty series is great beach reading. This isn't a bad thing, for each book so far has been quite enjoyable.
Vaughn deserves credit for this book. In the first two books, the radio show formed some of the best parts. Here, Kitty has taken a break from her radio show. It's risky to not fully use the gimmick that first sold the books, but Vaughn pulls it off well. I loved the radio bits in the first two books, and surprisedly, I didn't miss it here because of how tight and quick the plot works. The radio is present in the form of a competitor to Kitty, Ariel (I loved how that sub-plot was tied up), but the focus of the book is on Kitty, Ben, and Cormac.
Kitty continues to grow as a character. She is no longer the frightened wolf chick of the first book, but is now a able and believable woman who takes on responsibilities. Vaughn has done a good job of showing the character growth over the books while still keeping Kitty believable as an otherwise normal person. She still could be your next door neighbor. Kitty isn't the only character to grow in this book; both Ben and Cormac gain depth. Supporting characters are also well drawn (though there are some loose threads).
Vaughn also does something that few writers in the genre do. She shows how the law might respond to paranormal deadly activity. There is a price to be paid, and Vaughn does a good job of not giving an easy answer to the question surrounding the price. How many times does Anita Blake kill without a warrant and never have to answer for it? How many times can the members of the Otherworld do illegal activity without a cop asking questions? It's nice to see Vaughn address the mixture of normal law with magic use in this book. It's good to see an author actually fully deal with the urban environment in such a series instead of just showing clueless cops.
Vaughn deserves credit for this book. In the first two books, the radio show formed some of the best parts. Here, Kitty has taken a break from her radio show. It's risky to not fully use the gimmick that first sold the books, but Vaughn pulls it off well. I loved the radio bits in the first two books, and surprisedly, I didn't miss it here because of how tight and quick the plot works. The radio is present in the form of a competitor to Kitty, Ariel (I loved how that sub-plot was tied up), but the focus of the book is on Kitty, Ben, and Cormac.
Kitty continues to grow as a character. She is no longer the frightened wolf chick of the first book, but is now a able and believable woman who takes on responsibilities. Vaughn has done a good job of showing the character growth over the books while still keeping Kitty believable as an otherwise normal person. She still could be your next door neighbor. Kitty isn't the only character to grow in this book; both Ben and Cormac gain depth. Supporting characters are also well drawn (though there are some loose threads).
Vaughn also does something that few writers in the genre do. She shows how the law might respond to paranormal deadly activity. There is a price to be paid, and Vaughn does a good job of not giving an easy answer to the question surrounding the price. How many times does Anita Blake kill without a warrant and never have to answer for it? How many times can the members of the Otherworld do illegal activity without a cop asking questions? It's nice to see Vaughn address the mixture of normal law with magic use in this book. It's good to see an author actually fully deal with the urban environment in such a series instead of just showing clueless cops.
September 29, 2018
Ok the writing has gone downhill... or maybe it was always this bad, but this book was terrible. The first part of the book is just kitty on her own at this log cabin and is about her day to day activities. Sleep.. breakfast... dishes... fight wolf urges... grocery shopping... and back home to sleep.
It’s a bore! The wolf dynamics have always been weak and uninteresting so I focused on her radio show because that was always fun. But in this book she gave that up bc she doesn’t want to face it all. Like a scared baby. Of course...
I also hate how the author spent the last 2 books building up chemistry between her and cormac only to turn around and have her and BEN hook up... and the way it happened was so disappointing. It only happened bc he was there with her after the full moon. No romance.. no chemistry.. nothing. Talk about dissatisfying. and not to mention, NO SEX SCENES. Always fade to black. Nothing I hate MORE!!
And Ben himself is ANOTHER thing I’m pissed about. He used to be this big shot lawyer who stands up to anybody and had this allure of dominant male who handles his shit. I mean I LOVVVVEEE alpha males so I was looking forward to what the author was going to do with him as a werewolf.
UHHHH... SMDH!!! She turned him into a bitch who wanted kitty to look after him and take care of him. They even declared their own 2 man pack where KITTY of all people is the alpha. I understand she’s been a werewolf for 4 years and it makes sense for her to help him through this big change BUT the author turned Ben into something else and it was extremely unattractive. Like grow some effing BALLS! Why would the author think it’s a good idea to make him submissive and submissive to everybody!?
Sorry... not reading this mess or what’s to come afterwards. Not enough to keep me interested. DNF at 51%.
1.5 stars out of 5
It’s a bore! The wolf dynamics have always been weak and uninteresting so I focused on her radio show because that was always fun. But in this book she gave that up bc she doesn’t want to face it all. Like a scared baby. Of course...
I also hate how the author spent the last 2 books building up chemistry between her and cormac only to turn around and have her and BEN hook up... and the way it happened was so disappointing. It only happened bc he was there with her after the full moon. No romance.. no chemistry.. nothing. Talk about dissatisfying. and not to mention, NO SEX SCENES. Always fade to black. Nothing I hate MORE!!
And Ben himself is ANOTHER thing I’m pissed about. He used to be this big shot lawyer who stands up to anybody and had this allure of dominant male who handles his shit. I mean I LOVVVVEEE alpha males so I was looking forward to what the author was going to do with him as a werewolf.
UHHHH... SMDH!!! She turned him into a bitch who wanted kitty to look after him and take care of him. They even declared their own 2 man pack where KITTY of all people is the alpha. I understand she’s been a werewolf for 4 years and it makes sense for her to help him through this big change BUT the author turned Ben into something else and it was extremely unattractive. Like grow some effing BALLS! Why would the author think it’s a good idea to make him submissive and submissive to everybody!?
Sorry... not reading this mess or what’s to come afterwards. Not enough to keep me interested. DNF at 51%.
1.5 stars out of 5
September 14, 2020
Re-read 9/2020
April 13, 2018
5 Kitty Takes a Holiday Stars
Damn, I loved this one! I wasn’t sure because it starts off so different than her other 2 but I loved it. I loved that we get more Ben and Cormac!
I am a Cormac fan I can’t help it that brooding vibe he gives off... HOT.
Ben is sweet and I like him I think I kind of want him to be a little more alpha...
The storyline in this book is a lot different than the other books but it has the same theme something is after Kitty and she has to stop it.
I really enjoyed her inner thoughts throughout this book I feel like I have a better understanding of her character.
Again the narration is freaking perfect! I just love her tone, her rasp just everything about her voice it’s like butta to me.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Damn, I loved this one! I wasn’t sure because it starts off so different than her other 2 but I loved it. I loved that we get more Ben and Cormac!
I am a Cormac fan I can’t help it that brooding vibe he gives off... HOT.
Ben is sweet and I like him I think I kind of want him to be a little more alpha...
The storyline in this book is a lot different than the other books but it has the same theme something is after Kitty and she has to stop it.
I really enjoyed her inner thoughts throughout this book I feel like I have a better understanding of her character.
Again the narration is freaking perfect! I just love her tone, her rasp just everything about her voice it’s like butta to me.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
March 8, 2020
Kitty Takes a Holiday (Kitty Norville, #3)
by Carrie Vaughn
After the events of visiting Washington Kitty needs a break. being little wolf is not a simple thing. Her hiatus from the radio show just got interesting. With a visit form Cormac and his cousin Ben, dramatically break the peace she thought she had. Curses and skinwalkers haunt her and take on a very different path. Darker than the other books so far, with more of a romantic twist as Kitty finds and forms a pack with Cormac and Ben, to only have events break it apart.
Carrie Vaughn has a way of inviting the reader to believe the improbable without effort. Her ability to tell this supernatural story as common place is amazing.
September 29, 2020
This one was ok
I didn't get into it on the first round. And the second round is ok. But the story is still kinda slow. The majority of the story happened in the house Kitty is now living in to work on her memoir. And then someone been leaving mutilated animals and curses on her doorstep. Not much really happened except if you are a fan of reading about Ben deal with himself being a werewolf
And then there was this sudden romance with Ben which I wasn't really a fan of. I am much into her and Cormick but too bad Cormick is behind bars now
I didn't get into it on the first round. And the second round is ok. But the story is still kinda slow. The majority of the story happened in the house Kitty is now living in to work on her memoir. And then someone been leaving mutilated animals and curses on her doorstep. Not much really happened except if you are a fan of reading about Ben deal with himself being a werewolf
And then there was this sudden romance with Ben which I wasn't really a fan of. I am much into her and Cormick but too bad Cormick is behind bars now
August 4, 2017
I feel like this series has potential, but the writer needs a little polishing. The romance seems forced. I got no chemistry. The plot is slow. But for some reason I'm not ready to give up just yet. I've read worse. Maybe I'm in a charitable mood.
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