hgranger's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I like the premise, I like the way the author weaves in the super natural and ancient lore, and I like the message of kindness, friendship, and forgiveness. I think what brought this book down, is how utterly helpless and whiny Kitty comes across. I understand the need for some vulnerability and softness in a protagonist, and they can't all be Kate Daniels, but there has to be SOMETHING that makes me want to root for the heroine, and Kitty just never steps up and saves the day. ☹️
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
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.
lynseyisreading's review
5.0
This is my favourite book of the three so far. The story was very different in feel to the first two with the new setting of Kitty's holiday house, the strong presence of both Ben and Cormac, and the very surprising plot developments that occurred!
Also I enjoyed the mystery element over the more political plot of the last book. All in all, a much more satisfying read in terms of emotional connection and character development.
Kitty has basically decided to hide herself away for a month or so to get over the shock of her new status as the world's first celebrity werewolf after being filmed Changing on live TV in the last instalment. She's also supposed to be using the time to write a book, her memoirs, which isn't going quite as well as hoped.
I started a new page and wrote a title at the top: “Ten Ways to Defeat Macho Dickheadism.” Then I realized that most of the world’s problems stemmed from macho dickheadism, and if I could defeat that I could save the world.
I can't say a whole lot more about what else happened because of spoilers, but it was very shocking. At first I liked the development, until I realized what else it was going to affect and what it meant for other characters. Then I definitely didn't love it so much. However, I still have to give the book an extra star for entertainment, even if I don't like the developments. I'm hoping they are only temporary. I'll head straight on over to the next book to find out.
5 Stars! ★★★★★
Also I enjoyed the mystery element over the more political plot of the last book. All in all, a much more satisfying read in terms of emotional connection and character development.
Kitty has basically decided to hide herself away for a month or so to get over the shock of her new status as the world's first celebrity werewolf after being filmed Changing on live TV in the last instalment. She's also supposed to be using the time to write a book, her memoirs, which isn't going quite as well as hoped.
I started a new page and wrote a title at the top: “Ten Ways to Defeat Macho Dickheadism.” Then I realized that most of the world’s problems stemmed from macho dickheadism, and if I could defeat that I could save the world.
I can't say a whole lot more about what else happened because of spoilers, but it was very shocking. At first I liked the development, until I realized what else it was going to affect and what it meant for other characters. Then I definitely didn't love it so much. However, I still have to give the book an extra star for entertainment, even if I don't like the developments. I'm hoping they are only temporary. I'll head straight on over to the next book to find out.
5 Stars! ★★★★★
saoki's review
3.0
Not as good as the first 2, but solid. I like how, in a series about a werewolf that features vampires and general supernatural things, the author manages to mantain a sense of horror and unknown.
Also: the romance makes sense. That's really hard to find in urban fantasy.
Also: the romance makes sense. That's really hard to find in urban fantasy.
vikcs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lolasreviews's review
3.0
This book is different than the two books before it, it has a different feel and a different focus of the story. I did enjoy it, but less than the first two books. There where some parts where I struggled trough it.
In this book Kitty leaves her show to write a book so that means less focus on the radio, and strangely I missed this. I like the original focus on radio and all the talk about supernaturals. This book was more detective like, with some mystery. It was a nice story, but it did mis something. I do like the fact that there are storylines that continue in each book, each book had their own storylines, but there are also storylines that last more books. i think that's one of the things that makes it interesting to read.
There are a few characters who change in this book. One character seems so different I hardly could convince myself it was the same person in this book.There is some character development in this book again and I am looking forward to read what will happen next.
Just like in the second book, we learn more about this world. I would've liked some more information about certain ascpects, but I did enjoy the new world building.
To conclude: an enjoyable book, but less so than the first two books. The story is nice, although one of the characters seemed to change a little bit too much in this book. And there is some world building again in this book.
In this book Kitty leaves her show to write a book so that means less focus on the radio, and strangely I missed this. I like the original focus on radio and all the talk about supernaturals. This book was more detective like, with some mystery. It was a nice story, but it did mis something. I do like the fact that there are storylines that continue in each book, each book had their own storylines, but there are also storylines that last more books. i think that's one of the things that makes it interesting to read.
There are a few characters who change in this book. One character seems so different I hardly could convince myself it was the same person in this book.There is some character development in this book again and I am looking forward to read what will happen next.
Just like in the second book, we learn more about this world. I would've liked some more information about certain ascpects, but I did enjoy the new world building.
To conclude: an enjoyable book, but less so than the first two books. The story is nice, although one of the characters seemed to change a little bit too much in this book. And there is some world building again in this book.
cajeck's review
3.0
So the actual time I finished reading Kitty Takes a Holiday was March 7th, but thanks to my Goodreads updates and some page skimming I think I recall my overall feelings on this installment of the Kitty Norville series. This is my third time reading this book.
Basically, I was coming off of a high from Kitty Goes to Washington. The previous book had such a tight narrative. The pacing was good, and interesting things were happening just about all the time. In Kitty Takes a Holiday, that changes a bit. You see, after Kitty’s traumatic experiences in Washington, she decides to take a break from the public eye and hide out in a cabin in the middle of nowhere to write her memoirs. Naturally things don’t go as planned, and her writer’s block is interrupted by a dramatic visit from Cormac and Ben. Something terrible has happened, and Cormac needs Kitty’s help to keep Ben alive. I’ll avoid spoilers, but basically this is one of my favorite moments in the series.
What follows is a really interesting couple of days as Kitty works to handle this incredible dilemma the boys have set in front of her. She tries to keep everyone’s morale up, but of course, tempers flare and fur gets rubbed the wrong way. Eventually, things sort of plateau, and a calm point is reached–until that calm is once again shattered, as another problem demands Kitty’s attention: since she had arrived at her cabin, someone has been leaving dead animals on her porch–likely in an attempt to curse Kitty. Cormac brings in his witch doctor friend, and as that whole issue unravels, things seem to climax in my opinion.
I say seem to, because the trouble is this “climax” occurred around 190 pages in. After that? Things drastically slow down as we see Ben and Kitty wrestle with a legal battle in an attempt to keep Cormac out of jail for his latest actions. As they do that, feelings are wrestled with as an attraction that had been developing between our chatty werewolf and bristly lawyer sort of comes full circle. I really, really struggled with these remaining 110 pages. After enjoying the first half of the book so much, I was very disappointed by the sudden drag in pace.
Ultimately, my feeling is that, while Kitty Takes a Holiday is still a worthwhile read for any Kitty Norville fan, it just isn’t as good as the second book. Ironically enough, I feel this book is probably the most fitting (so far) of the “paranormal romance” tag that everyone seems so eager to attribute to the series.
Basically, I was coming off of a high from Kitty Goes to Washington. The previous book had such a tight narrative. The pacing was good, and interesting things were happening just about all the time. In Kitty Takes a Holiday, that changes a bit. You see, after Kitty’s traumatic experiences in Washington, she decides to take a break from the public eye and hide out in a cabin in the middle of nowhere to write her memoirs. Naturally things don’t go as planned, and her writer’s block is interrupted by a dramatic visit from Cormac and Ben. Something terrible has happened, and Cormac needs Kitty’s help to keep Ben alive. I’ll avoid spoilers, but basically this is one of my favorite moments in the series.
What follows is a really interesting couple of days as Kitty works to handle this incredible dilemma the boys have set in front of her. She tries to keep everyone’s morale up, but of course, tempers flare and fur gets rubbed the wrong way. Eventually, things sort of plateau, and a calm point is reached–until that calm is once again shattered, as another problem demands Kitty’s attention: since she had arrived at her cabin, someone has been leaving dead animals on her porch–likely in an attempt to curse Kitty. Cormac brings in his witch doctor friend, and as that whole issue unravels, things seem to climax in my opinion.
I say seem to, because the trouble is this “climax” occurred around 190 pages in. After that? Things drastically slow down as we see Ben and Kitty wrestle with a legal battle in an attempt to keep Cormac out of jail for his latest actions. As they do that, feelings are wrestled with as an attraction that had been developing between our chatty werewolf and bristly lawyer sort of comes full circle. I really, really struggled with these remaining 110 pages. After enjoying the first half of the book so much, I was very disappointed by the sudden drag in pace.
Ultimately, my feeling is that, while Kitty Takes a Holiday is still a worthwhile read for any Kitty Norville fan, it just isn’t as good as the second book. Ironically enough, I feel this book is probably the most fitting (so far) of the “paranormal romance” tag that everyone seems so eager to attribute to the series.
darbyart's review
5.0
Kitty decides to take a vacation. After being kidnapped in Washington she just needs to get away. So she goes to a cabin in the mountains - rural Colorado and tries to write her book. But being Kitty trouble always seems to find her. This time in the form of her chosen family showing up on her door step.
It just feels as though the Kitty books are about her feelings with being a werewolf not just the powers that come with it and using them. But more about what happens to her as a person who is a werewolf. Vaughn is really developing the characters better in each book.
I have enjoyed all of Carrie Vaughn's Kitty books but this one was by far my favorite. She just keeps getting better. Cormac and Ben, both play a large part in this story. We also learn more about their pasts and how they got to where they are today. I can't wait for the next Kitty book!
It just feels as though the Kitty books are about her feelings with being a werewolf not just the powers that come with it and using them. But more about what happens to her as a person who is a werewolf. Vaughn is really developing the characters better in each book.
I have enjoyed all of Carrie Vaughn's Kitty books but this one was by far my favorite. She just keeps getting better. Cormac and Ben, both play a large part in this story. We also learn more about their pasts and how they got to where they are today. I can't wait for the next Kitty book!
smeenk_ak's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75