Kitty Raises Hell

I was disappointed by the last book in this series "Kitty And The Dead Man's Hand", mainly because Kitty seemed to have had a personality transplant and have become someone I didn't much like.

I was hoping "Kitty Raises Hell" would be better. It was, but not by much.

The plot is mostly "Dead Man's Hand - Part 2". The cult that Kitty attacked in Vegas has unleashed an ancient evil that is out to kill Kitty and her pack.

There are some good things in this book that give me hope for the rest of the series.

I liked the balance of focus between human and supernatural characters. I find that the Urban Fantasy books that treat humans as a lesser species or as weak little things needing the protection of the supernaturally gifted, a little show more difficult to swallow. Humans, although not entirely normal humans, are key to "Kitty Raises Hell"and they provided the characters I was most interested in.

The taciturn, mysterious and magically powerful Odysseus Grant returns, I hope not for the last time. It's good to think that there are human players in this game who actually have a clue.

The Paradox PI "Ghost Hunter" crew brought the kind of fun into the story that I used to get from Kitty's radio show. I liked Tina, the secret psychic in the Paradox PI team. I was glad that she turned out to be more than eye-candy. I usually find Kitty's relationship with women more interesting than her relationships with men and Tina is no exception.

The introduction of TJ's brother provided a stronger emotional base for the story and reminded us of what Kitty has lost.

The return to the concept of "The Long Game" played by vampires and others was interesting, although I wouldn't want to see the Kitty books descend into yet another series about vampire politics.

So why am I not jumping up and down and saying that my faith in the series has been restored?

It's mainly because I'm still asking: "Where's Kitty?". The Kitty in "Kitty Raises Hell" isn't the who-the-hell-is-that stranger I met in "Kitty And The Dead Man's Hand" but there are a number of things about her that are not very satisfying. Her relationship with her new husband, Ben seems tenuous. Neither she nor Carrie Vaughn seem to know what to do with Ben. The same can be said about Kitty's relationship with her pack. We did see some Alpha behaviour in this book but Kitty doesn't seem to be strongly connected to her pack and doesn't call upon them to help her solve her problems.

Perhaps all I'm seeing is Kitty going through a transition but, if so, it's not very well done.

I see Kitty as the character that should carry the series, yet in this book the ensemble cast was more interesting. Perhaps she's going the way of Buffy and becoming eclipsed by the cast around her.

Anyway, I've already bought the seventh book in the series "Kitty's House Of Horror". I'll read that one and then decide if this series is still for me. show less

Kitty Norville, werewolf and radio show host, has just returned from Las Vegas. She just wanted to get married there, but she got a whole lot more than she'd bargained for. The band of weres she defeated in Vegas have sent a nasty curse after her, and it's not just going to hurt her. It's going to hurt everyone she knows.

Kitty calls on all her allies, including the cast of a paranormal investigation reality show. There's some spooky goings-on in here, to the extent that I actually got chills up my spine at one point. Roman's appearance is actually my favorite part of this book. I love that Vaughn sets up a situation in which a maverick comes into town offering help to Kitty, and the Master of Denver tells her to turn him down. And show more against her instincts, Kitty does turn down the help of the one person who seems to know how to deal with the djinn--and it turns out, the Master was right. Kitty was right to abide by the judgment of someone older and more experienced than her, even though it hurt to do so. It's such a great flip on the usual way this would go down, in which the fiesty paranormal gal and the mysterious maverick would team up and triumph over the cautious old-guard. And meanwhile, the constant trouble Kitty attracts is starting to wear on her pack and her family. Fast-paced, enjoyable, and with great characters. show less

Trouble seems to follow Kitty no matter where she goes, and it certainly has found her in Denver. Something is stalking her and threatening her pack. She is up against a supernatural force she cannot explain, much less name. Seeking help from the crew of a televised paranormal investigation show, maybe she will be able to figure out who or what is behind the strange happenings and learn how to stop it before it wrecks even more havoc than it has already.

She also is offered help from another source; a mysterious vampire offers his services but for a price. His price is high and both the Master Vampire of Denver and Kitty are unsure they can trust the man who says he is the only one who can stop the foe they are up against. As danger show more draws closer takes the life of someone close to her, Kitty is desperate and willing to try anything to save her friends and family.

I am beginning to see a pattern with the Kitty Norville books. I appear to like the novels that take place in Denver best (although I really liked Kitty Goes to Washington too). Kitty seems more settled in this book, although not completely. Her position in the pack is somewhat tenuous, especially with an evil after her that she knows so little about.

Carrie Vaughn continues to add new and interesting characters to the novel as well as bring back old ones that I am eager to learn more about. The longer the series goes on, the more I like the character of vampire Rick. Kitty has a good ally in him even though sometimes they do not see eye to eye. And I was pleased to see Odysseus Grant reappear—there’s still so much to learn about him!

Kitty Raises Hell is a great addition to the series. It was different and fun. I look forward to meeting up with Kitty and friends again in the near future. show less

Fire, brimstone, and bad mojo anywhere she turns. Kitty's in for a wild ride as she faces an enemy that strikes from the shadows and hunts both her and her pack.

There are some fun bits in this book. I like Gary, Jules and particularly Tina of the Paradox P.I. crew. I like the contrast between Jules's science and Tina's powers. I really like that T.J.s brother, Peter, comes looking for him, and Kitty has to face her grief. I love the letter Tina gets from Eric Wiesz, better known as Harry Houdini. And, of course, here is where we first start to hear about Cormac's personal adventure.

Aside from those awesome moments, this story seems like a vehicle to introduce Roman, the supposed "big bad" for the rest of the series. One of the reasons I show more am happy for this read-along opportunity is that the Roman storyline never really clicked with me. However, I have not yet read the last two books and the few previous to that were read in isolation, not in-a-row with the rest of the series. I find that sometimes makes a big difference in how much I catch on to and enjoy the story. So I'm looking forward to a more cohesive experience of the rest of the series.

Much like the last book, while I like this story, it's not as near and dear to me as the first four books. But, House of Horrors is coming up next, and that IS one of my favorites. :)

Purchased. Review courtesy of onebooktwo.com | one book, two reviews. show less

DAMMIT, I just lost everything I typed. *mopes*

I just read six of these in a row, and I think I'm done for now. I'll spare you separate reviews of all of them.

One of Vaughn's more... unique... writing traits is a tendency to wrap up major plotlines halfway or 75% of the way through the book. No way was that the end, you think, they only thought they defeated the baddie, and it's going to come roaring back when we least expect it. But no. The third book was a particularly strong example: you discover who, how, and a little of why, but in the end it isn't enough to save the day after all. It does serve to make a simple series of books a little less formulaic, so I don't really object.

I think my favorite remains the first one, with its show more unique take on domestic violence. When reading, you can generally spot an abusive relationship a mile off: you have fairly dispassionate access to all the abuser's actions at once, and you're not quite as subject to their charms. The Midnight Hour suckered me in, though: Well, they're werewolves, they have an animalistic side, I can't understand exactly how their social system works, isn't this just how you run a pack? Nope. Carl may be a werewolf, but his (and other pack members') manipulation and control tactics are inescapably human. You realize along with Kitty that just because you're not strictly human doesn't mean others are allowed to treat you inhumanly. show less

I always start one of the Kitty books with a bit of disinterest because everything seems so placid and bland the first few chapters. Then things pick up and I remember why I love Carrie Vaughn's books. Kitty is a great character, so I'm especially glad that the books are narrated from her point of view. Her mixture of hapless vulnerability and stubborn sass makes for an entertaining story. I'm still waiting eagerly for Cormack to get out of jail, but the side characters present are fun to 'watch' in the mean time. As for plot, Vaughn sure knows how to give us an interesting if simple concept and then make it all fabulously messy and complicated in the end. This series is definitely one to keep following.

Kitty knows something from Las Vegas has followed her home to Denver. It smells of brimstone, uses fire and seems to have hands although she can't see them. This apparent demon begins widening its circle of destruction from Kitty to her pack and eventually the streets of Denver. Along the way, Kitty becomes involved with the paranormal investigators from the reality tv show Paradox PI, has the younger brother of her best friend TJ show up on her doorstep with a lot of uncomfortable questions and has a mysterious vampire appear who claims to be able to rid Denver of the demon. The vampire's price is free passage in Denver which immediately gives Rick, Denver's Master vampire, pause.

This book is likely one of the first of many showdowns show more Kitty will experience during The Long Game. Because vampires live for so long they make strategic decisions that will place themselves where they want to be in hundreds of years. They have all the time in the world while other supernatural beings have less time. With each adventure that befalls her, Kitty is gathering recruits for a great battle and she probably doesn't even realize it. Heck, Carrie Vaughn may not completely realize it yet but I suspect she does. :) This is one author who has her act together.

One of thing I admire about Kitty is her confidence which has grown since the series began. She has her moments of doubt but she trusts herself. Kitty's thought processes are sound - she can recognize when a decision is based on fact or emotion but also trusts her instincts. One of those instincts is often knowing who she can trust and how far to trust them.

Kitty Raises Hell provides the first chapter to Kitty's House of Horrors, the next Kitty Norville adventure which left my mouth watering for more. I'm sure it will be worth the wait. show less