Kitty's Big Trouble (Kitty Norville, #9)

by Carrie Vaughn

[Berls]

This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.
3.5 stars
Kitty's Big Trouble was another transitional book for me and, while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it like I have some of the earlier books. I think I had two chief problems with Kitty's Big Trouble, one that I doubt will ever be a problem again and the other I hope will change.

Problem #1: Kitty's Big Trouble centered an awful lot on Chinese folk lore and religion - something I've just never been that into. I do believe Carrie Vaughn did a good job with it and I appreciated the way she understood that Chinese traditions are extremely varied and complex - - she may have combined and simplified, but in a way that showed she was very aware that she was doing that and showed the traditions proper respect. So it was really truly a situation of "it's not you, it's me." I don't know why, but I just never enjoyed Chinese lore that much. *shrugs*

Problem #2: Cormick. I hate that for two books in a row Cormick - a character I once loved - has been a problem for me. I think it's because we keep getting reminded that Cormick and Kitty could have had a thing - I think the reminder creates an awkwardness that wouldn't otherwise be there. And - spoiler alert if you haven't read the previous book - I'm not a huge fan of his having this hitchhiking ghost witch whatever. I don't GET Cormick anymore and for now, he's this awkward 3rd wheel. I really hope that changes, because I was so excited to have him back. His return has been a bit if a downer.

So how about what I loved? There's a lot. Let's start with the broken record part of the review where I tell you that Marguerite Gavin nails the narration. What can I say beyond that at this point? She's a great narrator and I just think you should listen to this series. Period.

Kitty. I was trying to explain what I like about Kitty that's different from a lot of Urban Fantasy heroines to Bookworm Brandee - and what I came up with is that I like that she fights with words more than anything. She's a werewolf, so clearly she has some fighting ability. And as Kitty's Big Trouble made quite clear, she's got the guts and ability to fight if she has to. But that's not what she typically chooses. She uses her brain and words most often. And I SO love that. I also love her interest in history, which is a fun sub-subplot in Kitty's Big Trouble.

And Ben. I've said it many times now, but I really like them as a couple and I love the way he supports her, tries to protect her, but never actually stops her. She lands herself in a lot of trouble because she can't hold back - both her curiosity and her determination to do what's right - and Ben always backs her up. I did have a few moments, though, where I got frustrated by how he was painted as somehow weak in Kitty's Big Trouble. Like he doesn't have complete control of his wolf, despite having been one for more than year now. It was irritating and didn't fit everything else I feel we've seen of Ben at this point so it frustrated me. But it was a small piece.

So while Kitty's Big Trouble wasn't my favorite in the series so far, I did really enjoy it. It was definitely a bit of a transitional book - but that's okay because I'm super excited for what it seems to be transitioning towards. And lucky me, the book is out and I have it on my review pile just waiting to be read. Immediately :)



*I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*