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oestanfield's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kathydavie's review
5.0
First in the Katherine "Kitty" Katt urban fantasy series about a human who falls in with crusading aliens out to save the world.
My Take
Oh. My. God. This is too hysterically funny for words!! I absolutely love this start to the series, and Martini's flirting just cracks me up. And I love their fear of Kitty's purse! Then there's her dad and his worry. As well as his very protective instincts when it comes to any guy around Kitty.
Every two hours someone from the family will call to ensure she doesn't disappear to Guantanamo or...elsewhere. The men's room scene at JFK where they rescue Kitty's mom.
Kitty is too composed for all that's hitting her, then again, she's really smart and what has she got to lose if she already thinks she's doomed. I do like her snark and the backup plans she keeps making.
It's interesting powers and modes of transportation combined with honor, loyalty, and compassion. Koch has given her characters weaknesses as well. Koch's interpretation of the Bible with the Ancients' text was interesting. And why not? All sorts of possibilities exist. Maybe there really are MIB...bwah-hah-hah… Of course, all the alien women are absolutely gorgeous...and brilliant. Really smart with a preference for really smart men. The alien men are also absolutely gorgeous, just not as brilliant, so that makes for a fun twist. Okay, okay, to be fair, they're smart, just more inclined to wrangle and posture.
It's definitely the comics in novel format what with the style of action and the superhero/villain vibe. Combined with the sarcastic wit that kept flashing back and forth, I adored this.
It's rather confusing as to the background information, but persevere, it all comes out in the end, although with all the twists and turns in this as well as how it is resolved, it seems as though Koch must have used up all the possibilities. So, I am looking forward to reading Alien Tango and discovering how Koch manages to complicate it up.
Koch does need to learn the difference between Ravage and Ravish and Affect and Effect. At least...her editors do.
The Story
Stepping up to protect is not what was in Kitty's mind when the man/bird was attacking, but it certainly seemed like the right thing to do. At worst, well, at worst, Kitty's about to learn about a whole lot of deception that has surrounded her all her life.
The Characters
Katherine Katt is a very smart young lady who works for an advertising agency and has just finished a stint on jury duty. Chuckie is her best male friend and a conspiracy theorist. Mom, a.k.a., Mrs. Rambo, a.k.a., Angela Katt, actually is a consultant, for counterterrorism. Dad, a.k.a., Sol Katt, is a professor of history at Arizona State University. Well, actually he's a cryptologist for NASA. Dudley is their Great Dane, Dotty is the Dalmation, Duke is their black Lab, and Duchess is their very useful pit bull. Sugarfoot, Candy, and Kane are the cats. Uncle Mort is a very protective U.S. Marine. Turns out Grandpa Roger was a senator whose daughter, Aunt Emily, Mom saved when she was in high school.
Mr. Nareema and his wife are Kitty's landlords and very paranoid about safety.
Jeff Martini is an empath, a very powerful one from another planet. Christopher White is an imageer and Jeff's cousin and work partner. Richard White is their Sovereign Pontifex with a mostly symbolic role; Theresa was his wife and a powerful empath. Paul Gower is the Head of Recruitment and involved with James Reader, a human who was a male model for Calvin Klein. Tim is still on the sidelines.
The women from Alpha Centauri are the big thinkers: scientists, doctors, etc. Claudia and Lorraine are good examples (Kitty refers to them as the Dazzlers). And they're attracted to geeks; they fall in love with men with minds. Ooh, baby…! Emily and Melanie are Claudia and Lorraine's mothers. Beverly was in charge of translating the text from the Ancients.
Lieutenant William Cox, Captain Jerry Tucker, Lieutenant Chip Walker, and Captain Matt Hughes are all pilots involved in the attack.
Al Dejahl is a different sort of terrorist organization---it's not based on religion or race---headed up by Ronaldo Al Dehal, a.k.a., Ronald Yates.
The Superbugs include:
Mephistopheles looks like the Devil and can range from 12- to 20-feet tall. He has been terrorizing earth for 20 years and is nigh on invincible. The big-bads at the end are Killer, who shoots poison from every limb; Slug; Earwig; the pinkish-purple Pachyderm; and the Serpent. Reading as Kitty comes up with some innovative methods of taking these guys out is a hoot.
The Cover
The cover is incredibly ugly. The models on it do not match up with what Koch says between the covers. The background, however, does match. It's all monsters and battle, weapons and bombs while Jeff Martini and Kitty Katt make love.
The title is too right. Kitty is Touched by an Alien. Several of 'em to be exact.
My Take
Oh. My. God. This is too hysterically funny for words!! I absolutely love this start to the series, and Martini's flirting just cracks me up. And I love their fear of Kitty's purse! Then there's her dad and his worry. As well as his very protective instincts when it comes to any guy around Kitty.
On first seeing Jeff, Dad's first reaction is: "Who's the octopus?"
Every two hours someone from the family will call to ensure she doesn't disappear to Guantanamo or...elsewhere. The men's room scene at JFK where they rescue Kitty's mom.
Kitty is too composed for all that's hitting her, then again, she's really smart and what has she got to lose if she already thinks she's doomed. I do like her snark and the backup plans she keeps making.
It's interesting powers and modes of transportation combined with honor, loyalty, and compassion. Koch has given her characters weaknesses as well. Koch's interpretation of the Bible with the Ancients' text was interesting. And why not? All sorts of possibilities exist. Maybe there really are MIB...bwah-hah-hah… Of course, all the alien women are absolutely gorgeous...and brilliant. Really smart with a preference for really smart men. The alien men are also absolutely gorgeous, just not as brilliant, so that makes for a fun twist. Okay, okay, to be fair, they're smart, just more inclined to wrangle and posture.
It's definitely the comics in novel format what with the style of action and the superhero/villain vibe. Combined with the sarcastic wit that kept flashing back and forth, I adored this.
It's rather confusing as to the background information, but persevere, it all comes out in the end, although with all the twists and turns in this as well as how it is resolved, it seems as though Koch must have used up all the possibilities. So, I am looking forward to reading Alien Tango and discovering how Koch manages to complicate it up.
Koch does need to learn the difference between Ravage and Ravish and Affect and Effect. At least...her editors do.
The Story
Stepping up to protect is not what was in Kitty's mind when the man/bird was attacking, but it certainly seemed like the right thing to do. At worst, well, at worst, Kitty's about to learn about a whole lot of deception that has surrounded her all her life.
The Characters
Katherine Katt is a very smart young lady who works for an advertising agency and has just finished a stint on jury duty. Chuckie is her best male friend and a conspiracy theorist. Mom, a.k.a., Mrs. Rambo, a.k.a., Angela Katt, actually is a consultant, for counterterrorism. Dad, a.k.a., Sol Katt, is a professor of history at Arizona State University. Well, actually he's a cryptologist for NASA. Dudley is their Great Dane, Dotty is the Dalmation, Duke is their black Lab, and Duchess is their very useful pit bull. Sugarfoot, Candy, and Kane are the cats. Uncle Mort is a very protective U.S. Marine. Turns out Grandpa Roger was a senator whose daughter, Aunt Emily, Mom saved when she was in high school.
Mr. Nareema and his wife are Kitty's landlords and very paranoid about safety.
Jeff Martini is an empath, a very powerful one from another planet. Christopher White is an imageer and Jeff's cousin and work partner. Richard White is their Sovereign Pontifex with a mostly symbolic role; Theresa was his wife and a powerful empath. Paul Gower is the Head of Recruitment and involved with James Reader, a human who was a male model for Calvin Klein. Tim is still on the sidelines.
The women from Alpha Centauri are the big thinkers: scientists, doctors, etc. Claudia and Lorraine are good examples (Kitty refers to them as the Dazzlers). And they're attracted to geeks; they fall in love with men with minds. Ooh, baby…! Emily and Melanie are Claudia and Lorraine's mothers. Beverly was in charge of translating the text from the Ancients.
Lieutenant William Cox, Captain Jerry Tucker, Lieutenant Chip Walker, and Captain Matt Hughes are all pilots involved in the attack.
Al Dejahl is a different sort of terrorist organization---it's not based on religion or race---headed up by Ronaldo Al Dehal, a.k.a., Ronald Yates.
The Superbugs include:
Mephistopheles looks like the Devil and can range from 12- to 20-feet tall. He has been terrorizing earth for 20 years and is nigh on invincible. The big-bads at the end are Killer, who shoots poison from every limb; Slug; Earwig; the pinkish-purple Pachyderm; and the Serpent. Reading as Kitty comes up with some innovative methods of taking these guys out is a hoot.
The Cover
The cover is incredibly ugly. The models on it do not match up with what Koch says between the covers. The background, however, does match. It's all monsters and battle, weapons and bombs while Jeff Martini and Kitty Katt make love.
The title is too right. Kitty is Touched by an Alien. Several of 'em to be exact.
yodamom's review
4.0
I never have thought of aliens as sexy till now, Martini, is one hot green little man. LOL This book was a surprise in every way, it was fresh, original and filled with quirky characters. The mother, oh my wait till you meet her mother, what a hoot. Nothing is what it seems, poor Katt has been lied to all her life, well to be fair most of the world has. This is a funny book, light somewhat predictable towards the end still and enjoyable ride.
laura_mayfair's review
3.0
The premise was ridiculously over-the-top -- even laughable. Imagine Michael Bay writing a romance novel and, well, that's just about what you get here. "Touched by an Alien" has its flaws but, overall, I found it to be wacky and charming.
abookmarkedodyssey's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
Whew. This one is really tough to rate.
The stuff that was good was very very good. I liked the intricate plot - aliens and terrorists and religion and government agencies... oh my! I liked Kitty, Jeff (most of the time), and most of the secondary cast. There were parts that were utterly hilarious, and generally the fast pacing was exciting.
Sometimes, though, the pacing was too fast. The heroine, Kitty, was brilliant, and I respect that... but she was putting pieces together out of left field like 30 seconds after she entered a situation. There were several passages that whipped through my brain like a whirlwind, and I had to re-read, because I didn't follow the quick leaps. That all said, the logic was pretty solid... we just got there really fast. However, the logic being solid served to make this team of people kind of look like boobs. I mean, Kitty and her parents whizz in and solve some critical problems - make some critical connections - in like, 2 hours... on things these people have been working on for decades.
My primary problem, though, was Christopher. And I have to say that he was a big enough problem that I nearly put this book down before the halfway mark. It was bad enough that he was a hostile asshole to her from the very first time he spoke to her - he was calling her "princess" in a shitty, condescending way literally every time he spoke... and I really wanted her to stab that pen into his groin. Everyone rolls their eyes that Kitty doesn't realize his problem is that he likes her. I'm sorry, are we fucking 5 year olds? He's only mean to you because he likes you? Is that really where we're going here? She did her best to ignore him for awhile, but eventually started calling him out for being a massive prick.
Then her mom enters the situation, and treats Kitty as if she's the one out of line, and tells her to "stop baiting him"... Guys, I was so angry I was speechless. She did nothing to bring on his shitty behavior. And if he's being a dick to her because Jeff is being so over-the-top with his "I'm going to marry you" schtick, I'm sorry, but that's not her, and he doesn't get to direct his anger at her. And the fact that it was her MOM who was blaming her just killed me. What fucking mom lectures her daughter to be nicer to the man abusing her? Because that's what he was doing. He was mocking her, belittling her, and knocking her down at every fucking opportunity. And here's mom, inviting him to hang with them, lecturing Kitty about snapping back at him, and telling her to stop baiting him. Good thing mom didn't know that he practically attempted to rape her in the elevator, because she'd probably tell Kitty it was her fault for wearing a skirt.
And yes. That scene made me deeply uncomfortable, because it really gave a rape vibe. I wish she'd have cracked open his fucking skull.
Jeff also had times where he felt manipulative - and he just came on WAY too strong in the beginning. To the point where, I don't know you guys... I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the A-C were the bad guys all along as we go further into the series. I mean, look at all the stuff they've lied about. Look at their really erratic tempers, and the way the two main guys would flip a switch and be either hostile or manipulative. I've got to say, there were lots of red flags. But while we're on the topic of flipping a switch, after the elevator incident Christopher flipped a switch and became a totally different person. It was baffling.
But I liked the book enough to continue on. That's why this is hard to rate. I guess we'll see how it goes from here.
The stuff that was good was very very good. I liked the intricate plot - aliens and terrorists and religion and government agencies... oh my! I liked Kitty, Jeff (most of the time), and most of the secondary cast. There were parts that were utterly hilarious, and generally the fast pacing was exciting.
Sometimes, though, the pacing was too fast. The heroine, Kitty, was brilliant, and I respect that... but she was putting pieces together out of left field like 30 seconds after she entered a situation. There were several passages that whipped through my brain like a whirlwind, and I had to re-read, because I didn't follow the quick leaps. That all said, the logic was pretty solid... we just got there really fast. However, the logic being solid served to make this team of people kind of look like boobs. I mean, Kitty and her parents whizz in and solve some critical problems - make some critical connections - in like, 2 hours... on things these people have been working on for decades.
My primary problem, though, was Christopher. And I have to say that he was a big enough problem that I nearly put this book down before the halfway mark. It was bad enough that he was a hostile asshole to her from the very first time he spoke to her - he was calling her "princess" in a shitty, condescending way literally every time he spoke... and I really wanted her to stab that pen into his groin. Everyone rolls their eyes that Kitty doesn't realize his problem is that he likes her. I'm sorry, are we fucking 5 year olds? He's only mean to you because he likes you? Is that really where we're going here? She did her best to ignore him for awhile, but eventually started calling him out for being a massive prick.
Then her mom enters the situation, and treats Kitty as if she's the one out of line, and tells her to "stop baiting him"... Guys, I was so angry I was speechless. She did nothing to bring on his shitty behavior. And if he's being a dick to her because Jeff is being so over-the-top with his "I'm going to marry you" schtick, I'm sorry, but that's not her, and he doesn't get to direct his anger at her. And the fact that it was her MOM who was blaming her just killed me. What fucking mom lectures her daughter to be nicer to the man abusing her? Because that's what he was doing. He was mocking her, belittling her, and knocking her down at every fucking opportunity. And here's mom, inviting him to hang with them, lecturing Kitty about snapping back at him, and telling her to stop baiting him. Good thing mom didn't know that he practically attempted to rape her in the elevator, because she'd probably tell Kitty it was her fault for wearing a skirt.
And yes. That scene made me deeply uncomfortable, because it really gave a rape vibe.
Spoiler
Look, this is a guy who has been an aggressive asshole to her from moment 1. Now they are briefly alone in an elevator, and he hits the stop button and dived on her. She said stop and pushed at him several times. He pinned her arms, tore open her shirt, and was super aggressive. And yes, I know, she got into it as it went on, but I don't give a fuck. It should have NEVER gone there, because she was saying STOP from the outset.Jeff also had times where he felt manipulative - and he just came on WAY too strong in the beginning. To the point where, I don't know you guys... I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the A-C were the bad guys all along as we go further into the series. I mean, look at all the stuff they've lied about. Look at their really erratic tempers, and the way the two main guys would flip a switch and be either hostile or manipulative. I've got to say, there were lots of red flags. But while we're on the topic of flipping a switch, after the elevator incident Christopher flipped a switch and became a totally different person. It was baffling.
But I liked the book enough to continue on. That's why this is hard to rate. I guess we'll see how it goes from here.
hwhitty6's review
DNF@50%
This book is a campy mess.
I tried to vibe with the cartoony characters, the demonic alien parasites and the steamy scenes but I was unable to get past the endlessly drawn out world-building, the weird love triangle that had no purpose and Kitty’s weird habit of undermining everyone around her with her super brain. I really tried. But it just got to be too much.
Not to mention that even though it’s only about a decade old, the books feels REALLY dated.
I think I would’ve liked this book a lot more if I read it when it came out, but knowing that there’s a whole plethora of books more suited to my current taste waiting for me on Kindle Unlimited makes plowing through this brick the opposite of appealing.
This book is a campy mess.
I tried to vibe with the cartoony characters, the demonic alien parasites and the steamy scenes but I was unable to get past the endlessly drawn out world-building, the weird love triangle that had no purpose and Kitty’s weird habit of undermining everyone around her with her super brain. I really tried. But it just got to be too much.
Not to mention that even though it’s only about a decade old, the books feels REALLY dated.
I think I would’ve liked this book a lot more if I read it when it came out, but knowing that there’s a whole plethora of books more suited to my current taste waiting for me on Kindle Unlimited makes plowing through this brick the opposite of appealing.
masquerader888's review
4.0
This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion
Touched by an Alien was a thrill-ride of a read right from the start. Unapologetically snarky and full of fun I loved Katherine “Kitty” Katt as a heroine. While following some of her antics through the plot took a heaping teaspoon of suspension of disbelief, I loved reading it and could easily forgive the wallpapered plot points for the sheer fun of reading this high-octane fast-paced joy-ride of a book. And then there was Jeff, Christopher, the parents, the Dazzlers and just for fun a monster or two.
I have to say I kinda gave this book a pass for a while because the cover looks basically as close to a bodice-ripper as you can get in a modern-day sci-fi; I only gave it a shot because I found it at Bookmans, my local used book store, and it had turned up on a number of my recommendation list. Boy am I glad I did. This was a fun book that made me think about everything from security to politics to religion and did it in such a way not once did I feel a heavy hand or feel that it was contrived. While I will admit that the plot had a lot of just-go-with-it moments, it pulled together in the end in such a way that not only am I happy, but satisfied. The passion is explosive, the action enjoyable, the characterization a pure delight and the world building will make you look at everyday things and wonder.
All around I would highly recommend anyone give Touched by an Alien a try and am happy to give it four dazzling stars.★★★★
Touched by an Alien was a thrill-ride of a read right from the start. Unapologetically snarky and full of fun I loved Katherine “Kitty” Katt as a heroine. While following some of her antics through the plot took a heaping teaspoon of suspension of disbelief, I loved reading it and could easily forgive the wallpapered plot points for the sheer fun of reading this high-octane fast-paced joy-ride of a book. And then there was Jeff, Christopher, the parents, the Dazzlers and just for fun a monster or two.
I have to say I kinda gave this book a pass for a while because the cover looks basically as close to a bodice-ripper as you can get in a modern-day sci-fi; I only gave it a shot because I found it at Bookmans, my local used book store, and it had turned up on a number of my recommendation list. Boy am I glad I did. This was a fun book that made me think about everything from security to politics to religion and did it in such a way not once did I feel a heavy hand or feel that it was contrived. While I will admit that the plot had a lot of just-go-with-it moments, it pulled together in the end in such a way that not only am I happy, but satisfied. The passion is explosive, the action enjoyable, the characterization a pure delight and the world building will make you look at everyday things and wonder.
All around I would highly recommend anyone give Touched by an Alien a try and am happy to give it four dazzling stars.★★★★
alikatson's review
3.0
So this was a fun book. My library loan was about to run out so I started reading and couldn't stop.
It follows Katherine "Kitty" Katt as she discovers an alien war has been taking place on the planet. Unfortunately, she discovers this because she witnesses an attack of the parasitic aliens attempting to take over. The good news is she thinks quickly and takes down the alien and quickly meets a group of unbelievably handsome men - more aliens, but the good ones!
Kitty is awesome - she's funny and smart, a great heroine. She seemed a bit too smart at times but
I liked a lot of the characters... I'm interested how her interpersonal relationships will develop since I see this is a super long series and I hope things stay pretty settled.
It follows Katherine "Kitty" Katt as she discovers an alien war has been taking place on the planet. Unfortunately, she discovers this because she witnesses an attack of the parasitic aliens attempting to take over. The good news is she thinks quickly and takes down the alien and quickly meets a group of unbelievably handsome men - more aliens, but the good ones!
Kitty is awesome - she's funny and smart, a great heroine. She seemed a bit too smart at times but
Spoiler
when you meet her parents that makes a lot of sense - I mean they are both basically geniuses in their trade (spy/strategist for Mom and cryptologist for dad)I liked a lot of the characters... I'm interested how her interpersonal relationships will develop since I see this is a super long series and I hope things stay pretty settled.