Title: Kitty Steals the Show
Author: Carrie Vaughn
First published July 31, 2012
342 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780765365668 (ISBN10: 0765365669)
Rating: 3.98
Overview
Kitty has been chosen to be the key presenter at the Paranatural Symposium in Paris. This event brings together scientists, activists, and paranormal creatures from all over the world, and Kitty, Ben, and Cormac are at the heart of it.
Dozens of master vampires from various cities have also come to Paris for their own conference. With the support of the Master of Paris, Kitty gets a better understanding of the Long Game, a power struggle among vampires that has been ongoing for centuries.
In her quest for answers, Kitty has the backing of some old comrades and meets some new ones like Leif, the alpha werewolf of France. The symposium has piqued the interest of some old foes, who have set their sights on her and her friends.
The world is a stage, and Kitty has just taken the lead role.
About the Author
Meet Carrie Vaughn, a prolific author with over 20 novels and 100 short stories under her belt. Her claim to fame is her New York Times bestselling series about a werewolf named Kitty who runs a talk radio show for the supernaturally disadvantaged.
Her writing prowess was recognized in 2018 when she won the Philip K. Dick Award for her post-apocalyptic murder mystery, Bannerless.
Notably, two of her stories have also been shortlisted for the prestigious Hugo Award.
Aside from writing, Vaughn is also a contributor to the Wild Cards series, a collection of superhero books edited by George R. R.
Martin. She’s a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop.
Growing up as an Air Force brat, Vaughn has had a nomadic childhood. However, she eventually found a home in Boulder, Colorado, where she indulges in various hobbies.
If you want to learn more about her writing process, you can check out her Patreon for writing advice and essays.
Editoral Review
Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn is a fun and fast-paced urban fantasy novel published in 2012. Vaughn is an American author who has published over 20 novels and several short stories, including the popular Kitty Norville series.
The Kitty Norville series follows a werewolf named Kitty, who hosts a radio talk show for supernatural creatures. Kitty Steals the Show is the tenth book in this series and is a delightful installment that will not disappoint fans.
Set in modern-day Denver, Kitty Steals the Show follows our werewolf heroine as she attends a political convention. She is there to make peace with the vampires, but things quickly go awry when a murder takes place.
Alongside her vampire friend, Cormac, Kitty sets out to solve this mystery while also dealing with the stresses of the convention politics. The book is filled with action, suspense, and romance.
Vaughn excels in developing her characters, and Kitty is no exception. She is charming, witty, and relatable.
Her struggles with anxiety and dealing with her newfound celebrity status are particularly well portrayed. Cormac also shines in this book.
His complex relationship with Kitty is a highlight of the series, and it is explored to great effect in Kitty Steals the Show. Throughout the book, Vaughn also touches on themes of discrimination and prejudice.
Werewolves and vampires have a fraught relationship in the series, and Vaughn uses their conflict to explore broader issues related to social justice. She does so with a deft hand, never overwhelming the reader with these themes but subtly weaving them into the fabric of the story.
Despite its strengths, Kitty Steals the Show is not without its flaws. Some of the secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and the pacing of the book at times feels uneven.
The mystery element of the book is also not particularly well-executed, with the killer being somewhat obvious from early on. Overall, however, Kitty Steals the Show is an entertaining and enjoyable read for fans of urban fantasy.
Although it is the tenth book in the Kitty Norville series, newcomers to the series should be able to jump in without too much confusion. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy a light and fun supernatural read that still manages to touch on serious themes.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.