Carrie Vaughn Discussion

[Zeenat]

She writes various things, but her most well known is the Kitty Norville series.

[Zeenat]

Her Kitty story has slowed down a lot the last few books, but the most recent book was really good. Anyone else read this?

[Anna]

I've read/got all the others. I'd agree about them slowing down. I was disappointed with the London one, so I will have to wait till this comes out in the library. That could be a while.

I'm just not convinced she is able to develop her characters or settings any more than she has already done. I suspect the London book was a mistake as she lost her familiar setting and the the novel felt like it was Kitty goes on a London city weekend break. (I didn't like the Washington one either). She had all her key characters together for the conference and all that happened was a small demonstration in the street with a bit of paint thrown around. Cormac- her best character kept wandering off page. What the hell was that about? And she barely bothered with the radio show.

The only positive is that Vaughn has upped the frequency of her output again. She seems to write stronger novels when she is producing more than 1 per year.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin]

I still have to read the last one before I can read this newest one. Hopefully, I can get to them soon. I'll keep in mind that the one before this current one is a bit slow. Honestly, I should refresh my memory. It feels like it's been forever since I've last read a Kitty Norville book. I don't quite remember what happened in the last one that I read.

[Anna]

Kitty Steals The Show
I just felt frustrated with it. It may not have helped that I'm UK based so was perhaps more critical of the London setting. But how can she create a Cormac character then keep finding excuses not to use him. I can't help feeling she keeps settling for 'safe'.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin]

It does seem that Cormac has been very underused since he got out of jail. I hope she finds something to do with him. I've always liked Cormac.

[Anna]

Agreed...it felt like forever while he was in jail, then nothing! I don't mind the Amelia twist although, again It does feel like it 'tames' him. It's almost like shes's created a character she is scared of.

[Zeenat]

Cormac is back up to mischief in KRtH. I don't like Amelia... I feel like it's growing into some sort of romance and that's just weird to me... Although there may be other potentials brewing for him... but I'll stay mum.

She's currently working on a whole Cormac book.

I think the beginning of this book was a bit slow, like the rest of the books, but it picks up. I think the books in Denver are the best because of the show, and her pack, and of course Rick <3 Rick.... :::Frustrated sigh::: I'm still mad about it, but I'll get over it... maybe.

[Margo]

I think that Cormac will start being somewhat Cormac again after he finishes his parole, at least I really hope so. He was such a great character and he even reminded me of Pritkin, but now it's all Amelia. She's in a driving seat of Cormac's body now and, when it was interesting at the beginning, now it starts to piss me off.

I like Kitty the way she is and the fact that she knows her limits. I like Ben, but I still think that Cormac would be better choice for her.

Well we can't have everything in real life, so why should it be any different in books, right?

[Zeenat]

I think her and Ben are too similar. They kind of are boring together. But I think her love life is settled. It's okay though, I don't hate them together.

And yeah I hate that Amelia is always there.

[Margo]

I don't hat Kitty and Ben, but like you said, they are boring. I may be a terrible person for saying it, but I actually think that at some point Ben will die in the Long Game and Cormac will there for Kitty. I really don't hate Ben, I just don't see any other solution for this situation :/

[Llaph]

Before Kitty and Ben got together I was thinking Kitty and Cormac for sure....
Then I just felt meh about it.
Now that I was reminded of the series I might look into getting further books. I am really cheap though....

[Zeenat]

Margo wrote: "I don't hat Kitty and Ben, but like you said, they are boring. I may be a terrible person for saying it, but I actually think that at some point Ben will die in the Long Game and Cormac will there ..."

Yeah I agree with you. It's not like in some of the other books where I was glad to see the boring love interest die, but I still think Kitty and Cormac is a better end game. Plus, did you notice (view spoiler)[ she still had twinges of jealousy/feelings even in this book. (hide spoiler)] But both Amelia and Ben have to go.

[Margo]

Yes, I've noticed, that's why I think there is still a chance for Kitty & Cormac, and yes Ben and Amelia would have to go for that to happen.

[Steve]

Oh no, not at all, they could all stay...Kitty just needs to be cursed with the ardeur.... (Please NO!)

[Zeenat]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! lol

[Llaph]

*echos zeenat*

That works with some series, but it totally wont work with this one. :x
It would be just wrong....

[Kathy]

I'd rather the ardeur than lose Ben. I like him. I think he's been good for Kitty. I do agree about Amelia and Cormac. I'm ready for her to float off.

[Margo]

Don't get me wrong, I also like Ben I just... don't like him with Kitty. He's nice, supportive but also for me it's more like a big brother rather than lover *shrugs*.

[Sarah]

I like Ben since he became (view spoiler)[ werewolf (hide spoiler)] and we got to know him more. He's sweet and good to Kitty and maybe what she needed after the abuse she had, but he is a little boring and it was kind of a surprise. And Kitty actually seems stronger, more in control. Makes me wonder with all the enemies how things will turn out. I was wanting her and Cormac at first now I don't know. Ben would have to die.
Amelia is annoying, and the mind/body sharing doesn't work for me. I hope they get rid of her. RIP already.

[Anna]

Ben is 'nice', he balances Kitty and it kind of makes their dynamic 'nice'. Sadly that doesn't do much to the plot line. It feels very safe and YA as a result.

[Zeenat]

well, it doesn't feel YA to me, actually more adult because adults have more stable relationships than teenagers. I think if Ben had more layer to his characters rather than "nice lawyer turned werewolf" he'd be better.

[Anna]

That's interesting Zeenat, I suppose I feel it's not complex compared to KC, or even Patricia Briggs (that's not a criticism, it just that PB tends to have much more chronological narratives and fewer subplots).

The characters as you say tend to be less layered, like Ben. I suppose I want to see more problems. I liked the scenes in the book where Ben turned and there was doubt as to how they would all react. The main characters all seem so settled now (at least up to #10).

[Sarah]

Zeenat wrote: "well, it doesn't feel YA to me, actually more adult because adults have more stable relationships than teenagers. I think if Ben had more layer to his characters rather than "nice lawyer turned wer..."

I agree the stable is fine. It's that he's kind of a flat character and a little boring.

[Zeenat]

Oh I agree Anna, I don't think the characters are very complex. Very "simple". The plot is what's complex. All the politics is finally catching up and creating fun tension!

The characters do need more tension. Like Ben has no more struggles? he's really that laid back? I think his subordinate wolves are more alpha then him! Sean is super cool.

I really hope that (view spoiler)[ Rick is not permanently gone. He's such a fun character to watch (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

I really liked the best friend (were) in the Midnight hour. That's another thing she has a tendency to eliminate her strongest characters!

[Zeenat]

TJ? yeah he was a good character, but his character's death was the catalyst to everything else so it made sense. This Rick nonsense however...

[Zeenat]

Chapter 1 of out July 30th: http://www.carrievaughn.com/kitty12.htm

[Anna]

Thanks for that Zeenat. I got very excited for a minute, thought it was he Cormac one she has just finished. I thought the blurb gave rather a lot away... Savin the story for tommorrow.