Marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt had just finished a day on jury duty. When she stepped out of the Pueblo Caliente courthouse, all she was thinking about was the work she had to get caught up on. Then her attention was caught by a fight between a couple – a domestic dispute that looked like ti was about to turn ugly. But ugly didn’t even begin to cover it when the “man” suddenly transformed into a huge, winged monster right out of a grade z science fiction movie and went on a deadly killing spree. In hindsight, Kitty realized she probably should have panicked and run screaming the way everyone around her was doing. Instead she got mad, searched her purse for a weapon, and, armed with a Mont Blanc pen, sprinted into action to take down the alien.
In the middle of all the screeching and the ensuing chaos, a tall handsome hunk of a guy in an Armani suit suddenly appeared beside her, examined the boy, introduced himself as Jeff Martini with “the agency,” called out to an Armani-clad colleague to perform crowd control, and then insisted on leading her to a nearby limo to talk to his “boss.”
And that was how Kitty’s new life among the aliens began… [Summary from Book Cover]
What can I say? I loved this book. So much so that it bears repeating (for the, oh, third time) that I almost kissed the screen when I found out it wasn’t going to be a standalone. I was hoping – was I ever! – that I’d at least get a sequel, and relief poured in when I saw that not only is there going to be another book – Alien Tango – it’s going to be released this December. Still too far off, but…You know what? I’m getting way ahead of myself.
By now you’ve probably read the summary, and you might even be thinking “Ah, that’s kind of out there, and, um, well it sounds like it might be a little…cheesy/campy/insert word here?” Trust me when I say, Koch makes it work. This book never tries to take itself too seriously; instead it’s all kinds of fun, and pokes a sharp finger at pop culture moments (such as Men in Black) that might have had a hand in informing the story. And besides, once you meet Jeff Martini you’ll find yourself saying “who cares?!” and going along with all of it. As for me, I was hooked from the first page, and felt downright resentful of dinner for making me put the book down.
Since I can tell this review is on the verge of derailing with my enthusiasm, here is a bulleted list of a few of the things I loved:
- The characters. Jeff, of course. But Kitty was wonderful, too, as she was forced to quickly rise to the challenge and take control of a situation that would have sent many others into a straight jacket and padded cell. And then there was: Reader, Kitty’s parents, a pack of dogs all with names that began with D, and many others.
- There were scenes that made me laugh. Out loud. My husband looked at me strangely, but refused to ask. Just as well.
- The awesome way Kitty takes down some really nasty superbeings. Oh, and I want a Mont Blanc pen. Seems like something a girl should have in her bag at all times (and now I’m just not sure that my Pilot Varsity would be up to the task.)
- The song “Love in an Elevator“? I have a whole new appreciation for it.
- The fact that I didn’t blink an eye when weightier themes – such as religious persecution – were introduced. I have a feeling other readers might roll their eyes, grumble something like “really? you went there?,” but not me. I was too far gone, remember?
- And the other fact that I actually wanted plot threads to go unresolved, thereby forcing another book. I was getting towards the end, taking stock of what hadn’t been resolved, thinking “well, that’s it then. There must be another book.” And then the thread would go and get itself resolved, leaving me with a “well, damn” kind of feeling. (Thank you, Ms. Koch, for having the info on Alien Tango right there on your main page.)
I’m glad I bought Touched by an Alien rather than waiting for the library’s copy to come in. After reading it I would have ended up at a bookstore anyway. And since it’s mine, I can keep rereading favorite scenes until Alien Tango is released. So, to sum things up: it worked for me, I LOVED it, and I definitely want more. And more…
And that Mont Blanc pen.
Second Opinion:
ALPHA reader’s review
My favorite part about Kitty is that she’s an accidental badass. I love that.
And trust me. You’ll love Alien Tango more (I did)! It’s all about the ALLIGATORS baby!!!!
I loved this book too!
You’re right – for a second when you read the blurb and are maybe half-way through the first chapter, you do wonder “is this going to be cheesy/camp?” – but Koch makes it *work* so, so well.
She definitely knows her genre, and is aware that she’s going over-the-top… but as a reader you just enjoy the roller-coaster ride.
I loved Martini. Quickest romance set-up EVER but I adored every minute of it. He had me laughing out loud too
I *need* ‘Alien Tango’, like – yesterday. lol
I think one of the things that makes it work is that Gini acknowledges and deals with all those smart questions we smart readers are thinking of. Plus, I adore the humor in it. Kitty and I would have a blast hanging out and I love vicariously living in her world.
Hey, this book looks real interesting! I’m going to add it in my TBR pile based on your review. I’m always up for a book with great humor and a strong female protagonist.
I love Kitty! She’s so resourceful in a completely fun and wacky way. Great review!
Lisa – I’ll love it more? *groan* How on earth am I going to wait until December now?! Oh, and “accidental badass”? Awesome!
Danielle – Oh, yeah, this one definitely had me laughing. (And it usually involved Kitty’s parents – “Mossad!” I start laughing again just thinking about it!) I am so with you on “like – yesterday.”
amberscottproject – I agree and, like you, I’d love to hang with Kitty for a day (if only to compare what’s on our iPods.)
Chachic – ALIEN has both! And a fun story, too. Oh, and Jeff. Musn’t forget Jeff. I’d love to see what you think of it if/when you read it.
Sullivan McPig – Thanks.
Resourceful gals – especially Kitty’s brand of resourceful – are awesome.
What a piece of garbage, I’m sorry to say, I don’t usually do this, but come on. I don’t understand how anyone could give this a good review. She must be real good friends with this book’s publisher, because if she’s not then the publisher must not have read this. The only good thing is the cover art. I demanded my money back!!!! Eight bucks is too much to pay. I think I would rather sit in a room all day and watch plan 9 from outer space over and over again. Apparently there’s a second one coming out, Oh my God why???!!!
Divinty Sclarosalenaty – To each his own. Now you know the books are not to your taste. As for me, I say bring on book two and keep them coming.
I have never in my life read a worse novel. I have no idea how this managed to get published. It read like a mediocre high school writing assignment. The characters are unbelievable, the world she creates is pathetic, and every time she wants to introduce a new idea it comes completely out of nowhere. Seriously, the author wrote that the main character’s mother is the only ever non-Jewish, non-Israeli Mossad agent. Really? She couldn’t come up with something more believable than that? Then when she drags the father into the story he no longer is the professor she told us about earlier, now he’s some secret cryptologist for NASA because there is a text in need of translating. The entire novel reads like this, making something up that doesn’t fit what she wrote before just because it’s convenient. I have never written a bad review on any book, even when I didn’t like it, but this is just plain terrible. The worst part is, the idea shows promise, but the work wasn’t put into the writing to make it even passably enjoyable. Don’t bother reading it, and if you bought it, get your money back.
Lynne – Is it – any of it – suppose to be really believable? Is it meant to be taken seriously? Personally, I don’t think so. Which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. And I’m sorry, but I have to counter your last statement and urge people to try it out for themselves. Every reader will not have your experience with the story (as is evidenced by the other commenters who thoroughly enjoyed it.)
I had a fun time reading Touched by an Alien. A book that can give me a good chuckle, with wonderful hero type men and hot sex works for me. I will admit the fighting sequences made my head spin a bit, but after reading a few duds over the past few months, I think Gini has a unique and overall fun writing style.
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Great review – I love how your enthusiasm for the book shines through. I felt the same way when I read it!!
I loved this one too, so funny ! Can’t wait for the sequel
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Don’t take the book too seriously – it was a fun, rollercoaster kind of read. Don’t over-think it. Just relax and go along for the ride.
(Cuz, you know, if I had to analyze it, I would wonder how the aliens even survived before Kitty and gee whiz, she suddenly gets sucked into this world and before you know it, she is like John Creighton in Farscape.)
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