Review - Alien vs. Alien by Gini Koch and Giveaway - December 9, 2012

Published: December 09, 2012 | 15:32

Alien vs. Alien
Author: Gini Koch
Series: Alien 6
Publisher: DAW, December 4, 2012
Format: Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 512 pages
Genre: Science Fiction/ SF Romance
ISBN: 9780756407704 (print)
Price: $7.99 print and eBook
Review Copy: ARC provided by the Author

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the American Centaurion Diplomatic Corps are still recovering from their introduction to Washington D.C. politics, parties, and conspiracies. So when compromising pictures arrive, no one’s too surprised. They’re also the least of anyone’s worries. Evil androids running amok, birds of all kinds and from all places creating havoc, a Senator trapped in an ever-tightening web of intrigue, and escalating international tensions all seem tough but manageable. But the disappearance of Jeff Martini and Charles Reynolds during the International One World Festival signals more than the usual nastiness—and it looks like even ACE can’t help them. Then new trouble arrives in old packages and even with the best hackers in the world, beings from near and far, the full might of Earth’s military, and the Wonder Twins on their side, Centaurion Division’s outmanned and outgunned. Now Kitty’s racing against the clock to find not only Jeff and Chuckie, but to keep the peace between Middle Eastern countries, all while searching for the bases of super-soldier operations—to stop them or die trying.

My Thoughts:

The Alien (or Katherine "Kitty" Katt) series is one of those series that gets better and better with each novel. This is in part due to the fact Ms. Koch keeps the main characters fresh (personal growth, expanding powers, etc.) and always provides an entertaining and intricate plot. In addition, there is a wonderful ensemble of returning and new characters in each novel. On top of this, there is a humor ... in between things blowing up, people being kidnapped, and alien and domestic threats being handled.

Once again Kitty is thrust into the middle of a crisis. Kitty uses both her prodigious brains and her impressive array of abilities to protect those she loves and try to get to the root of the problems they are facing. I adore Kitty. She's intelligent, clever, funny, and can kick butt when necessary. She also loves her husband and daughter, her close friends/family in the American Centaurion (A-C) community as well as her parents. While many of her talents are "unreal" her personality is thoroughly believable. Kitty really shines in this novel. She also has excellent taste in music.

Many of the returning characters in the series are as terrific as Kitty, which only adds to the fun of reading Alien vs. Alien. This ensemble of characters is very strong. I love finding out new things about them and Ms. Koch never disappoints.

I am always surprised by Ms. Koch's inventiveness. Alien vs. Alien has an intricate conspiracy and some very complex and twisted bad guys. The bad guys have excellent (if thoroughly despicable) motivations for their evil-doings. They are not cardboard cutout bad guys.

Alien vs. Alien is quite simply a wonderful novel from the pitch perfect pacing to the lovable characters to the out of this world conspiracy. The Alien series is firmly on my keeper shelf and I can't wait for the upcoming Alien in the House.

Alien vs. Alien may be read as a standalone, but you'd be missing out if you didn't read the other books in the series.

Prior books in the series:

THE GIVEAWAY

What: One commenter will win Mass Market Paperback copies of Touched by an Alien (Alien 1), Alien Tango (Alien 2) and Alien in the Family (Alien 3) from The Qwillery. The novels have been signed by Gini Koch and Dan Dos Santos (the cover artist).

How: Answer The Qwillery's Question:

Which series that you read has staying power?

and/or

Which series that you read should have ended already?

Please remember - if you don't answer the questions your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry) and Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook or Twitter mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 23, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

Source: qwillery.blogspot.com

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29 Comments on The Qwillery: Review - Alien vs. Alien by Gini Koch and Giveaway - December 9, 2012

on December 09, 2012 | 15:41 mikisaid :
"hum good question as always ^^ i haven't a series i which to have seen end already as for one i wish to see more of if ^^ kitty katt series^^ and sentinel of new orlean by suzanne johnson

thank you a lot for the giveaway

+1comment
+1blog followere: gfc:miki ( and email suscriber)

isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
"
Comment #1
on December 09, 2012 | 16:22 Melsaid :
"Ooo, I am still loving the Dresden Files even after so many books. There are some series I am glad finished when they did though too many books means the series can become a little 'unreal'!

GFC Follower: Mel S

notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk"
Comment #2
on December 09, 2012 | 18:34 Stephaniesaid :
"I really love the Hollows series by Kim Harrison.

+1 comment

+1 gfc follower

Skk25@aol.com"
Comment #3
on December 09, 2012 | 19:07 Debbysaid :
"I really like the In Death series by JD Robb and I may be alone but I think Anita Blake has run long enough.
debby236 at gmail dot com"
Comment #4
on December 09, 2012 | 20:42 Bethany C.said :
"I'm probably not alone in thinking that the Anita Blake series should have ended. It's not that it got stalel it just changed so drastically that it's not the kind of thing I like reading anymore. As a friend put it 'she went from kick-ass vampire executioner to victim hobag.'
gfc follower

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com"
Comment #5
on December 09, 2012 | 20:54 Anonymoussaid :
"I love the IAD series by Cole and the Dark-hunters series by Kenyon, and I can't wait for the next books.
+1 comment
+1 GFC Marlene Breakfield
+1 tweeted https://twitter.com/mbreakfield/status/277953782401359872
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
"
Comment #6
on December 09, 2012 | 20:55 Rebesaid :
"I love the Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, and J D Robb series. I think the Stephanie Plum series has gone on too long.

+1 comment
+1 tweeted:https://mobile.twitter.com/RebeLovesBooks/status/277953934272901121
+1 gfc follower

rwschwarz11AT gmailDOT com"
Comment #7
on December 10, 2012 | 13:27 Blanquissaid :
"I like the Alexander Outland series..a must stay.. I think that the one series I could do without is city of bones. Really blah"
Comment #8
on December 10, 2012 | 13:34 Sarahsaid :
"Of course I can't get enough of the Kitty Katt series, I love Gini's humour in these books :o) Another series I adore of is Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed - I just wish she'd write faster because I always need more! I can't actually think of a series that I'm reading that has gone on too long, I have a feeling I'll probably end up saying that about the Anita Blake books but I've only read the first one so far so am still enjoying it. I have to admit that the length of the In Death series puts me off trying it, I'm just worried about trying myself in to reading that many books but I've not heard anyone say anything negative about the series so I'm sure it is one I'll try eventually.

Thanks for the fab giveaway
+1 comment
+1 gfc follower (name Sarah, picture of a moon with a teardrop inside it - for some unknown reason it is different on the widget than the pic when I comment LOL)

sarahsreviews at ymail dot com"
Comment #9
on December 10, 2012 | 14:07 Cherrysaid :
"[+1] There are a few serieses which I think has strong staying power, like the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, In Death series by JD Robb and Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, to name a few. The serieses which I think should have ended a long time ago is the Carpathian series by Christine Feehan, the Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris, Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison, would be the top three I could name off the top of my head.

[+1] GFC follower name is Cherry.

[+1] Twitted about your giveaway at: https://twitter.com/cherrymischivus/status/278213772739489792

Thank you for the chance to win!!

Cherry Mischievous
cherrymischif-spamme [at] yahoo [dot] com"
Comment #10
on December 10, 2012 | 14:20 erinsaid :
"Thanks for the awesome review and congrats to Gini on the new release! Staying power: Mercy Thompson, Kate Daniels, Lupi world by Eileen Wilks Should have ended: Stephanie Plum by j. evanovich

gfc: erin
email:efender1(at)gmail(dot)com"
Comment #11
on December 10, 2012 | 14:21 Auriansaid :
"Great review, thank you! And wow, signed books by the author and the cover artist, now I am feeling greedy!
Hmmm what series should have ended? I do love it, but am getting tired, she should wrap it up: Christine Feehan's Carpathian series.
What series can go on forever? Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. It is still going somewhere, I just don't know where, only Laurell does."
Comment #12
on December 10, 2012 | 17:08 NoraAsaid :
"What series? Laurel K. Hamilton, both the Anita Blake AND the Merry Gentry series. My oldest son and I race to see who can get the next book first.

Posted to FB https://www.facebook.com/noraadrienne

Follower GFC NoraA and e-mail NoraAdrienne@"
Comment #13
on December 10, 2012 | 18:47 SdyLionsaid :
"I will have to say that none of the series I am currently reading now I think should end, though many have, which always saddens me, especially when they rock. I love Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters as well as Christine Feehan's Dark series. I follow via GFC: sdylion, email: sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted:https://twitter.com/SdyLion/status/278284500591603713
and posted on FB:http://www.facebook.com/sgstoops/posts/455840314451811"
Comment #14
on December 10, 2012 | 20:16 bfree2readsaid :
"Q: Which series that you read has staying power?
A: Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Love the larger book cover views on the website. It was the art work on Dan Dos Santos that made me give Touched by an Alien & Alien Tango (love the alligators) a chance. Been laughing ever since.

Go Alliflash and Gigantagator!
"
Comment #15
on December 10, 2012 | 20:25 Jen B.said :
"I love Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's series. I think the first trilogy and the last trilogy are the best (the middle trilogy was just weak). I think Sherrily Kenyon's Dark Hunters should have ended a while ago."
Comment #16
on December 10, 2012 | 22:46 Lindasaid :
"I love Anne McCaffrey's Pern series

+3: comment, follower, tweeted
https://twitter.com/LindaThum/status/278344212917911553

thumbelinda03@yahoo.com"
Comment #17
on December 11, 2012 | 03:52 bejeweledcat shawnsaid :
"Gini's Alien series is the top of my make me happy list. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter books, Lyndsay Sands Argeneau series, and Kerrelyn Sparks all go on my happy, happy reading list although some books are stronger than others.

I can't think of any off the top of my head that I think should end although the are a few series that have become so convoluted I can't follow them anymore, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood and Yasmine Galenorn's Otherworld series being examples for me.

leethas(at)aol(dot)com"
Comment #18
on December 11, 2012 | 13:35 Lehuasaid :
"I think J D Robb's books have staying power.

I think Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels have gone on way too long.

Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fqwillery.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Freview-alien-vs-alien-by-gini-koch-and.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&t=Review+-+Alien+vs.+Alien+by+Gini+Koch+and+Giveaway...

lehuamaplaca@yahoo.com"
Comment #19
on December 11, 2012 | 18:32 bn100said :
"I think The Lords of the Underworld has staying power.

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com"
Comment #20
on December 11, 2012 | 22:59 Mary Prestonsaid :
"A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE by George RR Martin certainly has staying power. I hope it never ends.

GFC: Mary Preston

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com "
Comment #21
on December 13, 2012 | 19:32 Lexisaid :
"The Alien's are here!!!
I have read book one and LOVED it! I love Gini's twisted humorous mind.
Other series that have staying power for me is the Fever series, the Mercy Thompson series, and the Nighthuntress series. Hmm...guess I love my fantasy and paranormal!

GFC Lexi
eyesofblueice (at) gmail"
Comment #22
on December 19, 2012 | 19:08 Natalia Jsaid :
"I am currently reading Shattered Dark by Sandy Williams. I still remember how the first book ended and wanted more.
+1 mail: neoterragoddess@gmail.com
+1 Follower GFC:Rogue484
+1 tweet: https://twitter.com/rogue484/status/281550593238106114
Thanks for the giveaway. :)"
Comment #23
on December 20, 2012 | 09:29 Anonymoussaid :
"For staying power I'd go with Pratchett's Discworld. I've lost track of the number of volumes in that one. I still read each and every one though! And for should be done? Hate to say it but Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series reached its natural end some few books ago. Of course, I'm still reading them so I suppose I can't really complain!
april dot vrugtman at gmail dot com
gfc follower: April V."
Comment #24
on December 23, 2012 | 17:53 Miasaid :
"I agree re The Dresden Files. It has gotten better with practically every book."
Comment #25
on December 23, 2012 | 17:55 Miasaid :
"Oops. Forgot to leave contact info. (@arrhyth_mia on twitter)"
Comment #26
on December 23, 2012 | 18:00 Sullivan McPigsaid :
"Patricia Briggs' Alpha & Omega series definitely has staying power!

sullivanmcpig(at)gmail(dot)com"
Comment #27
on December 23, 2012 | 23:54 Carlasaid :
"I'd say the BDB series by JR Ward, Gena Showlaters LOTU has staying power. Can't get enough of them!

Series that should have ended is House of Night series by PC/Kristen Cast and definitely the Anita Blake series.

Carla Gallway
bookmonsterreviews@yahoo.com"
Comment #28
on December 23, 2012 | 23:59 Timitrasaid :
"Darynda Jones' Charley Davidson series has staying power!

taccb_1981@yahoo.com"
Comment #29