'Alien vs Alien' Katherine 'Kitty' Katt #6 by Gini Koch

 Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

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.

This review contains spoilers of all other books in the 'Katherine "Kitty" Katt' series

Kitty Katt-Martini is finally settling into her new life as Ambassador’s wife and member of the American Centaurion Diplomatic Corps. Yes, Kitty’s settling right into politics – she’s dodging calls from nosy senators, sweet-talking paparazzi and soon finds herself embroiled in a sex scandal with her best friend, Chuckie. It’s just another day in Washington, really, and the helter-skelter life of Katherine ‘Kitty’ Katt.

Except Kitty and Chuckie’s ‘scandal’ is a complete lie based around very convincing photoshop pictures. And Jeff (normally King of Jealousy Town) isn’t even mad or suspicious. This might have something to do with the fact that he’s had to stay away from his family while Jamie-Kat’s been teething, and Jeff’s astute empathy skills have been causing him no end of trouble where his daughter’s pain is concerned. Or it might be due to the fact that Jeff, Chuckie and Christopher have bigger fish to fry. Like escalating international tensions, evil androids and unexpected visitors from ‘out of town’.

But just when things can’t get any worse for Kitty & Co – Chuckie and Jeff go missing while at the International One World Festival. Suddenly androids, birds and blackmail photos seem paltry in comparison to finding Kitty’s husband and best friend. In fact, the fate of the world may very well depend on it.

‘Alien vs. Alien’ is the sixth book in Gini Koch’s blockbuster series, ‘Katherine “Kitty” Katt’.

I know summer is near in Australia when the flip-flops are slipped on, the smell of barbeques fills the air and I have a hot new Gini Koch novel in my hands.

We’re now six books into this epic, intergalactic series and Koch keeps the curveballs coming and the action jam-packed. ‘Alien vs. Alien’ is a particularly interesting instalment in the series because it’s really kind of the Katherine “Kitty” Katt show; what with her husband, the indescribably scrumptious Jeff Martini, kidnapped and whereabouts unknown. We really haven’t ever read Kitty on her own – since she and Martini have been a two-for-one kind of deal from book one ‘Touched by an Alien’. It’s really nice to remember that while Jeff has been her hunky alien protector for five books now, when Kitty’s in dire straits she can also hold her own; simultaneously pulling off a missing-persons search and working to prevent intergalactic/earthly warfare.

“It’s a tremendous security breach, not to mention culturally frowned upon, so I can understand why the four of you don’t want it shared with the world. But since the secret you’re trying to hide isn’t related to interstellar security and the fate of the world, the four of you can relax.”
“Interstellar?” Jakob said. “Did I hear you correctly? You were serious about an alien invasion?”
“Yes,” Franklin said. “Based on everything that’s happened, much of which has involved all of you, I’m prepared to break any number of protocols and bring you up to speed. Because I think we need to focus on saving our would more than my career.”

I would say that each of Koch’s books has been slowly expanding Kitty’s (and the readers) understanding of the galaxy from which the Centaurion Division herald. We know that they were forced to flee across space and are still wary of being found here on earth. With these remembered tid-bits from past books in mind, ‘Alien vs. Alien’ is really interesting for what Koch reveals about what is out there – in the galaxy unknown.

But don’t go thinking that this sixth book is all doom and gloom and kidnappings. As much as Koch is expanding the ‘Kitty Katt’ universe, she’s also very much grounded in exploring the relationships between her characters. Expect some highly amusing scenes concerning Christopher and Amy and what it’s like to have a parents-in-law who are, literally, from outer space. Chuckie may or may not also have a very interesting development in the romance department. . . . But I refuse to give anything away!

‘Alien vs. Alien’ is another resounding triumph for Gini Koch and her crazily wonderful ‘Katherine “Kitty” Katt’ space opera series. It has everything you want from summer blockbuster reading; an impending alien invasion, lovers torn apart, the fate of the world in a mother’s hands and a Washington sex scandal. Terrific!

5/5

'Alien vs Alien' is released on December 4