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abookmarkedodyssey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mnemosyne5's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Such a fun book! I look forward to the rest of the series.
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
Whew. This one is really tough to rate.
The stuff that was good was very very good. I liked the intricate plot - aliens and terrorists and religion and government agencies... oh my! I liked Kitty, Jeff (most of the time), and most of the secondary cast. There were parts that were utterly hilarious, and generally the fast pacing was exciting.
Sometimes, though, the pacing was too fast. The heroine, Kitty, was brilliant, and I respect that... but she was putting pieces together out of left field like 30 seconds after she entered a situation. There were several passages that whipped through my brain like a whirlwind, and I had to re-read, because I didn't follow the quick leaps. That all said, the logic was pretty solid... we just got there really fast. However, the logic being solid served to make this team of people kind of look like boobs. I mean, Kitty and her parents whizz in and solve some critical problems - make some critical connections - in like, 2 hours... on things these people have been working on for decades.
My primary problem, though, was Christopher. And I have to say that he was a big enough problem that I nearly put this book down before the halfway mark. It was bad enough that he was a hostile asshole to her from the very first time he spoke to her - he was calling her "princess" in a shitty, condescending way literally every time he spoke... and I really wanted her to stab that pen into his groin. Everyone rolls their eyes that Kitty doesn't realize his problem is that he likes her. I'm sorry, are we fucking 5 year olds? He's only mean to you because he likes you? Is that really where we're going here? She did her best to ignore him for awhile, but eventually started calling him out for being a massive prick.
Then her mom enters the situation, and treats Kitty as if she's the one out of line, and tells her to "stop baiting him"... Guys, I was so angry I was speechless. She did nothing to bring on his shitty behavior. And if he's being a dick to her because Jeff is being so over-the-top with his "I'm going to marry you" schtick, I'm sorry, but that's not her, and he doesn't get to direct his anger at her. And the fact that it was her MOM who was blaming her just killed me. What fucking mom lectures her daughter to be nicer to the man abusing her? Because that's what he was doing. He was mocking her, belittling her, and knocking her down at every fucking opportunity. And here's mom, inviting him to hang with them, lecturing Kitty about snapping back at him, and telling her to stop baiting him. Good thing mom didn't know that he practically attempted to rape her in the elevator, because she'd probably tell Kitty it was her fault for wearing a skirt.
And yes. That scene made me deeply uncomfortable, because it really gave a rape vibe. I wish she'd have cracked open his fucking skull.
Jeff also had times where he felt manipulative - and he just came on WAY too strong in the beginning. To the point where, I don't know you guys... I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the A-C were the bad guys all along as we go further into the series. I mean, look at all the stuff they've lied about. Look at their really erratic tempers, and the way the two main guys would flip a switch and be either hostile or manipulative. I've got to say, there were lots of red flags. But while we're on the topic of flipping a switch, after the elevator incident Christopher flipped a switch and became a totally different person. It was baffling.
But I liked the book enough to continue on. That's why this is hard to rate. I guess we'll see how it goes from here.
The stuff that was good was very very good. I liked the intricate plot - aliens and terrorists and religion and government agencies... oh my! I liked Kitty, Jeff (most of the time), and most of the secondary cast. There were parts that were utterly hilarious, and generally the fast pacing was exciting.
Sometimes, though, the pacing was too fast. The heroine, Kitty, was brilliant, and I respect that... but she was putting pieces together out of left field like 30 seconds after she entered a situation. There were several passages that whipped through my brain like a whirlwind, and I had to re-read, because I didn't follow the quick leaps. That all said, the logic was pretty solid... we just got there really fast. However, the logic being solid served to make this team of people kind of look like boobs. I mean, Kitty and her parents whizz in and solve some critical problems - make some critical connections - in like, 2 hours... on things these people have been working on for decades.
My primary problem, though, was Christopher. And I have to say that he was a big enough problem that I nearly put this book down before the halfway mark. It was bad enough that he was a hostile asshole to her from the very first time he spoke to her - he was calling her "princess" in a shitty, condescending way literally every time he spoke... and I really wanted her to stab that pen into his groin. Everyone rolls their eyes that Kitty doesn't realize his problem is that he likes her. I'm sorry, are we fucking 5 year olds? He's only mean to you because he likes you? Is that really where we're going here? She did her best to ignore him for awhile, but eventually started calling him out for being a massive prick.
Then her mom enters the situation, and treats Kitty as if she's the one out of line, and tells her to "stop baiting him"... Guys, I was so angry I was speechless. She did nothing to bring on his shitty behavior. And if he's being a dick to her because Jeff is being so over-the-top with his "I'm going to marry you" schtick, I'm sorry, but that's not her, and he doesn't get to direct his anger at her. And the fact that it was her MOM who was blaming her just killed me. What fucking mom lectures her daughter to be nicer to the man abusing her? Because that's what he was doing. He was mocking her, belittling her, and knocking her down at every fucking opportunity. And here's mom, inviting him to hang with them, lecturing Kitty about snapping back at him, and telling her to stop baiting him. Good thing mom didn't know that he practically attempted to rape her in the elevator, because she'd probably tell Kitty it was her fault for wearing a skirt.
And yes. That scene made me deeply uncomfortable, because it really gave a rape vibe.
Spoiler
Look, this is a guy who has been an aggressive asshole to her from moment 1. Now they are briefly alone in an elevator, and he hits the stop button and dived on her. She said stop and pushed at him several times. He pinned her arms, tore open her shirt, and was super aggressive. And yes, I know, she got into it as it went on, but I don't give a fuck. It should have NEVER gone there, because she was saying STOP from the outset.Jeff also had times where he felt manipulative - and he just came on WAY too strong in the beginning. To the point where, I don't know you guys... I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the A-C were the bad guys all along as we go further into the series. I mean, look at all the stuff they've lied about. Look at their really erratic tempers, and the way the two main guys would flip a switch and be either hostile or manipulative. I've got to say, there were lots of red flags. But while we're on the topic of flipping a switch, after the elevator incident Christopher flipped a switch and became a totally different person. It was baffling.
But I liked the book enough to continue on. That's why this is hard to rate. I guess we'll see how it goes from here.
hwhitty6's review against another edition
DNF@50%
This book is a campy mess.
I tried to vibe with the cartoony characters, the demonic alien parasites and the steamy scenes but I was unable to get past the endlessly drawn out world-building, the weird love triangle that had no purpose and Kitty’s weird habit of undermining everyone around her with her super brain. I really tried. But it just got to be too much.
Not to mention that even though it’s only about a decade old, the books feels REALLY dated.
I think I would’ve liked this book a lot more if I read it when it came out, but knowing that there’s a whole plethora of books more suited to my current taste waiting for me on Kindle Unlimited makes plowing through this brick the opposite of appealing.
This book is a campy mess.
I tried to vibe with the cartoony characters, the demonic alien parasites and the steamy scenes but I was unable to get past the endlessly drawn out world-building, the weird love triangle that had no purpose and Kitty’s weird habit of undermining everyone around her with her super brain. I really tried. But it just got to be too much.
Not to mention that even though it’s only about a decade old, the books feels REALLY dated.
I think I would’ve liked this book a lot more if I read it when it came out, but knowing that there’s a whole plethora of books more suited to my current taste waiting for me on Kindle Unlimited makes plowing through this brick the opposite of appealing.
masquerader888's review against another edition
4.0
This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion
Touched by an Alien was a thrill-ride of a read right from the start. Unapologetically snarky and full of fun I loved Katherine “Kitty” Katt as a heroine. While following some of her antics through the plot took a heaping teaspoon of suspension of disbelief, I loved reading it and could easily forgive the wallpapered plot points for the sheer fun of reading this high-octane fast-paced joy-ride of a book. And then there was Jeff, Christopher, the parents, the Dazzlers and just for fun a monster or two.
I have to say I kinda gave this book a pass for a while because the cover looks basically as close to a bodice-ripper as you can get in a modern-day sci-fi; I only gave it a shot because I found it at Bookmans, my local used book store, and it had turned up on a number of my recommendation list. Boy am I glad I did. This was a fun book that made me think about everything from security to politics to religion and did it in such a way not once did I feel a heavy hand or feel that it was contrived. While I will admit that the plot had a lot of just-go-with-it moments, it pulled together in the end in such a way that not only am I happy, but satisfied. The passion is explosive, the action enjoyable, the characterization a pure delight and the world building will make you look at everyday things and wonder.
All around I would highly recommend anyone give Touched by an Alien a try and am happy to give it four dazzling stars.★★★★
Touched by an Alien was a thrill-ride of a read right from the start. Unapologetically snarky and full of fun I loved Katherine “Kitty” Katt as a heroine. While following some of her antics through the plot took a heaping teaspoon of suspension of disbelief, I loved reading it and could easily forgive the wallpapered plot points for the sheer fun of reading this high-octane fast-paced joy-ride of a book. And then there was Jeff, Christopher, the parents, the Dazzlers and just for fun a monster or two.
I have to say I kinda gave this book a pass for a while because the cover looks basically as close to a bodice-ripper as you can get in a modern-day sci-fi; I only gave it a shot because I found it at Bookmans, my local used book store, and it had turned up on a number of my recommendation list. Boy am I glad I did. This was a fun book that made me think about everything from security to politics to religion and did it in such a way not once did I feel a heavy hand or feel that it was contrived. While I will admit that the plot had a lot of just-go-with-it moments, it pulled together in the end in such a way that not only am I happy, but satisfied. The passion is explosive, the action enjoyable, the characterization a pure delight and the world building will make you look at everyday things and wonder.
All around I would highly recommend anyone give Touched by an Alien a try and am happy to give it four dazzling stars.★★★★
alikatson's review against another edition
3.0
So this was a fun book. My library loan was about to run out so I started reading and couldn't stop.
It follows Katherine "Kitty" Katt as she discovers an alien war has been taking place on the planet. Unfortunately, she discovers this because she witnesses an attack of the parasitic aliens attempting to take over. The good news is she thinks quickly and takes down the alien and quickly meets a group of unbelievably handsome men - more aliens, but the good ones!
Kitty is awesome - she's funny and smart, a great heroine. She seemed a bit too smart at times but
I liked a lot of the characters... I'm interested how her interpersonal relationships will develop since I see this is a super long series and I hope things stay pretty settled.
It follows Katherine "Kitty" Katt as she discovers an alien war has been taking place on the planet. Unfortunately, she discovers this because she witnesses an attack of the parasitic aliens attempting to take over. The good news is she thinks quickly and takes down the alien and quickly meets a group of unbelievably handsome men - more aliens, but the good ones!
Kitty is awesome - she's funny and smart, a great heroine. She seemed a bit too smart at times but
Spoiler
when you meet her parents that makes a lot of sense - I mean they are both basically geniuses in their trade (spy/strategist for Mom and cryptologist for dad)I liked a lot of the characters... I'm interested how her interpersonal relationships will develop since I see this is a super long series and I hope things stay pretty settled.
nikshelby's review against another edition
5.0
I gave this book a try because it was recommended to me by a librarian. Now, based on the name an the cover art, I would have never chosen this book. It looks ridiculous - I tend not to choose books that are solely "romance" (though I don't mind romance as additional throughline to well-done plot...but this didn't look like that. This looks like a bodice-ripper with little green men). Yes, I'm wrong. Yes, I'm snooty. I am a liar - I do like romance novels, just not the over-the-top porn with annoying characters and lack of a good story. Oy...that's enough of that digression.
Anyway, I tried this book because (generally) librarians are literary-aficionados, and if one suggests something it is probably worth the attempt. And she was not wrong. This book was absolutely ridiculous - but in an excellent way. It starts out with some ridiculous premises that are just fun. Then, Koch ties them into a story that is clever and entertaining. She has elements that are intelligent and well-thought out, combined with believable characters in heartwarming relationships, and all with humor.
I've read it twice, and I'll read it who knows how many times in the future...just because it is such a fun tale.
Anyway, I tried this book because (generally) librarians are literary-aficionados, and if one suggests something it is probably worth the attempt. And she was not wrong. This book was absolutely ridiculous - but in an excellent way. It starts out with some ridiculous premises that are just fun. Then, Koch ties them into a story that is clever and entertaining. She has elements that are intelligent and well-thought out, combined with believable characters in heartwarming relationships, and all with humor.
I've read it twice, and I'll read it who knows how many times in the future...just because it is such a fun tale.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I was super hesitant diving into this book mostly because of the title. I know, I know.. don't judge a book by it cover or title. I did though and..
Touched by an Alien was a funny kind of book. It was also a cute, quick, and easy read. The characters were witty enough to make me smile and turn the page. The Aliens being good in bed was no surprise to me, mostly because I'm never read an alien book and kind of just went with the flow. The powers though are what really got me going. The extreme empathy??! I laughed so hard. Yes, this book is hilarious and I loved that.
Kitty is a pretty awesome MC. She has a great sense of humor and was highly likable. It could've been the wine but I honestly really enjoyed this book. Now I'm not a huge fan of rock and roll.. but I can't mark that has her fault. Besides her, her parents were probably more interesting and a favorite of mine. Maybe the next book is about them?!? If it is, I will totally continue. If it isn't, I will probably still continue... sometime this month. I'm sorry I have so many books that I want to read!!
Overall, this book is funny. It's not perfect, but what book is? I really enjoyed it and the characters and that's all that matters to me.
Touched by an Alien was a funny kind of book. It was also a cute, quick, and easy read. The characters were witty enough to make me smile and turn the page. The Aliens being good in bed was no surprise to me, mostly because I'm never read an alien book and kind of just went with the flow. The powers though are what really got me going. The extreme empathy??! I laughed so hard. Yes, this book is hilarious and I loved that.
Kitty is a pretty awesome MC. She has a great sense of humor and was highly likable. It could've been the wine but I honestly really enjoyed this book. Now I'm not a huge fan of rock and roll.. but I can't mark that has her fault. Besides her, her parents were probably more interesting and a favorite of mine. Maybe the next book is about them?!? If it is, I will totally continue. If it isn't, I will probably still continue... sometime this month. I'm sorry I have so many books that I want to read!!
Overall, this book is funny. It's not perfect, but what book is? I really enjoyed it and the characters and that's all that matters to me.