ARC-review: Gini Koch - Alien in Chief

Book 12 in the Katherine 'Kitty' Katt series, to be published December 1, 2015.
Genre: sci-fi romance
Cover: cool



The mastermind has upped his game…
As Kitty can tell you, it's not easy being the wife of the vice president - especially not when he's an alien from the Alpha Centauri system. And being a parent of preternaturally talented children, don't even go there. But she and her A-C husband, Jeff, have learned how to roll with whatever life and the bad guys throw at them - they think.
Kitty & Company have been savouring a few months of quiet since they got back from Beta Eight. But suddenly their peace is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious female assassin - who might be Jeff's missing niece Stephanie. And that's just the beginning of the fun.
When the Alpha Centauri Planetary Council requests a visit with the president and vice president, things look politically dicey. When the most dangerous prisoners in the most secure supermax prison escape with ease, things look bad. But when the Mastermind releases a virus that kills people in a week, things go to Defcon Worse fast.
Now it's up to Kitty to save everyone important in the U.S. Government - including her mother, her husband, and herself - before the virus spreads through the rest of the country, and then the world. Plus she's facing invisible attackers, crazed assassins, a teenager in hiding, the most dangerous train ride ever, the disappearance of her beloved flyboys, and a mysterious alien who could be an enemy or the ally she needs.
And this time, the Mastermind's made it very personal. Either he's going down … or Kitty is.


Another roller coaster ride of a story, and again I am sighing: how can I review this book? So much happens, so many characters play their part, and I really don't want to spoil anything. I should just type: the book is amazing, go buy it and read it! But that would be way too short a review (but true, and everything I want to say with it).

As her husband Jeff Martini has become the vice president of the United States, that makes Kitty the Second Lady. And she is still the Ambassador of Alpha Centauri.
They know who the Mastermind is, but does he know that they know? That is the big question in this book. Should they play dumb, or should they engage him openly. And before they can come to a decision, he has upped the stakes to a new and deadly level.

The Alpha Centauri Planetary Council wants to come for a visit, and that is just what he needs to raise more hatred and fear for aliens. Especially as he has created a deadly virus, and he has set it loose during a meeting of the president and his whole staff and the heads of all the various agencies… and Kitty's mother …
Meanwhile, Siler asks Kitty to take care of his adopted daughter, Lizzie, who has run in some serious trouble with the powerful kids at her school. Kids whose parents are very well known to Jeff and Kitty, and not in a good way!

Of course that is not everything, someone else is killing their political allies, and with a bow and arrow! This Huntress might even be Stephanie, Jeff's estranged niece.

Did you know that the President has not only a plane for his own use (Air Force One), but also a very luxury train? Well, Kitty does know and she can't wait to ride on it again. She knows all the staff and the food served is delicious. She doesn’t know yet that she will get the rain ride of hell!

Lots and lots of action and intrigue and rarely time for Kitty to take a break, especially when everyone is infected with the virus, and she will have to safe them all, and the day. Or, life as usual for Kitty.

Be warned though, Gini Koch is a brilliant author, who spins a story you get lost in for hours, but she is not afraid to kill characters you love. She has done it before, and I expect her to do it again, and it always makes me go: noooo you can't do that! But she is a ruthless author, and somehow it fits in the story. Luckily, Gini also adds new very interesting characters to the mix and I can't wait to find out how they will fit in the story.

If you want a series where I can guarantee you will never know what will happen on the next page, I heartily recommend this. And don't worry, other than lots of aliens and alien pets (those are adorable and save the day, especially when there are snakes), there is not too much technology and stuff involved.

Gini, as always, I bow to your imagination and thank you for the many hours of reading delight, even though you make me cry at times.

10 stars.

© 2015 Reviews by Aurian