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Unlike the other short story collection, this one was mostly fresh to me with the exception of one story that featured in the Urban Enemies anthology. This time the stories focused more on Kitty and Ben and their escapades, including some short but fun stories where the author, Carrie Vaughn, clearly had fun pondering what happens to werewolves during supermoons, blue moons and all other sorts of moon phenomena. They were interjected between other stories intended to give the reader a giggle and they did just that!

As with the other anthology I was left with a deep desire for more. Two stories, in particular, stood out to me for showing the potential for a new series branding off from the Kitty Norville one that explored the wider supernatural world. These were The Island of Beasts which was set in England in the early 1800s and gives us a glimpse of how things were for werewolves in Britain at that time. It hints at various things and just made me want to know more. Then there is Sealskin which is a follow up to a story in the previous short story collection (The Temptation of Robin Green) which opens the doors to a whole new world of, as you can guess from the name, selkies and quite possibly even more. The original story with Robin Green included a variety of mythological creatures so there has already been a hint of what exists.

Overall Kitty’s Mix Tape is a good anthology and unlike the previous one, it serves as a good starter/sampler for people who are not familiar with the series as well as a goodbye to those of us who have finished it. The stories are entertained and varied, offering a full glimpse of what you can expect from the full Kitty Norville series. ( )

This collection of new and reprinted short stories gathers up the last of the Kitty stories. Several stories are new and are a joy to read. One is more of an outtake of what happened to Ben when they were in Vegas during one book. This isn’t the best to start if you haven’t read at least some of the previous books since there is an assumption you know what is going on but for fans of the series there is lots of great reading in here. I’m glad the flash fiction was in here because that was something I never saw and they are cute.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
( )

I've gone and read it out of order, but I think I only hit one major spoiler.

This is a great little collection of bits and bobs -- behind the scenes stories I wondered about, explorations of different times in the world, explorations of different characters' points of view. A great way to wind up the series and a nice check-in with long-loved characters.

Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S KITTY'S MIX-TAPE?
That's an easy question: this is the second collection of short stories (previously published) set in the world of Kitty Norville, the werewolf turned talk radio star. We get a lot of stories featuring Kitty and/or her friends and allies (and one foe), and we get some stories that just happen to take place in the same reality even if they really don't have any cross-over with the series.

There's an introduction by Emma Bull that by itself would make a great review of this book (and maybe the series). Really, writing anything else after reading Bull seems superfluous.
Kitty & the Gang
I'm going to have a hard time keeping myself from talking too much about the stories featuring Kitty and her friends—Kitty and Ben going to her 10-year high school reunion was the perfect way to start off this book. Quick, fun, and a great way back into this world.

"It's Still the Same Old Story," could've fit into The Immortal Conquistador that I talked about a few months back—except it didn't fit into the story arc of that one. But for those who wonder what Rick was up to in the early part of the twentieth century, this will give you a good idea. This is possibly my favorite thing focusing on Rick to date.

On the eve of their wedding in Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand Ben disappears off on his own for a while, Vaughn finally lets us know what he was up to at the time. I'd forgotten all about that until I read this story, but I remember wondering then (as I was supposed to) what he'd been up to—it's nice to have that answered.

There was a dynamite story about Detective Jessi Harden of Denver PD investigating a murder with a supernatural angle that doesn't involve any of the series regulars. This would be the basis of a great follow-up series if Vaughn was in the mood for something. Hardin tackling "woo woo" crimes (I think that's what the New Orleans PD calls them in the Yellowrock books) would be compelling as all get out.

One more that I want to mention is called "Kitty Learns the Ropes." In this story, Kitty meets a professional athlete who happens to be a werewolf. Does that give him an unfair advantage? Should he disclose his situation to the world? Can't this guy who never asked to be supernatural just live is life?

I'm going on too long, so I'll summarize a few other standouts: there's a fun little story with Odysseus Grant, and some cute bits with Kitty and her pack dealing with the Super Blood Moon and the like, and a showdown with some Federal Agents.

OTHER STORIES
There are some stories that aren't about Kitty or her friends, too, but just take place in her universe. There are two that take place in Regency England, "The Island of Beasts" and "The Beaux Wilde." I enjoyed them both, and it is interesting to see Vaughn try to put her werewolves in that world. I would eagerly read more stories or a novel about the characters in "The Beaux Wilde."

There's also a sequel to a story from her previous short story collection, Kitty's Greatest Hits about a child of a selkie who grows up to be a Navy SEAL (what else could such a son be)? I liked that one, too, but it seemed to be missing a little something from the end. But I'm pretty sure it was supposed to feel that way.

The tale about Nazis attempting to use werewolves in the war didn't do much for me—but I think that's mostly a me thing. It was a good story, just not the sort of thing I think I'd seek out.

THE SONGS
Vaughn includes a list of songs that embody the various stories for her, which she did for the novels, too. I think if you consider this list as a track list for a mixtape, you'd end up with something that Rob Fleming (in any incarnation) would look upon with scorn. If you take them as pieces to go with the stories, it's a lot of fun, and adds a nice little dimension to them.

I will admit that I didn't listen to them as I read—I think it would work though. They're also a good tool to use to ruminate on the stories a bit.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT KITTY'S MIX-TAPE?
There wasn't a dud in the bunch, which is rare for a short story compilation—sure, I liked the ones about Kitty and her friends best, because that's what I came to the collection for. But I liked them all.

The back cover promises that this is "the final installment" of the series, but Vaugn talks about staying tuned because it's great to have a pre-existing world to write stories in. If the blurb is right, I'm glad I got a little more time in this world, but I'm hoping that staying tuned will pay off.

This may not be a great introduction to the werewolf DJ named Kitty, but it might work as one just fine, it's certainly a good tour of the world. But it's definitely the kind of thing that Kitty's readers should come for. It's one of the best collections I've read this year—and maybe for a good chunk of last year, too. Give it a whirl. ( )

I love how this short story collection has tie in songs for each story. It adds another layer to the story especially with the author’s notes included.

The collection is the final installment in the Kitty Norville series though each story doesn’t follow Kitty, some are even historical but they are all supernatural, set in this universe and mostly feature characters from the series.

It’s kind of a look around the world at what else was going on since the main series is told from Kitty’s perspective the view is limited to what she experiences. With this collection we get to see a little more and discover things she doesn’t know as well as some new experiences for her since Kitty Saves the World. ( )