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Cormac and Amelia
Badlands Witch
In brand-new stories spun off from the New York Times Bestselling Kitty Norville series, dark mysteries push the bounds of sanity. Cormac Bennett, ex-con and former bounty hunter, is a paranormal investigator with an edge: his partner is the disembodied spirit of a Victorian wizard, Amelia Parker. Together, they solve problems no one else can.
Cormac and Amelia travel to South Dakota, where an archeologist has hired them to examine an artifact for possible magical qualities. Cormac is skeptical, Amelia is intrigued. And it turns out – the whole thing is a trap. Cormac used to make his living killing monsters, and he made more than a few enemies back in the day. Who from his past is out for revenge, and can he and Amelia survive?
Cormac and Amelia travel to South Dakota, where an archeologist has hired them to examine an artifact for possible magical qualities. Cormac is skeptical, Amelia is intrigued. And it turns out – the whole thing is a trap. Cormac used to make his living killing monsters, and he made more than a few enemies back in the day. Who from his past is out for revenge, and can he and Amelia survive?
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
75 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Vaughn
280 books4,544 followersCarrie Vaughn is the author more than twenty novels and over a hundred short stories. She's best known for her New York Times bestselling series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty who hosts a talk radio advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged. In 2018, she won the Philip K. Dick Award for Bannerless, a post-apocalyptic murder mystery. She's published over 20 novels and 100 short stories, two of which have been finalists for the Hugo Award. She's a contributor to the Wild Cards series of shared world superhero books edited by George R. R. Martin and a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop.
An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado, where she collects hobbies.
Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com
For writing advice and essays, check out her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carrievaughn
An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado, where she collects hobbies.
Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com
For writing advice and essays, check out her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carrievaughn
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 6, 2019
I found it interesting how Cormac’s past came back to haunt him with this book. Something that was nothing to him suddenly was causing chaos in his life. I think what made this one more interesting was how it affected Amelia. Both of them seemed very lost at one point and I loved how Cormac never hesitated to do what he could to keep Amelia in his life. It really shows how far he’s come since he first showed up in the Kitty Norville books. I really look forward to reading more about Cormac and Amelia’s adventures!
November 7, 2021
3.5 stars
I didn't read ANY of the Kitty Norville's books, so I didn't have any reference or previous knowledge about Cormac (I read the previous Cormac and Amelia novella, of course). I thought Cormac and Amelia's relationship is intriguing (with her being in his head, of course). But I also wonder what that last chapter insinuates? Will they become a somewhat strange couple? Will it stay platonic? This novella leaves me with QUESTIONS!!
But the main plot of Cormac's past returning to gets vengeance over him is good! Fast-paced and straightforward :)
I didn't read ANY of the Kitty Norville's books, so I didn't have any reference or previous knowledge about Cormac (I read the previous Cormac and Amelia novella, of course). I thought Cormac and Amelia's relationship is intriguing (with her being in his head, of course). But I also wonder what that last chapter insinuates? Will they become a somewhat strange couple? Will it stay platonic? This novella leaves me with QUESTIONS!!
But the main plot of Cormac's past returning to gets vengeance over him is good! Fast-paced and straightforward :)
November 16, 2019
Cormac is hired by an archeologist in South Dakota to examine some pottery for unusual characteristics. It turns out to be a trap, by someone from Cormac's past who is out to get revenge. I wish these stories were longer, though the novella format works well for this spinoff character from the Kitty series. However short or long, I hope Vaughn continues to write more in this series.
November 24, 2019
Badlands Witch (Cormac and Amelia Story)
by Carrie Vaughn
Carrie Vaughn has another masterpiece. Cormac and Amelia are separated when a character from his past attempts to gain vengeance on him. The drama of their separation almost destroy both of these resilient characters, they find that they are better together than alone. The slow resolution of the novella inspires the reader to understand the depth of their relationship. I love the Cormac and Amelia series and hope that it continues.
July 11, 2020
Badlands Witch is the second Kitty Norville spinoff featuring Cormac and Amelia. I love these two characters. They have such an interesting and unique relationship. The dynamic between the two is so great.
This time around, on a new case in South Dakota, Cormac walks right into a trap. His past has come back to haunt him, but he has no idea who set the trap or why. That's the problem when you have as many enemies as he does. But when he does start piecing the clues together, they don't make any sense. Can he figure it out before something dire happens to him or Amelia?
This was a quick read that I read in one afternoon. It held my full attention and helped me get out of a reading slump. I hope there are many more stories featuring Cormac and Amelia. They're such a fun pair to read about.
This time around, on a new case in South Dakota, Cormac walks right into a trap. His past has come back to haunt him, but he has no idea who set the trap or why. That's the problem when you have as many enemies as he does. But when he does start piecing the clues together, they don't make any sense. Can he figure it out before something dire happens to him or Amelia?
This was a quick read that I read in one afternoon. It held my full attention and helped me get out of a reading slump. I hope there are many more stories featuring Cormac and Amelia. They're such a fun pair to read about.
December 2, 2019
Great novella
Cannot get enough of Carrie Vaughn's work. A great Cormac and Amelia story...a few twists. Just so great...pace yourselves or you will finish to fast.
Cannot get enough of Carrie Vaughn's work. A great Cormac and Amelia story...a few twists. Just so great...pace yourselves or you will finish to fast.
July 3, 2021
Who knew I could somehow get on team Cormac/Amelia romance? I sure didn't - that sounds crazy! To be fair, that's not the main storyline in this book, but it definitely takes us there along the way.
The true story here is about Cormac's past and how he leaves a lot of living enemies that still want revenge. Amelia raises her concern about this, but is just as drawn in to a mysterious artifact evaluation as he is. It's this artifact that ends up separating the dynamic duo for the first time in a while. Cormac and Amelia are both forced to face what they've been avoiding and all the while try to work their hardest to get back together.
The enemies bit doesn't really matter so much. It might as well be faceless bad guy #7, but the path Cormac has to go on to get to Amelia puts him in the path of the law (who he doesn't really get along with), local witches (who he can't actually work magic with), and crazy people (who, ok, he might be more comfortable with than the the other two. He is forced to evaluate the man he is now since meeting Amelia, and address how much he relies on her. This was an oddball romance and left me somehow wishing we had more of these Cormac/Amelia books to read through and watch their very unique relationship grow.
The true story here is about Cormac's past and how he leaves a lot of living enemies that still want revenge. Amelia raises her concern about this, but is just as drawn in to a mysterious artifact evaluation as he is. It's this artifact that ends up separating the dynamic duo for the first time in a while. Cormac and Amelia are both forced to face what they've been avoiding and all the while try to work their hardest to get back together.
The enemies bit doesn't really matter so much. It might as well be faceless bad guy #7, but the path Cormac has to go on to get to Amelia puts him in the path of the law (who he doesn't really get along with), local witches (who he can't actually work magic with), and crazy people (who, ok, he might be more comfortable with than the the other two. He is forced to evaluate the man he is now since meeting Amelia, and address how much he relies on her. This was an oddball romance and left me somehow wishing we had more of these Cormac/Amelia books to read through and watch their very unique relationship grow.
March 18, 2025
Carrie Vaughn is one of my favorite authors. When I see something written by her, I look to see if I have it or read it yet [don't judge...my brain gets fuzzy sometimes] and if I haven't then I get it or pre-order it.
This series is a set of novellas as far as I can tell and they are a nice fast fab read in one bite as it were. Cormac is a character in Kitty Norville's world and Kitty is how I found Carrie Vaughn's books. Cormac is a bounty hunter/investigator who has a spirit living inside his cranium from when he was in prison. He was released on good behavior and Amelia came with him. They are like any partnership, learning how to get along and taking turns and sharing. Still learning to trust each other this early in the series.
I liked that Cormac has a past that we learn something about. Amelia is caught up in the crossfire but is a strong entity in herself.
I like the setting of Deadwood South Dakota. I'd like to visit one day.
This is a good story and addition to the series. I can definitely recommend it, the series and the author.
This series is a set of novellas as far as I can tell and they are a nice fast fab read in one bite as it were. Cormac is a character in Kitty Norville's world and Kitty is how I found Carrie Vaughn's books. Cormac is a bounty hunter/investigator who has a spirit living inside his cranium from when he was in prison. He was released on good behavior and Amelia came with him. They are like any partnership, learning how to get along and taking turns and sharing. Still learning to trust each other this early in the series.
I liked that Cormac has a past that we learn something about. Amelia is caught up in the crossfire but is a strong entity in herself.
I like the setting of Deadwood South Dakota. I'd like to visit one day.
This is a good story and addition to the series. I can definitely recommend it, the series and the author.
May 31, 2020
Plot: ex supernatural bounty hunter turned paranormal investigator gets caught up in a trap and must now get his ride along ghost back.
1. I figured my love for Amelia was enough to balance out my general apathy about Cormac (apathy is, let me assure you, a step up from how I first felt about him) so here we are. And okay- I was right. I find myself liking Cormac more the more he interacts with Amelia. Unfortunately, that means that the plot of this book ended up annoying me more than it intrigued me.
2. It was a fairly good story- self contained and plausible in-universe. And I did like some of the imagery (eg: the tarot cards) a lot. But ultimately it felt a little off. I think it's because I missed Cormac-Amelia interactions; they play off each other very well.
1. I figured my love for Amelia was enough to balance out my general apathy about Cormac (apathy is, let me assure you, a step up from how I first felt about him) so here we are. And okay- I was right. I find myself liking Cormac more the more he interacts with Amelia. Unfortunately, that means that the plot of this book ended up annoying me more than it intrigued me.
2. It was a fairly good story- self contained and plausible in-universe. And I did like some of the imagery (eg: the tarot cards) a lot. But ultimately it felt a little off. I think it's because I missed Cormac-Amelia interactions; they play off each other very well.
November 11, 2020
A Cormac and Amelia novelette. This story sends them to South Dakota to check out an unusual artifact found by a local archaeologist.
Lots of insights into Amelia and Cormac’s relationship. I love how history and archaeology is used in the stories. I hope we get many more of their stories, like a series? Hint, hint.
Fave scenes: The Tea on the Range store and Cormac making the Detective’s job difficult.
Lots of insights into Amelia and Cormac’s relationship. I love how history and archaeology is used in the stories. I hope we get many more of their stories, like a series? Hint, hint.
Fave scenes: The Tea on the Range store and Cormac making the Detective’s job difficult.
February 6, 2020
4 stars. This is another urban fantasy outing with the former bounty hunter/Victorian wizard spirit. Cormac made enemies in his pre-Amelia life. Bounty hunters do. And sometimes the past intrudes in the present and the present comes unboung. Interesting story and proposition. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge (Sword/Stars "has magic") and the Hugo nominations.
February 23, 2020
I've been fascinated by the unique connection between Cormac and Amelia since it first showed up in the "Kitty" series and it's great to see them get their own stories. At novella length, Vaughn still manages to tell a complex, page-turning story, even including more background information on Amelia and Cormac. It's perfect.
March 31, 2020
I greatly enjoyed this novella, a fantastic and great entry. If Carrie chooses to write more about Cormac and Amelia, I will eagerly pick them up to read.
All the beats for this story are hit with this story, everything from the spirit trap, to Cormac figuring out who was after him. To Amelia figuring out how to turn the situation around.
If I have a complaint, it's I'd want to see more.
All the beats for this story are hit with this story, everything from the spirit trap, to Cormac figuring out who was after him. To Amelia figuring out how to turn the situation around.
If I have a complaint, it's I'd want to see more.
April 24, 2021
Good story
I enjoyed this short story of Amelia and Cormac. An evil woman from Cormac’s past is out for revenge. She was the consort of a master vampire that Cormac killed now she wants him dead and is using some pretty powerful magic to subdue him. Without giving any spoilers, Cormac and Amelia prove that they need each other in order to feel whole. This was a good love story.
I enjoyed this short story of Amelia and Cormac. An evil woman from Cormac’s past is out for revenge. She was the consort of a master vampire that Cormac killed now she wants him dead and is using some pretty powerful magic to subdue him. Without giving any spoilers, Cormac and Amelia prove that they need each other in order to feel whole. This was a good love story.
February 25, 2022
revenge, friends
Story starts with a vampire attack which was as a result of something Cormac did 10 years ago. They get a job in the badlands which turned out to be a trap for Cormac but Amelia was the one caught. Cormac had his mind and body back but found he missed his friend so he goes in search of and rescues Amelia
Story starts with a vampire attack which was as a result of something Cormac did 10 years ago. They get a job in the badlands which turned out to be a trap for Cormac but Amelia was the one caught. Cormac had his mind and body back but found he missed his friend so he goes in search of and rescues Amelia
January 2, 2022
Badlands Witch
Never underestimate the power of love. Amelia and Cormack may not have realized the depths of their feelings for each other, until they were separated. Love the story.
Never underestimate the power of love. Amelia and Cormack may not have realized the depths of their feelings for each other, until they were separated. Love the story.
February 24, 2020
What a great story!
April 1, 2020
Another great novella, loved this story, it was a fantastic read, and there were developments! Great read!
May 21, 2020
Excellent story a deeper dive into the characters...
May 27, 2020
I'd like more Cormac and Amelia stories
June 3, 2020
New (or continuation) series after Carrie Vaughn's previous Kitty Norvolle books and there are more to follow up. Thanks, Carrie.
July 12, 2020
Does Cormac want to be free of Amelia?
After figuring out who they are together, Cormac and Amelia get a chance to see who tHey are apart, and to figure out what they want.
After figuring out who they are together, Cormac and Amelia get a chance to see who tHey are apart, and to figure out what they want.
October 13, 2020
A fun short story set i the Kitty Norville universe with Comack and Amelia
February 9, 2021
Great short story invoking Amelia and Cormac.
Loved it.
Wanting more
Loved it.
Wanting more
November 4, 2021
Good story, good pacing and great development in the Cormac and Amelia story. Thank goodness there's more on the way.
December 20, 2021
Love this duo
What a team and how dare they mess with perfection such a fun ride and loving the deepening of the characters can’t wait for more
What a team and how dare they mess with perfection such a fun ride and loving the deepening of the characters can’t wait for more
December 24, 2021
Happiness
Awe another great adventure. *spoilers* nothing like being separated to see how you really feel about someone. Alright I'm ready for the next story!
Awe another great adventure. *spoilers* nothing like being separated to see how you really feel about someone. Alright I'm ready for the next story!
November 28, 2022
A must read for fans of Cormac and Amelia. Loved it
February 18, 2023
A well put together adventure story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews