Dark Fantasy – Earth and Skye

Allegiance of Honour by Nalini Singh

The Psy-Changeling series is one of my favourites because although you are constantly revisiting the characters that you love, each book is about a new couple. It is a new love story and each time my heart threatens to burst with the hope and joy of love. It’s also a little frustrating at times, because there are certain characters that you fall in love with, and then only get fleeting glimpses of them throughout the rest of the series. Allegiance of Honour kind of helps with this. Although the main arc of the “first season” finishes with Shards of Hope, Allegiance of Honour revisits every single couple from the series. Including those who are only in short stories and novellas.

Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh

This is a great way to round out the arc of the “first” Psy-Changeling series. The Arrows start out as the bogeymen of the story, but as characters are slowly introduced, their story seems to be the epitome of Silence and the tragedies of their race. So, to finish a tale with the leader of the Arrows and his lieutenants just seemed to me to fit. It provided a happy ending for the breaking of Silence, but also hinted at many more battles to come in the future…

Otherworld Chills by Kelley Armstrong

What a way to end a fantastic series. Although some of these stories take place throughout the greater range of the storyline, the final two short stories (and one of the novellas) in this collection bring you back to the events after 13 in some of the characters’ lives. It was incredibly sad to finish the last story (Baby Boom), but on the same token, really satisfying. After all, it’s taken me almost two years of spasmodic reading to actually complete the entire series, beginning to end.

Baby Boom by Kelley Armstrong

As the name suggests, this short story is all about babies. It starts with a pregnant Savannah shopping with Paige for prams. But, as quickly becomes apparent, both Paige and Lucas aren’t interested in having children. While there are many moments that feature Savannah’s pregnancy, this story is really about Paige and Lucas, and the fact that sometimes people genuinely make the decision not to have children. Something that both Paige and Lucas agree wholeheartedly on.

Driven by Kelley Armstrong

Malcolm’s potential return to the werewolf Pack is left lingering at the end of Forsaken. Although it seems kind of a logical move, the ways in which Elena and Clay are able to go about this reintegration into the Pack are complex and overwhelming. Controlling a psychopath may be a good reason to welcome one into the fold, but is it really the best way to stop him from damaging others? After all, almost every member has been damaged by the Alpha-wannabe at some point in their histories.

The Puppy Plan by Kelley Armstrong

This is such a beautiful and sweet Christmas story – Logan and Kate Danvers try to find each other the perfect Christmas present.

Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

This was yet another brilliant collection of Women of the Otherworld stories. Although I have finished the main body of novels, it has been really enjoyable to revisit much loved characters again and again and again. It’s a great way to get another fix without rereading the entire series (which I will definitely be doing at some point in the future).

Life After Theft by Kelley Armstrong

Karl and Hope are an incredibly chaotic and entertaining couple. The fact that their daughter, who is now three-years-old, is just as incredibly chaotic and energetic as her parents, is kind of a fun bonus. It is this very chaotic toddler who was the cause of Karl’s retirement. But as with the world of Women of the Otherworld, nothing ever goes as planned. Now, Karl is faced with people ruining his reputation, double crossing and questioning his future plans.

Forsaken by Kelley Armstrong

Elena’s position as Alpha is tenuous and difficult. Although her Pack may understand and appreciate that she is fully capable, the male-dominated world of werewolves doesn’t see it in the same way. Sound familiar anyone? So, an entire novella about how she handles her new role and the derogatory ways in which her Alpha-ness is approached was really beautiful. Plus, visiting a more stable, well-balanced version of Elena was incredibly enjoyable.

Bounty Hunt by Kelley Armstrong

I love a good graphic novel – one that works in with a series that I love. But also that has a beautiful storyline, great imagery and, in this case, the same great sass that I’m used to in the Women of the Otherworld series. The fact that this brings us back to Reese’s predicament with the Australian pack, just makes it a much more enrapturing visual story.