Title: Adventurer
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #5.1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong online
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: A spark of fury, like a tiny firecracker exploding, and she fell silent.

Adventurer is a short story about “Silent Kenneth”, the shaman of the interracial councel.

Kenneth is such a peripheral character within the Women of the Otherworld series that it took me half of this short story to actually place him in the greater reality of this series. But, once I did, and, even beforehand, this short story was very enjoyable and a great insight into how the supernatural council works through daily issues. Kenneth’s place within this and how his powers as a shaman are able to assist help to provide a further look into the daily lives of these people who have something extra.

Kenneth’s spirit guide, or personal tinkerbell as he often thinks of her, is the complete opposite of the slow, easy going man who is telling the story. And his frustration at being saddled with such a spiritual partner is tangible from the very first word. Yet, the underhanded way in which he pursues his own adventure shows that he isn’t necessarily as different to his guide as he seems to believe. After all, he likes adventure too, he just doesn’t need her hovering over his astral shoulder to go on one.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Wedding Bell Hell
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #4.5
In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Savannah was ahead of me, her ‘bridesmaid’ role having been upgraded to maid of honor.

Paige and Lucas preparing for their wedding.

Weddings are always difficult (at least, that’s what I would imagine), so add in the complications of the supernaturals and a pushy, interfering father… and it’s the potential for a wedding from hell. I genuinely feel for Paige and Lucas as they attempt to walk down the aisle. Savannah’s usual sass and sarcasm help to offset the frustrations that quickly trinkle through with the countdown to the wedding.

Although Benicio’s desire to get involved in the wedding is all-encompassing and immensely frustrating, it is not in and of itself unique. There are many horror stories of interfering in-laws attempting to make the Big Day their Big Day, so it is completely in character that Paige and Lucas are forced to suffer through this indecency too. It is a reminder that although Lucas is part of the supernatural mafia, he also has a father that does indeed love and care for him.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Escape
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #1.6
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong online
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: If only I’d made Savannah go to school today…

Eve’s incarceration at the compound.

I’m still in two minds about Armstrong killing of Eve Levine so early in the Women of the Otherworld series. Yes, it was necessary for everything that Savannah (and even Paige and Lucas) to experience afterwards. And yes, even though she was killed, she still manages to partake in the adventures of the series. But, she was such a fun character alive, and, honestly, part of me misses that in my reading of the series – she becomes more two dimensional in her interactions with the others when she is a ghost. Mostly because she can’t actually interact with the majority of the series’ cast.

Having mentioned all of that, it was quite fulfilling to have a short story that detailed the events leading to Eve’s death. She is killed shortly before Elena’s kidnapping in Stolen, yet, the details are vague. After all, they are mostly mentioned as an aside to Savannah’s presence in the story and a source of pity for the young witch. And, after getting to know Eve better in Haunted, it was hard to imagine how foolhardy she must have been to be killed by a group of mercenary thugs. Which meant, that although I still mourn the killing off of such a fun character (even though it is completely necessary to the storyline), finding out how she made such a blunder left me with a feeling of acceptance about the entire ordeal… finally.

Image source: Pinterest

Title: Territorial
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.13
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong online
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “We could use a little female companionship.”

Karl Marsten before the events of Bitten.

Having met Karl and realised more about his character, it is hard to align this image with the man who causes so much havoc in Bitten. However, his initial meeting with Daniel Santos in Territorial and his feelings of abandonment and injustice finally help to highlight his motives. It also explains some of his fascination with Elena – although it is not romantic, there is certainly a feeling of appeal in his relations with the only female werewolf. Although, most of this is simply due to selfish requirements.

I really enjoyed this glimpse into Karl’s selfish nature before he met (and fell for) Hope. His outlook on life and his drivers for every single interaction he has have one goal – to further his own ends. Whether this is to gain his own territory, or find more income, he doesn’t speak with, or interact with anyone unless it is somehow beneficial.

Image source: Goodreads