Tag Archives: Kelley Armstrong

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

February 24, 2017Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Men of the Otherworld, Paranormal Fantasy, Short Story Collections, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Men of the Otherworld
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s that?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

As a curious six-year-old, Clayton didn’t resist the bite—he asked for it. But surviving as a lone child-werewolf was more than he could manage—until Jeremy came along and taught him how to straddle the human-werewolf worlds, gave him a home…and introduced him to the Pack. So begins this volume, featuring three of the members of the American Pack—a hierarchical founding family where bloodlines mean everything and each day presents a new, thrilling, and often deadly challenge. For as Clayton grows from a wild child to a clever teen who tests his beloved mentor at every turn, he must learn not only to control his animal instincts but to navigate Pack politics—including showing his brutal archnemesis, Malcolm, who the real Alpha is…

These four short stories may be centred upon the North American werewolf pack, but for me, it was mostly about Jeremy. With the first short story telling of his origins, and the last explaining them and his quirks to his adult (and fully realised) self. Whilst Clay’s story is also outlined throughout this, it is also told in the light of his devotion to Jeremy – after all, until Elena, Jeremy is also the centre of Clayton’s world.

Although I have loved every single character and story that Armstrong has rolled out in her Women of the Otherworld series, it is always Elena and the werewolf Pack that I enjoy returning to the most. Maybe because they are the ones I first fell in love with, maybe because there is just something about their characters that continues to draw me back. Regardless, reading a collection of short stories that focus upon their origins and history left me with a novel that I found impossible to put down.

<- Baby Boom

Tales of the Otherworld ->

Image source: Amazon

No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong

January 31, 2017Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: No Humans Involved
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I’d had erotic fantasties about men right in front of their noses and never batted an eye.

It’s the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For renowned medium Jaime Vegas there’s just one problem. Unlike her colleagues, Jaime is the real deal: and she knows that the house is truly haunted. Not by dead film stars, but by something even stranger and much more disturbing.

A tragic mystery lurks in the maze of gardens behind the house: trapped spirits that only Jaime can hear. As their whispers grow more frantic, Jaime – along with Alpha werewolf Jeremy Danvers – is forced to embark on an investigation into a shocking underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice.

When there were first hints of Jamie’s crush on Jeremy in Industrial Magic, I really wasn’t sure what to think. The werewolf alpha and a woman that is flighty and enjoys numerous flings… it seemed like a bit of a weird combination of characters in a romantic entanglement. However, truly learning more about Jamie from her point of view in No Humans Involved completely removed these misgivings. Within the first two chapters, I went from wondering how they would work together to keeping my fingers crossed for such a relationship to develop.

Jamie is cast as someone who is necessary throughout other Women of the Otherworld tales, but she isn’t quite able to protect herself. Although this makes the whole series more accessible – there are literally supernatural women of every kind, it does make it a little hard to see how she can hold her own in a world that is, quite frankly, dangerous. I loved that this lead character didn’t have super strength, or super powers to defend herself, but often had to resort to her own ability to talk her way out of things. Her insecurities about this when surrounded by others who are able to, quite simply, blast their way out of any uncomfortable situation made her character all the more realistic, and likeable. Her eventual embracing of her powers and abilities not only lead to her saving herself (instead of just waiting to be rescued), but also an inner happiness and health that she hadn’t previously felt.

Where most of the women in the Women of the Otherworld series have jobs and careers that helps them to hide amongst the non-supernatural, Jamie’s chosen career path embraces the attention surrounding the desire for the paranormal. Her ability to twist her talents to not only enhance her career, but also to imply that they don’t exist, all in the same moment are phenomenal. I like that she uses an inherent talent in a way that most frown upon, however, it is something that she genuinely enjoys. Instead of simply being a charlatan who preys on the weak for their money, she truly hopes that by contacting (and pretending to contact) the dead gives closure to the grieving. And after all, who among us don’t hope that there is somewhere better for our lost loved ones, a place in which they are happy and all of their earthly problems have been forgiven and forgotten?

<- The Case of El Chupacabra

Framed ->

Image source: Brainfluff

Broken by Kelley Armstrong

January 30, 2017Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Broken
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Oh, goddamn it!’ I snarled, fists pounding the carpet.

Elena wasn’t looking for trouble. But when a half-demon calls in a favour, you don’t have much choice.

The job seemed simple enough: steal back Jack the Ripper’s infamous “From Hell” letter from a shady Toronto-based collector. But nothing is ever that simple in the supernatural underground. When Elena accidentally triggers a spell placed on the letter, she opens a portal into the dark streets of Victorian London.

Bad enough that Jack the Ripper could now be on the prowl in modern Toronto – but there is something even more terrifying lurking in the shadows, just waiting to cross through…and only Elena and her Pack can stop it.

I loved, loved, loved revisiting Elena after three books in which she only had a passing role. The fact that she begins the story pregnant and actually enjoying her life with Clay just made everything better. Their unique blend of violence, sarcasm and passion still managing to burn brightly in spite of all they had been through in their relationship. Plus, Elena is one of the most unique and prickly heroines that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting – her non-traditional relationship with Clay helps to further echo this.

Mistake after mistake built on one another to lead the Pack into a danger unlike any other that they had faced. Elena’s mentions of Logan and Pete, the two Pack members lost five years prior helped to highlight the sense of loss that she still feels keenly. Although this mention was slight, it was also a fantastic way in which to remind us that the loss of a loved one is forever felt. Although time may heal the worst of the hurt, a dull echo will forever remain, and this is certainly true for Elena, to the point that even socially-disadvantaged Clay is able to feel empathy for this sense of bereavement.

In Bitten and Stolen, although Elena is incredibly loveable, she is still an inherently selfish and immature girl. Yes, she will do anything to save her small family (the Pack), but she will do it in the way that she feels is best. And it really doesn’t matter what cooler heads have to say. Although this does work out at times throughout the past tales, it does put Jeremy, and especially Clay in awkward positions as they try and rescue or protect her. However, with the advent of motherhood, Elena is not only better at listening to others and respecting the need to work as a team, but she is also more careful to think through her actions. It is nice when she actually realises that her life isn’t just about her – but Clay, Jeremy and her unborn child.

<- Bargain

The Case of El Chupacabra ->

Image source: Pinterest

Haunted by Kelley Armstrong

January 27, 2017Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Haunted
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I’m sure they would be indebted to us for our mercy.’

Eve Levine – half-demon, black witch and devoted mother – has been dead for three years.

It’s not so bad. She has a fantastic love life and can’t be killed again – which is handy when you’ve made as many enemies as Eve. If she could just find a way to communicate with her daughter Savannah she’d be content.

But fate – or more exactly, the Fates – have other plans. Eve owes them a favour, and they’ve just called it in. She must track down the Nix – an evil spirit who feeds on chaos and death.

The Nix is a terrifying enemy – previous hunters have been sent mad in the process. If Eve wants to avoid their fate, she’ll need something extraordinary – an angel’s sword.

There’s just one problem. Eve’s definitely no angel…

In the previous Women of the Otherworld books, Eve Levine is painted as a woman of questionable morals and motives, it was nice to finally get to know a little more about the elusive black witch, half demon woman. Although I expected it from Armstrong’s past writing, Eve’s sass and lack of respect for the rules were thoroughly enjoyable. Her motherly instincts and love however were a lot more softening and warm than I expected.

It’s always difficult to imagine the rules behind the afterlife – is there reincarnation? Heaven and hell? What does it look like? Armstrong created this world in such a vivid and realistic way that I can quite happily imagine spending my own afterlife in this realm. The creation of the different layers of hell was incredibly unique and independent way. Much like the literary punishments that she dolls out to the serious sinners in life such as serial killers.

Although Haunted is about the battle between good and evil within the ghost world, and all the shades of grey in between, it is also about motherhood, love and letting go. Eve’s teenage daughter is a big driver within all of her actions throughout the story, especially in the beginning. But she also has a lover who wants her back, and a choice to make between her priorities. It’s a question that must be asked in every parents’ life – when do you let your child grow and make their own decisions?

<- Wedding Bell Hell

Adventurer ->

Image source: Goodreads

Top 16 Books of 2016

December 30, 2016ListAlpha & Omega, Baba Yaga, Black Wings, Christina Henry, Deborah Blake, Faith Hunter, Garth Nix, Holly & Andrew, Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels, Kelley Armstrong, Kiera Cass, Lucienne Diver, Lynette Noni, Nalini Singh, Patricia Briggs, Psy-Changeling, Rachel Caine, Rizzoli & Isles, Sarah J. Maas, Skinwalker, Tess Gerritsen, The Latter-Day Olympians, The Medoran Chronicles, The Old Kingdom, The Selection, Throne of Glass, Top 15, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

2016 was a good year for me – I got to read a lot of books, both new and old. So here is a list of my favourite sixteen reads for this year.

16. Falling Pomegranate Seeds by Wendy J. Dunn
This is the first historical fiction that I have ever had the privilege of reading, and it has almost made me a convert. The topic is dense and heart-wrenching, but there is such a strength to the characters, that you can’t help but fall in love. The fact that Dunn used real historical figures to create her masterpiece of women’s rights, the relationships of mothers and daughters and a beautiful tale of coming of age just added to the poignancy of this tale.

15. Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
I loved the new take on Native American skinwalkers in this story. The fact that it primarily focused on a woman of a minority culture was a great added bonus. To add to the great basis of fantasy, this story was dark and slightly twisted, but frankly honest about it’s chief protagonist – she was never painted as pure, but rather as a flawed human being.

14. Wickedly Powerful by Deborah Blake
I found this series this year, and it completely changed my previously sceptical view on paranormal romance. Of the three books and five stories, this was by far my favourite. The lead Baba Yaga in this tale was far pricklier and more awkward around people than the others, and the love interest was a victim of mental illness – PTSD. This combined to create a beautiful love story with a potent message about PTSD that I cherished.

13. Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
I love the Women of the Otherworld series – the heroines are not in any way, shape or form innocent and “good”. At least as books traditionally portray people. Instead they have their own challenges in life and difficulties. Eve Levine of Haunted has so far been my favourite of these characters. She is dead, but that doesn’t stop her from constantly attempting to help and guard her young daughter. This at the beginning of the story appears to be her only redeeming aspect, and as the story progresses, the true depth of her character is slowly revealed. It is a story that will make you fall in love with a flawed woman and this series again and again and again.

12. Raelia by Lynette Noni
A great sequel to the first Medoran Chronicles story, Raelia is all about the choices that we make. The storyline in this is so much more intense which is why I rated it slightly above the first book in the series, Akarnae. The ability of this story to capture my attention was immensely impressive, and I am constantly double checking what the release date for the next book in the series is.

11. The One by Kiera Cass
This story can make anyone believe in true love again. It is the sweetest, most charming love story I have ever read. Although, it doesn’t go over board with the sappy factor. The dystopian future setting helps to create a more fantastical and enhanced world than our own, which I thoroughly enjoyed and the creation of the caste system seriously made me question how I view and judge others. However, it is America and Maxon’s dance of romance that truly had me hooked and this story let me find out how their negotiation of love ended.

10. Bad Blood by Lucienne Diver
I have an obsession with mythology, so any story or series that does a good job of recreating one of the ancient mythologies is going to get my attention. However, Diver’s approach to this was so completely unique that I was mesmerised from the first page. The sass and smart-mouthed attitude of the lead only added to my very quick falling for this series. As did her unique ancestry.

9. Forked Tongues by Rachel Caine
This was one of the best short stories that I read this year – it combined fantasy with a strong woman and love. Not an easy combination to throw into less than one hundred pages. The image of a Cowboy Witch has stuck in my head since I read this months ago. A great, easy read to bunker down with for half hour or so.

8. Body Double by Tess Gerritsen
The best crime book that I have read this year by far. Not only is it a tale of spine-tingling criminal acts, but it also investigates the nature versus nurture debates – one of my favourite intellectual discussions. Maura’s slow discovery of who she comes from and who she is highlights this, but it also reminds us that we are who we choose to be, not who other people want us to be. The strength of both Maura and Jane throughout the story is astonishing and admirable – it is so easy to imagine them walking around the streets of Boston.

7. Night Shift edited by Nalini Singh
A great way to find new authors and series is anthologies, which was partly why I bought this collection. I didn’t know that it would introduce me to one of my favourite series. Not one of these four short stories was even remotely tedious, and it was incredibly difficult to decide which author I wanted to read more of. The variety in the stories was enough that they were fascinating tales, but the underlying themes present in all of them still tied the anthology together nicely.

6. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
The Throne of Glass series is such an epic tale of war, love, loss and inner strength, so any book in this series could make it onto this list. However, I loved Queen of Shadows the most because Aelin is able to truly embrace her future and role in life. She is also able to find someone who sees her for who she is and truly accept the fact. One battle in this series is finally over, but a much, much larger one is looming in the future.

5. Black Wings by Christina Henry
So much sass and blundering in this story, which is probably why I love it so much. There is something that I find so relatable about an uncoordinated heroine that makes me fall in love with a story – probably because I myself am more than a little accident prone. The use of old lore such as Gremlins and Fallen Angels was also a unique spin on a tale of paranormal fantasy.

4. Lirael by Garth Nix
I have always felt insanely connected to the character of Lirael in Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series. She doesn’t quite belong with the people she calls family, and is always an outcast. Even after she finds her true calling in life, she walks a lonely path and isn’t quite able to relate to her peers. Yet, for all of that, I don’t think that her story is a sad one, rather one about finding out who you are and how you fit in the world. And realising that not everyone is going to fit in with others very well.

3. Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs
I have been in love with Patricia Briggs for a long time now, but there is something about the novella Alpha and Omega that holds my attention every single time. Anna and Charles truly have love and first sight, but it has such a great twist to it. Add to that the fact that they both have some pretty serious inner demons, and it is a really sweet tale of overcoming the odds and finding that perfect fit in your life. Even if it is the last fit that you would expect.

2. Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
It was so incredibly difficult to choose a favourite story in the Kate Daniels series. I’ve loved every single tale and would check the post office religiously when a new book was going to be delivered. However, I think that this is a good selection. Kate and Curran are not only battling for the children of their people, but they are also being forced to deal with the challenges of a new relationship. I got so emotionally invested in this story that I actually threw it across the room whenever it bothered me.

1. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Tales of paranormal romance are a new genre to me, and this series is a GREAT introduction. Like the Kate Daniels series, it was incredibly hard to find a favourite, but ultimately, this is the book that I found the sweetest and continue to think about. Aside from the rest of the developing Psy-Changeling drama, the story of Clay and Tally is what a lot of people dream of. Finding that one person in childhood who will always be yours – someone who is able to always understand you on an entirely different level.

So there you have it, my favourite stories from my reading list for 2016. I can’t wait to find some more great tales in the new year!

Feature image source: Now! Bali
Image 1 source: Amazon
Image 2 source: Amazon
Image 3 source: Deborah Blake
Image 4 source: Goodreads
Image 5 source: Lynette Noni
Image 6 source: Wikia
Image 7 source: Goodreads
Image 8 source: Penguin
Image 9 source: Amazon
Image 10 source: Audiobooks
Image 11 source: Live Journal
Image 12 source: Christina Henry
Image 13 source: Garth Nix
Image 14 source: Patricia Briggs
Image 15 source: Ilona Andrews
Image 16 source: Pinterest

Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong

June 7, 2016Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Otherworld, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Industrial Magic
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I’d just finished finding my fourth stray cat when a distant voice hailed us.

‘The blade pressed into my throat, and blood trickled down my neck. In that moment, it seemed that even to breathe might be fatal…’

Paige Winterbourne is in exile. Ousted as leader of the American Coven, she decides to turn her back on her old life and start afresh. But fate, of course, has other plans.
A murderer is on the loose – someone with apparently superhuman skills and a grudge against the supernatural community. When Paige discovers that the killer is targetting children, she has to get involved.

Desperate to protect those she loves, Paige is thrown back into a world she thought she had left behind for good. But if she wants to stop an apparently unstoppable psychopath, she will have to find allies in some very dark places…

So far this has been my least favourite of the Women of the Otherworld books, but I still absolutely adore it! After Dime Store Magic, it was really nice to find out what Paige, Lucas and Savannah are doing with their somewhat changed lives. That, and finding out more about Lucas’ family and the difficulties of his life was fascinating – although it took a little while for the storyline to really build up steam.

Finding the potential culprit of the killings in the first half of the book seemed really bizarre to me at the time – the whole main point of the story is that someone is killing supernaturals. And needs to be stopped. And is found in the first half… ?? But, eventually it begins to make sense – a red herring that really does help to further along the storyline. Not only does the potential culprit lead to stronger ties within the characters’ relationships, but also to greater explanations of their new positions in life. Dime Store Magic led to upheavals in the lifestyles and very fabric of being in Paige’s life. This also had rippling effects to Adam’s life. I loved revisiting him, and all in all, although confusing, I found that just the reappearance of Adam in the story made the slightly odd red herring well worth it.

I loved how Armstrong likened the sorcerer Cabals to the mafia, not only literally throughout the storyline, but also in its very conception and creation. The idea of a paranormal gang running half of America and the supernatural community was really fascinating to me – mob and gang mentality has always interested to me, so combine this with a world of fantasy and I’m just hooked. The contrast between a rigid, utilitarian, money-making corporation with the prodigal son, Lucas, someone who works for a cause (and almost never money) really highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each group.

The need of Lucas’ father to connect with him (beyond the running of the Cabal) emphasised the relationships between parent and child. This idea was explored a little in Dime Store Magic when Paige and Savannah are forced to deal with the loss and grief of a beloved mother, but the need to connect to an estranged parent is a major driver in the storyline and both characters’ lives. I love how Armstrong highlights the love between family – it isn’t easy, and it is almost never simple (even in amicable cases), but it is important.

<- Dime Store Magic

Wedding Bell Hell ->

Image source: Pinterest

Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

June 3, 2016Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Otherworld, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Dime Store Magic
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: No, not a man, a boy, maybe seventeen, eighteen.

‘I was bought into this world for one reason… A daughter born and raised to lead the Coven.’

White witch Paige Winterbourne has spent her whole life hiding her true nature. But when she takes over the guardianship of Savannah Levine – orphaned daughter of a notorious black witch – Paige’s carefully constructed world comes crashing down.

Someone is plotting to take Savannah and corrupt her already unsettling wild power. But how can Paige fight them without exposing her own gift – the ultimate taboo? And how can she trust the one man offering to help her fight, when he stands for everything she hates?

Dime Store Magic was a total change of pace in the Women of the Otherworld series. Going form Elena’s hard-edged, tough approach to life and her slightly psychotic lover to Paige and the trials of new-motherhood was a very interesting step. I loved the stark difference between the tone and personalities of the two heroines in this series. The inclusion of Elena and Clay within the storyline (even if it was a small one) also helped the transition between characters. This still felt like part of the same series, not just two books set in the same fantasy world.

The re-emergence of Leah was, admittedly a little terrifying. Take the woman who was partially responsible for all of the tragedy in Stolen and remove Paige’s back-up muscle. I was a little worried about how that scenario would end. But, as with all of Armstrong’s books (or at least the ones I have read so far), Paige and Savannah are able to find their own sense of power and embrace it. I think that this is what endears Armstrong’s book so much to me – the characters don’t necessarily start out as strong and independent, they are able to find their own power and self through the encounters that befall them.

Dime Store Magic begins with Paige Winterbourne at a crossroads in her life – the happenings of Stolen not only bought Savannah into her life, but it also led her to question her own self-assurances. She is forced to question her own infallibility and leave behind the delusions of youth. While her foundations are shaken, it takes a custody case, the appearance of an old enemy and the entrance of a sorcerer offering help that truly brings her world crashing down around her ears.

After being exiled and having her world completely destroyed, Paige is still able to come out with hope for the future. Another reason why I loved this book, no matter what happens to the heroine, there is always a happy ending, love and hope for the future.

<- Stolen

Industrial Magic ->

Image source: Goodreads

Stolen by Kelley Armstrong

May 29, 2016Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Otherworld, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Stolen
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: That’s what we need in these meetings.

Elena Michaels is a wanted woman. Ten years ago she was transformed into a werewolf by her lover. Her transformation makes her powerful. But in the wrong hands, it also makes her deadly.

And now, just as she’s coming to terms with it all, a group of scientists learns of her existence. They’re hunting her down, and Elena is about to run straight into their trap. But they haven’t reckoned on Elena’s adoptive family, her Pack, who will stop at nothing to get her back.

They haven’t reckoned on Elena, either. And that’s a very big mistake…

It’s taken me a while to read the second book in the Women of the Otherworld series. Mostly because I didn’t own it when I finished Bitten, and also a little because I have a LOT of other books that I want to read. But, even after all this time, it didn’t disappoint! I’m so glad that I have the whole series sitting in my bookcase, because I just couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

Stolen reintroduced me to Elena and Clay, the most contemporary couple I have read about in a long time. I think that their very distinctiveness is what draws me so completely to this book. Elena is damaged. She admits that, the author admits that, we all get to understand that. And with no bones about her damaged, she has someone who is just as twisted as she is, albeit in other ways. Their ability to completely accept each other for this is so admirable. Plus, it’s nice to read about a truly damaged heroine – she’s not very nice at times, has an attitude and a tendency to completely disregard how her actions may affect others. Basically, everything that I can be at moments in my life, and the fact that she is blatantly aware of it just makes her storyline all the more impotent.

Stolen was a story where the greed of science meets the insecurities of powerful men. As someone who studies science I’ve long been aware that the moralities of my actions and the ability to expand on current knowledge can be mutually exclusive. I loved investigating the point at which this can go completely wrong – using other human beings to expand on our medical knowledge is morally abhorrent, but it has the potential to give us new knowledge.

This book was a beautiful, well written reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is not the noblest pursuit – caring for one another is.

<- Escape

Dime Store Magic ->

Image source: Orbit Books

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

March 18, 2016Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong, Otherworld, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Women of the Otherworldskyebjenner

Title: Bitten
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: You know more about them than any of us.

‘I’ve been fighting it all night. I’m going to lose… Nature wins out. It always does.’

Elena Michaels didn’t know that her lover Clay was a werewolf until he bit her, changing her life for ever. Betrayed and furious, she cannot accept her transformation, and wants nothing to do with her Pack – a charismatic group of fellow werewolves who say they want to help.

But when a series of brutal murders threatens the Pack, Elena is forced to make an impossible choice. Abandon the only people who truly understand her new nature, or help them to save the lover who ruined her life, and who still wants her back at any cost.

I first heard of this through the TV series, Bitten and thought that I’d buy the book out of sheer curiosity. I’m honestly a little over all of the paranormal romances (Twilight ruined them for me). But I read this book in a day. It was well written, with a strong, feisty (if not a little damaged) heroine. Exactly the type of book I love. 🙂

I enjoyed discovering more about Elena’s story as the journey unfolded – at the beginning she is just a blonde with a past and a secret. Yet, as the story unfolds, you find out about the past and the conflicts between the characters.

Unlike many of the paranormal romances and stories I’ve recently read, this one was a little edgy, not only in the characterisation of the heroine, but also through challenges she faces.

I am truly in love with edgy and stubborn heroines and this in combination of being placed within an all-male world made me want to read this story again and again and again.

<- Territorial

Ghosts ->