From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

Bitten (Otherworld, #1)

Kelley Armstrong

Start date: October 1, 2010

Finish date: October 31, 2010

Discussion: Books of the Month

Why we're reading this: Kelley Armstrong will be doing a Q&A session with us and this is the book we voted to read by her.
[close] Kelley Armstrong will be doing a Q&A session with us and this is the book we voted to read by her.

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What Members Thought

Feb 28, 2010 Nairabell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 5-star, read-in-2011, read-in-2012

Elena Michaels has a devoted boyfriend, interesting job and cute apartment but she still sneaks out at night to preserve her darkest secret. Elena is a werewolf, the only female one in the world. Betrayed by someone she trusted and turned against her will, Elena has now broken away from her Pack and is trying to live as normal a life as possible. But when the Pack contact her in need of her help, Elena is faced with a choice - stay away or return to help the only family she's ever known?

This wa Elena Michaels has a devoted boyfriend, interesting job and cute apartment but she still sneaks out at night to preserve her darkest secret. Elena is a werewolf, the only female one in the world. Betrayed by someone she trusted and turned against her will, Elena has now broken away from her Pack and is trying to live as normal a life as possible. But when the Pack contact her in need of her help, Elena is faced with a choice - stay away or return to help the only family she's ever known?

This was the first urban fantasy series I ever read, and remains to this day one of my favourites. The plot is brilliantly written and full of intricate twists and turns. The books starts out setting up the idea of the civilised pack werewolves and the uncontrolled mutts who give in to their more animalistic desires. Then the plot thickens and things become more complicated. I liked how the author made it feel as if no character was truly safe, and several scenes caught me completely by surprise.

All of the characters are given an incredible depth of backstory, both as individuals and as a group, and the author manages to avoid info-dumping the reader. I really liked how the author distinguished the werewolves as different to humans, whilst still showing that certain groups within any society will still act in twisted depraved ways.

Elena is a great narrator and her struggle for a normal life is really well written and believable. Clayton is really well written as the quasi-romantic interest. His relationship with Elena is tempestuous at best and it is really fun to read. The other pack members are equally well written, from the calm controlled Alpha Jeremy to the fun-loving flirt Nick. I loved how the bonds between the pack members where shown, translating the concept of a wolf pack into slightly more human tones while still remaining distinct.

The book builds the tension throughout and leads up to an action packed showdown. Had the book ended after the showdown I probably would have been happy, but the author continues the story on showing the consequences and letting Elena choose her own path.

All in all this was an awesome read, and I can't wait to get stuck into Stolen.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 10/10

Overall: 49/50 ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2009 Jamie ~ Bad Boy Inspector rated it really liked it

Shelves: subject-pn-shifters, genre-paranormal-romance

I really enjoyed this book!! The magic between Clay and Elena is breathtaking!!

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Jul 31, 2010 Irene Hollimon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Not only is it the first novel in a series, it's a debut novel. The first novel for the author as well. It shows, there's some world building that goes on with any first novel in a series. Both the author and the reader have to get in the groove. The first three quarters of the book are not bad. Then the book really picks up. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I understand she switches characters so that could be interesting or jarring if you're looking for more Clay and Elena. ...more

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Apr 12, 2009 Afsana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was the first Kelley Armstrong book I read and I really enjoyd it

This was the first and rare werewolf story that I was actually interested in reading

The author managed to explain what was happening with also insight into what led to elena becoming a werewolf (the only female werewolf)

This captured my imagination enough to want to read more of her books.

This is a story of a werewolf trying to lead a normal lif but is forced due to her past to return and help the pack

This is definatly worth a ...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Lisarenee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

Werewolf story that I really loved and will be reading the sequels to. Found it's sequel at a thrift store and decided (for once) to follow the sequence. About the only female werewolf trying to survive in the real world on her own when the pack calls her back into it's fold. ...more

1 like · Like · see review