Bitten (Otherworld, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Feb 06, 2013 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, small-town, prickly-heroine, serial-killers, love-hate-relationship, kick-ass-heroines, urban-fantasy, wolf-shifter

Bitten
4 Stars

Similar to numerous UF and PNR series, the world building in Bitten revolves around werewolves. However, Armstrong's take on werewolf mythology is quite original in the form of the hereditary Vs. Mutt dichotomy and the (view spoiler). Nevertheless, it is difficult to come to terms with the wolves' callous attitude toward killing humans, and the fact that the (view spoiler) Bitten
4 Stars

Similar to numerous UF and PNR series, the world building in Bitten revolves around werewolves. However, Armstrong's take on werewolf mythology is quite original in the form of the hereditary Vs. Mutt dichotomy and the (view spoiler). Nevertheless, it is difficult to come to terms with the wolves' callous attitude toward killing humans, and the fact that the (view spoiler) is completely unrealistic. Moreover, the pack does not come across as particularly effective in protecting themselves and others. This may be due to an unfair comparison with other werewolf series like Mercy Thompson and Chicagoland Vampires in which the packs are larger and more of a force to be reckoned with.

The basic plot of a group of renegade werewolves attempting to undermine the pack's position by murdering local girls is strong but not as developed as it could have been. In fact, it ultimately fizzles out and the story moves in a completely different direction toward the end.

The characters are the most compelling aspect of the book. Elena is a problematic heroine. One the one hand, she is strong, feisty and resilient, and her attempts to assert her independence by living a "normal" life in the human world are admirable. Nevertheless, it is all too obvious that she is in denial about who she really is and has subsumed her true self beneath a congenial facade.

On the other hand, her behavior with regard to the men in her life is morally questionable. The love triangle setup is tedious and her dishonesty with Philip regarding who she is and her relationship with Clay makes her less sympathetic and likable. Moreover, her resentment toward Clay, while understandable given (view spoiler) quickly becomes irritating, especially considering that she is constantly running hot/cold when it comes to him.

Elena's love interest, Clay, is an amalgamation of opposites as his impulsiveness and instincts are at war with his humanity, and he ostensibly hides a genius IQ behind a seemingly slow and simple southern facade. His complexity makes him a difficult character to like but once the extent of his love for Elena becomes apparent it becomes virtually impossible not to swoon all over him.

Jeremy, the pack alpha, is a prime example of still waters running deep and the family dynamic established by the other pack members is very endearing. The villains are a mixed bag from Daniel, the mastermind, bent on revenge and a megalomaniac desire to establish his own pack with its own rules to Karl, a sort of gentleman like thief, who is almost honorable despite his questionable allegiances.

Despite its problems, Bitten is a well-written and action packed read and it will be interesting to see what happens next. ...more

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May 03, 2012 Bror (Abrar) rated it liked it

This book one in the series so it was kinda slow (very slow for me) i had to make myself keep reading it .

For a starter it was good but there was nothing new , no surprises and no twists .
I hope it gets better next book but if not i don't think i'll read more of this series . ...more

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