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mbpartlow's review against another edition
5.0
If you've read any of the Women of the Otherworld series, this is the perfect counterpoint. Background, explanations, explorations....loved it!
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Otherworld Stories in the Women of the Otherworld paranormal fantasy series revolving around a wolf pack. The focus is on the earlier history of what will become the Stonehaven Pack with Jeremy, Malcolm, and Clayton.
My Take
You could say that it's a series of short stories, but it's more of a Pack biography that starts with Antonio’s birth and before Dominic is the alpha; it also sets up Malcolm’s animosity and his allies in the pack. The tale ends with Jeremy learning the truth of his birth.
Malcolm’s whole approach to life is perverse. A man who should never have been allowed to live, although we do get Jeremy out of it. It did make me laugh but also cringe when we learn of Malcolm’s need to be able to boast about having sons. Ick. His overweening ambition. I stopped laughing after Jeremy was born. Jesus. Edward may be a coward, but he is a realistic one, and thank god he’s there for Jeremy. I do love what Edward does with his will! Only, there’s that risk of retaliation.
We then segue into Clayton’s becoming a werewolf and how he survives. How he’s found and his life with Jeremy. The struggle Jeremy has socializing the wild Clayton, who craved continued food and shelter. The extracurricular activities Jeremy struggles to choose. Clayton’s choices — home ec!? Why Jeremy gets medical training
It is a struggle as Clayton has forgotten language and how to speak, how to act in public, the ordeal of school — I’d like to whack that coach!, and all those other useless rules about behavior. Those bigoted idiots at the school! Kids need to be challenged, encouraged to learn. Although, yeah, that guinea pig incident . . . oops.
Wow, Jeremy and Antonio are so young in this! Armstrong does a nice job of emphasizing Jeremy’s character. His need for control and compassion. I had to love that gift Antonio gives Jeremy on his twenty-fourth birthday. There’s also that compulsion Jeremy has to sketch weird symbols. Hmmm.
Armstrong includes a bit on how Jeremy’s arts career took off as well as Antonio’s business acumen.
The first few chapters are in third person point-of-view from Malcom’s perspective. When 1967 hits, it becomes first person point-of-view from Clayton’s perspective. It’s the one reason we know how Clayton feels about the deaths that happen, how he perceives modesty and blood, his dominance issues, the difference between ability and desire. In 2007, the perspective in first person point-of-view changes from Clayton’s to Jeremy’s, and we spend time with Jaime, learning about his relationship with her.
It’s a love so profound for Jeremy that Clayton will do anything, anything to protect Jeremy — and we finally learn the truth about Clayton’s vicious attack on a mutt that sets his reputation. It does help to be so pragmatic, *gulp*. There are also those outrageous demands, insisting Clayton speak in full sentences, lol. Clayton’s fascination for anthropology is explained as well. I always did wonder.
Those are some nasty stats and believing that a 50% survival rate is an improvement, oy. There’s more foreshadowing with Nick’s approach to work, Daniel’s anger, that new partner who’ll be entering Clayton’s life, and Jeremy’s redecorating.
The bullying and bigotry are appalling. I love that Dominic sees the benefit of Jeremy’s thoughts. Armstrong does provide an explanation on the reason for putting down mutts, and it is a good one. Yet Jeremy has his own thoughts on this, his own insecurities. That getting a reputation as a fighter doesn’t help. That some rules can be bent.
Jaime is one of those rules that Jeremy bends, and I laughed when I read of Jaime reading suggestive passages to Jeremy from her romance books, passages she, um, reinterpreted. Ahem. She was another who had a sad childhood. That mother of hers.
That play on light Jeremy saw? Yeah, I get it.
And yet another piece of Jeremy’s history is revealed. Yep, another confirmation that gods need worshipers.
The Story
As a curious child, 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.
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 arch nemesis, Malcolm, who the real Alpha is . . .
The Characters
1946
Emilio Sorrentino, Dominic’s father, is the alpha. Dominic will become the Alpha of the pack. Dominic’s sons include Antonio, who is a friend of Jeremy’s; Gregory; and, Benedict. Edward Danvers is Malcolm’s father. Other pack members include Malcolm Danvers, who craves fighting and sees his father as a weak link, a coward; Wally and Raymond Santos; Billy Koenig; and, Ross Werner.
Vinnie owns a bar where a beautiful Japanese girl works.
1967
Clayton has an abusive family, which affects his mindset.
The uncomfortably psychic Jeremy Danvers has inherited Stonehaven, a house near Bear Valley in New York and struggles to pay the bills by translating. He’s also a painter who doesn’t believe in himself. Pearl is the human who cooks their dinners. John is Pearl’s son.
Nicholas “Nicky” is Antonio’s son. Today, the brain-damaged Gregory has one living son, Jorge. Benedict, who has two sons, now lives in Europe. Raymond Santos has three nephews: the bullying Stephen, Andrew, and Daniel. Peripheral Pack members include Ross Werner, Cliff Ward, Peter Myers, and Dennis Stillwell and his son, Joey.
Miss Fishton teaches kindergarten at Harding Academy. Carl Pritchard is a mutt. Dr Lawson attended Clayton. Deedee is the waitress at Malcolm’s escape bar. Mike is the forward Becky’s boyfriend. The Legacy is the Pack history book. Dr Patterson is the Pack doctor.
2007
Jaime Vegas is a popular necromancer on television who developed a passion for Jeremy. They met six years ago when Jaime joined the interracial council, and they have been together for two years now. Tara is Jaime’s assistant.
Elena is the only woman werewolf in the world and mated to Clayton. They have a set of twins. Brent is a natural son created by Jeremy.
Robert Vasic is a Tempestras (storm) half demon, a former priest, and a current Professor of Demonology. Talia is Robert’s wife and Adam’s mother. His stepson, Adam Vasic, is an Exustio half-demon. Zoe Takano, a thief, is the only vampire in Toronto.
Kitsunegari are fox maidens, demons of hearth and home. A Kogitsune is a fox cub able to ensure the continuance of Kitsune. The piggish Brent Delaney of Delaney Construction was thinking of investing in Jaime’s production.
The Cover and Title
The cover is primarily reds with the glossy background and the black silhouette of wolves circling. The back of a man whose nude back exposes an elaborate tattoo on his right shoulder blade is slightly off-center. At the very top is an info blurb with the author’s name below it with both in white. Overlapping the man’s left shoulder is a white oval with red text proclaiming the series as a SYFY TV series. At the center of his back is a tiny epigram just above the title, both are in yellow. Below the title is a casual three-line swirl in a lighter red with the series info on it in white.
The title is true, for it focuses on the Men of the Otherworld.
My Take
You could say that it's a series of short stories, but it's more of a Pack biography that starts with Antonio’s birth and before Dominic is the alpha; it also sets up Malcolm’s animosity and his allies in the pack. The tale ends with Jeremy learning the truth of his birth.
Malcolm’s whole approach to life is perverse. A man who should never have been allowed to live, although we do get Jeremy out of it. It did make me laugh but also cringe when we learn of Malcolm’s need to be able to boast about having sons. Ick. His overweening ambition. I stopped laughing after Jeremy was born. Jesus. Edward may be a coward, but he is a realistic one, and thank god he’s there for Jeremy. I do love what Edward does with his will! Only, there’s that risk of retaliation.
We then segue into Clayton’s becoming a werewolf and how he survives. How he’s found and his life with Jeremy. The struggle Jeremy has socializing the wild Clayton, who craved continued food and shelter. The extracurricular activities Jeremy struggles to choose. Clayton’s choices — home ec!? Why Jeremy gets medical training
It is a struggle as Clayton has forgotten language and how to speak, how to act in public, the ordeal of school — I’d like to whack that coach!, and all those other useless rules about behavior. Those bigoted idiots at the school! Kids need to be challenged, encouraged to learn. Although, yeah, that guinea pig incident . . . oops.
Wow, Jeremy and Antonio are so young in this! Armstrong does a nice job of emphasizing Jeremy’s character. His need for control and compassion. I had to love that gift Antonio gives Jeremy on his twenty-fourth birthday. There’s also that compulsion Jeremy has to sketch weird symbols. Hmmm.
Armstrong includes a bit on how Jeremy’s arts career took off as well as Antonio’s business acumen.
The first few chapters are in third person point-of-view from Malcom’s perspective. When 1967 hits, it becomes first person point-of-view from Clayton’s perspective. It’s the one reason we know how Clayton feels about the deaths that happen, how he perceives modesty and blood, his dominance issues, the difference between ability and desire. In 2007, the perspective in first person point-of-view changes from Clayton’s to Jeremy’s, and we spend time with Jaime, learning about his relationship with her.
It’s a love so profound for Jeremy that Clayton will do anything, anything to protect Jeremy — and we finally learn the truth about Clayton’s vicious attack on a mutt that sets his reputation. It does help to be so pragmatic, *gulp*. There are also those outrageous demands, insisting Clayton speak in full sentences, lol. Clayton’s fascination for anthropology is explained as well. I always did wonder.
Those are some nasty stats and believing that a 50% survival rate is an improvement, oy. There’s more foreshadowing with Nick’s approach to work, Daniel’s anger, that new partner who’ll be entering Clayton’s life, and Jeremy’s redecorating.
The bullying and bigotry are appalling. I love that Dominic sees the benefit of Jeremy’s thoughts. Armstrong does provide an explanation on the reason for putting down mutts, and it is a good one. Yet Jeremy has his own thoughts on this, his own insecurities. That getting a reputation as a fighter doesn’t help. That some rules can be bent.
Jaime is one of those rules that Jeremy bends, and I laughed when I read of Jaime reading suggestive passages to Jeremy from her romance books, passages she, um, reinterpreted. Ahem. She was another who had a sad childhood. That mother of hers.
That play on light Jeremy saw? Yeah, I get it.
And yet another piece of Jeremy’s history is revealed. Yep, another confirmation that gods need worshipers.
The Story
As a curious child, 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.
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 arch nemesis, Malcolm, who the real Alpha is . . .
The Characters
1946
Emilio Sorrentino, Dominic’s father, is the alpha. Dominic will become the Alpha of the pack. Dominic’s sons include Antonio, who is a friend of Jeremy’s; Gregory; and, Benedict. Edward Danvers is Malcolm’s father. Other pack members include Malcolm Danvers, who craves fighting and sees his father as a weak link, a coward; Wally and Raymond Santos; Billy Koenig; and, Ross Werner.
Vinnie owns a bar where a beautiful Japanese girl works.
1967
Clayton has an abusive family, which affects his mindset.
The uncomfortably psychic Jeremy Danvers has inherited Stonehaven, a house near Bear Valley in New York and struggles to pay the bills by translating. He’s also a painter who doesn’t believe in himself. Pearl is the human who cooks their dinners. John is Pearl’s son.
Nicholas “Nicky” is Antonio’s son. Today, the brain-damaged Gregory has one living son, Jorge. Benedict, who has two sons, now lives in Europe. Raymond Santos has three nephews: the bullying Stephen, Andrew, and Daniel. Peripheral Pack members include Ross Werner, Cliff Ward, Peter Myers, and Dennis Stillwell and his son, Joey.
Miss Fishton teaches kindergarten at Harding Academy. Carl Pritchard is a mutt. Dr Lawson attended Clayton. Deedee is the waitress at Malcolm’s escape bar. Mike is the forward Becky’s boyfriend. The Legacy is the Pack history book. Dr Patterson is the Pack doctor.
2007
Jaime Vegas is a popular necromancer on television who developed a passion for Jeremy. They met six years ago when Jaime joined the interracial council, and they have been together for two years now. Tara is Jaime’s assistant.
Elena is the only woman werewolf in the world and mated to Clayton. They have a set of twins. Brent is a natural son created by Jeremy.
Robert Vasic is a Tempestras (storm) half demon, a former priest, and a current Professor of Demonology. Talia is Robert’s wife and Adam’s mother. His stepson, Adam Vasic, is an Exustio half-demon. Zoe Takano, a thief, is the only vampire in Toronto.
Kitsunegari are fox maidens, demons of hearth and home. A Kogitsune is a fox cub able to ensure the continuance of Kitsune. The piggish Brent Delaney of Delaney Construction was thinking of investing in Jaime’s production.
The Cover and Title
The cover is primarily reds with the glossy background and the black silhouette of wolves circling. The back of a man whose nude back exposes an elaborate tattoo on his right shoulder blade is slightly off-center. At the very top is an info blurb with the author’s name below it with both in white. Overlapping the man’s left shoulder is a white oval with red text proclaiming the series as a SYFY TV series. At the center of his back is a tiny epigram just above the title, both are in yellow. Below the title is a casual three-line swirl in a lighter red with the series info on it in white.
The title is true, for it focuses on the Men of the Otherworld.
lottpoet's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - I loved this collection of stories about Clay and Jeremy. They are two amazing characters and I am always eager to read more about them.
The first story is about Jeremy's conception and from Malcolm's POV. You get a glimpse of what a despicable person Malcolm is and some of the background to Jeremy's magical abilities.
The next few stories are about Clay's early life up through college. It is really fascinating!
The last story is set much later and follows up with the first - Jeremy learning a bit more about his genetic make-up and some sweet moments between him and Jaime.
The first story is about Jeremy's conception and from Malcolm's POV. You get a glimpse of what a despicable person Malcolm is and some of the background to Jeremy's magical abilities.
The next few stories are about Clay's early life up through college. It is really fascinating!
The last story is set much later and follows up with the first - Jeremy learning a bit more about his genetic make-up and some sweet moments between him and Jaime.
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
I love the Otherworld Series, but was a bit hesitant about buying this book and it doesn't disappoint.
We start off with a look into the early stages of the American Pack and its members. Their goading and teasing forces Malcolm to sleep with a server, who ends up pregnant with his Son. Malcolm keeps a watchful eye on her throughout her pregnancy, not to make sure she is safe, but to ensure she is carrying a girl, and not a son, who he would have to claim for the pack if he is part werewolf.
After having her child, Malcolm pays them a visit, not happy with the situation and wanting to make things right in his own eyes. His son, who we find out is Jeremy, is saved from Malcolm by Edward, his Grandfather, and thus starts the long span of hatred from Malcolm towards Jeremy.
We find out how Clayton "Clay" became a werewolf and how he is tamed and welcomed into the American Pack, all thanks to Jeremy. We see their bonds and how they both protect and look out for each other and follow this relationship to how it forms the pack as we know it in Bitten.
I love Kelley Armstrong's writing and how she gets into the whole persona of a werewolf, how they move and change, how they work to hunt. She explains bits of Pack Law, setting up the stepping stones we see in sequential books in this series.
This book was a great read and I plan to pass the book love along to my friends who I also got to read this series.
We start off with a look into the early stages of the American Pack and its members. Their goading and teasing forces Malcolm to sleep with a server, who ends up pregnant with his Son. Malcolm keeps a watchful eye on her throughout her pregnancy, not to make sure she is safe, but to ensure she is carrying a girl, and not a son, who he would have to claim for the pack if he is part werewolf.
After having her child, Malcolm pays them a visit, not happy with the situation and wanting to make things right in his own eyes. His son, who we find out is Jeremy, is saved from Malcolm by Edward, his Grandfather, and thus starts the long span of hatred from Malcolm towards Jeremy.
We find out how Clayton "Clay" became a werewolf and how he is tamed and welcomed into the American Pack, all thanks to Jeremy. We see their bonds and how they both protect and look out for each other and follow this relationship to how it forms the pack as we know it in Bitten.
I love Kelley Armstrong's writing and how she gets into the whole persona of a werewolf, how they move and change, how they work to hunt. She explains bits of Pack Law, setting up the stepping stones we see in sequential books in this series.
This book was a great read and I plan to pass the book love along to my friends who I also got to read this series.
mesmer's review against another edition
2.0
Dear god, this book was boring. I liked the other Kelley Armstrong books I read, but this one was torture.
gg1213's review against another edition
5.0
Watch my 2011 review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aV9jJSZrSc