Rating: Summary: A bit disappointed Review: I was looking forward to this sequel to Bitten. I really enjoyed Armstrong's Bitten, about Elena wrongly introduced into the werewolf pact. In Stolen, Elena is reintroduced following up on an Internet site offering information on werewolves. Elena, as well as the reader, discover that werewolves are not the only supernatural beings in the world. Not only that, but there are people out there capturing them for some bizarre purpose. Elena becomes one of the unluckly. While captured she has to determine who she could trust, who is lying to her, and who is just pump NUTS. It was a good story line, but I found the story dragged at some points. The ending was a bit empty and unfullfilling. Still, a very well written work.
Rating: Summary: Fun series Review: I would say to read "Bitten" first, but I agree with those who think Ms. Armstrong is creating a series with legs (pardon me). I liked that first novel a bit better, but these are compelling characters and they live in a fascinating world. Don't miss mr. Shannon and his new one if you love werewolves, tho. 'Night of the Werewolf' gives us furry killers in the Nevada desert, and stands up just as well. Other cool reads: Robert McCammon's The Wolfs Hour, WOlfen by Whitley Streiber and Animals by Skip and SPector.
Rating: Summary: Different than Bitten but still good Review: If this weren't a series, it would be easier to review this book. It isn't like Bitten in the sense that the reader isn't as concerned with the emotional upheaval of Elena as in the first, so it's more focused on others. Elena (as the first person) is more focused on others. The idea of a lab of scientists catching and studying the monsters - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (its even mentioned in the book - as is Scream 2 which is funny only because it's making itself aware of the pop culture and sequels). The other characters that are introduced - obviously for the third book - look interesting. The witches, the half demons, etc. If it's as good as the synopsis sounds, it will far surpass Stolen. The bad guy in this is all bad. He has no redeamable qualities and I rooted quite cheerfully for his death and for those of the guard. Not a bad book. Just more of an opening act to the next book. I loved the descriptions. Loved the characters. Loved that vampires made an appearance -though the half demons are really intriguing to me. Loved that I got to see Elena and Clay together happy for the most part. Missed Nick and Antonio though. Maybe Nick will eventually bite some girl and we'll see him again. I like that there are no truly bizarre heroics in the book that suspend the rules and cover it with magic. The book is based in its own reality. If this were a stand alone book it would deserve more than three stars but it bored me a little in the middle and the strength of this author is in how she shows her character's relationships. When Elena was by herself a great deal of the time it hurt the book - More interaction between Elena and the captives might have helped or less time in captivity. I expected more, which is probably why I'm so disapointed. Bitten was a great book. Stolen was alright. The third book, Dime Store Magic, looks like it has potential to surpass Bitten if done right.
Rating: Summary: Great sequal Review: In an isolated section of woods in Maine billionaire computer guru Ty Winsloe incarcerates so called mythological creatures in a glass prison. He employs two witches and a shaman to help him find his prey. Once he catches a victim, his hired scientists study the captive before releasing the prisoner into the wild. Finally Ty as a predator and his hounds hunt the otherworldly individuals. His current target is a werewolf and his choice amongst that species is its only known female Elena. Witches warn Elena of the coming danger and actually rescue her from an abduction attempt by Ty's thugs. However, the dye has been set as Ty plans to cage Elena, allow his scientists to study her and ultimately free his prisoner so he can hunt and kill her. However, he will find the she-werewolf will not give up easily. STOLEN, the sequel to the delightful, BITTEN, is a refreshing rendition of "The Most Dangerous Game", except that the quarry in this novel is the supernatural beings. The key to this strong story line is that the varying mythical creatures seem so genuine especially when the scientists classify the species in a taxonomy that Carl Linnaeus would endorse. Elena retains her bite from the first novel while Ty is an ideal predator playing a live "video" game with his chosen victims. Kelley Armstrong provides a tremendous "Women of the Otherworld" novel that horror and thriller fans will value. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: An excellent follow up! Review: In the shadow of Bitten comes Stolen, an excellent follow up to the first Women of the Otherworld series. While I would have like to have seen more of Clay and Jeremy in this book, I like the fact that we were introduced to two integral characters that will play a bigger role in the books to follow. Though it can be read as a stand alone novel, it's a definite must read if you liked the first one and want to continue the series since we are introduced to Paige and Savannah. Their background is discussed in Dime Store Magic and Industrial Magic, but this is where they began. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: A Worthy Sequel to 'Bitten' Review: In this second installment of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, events focus once again on our heroine, Elena Michaels. Elena is a highly perceptive, intelligent and attractive Canadian journalist who also happens to be a werewolf and a member of the exclusive werewolf group known as the Pack. Elena's responsibilities include investigating rumors and information about werewolves that seem to come close to the truth. One of these investigations turns out to be a lure set for her by a couple of witches. They are seeking to enlist the aid of the werewolves in helping them thwart a threat caused by a wealthy technogeek who has been kidnapping supernaturals. After a preternatural summit meeting, Elena herself is kidnapped and held in a seemingly inpenetrable secret prison where she becomes the subject of both scientific study and the twisted desires of the technocrat ubervillain. Armstrong skillfully introduces us to new characters whose varying talents complement the physical skills of Elena and her highly-focused werewolf lover/partner/mate Clayton Danvers. The author wantonly reinvents witches, shamans, vampires, demons, and other supernaturals in her story; all of which work remarkably well. As in the author's debut novel 'Bitten', pack werewolves are neither repulsive or evil but change into completely natural and beautiful animals. Elena's eventual escape and the subsequent assault on the prison by the supernaturals provide a satisfying build-up to the climax. When the werewolves begin to take care of business, they go through bad guys like a chainsaw through wood. Humor and subtle nuance spice the novel like a beautifully prepared gourmet meal. The repartee between young witch Paige Winterbourne and the delightfully energetic half-demon Adam Vasic can't help but make the reader smile. The sprinklings of nuance throughout the novel give the reader the feeling of plausibility to the characters. We feel that Elena really is Canadian, the villain really is a computer mogul, and each of the characters really are who they are supposed to be. Most of all, the intense bond and romance between Elena and Clayton is really something special. Although 'Stolen' is an excellent and skillfully written novel on it's own, readers will enjoy it much more if they read 'Bitten' first. The development of the main characters is so much more satisfying having first been introduced to them in Armstrong's outstanding first novel. It is not possible for me to rate this novel highly enough. Readers will revel not only in the story but also in the artful way in which it is presented. Of course, I'm a complete sucker for a happy ending which the author serves up to us like dessert and coffee. Top ratings are well-deserved.
Rating: Summary: Kelley Armstrong does it again! Review: Kelley Armstrong continues here 'Women of the Otherworld' series with a very fast pace and fun plotline. Here style of writting actually brings you into the story and her characters to life.
Rating: Summary: Taut, Suspenseful and Very Well Written Review: Stolen is a credible and fitting follow-up to the debut novel from Kelley Armstrong, Bitten. Like the other reviewers here, I would highly recommend one reads Bitten before picking up Stolen, though it isn't absolutely necessary. The strong and complex female werewolf, Elena Michaels is back front and center. And her voice comes across stronger then it did in the first book. Also back from the first book are Clayton Danvers, Elena's human hating, overly intense lover/mate. And Jeremy Danvers, pack Alpha, parental figure and voice of reason. Unfortunately Tonio and Nick, other pack members, aren't back for this book. And if you ask me, there isn't enough Jeremy. But thats understandable given the story. The best thing about this book are the other creatures of legend and lore that we get introduced to. Witches, Shamans, Half-Demons and the ever popular vampires. Armstrong plants the seeds for her proposed "Women of the Underworld" series. I'll be anxious to see where her books will go. I'm not sure she can duplicate the personality of the pack members, but I wish her the best in her effort. I took away a star for a reunion that seemed too rushed, a love scene that seemed extremely unwise, and a lack of Jeremy.
Rating: Summary: A witty and moderately action based modern fantasy Review: Stolen is Kelley Armstrong's follow up to "Bitten" and precursor to "Dime Store Magic". Set approximately a year after "Bitten", Elena Michaels returns and discovers that she and the other werewolves in the world are not the only supernatural creatures in existence. In fact there are quite a few including witches, sorcerers, vampires, and demons. Although the characters may be familiar, Armstrong takes a very different story line. No longer is Elena having the personal struggles she worked through in the first novel. Nor does Armstrong delve further into werewolf life or the intrigues therein. Instead she throws in a hodgepodge of mythical beings and only throws out scraps about their abilities and histories. One of the catch phrases that even emerges is "there's another myth shot to hell". To that end, much of the book focuses on Elena's prison time following her capture by an operation financed by a sadistic tycoon which seeks supernatural beings. During her prison time we learn about Voodoo priests, demons, and witches. At times, however, the other beings are used as plot devices or simply as a way to keep our curiosity. Unfortunately precious little is revealed about them relying instead upon the readers' knowledge from things such as Role Playing Games. There are even quips to about Role Playing Games peppered throughout the book. "That's a level three spell and I'm a level four witch." In fact at one point during some of the battles it feels like Armstrong plucked a fantasy world and dropped it in a modern world willy nilly. Furthermore there is very little character development. All the characters, even Elena, are one dimensional. This allows Armstrong instead to focus on the action and of that, there is plenty. If "Bitten" was lacking in gore and action, "Stolen" makes up for it. Additionally the writing style is a little more polished. Elena maintains a constant sarcastic voice as the story unfolds rather than bouncing between differnt voices. It therefore is an amusing and easy read. Ultimately "Stolen" offers a quick diversion and setup for more books in the Otherworld series. It has plenty of action to keep it going. This is fortunate because there is virtually no development of the characters or the overall setting of the Otherworld.
Rating: Summary: A witty and moderately action based modern fantasy Review: Stolen is Kelley Armstrong's follow up to "Bitten" and precursor to "Dime Store Magic". Set approximately a year after "Bitten", Elena Michaels returns and discovers that she and the other werewolves in the world are not the only supernatural creatures in existence. In fact there are quite a few including witches, sorcerers, vampires, and demons. Although the characters may be familiar, Armstrong takes a very different story line. No longer is Elena having the personal struggles she worked through in the first novel. Nor does Armstrong delve further into werewolf life or the intrigues therein. Instead she throws in a hodgepodge of mythical beings and only throws out scraps about their abilities and histories. One of the catch phrases that even emerges is "there's another myth shot to hell". To that end, much of the book focuses on Elena's prison time following her capture by an operation financed by a sadistic tycoon which seeks supernatural beings. During her prison time we learn about Voodoo priests, demons, and witches. At times, however, the other beings are used as plot devices or simply as a way to keep our curiosity. Unfortunately precious little is revealed about them relying instead upon the readers' knowledge from things such as Role Playing Games. There are even quips to about Role Playing Games peppered throughout the book. "That's a level three spell and I'm a level four witch." In fact at one point during some of the battles it feels like Armstrong plucked a fantasy world and dropped it in a modern world willy nilly. Furthermore there is very little character development. All the characters, even Elena, are one dimensional. This allows Armstrong instead to focus on the action and of that, there is plenty. If "Bitten" was lacking in gore and action, "Stolen" makes up for it. Additionally the writing style is a little more polished. Elena maintains a constant sarcastic voice as the story unfolds rather than bouncing between differnt voices. It therefore is an amusing and easy read. Ultimately "Stolen" offers a quick diversion and setup for more books in the Otherworld series. It has plenty of action to keep it going. This is fortunate because there is virtually no development of the characters or the overall setting of the Otherworld.
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