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Otherworld #10
Frostbitten
Smart, sexy, supernatural—the men and women of the Otherworld live and love, fight and die, among us. Unseen and unsuspected, this realm of witches, ghosts, and werewolves is now threatened with exposure by a brutal series of bizarre murders that has left even the supernatural world baffled—and cold with terror....
Being the world’s only female werewolf has its advantages, such as having her pick of the Otherworld’s most desirable males. And Elena Michaels couldn't have picked a more dangerously sexy and undyingly loyal mate than Clayton Danvers. Now their bond will be put to the ultimate test as they follow a bloody trail of gruesome slayings deep into Alaska’s frozen wilderness.
There’s nothing the werewolf community dislikes more than calling attention to itself. So when a pair of rogue man-eaters begins hunting humans, it’s up to Elena and Clayton to track down the predators. But any illusions their task would be simple are quickly dispelled. For even in werewolf terms, there’s something very disturbing taking place in the dark Alaskan forests. A werewolf more wolf than human and more unnatural than supernatural is on the hunt—a creature whose origins seem to spring from ancient legends of the shape-shifting Wendigo.
And if that wasn't bad enough, Clayton and Elena find themselves confronting painful ghosts from their pasts — and an issue neither of them is eager to discuss. For one of them has been chosen to become the new Pack leader, and as every wolf knows, there can be only one Alpha. They've always been equals in everything. Now, when their survival depends more than ever on perfect teamwork, will instinct allow one of them to lead...and the other to follow?
Being the world’s only female werewolf has its advantages, such as having her pick of the Otherworld’s most desirable males. And Elena Michaels couldn't have picked a more dangerously sexy and undyingly loyal mate than Clayton Danvers. Now their bond will be put to the ultimate test as they follow a bloody trail of gruesome slayings deep into Alaska’s frozen wilderness.
There’s nothing the werewolf community dislikes more than calling attention to itself. So when a pair of rogue man-eaters begins hunting humans, it’s up to Elena and Clayton to track down the predators. But any illusions their task would be simple are quickly dispelled. For even in werewolf terms, there’s something very disturbing taking place in the dark Alaskan forests. A werewolf more wolf than human and more unnatural than supernatural is on the hunt—a creature whose origins seem to spring from ancient legends of the shape-shifting Wendigo.
And if that wasn't bad enough, Clayton and Elena find themselves confronting painful ghosts from their pasts — and an issue neither of them is eager to discuss. For one of them has been chosen to become the new Pack leader, and as every wolf knows, there can be only one Alpha. They've always been equals in everything. Now, when their survival depends more than ever on perfect teamwork, will instinct allow one of them to lead...and the other to follow?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2009
252 people are currently reading
12064 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
288 books33.1k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 877 reviews
August 18, 2010
Let's face it, the werewolf stories are the best books in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. Yes, I enjoyed the rest of the installments, but there is something extremely appealing about the physical world of weres. It's just so much more fun to read about hand-to-hand fights, cracked bones, and torn-out throats. How can spell-casting, raising the dead, and (give me a break!) sensing chaos possibly compete with that?
In this novel Elena and Clay travel to Alaska to have a talk with a young stray werewolf from Australia and visit a couple of ex-Pack members. In the process they stumble across a gang of mischievous mutts and some weird creature in the wilderness...
Frostbitten is the best book in the series since Stolen and a great werewolf comeback after the cheesefest Broken was. This novel is almost a perfect mix of action, mystery, and smutty goodness. Armstrong manages to avoid many of the mistakes of her previous novels: the book is not a nauseating reunion of all her series characters, it's not overly sweet and indulgent, like Broken was, the kids' cuteness is featured just in the right amount. The plot is engaging and well-paced, new characters are a lot of fun (I would love to get to know about the Russian Pack and Elena's possible werewolf heritage). And mainly, Elena and Clay are at their best. They still care for each, but their relationship is not stale (like it was in Broken), there are some issues they have to work through and they provide just enough entertainment and drama to make the couple's interactions fun, touching, and smoldering.
Overall, Frostbitten is a great entertainment, even though some scaling back of assaults on Elena would have been nice.
In this novel Elena and Clay travel to Alaska to have a talk with a young stray werewolf from Australia and visit a couple of ex-Pack members. In the process they stumble across a gang of mischievous mutts and some weird creature in the wilderness...
Frostbitten is the best book in the series since Stolen and a great werewolf comeback after the cheesefest Broken was. This novel is almost a perfect mix of action, mystery, and smutty goodness. Armstrong manages to avoid many of the mistakes of her previous novels: the book is not a nauseating reunion of all her series characters, it's not overly sweet and indulgent, like Broken was, the kids' cuteness is featured just in the right amount. The plot is engaging and well-paced, new characters are a lot of fun (I would love to get to know about the Russian Pack and Elena's possible werewolf heritage). And mainly, Elena and Clay are at their best. They still care for each, but their relationship is not stale (like it was in Broken), there are some issues they have to work through and they provide just enough entertainment and drama to make the couple's interactions fun, touching, and smoldering.
Overall, Frostbitten is a great entertainment, even though some scaling back of assaults on Elena would have been nice.
June 26, 2021
Elena and Clay had their twins!
This couple has come such a long way and I absolutely loved this journey with them! Elena has come to terms with herself being a werewolf, and she actually enjoys it more than she doesn't now, and Clay is less of a "hovering-spouse" and knows that she needs space.
Sometimes though, as young parents, they need time to themselves. So when Elena is trying to tell a young mutt the danger he is in and he goes to Alaska without hearing it, the two make a trip up there together to find him and warn him. And boy, do the wolves love the snow.
And I don't just mean werewolves. We run into a lot of regular wolves and weird beast-like wolves in this book which I absolutely loved. They are kindred spirits in a lot more ways than they realize. They even run into a werewolf who lives with the wolves instead of humans. It never crossed my mind that a werewolf would rather live as a wolf than a human. I find that super interesting.
Well anyway, a bunch of mutts from America and Russia are trying to form a pack and take over America. One of them, I kid you not, even looks like this:
Well, that's what I imagine him as. He takes steroids so his already werewolf-pumped strength will be even bigger and greater. He has a thing for women who don't consent.. and when he gets a whiff of Elena, you know the only living female werewolf (besides his daughter that is too young for anyone to care about), he sets his instincts before basically anything else.
I love this series so much. I especially like the werewolf books. Not really the one with the zombies, because it wasn't really up the werewolf alley, but the characters themselves make it enjoyable enough on their own. Even the side characters, like Nick and Antonio, are some of my all-time favorite characters to read about. I wish Nick had his own side-series that I can read about all his adventures.
I'm going to get one part out of the way here: this book does contain rape-like acts and thoughts. It deals with a rape victim (Elena) and her coming face to face with the act itself and her hearing from one of the men (foster fathers) who did the deed. I am saying this because it might have some triggers for people so it might be wise to way reading it or not.
Now, in the werewolf world (because yes, we are finally back for the final werewolf-based book), rape is going to be a big issue and has been since book one. Wolves don't do the whole "consent" thing, so werewolves, being half wolves, sometimes don't want to see that as a thing either. We have the pack that are actual great human beings or, er, werewolves and would never do that, and we have mutts who don't care who you are; they have needs, you can fill them one way or another.
What I do like about this book is Elena deals with her nightmarish past. She has moments when her fear takes over, but she doesn't let it run her life. So take that as you may. It isn't too graphic in my own opinion, but it is an adult book and adult words and acts are done here: consent or no.
In conclusion, this book was legit. It's actually the first book I ever read of Kelley Armstrong (not knowing it was in the middle of a series and being in middle school [which I don't advise doing (reading it at such a young age or reading it and not the first ten books that is [I'm done])[).
But I love it, anyway.
Sidenote: The audio-book was actually pretty legit for this book. I liked it better than the last three.
This couple has come such a long way and I absolutely loved this journey with them! Elena has come to terms with herself being a werewolf, and she actually enjoys it more than she doesn't now, and Clay is less of a "hovering-spouse" and knows that she needs space.
Sometimes though, as young parents, they need time to themselves. So when Elena is trying to tell a young mutt the danger he is in and he goes to Alaska without hearing it, the two make a trip up there together to find him and warn him. And boy, do the wolves love the snow.
And I don't just mean werewolves. We run into a lot of regular wolves and weird beast-like wolves in this book which I absolutely loved. They are kindred spirits in a lot more ways than they realize. They even run into a werewolf who lives with the wolves instead of humans. It never crossed my mind that a werewolf would rather live as a wolf than a human. I find that super interesting.
Well anyway, a bunch of mutts from America and Russia are trying to form a pack and take over America. One of them, I kid you not, even looks like this:
Well, that's what I imagine him as. He takes steroids so his already werewolf-pumped strength will be even bigger and greater. He has a thing for women who don't consent.. and when he gets a whiff of Elena, you know the only living female werewolf (besides his daughter that is too young for anyone to care about), he sets his instincts before basically anything else.
I love this series so much. I especially like the werewolf books. Not really the one with the zombies, because it wasn't really up the werewolf alley, but the characters themselves make it enjoyable enough on their own. Even the side characters, like Nick and Antonio, are some of my all-time favorite characters to read about. I wish Nick had his own side-series that I can read about all his adventures.
I'm going to get one part out of the way here: this book does contain rape-like acts and thoughts. It deals with a rape victim (Elena) and her coming face to face with the act itself and her hearing from one of the men (foster fathers) who did the deed. I am saying this because it might have some triggers for people so it might be wise to way reading it or not.
Now, in the werewolf world (because yes, we are finally back for the final werewolf-based book), rape is going to be a big issue and has been since book one. Wolves don't do the whole "consent" thing, so werewolves, being half wolves, sometimes don't want to see that as a thing either. We have the pack that are actual great human beings or, er, werewolves and would never do that, and we have mutts who don't care who you are; they have needs, you can fill them one way or another.
What I do like about this book is Elena deals with her nightmarish past. She has moments when her fear takes over, but she doesn't let it run her life. So take that as you may. It isn't too graphic in my own opinion, but it is an adult book and adult words and acts are done here: consent or no.
In conclusion, this book was legit. It's actually the first book I ever read of Kelley Armstrong (not knowing it was in the middle of a series and being in middle school [which I don't advise doing (reading it at such a young age or reading it and not the first ten books that is [I'm done])[).
But I love it, anyway.
Sidenote: The audio-book was actually pretty legit for this book. I liked it better than the last three.
March 5, 2024
“I've spent the last decade learning to stand firm and face my problems… or at least batter them until they're unrecognizable.”
Frostbitten is the last full-length book in the Women of the Otherworld series that is told through Elena's point of view. Throughout the series our main character has grown into her skin, settled in with her mate, advanced higher in the pack, and adapted to motherhood.
In a way I'm bummed the final Elena book, like the second to last, takes a breather from Stonehaven. There's something charming about their property and the bonding that goes on there. Whatever the reason, the author took us out to the Alaskan wilderness, which actually had a cool small town setting. The snow and winter storms added to the creepy feel around an isolated cabin with death inside, wolves and werewolves outside. Armstrong introduces a new form of shifter, but throws in a mystery with it so I can't reveal much other than to say there's a few surprises and nice twists.
The twins are adorable but Skyping with them was enough. Taking Elena and Clay away from Stonehaven gives them alone time to solve the crimes and ride the highs of mystery while giving the readers a break from parenting overload. Jeremy is hardly around until the very end (bummer), but he and Jaime are spoken of briefly. This is an unusual story in that there aren't many regular gracing the pages other than through phone calls and memories. Nick makes a stand at least once, however, and we get two new important werewolves that may shape the future stories that will remain untold since the series is ending.
Cleverly twisted, Elena runs into some sick individuals who hold little remorse for man or shapeshifter. She has to confront her last biggest fear before she steps onto the higher step of alphahood. It was interesting on a psychological level, but I have to wonder if it was completely needed. She didn't grow beyond the fear (who would?) but instead learned to accept it and ignore it for the bigger picture. It was never a phobia or necessarily holding her back, so I'm not sure if the author had that particular scenario in this book for a bigger meaning that I didn't fully grasp.
Clay is awesome, he'll always be awesome, and we get a good dose of him here. Romance, steam, fight, vulnerable moments, the whole package in one.
Frostbitten is a dark book that finishes with a hopeful feeling. The pace is calmer than a few others in the series, but this only heightens the sense of isolation that complements the winter setting.
Frostbitten is the last full-length book in the Women of the Otherworld series that is told through Elena's point of view. Throughout the series our main character has grown into her skin, settled in with her mate, advanced higher in the pack, and adapted to motherhood.
In a way I'm bummed the final Elena book, like the second to last, takes a breather from Stonehaven. There's something charming about their property and the bonding that goes on there. Whatever the reason, the author took us out to the Alaskan wilderness, which actually had a cool small town setting. The snow and winter storms added to the creepy feel around an isolated cabin with death inside, wolves and werewolves outside. Armstrong introduces a new form of shifter, but throws in a mystery with it so I can't reveal much other than to say there's a few surprises and nice twists.
The twins are adorable but Skyping with them was enough. Taking Elena and Clay away from Stonehaven gives them alone time to solve the crimes and ride the highs of mystery while giving the readers a break from parenting overload. Jeremy is hardly around until the very end (bummer), but he and Jaime are spoken of briefly. This is an unusual story in that there aren't many regular gracing the pages other than through phone calls and memories. Nick makes a stand at least once, however, and we get two new important werewolves that may shape the future stories that will remain untold since the series is ending.
Cleverly twisted, Elena runs into some sick individuals who hold little remorse for man or shapeshifter. She has to confront her last biggest fear before she steps onto the higher step of alphahood. It was interesting on a psychological level, but I have to wonder if it was completely needed. She didn't grow beyond the fear (who would?) but instead learned to accept it and ignore it for the bigger picture. It was never a phobia or necessarily holding her back, so I'm not sure if the author had that particular scenario in this book for a bigger meaning that I didn't fully grasp.
Clay is awesome, he'll always be awesome, and we get a good dose of him here. Romance, steam, fight, vulnerable moments, the whole package in one.
Frostbitten is a dark book that finishes with a hopeful feeling. The pace is calmer than a few others in the series, but this only heightens the sense of isolation that complements the winter setting.
April 23, 2022
Clayton and Elena, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1. You are ridiculously fun. Whether you're tossing each other around in the snow while in wolf form, or contemplating how difficult it would be to maneuver in the back of your SUV, you fill me with D-E-L-I-G-H-T.
2. You are the perfect example of partnership. I know you got off to a bit of a rough start (with the biting and the changing), but you weathered that storm spectacularly (even if it did take 10(ish) years to do it), and you are a shining example to the rest of us mere mortals. Neither of you can refrain from confiding in each other when you are troubled, and you know and understand each other so well, that you always say exactly the right thing.
3. You are also everything (IM humble O) that werewolves should be. You are stronger, faster, and more fierce than humans, and you are fiercely loyal to your pack. You are canny, especially you, Elena, who has absolutely no problem using mutts assumptions about a female's place in the pack against them to get the upper hand. And there's none of that leaping through the air as a human, and landing as a wolf nonsense, nor are you 3x the equivalent of your human size.
And that'll do for now.
Frostbitten is the tenth book in the Women of the Otherworld series, and it begins with Elena trying to chase down a young mutt who she fears is about to be murdered as a scapegoat for other mutts' crimes. She and Clay round him up in Alaska and send him to the pack, but they stay to investigate a few alleged wolf-killings. The plot is gritty and gruesome as these books often are, but at least this time no small children are threatened and/or killed. Small mercy that b/c what does happen forces Elena to face down some of her darkest demons.
Unlike a lot of the Women of the Otherworld books (that include a wide variety of characters), Frostbitten is almost solely focused on Clay and Elena. Jeremy checks in a few times when they call to talk to Kate and Logan (who are adorable), and the rest of the pack shows up for the very end, but other than that, it's just the two of them facing down various enemies. But as their POV is my favorite of this series, that did not bother me in the slightest. It also allowed for further insight into the new-and-improved Clay and Elena (in which Elena is no longer trying to hold Clay at arms-length).
Overall, this is one of my favorite installments, and even though I already used this gif in a status update, I'm using it here too, b/c Clay and Elena make me feel all warm and fuzzy (and so does this gif).
1. You are ridiculously fun. Whether you're tossing each other around in the snow while in wolf form, or contemplating how difficult it would be to maneuver in the back of your SUV, you fill me with D-E-L-I-G-H-T.
2. You are the perfect example of partnership. I know you got off to a bit of a rough start (with the biting and the changing), but you weathered that storm spectacularly (even if it did take 10(ish) years to do it), and you are a shining example to the rest of us mere mortals. Neither of you can refrain from confiding in each other when you are troubled, and you know and understand each other so well, that you always say exactly the right thing.
3. You are also everything (IM humble O) that werewolves should be. You are stronger, faster, and more fierce than humans, and you are fiercely loyal to your pack. You are canny, especially you, Elena, who has absolutely no problem using mutts assumptions about a female's place in the pack against them to get the upper hand. And there's none of that leaping through the air as a human, and landing as a wolf nonsense, nor are you 3x the equivalent of your human size.
And that'll do for now.
Frostbitten is the tenth book in the Women of the Otherworld series, and it begins with Elena trying to chase down a young mutt who she fears is about to be murdered as a scapegoat for other mutts' crimes. She and Clay round him up in Alaska and send him to the pack, but they stay to investigate a few alleged wolf-killings. The plot is gritty and gruesome as these books often are, but at least this time no small children are threatened and/or killed. Small mercy that b/c what does happen forces Elena to face down some of her darkest demons.
Unlike a lot of the Women of the Otherworld books (that include a wide variety of characters), Frostbitten is almost solely focused on Clay and Elena. Jeremy checks in a few times when they call to talk to Kate and Logan (who are adorable), and the rest of the pack shows up for the very end, but other than that, it's just the two of them facing down various enemies. But as their POV is my favorite of this series, that did not bother me in the slightest. It also allowed for further insight into the new-and-improved Clay and Elena (in which Elena is no longer trying to hold Clay at arms-length).
Overall, this is one of my favorite installments, and even though I already used this gif in a status update, I'm using it here too, b/c Clay and Elena make me feel all warm and fuzzy (and so does this gif).
April 8, 2021
4 ☆ best installment featuring Elena
Frostbitten is the fourth and last novel in the POV of werewolf Elena Michaels, and it's the best. Armstrong's strength has been in her character creation. Elena has always felt like a fully fleshed out protagonist. She coped with a horrible childhood, and then she unwillingly became a werewolf, a traumatic event at the cusp of adulthood. I didn't admire her in Bitten #1 but I understood her motivations and decisions because they were consistent with her back story.
In Frostbitten, Elena is about 40 years old, in a committed relationship with Clay, and mother to their 3.5 year old twins. The alpha of their Pack, Jeremy is nearing 60 and he's been grooming Elena as his successor. The core of Elena's personality hasn't changed since the first book. The grounding responsibilities of children finally wrought what the simple passage of time hadn't - maturity and a tempering of stupid recklessness into bold risk-taking. Now, she's somebody to admire.
Elena's role in the Pack is an enforcer with the mutts, the werewolves who are nomadic and haven't joined the Pack. Elena trailed a young werewolf involved with murderous mutts from Pittsburgh to Anchorage, Alaska, where the bulk of Frostbitten takes place. Alaska prides itself for being a wild and woolly place.
As Clay joins Elena in Alaska, it gives them the opportunity to check on former Pack mates, Dennis and Joey Stillwell.
The themes of trauma, betrayal and forgiveness and facing one's past feature prominently in Frostbitten and they just made this novel stronger.
Frostbitten is the best of the Elena novels. Violence, tension, and danger had my nerves occasionally on edge as they encountered more deadly mutts than they had anticipated. At 352 pages, this is also shorter than the earlier installments so the pacing was much better and I finished this one quite quickly.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#6 Broken 3.5 ☆
#7 No Humans Involved 3.5 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
I've spent the last decade learning to stand firm and face my problems… or at least batter them until they're unrecognizable.
Frostbitten is the fourth and last novel in the POV of werewolf Elena Michaels, and it's the best. Armstrong's strength has been in her character creation. Elena has always felt like a fully fleshed out protagonist. She coped with a horrible childhood, and then she unwillingly became a werewolf, a traumatic event at the cusp of adulthood. I didn't admire her in Bitten #1 but I understood her motivations and decisions because they were consistent with her back story.
In Frostbitten, Elena is about 40 years old, in a committed relationship with Clay, and mother to their 3.5 year old twins. The alpha of their Pack, Jeremy is nearing 60 and he's been grooming Elena as his successor. The core of Elena's personality hasn't changed since the first book. The grounding responsibilities of children finally wrought what the simple passage of time hadn't - maturity and a tempering of stupid recklessness into bold risk-taking. Now, she's somebody to admire.
Elena's role in the Pack is an enforcer with the mutts, the werewolves who are nomadic and haven't joined the Pack. Elena trailed a young werewolf involved with murderous mutts from Pittsburgh to Anchorage, Alaska, where the bulk of Frostbitten takes place. Alaska prides itself for being a wild and woolly place.
He hopped a fallen log buried under the snow. "There are a lot of somethings out here. Those beast-shifters are just the beginning. Voices, lights... I've had them lead me nearly over a cliff, and I've had them light my way to the wolf pack. Capricious little buggers. I find tracks I don't recognize, scents I can't place, catch glimpses of shadows. Alaska's the last frontier - for man, beast, spirit alike."
As Clay joins Elena in Alaska, it gives them the opportunity to check on former Pack mates, Dennis and Joey Stillwell.
Clay went silent, loyalty to old packmates warring against a deeper feeling of betrayal. ... In leaving, they'd abandon Jeremy and hadn't trusted Clay. I used to think Clay was incapable of seeing other points of view. He can see them - he just can't feel them. Dennis and Joey hadn't fulfilled their duty to the Pack and that felt wrong, so it was wrong.
The themes of trauma, betrayal and forgiveness and facing one's past feature prominently in Frostbitten and they just made this novel stronger.
"I don't forgive him," I said.
"Hell, no, you don't. And why should you? So he can feel better? Get on with his life? And what's he done to help you get on with yours?
...
“I put you through hell and then I only made it worse, all the mistakes I made trying to get you back.'
'I've forgiven you.'
'Forgive, yes. Understand, yes. Forget, no.”
Frostbitten is the best of the Elena novels. Violence, tension, and danger had my nerves occasionally on edge as they encountered more deadly mutts than they had anticipated. At 352 pages, this is also shorter than the earlier installments so the pacing was much better and I finished this one quite quickly.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#6 Broken 3.5 ☆
#7 No Humans Involved 3.5 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
June 19, 2018
3.5 bleeding stars
Gotta to say that this series by Armstrong is at it best in the werewolves front, and Jamie. I am not fan of Savannah the witch , so I skip those books.
And now, about this book: First - TRIGGER WARNING: lot of rapists running around and violent attempted rapes.
The story? Elena follow a mutt (a werewolf without pack) trying to warn him b/c was framed for murder. The guy flees and so Elena and Clay end in Alaska. There, Clay find an old friend , and more mutts, and more crimes and murder and people missing... and maybe some old folk tale.
There were no humans here. No werewolves. No mysterious beasts. Just something… else. Something primitive, capricious and cruel. Some magic, deep in the forest, that cared little for my survival.
Between glimpses of family with phone calls of the twins, and Pack decitions, and now Clay is feeling a bit old and not at his top condition
“So? Even with your arm, you can take on guys like that — half your age, twice your size — and the outcome’s never in question.”
“But ten years ago, I wouldn’t have *had* to take them on. I wouldn’t have had to worry about Cain stalking you. The second he realized I was with you he’d have been on the next bus out of town. Now, with you becoming Alpha, the kids getting older… I don’t want to keep proving I still deserve my reputation. That was the point of…”
He trailed off. The point of what? I was about to ask, when I understood. That was the point of what Clay had done at seventeen, dissecting a mutt while he was still alive, then taking pictures.
...and all the changes in the years, the main point is how she has to deal with old wound. Or maybe not so old.
The story is action packed. A lot of running, some investigation and speculation. And yeah, they talk about their relashipship.
The ideas of Elena about dominance and abuse are not exactly of my liking. But, well, are very intense. Anyway, Elena never quit and not take the threats lying down . Not at all.
The litle bit of mystery is interesting .
It's a good story. Though very hard.
Gotta to say that this series by Armstrong is at it best in the werewolves front, and Jamie. I am not fan of Savannah the witch , so I skip those books.
And now, about this book: First - TRIGGER WARNING: lot of rapists running around and violent attempted rapes.
The story? Elena follow a mutt (a werewolf without pack) trying to warn him b/c was framed for murder. The guy flees and so Elena and Clay end in Alaska. There, Clay find an old friend , and more mutts, and more crimes and murder and people missing... and maybe some old folk tale.
There were no humans here. No werewolves. No mysterious beasts. Just something… else. Something primitive, capricious and cruel. Some magic, deep in the forest, that cared little for my survival.
Between glimpses of family with phone calls of the twins, and Pack decitions, and now Clay is feeling a bit old and not at his top condition
“So? Even with your arm, you can take on guys like that — half your age, twice your size — and the outcome’s never in question.”
“But ten years ago, I wouldn’t have *had* to take them on. I wouldn’t have had to worry about Cain stalking you. The second he realized I was with you he’d have been on the next bus out of town. Now, with you becoming Alpha, the kids getting older… I don’t want to keep proving I still deserve my reputation. That was the point of…”
He trailed off. The point of what? I was about to ask, when I understood. That was the point of what Clay had done at seventeen, dissecting a mutt while he was still alive, then taking pictures.
...and all the changes in the years, the main point is how she has to deal with old wound. Or maybe not so old.
The story is action packed. A lot of running, some investigation and speculation. And yeah, they talk about their relashipship.
The ideas of Elena about dominance and abuse are not exactly of my liking. But, well, are very intense. Anyway, Elena never quit and not take the threats lying down . Not at all.
The litle bit of mystery is interesting .
It's a good story. Though very hard.
July 13, 2014
Frostbitten is a nice addition to the Women of the Otherworld series after two not so great books.
In it Elena cements her feelings for Clay by admitting that she missed him whilst he was away, she confronts her past fears head on, and learns that she is strong enough if not quite ready to become Alpha. Clay is as wonderful as ever both protecting Elena and giving her the freedom of her independence. The rest of the pack also make an appearance if only towards the end. We meet two former pack members who fled the pack when Malcolm and Jeremy were fighting to become Alpha as well as the Alpha of the Russian werewolf pack who I hope we see more of in future - I'm curious to see if a proper relationship can be established between the two packs.
As for the story, a group of mutts consisting of Eastern European and American members have decided to settle in Alaska and have been killing off all werewolves on site before they move their very illegal gun-running business over. However the supposed Alpha has a penchant for raping and murdering and can't stop himself from preying on the local girls. As soon as he gets a whiff of Elena he wants her, badly. The rest revolves around rescuing a teenage werewolf called Noah, trying to stay out of the clutches of the rapist and trying to bring down the mutt-pack.
I instantly took a liking to Noah, despite his age and criminal record he was very brave and honorable when he tried to protect Elena from being raped and killed at great risk to himself.
Finally without giving too much away we get a much needed new pack member, an almost pack member and a possible future pack member. Thank goodness for the new young blood! I really didn't want the pack to die out.
Frostbitten was a good read, Elena and Clay are my favourite characters with their children not far behind (I love little Logan!) and I hope to see more of them and the growing pack in future books.
In it Elena cements her feelings for Clay by admitting that she missed him whilst he was away, she confronts her past fears head on, and learns that she is strong enough if not quite ready to become Alpha. Clay is as wonderful as ever both protecting Elena and giving her the freedom of her independence. The rest of the pack also make an appearance if only towards the end. We meet two former pack members who fled the pack when Malcolm and Jeremy were fighting to become Alpha as well as the Alpha of the Russian werewolf pack who I hope we see more of in future - I'm curious to see if a proper relationship can be established between the two packs.
As for the story, a group of mutts consisting of Eastern European and American members have decided to settle in Alaska and have been killing off all werewolves on site before they move their very illegal gun-running business over. However the supposed Alpha has a penchant for raping and murdering and can't stop himself from preying on the local girls. As soon as he gets a whiff of Elena he wants her, badly. The rest revolves around rescuing a teenage werewolf called Noah, trying to stay out of the clutches of the rapist and trying to bring down the mutt-pack.
I instantly took a liking to Noah, despite his age and criminal record he was very brave and honorable when he tried to protect Elena from being raped and killed at great risk to himself.
Finally without giving too much away we get a much needed new pack member, an almost pack member and a possible future pack member. Thank goodness for the new young blood! I really didn't want the pack to die out.
Frostbitten was a good read, Elena and Clay are my favourite characters with their children not far behind (I love little Logan!) and I hope to see more of them and the growing pack in future books.
July 19, 2015
May contain spoilers
Book Blurb “The Alaskan wilderness is a harsh landscape in the best of conditions, but with a pack of rogue werewolves on the loose, it’s downright deadly. Elena Michaels, the Pack’s chief enforcer, knows all too well the havoc “mutts” can wreak. When word comes of a series of humans apparently killed by wolves near Anchorage, Elena and Clay are sent to check things out. But they find more than they bargained for among the snow and trees of the savage Alaskan wilderness.
Frostbitten focus on Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf and how she reconciles accepting herself being part of the wolf pack and learning that she has been chosen to be the future alpha of the pack. We also see her struggling to forgive Clay for turning her into a werewolf and dealing with her life with him and their children.
This is the 10th book in the Women of the Otherworld Series and the fourth that features Elena, who has come a long way from the 1st book, Bitten, and Clay.
The author has built a very interesting and compelling world and though I am sad that this is the last book of Elena’s POV, I am eagerly waiting to read more about the characters that I have become familiar with.
Book Blurb “The Alaskan wilderness is a harsh landscape in the best of conditions, but with a pack of rogue werewolves on the loose, it’s downright deadly. Elena Michaels, the Pack’s chief enforcer, knows all too well the havoc “mutts” can wreak. When word comes of a series of humans apparently killed by wolves near Anchorage, Elena and Clay are sent to check things out. But they find more than they bargained for among the snow and trees of the savage Alaskan wilderness.
Frostbitten focus on Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf and how she reconciles accepting herself being part of the wolf pack and learning that she has been chosen to be the future alpha of the pack. We also see her struggling to forgive Clay for turning her into a werewolf and dealing with her life with him and their children.
This is the 10th book in the Women of the Otherworld Series and the fourth that features Elena, who has come a long way from the 1st book, Bitten, and Clay.
Whilst I understood her feelings towards Clay, regarding her turning, I always rooted for them as a couple. Yes, Clay was a bit of a overbearing, cold and cynical guy but there was something about him that I engaged with….so I was so happy to see them finally together, married and with the most adorable twins…..
I loved seeing their relationship develop into something deep and lasting……and wow….their scenes together….in bed….hot and sexy….
The plot is fast paced, filled twists and turns, surprises, new and mysterious characters, amazing setting….just couldn’t stop turning the pages.
The author has built a very interesting and compelling world and though I am sad that this is the last book of Elena’s POV, I am eagerly waiting to read more about the characters that I have become familiar with.
July 31, 2010
Okay, okay, I was going to write a nice balanced review and all that, but let me start with my complaint.
What is it with bloody scent?
I get that Elena being the only female werewolf means that all the other male werewolves are gunning for her, either because of her or to get to Clay. If her smell, however, is an equalivent of an in heat signal that opens a host of questions. If Elena is "in heat" in wolf form than wouldn't that turn on Clay? Wouldn't it make it difficult for Elena to exist any where there was four legged pooches? Wouldn't it be, well, really messy? If it is "in heat" like in Benighted, please Mrs/Ms Armstrong make it bloody clear!
Okay, the scent idea's is good but not well thought out and it really annoyed me because I was wondering about it for most of the book.
This is a good addition to the series, much better than Personal Demon (I haven't read Living with the Dead yet because I really don't like Hope). I have to give Armstrong a huge amount of points for the following:
1. Aging her characters. It isn't little bitty aging. It's been ten years since Elena's first appearance. She is ten years older. That's cool.
2. It is nice seeing a married couple with children. Armstrong has several couples in varying degrees of commitent in her series. I enjoy this.
3. Elena as alpha, very cool.
4. Even cooler, Clay acts in character in regards to the news.
5. Elena relying more on herself than Clay.
6. Clay letting Elena take care of herself.
7. Describing fight scenes and sex scenes with the same detail.
8. Elena and Clay operating independently from each other.
Armstrong also opens up her world a bit. She even gives a plausible reason for Elena's being able to surive the bite (and opens the door for other possibilites). I'm not sure if I think the addition of shifters is totally well thought out, but I like the link to Bigfoot.
A word of warning, this book does deal, very heavily, with the issue of rape and abuse. There is attempted rape, and a frank discussion of Elena's past. If that is something you want to avoid, you are warned.
Elena has grown greatly over the course of the series becoming far more than the quasi Mary Sue she seemed to be in the first novel. (She wasn't a full out Mary Sue, but she had some of the character points of one). It's good to see that. Women of the Otherworld might be an Urban Fantasy series that has a strong dose of the romance novel in the books; however, it is a series that shows women being strong, relient, and independent.
What is it with bloody scent?
I get that Elena being the only female werewolf means that all the other male werewolves are gunning for her, either because of her or to get to Clay. If her smell, however, is an equalivent of an in heat signal that opens a host of questions. If Elena is "in heat" in wolf form than wouldn't that turn on Clay? Wouldn't it make it difficult for Elena to exist any where there was four legged pooches? Wouldn't it be, well, really messy? If it is "in heat" like in Benighted, please Mrs/Ms Armstrong make it bloody clear!
Okay, the scent idea's is good but not well thought out and it really annoyed me because I was wondering about it for most of the book.
This is a good addition to the series, much better than Personal Demon (I haven't read Living with the Dead yet because I really don't like Hope). I have to give Armstrong a huge amount of points for the following:
1. Aging her characters. It isn't little bitty aging. It's been ten years since Elena's first appearance. She is ten years older. That's cool.
2. It is nice seeing a married couple with children. Armstrong has several couples in varying degrees of commitent in her series. I enjoy this.
3. Elena as alpha, very cool.
4. Even cooler, Clay acts in character in regards to the news.
5. Elena relying more on herself than Clay.
6. Clay letting Elena take care of herself.
7. Describing fight scenes and sex scenes with the same detail.
8. Elena and Clay operating independently from each other.
Armstrong also opens up her world a bit. She even gives a plausible reason for Elena's being able to surive the bite (and opens the door for other possibilites). I'm not sure if I think the addition of shifters is totally well thought out, but I like the link to Bigfoot.
A word of warning, this book does deal, very heavily, with the issue of rape and abuse. There is attempted rape, and a frank discussion of Elena's past. If that is something you want to avoid, you are warned.
Elena has grown greatly over the course of the series becoming far more than the quasi Mary Sue she seemed to be in the first novel. (She wasn't a full out Mary Sue, but she had some of the character points of one). It's good to see that. Women of the Otherworld might be an Urban Fantasy series that has a strong dose of the romance novel in the books; however, it is a series that shows women being strong, relient, and independent.
January 19, 2019
I loved this book, ok I am biased I am a Clay fan and anything he is in I seem to love.
This book is a little different but it shows just because they had kids doesn’t mean they aren’t still an incredible team. When shit goes awry you better watch out because Clay and Elena are just around the corner to make it right.
I loved that this book was set in Alaska, it just seems like an incredible place to be and I bet the view isn’t bad either. Finding out there are more Werewolf pre-curser races is really freaking neat, and that things aren’t always as they seem.
I loved the ending getting everyone together and knowing Jeremy is ready, and Elena is warming to the idea of becoming Pack Master that is going to be one heck of a book I can’t wait.
I liked the narration, I really liked that she did Clay’s accent a lot better than any but the first have.
This book is a little different but it shows just because they had kids doesn’t mean they aren’t still an incredible team. When shit goes awry you better watch out because Clay and Elena are just around the corner to make it right.
I loved that this book was set in Alaska, it just seems like an incredible place to be and I bet the view isn’t bad either. Finding out there are more Werewolf pre-curser races is really freaking neat, and that things aren’t always as they seem.
I loved the ending getting everyone together and knowing Jeremy is ready, and Elena is warming to the idea of becoming Pack Master that is going to be one heck of a book I can’t wait.
I liked the narration, I really liked that she did Clay’s accent a lot better than any but the first have.
October 29, 2014
Great introduction to urban fantasy
This is the first of Kelley Armstrong's books that I have read. Obviously, that means that it is my first from the Otherworld series too.
Frostbitten was recommended to me by friends, despite being in a different genre to anything that I have read in my past. I really didn't think that I would enjoy it too much, but I was more than pleasantly surprised. I would therefore thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has not tried this genre before.
There is a strong plot, and there are masses of strong characters who interact amaxzingly well. There are goodies and baddies, adn there are those who fall in between the two.
Elena is the pack leader (alpha) elect, and she has a relatively normal relationship with her beta male husband, and they have childre n who spend their time wondering where Mum and Dad are. In this book, they have pursued a mutt, who doesn't realise that their intentions are all positively weighted in his direction, to Alaska. However, when they arrive in the frozen north, they are confronted by much bigger problems than they expected. There is absolutely no choice for them other than to clear up the mess, and they put themselves in terrible danger in doing so.
I love the desciptions of the fighting and of the sex scenes. Both have just the right level of detail. Even better, for me, are the graphic descriptions of how it feels to change from human into wolf and back again. The pros and cons of being in each form are brought out very well too.
This book is a great introduction to the genre, and I shall definitely be picking up others, especially from this author.
This is the first of Kelley Armstrong's books that I have read. Obviously, that means that it is my first from the Otherworld series too.
Frostbitten was recommended to me by friends, despite being in a different genre to anything that I have read in my past. I really didn't think that I would enjoy it too much, but I was more than pleasantly surprised. I would therefore thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has not tried this genre before.
There is a strong plot, and there are masses of strong characters who interact amaxzingly well. There are goodies and baddies, adn there are those who fall in between the two.
Elena is the pack leader (alpha) elect, and she has a relatively normal relationship with her beta male husband, and they have childre n who spend their time wondering where Mum and Dad are. In this book, they have pursued a mutt, who doesn't realise that their intentions are all positively weighted in his direction, to Alaska. However, when they arrive in the frozen north, they are confronted by much bigger problems than they expected. There is absolutely no choice for them other than to clear up the mess, and they put themselves in terrible danger in doing so.
I love the desciptions of the fighting and of the sex scenes. Both have just the right level of detail. Even better, for me, are the graphic descriptions of how it feels to change from human into wolf and back again. The pros and cons of being in each form are brought out very well too.
This book is a great introduction to the genre, and I shall definitely be picking up others, especially from this author.
December 23, 2012
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Elena Michaels is my favourite Women of the Otherworld narrator and listening to her poignant point of view via audio this second time around made me love Frostbitten even more. Jen Taylor had me hanging on her every word because she reads this story as though it were her own. I only have one complaint with this novel and it’s that it was over far too soon.
Reading this book a second time was bitter sweet for me because on the one hand, I love Kelley Armstrong’s wolves and am ecstatic to be revisiting them but on the other, I know that this is the last installment in this series that features Elena as the narrator and it wasn’t nearly long enough for my liking. Compared to her other novels, this one felt more like a novella than a full length book; the plot is rather basic and the tone is much lighter than its predecessors. I did enjoy the descriptiveness of Armstrong’s writing in this installment as well as the playfulness that Alaska brought out in Clay and Elena but I couldn’t help but feel cheated. I wanted more.
Elena has come full circle as a character and Frostbitten really brings that to the forefront by sharing bits of her past, present and future. This installment was kind of a mini-recap of Michael’s life as a werewolf because it showcases aspects of her relationship with Clay, experiences as a mother and future role as alpha. It also revisits her life as a foster child by dredging up painful memories and putting her in situations that force her to confront her traumatic upbringing. These are the parts where Jen Taylor’s narration really shined; I could hear Elena’s distress in her voice, the pregnant pauses and contemplative quietness mirrored Armstrong’s writing beautifully.
Clay and Elena’s relationship is another element that has come a long way since Bitten and I enjoyed seeing them finally getting to experience their HEA. There’s an open line of communication between them which is something that they’ve struggled with in the past. Their dialogues about Michael’s struggles with alphahood and Clay’s inability to be the pack enforcer he once was were some of my favourite parts. It has been a long upward battle but I think that they’ve finally found their “happy place” and that’s more important to me than the overall ending of the Women of the Otherworld series.
I probably won’t be re-reading this series a third time because Armstrong’s other characters didn’t succeed in capturing me quite like her werewolves have. The only books that I’ll never grow tired of are the ones that feature Clay and Elena, and Frostbitten is one of them.
Elena Michaels is my favourite Women of the Otherworld narrator and listening to her poignant point of view via audio this second time around made me love Frostbitten even more. Jen Taylor had me hanging on her every word because she reads this story as though it were her own. I only have one complaint with this novel and it’s that it was over far too soon.
Reading this book a second time was bitter sweet for me because on the one hand, I love Kelley Armstrong’s wolves and am ecstatic to be revisiting them but on the other, I know that this is the last installment in this series that features Elena as the narrator and it wasn’t nearly long enough for my liking. Compared to her other novels, this one felt more like a novella than a full length book; the plot is rather basic and the tone is much lighter than its predecessors. I did enjoy the descriptiveness of Armstrong’s writing in this installment as well as the playfulness that Alaska brought out in Clay and Elena but I couldn’t help but feel cheated. I wanted more.
Elena has come full circle as a character and Frostbitten really brings that to the forefront by sharing bits of her past, present and future. This installment was kind of a mini-recap of Michael’s life as a werewolf because it showcases aspects of her relationship with Clay, experiences as a mother and future role as alpha. It also revisits her life as a foster child by dredging up painful memories and putting her in situations that force her to confront her traumatic upbringing. These are the parts where Jen Taylor’s narration really shined; I could hear Elena’s distress in her voice, the pregnant pauses and contemplative quietness mirrored Armstrong’s writing beautifully.
Clay and Elena’s relationship is another element that has come a long way since Bitten and I enjoyed seeing them finally getting to experience their HEA. There’s an open line of communication between them which is something that they’ve struggled with in the past. Their dialogues about Michael’s struggles with alphahood and Clay’s inability to be the pack enforcer he once was were some of my favourite parts. It has been a long upward battle but I think that they’ve finally found their “happy place” and that’s more important to me than the overall ending of the Women of the Otherworld series.
I probably won’t be re-reading this series a third time because Armstrong’s other characters didn’t succeed in capturing me quite like her werewolves have. The only books that I’ll never grow tired of are the ones that feature Clay and Elena, and Frostbitten is one of them.
September 9, 2020
Frostbitten
3 Stars
***Warning: Spoilers Ahead***
Elena Michaels and her husband, Clay Danvers, travel to Alaska in pursuit of a young werewolf. Soon they run afoul of a gang of rogue Mutts with their own agenda. If that weren't bad enough, there is something ancient, unnatural and disturbing loose in the dark forests of the Alaskan wilderness.
Despite several engaging characters and compelling plotlines in the first few books, Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld has been hit or miss for me, and the last couple of books have been DNFs mainly due to their focus on bland and uninteresting secondary or even completely new characters. Unfortunately, Elena and Clay's return in Frostbitten dashed my expectations for a return to the series initial appeal as there are several problems with the story.
To begin with, the intriguing premise of an ancient supernatural being haunting the Alaskan wilderness devolves into a ridiculous Goldilocks and the Three Bears meets The Hendersons scenario. The tension and suspense inherent to the threat posed by the mysterious creatures vanish completely when their true identity is revealed.
Second, the rape trope is an infuriating and unnecessary plot device. Its inclusion contributes nothing to either Elena's characterization or the rogue Mutt narrative. This might be harsh, but using this trope is an overused and lazy method for adding drama and angst to the conflict, which would be better served by not undermining the heroine's strengths and skills with this cliché.
Third, the last few chapters are a repetitive mess of catch and release situations as Elena is repeatedly captured, escapes and is recaptured - seriously?! Did the author need to fulfill a page requirement?
Finally, the blurb hints at a conflict between Elena and Clay with regard to the future Alpha position in the pack. However, this never materializes in the book itself as the issue is resolved quickly with a simple conversation. So why include it at all?
Overall, this is a disappointing addition to the series and I can only hope that the last three installments focusing on Savannah and her powers will be better.
3 Stars
***Warning: Spoilers Ahead***
Elena Michaels and her husband, Clay Danvers, travel to Alaska in pursuit of a young werewolf. Soon they run afoul of a gang of rogue Mutts with their own agenda. If that weren't bad enough, there is something ancient, unnatural and disturbing loose in the dark forests of the Alaskan wilderness.
Despite several engaging characters and compelling plotlines in the first few books, Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld has been hit or miss for me, and the last couple of books have been DNFs mainly due to their focus on bland and uninteresting secondary or even completely new characters. Unfortunately, Elena and Clay's return in Frostbitten dashed my expectations for a return to the series initial appeal as there are several problems with the story.
To begin with, the intriguing premise of an ancient supernatural being haunting the Alaskan wilderness devolves into a ridiculous Goldilocks and the Three Bears meets The Hendersons scenario. The tension and suspense inherent to the threat posed by the mysterious creatures vanish completely when their true identity is revealed.
Second, the rape trope is an infuriating and unnecessary plot device. Its inclusion contributes nothing to either Elena's characterization or the rogue Mutt narrative. This might be harsh, but using this trope is an overused and lazy method for adding drama and angst to the conflict, which would be better served by not undermining the heroine's strengths and skills with this cliché.
Third, the last few chapters are a repetitive mess of catch and release situations as Elena is repeatedly captured, escapes and is recaptured - seriously?! Did the author need to fulfill a page requirement?
Finally, the blurb hints at a conflict between Elena and Clay with regard to the future Alpha position in the pack. However, this never materializes in the book itself as the issue is resolved quickly with a simple conversation. So why include it at all?
Overall, this is a disappointing addition to the series and I can only hope that the last three installments focusing on Savannah and her powers will be better.
April 30, 2019
Elena is back! And this time she is taking no shit.
When I first started the Women of the Otherworld series, Elena was my least favorite character. I just felt that I did not connect with her, and I really need to connect to a character to really enjoy their story. So when it does come to Elena’s book popping up into the series, I cannot say I am joyful.
However, if I can complement an author on character development, Armstrong has done wonders with Elena. How she has grown from the first novel, and not just Elena but the whole pack. Frostbitten was a joy to read. There was lots of new thrown into old, new settings, new villains, new species based around old characters, old friendships and same old pack. A fantastic combination. I actually really enjoyed the story line, at no point could I see where this was going, and I actually thought Elena and her pack was done for at one point.
The setting of this novel plays a key part to the story in that it is set in Anchorage, Alaska. Think cold, lots of snow, ice and lots of layered clothing. It brought something new to the series, and of course created a whole new dynamic to Clay and Elena as they not only had to battle with the villains but with the terrain. Armstrong’s description of the snowy landscape is wonderful to read, she really sets the atmosphere.
I did give this 3 stars, mainly because with this novel it did feel a bit narrated. A bit too much explaining instead of letting the story play out. It’s a good book but would I love it as much if I read it as a standalone? Probably not, Maybe I am warming to the pack more than I would like to admit, but it wasn’t down to this book so 3 stars from me.
When I first started the Women of the Otherworld series, Elena was my least favorite character. I just felt that I did not connect with her, and I really need to connect to a character to really enjoy their story. So when it does come to Elena’s book popping up into the series, I cannot say I am joyful.
However, if I can complement an author on character development, Armstrong has done wonders with Elena. How she has grown from the first novel, and not just Elena but the whole pack. Frostbitten was a joy to read. There was lots of new thrown into old, new settings, new villains, new species based around old characters, old friendships and same old pack. A fantastic combination. I actually really enjoyed the story line, at no point could I see where this was going, and I actually thought Elena and her pack was done for at one point.
The setting of this novel plays a key part to the story in that it is set in Anchorage, Alaska. Think cold, lots of snow, ice and lots of layered clothing. It brought something new to the series, and of course created a whole new dynamic to Clay and Elena as they not only had to battle with the villains but with the terrain. Armstrong’s description of the snowy landscape is wonderful to read, she really sets the atmosphere.
I did give this 3 stars, mainly because with this novel it did feel a bit narrated. A bit too much explaining instead of letting the story play out. It’s a good book but would I love it as much if I read it as a standalone? Probably not, Maybe I am warming to the pack more than I would like to admit, but it wasn’t down to this book so 3 stars from me.
November 20, 2018
ACTUAL RATING 3.5 STARS
Nick had said I was allowed to have a soft spot. I’d been certain I had only one, and Tesler had found it. But there were more ways to hurt me. Come after Clay. Come after my children. Come after my pack.
I had soft spots, Mutts would always target them. All I could do was shore up my defenses. Protect my pack. Protect my children. Protect my mate. And, yes, protect myself.
Elena has had a hard time acclimatising to being a werewolf, but she is getting to a place where she finally feels okay. And then that gets thrown up in the air with an offer of alpha, a letter from a foster father, and a handful of dead girls.
On the run after a mutt, only female werewolf in existence, Elena, and her mate, and person who bit her, Clay, travel to Alaska to track down a mutt (werewolf without a pack) who is being tracked by other more dangerous mutts. While in Alaska, Elena finds missing girls, a strange werewolf who runs with an actual wolf pack, a pack of Russian werewolves come to claim Alaska for their own, and a mysterious and legendary beast that owns the forest. The story weaved together quite well, and contained equal parts action, down time, and character driven sequences. The plot was secondary to Elena’s transformation though, with the events just serving to get her to the next part of her life.
The first half of the book was a decent enough urban fantasy, but the second half was pretty much ‘watch Elena almost get raped, escape, almost get raped again, and repeat.’ I get that Elena had to face her past, and feel that sense of hopelessness in order to overcome it, but it was a bit much. It just wasn’t that great to read, especially given it just happened again and again and again. Elena is a very strong protagonist, the best out of the Women of the Otherworld series, and this book seems to take her to the next level. She took a big step, and I’m proud of her. She’s closer to alpha now, but that still might mean things will change for her.
I loved coming back to Elena, where it all started, with the pack taking centre stage and the extended cast of characters taking a back seat. While some of the plot was trying at times, the story as a whole moved forward, and given the end of the series is near, that is a very good thing.
Nick had said I was allowed to have a soft spot. I’d been certain I had only one, and Tesler had found it. But there were more ways to hurt me. Come after Clay. Come after my children. Come after my pack.
I had soft spots, Mutts would always target them. All I could do was shore up my defenses. Protect my pack. Protect my children. Protect my mate. And, yes, protect myself.
Elena has had a hard time acclimatising to being a werewolf, but she is getting to a place where she finally feels okay. And then that gets thrown up in the air with an offer of alpha, a letter from a foster father, and a handful of dead girls.
On the run after a mutt, only female werewolf in existence, Elena, and her mate, and person who bit her, Clay, travel to Alaska to track down a mutt (werewolf without a pack) who is being tracked by other more dangerous mutts. While in Alaska, Elena finds missing girls, a strange werewolf who runs with an actual wolf pack, a pack of Russian werewolves come to claim Alaska for their own, and a mysterious and legendary beast that owns the forest. The story weaved together quite well, and contained equal parts action, down time, and character driven sequences. The plot was secondary to Elena’s transformation though, with the events just serving to get her to the next part of her life.
The first half of the book was a decent enough urban fantasy, but the second half was pretty much ‘watch Elena almost get raped, escape, almost get raped again, and repeat.’ I get that Elena had to face her past, and feel that sense of hopelessness in order to overcome it, but it was a bit much. It just wasn’t that great to read, especially given it just happened again and again and again. Elena is a very strong protagonist, the best out of the Women of the Otherworld series, and this book seems to take her to the next level. She took a big step, and I’m proud of her. She’s closer to alpha now, but that still might mean things will change for her.
I loved coming back to Elena, where it all started, with the pack taking centre stage and the extended cast of characters taking a back seat. While some of the plot was trying at times, the story as a whole moved forward, and given the end of the series is near, that is a very good thing.
December 15, 2012
I have to say that I seriously enjoyed this one. It was great to see that the Pack may be evolving.
Jeremy has officially asked Elena to become Alpha when he steps down. The way Elena and Clay discuss this and decide how to handle this while being mates was-for those two-surprisingly civil and mature. Their relationship really has come a long way. I love seeing them be open with each other. While they held back at some points, they always eventually discussed what was bothering them. I couldn't stand them as a couple in book 1, now, I really like them together.
The book starts off with Elena chasing down a young mutt trying to warn him that some other mutts are out to kill him. The chase takes her to Alaska where she and Clay find more mutts and humans supposedly killed by wolves. That's not all the find there. Things get really weird while up in Alaska. They find some kind of wolf beasts and a werewolf running with an actual pack of wolves. To add to that, they find the Stillwaters, only they find Dennis murdered and Joey extremely uncooperative. They soon find out the reason for this and things get even more complicated.
To top that all off, Elena had received an unexpected letter while Clay was in Atlanta and it stirs up old fears from her childhood. To make that even worse, one of the mutts they find in Alaska is damned determine to rape her which makes her feel even worse.
I had not expected for things to play out the way they did, except for the dead mutts. The Pack couldn't let those fools live and I was cheering for Elena when she got rid of those dickheads. They got what they deserved. What I hadn't expected was the whole Pack to show up (along with their potential new member) and have them help out. I was glad of it, though. I really like Reese and I missed Antonio and Nick. And then there was the surprise from Joey (that guy was a huge disappointment), but Noah made up for that. I'm glad the Pack will be taking him in. And maybe down the line, the werewolf they found running with that wolf pack may even join them some day.
The highlights of the book for me, though were any scenes with Kate and Logan. The twins are so adorable.
Jeremy has officially asked Elena to become Alpha when he steps down. The way Elena and Clay discuss this and decide how to handle this while being mates was-for those two-surprisingly civil and mature. Their relationship really has come a long way. I love seeing them be open with each other. While they held back at some points, they always eventually discussed what was bothering them. I couldn't stand them as a couple in book 1, now, I really like them together.
The book starts off with Elena chasing down a young mutt trying to warn him that some other mutts are out to kill him. The chase takes her to Alaska where she and Clay find more mutts and humans supposedly killed by wolves. That's not all the find there. Things get really weird while up in Alaska. They find some kind of wolf beasts and a werewolf running with an actual pack of wolves. To add to that, they find the Stillwaters, only they find Dennis murdered and Joey extremely uncooperative. They soon find out the reason for this and things get even more complicated.
To top that all off, Elena had received an unexpected letter while Clay was in Atlanta and it stirs up old fears from her childhood. To make that even worse, one of the mutts they find in Alaska is damned determine to rape her which makes her feel even worse.
I had not expected for things to play out the way they did, except for the dead mutts. The Pack couldn't let those fools live and I was cheering for Elena when she got rid of those dickheads. They got what they deserved. What I hadn't expected was the whole Pack to show up (along with their potential new member) and have them help out. I was glad of it, though. I really like Reese and I missed Antonio and Nick. And then there was the surprise from Joey (that guy was a huge disappointment), but Noah made up for that. I'm glad the Pack will be taking him in. And maybe down the line, the werewolf they found running with that wolf pack may even join them some day.
The highlights of the book for me, though were any scenes with Kate and Logan. The twins are so adorable.
October 5, 2009
You CAN go home again!
While Kelley Armstrong has never traveled too far afield from the werewolf clan that started the Women of the Otherworld series in Bittenthere have been many characters and storylines added since then. But, coming back to Elena and Clay was like a GOOD trip back to the place you called home. You can see how they've grown and changed over the years, but some part of them is still the same couple that I remember. And, even beyond the relationship aspect of the book, the plot and the mystery and the action was as good as it has ever been. If you're looking for a straight romance book, this will disappoint you. The "couple" after all, is married with children already. This isn't a boy meets girl kind of book, although some of her books are heavy on that element. This is a boy and girl battle snow, beasties, bad guys, kick ass, have sex, save the day kind of book. But, if you're an Armstrong fan, you already knew that, right?
While there are some mentions of other characters, this is a Clay and Elena book. No Paige, No Lucas, No Savannah, etc. You get the picture. So, if those are your favorites, just know you won't find them here. A couple of new, potentially future main characters were introduced and I found myself loving them both. I was recently in Anchorage (2007) and could practically feel the place through Armstrong's scenery descriptions. I felt like I was back there. They felt like visitors, having the same experiences (for the most part) that I had when I was there. Even Reindeer sausage was mentioned (although I didn't try it like Clay and Elena did.)
Overall, reading this book made me happy. I enjoyed every part of it, was up late three nights in a row reading, and am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. All of these are good signs that whatever it is Armstrong is using to power this series, it is still going strong.
While Kelley Armstrong has never traveled too far afield from the werewolf clan that started the Women of the Otherworld series in Bittenthere have been many characters and storylines added since then. But, coming back to Elena and Clay was like a GOOD trip back to the place you called home. You can see how they've grown and changed over the years, but some part of them is still the same couple that I remember. And, even beyond the relationship aspect of the book, the plot and the mystery and the action was as good as it has ever been. If you're looking for a straight romance book, this will disappoint you. The "couple" after all, is married with children already. This isn't a boy meets girl kind of book, although some of her books are heavy on that element. This is a boy and girl battle snow, beasties, bad guys, kick ass, have sex, save the day kind of book. But, if you're an Armstrong fan, you already knew that, right?
While there are some mentions of other characters, this is a Clay and Elena book. No Paige, No Lucas, No Savannah, etc. You get the picture. So, if those are your favorites, just know you won't find them here. A couple of new, potentially future main characters were introduced and I found myself loving them both. I was recently in Anchorage (2007) and could practically feel the place through Armstrong's scenery descriptions. I felt like I was back there. They felt like visitors, having the same experiences (for the most part) that I had when I was there. Even Reindeer sausage was mentioned (although I didn't try it like Clay and Elena did.)
Overall, reading this book made me happy. I enjoyed every part of it, was up late three nights in a row reading, and am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. All of these are good signs that whatever it is Armstrong is using to power this series, it is still going strong.
June 25, 2011
My beloved Clay and Elena are back and they're doing what they do best... tracking mutts. The story begins with Elena trying to catch up with a young Aussie wolf named Reese, who is being set up to take the fall for some man-eaters. (Armstrong set up a backstory for Reese in the short story "Chivalrous," but you don't have to read it to know what's going on.) She follows him to Alaska, where he is promptly attacked by mutts living there. Elena patches him up and faces the task of finding the mutts to deal with them.
She and Clay also have a side-mission while they're there. Two former Pack members (Dennis and Joey, who we met in the short story "Ascension") are living in Alaska, but Jeremy is worried about them because they have fallen out of touch. We discover quickly that Dennis is dead... killed by the mutts... giving Clay and Elena more incentive to track them down. Adding to the trouble: some missing girls and some unexplained wolf-kills. How much are the mutts responsible for? And what is the strange shifter that Dennis was researching before he died?
This book was fantastic. There was a lot of action, but there was plenty of introspection for Elena as well. She's finally aware of Jeremy's plan to make her Alpha. Is that really what she wants? And what will that mean for her and Clay? Beyond that, she is finally facing some of the demons from her childhood... at first in an intangible way, but later, in ways that are all too real.
It was all very satisfying.... kind of like coming home after the departure of Living With the Dead. I love that Elena is finally embracing her feelings for Clay and accepting who she is. I really enjoy watching them as a couple... their fire, their commitment... just everything. It was also great fun to meet new werewolves who could expand the Pack. 5 stars.
She and Clay also have a side-mission while they're there. Two former Pack members (Dennis and Joey, who we met in the short story "Ascension") are living in Alaska, but Jeremy is worried about them because they have fallen out of touch. We discover quickly that Dennis is dead... killed by the mutts... giving Clay and Elena more incentive to track them down. Adding to the trouble: some missing girls and some unexplained wolf-kills. How much are the mutts responsible for? And what is the strange shifter that Dennis was researching before he died?
This book was fantastic. There was a lot of action, but there was plenty of introspection for Elena as well. She's finally aware of Jeremy's plan to make her Alpha. Is that really what she wants? And what will that mean for her and Clay? Beyond that, she is finally facing some of the demons from her childhood... at first in an intangible way, but later, in ways that are all too real.
It was all very satisfying.... kind of like coming home after the departure of Living With the Dead. I love that Elena is finally embracing her feelings for Clay and accepting who she is. I really enjoy watching them as a couple... their fire, their commitment... just everything. It was also great fun to meet new werewolves who could expand the Pack. 5 stars.
September 28, 2009
Wow! Frostbitten, the 10th novel in the Women of the Otherworld series gets my vote for best novel of the series so far! Frostbitten is told from Elena’s point of view, taking us back to our original (and my personal favourite) narrator. The story is set predominantly in Alaska, and features Elena and Clay almost exclusively. We do get to touch base with some of our other much-loved Werewolves, and we also get to meet some fantastic new characters that I hope we’ll be seeing more of in future stories.
Right from the first page, Frostbitten is filled with action, intrigue and excitement, and of course… a little bit of romance. (What else would you expect from a book featuring Elena and Clay??) I don’t want to give any of the juicy plot away so I’ll stop there, but I’m quite sure that fans of the Women of the Otherworld series will love Frostbitten, while fans of supernatural fiction in general, could enjoy it as a great standalone novel as well. Don’t miss Frostbitten!
Right from the first page, Frostbitten is filled with action, intrigue and excitement, and of course… a little bit of romance. (What else would you expect from a book featuring Elena and Clay??) I don’t want to give any of the juicy plot away so I’ll stop there, but I’m quite sure that fans of the Women of the Otherworld series will love Frostbitten, while fans of supernatural fiction in general, could enjoy it as a great standalone novel as well. Don’t miss Frostbitten!
October 19, 2019
Frostbitten - Best of Clay and Elena so far - Great addition to Armstong's series
When the mutt Elena is chasing flees to Alaska, Pack enforcers werewolf Elena and her mate Clay are asked to do double duty and also check into some wolf mauling deaths in the frozen North - they suspect rogue 'weres' are behind the killings. As their search expands to include the mysterious disappearance of an old friend living the area, the pair is going to discover that that much is hidden in isolated Alaskan wildness and for once this hunt may present more of a challenge to the notoriously powerful pair when the hunters become the hunted.
There is a great deal going on in Frostbitten, Elena especially ends up fighting for her life and it's a close thing. And with an adversary who brings one of the ghosts of Elena's past to light with his plan to violate Elena before killing her, the battle for Elena here is just as much a mental one as a physical one. There are no easy wins in Frostbitten, as their enemy is smart enough to separate the pair.
Frostbitten also finally provides some growth for the Clay and Elena, as they are forced to work through their feelings about what Elena being named successor to Jeremy as Pack alpha will mean to their relationship and their family - Clay's dilemma was especially interesting to me as he tries to figure out how he will adapt his role as pack protector to meet the challenge of a fading reputation when he is no longer 100% physically and has so much more to protect.
Frostbitten is my favorite of book of the Armstrong's women of the Underworld series in quite a while, despite the fact that Elena and Clay are not my favorite pairing - normally I don't like them anywhere near as well as Paige and Lucas - but they are really good here. Next up is Eve in a hardcover novella in December 2009.
When the mutt Elena is chasing flees to Alaska, Pack enforcers werewolf Elena and her mate Clay are asked to do double duty and also check into some wolf mauling deaths in the frozen North - they suspect rogue 'weres' are behind the killings. As their search expands to include the mysterious disappearance of an old friend living the area, the pair is going to discover that that much is hidden in isolated Alaskan wildness and for once this hunt may present more of a challenge to the notoriously powerful pair when the hunters become the hunted.
There is a great deal going on in Frostbitten, Elena especially ends up fighting for her life and it's a close thing. And with an adversary who brings one of the ghosts of Elena's past to light with his plan to violate Elena before killing her, the battle for Elena here is just as much a mental one as a physical one. There are no easy wins in Frostbitten, as their enemy is smart enough to separate the pair.
Frostbitten also finally provides some growth for the Clay and Elena, as they are forced to work through their feelings about what Elena being named successor to Jeremy as Pack alpha will mean to their relationship and their family - Clay's dilemma was especially interesting to me as he tries to figure out how he will adapt his role as pack protector to meet the challenge of a fading reputation when he is no longer 100% physically and has so much more to protect.
Frostbitten is my favorite of book of the Armstrong's women of the Underworld series in quite a while, despite the fact that Elena and Clay are not my favorite pairing - normally I don't like them anywhere near as well as Paige and Lucas - but they are really good here. Next up is Eve in a hardcover novella in December 2009.
August 1, 2019
Stars 3.5
September 24, 2019
My least favourite Otherworld book, even though Elena is one of my favourite characters. Completely skippable.
It wasn't until I read the last three books in the series recently that I realized I had missed something somewhere, due to the mention of Alaska and two new young wolves in the Pack. I could have sworn I had read this book but somehow I missed it - so I made a special effort to track it down.
This is the Alaska book. The title, I suspect, is meant to mimic the very first book that started the series: Bitten. Elena, werewolf, leaves her cute four-year-old twins with Jeremy and Jamie to go chasing after a clueless Australian mutt named Reese Williams. Elena wants to warn him that he's fallen in with a bad duo of mutts and that his life is in very real danger but Elena's reputation as the Pack Protector precedes her and Reese won't stop running.
Elena gives chase long after it's sensible, and wily Reese hops a plane to Alaska. It's her first real solo hunt since the birth of the twins, and part of Elena revels in the freedom that a break from family life brings. When Jeremy asks Elena to check in on two ex-pack members living in Alaska, Elena enlists Clay's help and jumps at the chance to kill two birds with one stone.
But very quickly, Elena finds herself in over her head, dealing with rogues, Inuit shapeshifters, murders and two Russian mutts intending to claim Alaska as their territory. The pair of mutts are so inept that they would be laughable if they weren't so creepy and unlikeable.
Long time series readers like myself have always known that Elena had a very traumatic past as a foster child. At the start of the book she receives a letter from one of her worst foster fathers claiming to "seek forgiveness." It leaves Elena badly off balance and throws her off her game, bringing back bad memories that she just can't shake.
Having just learned that she is the Pack's Alpha-elect, Elena is worried that the invisible scars - which go deeper than she realized - are a weakness she can ill afford. She worries that her past makes her unfit to be Alpha. The events serve to help her recover her balance and realize that she is strong enough to lead the Pack.
All very well and good. HOWEVER the way that this was accomplished is horrendous and clumsy.
In short, Elena does not act like Elena. It's like she's trapped in a nightmare and is her scared inner child again instead of the deadly, capably, practical fighter we have all learned to love. Where is her werewolf super strength? Since when can regular ropes hold her?
This is a dark, depressing and uncomfortable read. I'm glad Elena regained the confidence I hadn't realized she'd lost, but unless you are a series completist, this is a book you can easily skip.
It wasn't until I read the last three books in the series recently that I realized I had missed something somewhere, due to the mention of Alaska and two new young wolves in the Pack. I could have sworn I had read this book but somehow I missed it - so I made a special effort to track it down.
This is the Alaska book. The title, I suspect, is meant to mimic the very first book that started the series: Bitten. Elena, werewolf, leaves her cute four-year-old twins with Jeremy and Jamie to go chasing after a clueless Australian mutt named Reese Williams. Elena wants to warn him that he's fallen in with a bad duo of mutts and that his life is in very real danger but Elena's reputation as the Pack Protector precedes her and Reese won't stop running.
Elena gives chase long after it's sensible, and wily Reese hops a plane to Alaska. It's her first real solo hunt since the birth of the twins, and part of Elena revels in the freedom that a break from family life brings. When Jeremy asks Elena to check in on two ex-pack members living in Alaska, Elena enlists Clay's help and jumps at the chance to kill two birds with one stone.
But very quickly, Elena finds herself in over her head, dealing with rogues, Inuit shapeshifters, murders and two Russian mutts intending to claim Alaska as their territory. The pair of mutts are so inept that they would be laughable if they weren't so creepy and unlikeable.
Long time series readers like myself have always known that Elena had a very traumatic past as a foster child. At the start of the book she receives a letter from one of her worst foster fathers claiming to "seek forgiveness." It leaves Elena badly off balance and throws her off her game, bringing back bad memories that she just can't shake.
Having just learned that she is the Pack's Alpha-elect, Elena is worried that the invisible scars - which go deeper than she realized - are a weakness she can ill afford. She worries that her past makes her unfit to be Alpha. The events serve to help her recover her balance and realize that she is strong enough to lead the Pack.
All very well and good. HOWEVER the way that this was accomplished is horrendous and clumsy.
In short, Elena does not act like Elena. It's like she's trapped in a nightmare and is her scared inner child again instead of the deadly, capably, practical fighter we have all learned to love. Where is her werewolf super strength? Since when can regular ropes hold her?
This is a dark, depressing and uncomfortable read. I'm glad Elena regained the confidence I hadn't realized she'd lost, but unless you are a series completist, this is a book you can easily skip.
February 3, 2022
Kelley Armstrong has had me hooked from the first book in the Women of the Otherworld series. I have my favourites in the series and am always excited to go back to them. After returning to some of my favourite characters in Frostbitten, I decided I’d been a bit generous with my four-star ratings of the last couple of books. Frostbitten was a strong four-star read with some five-star moments, and it stands out compared to the recent books in the series. Part of me blames this on the fact that I favour some characters over others, but it does make me feel like I opted to round my three-star ratings up a little too easily.
Enough about the whole series and back to this one. Although this could be read as a standalone – the story within it is complete – I would recommend reading the series in order. It is wonderful to go back to characters who have grown so much since they were first introduced, seeing how things have developed over the years, and to fall back in love with them. There has been so much growth for them throughout the series, and there is even more growth for them in this book. We deal with demons from the past, monsters of the present, and there is foreboding of drama in the future. Mixed with the storyline that plays out in this one, the way it offers more for the overall world, and Kelley Armstrong has given another story that hooks throughout. In fact, I devoured it in no time at all, unable to put it down once I started, which is how the early books in the series had me feeling.
Without a doubt, Frostbitten is a return to the higher standard that Kelley Armstrong offered with the early books in the Women of the Otherworld series. I cannot wait to see how things play out in the next few books.
Enough about the whole series and back to this one. Although this could be read as a standalone – the story within it is complete – I would recommend reading the series in order. It is wonderful to go back to characters who have grown so much since they were first introduced, seeing how things have developed over the years, and to fall back in love with them. There has been so much growth for them throughout the series, and there is even more growth for them in this book. We deal with demons from the past, monsters of the present, and there is foreboding of drama in the future. Mixed with the storyline that plays out in this one, the way it offers more for the overall world, and Kelley Armstrong has given another story that hooks throughout. In fact, I devoured it in no time at all, unable to put it down once I started, which is how the early books in the series had me feeling.
Without a doubt, Frostbitten is a return to the higher standard that Kelley Armstrong offered with the early books in the Women of the Otherworld series. I cannot wait to see how things play out in the next few books.
March 11, 2018
Attention spoilers !!!!!
Grosse déception que ce tome qui pour moi est le tome de trop pour la meute.
Il y a du bon: l’Alaska, pays encore très sauvage où l’idée d’une meute de loups garous « néandertaliens » est très intéressante voir celle du garou vivant parmi les loups ... malheureusement tout ça n’est qu’effleurée au profit d’une énième chasse aux renégats... le tout mâtiné d’une tentative de viol à chaque chapitre.
Enfin gros point noir pour moi : Elena
Je n’aime généralement pas les personnages torturés mais j’avais apprécié son évolution.... sauf qu’au final je trouve qu’on nous la montre comme badass, le future alpha mouais ... en fait je la trouve bien plus faible que Paige la sorcière....
Bref une grosse déception surtout parce que j’adore cette auteure.
Grosse déception que ce tome qui pour moi est le tome de trop pour la meute.
Il y a du bon: l’Alaska, pays encore très sauvage où l’idée d’une meute de loups garous « néandertaliens » est très intéressante voir celle du garou vivant parmi les loups ... malheureusement tout ça n’est qu’effleurée au profit d’une énième chasse aux renégats... le tout mâtiné d’une tentative de viol à chaque chapitre.
Enfin gros point noir pour moi : Elena
Je n’aime généralement pas les personnages torturés mais j’avais apprécié son évolution.... sauf qu’au final je trouve qu’on nous la montre comme badass, le future alpha mouais ... en fait je la trouve bien plus faible que Paige la sorcière....
Bref une grosse déception surtout parce que j’adore cette auteure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2018
j'ai un peu moins aimé que prévu, il y a de nouveaux personnages intéressant mais qui sont survolés au profit d'une traque un peu longuette et répétitive (et au bout d'un moment, même Elena arrête d'avoir peur et fini par être blasée par le gars qui tente de la violer toutes les 3 secondes... j'exagère un poil mais pas trop). Sinon tout le pack a eu une chouette évolution au fil des années, et ça c'est vraiment bien !
August 14, 2020
Major trigger warnings for rape
Well, not quite sure what to make of this one. It was so slow. Usually I like the ones with Elena, but not this one. And, honestly, rape was way too big a factor in this book.
This is why I usually stick to YA
Well, not quite sure what to make of this one. It was so slow. Usually I like the ones with Elena, but not this one. And, honestly, rape was way too big a factor in this book.
This is why I usually stick to YA
August 19, 2010
Yes!!!!! After a few duds, Armstrong has once again hit one out of the park by returning to her roots, characters Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers. Thank vati! While Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series was not my first introduction to her writing, books 1 Bitten and 2Stolen were certainly my favorite books written by her, I think, maybe, I don’t know. Anyway, my love was no doubt due to the fabby and oh so enticing couple of Elena and Clayton. I had originally thought that anything written about these two was golden, but after reading Broken, I was no longer so sure. After reading another Armstrong letdown, I really became reluctant to read Frostbitten, terrified that my admiration for Elena, and my lust worthy hunk Clayton would be further tainted by stupid plot points, Mary Sue-ish like happy endings, etc. But alas, the moment my eyes set their sights on the Mass Market version of this treat of a book, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to indulge. It was worth every cent of the $7.99 purchase price. It would have been worth the original $26.00 truth being told.
I’m not going to summarize the story, mainly because I’m lazy, and a good summary requires effort. Besides, I’m pretty certain about 30 other reviewers have done so already. I’m guessing you get the nub and gist of what goes down. What I want to make certain you know is that this book is everything we have come to expect from Armstrong. Frostbitten contains a compelling plot that will have you hastily turning the pages, refusing to go to bed until you’ve found a suitable stopping point. Shrouded in mystery, suspense, romance, a bit of violence and all that other fun stuff, Frostbitten would have been a great book in its own right even if it didn’t contain one of urban fantasies hottest couples. Luckily for us readers, it does. Elena and Clay still have that witty banter we devoured in Bitten but it is now knowingly delivered in love and jest. Sounds sappy I know, but it goes down easy I swear. I don’t do sappy. Well, not with these two. Also, the twins have conveniently been left at home, so for the most part, I can forget that our steamy duo are parents. This helps me with the ick factor as I do not like to think of parents doing it. Immature I know, but I don’t like reality mixed with my smut, it’s a major killjoy. And let me tell you, there is some pretty good smut going on. It doesn’t last long, I suspect that Clayton is a quick-shot, which under normal circumstances would take him out of the hunk category, but somehow it works which is a testament to his skills, imo. Where was I, oh yes the smut, so like I was saying, Armstrong delivers on the love and lust front. Really, what more do you need from a guilty pleasure?
In a nutshell, if you loved Bitten and Stolen and are jonesing for a Elena/Clayton fix, Frostbitten will more than satisfy your craving. Enjoy!
I’m not going to summarize the story, mainly because I’m lazy, and a good summary requires effort. Besides, I’m pretty certain about 30 other reviewers have done so already. I’m guessing you get the nub and gist of what goes down. What I want to make certain you know is that this book is everything we have come to expect from Armstrong. Frostbitten contains a compelling plot that will have you hastily turning the pages, refusing to go to bed until you’ve found a suitable stopping point. Shrouded in mystery, suspense, romance, a bit of violence and all that other fun stuff, Frostbitten would have been a great book in its own right even if it didn’t contain one of urban fantasies hottest couples. Luckily for us readers, it does. Elena and Clay still have that witty banter we devoured in Bitten but it is now knowingly delivered in love and jest. Sounds sappy I know, but it goes down easy I swear. I don’t do sappy. Well, not with these two. Also, the twins have conveniently been left at home, so for the most part, I can forget that our steamy duo are parents. This helps me with the ick factor as I do not like to think of parents doing it. Immature I know, but I don’t like reality mixed with my smut, it’s a major killjoy. And let me tell you, there is some pretty good smut going on. It doesn’t last long, I suspect that Clayton is a quick-shot, which under normal circumstances would take him out of the hunk category, but somehow it works which is a testament to his skills, imo. Where was I, oh yes the smut, so like I was saying, Armstrong delivers on the love and lust front. Really, what more do you need from a guilty pleasure?
In a nutshell, if you loved Bitten and Stolen and are jonesing for a Elena/Clayton fix, Frostbitten will more than satisfy your craving. Enjoy!
February 25, 2015
Elena has been tracking a young mutt in need of pack protection but he does not want to be found. When he turns up in Alaska it gives the Pack the ideal chance to nose into possible werewolf kills and get in touch with former pack members who chose to go rogue when Jeremy took control. Elena and Clay realise that the three objectives might well be linked. So they have to find Reece and protect him, track the wolf kills and find Clay's friends, while watching out for something much more dangerous out in the wild...
Yea! At last we are back to the werewolves! They are why I started reading this series in the first place and I know I better enjoy this one because we have 3 books focused on whiny brat Savannah to come and I just don't like her at all. She's fine for bit parts in books but carrying the story alone? Not so much. Having Elena back to tell the story after Hope and especially Robyn was a total joy and I loved every minute of this book. It was well written and fast paced, and I zoomed through it in one night.
So Elena is one of my top heroines. She is a 'wife' and mother, a high ranking Pack member, intelligent investigator and someone you can actually like. She is more human than Clay and fully trusted by Jeremy. Clay has greatly evolved from the cold, uncaring character in Bitten. Having the kids and having an injury that impedes his fighting ability has him more vulnerable than ever before, and I liked seeing that side to him. He is actually afraid that he might not be able to protect Elena, Jeremy and the kids and is wondering what he can do about it. He doesn't want to go back to torture and kill version of Clay but feels that he might have to do it. Jeremy is settled in his relationship with Jaime and starting to think about handing over control of the Pack to someone else so he can have a more relaxed life. He always was a reluctant leader anyway so this seems like a natural progression for him.
We get a few other characters appearing in this book as well. It was good to find out what happened to Dennis and Joey, and it was good to explore Clay's conflicted feelings about seeing his old friend again. Joey is frantic with worry about the missing Noah and is prepared to use Clay and Elena to find his son. Nick and Antonio never appear enough for my liking so it was great to see them in the plot again. I love both of these guys. We are also introduced to the runaway rogue Reece, Joey's son Noah and a cast of seriously bad guys. And those twins, especially Kate, are going to be big trouble! It was weird to imagine Jeremy trying to babysit those little monsters!
Travis is just plain evil and he is totally obsessed with the idea of capturing and raping Elena. When she comes into contact with him, Elena gets terrible flashbacks back to her abusive past, and the fear comes with it. Having Elena feeling frozen with fear, and Clay not always able to help her because of his arm adds a vulnerable side to the whole relationship. You know that the bad guys have more of a chance to win this time which is unsettling to poor readers like me! Don't hurt my darn werewolves!!!
I liked the plot. The bad guys this time feel more of a threat and our couple are in danger a lot more. It explores the human emotions of the werewolves as situations get out of control. Fear, betrayal, panic, helplessness, anger, the determination not to be a victim-these are things the readers can relate to. I loved the evolution of Clay and Elena, individually, and as a couple. I liked the kidnap plot and the monster in the woods story that just added a different twist to things. I could not get the image of a Sasquatch tribe out of my head when I was reading about the first attack! There was a lot of tension and action in the book, which is just my kind of urban fantasy! It is one of the best books in the series and a fitting tribute to the werewolves.
Now I wish I could get a version with a better cover...
Yea! At last we are back to the werewolves! They are why I started reading this series in the first place and I know I better enjoy this one because we have 3 books focused on whiny brat Savannah to come and I just don't like her at all. She's fine for bit parts in books but carrying the story alone? Not so much. Having Elena back to tell the story after Hope and especially Robyn was a total joy and I loved every minute of this book. It was well written and fast paced, and I zoomed through it in one night.
So Elena is one of my top heroines. She is a 'wife' and mother, a high ranking Pack member, intelligent investigator and someone you can actually like. She is more human than Clay and fully trusted by Jeremy. Clay has greatly evolved from the cold, uncaring character in Bitten. Having the kids and having an injury that impedes his fighting ability has him more vulnerable than ever before, and I liked seeing that side to him. He is actually afraid that he might not be able to protect Elena, Jeremy and the kids and is wondering what he can do about it. He doesn't want to go back to torture and kill version of Clay but feels that he might have to do it. Jeremy is settled in his relationship with Jaime and starting to think about handing over control of the Pack to someone else so he can have a more relaxed life. He always was a reluctant leader anyway so this seems like a natural progression for him.
We get a few other characters appearing in this book as well. It was good to find out what happened to Dennis and Joey, and it was good to explore Clay's conflicted feelings about seeing his old friend again. Joey is frantic with worry about the missing Noah and is prepared to use Clay and Elena to find his son. Nick and Antonio never appear enough for my liking so it was great to see them in the plot again. I love both of these guys. We are also introduced to the runaway rogue Reece, Joey's son Noah and a cast of seriously bad guys. And those twins, especially Kate, are going to be big trouble! It was weird to imagine Jeremy trying to babysit those little monsters!
Travis is just plain evil and he is totally obsessed with the idea of capturing and raping Elena. When she comes into contact with him, Elena gets terrible flashbacks back to her abusive past, and the fear comes with it. Having Elena feeling frozen with fear, and Clay not always able to help her because of his arm adds a vulnerable side to the whole relationship. You know that the bad guys have more of a chance to win this time which is unsettling to poor readers like me! Don't hurt my darn werewolves!!!
I liked the plot. The bad guys this time feel more of a threat and our couple are in danger a lot more. It explores the human emotions of the werewolves as situations get out of control. Fear, betrayal, panic, helplessness, anger, the determination not to be a victim-these are things the readers can relate to. I loved the evolution of Clay and Elena, individually, and as a couple. I liked the kidnap plot and the monster in the woods story that just added a different twist to things. I could not get the image of a Sasquatch tribe out of my head when I was reading about the first attack! There was a lot of tension and action in the book, which is just my kind of urban fantasy! It is one of the best books in the series and a fitting tribute to the werewolves.
Now I wish I could get a version with a better cover...
October 2, 2009
It's strange comparing this series to other urban fantasy series. Most urban fantasy series have one point of view character through out the whole series. This series jumps characters. And even though Elena is the single character with the most books, there is still way too much of the riff raff for my personal tastes.
There is another way this series seems to differ from other urban fantasy series. Time seems to pass more quickly. In Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books (which are up to #17), everything takes place in a 5 year period. In this book we find out Clay and Elena have been together for 20 years already. Even if that counts the events before "Bitten", that's still a lot of time under the bridge. It's ... odd.
That said, it was nice to see Clay and Elena again, in a context mostly divorced from the "other" parts of "Women of the Otherworld". I like the new paranormal creatures we meet in this book. They fit the werewolf mythos established in "Bitten" better than some of the magic wielders focused on in other books in the series.
Maybe that's it. I prefer biological explanations for supernatural or preternatural abilities. The wolves follow that. Jaime, as a necromancer, follows that. I don't recall about the rest. They all seem more on the "magic" side of things.
I don't know. I also recall Paige being bratty. And I don't think I got through any of the other non-wolf books, except for Jaime's, and she's involved with Jeremy so she's part of Elena and Clay's world more than the rest.
LOL. Apparently I'm more in the mood for a rant than a review. Really, this book itself was good. If you enjoy Elena's books, it's a nice return to her world.
There is another way this series seems to differ from other urban fantasy series. Time seems to pass more quickly. In Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books (which are up to #17), everything takes place in a 5 year period. In this book we find out Clay and Elena have been together for 20 years already. Even if that counts the events before "Bitten", that's still a lot of time under the bridge. It's ... odd.
That said, it was nice to see Clay and Elena again, in a context mostly divorced from the "other" parts of "Women of the Otherworld". I like the new paranormal creatures we meet in this book. They fit the werewolf mythos established in "Bitten" better than some of the magic wielders focused on in other books in the series.
Maybe that's it. I prefer biological explanations for supernatural or preternatural abilities. The wolves follow that. Jaime, as a necromancer, follows that. I don't recall about the rest. They all seem more on the "magic" side of things.
I don't know. I also recall Paige being bratty. And I don't think I got through any of the other non-wolf books, except for Jaime's, and she's involved with Jeremy so she's part of Elena and Clay's world more than the rest.
LOL. Apparently I'm more in the mood for a rant than a review. Really, this book itself was good. If you enjoy Elena's books, it's a nice return to her world.
April 5, 2010
Elena's back! I fell in love with the WotO in Bitten, and Elena in particular. Everything about that book seemed so REAL, so emotional. Clay was so very hot but I was rooting for Elena to stick to her guns, knowing that would make their eventual coming together much stronger. She did and it did and the series moved on to introduce other characters I also loved. But I always wanted Ms. Armstrong to go back to the beginning . . .
With Frostbitten, I somewhat got my wish. Elena and Clay now have twins and a very enduring commitment to each other and the Pack. But being the Pack's enforcer (Clay) and Alpha-in-Training (Elena, tho she doesn't recognize it) keeps them running, keeps things fresh for both.
Jeremy sends Elena after a mutt that has run to Alaska to hide, and Clay joins her. When she gets up there, she finds that there are more mysteries than where the mutt has hidden. There are weres up there who she's never heard of or smelled before. There are wild wolves and perhaps something ELSE in the woods. And there are dead bodies and missing girls.
This book is a perfect example of Ms. Armstrong's talent in storytelling. No fluff, no wasted words, just enough backgrond to catch up readers of this series and none of that seemed intentional, as many series' do. This book just rocks on. I really am anticipating the next books in the series as Clay and Elena age gracefully (they are not stuck in time as the H/H of many long-time series are) and their friends develop their lives. And I certainly want to see how those twins grow up!
With Frostbitten, I somewhat got my wish. Elena and Clay now have twins and a very enduring commitment to each other and the Pack. But being the Pack's enforcer (Clay) and Alpha-in-Training (Elena, tho she doesn't recognize it) keeps them running, keeps things fresh for both.
Jeremy sends Elena after a mutt that has run to Alaska to hide, and Clay joins her. When she gets up there, she finds that there are more mysteries than where the mutt has hidden. There are weres up there who she's never heard of or smelled before. There are wild wolves and perhaps something ELSE in the woods. And there are dead bodies and missing girls.
This book is a perfect example of Ms. Armstrong's talent in storytelling. No fluff, no wasted words, just enough backgrond to catch up readers of this series and none of that seemed intentional, as many series' do. This book just rocks on. I really am anticipating the next books in the series as Clay and Elena age gracefully (they are not stuck in time as the H/H of many long-time series are) and their friends develop their lives. And I certainly want to see how those twins grow up!
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