Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

This short story collection from internationally bestselling author Kelley Armstrong will feature tales about her witches and sorcerers - some of her most popular and fascinating characters. From Paige and Lucas to Savannah and her black witch mother Eve, these stories will enchant fans and new readers alike ...

Life After Theft
Karl Marsten has given retired as a thief so he can raise his daughter as an honest man, but someone wants to pull him back into it.
I enjoyed this, Karl's always a fun guy to read. The only thing that ruins it is Hope, she's my least favourite.

Forbidden
Morgan Walsh gets caught up in trouble as he's on his way to meet with the American pack and Elena & Clay have to go help him out.
A re-read for me, I bought the book from Subterranean Press when it was released. I like Morgan and it's fun to read from his POV.

Angelic
Eve's angel duties get prolonged as she's called on by the Fates to help deal with a Djinn outbreak.
Another re-read of a Subterranean Press book. Eve's a fantastic character to head a book, she's kick ass and awesome.

Zen and the Art of Vampirism
Zoe uses her wits to handle a couple of vampires that want to take over her territory.
I loved Zoe from when we first met her in Broken, she just has a great voice and attitude.

The Ungrateful Dead
Jaime gets harassed by a ghost and gets help from Savannah to teach him a lesson.
I liked this one, I mean it was okay. I like Savannah but Jaime I can take or leave.

Counterfeit Magic
Paige and Savannah go undercover in a supernatural fighting ring to solve some unusual deaths.
Click here to read my review of Counterfeit Magic.

I love Kelley's work and I'm glad her short stories are being released as anthologies because I missed some of them when they were in multi-author books.
I recommend this to any fans of Kelley or the Otherworld but only if you've read previous books, there are spoilers.


Book Depository: Otherworld Secrets
Amazon UK: Otherworld Secrets

The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong

Riley Vasquez is haunted by the brutal murder of the couple she was babysitting for.

Max Cross is suffering under the shadow of a life-altering diagnosis he doesn't dare reveal.

The last thing either of them wants is to spend a weekend away at a therapy camp alongside five other teens with "issues." But that's exactly where they are when three masked men burst in to take the group hostage.

The building has no windows. The exits are sealed shut. Their phones are gone. And their captors are on a killing spree.

Riley and Max know that if they can't get out, they'll be next - but they're about to discover that even escape doesn't equal freedom.

A brand new standalone from one of my favourite authors and I'm glad to say she didn't disappoint. This is a little different from what she's known for, although it'll be a hit with any Nadia Stafford fans.

Armstrong does a great job with her characters here. Riley has survivor guilt about the murder that happened while she was babysitting, people call her hero for saving the kid in the house but she feels like a coward.

Max and his mother moved to the US after he was diagnosed with a mental illness which he keeps secret from everyone - not even speaking up at group therapy sessions.

Armstrong is great at building up the suspense and making you really fear for Riley and Max. She also does a great job of basically leaving you on the hook until almost the last page. Of course I'm recommending it, I wouldn't do anything else with a Kelley Armstrong book.


Book Depository: The Masked Truth
Amazon UK: The Masked Truth

Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong

RELEASE DATE 15th September 2015


Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

With tales that range from humorous to heart-stopping, these are the stories that showcase Kelley Armstrong at her versatile best.



Rakshashi - a standalone story
Rakshasi are almost genie-like creatures that are tied to serving a family until they've atoned for their bad deeds during life. Of course, they don't exactly like this arrangement.

Kat - a Darkest Powers story
Kat and Marguerite are on the run from the Edison group but Marguerite is keeping something from Kat.

A Haunted House Of Her Own - a standalone story
A young couple buy a dream B&B - it's supposed to be haunted but that's what they want. The woman discovers maybe she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Learning Curve - an Otherworld story
An Otherworld based short featuring Zoe Takano who we met in Broken. Zoe discovers she's being stalked by someone.

The Screams Of Dragons - a Cainsville story
A Cainsville short where a young boy starts hearing the screams of dragons and haveing weird dreams. Then the Cainsville residents start treating him strange.

The Kitsune's Nine Tales - an Age of Legends story
A guard leads the Kitsune traitor to the Forest of the Dead. He's been warned about all his tricks along the way.

Last Stand - a standalone story
A virus outbreak means the recently dead are back, the dead and alive are at war. Our main character is a leader and fears for her group as the numbers are dwindling.

Bamboozled - an Otherworld story
A small group of people hunt down wanted criminals but everyone's in for a surprise with their latest hunt.

Branded - an Otherworld story
People live inside the Fortress for safety - outside are where the branded supernaturals live. A young mand and woman hatch a plan for leaving.

The List - an Otherworld story
Someone has made a list of vampires living in Toronto so Zoe goes to check the author out.

Young Bloods - an Otherworld story
A man realises there are two vampires on the train trying to intimdate people into confrontation but they don't realise who he is.

The Door - a standalone story original to this book
A young girl grows up learning to stay away from the door, only her dad is allowed to leave and comes back with food and toys. She always obeyed until the time came where she had to leave.

Dead Flowers By A Roadside - a standalone story
A man is haunted by visions of his wife and child. He keeps himself busy by fixing up the family car.

Suffer The Children - a standalone story
A village have recently lost all their young and elderly to disease so when two guys visit and claim to be able to bring them back, they agree.

The Collector - a standalone story
A puzzle solver takes part in an online puzzle that eventually leads her to an office for the last part - a puzzle box.

Gabriel's Gargoyles - a Cainsville story
A young Gabriel searches for all of Cainsville's garygoyles while also dealing with his mother.

Harbinger - a standalone story
A young woman is haunted by the spectres of drowned girls. She tries to talk to them, she tries to ignore them but they won't go away.

V Plates - an Otherworld story
Reese want to help Noah lose his virginity and asks Nick to help so they go to a brothel but it's not just an ordinary brothel.

Life Sentence - an Otherworld story
Daniel Boyd is dying so he uses his money and remaining time trying to find a way to stop it.

Plan B - standalone story
A man and his mistress hatch a plan to get his wife out of the picture but nothing goes as planned - always have a plan B.

The Hunt - a Cainsville story
A hunter decides to step up the hunting game and move up a level.

Dead To Me - a standalone story
A woman tries to stop her husband's ghost from haunting her home.

Devil May Care - a Cainsville story original to this book
Patrick only returns to Cainsville once in a blue moon and he learns of a prophecy when he's there so decides to avoid it all together.


I loved all these stories and a few of them were new to me either because I hadn't read the original anthology they were in or they're original stories just for this one.

I never have a bad thing to say about Kelley's work and I highly recommend this anthology whether you're new to her or a die hard fan like me. Although if you're new to her, some of these stories may be spoiler-ific or not make sense.

There were a lot of books I had on my Amazon wishlist purely because they contain a Kelley story that I've now been able to remove so ... bonus!


Book Depository:
Amazon UK: Led Astray
Amazon UK: Led Astray

Pre-order announcement - Driven by Kelley Armstrong

Subterranean Press have just announced a new Kelley Armstrong Otherworld book to be released in January 2016. It is available for pre-order through their wesbite.


The following description includes spoilers if you are not up to date with the current Otherworld backstory

Subterranean Press is pleased to present a long Otherworld novella by Kelley Armstrong, featuring a number of full-color illustrations by Xaviere Daumarie. The Trade Hardcover of Driven will feature a full-color dust jacket as well as four full-color interior illustrations. The Signed Limited Edition will have a completely different dust jacket, full-color endsheets, and two additional full-color illustrations not in the Trade. If you own a copy of the limited edition of Forsaken, please mention your number to match when checking out.

Cains are known for being big, brutish and not-too-bright. The mutt clan embodies all the supernatural world's worst stereotypes about werewolves. But not even the Cains deserve to be hunted down and skinned like animals.

When young Davis Cain comes to the Pack for help, Alpha Elena Michaels can't refuse him. It isn't about morality or justice. It's about not letting anyone think they can do this to werewolves and get away with it.

But Elena is also dealing with the Pack's homegrown monster — Malcolm Danvers, onetime enforcer, full-time psycho. Malcolm is now under Elena's control, as part of the most difficult decision she's had to make as leader. But if she has to let Malcolm in, she's going to make full use of him ... and the best person to catch monsters is one who knows exactly how they think.

As with all past Kelley releases from Subterranean Press, it is available in both Trade and Limited Edition - if you've ordered limited before, you can request the same number after ordering.

Country vs Country - Darkness Rising

Julie-Anne: Both these covers are very pretty so this is actually a tough choice for me. I like the blue on the US cover but I don't like that her face is all blue as well, I also don't like that the earring is all blingy. Admittedly it's been a while since I've read this book but I thought Maya was a bit of a tomboy and therefore can't see her wearing this dangly thing in her ear. I like the detail on the UK cover and the green, although the cover model doesn't seem quite right for Maya. Pushed to pick, I'm going for UK.
Danielle: I like both covers quite a lot. I think US ekes out the win for me though. I love the blue (even on her face). She has a kind of wild quality to her that I really loved. I admit the model on the UK cover looks a little more like how I pictured Maya, with the rounder, younger looking face though. I also don't love the earring. The US publishers for this entire series had a thing with jewelry. The Darkest Powers part of this series had the same problem with the ever changing amulet on the covers. I pick US here though.
J: But the amulet at least played a role in the Darkest Powers story.
D: Only because Kelley felt she had to add it. The original story had nothing to do with one.

J: The colouring on the US cover isn't as strong as the first one although the cover model looks too old for me, and again with the earring. Again I like the detail on the UK cover, I do prefer the layout of the UK better than US. I'm going with UK on this one
D: I honestly don't care for either cover here. The US plays against my dislike of facial shots, but I don't really like the UK person in a person motif. I feel like they were trying to make a point with it, since it's on all three covers, but I think it missed the mark. I agree that the US model is too old for Maya. This girl could pass for 19-22 easily. Maya is supposed to have a sort of soft quality about her. This model also lacks the ethnicity it should have. Still, I choose US.

J: I like that all 3 covers are following the same theme, and I'm glad that the US covers decided to tone back the colouring after the first book. And I do like that UK are changing the colour up from cover to cover. Again, I'm going with UK.
D: Yes, all three covers follow a theme, and they all go together, which I appreciate. Nothing worse than covers going in a different direction mid-way. Both covers have facial shots, but I like the appearance on the whole of the US cover better.

Danielle: This series was another winner for me. Kelley Armstrong is one of my favourite authors, so she doesn't normally disappoint me. I loved the characters in this series, I loved the intrigue, I love the action. I gave this series to my daughter to read, and she loved them all too. Though I think we both preferred the Darkest Powers to Darkness Rising. Both are excellent though.
Julie-Anne: I love all things Kelley Armstrong and these books were no different. I also prefer the Darkest Powers books, I like Maya just as much as I liked Chloe but I much prefer Derek over Daniel (so much so that I actually had to ask Danielle what Daniel's name was, I'd totally forgotten).
Danielle: I liked Daniel actually. And I was most definitely Team Derek.

Forsaken by Kelley Armstrong **SPOILERS IN BOOK DESCRIPTION FOR PREVIOUS STORYLINES**

Being Alpha of the North American Pack is like being a small-town sheriff — nobody wants the job, but someone's gotta do it.

For the most part, Elena Michaels likes it just fine, even if it means dealing with arrogant misogynists in the werewolf world who are convinced that a woman isn't up to the job.

That she could handle. What she never expected was a deadly threat to her eight-year-old twins. That her little girl could go missing in the night.

The enemy thought he was dealing with a hysterical mother.

Mother, yes. Hysterical, no.

Elena was Alpha for a reason. And nothing would stop her from getting her child back.

Elena is missing the start of her annual family holiday because she's in London trying to make a misogynistic Pack leader see sense. When she gets home, it's to a missing daughter and the possibility of a major Pack threat being back.

Now, a review of a Kelley Armstrong book is always going to be glowing from me because I love the woman and all the words that come from her fingertips. Forsaken is no different.

It's set after all the other Otherworld books (latest in series), I think Goodreads has it listed as 13.4. Since we're not getting full length novels any more, the Sub Press novellas are the only way to get my Otherworld fix (well, besides re-reading the series but in this case I mean a new fix). As I've stated in the title, so much has happened in the series that even a blurb isn't spoiler free anymore.

Elena is having to prove herself as Alpha to all other Alphas since they think it's just a ploy and either she and Clay are co-Alphas or Clay is the real Alpha and they're just using her as a figurehead to prove something. I'm loving the different side of Clay and Elena as parents that we're getting in these novellas. I'm also loving seeing Logan and Kate grow up, they're both so different but so like their parents.

As sad as I am about the Otherworld hiatus, I'm so grateful for these novellas being released because I like seeing my favourite characters age and grow up and mature in their own way.

What I don't love is that this ended in such a way that I'm now impatiently waiting for the announcement of the next novella to see what happens. Armstrong writes such exciting stories that you just want to stay in her world all the time. If I didn't need to sleep, work and eat I'd happily just read her world constantly.

Her work also has the added bonus of pulling me out a reading funk and making me want to dive into books again. Although it's her books I want to read right now and not the huge pile of TBRs I have to tackle.


Amazon UK: Forsaken
Subterranean Press: Forsaken

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

This short story collection will include many brand-new tales and others only previously available on Kelley Armstrong's website. Most of the stories will feature the werewolves of the Otherworld, Elena and Clay, Jeremy, Karl and other members of the American Pack. These are some of Kelley Armstrong's best-loved and most enduring characters, from bestselling books such as Bitten, Stolen and Frostbitten.

Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is
Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"
Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella
Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"
Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2"
Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"
From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"
Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen"

This is an anthology of previously released Otherworld shorts with one new one.

Demonology is the story of how Adam's mother, Talia, meets Robert and dscovers what Adam's real heritage is. I would've liked to read how RObert broke it to Talia but what we get is the lead up to her first appointment with Robert and running when she discovers his specialty but then facing the facts and finally contacting him again. I love tiny Adam - he's adorable.

Stalked follows Clay and Elena on their honeymoon that gets interrupted by a mutt following Elena while Clay tries to stop her from discovering it. I always love Clay and Elena stories, Bitten was the book that got me into the series so the werewolves will always be my favourite.

Hidden is another Clay and Elena story, they want to give the twins a normal christmas but it's ruined by a mutt. I already reviewed this when it was released - go here.

Twilight is Cassandra's story. Vampires don't need to kill to feed except on the anniversary of the date they turned into a vampire, this tells the story of one of Cassandra's searches for the right person.

Chivalrous finally tells us the story of why Reese fled Australia. I was dying to read this but didn't buy the anthology it was in so I was so happy that it was in here. I like Reese and really enjoyed this look into his background.

Lucifer's Daughter tells of Hope and Karl spending what should be a nice evening in a museum but quickly goes downhill when a lesser demon tried to suck up to Hope to get on her father's good side.

From Russia with Love was originally in the back of 13 and is just a very short tale of the official Alpha handover from Jeremy to Elena.

Vanishing Act is the new story focusing on Savannah and Adam following the events of 13. They're investigating a demon raising gone badly while trying to work out the status of their relationship. The short also has a bit of a tie in to the two young adult series and the genetic modification of supernaturals.


I love all the things by Kelley Armstrong and this was no different. And the good part was that a few of these were new to me even though they were all reprints except Vanishing Act.


Book Depository: Otherworld Nights
Amazon UK: Otherworld Nights

Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

They hear the spirits. They must obey.

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire's worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed by an ancient evil, Moria and Ashyn must race to warn the empire of a terrifying threat. Accompanied by a dashing thief and a warrior with a dark history, the sisters battle their way across a wasteland filled with reawakened monsters of legend. But there are more sinister enemies waiting for them at court - and a secret that will alter the balance of their world forever.

The first volume in the Age of Legends trilogy, Sea of Shadows is a thrilling dark fantasy where evil hides in every shadow and the deadliest monsters of all come in human form...

Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and the Seeker of the Forest of the Dead. Criminals get sent into the Forest and if they survive, they're told they get to be placed back in society - no one ever survives. The Seeker and the Keeper are tasked with dealing with the souls of the dead so they don't become evil spirits. This is Ashyn's first solo journey as the Seeker and it doesn't go to plan - turns out there's more in the forest than the souls of the dead. After their town gets attacked, Ashyn and Moria are separated and in finding one another discover something is very wrong.

With Kelley's Otherworld series at an end, she's introducing some new stuff. No new adult series as yet but this is her new YA/New Adult series (I don't know the difference between the two - genres aren't my strong point). Moria and Ashyn are both very different and likeable in their own ways.

Moria is strong and kick ass, she's not afraid to stand her ground and will fight anything to protect her family and her town. Ashyn is quiet and calm, the complete opposite of Moria and that's why they work so well together. They counter each other and are better for it.

I love Kelley's writing as anyone who has read my reviews before will know but sadly this one fell a bit short with me, I still liked it and will continue with the series but it was quite slow going and hard to pick up once it was put down - which is very unlike all Kelley books for me. I usually find them unputdownable. I would still recommend this to any YA Fantasy fans but if you're a Kelley fan it is quite unlike her other books so don't go into this expecting another Darkest Powers or Darkness Rising.


Book Depository: Sea of Shadows
Amazon UK: Sea of Shadows

Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong

Ex-cop Nadia Stafford has a dark secret. After taking the law into her own hands she was kicked off the force ... and entered the shadowy world of guns for hire. She has her own strict code - works only for one crime family, only kills the really bad guys. But when a hit goes tragically wrong, Nadia is devastated. Is it time to leave the business for good?

Before she has time to decide, Nadia discovers that her own life is under threat. And worse - that terrifying events from her past may have triggered the attacks. With the help of Jack, her enigmatic mentor, Nadia is forced upon a dark path - towards the truth and towards her final destiny.

Nadia is on a job when it takes a turn for the worse and Jack helps drag her out of it, by giving her something else to focus on. Her childhood terror - the man that killed her cousin. Unfortunately that seems to put Nadia's name on a hit list and she and Jack have to figure out who's behind it before they manage to cross her name off.

For Nadia Stafford fans, this book has been a long time coming - 4 years in fact. Armstrong always said she wanted this series to end the way she wanted and was working on the book the whole time while waiting for a publishing company to pick it up, finally it happened and we were able to finish Nadia's story.

I really like the Nadia books, they're so vastly different from Armstrong's other series and you can tell that - not just from the lack of paranormal, but Armstrong's writing style is different in this series than in the Otherworld or her YA series. Not in a bad way, but it's definitely noticeable to fans like me that have read most of her work.

This was a good ending to the series. It starts out fast and ends with a bang, although admittedly it does slow a bit in the middle - took me a few days to read it 'cos I wasn't as interested during the 2nd quarter then it picked up and I didn't put the book down until it was finished. It's sad to see another series come to an end but it's good that the author got to finish it on her terms and the way she wanted.


Book Depository: Wild Justice
Amazon UK: Wild Justice

Brazen by Kelley Armstrong

nick Sorentino knows everyone in the supernatural world considers him the Pack's playboy, the pretty but not very useful werewolf whose only reputation involves his amorous exploits.
Usually, Nick couldn't care less what anyone outside the Pack thinks of him. But when it affects his hunt for Malcolm Danvers, a psychotic bogey-man from the Pack's past, it matters.
Necessity forces Nick to team up with mercenary half-demon Vanessa Callas to run Malcolm to ground in Detroit. Together, they discover Malcolm is more deadly than ever. And he wants to play.
It's time for Nick to prove he's not just a lover. He's a fighter.

Nick has been put on the case of finding Malcolm after he was discovered to be still alive during the events of 13. Elena and Clay want him dead and they don't want Jeremy knowing he's alive in the first place.

The Sub Press novellas have always been a nice way of easing the waiting time between Otherworld books, but now the series is on hiatus they're even more important to me. Armstrong knows her fans love the Otherworld and all the characters, I think she herself would also miss them if they disappeared completely. So to ease the pain, she's going to be releasing novellas and such until she brings the series back (for my sanity, it will always be a when not an if until she says different).

This one is nice to read, we finally get something from Nick's POV. Nick, who always comes across as laid back and so nonchalant, proves to us that he's just as protective of the Pack as Clay or Elena. The younger wolves are his responsibility and he's matured and settled since they've came into his home. Nick often gets looked over with Elena and Clay heading the adventures up so it was nice to see him come into his own in this book.

The book also ended with an obvious nod to another book which I can't wait to read.


Buy direct from Subterranean Press: Brazen
Amazon UK: Brazen

Omens by Kelley Armstrong

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia's world is shattered when she learns that she's adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother's former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens' last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home, and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

Liv finds out she's adopted and her birth parents are convicted serial killers, not bad enough that she's having a bit of an identity crisis but her mother basically shuns her (not exactly but in a way). In a bid to become her own person, she ends up in Cainsville (with some help) and gets in touch with her birth mother who convinces her to help her with her case. Liv discovers there's more to her parents case than meets the eye.

With Kelley's Otherworld series coming to a close, I was really looking forward to this book. I knew it wasn't going to be anything like Otherworld but I could also tell that it was going to have a vaguely supernatural feel to it. I won this as an ARC but, because of the time to post stuff form Canada to UK, I only got it just about the time it actually came out over here. I am still going to buy it though, I much prefer the UK cover plus I'll be getting the rest of the series in the UK cover so I don't want it to be mismatched on my bookshelf.

I enjoyed this, I think it'll take me a while to get out of my Otherworld mindset that I get when I read Kelley though. This comes to its own and promises to be a great series. This first book is very intriguing and keeps you reading, as well as leaving on a note that makes you NEED to buy the next on the series. Very exciting to have something from Kelley and can't wait for more .... I'll miss the Otherworld though but this promises to fill the Kelley sized part of my brain.


Book Depository: Omens
Amazon UK: Omens

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

Maya Delaney is a skin-walker - a supernatural who can 'Shift' into the shape of a cougar. But her gift comes with a terrible cost. With every transformation, she risks losing touch with her human nature - for ever.

Maya and her friends are on the run from the people who experimented on them and transformed them into supernaturals in the first place. They know they must confront their enemies if they are to have any hope of a future. In order to succeed, Maya will need to use her dangerous, unpredictable powers - but the price of freedom could be too high a price to pay ...

Maya, Daniel and Corey are on the run and trying to stay that way whilst also trying to get their friends back. In order to so that they, at some point, have to confront the cabal that took them in the first place. Maya has to come to terms with her powers and the fact that they might make her revert (become more cat than person) like Annie, Rafe's sister. They all face their own memorial services and see what their "deaths" have done to their families - but Maya has family she was unaware of that she can deal with - a means to an end to help her get her real family back.

So we finally see Maya and her friends meet up with Chloe and her friends in this book, it's not really that big a deal actually. They don't get up to much together, just running and then meeting with Sean Nast. I know a lot of people are constantly whining on Kelley's board about Chloe coming back so this will make them happy. Personally, I don't have a favourite but Maya does call to me a bit more than Chloe, perhaps due to the fact that she stand up for herself more than Chloe ever did.

This is the finale in the Darkness Rising trilogy, also the finale to Kelley's YA series - unless she decides to revisit it at a later date (which I hope she will, I love this world and the secrets and the kids coming to terms with things). This was long awaited, anticipated and also feared - it was one of those books that arrived and I thought "Oooh, I can't wait to read this" but at the same time I also thought "If I read it, it means the series is over" but I can never bring myself to NOT read a book like this (even for a little while to make the fantasy last a little longer) from an author like Kelley. I adore both too much - I love Kelley, I love her books and I love her world and characters and the fact that both adult and YA Otherworld series are over is painful for me to write.

Any longtime readers of my blog will know just HOW much I love Kelley and there will never be a bad word come out of my mouth (or fingers) about her. If you've never read her books - go do it. If you like YA, start with the Darkest Powers series - you don't technically HAVE to but it just helps set the story. If you like adult, try her Women of the Otherworld (or just Otherworld in the later books) series. As sad as I am about these 2 series ending, I'm looking forward to Omens coming out.


Book Depository: The Rising
Amazon UK: The Rising

Answers and Winner for 300th Blog Post Contest

The winner of the contest is Danielle!

I'll list the answers below and Danielle can send me her top choices so I can get them ordered.

1. I eyeballed the freezer, trying to decide what to cook for dinner that night.

2. "Bronwyn Alessia St.Vincent Clare!"

3. I have to.

4. The moment the door opened I knew an ass-kicking was inevitable.

5. Riley Blackthorne rolled her eyes.

6. "Come on!" Emma whispered from my right, her words floating from her mouth in a thin white cloud.

7. On the day Claire became a member of the Glass house, somebody stole her laundry.

8. Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal.

9. No one knew better than Walter Rice that the only safe place was away from other people.

10. I felt her fear before I heard her screams.

1. Tempest Rising - Jane True series by Nicole Peeler
2. Raised by Wolves - Raised by Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3. Bitten - Women of the Otherworld (or just Otherworld) by Kelley Armstrong
4. Stray - Shifters series by Rachel Vincent
5. Forsaken - Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver
6. My Soul to Take - Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent
7. Glass Houses - Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine
8. Red Headed Stepchild - Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells
9. Cry Wolf - Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs
10. Vampire Academy - Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead


If you haven't already, I would highly recommend any of these series. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10 are all YA and the rest are adult.

Shards & Ashes by Various Authors

The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.

Powerful, original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world.

Hearken by Veronica Roth
Hearkeners can hear life songs or death songs, depending on what colour implant they choose - red or black.
Branded by Kelley Armstrong
People live inside the Fortress for safety - outside are where the branded supernaturals live. They're deemed unfit for society - but some have created their own society.
Necklace of Raindrops by Margaret Stohl
Raindrops are a form of currency, you collect them and you use them - however, once they are used up you have to "drop" to your death .... or do you?
Dogsbody by Rachel Caine
Corporate rules all, they make the decisions - life or death. Xavier works his way up to the man responsible for multiple deaths in his childhood to exact revenge.
Pale Rider by Nancy Holder
Dana can find lost things and it turns out she'd involved in a war between fairies and goblins - she has to find some lost fairies.
Corpse Eaters by Melissa Marr
Nidos are an alien race that have taken over the world by means of a religious cult. Harmony & Chris are in a group that are set to bring the Nidos down.
Burn 3 by Kami Garcia
The sun has destroyed the world, everyone now lives in a dome for protection. But there are people kidnapping kids for their skin.
Love is a Choice by Beth Revis
The Eldest rules all and has an heir to take over when he dies, when that heir starts to question the vitamins he's putting in the water, he has to disappear.
Miasma by Carrie Ryan
A plague kills most of the population. Doctors invent monsters that can smell the plague - sufferers must be killed before it can spread.

I enjoyed nearly all the stories in this book, with the exception of one. My favourites (by no surprise) are also by my favourite authors. Branded, Dogsbody, Hearken & Miasma were my four tops. I'd recommend this to any YA fans.


Book Depository: Shards & Ashes
Amazon UK: Shards & Ashes

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by various authors

A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.

Sixteen of today's hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying.

Whether they're writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.

So my very awesome and Amazing friend, Danielle La Paglia, sent me this book as a surprise. And she even had it signed for me!

I wanted to read this as it has some of my favourite authors in it but with anthologies I'm always wary about buying a full book for a few authors. I thought with this review, I'd give my thoughts on all the stories.

Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray
Very sweet little romance story.
I've never read anything by Claudia Gray before and I really enjoyed my first story by her. I'd be interested in reading more from this world but it seems it's not part of a series or the beginning of a series so I may just pick up her Evernight series to see if I like it.

Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
Post zombie apocalypse story about 2 sisters surviving.
Another new author for me and I really enjoyed the world she made. Plus bonus: this one is part of a series so I get to read more.

Red Run by Kami Garcia
A haunted road makes a girl seek revenge for her dead brother.
I thought this was a new author but I didn't realise she wrote Beautiful Creatures which I have on my bookcase but haven't read yet. I must bump it up my TBR.

Things About Love by Jackson Pearce
A genie tries to find out about love from a human.
I've never read anything by this author either but I quite liked this short. I liked the idea of genies researching love 'cos they don't feel it.

Niederwald by Rachel Vincent
Based in the Soul Screamers series, this follows Sabine & Emma on a road trip.
I love this series and Vincent's writing so I really enjoyed this little short.

Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr
Based in the Wicked Lovely series, this follows Keenan & Donia on a holiday.
I'm still new to the Wicked Lovely series, having only read the first book so I feel like I've spoilered myself a little by reading this. But Donia was one of my favourite characters in the book so I still liked this.

Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong
Based in the Darkest Powers series, this has Tori finding out about Kit and putting her, and Chloe's, life in danger.
I love Kelley's writing and have recently re-read the whole Darkest Powers series so I was in the right mind frame for this story.

Let's Get This Undead Show On The Road by Sarah Rees Brennan
A vampire is the pulling factor for a boy band.
I didn't really enjoy this one, it was kinda cheesy. Thankfully only one of three that I didn't enjoy.

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready
A ghost finds someone to contact his brother.
The layout of this was a bit weird, it was written like a poem but I enjoyed the story. Unfortunately, the layout really was a put off.

Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting
A young boy has dreams that end up proving to be truth.
Another new author and a story that I really enjoyed. Very descriptive and well written.

Leaving by Ally Condie
A young girl lives in a society under a bubble but has a secret to hide.
Similar world to the Matched series. I really enjoyed this and liked the characters, there's potential for more.

At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday
Young girl tries to prove to her family she can do the family job but runs into trouble.
Another one of the three that I didn't really enjoy. Again, it was because of the cheesiness - there was just too much of it.

IV League by Margaret Stohl
Two young "drinkers" try to get into college to get out of their dying town.
And here is the third story that I didn't enjoy. The story seemed good but it just didn't come across as well as it could have.

Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson
A gargoyle gets captured and gets her wings cut off, this means she'll lose her memory about being a gargoyle and all she knew.
I enjoyed this one, it was bittersweet but a nice wee read.

The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
One sister has impulses that she must follow, the other sister is just along for the ride - until it turns out she's part of the 'pulses.
I really enjoy Jennifer Lynn Barnes' writing and this seems like it could be a good start to a series.

Automatic by Rachel Caine
Based in the Morganville Vampires series, Michael almost loses it when he tries the new canned blood.
Another favourite author of mine so I loved this. Eve is one of my favourite characters as well so I like to see more of her.


So it seems this anthology has just made my Goodreads to-read list that little bit longer. I do like that I've found some new authors to read but I'm pretty sure my bank account doesn't. Oh well, the life of a bibliophile.


Book Depository: Enthralled
Amazon UK: Enthralled

13 by Kelley Armstrong

War is coming to the Otherworld. A sinister cult known as The Supernatural Liberation Movement is hell-bent on exposing the truth about supernaturals to the rest of the world. Their violent, ruthless plan has put everyone at risk: from werewolves to vampires, from witches to half-demons.

Savannah Levine - fiery and unpredictable - stands at the heart of the maelstrom. There is a new, dark magic inside her, granting her the power to summon spells of terrifying strength. But whether this magic is a gift or a curse, no one knows.

On the eve of battle, all the major players must come together in a last, desperate fight for survival - Elena and Clay; Adam and Savannah; Paige and Lucas; Jeremy and Jaime; Hope, Eve and more ... They are fighting for their lives. They are fighting for their loved ones.

They are fighting for the Otherworld.

13 takes off exactly where Spellbound ended, Waking the Witch, Spellbound and 13 are actually the only books from the Otherworld series that don't have a big time gap in between them. Savannah and Jaime get "arrested" while trying to get away from the lab explosion, they get taken to a police station but don't get booked or anything so conclude that it's a trap. After fighting off a crazed werewolf and and escaped hellhound, they manage to get away from the station with Eve. Eve and Savannah find out that there's an anti-SLM group as well. They plan to infiltrate the SLM to take it down from the inside but the plan fails when the Nast cabal get involved and take Eve and Savannah into custody. After getting away from the Nast cabal, they team up with the rest of the Otherworld crew minus Antonio & Nick (*sad face*) and through some helpful demon Lords in the shape of Eve and Adam's fathers, they manage to find out exactly what's going on and stop it - with a lot of magic and action.

So yeah that was a very small recap because so much happens in this book that I'd end up just writing the whole damn story here. Anyone who reads my reviews or knows me personally knows how much I LOVE Kelley's books - it's impossible to not love her writing. For me - and any long time Otherworld fan - this book was a bittersweet read, as much as I couldn't wait to read it I also didn't want to read it 'cos as soon as I did then the series would be over.

So some of my favourite bits or my gasp out loud moments ........ (will be hidden due to major spoilers so highlight to read) ....... Malcolm - yes, Malcolm! He's alive and he's in Nast custody. Karl gets shot - I thought he was dead, luckily he survives - I didn't like that I thought he was dead for a short period. Elena gets in a fight with Malcolm and gets the better of him, she wants to kill him before Jeremy and Clay know he's actually alive but Clay walks in on them and then he fights him, almost kills him too but the Nast cabal intervene. Jeremy reveals he's going to make Elena alpha immediately - OK not that big a shock since it's the last book but still a tingle went through me (yes, I was that happy). Savannah and Adam finally get together properly but agree not to tell Paige and Lucas. Paige and Lucas find out anyway, Paige is fine with it, she's seen it coming for ages apparently, Lucas is most definitely not, he doesn't want Savannah getting hurt.

So any of my readers know they aren't going to get an unbiased review from me about a Kelley book - there's no such thing when it comes to Kelley. I freaking loved this book - sad to see the series end but Kelley did it justice. We got to see all of our favourite characters again and she tied off some open storylines while still leaving enough open to warrant novellas at a later date - which Kelley has said will happen.



FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Is a very short story purely there for the Alpha hand-off storyline. While 13 was happening, the twins and the rest of the pack were in Russia with the Russian pack so when Elena, Clay, Jeremy and Jaime join them, Jeremy officially hands the pack over to Elena.

I love the way he did it. Traditionally it would be a challenge so Jeremy challenged Elena to a game of chess. Which was already set up so that Elena would win since it was only a formality, everyone but Elena knew what was happening. Then there's a cool little scene with all the pack playing touch football as Elena watches them - and Jeremy is playing - realising they are her pack. As I said, a tiny short but it was only to serve one purpose. Oh and also let us see Xavier one last time.


Book Depository: 13
Amazon UK: 13

Country vs Country - Otherworld

No, I'm not condoning war, I'm talking about book covers. It always amazes me how different some book covers can be in different countries, and then for other books the cover can be the same.

Personally, the majority of the time I prefer UK covers to US or Canadian. This is purely because most US covers I see have half naked men or women on them and that just does not interest me, what it says to me is that sex sells in America.

I also prefer a cover that has some sort of clue to the story inside and, if it has a cover model, I like the cover model to actually look like the character(s). I never get a book that has a brunette on the cover and the main character is described as blonde, is the cover model supposed to be some obscure bit character? Or could the publishers not be arsed finding a new cover so maybe just recycle an old one? To be fair, I don't see this happen all that often but I have seen it happen.

Today I thought I'd compare the covers for one of my favourite series from the UK, US and Canada.


The Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong

The image above is the original UK covers. Of course these covers hold a very special place in my heart since these are the covers I have. I love them and each cover has an image that has something to do with the story. You'll notice the covers stop at Frostbitten, it was at Frostbitten that the publishers decided to give the covers a revamp so from Waking the Witch onward, it's all the new covers.

These are the new UK covers, the whole series has been re-released with the new covers. And, I have to admit, that even though I hated the fact that the covers got changed during the series (which I hate cause it messes up my bookcases), I really love these new covers. So much so that I am planning on re-buying the whole series so I have both sets of covers.

These are the US covers - I believe. I used both Kelley's website and Goodreads as reference for this post and it seems to me that perhaps the US are also getting a re-release to match the new style covers? Bitten and Stolen both have a cover that seems to fit in with Waking the Witch and Spell Bound and I couldn't find a similar cover for the rest of the books so I'm assuming that they're still being released? Either that or I just couldn't find the covers anywhere. Personally, I prefer the new covers to the old ones, I think it's the whole naked/half naked cover model thing. A lot of the old covers make absolutely no sense to me story wise.

And these are the new Canadian covers, I couldn't find any old Canadian covers so I'm assuming they just had the US covers before. Again, I'm not sure since I don't live there (yet, haha). I really like these covers, they're very eye catching and I love them even though they don't have the image to story link that I like.

And these are all the covers for 13 (or Thirteen if you're American). I know Kelley explained on the difference in title but I can't remember the reason behind it. Out of the 3 13 covers, I think the Canadian one has to be my favourite with the UK as a close second.


So yeah, this was just a post about the covers. The different country covers always intrigue me and I have several series that I will go out of my way to buy the US cover for but most of my books are UK covers.

I am thinking on making this a semi-regular series on my blog, using some of my favourite series to compare the cover differences. Depends on how well this one does, finding and sticking all those images together took a loooong time!

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is - a skin-walker. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows she will soon be able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents, including local bad boy Rafe, with whom she shares a powerful secret.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee their homes during a forest fire they suspect was set deliberately. Stranded in the wilderness of Vancouver Island, only their extraordinary abilities can help them get back home. But can Maya really trust her friends? And can she learn how to control her dangerous gift, before it controls her?

I'm not too pleased with the beginning of this book, bad things happened that I didn't want to happen! But a Kelley book wouldn't be a Kelley book without bad stuff happening.

I enjoyed the progression of the series in this book. Maya is a very mature YA lead so she's very easy to read, a lot of YA leads are annoyingly immature and yes, I do know they're YA so they're supposed to be young but I mean annoyingly immature. Maya is a nice change from that, although it may also be that she's forced into taking a leadership role to help her friends.

I also really enjoyed the little drops of the Darkest Powers series in here, mentions of names and events and I really can't wait to see them meet up. I can almost picture how Derek will react to the new bunch of people showing up and I cannot WAIT to read that scene. Any Kelley fans will love this and any non-Kelley fans, I suggest you start with The Summoning which is Book one of the Darkest Powers series.


Book Depository: The Calling
Amazon UK: The Calling

Hunting Kat by Kelley Armstrong

Kat is a sixteen-year-old vampire, and she's not too happy about it. After an experiment-gone-wrong and a bullet to the heart, she now hungers for human blood, and the worst part about that is the guilt. But guilt isn't the only thing stressing her. Kat is being hunted by the Edison Group, a dangerous Cabal that is responsible for her undead state. Kat is running out of places to hide, and she has no one to turn to — until she meets Chad and Neil. They're on the run like she is, and they offer to help Kat against their common enemy. But the boys aren't all that they seem, and for Kat, deciding whether to trust them may be a matter of life or death.

As I have stated in previous reviews, I have difficulty writing a review on a Kelley book without sounding gushy. I adore Kelley's writing style and her ability to write fantastic characters. Kat is no different, she died earlier than she thought she would but, with the help of her vampire guardian, she's dealing with it.

Even in a really short story, Kelley manages to draw you in and keep you interested. The good thing with Hunting Kat is, it gives you a little taste of the Darkness Rising world while waiting for The Calling to come out (SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!).

If you're a Kelley fan, this is a must read. It's short (which is both good and bad) and so typically Kelley that you can't not love it.


Amazon UK: Hunting Kat

Dead to Me by Kelley Armstrong

Three twisted tales of love and relationships.

A haunted house of her own
Grisly tales and restless spirits can turn a tired old inn into a hot tourist destination. Tanya's new B&B is said to have plenty of both. And it might be more than a marketing ploy.

Dead to me
When a young woman's soon-to-be-ex-husband falls down the stairs during a fight, she knows no one will believe her. So she hides the body ... only to discover that he isn't so easily silenced.

Plan B
A Nova Scotia gallery owner and his landscape artist wife discover that an affair can be murder on a marriage, and even the best laid schemes always need a plan B.

This is going to be one of my non-review-reviews 'cos Kelley is just one of those authors that I can't say anything bad about. I love her writing and even in these (very) short stories, she still manages to write great characters and stories. So I'll just do a wee mini review of each short.

A haunted house of her own
The longest of the 3 stories, it had a kind of Amityville feel to it. There were some family murders years ago and since then there have been local stories about the house. Tanya is a sceptic but she knows how well haunted B&Bs do so she's willing to embelish if she has to. But maybe she doesn't have to.

Dead to me
The shortest tale in this anthology. A wife is being haunted by her ex-husband's ghost since she hid his body. With her divorce about to be final, she couldn't take the chance that someone would blame her for his death. But her husband refuses to be laid to rest ...

Plan B
For a short story, this has an amazingly convoluted plot and some nefarious characters. This story is what Kelley's fans are used to, she keeps you guessing until the very end. And it's what we fans love.

A must read for any Kelley fan and even those of you who are not. It only cost 77p on Kindle so what's the harm in trying it.


Amazon UK: Dead To Me