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mamashark32's review against another edition
4.0
Another book where Kelley Armstrong delivers. It's very interesting to see things in the Otherworld from the male point of view, and to read the stories that are only mentioned in the main books of the series. Building on the characters we know and love, Ms Armstrong is able to weave the tales of Jeremy and Clay's lives before Elena came along. A very interesting book filled with remarkable detail for a true Otherworld fan.
fbeemcee's review against another edition
4.0
My only complaint is that the final story--about Jeremy and Jamie--wasn't long enough. I felt like it was the beginning of a novel. I was completely in the story and then, bam! it was over.
Otherwise, loved re-reading the back stories of Clay and Jeremy. They're two of my favorite characters in the Otherworld series.
Otherwise, loved re-reading the back stories of Clay and Jeremy. They're two of my favorite characters in the Otherworld series.
nattyg's review against another edition
4.0
Filled with in-between short stories that help flesh out the male characters in her novels, this was a good read. I would rather have more about Jeremy but I'm crossing my fingers that it will happen later...
sk8trrchick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
vikingwolf's review against another edition
4.0
I read this anthology after I had completed the series instead of when it actually came out. I now feel that this was a mistake because when Malcolm returns to the Otherworld in a later book, I really didn't know him or his story other than the brief mentions in the novels about Jeremy's past. Reading this anthology helped me connect more with Clay, and it gives a great backstory to the Pack and it's rules concerning mutts and leadership.
INFUSION: (#0.02)
Malcolm Danvers is annoyed that his father Edward is too weak to challenge for the position of Pack Leader, and that he himself has no sons yet. An encounter with a Japanese barmaid leaves her pregnant but when Malcolm discovers that she uses magic, he is determined to kill her and the baby.
I liked this story as we got to see what goes on in Malcolm's mind and just how dangerous he is. It also gives insight into why his relationship with Jeremy was never good. Interesting short story.
SAVAGE: (#0.03)
Clay is a child living in neglect and poverty so when he witnesses a man turning into a wolf, he asks to be changed. Escaping with a bite and his life, Clay lives wild in wolf form until Malcolm finds him but it is Jeremy who devotes himself to looking after Clay and teaching him how to regain his humanity. Clay's relationship with Malcolm deteriorates but Clay has other things to worry about-protecting Jeremy from the challenges of mutts.
This gives the back story to Clay and how he ended up lacking the social skills to embrace his human side. Seeing this and the lengths he will go to to protect Jeremy gave me a whole new liking for the character. I've always loved Nick but this story made me love him and Antonio more. It was good to see all the Pack members and the in fighting and bullying which leads to the events of Bitten further down the road. My favourite thing was seeing the bad things that Jeremy had to do to protect Clay and the Pack, showing he can be ruthless when required-I LOVED that scene!
ASCENSION: (#0.04)
Peter gets himself into trouble and Clay's actions in the crisis impress Malcolm, who offers to train Clay in combat to make him stronger which both Clay and Jeremy agree with. But the sudden death of the Pack Leader splits the Pack in two with Malcolm and Jeremy up against each other in the vote. Dennis and Joey infuriate Clay with their actions and Malcolm has a plan to defeat his son.
This story was full of intrigue as the Pack begins to split. Jeremy wants a bloodless handover but Malcolm would rather fight for the title. This shows how different father and son are. Malcolm is the fun bad guy in these stories-you WANT him to fail yet you don't quite want him dead because he is such a great bad guy! I've loved his appearances later in the series.
KITSUNEGARI: (#9.1)
A group of fox maidens try to lure Jeremy away from the very irate Jaime to get him to father their children.
This was an interesting story, looking at Jeremy's origins. I was also interested to see the developing relationship between Jeremy and Jaime, and how serious his feeling for her are. I always thought that she felt stronger than he did so it was great to see that I was wrong! I love them as a couple.
If like me, the wolves are your favourite Otherworld characters, you really must read this anthology. It gives vital background to the story and the characters and I loved that these stories were all released in one handy volume instead of having to hunt each one down. I just wish I could get hold of 'Becoming' which I really want to read!
INFUSION: (#0.02)
Malcolm Danvers is annoyed that his father Edward is too weak to challenge for the position of Pack Leader, and that he himself has no sons yet. An encounter with a Japanese barmaid leaves her pregnant but when Malcolm discovers that she uses magic, he is determined to kill her and the baby.
I liked this story as we got to see what goes on in Malcolm's mind and just how dangerous he is. It also gives insight into why his relationship with Jeremy was never good. Interesting short story.
SAVAGE: (#0.03)
Clay is a child living in neglect and poverty so when he witnesses a man turning into a wolf, he asks to be changed. Escaping with a bite and his life, Clay lives wild in wolf form until Malcolm finds him but it is Jeremy who devotes himself to looking after Clay and teaching him how to regain his humanity. Clay's relationship with Malcolm deteriorates but Clay has other things to worry about-protecting Jeremy from the challenges of mutts.
This gives the back story to Clay and how he ended up lacking the social skills to embrace his human side. Seeing this and the lengths he will go to to protect Jeremy gave me a whole new liking for the character. I've always loved Nick but this story made me love him and Antonio more. It was good to see all the Pack members and the in fighting and bullying which leads to the events of Bitten further down the road. My favourite thing was seeing the bad things that Jeremy had to do to protect Clay and the Pack, showing he can be ruthless when required-I LOVED that scene!
ASCENSION: (#0.04)
Peter gets himself into trouble and Clay's actions in the crisis impress Malcolm, who offers to train Clay in combat to make him stronger which both Clay and Jeremy agree with. But the sudden death of the Pack Leader splits the Pack in two with Malcolm and Jeremy up against each other in the vote. Dennis and Joey infuriate Clay with their actions and Malcolm has a plan to defeat his son.
This story was full of intrigue as the Pack begins to split. Jeremy wants a bloodless handover but Malcolm would rather fight for the title. This shows how different father and son are. Malcolm is the fun bad guy in these stories-you WANT him to fail yet you don't quite want him dead because he is such a great bad guy! I've loved his appearances later in the series.
KITSUNEGARI: (#9.1)
A group of fox maidens try to lure Jeremy away from the very irate Jaime to get him to father their children.
This was an interesting story, looking at Jeremy's origins. I was also interested to see the developing relationship between Jeremy and Jaime, and how serious his feeling for her are. I always thought that she felt stronger than he did so it was great to see that I was wrong! I love them as a couple.
If like me, the wolves are your favourite Otherworld characters, you really must read this anthology. It gives vital background to the story and the characters and I loved that these stories were all released in one handy volume instead of having to hunt each one down. I just wish I could get hold of 'Becoming' which I really want to read!
charlottenw1's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book and loved the action-packed storyline with the added mystery. The writing was amazing and really kept me intrigued throughout the whole of the book. The characters are so captivating and the conflict is so well written within the story. I love the whole book and it adds to the rest of the series.
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
I was slightly disappointed that the only male perspectives were from werewolves. Although we do get non-werewolf male perspectives from Lucas in Personal Demon and Finn and Colin (as well as Karl, a werewolf) in Living with the Dead, I was led to expect a more well-rounded selection of male perspectives in this book based on the title.
Despite that, this book does add a lot of depth to the male werewolf characters. The first novella, Infusion is mainly from the perspective of Malcolm, Jeremy's father. Although it was great to get a glimpse into Jeremy's background, Malcolm is clearly a sociopath. I already had that idea about him from Karl's perspective in Living with the Dead, but his callous behavior towards his infant son solidified it beyond any doubt.
The definite highlight to the book was the second and third novellas, Savage and Ascension, which outline Clayton's history. I haven't always been a fan of his character, but I feel like I understand him much better now. I just wish his history had continued to the point where he met Elena. Their initial romance isn't covered in that much detail in the Women of the Otherworld books that have Elena as a protagonist, and I think it would have been fascinating to have it explored from Clayton's unique perspective. On the other hand, it was nice that the sexual detail and tension was minimal compared to what usually occurs.
The fourth novella, Kitsunegari, rounds out the collection with Jeremy's perspective. The inclusion of Japanese kitsune was very interesting, and I would love it if that got explored further. However, I wonder if that aspect of Jeremy's background will play a role in any other books that take place in the Otherworld universe, considering that Kelley Armstrong purportedly plans to end the Women of the Otherworld series with the next book (thirteenth - and I believe in Savannah's perspective).
One nice thing about the novellas is that they help establish the Otherworld timeline by listing years. Infusion takes place in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. Jeremy must have been born in 1946 or 1947. Savage starts in 1967. Since Clayton's date of birth is set as January 15, 1962, "making the day Jeremy found me my seventh birthday", Clayton must have bitten when he was approximately five years old. The true details of his identity are never revealed. Ascension picks up roughly where Savage leaves off, when Clayton is ten years old. We could make additional calculations using Jeremy's age as well. The last novella, Kitsunegari, jumps ahead three decades to 2007. Although it obviously takes place after No Humans Involved, I'm unsure about its placement in the Otherworld timeline beyond that.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
Despite that, this book does add a lot of depth to the male werewolf characters. The first novella, Infusion is mainly from the perspective of Malcolm, Jeremy's father. Although it was great to get a glimpse into Jeremy's background, Malcolm is clearly a sociopath. I already had that idea about him from Karl's perspective in Living with the Dead, but his callous behavior towards his infant son solidified it beyond any doubt.
The definite highlight to the book was the second and third novellas, Savage and Ascension, which outline Clayton's history. I haven't always been a fan of his character, but I feel like I understand him much better now. I just wish his history had continued to the point where he met Elena. Their initial romance isn't covered in that much detail in the Women of the Otherworld books that have Elena as a protagonist, and I think it would have been fascinating to have it explored from Clayton's unique perspective. On the other hand, it was nice that the sexual detail and tension was minimal compared to what usually occurs.
The fourth novella, Kitsunegari, rounds out the collection with Jeremy's perspective. The inclusion of Japanese kitsune was very interesting, and I would love it if that got explored further. However, I wonder if that aspect of Jeremy's background will play a role in any other books that take place in the Otherworld universe, considering that Kelley Armstrong purportedly plans to end the Women of the Otherworld series with the next book (thirteenth - and I believe in Savannah's perspective).
One nice thing about the novellas is that they help establish the Otherworld timeline by listing years. Infusion takes place in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. Jeremy must have been born in 1946 or 1947. Savage starts in 1967. Since Clayton's date of birth is set as January 15, 1962, "making the day Jeremy found me my seventh birthday", Clayton must have bitten when he was approximately five years old. The true details of his identity are never revealed. Ascension picks up roughly where Savage leaves off, when Clayton is ten years old. We could make additional calculations using Jeremy's age as well. The last novella, Kitsunegari, jumps ahead three decades to 2007. Although it obviously takes place after No Humans Involved, I'm unsure about its placement in the Otherworld timeline beyond that.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.