#64 Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
Men of the Otherworld is a collection of two novellas and two short stories that give the spotlight to two important male characters in the 
Women of the Otherworld series. Three of these tales were originally posted online as a gift to Armstrong’s fans. After much pressure from readers, they have been released in a nice hardcover collection, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. Although I never got a chance to read the novellas online (well it comes to reading off of screen I can’t go for anything much longer than… well, one of my reviews), I was impressed at how well they came together in this single volume. Each story flows well from one to the next, almost as if it was a novel. They also provide fascinating back stories on two of the women of the underworld’s favorite male characters, werewolves Jeremy and Clay.
For a brief review of each story, check under the cut.
"Infusion" (short story)- Taking place in 1946, "Infusion" explains the story behind Jeremy’s conception. We’re introduced to Malcolm, an aggressive werewolf male, who is seduced by a young Japanese woman. When she becomes pregnant, Malcolm hopes for a son to bring back to the werewolf pack. Only there’s more to this mystery woman that he at first suspects. Infusion is a tightly written story. Although Malcolm is a very unlikable protagonist, the air of mystery behind Jeremy’s mother makes the story fascinating regardless. Infusion leaves many questions unanswered, but readers will be happy to find resolution in the latter three stories. Five out of five stars
"Savage" (novella)- "Savage" brings us forward in time to 1967, where we are introduced to a unique child named Clay. When approached by a werewolf Clay doesn’t run away in fear. Instead he openly invites the bite, and the changes that come after it. "Savage" tells about Clay’s childhood in the wilderness, how he first met Jeremy, and Jeremy’s attempt to domesticate him. "Savage" reads incredibly quickly. It also provides fascinating insights to Clay’s inner psyche. "Savage" also has its fair share of humor. I particularly liked the scene with Clay and his classroom’s guinea pig. Five out of five stars
"Ascension" (novella)- "Ascension" takes place in 1972, and tells about Clay’s adolescence and Jeremy’s rise to pack alpha. It also resolves the struggle between Jeremy and his father Malcolm. There are some particularly disturbing scenes in this one, especially where Clay first gain’s his reputation of Jeremy’s “enforcer.” There is also a nice, but brief reference to Elena that made me smile. Five out of Five stars
"Kitsunegari" (short story)- "Kitsunegari" answers the one question left from "Infusion," what is the truth behind Jeremy’s mother? In it, Jeremy is at one of his girlfriend Jamie’s shows when he runs into a strange woman who attempts to seduce him. "Kitsunegari" lacks the tight focus of Infusion as it has to tell the story of Jeremy’s lineage, as well as provide insights on the Jeremy/Jamie relationship. Despite its weaknesses, I still found myself enjoying this story. It’s also the only story of the four to contain any romantic elements. A rare find in the paranormal genre.
Men of the Otherworld is a well put together collection that I would recommend to established fans who want to learn more about their favorite werewolves, as well as new fans curious about the series. Armstrong is planning on publishing more of her online fiction in Tales of the Otherworld, which is set to release sometime in 2010. From what I heard, it will have a story about Lucas, one about Eve and Kristof, and one about Elena and Clay. It lacks a solid release date but it already has a sexy cover that can be found here (very Jacqueline Carey. Nice one!).
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 369 pages
Source: amazon.com
TBR Pile: 144 books
Similar Books: Kim Harrison's The Hollows Series, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Series ( find reviews here), and previous Women of the Otherworld books
Other books I've read by this book: Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, Haunted, Broken, No Humans Involved, Personal Demon, Living with the Dead ( my review), The Summoning ( my review), The Awakening ( my review), Exit Strategy ( my review)
xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds
Women of the Otherworld series. Three of these tales were originally posted online as a gift to Armstrong’s fans. After much pressure from readers, they have been released in a nice hardcover collection, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. Although I never got a chance to read the novellas online (well it comes to reading off of screen I can’t go for anything much longer than… well, one of my reviews), I was impressed at how well they came together in this single volume. Each story flows well from one to the next, almost as if it was a novel. They also provide fascinating back stories on two of the women of the underworld’s favorite male characters, werewolves Jeremy and Clay.
For a brief review of each story, check under the cut.
"Infusion" (short story)- Taking place in 1946, "Infusion" explains the story behind Jeremy’s conception. We’re introduced to Malcolm, an aggressive werewolf male, who is seduced by a young Japanese woman. When she becomes pregnant, Malcolm hopes for a son to bring back to the werewolf pack. Only there’s more to this mystery woman that he at first suspects. Infusion is a tightly written story. Although Malcolm is a very unlikable protagonist, the air of mystery behind Jeremy’s mother makes the story fascinating regardless. Infusion leaves many questions unanswered, but readers will be happy to find resolution in the latter three stories. Five out of five stars
"Savage" (novella)- "Savage" brings us forward in time to 1967, where we are introduced to a unique child named Clay. When approached by a werewolf Clay doesn’t run away in fear. Instead he openly invites the bite, and the changes that come after it. "Savage" tells about Clay’s childhood in the wilderness, how he first met Jeremy, and Jeremy’s attempt to domesticate him. "Savage" reads incredibly quickly. It also provides fascinating insights to Clay’s inner psyche. "Savage" also has its fair share of humor. I particularly liked the scene with Clay and his classroom’s guinea pig. Five out of five stars
"Ascension" (novella)- "Ascension" takes place in 1972, and tells about Clay’s adolescence and Jeremy’s rise to pack alpha. It also resolves the struggle between Jeremy and his father Malcolm. There are some particularly disturbing scenes in this one, especially where Clay first gain’s his reputation of Jeremy’s “enforcer.” There is also a nice, but brief reference to Elena that made me smile. Five out of Five stars
"Kitsunegari" (short story)- "Kitsunegari" answers the one question left from "Infusion," what is the truth behind Jeremy’s mother? In it, Jeremy is at one of his girlfriend Jamie’s shows when he runs into a strange woman who attempts to seduce him. "Kitsunegari" lacks the tight focus of Infusion as it has to tell the story of Jeremy’s lineage, as well as provide insights on the Jeremy/Jamie relationship. Despite its weaknesses, I still found myself enjoying this story. It’s also the only story of the four to contain any romantic elements. A rare find in the paranormal genre.
Men of the Otherworld is a well put together collection that I would recommend to established fans who want to learn more about their favorite werewolves, as well as new fans curious about the series. Armstrong is planning on publishing more of her online fiction in Tales of the Otherworld, which is set to release sometime in 2010. From what I heard, it will have a story about Lucas, one about Eve and Kristof, and one about Elena and Clay. It lacks a solid release date but it already has a sexy cover that can be found here (very Jacqueline Carey. Nice one!).
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 369 pages
Source: amazon.com
TBR Pile: 144 books
Similar Books: Kim Harrison's The Hollows Series, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Series ( find reviews here), and previous Women of the Otherworld books
Other books I've read by this book: Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, Haunted, Broken, No Humans Involved, Personal Demon, Living with the Dead ( my review), The Summoning ( my review), The Awakening ( my review), Exit Strategy ( my review)
xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds