Men of the Otherworld

Boring boring boring

I cannot tell you how much I wish that most books had the leading male's point of views. When it's the guys' point of view, it makes me understand the book and the character itself. Twilight did that with Jacob in the 4th book, and I hope Stephanie decides to keep writing Midnight Sun because I would LOVE to learn Edwards side. Then this book...it does exactly that. It makes you understand Clay's character A LOT, shows just how strong Jeremy is and why he is so patient. You learn about Jeremy's father which is big. You also get to learn the why's on some stuff that has been brought up in the Women of the Otherworld series about Jeremy. Why he's different than other Alpha's, why he can contact and sense everyone in the pack by his abilities....oh, and you can sense what he's like in love too :-) I loved this book. Definitely a book that I will read over and over again, I HIGHLY recommend it. Kelley Armstrong has become one of my favorite authors that I just happened to stumble across by walking around Borders one day and I'm definitely not disappointed. You'll love this book and any book by her.

"Infusion (1946)" Malcolm isn't very happy with his lot in life - so far he's had to get out from under the shadow of his father's cowardice and he has yet to father a child. To make up for this Malcolm has set out to make himself one of the most feared werewolves within the Pack, which he has achieved, but fatherhood still eludes him. However, when a random encounter with a timid Japanese woman leads to a pregnancy, Malcolm isn't sure whether to rejoice or be afraid of the humiliation that a mix breed child would bring him. But when the child is born Malcolm discovers that this child is more than merely mix-race, but something other that scares him even more. "Infusion" is a dramatic tale that tells the beginnings of Malcolm's son and explains Malcolm's constant anger and loathing for the Pack. It also raises the question of what becomes of Malcolm's son after Malcolm's father takes him in. As an introduction to the men of the Otherworld "Infusion" is a riveting hook that will keep you turning the pages. "Savage (1967)" When Jeremy found Clayton, he was a wild wolf in the Louisiana bayou. Clay had gotten a werewolf to bite him and in the following years Clay became almost feral - to the point that he has forgotten what human behavior is like. However, Jeremy's patience slowly wins Clay over and Jeremy takes Clay home to Stonehaven and slowly tries, with different degrees of success, how to blend with other humans and how to behave within the werewolf society. "Savage" tells the tale of how Clayton came to be a werewolf and why Clay has such unshakeable loyalty to Jeremy. While this story is told from the first person point of view, Clay is a powerful narrator - one who almost dispassionately tells of all the foibles, almost comical struggles and twisted perceptions of humans and other wolves that he experiences as he grows up under Jeremy's care. "Savage" also reveals whom Malcolm's son grows up to become, although the reader has to be alert as Clay, the narrator, doesn't know Malcolm's past so the subject is never addressed directly. "Savage" is a spectacularly insightful tale that reveals as much about Jeremy as it does about Clay and it's not a story to be missed by Clay and Otherworld fans! "Ascension (1972)" Race for the Alpha position within the pack has always been subtle, but there nonetheless - with Malcolm campaigning in backrooms and Jeremy slowly becoming Dominic's right hand man. Still, when Dominic dies the question of who would ascend to become pack Alpha is unresolved, splitting the pack in two. However, Jeremy wants the "contest" resolved in a peaceful manner, while Malcolm advocates a bloody battle for the title. But as things progress they reach a point of no return and Jeremy needs to decide how much violence he is willing to tolerate in order to become the pack Alpha. Once again "Ascension" is narrated by Clay in the first person format which gives a lot of insight as to how Clay's brain operate

Even though part of this book is also on Kelley's website as small "web stories" she has added a LOT of new material to this book. I started reading this a few days ago and haven't been able to put it down! AND i've been laughing throughout the book b/c of Clay's thoughts when he was a child!! (priceless!!!) This book is about the Men of the Wolf Pack. It gives in depth detail about Jeremy and Clay along w/ the older men in the Pack. It follows the men from the birth of Jeremy, the discovery of Clay, the "house breaking" of Clay, the first meeting of Clay w/ the Pack, the first fight that Clay has, etc. It's great history for fans that love the stories about the Pack. I've been enjoying this book immensely and I can't wait for her next book about Elena & Clay which should come out in Nov. of this year!

While female narrators have generally dominated Kelley Armstrong's addictive Women of the Otherworld series, long time readers have often wished/clamored/begged for an opportunity to hear tales told from the perspective of the Otherworld's strong cast of leading men. Never one to deny her readers, Armstrong obliged, offering up a series of free online novellas narrated by some of her most intriguing male characters. 'Men of the Otherworld' is a beautifully bound collection of these stories. Two novellas, 'Savage' and 'Ascension' chronicle Jeremy Danvers' perilous rise to the Alpha throne seen through the eyes of his adopted son, Clayton. Clay, a misanthrope whose wit, and delightful moral ambiguity have made him a popular fan favorite since his first appearance in 'Bitten', provides readers with a unique insider's look at Pack life. It's interesting to hear his narrative voice change as he matures from a feral bitten child into an intelligent young man eager to embrace his role as Jeremy's best and most feared enforcer. Two short stories bookend the novellas. 'Infusion' teases readers with its hints at Jeremy's true parentage, while 'Kitsunegari' actually reveals who, or more appropriately what, Jeremy's mother was before she met her violent and untimely end. These stories are a real treat, and since all the proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the World Literacy of Canada, it is truly a guiltless pleasure.

"Infusion". In 1946 in New York City the Japanese bar maid abetted by two other sorceresses seduced Malcolm Danvers, who to his chagrin wanted her in spite of loathing the race following the war. He knows she is pregnant and watches her stomach grow. He hunts her and kills her. When he goes to kill their half-breed offspring, his crippled father Edward, who he scorns for failing to become the Alpha as expected of a Danvers, demands he bring his half-breed abomination to the Pack to be raised by them; they call him Jeremy. "Savage". In 1967 in Baton Rouge, the six year old child watched from the trees the adult change. He decided he wanted that skill too so balckmails the wolf by insisting he will not tell the secret into biting him. However, no one was there to mentor Clayton with the change until Jeremy took him under his wing two years after the bite. As Clayton learns to control his nature, Pack member Malcolm resents him for becoming Jeremy's favorite. "Kitsunegari". In 2007 Jeremy has become the American Pack leader. He is wating for his Jaime to finish work when he meets a fox spirit, who insists she is for him as befitting the last Kogitsune while trying to seduce him. Following up to her wonderful Women of the Otherworld saga (see LIVING WITH THE DEAD and PERSONAL DEMON), Kelly Armstrong provides fascinating tales of the males of the American Pack. Within "Infusion" and "Savage", there is insight into other male werewolves, which gives the collection a sort of anecdotal feel yet still focuses on the prime characters as described above. Ms. Armstrong once again provides a terrific urban fantasy anthology with this werewolves in New York compilation. Harriet Klausner