85) Otherworld Chills by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Embrace the obscure. In the final installment of the Otherworld anthology series, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong once again opens the gates to the Otherworld. This collection of rare and never-before-published novellas and short stories brings the clever wit, dark twists, and intense suspense Otherworld readers have come to expect. Favorite characters return, secrets are revealed, and several important storylines reach their conclusions.

My Thoughts :

Once again there is another collection of tales from the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong.  Once again I rush around hoping to get a copy because I really miss this series and love this author.  While I usually hate anthologies this is an exception to the rule because the stories are all by Kelley, are all from the Otherworld and are all short stories.  No this isn't just a bunch of really short stories these are stories that actually have chapters because they are so long.  This is a book you can get your teeth stuck into and enjoy.  This author gives the fans the good stuff.

BRAZEN

This story is all about Nick.  The threat of Malcolm is topic of the story but the romance aspect seemed to take front stage most of the time.  This one was a little flat and a poor choice for the first story in the collection.  I spent the whole story just hoping that things will get better because this one, while not boring, wasn't exactly exciting either.  Nice to see things from Nick's perspective but sadly not as good as the other stories in the book.

CHAOTIC

A tale about Hope and Karl and how they met. It felt familiar and I had the feeling throughout the story that I have read it before somewhere.  Maybe I have.  Despite that 'I've been here before' déjà vu I still read the story until the end.  It was action packed and interesting but not the best of the bunch.

AMITYVILLE HORRIBLE

I really like Jamie so this one was one of my favourite stories.  Being tricked into taking part in a haunted house reality show, the necromancer manages to find more ghosts that expected.  With Jeremy around for support it was a great read.  I like their relationship and combined with the ghostly mystery I was hooked.  Creepy and definitely putting the chills into the book title, this was definitely my favourite of the bunch.

SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD

A vampire story.  It seems the author tried to cover every character or at least every Otherworld supernatural.  Cassandra and Zoe were always around somewhere but they never really got to tell a story like the other women. However this still wasn't their chance.  The story was the shortest of all and disappointing.

OFF-DUTY ANGEL

You can't have an Otherworld collection of stories with one about or featuring Eve Levine.  She is one of the well known and prominent characters in the series and it was a done deal about her being in here somewhere.  However the story wasn't the best of the bunch and not my favourite about her.  It was ok but I wouldn't have missed the story, although I would have missed Eve, if this one had been left out of the book.

THE PUPPY PLAN

So I am very sure I read this one before somewhere and skipped most of this story.  A tale about Elena and Clay's twins and of course, as the title suggests, a puppy.  A nice read and one that all fans of the series will appreciate.  It is always great to check in with Elena and Clay. They really made the series and nearly everything revolved around them.

BABY BOOM

The other characters that took up a lot of the series is Paige, Lukas and Savannah.   So it was a nice surprise to have this story come in at the end.  A good story and a good end to the book.  It's all about pregnancy and may not be the best plot but it was a nice read and I loved catching up with them all.

All in all this is a nice book that fans will appreciate and enjoy.  I really would prefer more full length books in the series but I know that this is most likely never going to happen.  It also sounds like this is the last time any of the characters will be seen again.  Such a shame but it was an amazing series and one I will be re-reading sometime soon.

63) City of the Lost : Part One by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Casey Duncan once killed a man and got away with it. Since then she’s become a talented police detective, tethered only to her job, her best friend, Diana, and the occasional evening with her sexy, no-strings-attached ex-con lover, Kurt. But then Diana's abusive ex finds her again, despite all Casey has done to help her disappear. And Casey’s own dark past begins to catch up with her. The two women need to run—and Diana’s heard of a place where they won’t be found, a town especially for people like them…

My Thoughts :

I won't spend a lot of time on this review because this just the 1st of 6 parts in the City of the Lost.  For some reason this book is available as a whole novel but priced pretty high but there are the lower priced six installments on Kindle which I have chosen to read through.

This first installment sets the story.  You learn all about Casey, her past and her current situation.  You also get to know about Diana her best friend.  A woman who has gotten herself into a bad place and wants to runaway.  There is also Kurt, the lover that Casey may actually have feelings for but doesn't want to admit it.

How things will progress is something that will certainly be revealed in part two and part one has already done a great job of getting me hooked.  I love this author and even though there hasn't really been a paranormal aspect revealed yet, I still can't wait to read more.  The novella/short story collection may not appeal to everyone but this was a quick read and I will be reading the next part very soon.

106) Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

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.

My Thoughts :

I should really take the time to read the blurb before pouncing on books by my favourite authors.  I see their name, see a release date that is quickly approaching and just grab a copy.  However within seconds of starting the book I realised I had made a mistake.  This wasn't 'new' and this wasn't at all what I was expecting.

Led Astray is an anthology.  The best of Kelley Armstrong.  Now this may seem like a great idea.  All of Kelley's short stories in one book.  However I have already read the majority of them.  So I ended up speed reading at least two thirds of the book.  The other stories, two new, weren't anything extremely special to write home about.  Although on saying that, I do tend to get a little negative about anthologies.  I'm just not a fan and rarely find one worth praising.

Now if you are a hardcore fan you will have read most of the stories already.  Over the years we have all craved just a little bit more of Armstrong in between books and have grabbed the occasional novella.  So this won't be a top priority for you unless you really want to make sure your collection is complete.  Yes there are two new short stories in here but weigh up the pro's and con's first.  You are buying a whole book full of stories you have already read just to get two new short stories. Think about it and don't blame anyone else for your decision.

If you enjoy Kelley's books but haven't had the chance to read any or many of her short stories then you will want to get a hold of this one.  There are some really nice ones in here and the stories are set in all of her various 'worlds'.  So there is something for everyone.  However if you haven't read many or any of Kelley's books you may want to leave this one for a later date.  There aren't really huge spoilers in here but there are some.  It would certainly annoy me and most likely confuse me if I wasn't that far along with the books in any of the series.

Lots of the stories are standalone but quite a few fit into a certain series somewhere.  One of the original stories (and one of the longest of the collection) is from the Cainsville series where as the other is a standalone.  Actually my favourite of the bunch was the original standalone called 'The Door' but it was a quick read.

In all honesty I nearly didn't finish this book.  After about 20% I had to put the book down and have a break.  My head hurt and I felt like the book should be over already.  The first 20% felt like a whole novel.  If it wasn't for the fact that I was stuck at the doctors for two hours with only my trusty Kindle to keep me occupied I may not have finished this book.

All in all this is a nice collection and also a wonderful idea.  I don't think I would have bought this one but definitely would have borrowed it from the library or a friend.  Kelley is an experienced and special author with some amazing books behind her and hopefully more in her future.  She has the gift of writing a great short story so Led Astray isn't full unworthy reads.  Just full of novellas you may have read before.

88) Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

TRUST NO ONE

Olivia Jones is desperate for the truth. The daughter of convicted serial killers, she has begun to suspect that her parents are innocent of their crimes. But who can she trust, in a world where betrayal and deception hide in every shadow?

RISK EVERYTHING

Liv does have one secret weapon: a mysterious sixth sense that helps her to anticipate danger. The trouble is, this rare power comes with its own risks. There are dark forces that want to exploit Liv's talents - and will stop at nothing to win her to their side.

FACE THE TRUTH

Now Liv must decide, before it's too late. Who does she love? Who is really on her side? And can she save herself without burning down everything that matters most?

My Thoughts :

I really loved the first book in this series.  It felt like Kelley and was so unique and mysterious. Book two was interesting, still captivating despite making some strange twists and turns.  However this third book felt different and slightly disappointing.

Deceptions could have done with a 'previously in Cainsville' prologue.  If there is only one book per year there should be some helpful introduction to remind the reader what happened.  The series was good and I love Kelley's work but a lot has happened since the last book and I needed some reminders.  As things progressed I did start to remember little pieces but I think this is a series that would be best read with as little time between books as possible.

What really stood out in Deceptions was the love triangle.  It was hinted at in books one and two but took over this third book completely.  By the end I was confused and annoyed at Olivia for going the route she did and wondering why she didn't pick the other guy.  On the other hand I was also happy she picked him and didn't go for the other.  There was so many conflicting emotions for the whole triangle and it really did take over the whole story.

The actual plot seemed to drown under the Gabriel and Ricky business.  While it fit into the fantasy angle of the books it took the spotlight away from the elements I enjoyed so much in the previous books.  Cainsville itself was only visited for brief scenes and I missed the location that was built up so much in the previous books.

It is really hard for me to actually say I hated this book because I didn't.  I did have trouble reading it as fast as I usually would of and I had a hard time finishing it.  The ending seemed rushed and not complete and this also left me confused.  I read these books always thinking they were a trilogy and this was the last book.  However it turns out that there are at least two more books to come.

All in all this is a Kelley Armstrong book and she is always a pre-order and must read author for me.  So i will definitely be reading the next installment even if it is only to see where she is going to take this next.  While Deceptions seemed to bring everything to an end there must be something I missed.

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36) Life Sentence by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

A duo of zombie tales by best selling author Kelley Armstrong.

LIFE SENTENCE

As other Cabals look to vampires for the cure to mortality, Daniel Boyd sets his sights on the “other” undead: zombies. Of course, finding volunteers for his experiments proves a bit of a challenge, but when a man only has six months to live, he’s willing to break a few rules.

LAST STAND

In the aftermath of a zombie virus outbreak, a troop of soldiers fights to save their people from extinction. But there’s something a little different about this particular group of survivors...

My Thoughts :

There is something very satisfying when curling up with than a Kelley Armstrong story!  I am trying to satiate my hunger for more full length novels by collecting and reading the many short stories that are available.  Life Sentence is one of those novellas and has two tales of the Living Dead inside.

Life Sentence is the first story in the duo and is a semi scary read with some great twists.  A story with a situation you could relate to and some strange and weird ways to extend life.  The story has some ties to the Otherworld series but doesn't really mention anything or anyone from the series, A nice short read that is enjoyable but over too quickly.

Last Stand must be one of my least favourite read by this author.  I believe there is only one other time I didn't really enjoy a story by Kelley Armstrong and this now makes two.  It wasn't that it was bad or not worth reading but there was just something about it that didn't make me wish the story would keep going.  I was glad when it was over and totally uninterested in the characters and plot. Which has never happened in relation to this author.

A nice small collection.  A definite read for the fans and a nice way to get to know the author if you haven't already had the pleasure.

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33) Branded by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Rayne and Braeden live in a world decimated by war and famine, a world where survivors take refuge in fortresses, protecting themselves against a land overrun by hybrids—the horrific results of wartime genetic modifications—and the branded—roving bands of supernatural outcasts. When Rayne exposes Braeden as a werewolf, she’s lauded as a hero. But it’s actually just the first step in their desperate bid for freedom.

My Thoughts :

Ever wondered what could of happened to the Otherworld?  Branded is a short story that shows a post-apocalyptic view of the Otherworld series which will leave you with goosebumps.

After all the years of Otherworld stories I have to admit that I didn't see this future coming.  Maybe this novella is only a possibility of what could happen but it really makes you wonder what Kelley Armstrong could do with this series in the future.

Branded is an interesting story that packs a punch despite its small size.  A definite read for any fans of the series and a very interesting twist on the whole series. What else can I say?  Just try it.  You will either love it or hate it but with so many other books being all post-apocalyptic these days it may just be the read you need to see how it really should be done.

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139) Gifted by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville short story, Gabriel Walsh as 10 year old narrator.) :

Cainsville was where a boy could walk the streets safely at any time, day or night. Where everyone was genuinely glad to see you, and didn’t think you were odd if you wanted to keep to yourself. Because Cainsville was odd, too. For one thing, there are the gargoyles. Unlike the others, Gabriel doesn’t believe the carven creatures came to life to protect the town. It’s up to a boy to protect himself. Now he’s determined to find the last hidden gargoyle by winter Solstice. He’s also determined to get the perfect gift for his great-aunt Rose. And when Gabriel Walsh sets goals, he achieves them…one way or another.

The Puppy Plan (Otherworld novella, 9 year old Logan Danvers as narrator.) :

When Logan finds an puppy abandoned by the roadside a few days before Christmas, he knows it’s a sign. His sister Kate wants a dog more than anything. Their parents aren’t completely opposed to the idea. It’s just a bad time. A really bad time. Maybe next year. But now there’s this puppy in need of a home and a girl in need of a pet… So how does a boy who always plays by the rules give his sister what she wants most?

My Thoughts :

The Otherworld series came to an end but Kelley Armstrong still delights her readers with these amazing short stories!  The Puppy Plan is another story about Elena and Clay's twins who are now already 9 years old.  It is another great story in the series and a must read for any fans.  The Christmas theme to the story means that this is the perfect time of year to read this one and it would also make a perfect gift to anyone who loves this author.

The Cainsville series is Kelley's newest adventure and it is turning out to be just as amazing as all her other books.  I am enjoying the series a lot and this short story was a lovely gift from the author.  It was great to get to know Gabriel as a boy and really see how things were for him growing up.  The whole story was interesting to read and it would also make a great quick look into the series if you haven't already started.

Both stories were, as always, top notch.  Definite must reads for fans of the author and if you can manage it you really need to check these out before the holidays are over.  There is nothing like reading a Christmas story at the wrong time of year!

Thank you Kelley for the amazing gifts!  I hope you have a great Christmas! ;)

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113) Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

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.

My Thoughts :

I usually hate anthologies and usually moan and groan about them afterward.  However an anthology with only Kelley Armstrong stories based in the Otherworld Series is nothing to gripe about.  It is something to celebrate and anticipate.

Due to my distaste for anthologies I have actually never (to my recollection) read any of the short stories in the Otherworld Nights collection.  So I was very eager to read this book and catch up with some of the characters again and see how they are doing.  To make the review easier to write I will address each story individually.

1) Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is.

Short but sweet.  This one left me wanting more but it was a nice to find out more about Adam and meet his Mother.

2) Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"

This is the only story from the collection that I believe I have read before.  It felt familiar and if I go back and check my previous reads maybe I will find "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon" on the list.

It was a good story and it was typical Elena and Clay.  They manage to be so close but fail to communicate well enough to enjoy their honeymoon.  It is amusing and cute at the same time.  A nice story about two of my favourite characters in the series.

3) Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella

The was the longest and best story in the book.  Clay, Elena and the twins are getting ready for Christmas.  All alone in a cabin they come across a local mutt.  The story has some nice twists and turns and also brings up the 'when do we tell the children' question.

I really liked this story and it was like having another new episode in the Otherworld series.  A look at how things could have been.   Other members of the Pack show up as an added treat but the icing on the cake was getting to know the twins better.

Any fan of the series, who hasn't read this short story, should get this anthology just because of Hidden.  It makes the whole anthology worth reading and made me very happy.

4) Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"

A story about Cassandra.  I guess the title is a little funny when you think this one is a vampire novella.  I didn't really care for this one and have never really liked the character.  It was interesting to find out more about her life but she made me want to stake her.

5) Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2" (the Dec'14 SubPress graphic novella picks up this storyline)

I think this was my second favourite.  I can't remember much about Reese but I really enjoyed getting to know him and finding out more about his past.  This was a tragic story but it was a good look into the reasons Reese is the way he is.  He is mentioned/takes part in some of the other stories in this anthology and this background piece about him explains a lot.

6) Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"

I really like Hope and Karl so I was happy to find them among the novellas in this collection.  Another short but sweet story this was over pretty quick but there was a lot of action and information.  Another enjoyable read and well worth checking out if you like these characters.

7) From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"

Another nice Elena story but it was over pretty quick.  I didn't understand why the whole being followed bit was so important but maybe I wasn't paying enough attention.

This story came across as the last look into the life of the Pack.  It could also be seen as the beginning of what is to come.  I don't know if Kelley intends on coming back to the Otherworld at some point but if she does this is the story she would have to continue from.  A nice ending but a hopeful future.

8) Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen"

I like Savannah but this story didn't agree with me.  I am not sure why but I felt like I should have enjoyed it more.  Maybe I didn't put it in the right place in the series and it should have meant more to me.  Did it tie up some loose ends that I had forgotten about?

I plan on reading/listening (if I can get them all on audio!) the whole series again from start to finish and I definitely have to try and fit in the novellas too.

All in all this was a good collection of stories that are well worth reading if you are a fan of the series.  Check the stories first to see if you have read them before because you could end up being disappointed and re-reading novellas you already know.

Kelley Armstrong is a great writer and I thank her for putting this novellas together and look forward to another collection.  The Otherworld is one of my favourite series ever and I miss it like mad.  This anthology was a great present and a thoughtful idea.  I doubt I would have ever managed to read all of the stories in their original anthologies.

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91) Visions by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

My Thoughts :

Omens blew my mind last year and it was definitely in the top three of my favourite reads of 2013.  I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the second part, Visions, and even had a sniff of an ARC copy but little old me in Europe couldn't have one!  So I patiently waited and as soon as the pre-order arrived on my Kindle I started reading and had to stop myself from devouring the book in one go.

I could have easily read Visions in one sitting but I wanted to savour it.  I wanted to take it all in and be sure I was following the twists and turns this story is taking.   I took my time with the book so I could understand everything that was going on and to process the events that mean so much to the story of Olivia, Gabriel and Rick.  Sure there are other characters involved but these main three are the ones that you need to pay attention to as events unfold.

The plot this time around was as interesting and exciting as in Omens. The originality and wow factor from that first book continues in Visions and I couldn't believe how good this second installment was.  There are some huge changes in this book and there are also some amazing events. It was hard to stop reading and take a break because the whole concept is so unusual and addictive.

One of the aspects of this series I am really enjoying is the Welsh folklore that is Incorporated into the story.  I am Welsh and love it when my homeland, language and history is weaved into stories and especially when it is done so well.  I am in awe of the research the author has done and her ability to make it all come together so nicely.  I am more than eager to find out how things continue.

While Visions does offer some really important information regarding what has been going on in Cainsville, there are still so many questions that need to be answered and the town definitely has more secrets to tell.  Everything must be connected but is everything really connected?  A good conspiracy theorist would have a field day with the story Kelley Armstrong is weaving in this series and I am sure all her readers have there own ideas about how this will all play out.  I have to say that the story is so compelling that I don't care how it all ends.  All I care about is reading the next installment because this is turning out to be such a terrific read!

Five stars, a must read and another best read as far as this year goes.  If you like Kelley's previous work then you really need to visit Cainsville and if you haven't read her work before but want to give something good a go, well all her work is worth five stars but this series should actually get a bonus star for being even bettert than the rest.  My only moan is the wait till book three arrives!  Another year of waiting lies ahead!  Boohoo!

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