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Otherworld #6
Broken
In this thrilling new novel from the author of Industrial Magic, a pregnant werewolf may have unwittingly unleashed Jack the Ripper on the twenty-first century — and become his next target…
Ever since she discovered she’s pregnant, Elena Michaels has been on edge. After all, she’s never heard of another living female werewolf, let alone one who’s given birth. But thankfully, her expertise is needed to retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper. As a distraction, the job seems simple enough — only the letter contains a portal to Victorian London’s underworld, which Elena inadvertently triggers — unleashing a vicious killer and a pair of zombie thugs.
Now Elena must find a way to seal the portal before the unwelcome visitors get what they’re looking for — which, for some unknown reason, is Elena…
From the Paperback edition.
Ever since she discovered she’s pregnant, Elena Michaels has been on edge. After all, she’s never heard of another living female werewolf, let alone one who’s given birth. But thankfully, her expertise is needed to retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper. As a distraction, the job seems simple enough — only the letter contains a portal to Victorian London’s underworld, which Elena inadvertently triggers — unleashing a vicious killer and a pair of zombie thugs.
Now Elena must find a way to seal the portal before the unwelcome visitors get what they’re looking for — which, for some unknown reason, is Elena…
From the Paperback edition.
460 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 25, 2006
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
282 books32.2k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews
April 13, 2018
*** 3.75 ***
We are back to Elena as the narrator and after three years of wandering if they should even consider having children, ever, Clay and Elena are heavily pregnant and having no idea how to cope with it. While trying to deal with the anxiety, they decide to mingle with friends so they have less time to think about it. This is how eventually they end up back in Toronto dealing with an interdimentional portal back to Jack the Ripper time London, which is spewing killer zombie rats, infection riddled zombies, and all types of old time diseases. It is interesting, but above all, it is disgusting! 🐀 🐀 🐀!
It is a fun addition to the series, but I am a bit disappointed that all of our beloved wolves and necromancer turned blind and stupid all at once, because the readers figured out who and what the killer was waaaaaay before they did. Probably the least of the plots so far. However, the series is still fun😀!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!
We are back to Elena as the narrator and after three years of wandering if they should even consider having children, ever, Clay and Elena are heavily pregnant and having no idea how to cope with it. While trying to deal with the anxiety, they decide to mingle with friends so they have less time to think about it. This is how eventually they end up back in Toronto dealing with an interdimentional portal back to Jack the Ripper time London, which is spewing killer zombie rats, infection riddled zombies, and all types of old time diseases. It is interesting, but above all, it is disgusting! 🐀 🐀 🐀!
It is a fun addition to the series, but I am a bit disappointed that all of our beloved wolves and necromancer turned blind and stupid all at once, because the readers figured out who and what the killer was waaaaaay before they did. Probably the least of the plots so far. However, the series is still fun😀!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!
March 24, 2018
Some spoilers ahead. This was boring, sorry.
I developed no interest in Elena or Clay. Clay was one-dimensional. Elena was whiney. All other characters stayed flat.
The pregnancy lacked interest. Usually supernatural beings with a pregnancy have some interesting character development going on. Not here.
These are some of the most boring werewolves ever. Not impressed with the world building in general.
The sex scenes were not sexy. They just seemed like a required plot point to tick off.
The portal and the Jack the Ripper angle sounded like fun at first, but then devolved into a zombie hunt that lacked tension. How inept are these werewolves, that they can’t catch them? Over and over again. TWO zombies. The apocalypse can be boring, who knew. And the bad guy was dull, too. Plus it was the guy I suspected from the start. It all seemed pretty pointless.
After 250 pages I was hoping for Clay to fall deadly ill from his infection or to start changing into a zombie, just so something interesting would happen.
I can’t believe I liked some of the books of this series so much and others just dragged. Maybe it’s me, who knows. Maybe if the book had been a hundred pages less, it would have had more momentum. I guess I am finally calling it quits with the Women of the Otherworld, at least for now.
I developed no interest in Elena or Clay. Clay was one-dimensional. Elena was whiney. All other characters stayed flat.
The pregnancy lacked interest. Usually supernatural beings with a pregnancy have some interesting character development going on. Not here.
These are some of the most boring werewolves ever. Not impressed with the world building in general.
The sex scenes were not sexy. They just seemed like a required plot point to tick off.
The portal and the Jack the Ripper angle sounded like fun at first, but then devolved into a zombie hunt that lacked tension. How inept are these werewolves, that they can’t catch them? Over and over again. TWO zombies. The apocalypse can be boring, who knew. And the bad guy was dull, too. Plus it was the guy I suspected from the start. It all seemed pretty pointless.
After 250 pages I was hoping for Clay to fall deadly ill from his infection or to start changing into a zombie, just so something interesting would happen.
I can’t believe I liked some of the books of this series so much and others just dragged. Maybe it’s me, who knows. Maybe if the book had been a hundred pages less, it would have had more momentum. I guess I am finally calling it quits with the Women of the Otherworld, at least for now.
December 3, 2023
After re-read in 2019, changing rating to 3 stars
“We sacrificed a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.”
I was happy to finally return to Elena's point of view after being away from her voice for a few books. This turned out to be the weakest of the first three starring Elena's POV, but it's still worth checking out.
We get plenty of Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, and the setting of Toronto with an unusual historical mystery involving magic. The Jack-The-Ripper lore was certainly unique although not my favorite side-plot of the series. I kind of missed Stonehaven, but the dirty, gritty feel worked well.
The book focuses mainly on Elaine's pregnancy, how overprotective Jeremy and Clay are about it, and her personal fears about changing and endangering the child. Some of it got a little tiresome, but overall I liked the overprotective wolves and thought it cute. Elena's fears were justified but I'm glad she got over some of it. I would worry about shifting causing a miscarriage, so can understand the reasoning. Upon my second read of the book, I didn't find it as overpeabring.
Jaime comes aboard and I enjoyed her scenes. She's one of my top favorites and I love her crush on Jeremy. She gets awkward and trips over everything when the alpha shows up. I definitely wouldn't keep crushing on someone like that without some reciprocity by now.
Zoe is a new character...she's fun. I'm not as crazy about the vampires in this series but she's humorous and quirky. Tee fascinated me with her creepy, insane energy. Villains worked - I saw the hidden twist but guessing in advance didn't deter from the story-line.
The zombie angle was definitely different, and the story-line was a little cheesy, but it was over the top creative and well structured. Bumped to 4 stars from 3 based on a re-read.
“We sacrificed a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.”
I was happy to finally return to Elena's point of view after being away from her voice for a few books. This turned out to be the weakest of the first three starring Elena's POV, but it's still worth checking out.
We get plenty of Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, and the setting of Toronto with an unusual historical mystery involving magic. The Jack-The-Ripper lore was certainly unique although not my favorite side-plot of the series. I kind of missed Stonehaven, but the dirty, gritty feel worked well.
The book focuses mainly on Elaine's pregnancy, how overprotective Jeremy and Clay are about it, and her personal fears about changing and endangering the child. Some of it got a little tiresome, but overall I liked the overprotective wolves and thought it cute. Elena's fears were justified but I'm glad she got over some of it. I would worry about shifting causing a miscarriage, so can understand the reasoning. Upon my second read of the book, I didn't find it as overpeabring.
Jaime comes aboard and I enjoyed her scenes. She's one of my top favorites and I love her crush on Jeremy. She gets awkward and trips over everything when the alpha shows up. I definitely wouldn't keep crushing on someone like that without some reciprocity by now.
Zoe is a new character...she's fun. I'm not as crazy about the vampires in this series but she's humorous and quirky. Tee fascinated me with her creepy, insane energy. Villains worked - I saw the hidden twist but guessing in advance didn't deter from the story-line.
The zombie angle was definitely different, and the story-line was a little cheesy, but it was over the top creative and well structured. Bumped to 4 stars from 3 based on a re-read.
March 22, 2010
As much as I hate to say it, but "Broken" is the weakest "Women of the Otherworld" installment so far. My dislike has nothing to do with the main characters (I remember not really liking "Dime Store Magic" strictly because I didn't really care for Paige or Lucas), but has a lot to do with the fact that "Broken" has a wish-fulfillment/filler quality about it. Allow me to elaborate.
The focus of this novel is... Elena's pregnancy. That's right, not a zombie outbreak accidentally caused by Elena when she opens a Jack the Ripper's old letter, but her growing stomach. I am all for babies and weddings and such fluff, but not in so much detail. The constant clutching of Elena's stomach, the vitamins, the eating, the buying of baby furniture, Clay's and Jeremy's relentless hovering over her, it just gets annoying very, very quickly. Even more, the way both guys act in this novel totally emasculates them IMO, they behave like two middle-aged aunts instead of paranormal hunks I've known them to be. I think Elena's pregnancy should have been completely edited out of this book, with the exception of a couple of flashbacks maybe. It has a place in the Otherworld universe, but it should have been realized as a short story/novella (a la "Beginning" and "Savage"). As a part of the novel, it overpowers the story in a painful similarity to "Breaking Dawn."
My second complaint is the story itself, or rather lack of it. Normally Armstrong's books are filled with fresh mythology and engaging mystery of some sort. Not here. No new mythology is introduced. The zombie lore is paper thin and evasive and even Elena's strange pregnancy is never explained (it is accelerated and what happens during the Change is still a mystery to me). The case itself is convoluted, there is a lot of running around and reuniting with various familiar characters from other Otherworld book for no other reason than to help fill the pages because they obviously add very little to the investigation. And finally, the bad guys are just a joke. Two zombies who can be killed with no efforts and the main guy (whom I will not name) who wants to get to Elena for some stupid reason.
After this assessment you'd think I totally hated the book. That's not the case. It is somewhat enjoyable. I still love the characters, the old ones (Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, Antonio and Nick) and the new ones (Zoe Takano). There is some great dialog and overall the story is fast-paced and a quick read. But I just expected Elena's and Clay's novel to be much better. "Broken" is nowhere nearly as good as "Bitten" and "Stolen." Although I am disappointed, I am however not giving up on the series yet. I've already flipped through "No Humans Involved" and there is quite a bit of hot Jaime/Jeremy action. Something to look forward to!
The focus of this novel is... Elena's pregnancy. That's right, not a zombie outbreak accidentally caused by Elena when she opens a Jack the Ripper's old letter, but her growing stomach. I am all for babies and weddings and such fluff, but not in so much detail. The constant clutching of Elena's stomach, the vitamins, the eating, the buying of baby furniture, Clay's and Jeremy's relentless hovering over her, it just gets annoying very, very quickly. Even more, the way both guys act in this novel totally emasculates them IMO, they behave like two middle-aged aunts instead of paranormal hunks I've known them to be. I think Elena's pregnancy should have been completely edited out of this book, with the exception of a couple of flashbacks maybe. It has a place in the Otherworld universe, but it should have been realized as a short story/novella (a la "Beginning" and "Savage"). As a part of the novel, it overpowers the story in a painful similarity to "Breaking Dawn."
My second complaint is the story itself, or rather lack of it. Normally Armstrong's books are filled with fresh mythology and engaging mystery of some sort. Not here. No new mythology is introduced. The zombie lore is paper thin and evasive and even Elena's strange pregnancy is never explained (it is accelerated and what happens during the Change is still a mystery to me). The case itself is convoluted, there is a lot of running around and reuniting with various familiar characters from other Otherworld book for no other reason than to help fill the pages because they obviously add very little to the investigation. And finally, the bad guys are just a joke. Two zombies who can be killed with no efforts and the main guy (whom I will not name) who wants to get to Elena for some stupid reason.
After this assessment you'd think I totally hated the book. That's not the case. It is somewhat enjoyable. I still love the characters, the old ones (Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, Antonio and Nick) and the new ones (Zoe Takano). There is some great dialog and overall the story is fast-paced and a quick read. But I just expected Elena's and Clay's novel to be much better. "Broken" is nowhere nearly as good as "Bitten" and "Stolen." Although I am disappointed, I am however not giving up on the series yet. I've already flipped through "No Humans Involved" and there is quite a bit of hot Jaime/Jeremy action. Something to look forward to!
April 8, 2021
3.5 ☆
Armstrong alternates the main characters in her Otherworld series. I opted to skip ahead to Broken #6 because I wanted to continue Elena's story from Stolen #2. Broken could be read as a standalone but I believe that it would be more appealing to those already familiar with Elena and Clay's idiosyncrasies. History is being forged as werewolves Elena and Clay are expectant parents after debating for three years whether to try for kids.
Already a product of a traumatic childhood with fears of abandonment, Elena finds herself beset by additional concerns during her pregnancy. Will the painful physical change into her wolf form injure or even kill her baby?
Clay tries to support Elena and, more importantly, to reduce her stress levels. But Clay can't always help himself stay out of trouble.
Midway through her pregnancy, Elena feels enormous and quite stifled due to orders to confine herself to their home territory. She jumps at the chance to exchange favors with the half-demon Xavier, who went from hunting her to assisting her during the intense events in Stolen. How were they to know that Xavier's request, to steal a spell-protected Jack the Ripper memento, would unleash plagues and pestilence upon Toronto?
Toronto plays a large role in this story, and I especially liked the focus on the Victorian Cabbagetown neighborhood. Additional characters are introduced as Pack alpha Jeremy calls in supernatural reinforcements. For an alpha, Jeremy is very even-keeled and measured in temperament, but he still expects compliance.
Broken is entertaining, but I was less engaged than with the previous two books featuring Elena. The main plotline seemed to meander a bit. Or it could be a reminder that the ability to become a werewolf doesn't turn an artist, an anthropology professor, and a journalist into stellar private investigators. I believe though that existing fans will be pleased with it because of Elena and Clay's family situation. Trying to keep a very pregnant Elena safe amid the apocalypse, complete with zombies, was a major source of dramatic tension.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#7 No Humans Involved 3.5 ☆
#10 Frostbitten 4 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
Armstrong alternates the main characters in her Otherworld series. I opted to skip ahead to Broken #6 because I wanted to continue Elena's story from Stolen #2. Broken could be read as a standalone but I believe that it would be more appealing to those already familiar with Elena and Clay's idiosyncrasies. History is being forged as werewolves Elena and Clay are expectant parents after debating for three years whether to try for kids.
Jeremy sighed.
I looked at him. "And you thought we were ready for kids?"
"No, I just thought one more wouldn't make much difference."
Already a product of a traumatic childhood with fears of abandonment, Elena finds herself beset by additional concerns during her pregnancy. Will the painful physical change into her wolf form injure or even kill her baby?
Next, the tougher moves - the wolf maneuvers. I crouched, wiggled my hindquarters, then leapt at an imaginary mouse. As I hit the ground, I wheeled around, teeth bared as I snapped at an unseen foe... I chased my tail -
A wheezing sound erupted behind me and I froze, the tip hairs of my tail still caught between my teeth. There, across the clearing, was a huge, golden-haired wolf, his head between his forepaws, his eyes closed, hindquarters in the air, body quivering with that strange wheezing noise... He was laughing at me.
Clay tries to support Elena and, more importantly, to reduce her stress levels. But Clay can't always help himself stay out of trouble.
Clay bounced back, grinning as he brushed himself off. "Live dangerously, that's my motto."
"It'll be your epitaph, too."
Midway through her pregnancy, Elena feels enormous and quite stifled due to orders to confine herself to their home territory. She jumps at the chance to exchange favors with the half-demon Xavier, who went from hunting her to assisting her during the intense events in Stolen. How were they to know that Xavier's request, to steal a spell-protected Jack the Ripper memento, would unleash plagues and pestilence upon Toronto?
Toronto plays a large role in this story, and I especially liked the focus on the Victorian Cabbagetown neighborhood. Additional characters are introduced as Pack alpha Jeremy calls in supernatural reinforcements. For an alpha, Jeremy is very even-keeled and measured in temperament, but he still expects compliance.
“That's the problem dealing with nonwerewolves," I said. "They lack that critical 'you are Alpha, you are right' gene.”
Broken is entertaining, but I was less engaged than with the previous two books featuring Elena. The main plotline seemed to meander a bit. Or it could be a reminder that the ability to become a werewolf doesn't turn an artist, an anthropology professor, and a journalist into stellar private investigators. I believe though that existing fans will be pleased with it because of Elena and Clay's family situation. Trying to keep a very pregnant Elena safe amid the apocalypse, complete with zombies, was a major source of dramatic tension.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#7 No Humans Involved 3.5 ☆
#10 Frostbitten 4 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
April 30, 2010
Reading Broken and Men of the Otherworld simultaneously allowed me to realize what I had long been suspecting, I read Armstrong for the men of her Otherworld, not the women. Strike that, I read Armstrong for the Werewolf men of her Otherworld, not the women.
I’ll admit that I shamelessly passed over Dime Store Magic,Industrial Magic and Haunted to get right down to business with Broken. I appreciated, even enjoyed inclusions of other supernatural races in Stolen, but it was Armstrong’s werewolf lore that got me addicted to her writing, and ever shall be. I thought for sure, that because this book contained a majority of my most favorite Armstrong characters, that I would love Broken but no such luck. Perhaps writing so many non-Pack focused books prior to writing Broken caused Armstrong to lose sight of what made her books so special in the first place, her werewolf lore.
The story was mildly entertaining, though incredibly far fetched and certainly breached into wish fulfillment territory. I don’t like babies with my smut, and I pray to God that Armstrong will omit excessive mentions of the twins from Frostbite. I like Elena, I truly do, but she definitely became a Mary Sue in this installment. There simply isn’t a snowballs’ chance in hell that a woman, werewolf or no, in her third trimester could kick ass when she could barely tie her shoes. I’m sad to say it, but all the characters became shells of themselves. Clay and Jeremy were worrying mother hens and while I could certainly see Clay as being overly protective, when is he not? The Clay of Bitten simply wouldn’t do mother hen. He would be appalled by what was done to him in this story. Armstrong crippled him, literally! Gah!
Regardless of all the many, many flaws contained in Broken, I still enjoyed it. Let’s face it, a sub par book by Armstrong still trumps most of the other Urban Fantasy out there. And damn, that woman can pen some steam!
I’ll admit that I shamelessly passed over Dime Store Magic,Industrial Magic and Haunted to get right down to business with Broken. I appreciated, even enjoyed inclusions of other supernatural races in Stolen, but it was Armstrong’s werewolf lore that got me addicted to her writing, and ever shall be. I thought for sure, that because this book contained a majority of my most favorite Armstrong characters, that I would love Broken but no such luck. Perhaps writing so many non-Pack focused books prior to writing Broken caused Armstrong to lose sight of what made her books so special in the first place, her werewolf lore.
The story was mildly entertaining, though incredibly far fetched and certainly breached into wish fulfillment territory. I don’t like babies with my smut, and I pray to God that Armstrong will omit excessive mentions of the twins from Frostbite. I like Elena, I truly do, but she definitely became a Mary Sue in this installment. There simply isn’t a snowballs’ chance in hell that a woman, werewolf or no, in her third trimester could kick ass when she could barely tie her shoes. I’m sad to say it, but all the characters became shells of themselves. Clay and Jeremy were worrying mother hens and while I could certainly see Clay as being overly protective, when is he not? The Clay of Bitten simply wouldn’t do mother hen. He would be appalled by what was done to him in this story. Armstrong crippled him, literally! Gah!
Regardless of all the many, many flaws contained in Broken, I still enjoyed it. Let’s face it, a sub par book by Armstrong still trumps most of the other Urban Fantasy out there. And damn, that woman can pen some steam!
April 19, 2021
A solid 3.5 stars, automatically rounded up, for this adventure with the Pack--a very pregnant Elena (narrating), Clay, and Jeremy go to Toronto on a simple mission that gets very complicated and decidedly strange. They wind up bringing in the other Pack members and candidate and, most importantly as it turns out, Jaime Vegas the necromancer whom we met in book #4 Industrial Magic.
It was certainly a joy to be back with these characters; I read most of the Otherworld series a few years ago, skipping one or two when they weren't in at the library, and it was fun to fill in this particular gap. Elena, who started the series off in Bitten, is not only the only known female werewolf but now she's leaping farther into the unknown with her pregnancy, which gets a detailed treatment in this installment. It looks like the werewolf gestation period is only five months!
Pregnancy and action-packed adventure are intertwined, and Elena terrifies her companions with her ability and willingness to get physical with the bad guys. Through much of the story she's on the hunt through the streets of Toronto, and even in her human form she's excellent at following scents, though vastly more so when she "Changes." The last quarter of the book builds to a splendid, if disturbing, climax--and you can probably guess what happens in the denouement!
Why only 3.5 stars? Well, besides that disturbing bit and a side character whose plot line didn't make sense to me, the book is just too long at 444 pages in my edition. If I were editing it, I'd trim at least 100 pages' worth. The pace slows down again and again with everyday trivial activities that don't advance the story; also, the relationship drama among Elena, Clay, and Jeremy includes some pretty repetitive scenes. One or two encounters are enough to establish where they stand with each other; then just keep the dramatic scenes that affect relationships.
Since the story line twists and turns, there isn't much I can say without spoilers, beyond the information in the blurb: they "retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper," it contains a magical portal, Elena (and Clay!) inadvertently trigger the portal, and three individuals pop through from Victorian London to modern Toronto. The rest of the blurb is a little misleading, but two of the Victorians are indeed zombies, and who's better to deal with a zombie than Jamie the necromancer!
Lots of interesting magic and sorcery in this one, and our friends have to learn about it very quickly because Elena does become a target, as the blurb promises. Recommended, even with the slow parts.
It was certainly a joy to be back with these characters; I read most of the Otherworld series a few years ago, skipping one or two when they weren't in at the library, and it was fun to fill in this particular gap. Elena, who started the series off in Bitten, is not only the only known female werewolf but now she's leaping farther into the unknown with her pregnancy, which gets a detailed treatment in this installment. It looks like the werewolf gestation period is only five months!
Pregnancy and action-packed adventure are intertwined, and Elena terrifies her companions with her ability and willingness to get physical with the bad guys. Through much of the story she's on the hunt through the streets of Toronto, and even in her human form she's excellent at following scents, though vastly more so when she "Changes." The last quarter of the book builds to a splendid, if disturbing, climax--and you can probably guess what happens in the denouement!
Why only 3.5 stars? Well, besides that disturbing bit and a side character whose plot line didn't make sense to me, the book is just too long at 444 pages in my edition. If I were editing it, I'd trim at least 100 pages' worth. The pace slows down again and again with everyday trivial activities that don't advance the story; also, the relationship drama among Elena, Clay, and Jeremy includes some pretty repetitive scenes. One or two encounters are enough to establish where they stand with each other; then just keep the dramatic scenes that affect relationships.
Since the story line twists and turns, there isn't much I can say without spoilers, beyond the information in the blurb: they "retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper," it contains a magical portal, Elena (and Clay!) inadvertently trigger the portal, and three individuals pop through from Victorian London to modern Toronto. The rest of the blurb is a little misleading, but two of the Victorians are indeed zombies, and who's better to deal with a zombie than Jamie the necromancer!
Lots of interesting magic and sorcery in this one, and our friends have to learn about it very quickly because Elena does become a target, as the blurb promises. Recommended, even with the slow parts.
April 11, 2022
It's been a while since I've read the Otherworld series, and I'm finding myself a bit at odds.
I love (love, LOVE) the characters and their relationships/interactions. About 50% of the time I also love the plot. The other 50% of the time . . . not so much. Saying that I find (some of) them to be over-told or tired seems too strong, but it's also kind of the truth. I called Stolen the best retelling of The Most Dangerous Game that I'd come across. And that's true. But did I like The Most Dangerous Game the first time I read it? No. And now with Broken. Do I like variations on Jack the Ripper? NOPE. He was a gruesome serial killer who murdered prostitutes and cut up their faces. What's to like?
And why do children always seem to be the targets? People die in books. I have no problem with that. I don't like it, but I accept it. But that doesn't mean you need to target kids. It just doesn't.
So even though I love Clay and Elena, and even though I think it's hilarious to see Jamie so flustered by Jeremy, did I really enjoy Broken? Sadly, no.
I love (love, LOVE) the characters and their relationships/interactions. About 50% of the time I also love the plot. The other 50% of the time . . . not so much. Saying that I find (some of) them to be over-told or tired seems too strong, but it's also kind of the truth. I called Stolen the best retelling of The Most Dangerous Game that I'd come across. And that's true. But did I like The Most Dangerous Game the first time I read it? No. And now with Broken. Do I like variations on Jack the Ripper? NOPE. He was a gruesome serial killer who murdered prostitutes and cut up their faces. What's to like?
And why do children always seem to be the targets? People die in books. I have no problem with that. I don't like it, but I accept it. But that doesn't mean you need to target kids. It just doesn't.
So even though I love Clay and Elena, and even though I think it's hilarious to see Jamie so flustered by Jeremy, did I really enjoy Broken? Sadly, no.
July 10, 2018
[3.5/5 stars] Mini Review: Broken was a decent bounce-back from Haunted, with the added benefit of Elena once again as the POV. I’d heard this was another Elena book before diving in, and I admit to setting some expectations that it would also be another “werewolf” book with all the same intense feels as the first two. Er… kind of not the case. If anything, I’d call this a “zombie” book – with a hybrid of Elena’s great POV and the plot structure of the Paige books. Not a bad combination, because it made for a fun mystery read, but I’d be remiss if it didn’t admit I missed a little of that carnal component that was so strong in the first book (not just the sex, but the overall intensity between every character). Even so, I’m at the point in the series where storylines and characters are starting to cross and I’m loving the convergence enough to keep my enthusiasm pumped for what’s to come. As with Haunted, Armstrong incorporated a mystery based on real world infamous criminals (Jack the Ripper, in this case), and I appreciate how creatively they’re being integrated into this supernatural world. I hope this book marks the upward swing of the series. :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
May 19, 2021
We are back to the pack!
First thing we learn? Elena and Clay are PREGNANT. That's a whole new thing. Since there has not been a known female werewolf besides Elena, there has never been a child with two people who have the blood of the wolves. Now there are. Elena doesn't know if she is able to actually carry a child to term, but they are going to find out because she is big and pregnant.
And Clay and Jeremy are crazy careful about everything. Need help carrying a chair to the patio? Don't worry Elena, I'll do it. Don't want you to hurt yourself. Need help getting up? Here's my hand, no need to put too much strain on yourself.
You can't really blame them though. They don't know what they need to do or how to do it or what to expect. But you can believe it when I say that Elena is very stir crazy and is itching for something more than the four walls around her and a run on the grounds.
So when a "friendly" Houdini half-demon (reference the second book people) calls with a job that only a werewolf can do, Elena is quick to convince her pack that they can do it easily with nothing to worry about.
There's something to worry about.
Bugs. Rats. Zombies (wuuuut? Guess you can reference the third book for that one. Except it is a different kind. Yes, kind.... ugh). Sorcerers. Vampires. Necromancers. Witches. Wolves. Legend serial killers.
That's right. you get everything. Which, honestly, is why it is four stars instead of five.
I miss the part were the werewolves weren't fully emerged in the supernatural world. I thought they liked to keep their distance. I mean, I know they kind of got sucked into this and such and they now have friends in the supernatural world and stuff; but I truly don't like them having to deal with other things outside of that. This whole book seemed to be more up Paige's alley instead of Elena's which is why I didn't give it a five star as much as I wanted to.
Don't you dare get me wrong, this is still a marvelous book. Kelley Armstrong hasn't lost her touch at all and it will keep you interested and laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat, I just feel as if it would have played better if it was more of a witch book instead of a wolf book.
The writing is still the best thing. The story is still at its peak. It still fits so well with the rest of the series that I full-heartedly love.
Now I believe the next book is a Jaime book and that, my friends, is something I have been dying for. She deserves her own book by all means.
First thing we learn? Elena and Clay are PREGNANT. That's a whole new thing. Since there has not been a known female werewolf besides Elena, there has never been a child with two people who have the blood of the wolves. Now there are. Elena doesn't know if she is able to actually carry a child to term, but they are going to find out because she is big and pregnant.
And Clay and Jeremy are crazy careful about everything. Need help carrying a chair to the patio? Don't worry Elena, I'll do it. Don't want you to hurt yourself. Need help getting up? Here's my hand, no need to put too much strain on yourself.
You can't really blame them though. They don't know what they need to do or how to do it or what to expect. But you can believe it when I say that Elena is very stir crazy and is itching for something more than the four walls around her and a run on the grounds.
So when a "friendly" Houdini half-demon (reference the second book people) calls with a job that only a werewolf can do, Elena is quick to convince her pack that they can do it easily with nothing to worry about.
There's something to worry about.
Bugs. Rats. Zombies (wuuuut? Guess you can reference the third book for that one. Except it is a different kind. Yes, kind.... ugh). Sorcerers. Vampires. Necromancers. Witches. Wolves. Legend serial killers.
That's right. you get everything. Which, honestly, is why it is four stars instead of five.
I miss the part were the werewolves weren't fully emerged in the supernatural world. I thought they liked to keep their distance. I mean, I know they kind of got sucked into this and such and they now have friends in the supernatural world and stuff; but I truly don't like them having to deal with other things outside of that. This whole book seemed to be more up Paige's alley instead of Elena's which is why I didn't give it a five star as much as I wanted to.
Don't you dare get me wrong, this is still a marvelous book. Kelley Armstrong hasn't lost her touch at all and it will keep you interested and laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat, I just feel as if it would have played better if it was more of a witch book instead of a wolf book.
The writing is still the best thing. The story is still at its peak. It still fits so well with the rest of the series that I full-heartedly love.
Now I believe the next book is a Jaime book and that, my friends, is something I have been dying for. She deserves her own book by all means.
February 8, 2011
OMG! I just can't believe how freaking amazing this book was. I loved every page of it! It just kept getting better and better. Definitely the best book in the series so far. Much better than the rest, actually. I was expecting an amazing read but never one such as this one, with drama, adventure, suspense, and so much more. The best Urban fantasy book I have read in a while.I have been hooked with this series since book 1 and have not been able to stop reading it since then; one book right after the other, but I never was so thrilled with one of them as I am with this one right now. My favorite supernatural species in this series:the wolves, and this book is all about them, so what can I say? A damn terrific read!
I'm not gonna write what the book is about as you can all read that in the book summary, I'm just gonna say what I think about it instead. So let me tell you that if you're a fan of Shape shifters and enjoy reading Urban Fantasy, this is the read you have been looking for. I just got to the point where I become extremely obsessed with a series. It has been so long since I added a book to my "obsessions" shelf that I can't even remember which series was the last one to get in it. But I'm happy to let you all know that here is another series that deserves a place in that shelf with others like: The fever series, Guild hunters series, Dark hunters, Night huntress,BDB, LOTU, IAD, Demonica, Midnight Breed and Psy changeling.
Right now I don't think it is better than any of them but it's really getting there, definitely has the potential for it. I still believe this series can do much better.
Can't wait to finally get to book 7! Starting it right away. I have so much to do right now with work and study and this series is the only thing I can think about. Boy I'm gonna have a big problem if I can't stop reading it. I just hope after book 7 this obsession slows down a bit.
I'm not gonna write what the book is about as you can all read that in the book summary, I'm just gonna say what I think about it instead. So let me tell you that if you're a fan of Shape shifters and enjoy reading Urban Fantasy, this is the read you have been looking for. I just got to the point where I become extremely obsessed with a series. It has been so long since I added a book to my "obsessions" shelf that I can't even remember which series was the last one to get in it. But I'm happy to let you all know that here is another series that deserves a place in that shelf with others like: The fever series, Guild hunters series, Dark hunters, Night huntress,BDB, LOTU, IAD, Demonica, Midnight Breed and Psy changeling.
Right now I don't think it is better than any of them but it's really getting there, definitely has the potential for it. I still believe this series can do much better.
Can't wait to finally get to book 7! Starting it right away. I have so much to do right now with work and study and this series is the only thing I can think about. Boy I'm gonna have a big problem if I can't stop reading it. I just hope after book 7 this obsession slows down a bit.
November 27, 2018
So we are back to Elena and the werewolves in Broken, not my favourite character I have to admit, (I much prefer Paige) maybe that makes me more a witchy person. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book, just not as much as the others.
This series is becoming almost like a supernatural detective series, and it seems now we are adding a bit of history into them, the previous including the story of Lizzie Borden. This one combines the story of Jack the Ripper, and I have to say I was really intrigued when I read this on the back. However, do not let it mislead you. The Jack the Ripper theme does wear a bit thin, I'm not really sure where she was going with this but again, its supernatural and fantasy so who knows? The beginning of the book leads you into the story without giving too many details into the plot too soon. Kelley takes her time setting the scene and bringing you up to date with Elena and Clay as we have been away from them for a few books.
Kelley is so good at explaining the way things work in her world, and reminding you of all the different 'species' traits, their strengths, their weaknesses and so on. You really can get a good understanding of this world she has created. Most of the book is set in Cabbagetown, Toronto. A nice normal town where supernatural occurrences should not be happening. I like the fact that the book is set in the real world and isn't over complicated by being in a complex fantasy world.
So what didn't agree with me? Well, we got dribs and drabs of action, this is not as gory as the others in the series although there is one pretty disgusting bit. I could not see where the story was going and in some ways it dragged, but not enough to stop me reading. It was a little far fetched, even for a fantasy book. I get the feeling it should of been a bit eerie and scary but to be honest I literally laughed my way through it. It really didn't feel like it was all that life threatening as others I have read. So, it's a 3 stars from me. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully it picks up again.
This series is becoming almost like a supernatural detective series, and it seems now we are adding a bit of history into them, the previous including the story of Lizzie Borden. This one combines the story of Jack the Ripper, and I have to say I was really intrigued when I read this on the back. However, do not let it mislead you. The Jack the Ripper theme does wear a bit thin, I'm not really sure where she was going with this but again, its supernatural and fantasy so who knows? The beginning of the book leads you into the story without giving too many details into the plot too soon. Kelley takes her time setting the scene and bringing you up to date with Elena and Clay as we have been away from them for a few books.
Kelley is so good at explaining the way things work in her world, and reminding you of all the different 'species' traits, their strengths, their weaknesses and so on. You really can get a good understanding of this world she has created. Most of the book is set in Cabbagetown, Toronto. A nice normal town where supernatural occurrences should not be happening. I like the fact that the book is set in the real world and isn't over complicated by being in a complex fantasy world.
So what didn't agree with me? Well, we got dribs and drabs of action, this is not as gory as the others in the series although there is one pretty disgusting bit. I could not see where the story was going and in some ways it dragged, but not enough to stop me reading. It was a little far fetched, even for a fantasy book. I get the feeling it should of been a bit eerie and scary but to be honest I literally laughed my way through it. It really didn't feel like it was all that life threatening as others I have read. So, it's a 3 stars from me. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully it picks up again.
January 12, 2019
Oh my gosh, my heart is so so full right now. I loved this book. It's about Elena and Clay and Ohhh I want to yell it but I don’t want to give away the story.
I just love this couple could it be because I read the first book 3 times? Who knows, all I know is I am always rooting for them and when Jeremy is in the story I want him to get a HEA he seems like he has been alone too long.
This was an interesting story with zombies from another time. We get to meet more vampires too. Oh and Jamie comes back for more. I want to know why I guess I will have to keep trucking through the series to find out.
The, T thing was interesting makes me wonder why all these supernatural beings never want to die? Why they some fell like hundreds of years isn’t long enough.
I liked the narration but for Clay, I don’t know I always think of the first narrator as his voice.
I just love this couple could it be because I read the first book 3 times? Who knows, all I know is I am always rooting for them and when Jeremy is in the story I want him to get a HEA he seems like he has been alone too long.
This was an interesting story with zombies from another time. We get to meet more vampires too. Oh and Jamie comes back for more. I want to know why I guess I will have to keep trucking through the series to find out.
The, T thing was interesting makes me wonder why all these supernatural beings never want to die? Why they some fell like hundreds of years isn’t long enough.
I liked the narration but for Clay, I don’t know I always think of the first narrator as his voice.
January 22, 2012
Kelley Armstrong's books are becoming more and more difficult for me to rate and review. On one hand, her characterization and world building are some of the best I've read. But on the other hand, she apparently wants to be a mystery writer, and her plots have become formulaic. Le sigh.
Here is what kicks ass about this book: The Otherworld is amazing. Armstrong's strength as an urban fantasy writer definitely lies her her ability to create a believable, well defined, and engrossing world without ever overwhelming the reader with info dump. In Broken the story revolves around Elena, Clay, Jeremy and the other werewolves. We also are confronted with sorcerers, ghosts, zombies, necromancers and vampires (oh my!) There may be a few others I am missing. But my point is that Armstrong is able to weave so very many beasties and mythologies into an amazingly complex and enjoyable story.
Another strength is Armstrong's characters. Whether I love them or hate them, they are all incredibly well rounded, authentic and have distinct voices. So many urban fantasies rely on secondary characters who are defined by their paranormal type. The people we meet in this series are fairly unique in addition to their Otherworldly persona.
Here is what is not-so-awesome about this book: Speaking of characters, I would love to see them grow and change a little bit. One of the things I loved so much about Bitten is seeing Elena struggle to accept her wolfiness and the pack lifestyle. Since then, Armstrong has written stories with protagonists who face external struggles rather than internal ones. Not really a big deal, but when we are seeing the same characters over and over again (granted, not all books feature the same protagonist) I would love to see… I want to say character development. But that really isn’t the right word because they are already so developed. I just want to see characters change some as a result of their experiences.
Regarding those character experiences… at the beginning of each novel the protagonists and her partner are faced with a mystery. One that seems quite simple and straightforward but becomes more convoluted as the quest to solve it continues. At this point in the series, I know to expect lots of Scooby Doo type chases down different pathways, old fashioned detective work (you know, based on finding the right clue or talking to the right person rather than scientific evidence) and introductions to lots of new and old people, and lots of new and old mythologies.
Here is where Armstrong’s books leave me so conflicted. I’ve read through bad urban fantasy plots when I am in love with the characters and want to see where they are headed. *cough* Charlaine Harris *cough* And of course so many urban fantasy books are dependent on awesome plots without a lot of character growth. Unfortunately at this point in the Women of the Otherworld series I know what to expect from the plot. And the characters. The result is a reading experience that doesn’t make me feel nearly as much as I would like to. The twists and turns while mystery solving become annoying and the life-threatening situations are lacking intensity. All in all, I am faced with a skim-worthy, blah book.
If any of my local libraries happens to get the rest of this series on audio, I will continue with it. After all, I love Armstrong’s writing style (mystery stuff and weak plot aside) as well as her Otherworld. This series is great to listen to as I am driving to work or completing errands. But as far as sitting down to read a novel? I’m moving on to books with a little more surprises in store for the reader.
Here is what kicks ass about this book: The Otherworld is amazing. Armstrong's strength as an urban fantasy writer definitely lies her her ability to create a believable, well defined, and engrossing world without ever overwhelming the reader with info dump. In Broken the story revolves around Elena, Clay, Jeremy and the other werewolves. We also are confronted with sorcerers, ghosts, zombies, necromancers and vampires (oh my!) There may be a few others I am missing. But my point is that Armstrong is able to weave so very many beasties and mythologies into an amazingly complex and enjoyable story.
Another strength is Armstrong's characters. Whether I love them or hate them, they are all incredibly well rounded, authentic and have distinct voices. So many urban fantasies rely on secondary characters who are defined by their paranormal type. The people we meet in this series are fairly unique in addition to their Otherworldly persona.
Here is what is not-so-awesome about this book: Speaking of characters, I would love to see them grow and change a little bit. One of the things I loved so much about Bitten is seeing Elena struggle to accept her wolfiness and the pack lifestyle. Since then, Armstrong has written stories with protagonists who face external struggles rather than internal ones. Not really a big deal, but when we are seeing the same characters over and over again (granted, not all books feature the same protagonist) I would love to see… I want to say character development. But that really isn’t the right word because they are already so developed. I just want to see characters change some as a result of their experiences.
Regarding those character experiences… at the beginning of each novel the protagonists and her partner are faced with a mystery. One that seems quite simple and straightforward but becomes more convoluted as the quest to solve it continues. At this point in the series, I know to expect lots of Scooby Doo type chases down different pathways, old fashioned detective work (you know, based on finding the right clue or talking to the right person rather than scientific evidence) and introductions to lots of new and old people, and lots of new and old mythologies.
Here is where Armstrong’s books leave me so conflicted. I’ve read through bad urban fantasy plots when I am in love with the characters and want to see where they are headed. *cough* Charlaine Harris *cough* And of course so many urban fantasy books are dependent on awesome plots without a lot of character growth. Unfortunately at this point in the Women of the Otherworld series I know what to expect from the plot. And the characters. The result is a reading experience that doesn’t make me feel nearly as much as I would like to. The twists and turns while mystery solving become annoying and the life-threatening situations are lacking intensity. All in all, I am faced with a skim-worthy, blah book.
If any of my local libraries happens to get the rest of this series on audio, I will continue with it. After all, I love Armstrong’s writing style (mystery stuff and weak plot aside) as well as her Otherworld. This series is great to listen to as I am driving to work or completing errands. But as far as sitting down to read a novel? I’m moving on to books with a little more surprises in store for the reader.
October 7, 2010
So I can't say I wasn't warned... realistically speaking I was warned once I was already three quarters of the way through it, but I was warned none-the-less!
Broken revolves around Elena and Clay as they go through their pregnancy while fighting evil and solving mystery and generally proving, yet again, that they're in love.
I love this couple. Absolutely love them to pieces. Bitten remains one of my favourite urban fantasy books to this day.
My problem was that the mystery in this book was painfully obvious and incredibly uninteresting. I just had no real interest in it and mostly finished reading to see what happened to Elena and Clay.
The story was very heavy on Elena's pregnancy. Clay and Jeremy momentarily losing their balls didn't mind me so much because when I was pregnant my very loving and masculine husband turned into a little bitch as well. That part seemed realistic to me.
Nor was Elena's many physical stunts too much for my realisim to believe because, frankly, it's Elena, folks. Even pregnant with twins, she's going to kickarse.
But my issue with the story is that a pregnancy story is ultimately doomed to failure for me. Elena's pregnancy wasn't special to me because, naturally, my pregnancy was so much more awesome. Elena's lovely little twins born were of no interest to me because my own son leaves them long behind.
Usually, I read not to escape but to experience different things than my every day life. In this case, not only was it too similar to what I've already experienced, but it didn't even manage to compete!
Three stars for this one but honestly it's more like 2 1/2.
Broken revolves around Elena and Clay as they go through their pregnancy while fighting evil and solving mystery and generally proving, yet again, that they're in love.
I love this couple. Absolutely love them to pieces. Bitten remains one of my favourite urban fantasy books to this day.
My problem was that the mystery in this book was painfully obvious and incredibly uninteresting. I just had no real interest in it and mostly finished reading to see what happened to Elena and Clay.
The story was very heavy on Elena's pregnancy. Clay and Jeremy momentarily losing their balls didn't mind me so much because when I was pregnant my very loving and masculine husband turned into a little bitch as well. That part seemed realistic to me.
Nor was Elena's many physical stunts too much for my realisim to believe because, frankly, it's Elena, folks. Even pregnant with twins, she's going to kickarse.
But my issue with the story is that a pregnancy story is ultimately doomed to failure for me. Elena's pregnancy wasn't special to me because, naturally, my pregnancy was so much more awesome. Elena's lovely little twins born were of no interest to me because my own son leaves them long behind.
Usually, I read not to escape but to experience different things than my every day life. In this case, not only was it too similar to what I've already experienced, but it didn't even manage to compete!
Three stars for this one but honestly it's more like 2 1/2.
November 18, 2017
Broken is the sixth book in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series, and it is yet another example of why Kelley Armstrong managed to work her way onto my favourite author list in no time at all. As with all her books I have read, this one kept me gripped throughout – I loved the characters, I enjoyed the storyline, and I cannot wait for more.
In Bitten, the first book in the Women of the Otherworld series, we were introduced to Elena. I quickly fell in love with the werewolves, having so much fun with the characters and the storyline surrounding them. In Stolen, we got more Elena – we also got an introduction to the rest of the world, taking us beyond the werewolves and introducing us to the other supernatural creatures. In Dime Store Magic I was disappointed by the change of perspective, fearful I would not enjoy Paige – only to be surprised when I enjoyed her more than Elena. I was overjoyed when Industrial Magic also followed Paige, taking us even deeper into the witch arc. Haunted disappointed me somewhat, though, as I was not a fan of Eve – I’m not sure what it was, but it was my least favourite of the series thus far. I was glad to find out Broken would not be following Eve, and that we would be returning to Elena – I would have preferred a return to Paige (I’m aware it’s an unpopular opinion, but I really do enjoy her character), but Elena was still a better option than Eve.
In all honesty, Broken worked to remind me just how much I enjoyed Elena. It turns out I was selling her short, failing to remember just how much I enjoyed her as a character. Elena is so much fun to follow, and the werewolves make things even more enjoyable. I’d forgotten just how much I enjoyed all of the characters, everyone adding a little something that leaves you loving them. I’m glad we went back to Elena in this one, allowing me to remember how much I like her stories.
The story itself grabbed me from the moment I read the synopsis. I love Jack the Ripper stories, and I knew this one would be something completely different to my norm (especially with how it’s usually crime thrillers I read when picking up a Jack the Ripper book). Whilst I found the mystery element of this story to be predictable from very early on, I did enjoy how it was a different kind of Jack the Ripper story to what I know and what I had expected – I may have been able to work things out, but I was given an interesting tale.
I also feel as though the events in this book have added quite a bit for the rest of the series – at least, I hope so. Elena’s role as a female werewolf surrounded by males of the species has been highlighted endlessly throughout the series, and with this book focusing upon Elena’s pregnancy, I can only imagine what is to come in the future books following on from this new detail. My fingers are crossed for lots of drama.
I’m also really excited for book seven, No Humans Involved, as I came to enjoy Jamie even more in this book. Since she appeared in the series, I’ve been enjoying her character – with her playing a slightly larger role in this book, I found myself excited to see how her story plays out.
Yet again, I cannot wait to grab the next book in the series. I really do need to work on picking them up sooner, rather than going a while between each book – these are very much binge read books, a series you can power through.
In Bitten, the first book in the Women of the Otherworld series, we were introduced to Elena. I quickly fell in love with the werewolves, having so much fun with the characters and the storyline surrounding them. In Stolen, we got more Elena – we also got an introduction to the rest of the world, taking us beyond the werewolves and introducing us to the other supernatural creatures. In Dime Store Magic I was disappointed by the change of perspective, fearful I would not enjoy Paige – only to be surprised when I enjoyed her more than Elena. I was overjoyed when Industrial Magic also followed Paige, taking us even deeper into the witch arc. Haunted disappointed me somewhat, though, as I was not a fan of Eve – I’m not sure what it was, but it was my least favourite of the series thus far. I was glad to find out Broken would not be following Eve, and that we would be returning to Elena – I would have preferred a return to Paige (I’m aware it’s an unpopular opinion, but I really do enjoy her character), but Elena was still a better option than Eve.
In all honesty, Broken worked to remind me just how much I enjoyed Elena. It turns out I was selling her short, failing to remember just how much I enjoyed her as a character. Elena is so much fun to follow, and the werewolves make things even more enjoyable. I’d forgotten just how much I enjoyed all of the characters, everyone adding a little something that leaves you loving them. I’m glad we went back to Elena in this one, allowing me to remember how much I like her stories.
The story itself grabbed me from the moment I read the synopsis. I love Jack the Ripper stories, and I knew this one would be something completely different to my norm (especially with how it’s usually crime thrillers I read when picking up a Jack the Ripper book). Whilst I found the mystery element of this story to be predictable from very early on, I did enjoy how it was a different kind of Jack the Ripper story to what I know and what I had expected – I may have been able to work things out, but I was given an interesting tale.
I also feel as though the events in this book have added quite a bit for the rest of the series – at least, I hope so. Elena’s role as a female werewolf surrounded by males of the species has been highlighted endlessly throughout the series, and with this book focusing upon Elena’s pregnancy, I can only imagine what is to come in the future books following on from this new detail. My fingers are crossed for lots of drama.
I’m also really excited for book seven, No Humans Involved, as I came to enjoy Jamie even more in this book. Since she appeared in the series, I’ve been enjoying her character – with her playing a slightly larger role in this book, I found myself excited to see how her story plays out.
Yet again, I cannot wait to grab the next book in the series. I really do need to work on picking them up sooner, rather than going a while between each book – these are very much binge read books, a series you can power through.
January 10, 2009
3 stars for the disconnected, slightly mundane beginning of the novel; 5 stars for the amazing Armstrong-style ending.
I won't lie; as much as I fangirl over Kelley Armstrong, Elena, Clay, and the whole werewolf world... I was initially disappointed over Broken. I skipped from Stolen to Broken (shamefully, I wish I'd had enough patience to read the three in-betweens first) and just felt like Armstrong had lost her touch to the werewolf world. Suddenly, Elena's POV wasn't about the werewolves, it was about all the other supernatural races. I didn't like it. I crave the werewolf world because Armstrong has such a tight grip on it. It feels so real. And in this book... it was gone.
Clearly, it comes back. So if you're feeling disconnected, don't lose heart. It comes back, and I'm all the more grateful. I think it's partly also my fault that I felt so disconnected because I skipped the three other books. I missed three years of their world, of their growing up (even if the books aren't completely focused on them), and suddenly they were thirty five plus and completely different to how they were in Stolen. I wish I hadn't skipped past those three years.
I absolutely adore Zoe, though. Oh Kelley, if you're reading this, you need to write something from Zoe's POV! PLEASE. She is brilliant.
I won't lie; as much as I fangirl over Kelley Armstrong, Elena, Clay, and the whole werewolf world... I was initially disappointed over Broken. I skipped from Stolen to Broken (shamefully, I wish I'd had enough patience to read the three in-betweens first) and just felt like Armstrong had lost her touch to the werewolf world. Suddenly, Elena's POV wasn't about the werewolves, it was about all the other supernatural races. I didn't like it. I crave the werewolf world because Armstrong has such a tight grip on it. It feels so real. And in this book... it was gone.
Clearly, it comes back. So if you're feeling disconnected, don't lose heart. It comes back, and I'm all the more grateful. I think it's partly also my fault that I felt so disconnected because I skipped the three other books. I missed three years of their world, of their growing up (even if the books aren't completely focused on them), and suddenly they were thirty five plus and completely different to how they were in Stolen. I wish I hadn't skipped past those three years.
I absolutely adore Zoe, though. Oh Kelley, if you're reading this, you need to write something from Zoe's POV! PLEASE. She is brilliant.
November 1, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this dark and grotesque tale!!
March 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this next installment of the Otherworld series! Elena is now pregnant and it cracked me up to see Clay and Jeremy mother-hening her around. Of course given that she is the only female werewolf and her pregnancy is unprecedented (as far as the wolves know). There is just something about the dynamics of the pack that I love - they are truly a family and their playfulness is fun to read about. It isn't all about oooh I'm a scary werewolf. Plus I loved seeing Elena still be a badass while she is super pregnant.
I loved seeing characters returning and meeting new characters. Yay to meeting another decent vampire - I like Zoey so much more than Cassandra. As usual I love watching Jaime get all flustered around Jeremy.
The mystery in this book was decent - not the best but definitely brought some new things to the table. I did figure it out relatively early but I kept second guessing myself.
Anyway I think most people who've enjoyed this series will like this installment too! It isn't heavy on the romance but more about a family taking care of one another. Clay and Elena still have their amazing connection but are cautious with steamy things due to her pregnancy.
I loved seeing characters returning and meeting new characters. Yay to meeting another decent vampire - I like Zoey so much more than Cassandra. As usual I love watching Jaime get all flustered around Jeremy.
The mystery in this book was decent - not the best but definitely brought some new things to the table. I did figure it out relatively early but I kept second guessing myself.
Anyway I think most people who've enjoyed this series will like this installment too! It isn't heavy on the romance but more about a family taking care of one another. Clay and Elena still have their amazing connection but are cautious with steamy things due to her pregnancy.
October 31, 2016
Broken
4 Stars
When Elena Michaels is asked to pay back a favor, little does she know that she is about to unleash one of the most vile murderers of all time onto an unsuspecting world. Tasked with stealing Jack the Ripper's "From Hell" letter, Elena accidentally triggers a dimensional portal that enables zombies, plagues and even the notorious killer to appear in modern day Toronto.
Fast paced and action packed with strong world building and solid character development. Unfortunately, the Ripper lore is not utilized to its fullest potential.
Broken highlights once again Armstrong's skillful construction of a world replete with numerous supernatural beings existing in secret alongside humanity. Werewolves, demons, vampires, zombies, witches and sorcerers are all woven seamlessly into the storyline.
In terms of the romance, Elena and Clay's relationship has improved drastically. In contrast to the childish, squabbling pair in the first two books of the series, they have finally become a cohesive unit. Elena has definitely matured (perhaps her pregnancy has had a positive effect on her) and is a great deal less whinny. Similarly, Clay has realized that he cannot keep Elena wrapped in cotton-wool and supports her choices rather than constantly arguing with her.
While Jack the Ripper is a favorite theme of mine, it is not put to good use within the narrative as the zombies take center stage, and the explanation given for the Ripper's original killing spree is uninspired and obscure. Moreover, the identity of the primary villain is painfully obvious and one wonders how Elena and her allies managed to miss all of the clues.
All in all, an entertaining addition to the series and the hints that Jeremy is finally beginning to see Jaime as something other than a ditzy necromancer are intriguing. Their book is next and not a moment too soon. Hopefully it will live up to expectations.
4 Stars
When Elena Michaels is asked to pay back a favor, little does she know that she is about to unleash one of the most vile murderers of all time onto an unsuspecting world. Tasked with stealing Jack the Ripper's "From Hell" letter, Elena accidentally triggers a dimensional portal that enables zombies, plagues and even the notorious killer to appear in modern day Toronto.
Fast paced and action packed with strong world building and solid character development. Unfortunately, the Ripper lore is not utilized to its fullest potential.
Broken highlights once again Armstrong's skillful construction of a world replete with numerous supernatural beings existing in secret alongside humanity. Werewolves, demons, vampires, zombies, witches and sorcerers are all woven seamlessly into the storyline.
In terms of the romance, Elena and Clay's relationship has improved drastically. In contrast to the childish, squabbling pair in the first two books of the series, they have finally become a cohesive unit. Elena has definitely matured (perhaps her pregnancy has had a positive effect on her) and is a great deal less whinny. Similarly, Clay has realized that he cannot keep Elena wrapped in cotton-wool and supports her choices rather than constantly arguing with her.
While Jack the Ripper is a favorite theme of mine, it is not put to good use within the narrative as the zombies take center stage, and the explanation given for the Ripper's original killing spree is uninspired and obscure. Moreover, the identity of the primary villain is painfully obvious and one wonders how Elena and her allies managed to miss all of the clues.
All in all, an entertaining addition to the series and the hints that Jeremy is finally beginning to see Jaime as something other than a ditzy necromancer are intriguing. Their book is next and not a moment too soon. Hopefully it will live up to expectations.
February 23, 2016
I really, really wanted to be able to give this a full 5 stars. I mean, the concept is fantastic...pregnant werewolf facing down what could be Jack the Ripper who came through a dimensional portal from his Victorian England home.
Kelley Armstrong is a brilliant author, and usually her works are almost flawless. Unfortunately, this one dragged, a LOT. In the previous novel of this series, Haunted, there were a couple of chapters that felt like filler that left characters going in circles and avoided furthering the plot in any meaningful way. In Broken, that section was over 75 pages long. I think the success of the series may have led to the publisher pushing a page count that she couldn't quite meet without filler.
So, to sum up...the story is very good. The characters are amazing. The concepts and imagery are great. the execution of the plot gets a 'meh' from me. What could have been a 5 star novel gets about a 3.75 from me.
I still love the series. I am going to keep reading all the way to the end (I hope). this one just feels like a speed-bump that the next will hopefully make up for.
Kelley Armstrong is a brilliant author, and usually her works are almost flawless. Unfortunately, this one dragged, a LOT. In the previous novel of this series, Haunted, there were a couple of chapters that felt like filler that left characters going in circles and avoided furthering the plot in any meaningful way. In Broken, that section was over 75 pages long. I think the success of the series may have led to the publisher pushing a page count that she couldn't quite meet without filler.
So, to sum up...the story is very good. The characters are amazing. The concepts and imagery are great. the execution of the plot gets a 'meh' from me. What could have been a 5 star novel gets about a 3.75 from me.
I still love the series. I am going to keep reading all the way to the end (I hope). this one just feels like a speed-bump that the next will hopefully make up for.
July 24, 2017
Sigh. I was so excited that we were going back to Elena's point of view. I loved the first 2 Elena books. This one not so much. The plot drags and there were too many "convenient" moments. I still like the characters but I found a lot of the choices they made in the book to be less than intelligent. The whole series feels very draggy to me. I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with it.
September 9, 2012
From http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....
At a Glance
I did enjoy reading Broken, but I feel like it was a filler book. It really wasn't needed to move the series along. But I was excited to get another story about Elena and Clay.
The Good
We finally get another book with Elena and Clay. They are my favorite characters in this series. I loved them in Bitten and Stolen, which are the best books in the series so far. And I loved them in this book as well. Elena is 5 months pregnant. Being the only female werewolf, pregnancy is a whole new concept with unknown risks and Elena is very fearful. Can she shift without harming the babies? Clay and Jeremy both are nervous wrecks over the pregnancy, which I loved. I have seen men crumble when their wives or daughters are pregnant, so their odd behavior rang very true to me.
Once we get into the action, Broken is a quick read with some good mystery and action. Things really go downhill fast when Elena lets loose a well known serial killer that brings along with him zombies and killer rats. So the group has no other choice than to call in reinforcements. We get to see Nick (I just love Nick), Anthony, and Jaime again. And you know when Jaime is on the scene the fun begins. So does the hilarity. Armstrong outdoes herself when it comes to the dialogue. I love to be scared and be able to laugh at the same time when I read a book. These characters definitely know their way around witty banter.
We also get to meet new characters. Zoe the vampire was very enjoyable. She really had me cracking up the whole time. It only gets better when she makes her obvious attraction to Elena known. I hope to see her again.
I think Elena and Clay are in a great place. They are starting a family and they still have smokin' chemistry. Clay is still insanely protective, but he has every right to be. I just love them together. I was heartbroken by what Clay went through in this book. But it definitely gave him more depth and added some gut-clenching scenes that kept me glued to the pages.
The Bad
A lot of the book was focused on Elena's pregnancy which is fine, but for a paranormal book it was odd. And then the paranormal part with Jack the Ripper being released into the here and now and zombies attacking the characters we love, it all seemed forced. It had nothing to do with the series as a whole. And some of the scary parts were a little glanced over, so we didn't even get to be emerged into the exciting parts.
I found it very annoying that Elena takes this "case" while putting her babies in danger. She is a pregnant woman, and she does these very dangerous things because she is bored. Come on Elena, don't be so stupid and selfish. You are not just risking your life anymore.
Really, I think the plot was just too thin and not up to par for an Armstrong book.
The Snuggly
We get two sex scenes that are sexy and playful but conservative. Nothing overdone at all.
Overall
The characters make this book. Seeing our old favorites is worth the read. But don't expect an original plot with depth. Read this book for the characters we have come to love. Recommended for those who follow the series.
Quotes
“We scarified a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.”
~~~~~~
“Go out and ask her into the alley.”
Clay looked at Jeremy as if he’d just been told to dance the rumba on a public thoroughfare.
I bit back a laugh. “Just walk over to her and point at the alley. Maybe say…I don’t know…something like ‘fifty bucks.’ ” I looked at Jeremy. “Does that sound right? Fifty?”
His brows shot up. “Why are you asking me?”
“I wasn’t—I just meant, as a general…” I threw up my hands. “How am I supposed to know how much a hooker costs?”
At a Glance
I did enjoy reading Broken, but I feel like it was a filler book. It really wasn't needed to move the series along. But I was excited to get another story about Elena and Clay.
The Good
We finally get another book with Elena and Clay. They are my favorite characters in this series. I loved them in Bitten and Stolen, which are the best books in the series so far. And I loved them in this book as well. Elena is 5 months pregnant. Being the only female werewolf, pregnancy is a whole new concept with unknown risks and Elena is very fearful. Can she shift without harming the babies? Clay and Jeremy both are nervous wrecks over the pregnancy, which I loved. I have seen men crumble when their wives or daughters are pregnant, so their odd behavior rang very true to me.
Once we get into the action, Broken is a quick read with some good mystery and action. Things really go downhill fast when Elena lets loose a well known serial killer that brings along with him zombies and killer rats. So the group has no other choice than to call in reinforcements. We get to see Nick (I just love Nick), Anthony, and Jaime again. And you know when Jaime is on the scene the fun begins. So does the hilarity. Armstrong outdoes herself when it comes to the dialogue. I love to be scared and be able to laugh at the same time when I read a book. These characters definitely know their way around witty banter.
We also get to meet new characters. Zoe the vampire was very enjoyable. She really had me cracking up the whole time. It only gets better when she makes her obvious attraction to Elena known. I hope to see her again.
I think Elena and Clay are in a great place. They are starting a family and they still have smokin' chemistry. Clay is still insanely protective, but he has every right to be. I just love them together. I was heartbroken by what Clay went through in this book. But it definitely gave him more depth and added some gut-clenching scenes that kept me glued to the pages.
The Bad
A lot of the book was focused on Elena's pregnancy which is fine, but for a paranormal book it was odd. And then the paranormal part with Jack the Ripper being released into the here and now and zombies attacking the characters we love, it all seemed forced. It had nothing to do with the series as a whole. And some of the scary parts were a little glanced over, so we didn't even get to be emerged into the exciting parts.
I found it very annoying that Elena takes this "case" while putting her babies in danger. She is a pregnant woman, and she does these very dangerous things because she is bored. Come on Elena, don't be so stupid and selfish. You are not just risking your life anymore.
Really, I think the plot was just too thin and not up to par for an Armstrong book.
The Snuggly
We get two sex scenes that are sexy and playful but conservative. Nothing overdone at all.
Overall
The characters make this book. Seeing our old favorites is worth the read. But don't expect an original plot with depth. Read this book for the characters we have come to love. Recommended for those who follow the series.
Quotes
“We scarified a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.”
~~~~~~
“Go out and ask her into the alley.”
Clay looked at Jeremy as if he’d just been told to dance the rumba on a public thoroughfare.
I bit back a laugh. “Just walk over to her and point at the alley. Maybe say…I don’t know…something like ‘fifty bucks.’ ” I looked at Jeremy. “Does that sound right? Fifty?”
His brows shot up. “Why are you asking me?”
“I wasn’t—I just meant, as a general…” I threw up my hands. “How am I supposed to know how much a hooker costs?”
May 2, 2016
Elena and Clay are back! In this installment of the Women of the Otherworld series Kelley Armstrong brings us back for a visit with Elena and Clay. Only now Elena is pregnant, pregnant and stir crazy with a couple of over protective werewolves watching over her, so when the opportunity for a "safe" adventure comes long she grabs it. Of course nothing is ever simple, and Elena's "safe" adventure leads to Jack the Ripper being unleashed on the streets once more, with the added bonus of his zombie sidekicks.
I don't know what it is about Jack the Ripper, but add him to a story and it always makes it that little bit more exciting, it seems to add an extra dose of mystery and intrigue and gore. Which is why after I read the blurb, I was particularly excited to start this book, add in a pregnant Elena and I pounced on Broken and didn't let it go until I had finished. This book is definitely a highlight of the series, although I have loved them all, I particularly enjoyed this one, if I could rate it 6 stars, I would.
First off, Elena, pregnant! I wasn't expecting that but I loved seeing that her and Clay had mostly moved past their past and are moving on with their (hopefully long and happy) future together. This is a werewolf book though so pack is very important and I really like that Armstrong demonstrates the dynamics of a pack in each of these books. Plus I love to catch up with the other members of the pack as well as just Elena and Clay; then there is the Jeremy-Jaime thing, which is utterly adorable, all of which happens in the background. The complicated and varied relationships that Armstrong has built within this world is part of what makes this series so good, it is so rich in detail, nothing ever feels surface deep.
The Jack the Ripper aspect of the story was also interesting and more than any of the other books in this series, I found Broken a bit creepy. There were some real edge of the seat moments in this book that meant it was a very hard book to put down, you need to know what's going to happen next. Although I did find myself muttering at the book a few times; what is a heavily pregnant women doing going about fighting zombies?! It definitely added an edge of frustrated excitement to the book.
Another great book in the Women of the Otherworld series, I can't believe I waited so long to read them. If you haven't started this series yet you need to go and pick up the first book, you won't regret it!
August 29, 2007
I'm impressed by Kelley Armstrong's ability to change her style of writing to match the character she is writing through.
However, I was disappointed in this book. I think it may be because I don't like Elena's character as much as the other Women of the Otherworld. Also, the story line was very predictable.
Since Elena used to be a reporter I did not understand why during their investigation she didn't pick up on obvious clues.
I'm also disturbed by how little she seems to be aware of her own body. (how can a woman's husband not only feel but see their baby kick before the mother feels it?)
There was a new character introduced who I liked a lot, I hope she appears in other books.
I do wish Jamie and Jeremy would hook up already.
However, I was disappointed in this book. I think it may be because I don't like Elena's character as much as the other Women of the Otherworld. Also, the story line was very predictable.
Since Elena used to be a reporter I did not understand why during their investigation she didn't pick up on obvious clues.
I'm also disturbed by how little she seems to be aware of her own body. (how can a woman's husband not only feel but see their baby kick before the mother feels it?)
There was a new character introduced who I liked a lot, I hope she appears in other books.
I do wish Jamie and Jeremy would hook up already.
September 9, 2017
Hm. My least favourite instalment of the series so far. For some reason I failed to drum up enthusiasm for this one, the plot line just didn't grip me and seemed unnecessarily drawn out with lots of unneeded descriptions of the pack's everyday motions bulking the story out.
The ending made me smile though. :)
I'm sure the next novel will be up to Kelley's normal awesomeness though.
The ending made me smile though. :)
I'm sure the next novel will be up to Kelley's normal awesomeness though.
May 19, 2022
Sixth in the Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series revolving around strong supernatural women; it's been five years since
Bitten
, 1. The focus is on a pregnant Elena and the favor she owes Xavier.
My Take
It's all about moral responsibility. When you owe someone a favor, you pay it back. When you unleash hell, you shut it down, even if you are pregnant. And it's not easy in Broken, as nothing stays broken, and our fearsome threesome keep sniffing about, attempting to sort truth from fiction.
It's a pip of a story with LOTS of action, and other than my one giant quibble, it was a good read with plenty of fun bits, ranging from Elena's thoughts about becoming a mother, little Natalie's mom who thinks Elena could have some fun too, with knitting *snicker*, and all the times Elena longs for a good chase or a hunt.
That one major quibble? How could they not make that connection? Elena, Jeremy, and Clay are normally so much smarter. This lack might have made more sense if Armstrong had caused the boys to be a little more clumsy / concerned / obsessed in worrying about the pregnant Elena, to help explain why they miss this. I also want to know why Elena treats Nick as though he's not competent?
No, it doesn't have anything to do with Elena being pregnant, and that pregnancy is a fascinating departure from Elena's usual life. I mean, you thought you had it bad when you got pregnant and suddenly your significant other is overly solicitous. Imagine being the only female werewolf in the world...and pregnant!? It's that first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective that makes all of Clay and Jeremy's efforts to distract Elena and the lengths to which they'll go to "sacrifice" to the altar of a woman being pregnant that will crack you up — it's so much more real when the reactions are from the "victim", *she says, laughing*
Clay continues to evolve! Who knew!?? It seems that Nick might be evolving too, sobering up...considering the possibilities.
It should be an easy pay-off, but a mosquito intervenes and it becomes hell on earth, as dimensional zombies roam the city and pollute the waters.
The Characters
The Danvers Pack lives...
at Stonehaven. Elena Michaels is the only female werewolf. Her partner is Professor Clayton Danvers, the self-styled bodyguard for their alpha, Jeremy Danvers, an artist. Malcolm had been Jeremy's vicious father. Antonio, Jeremy's best friend since forever, and Nick Sorrentino, father and son, are the rest of the Pack. Logan had been a Pack brother in Bitten .
Karl Marsten, a cosmopolitan jewel thief and former rogue wolf, has had his own territory in Wyoming for the past five years, in return for events in Bitten . Robert Vasic is a half-demon professor of demonology, a former Interracial Council member and now the go-to guy on research issues, and Adam Vasic's stepfather. Adam is also a half-demon and Paige's best friend. Cassandra is the vampire rep on the council while Aaron Darnell is the second vampire delegate.
Jaime Vegas is a necromancer who makes a living entertaining people all over the US, and she's quite eager to be of use. She has a casual partnership going with Eve who scares off the pushy spooks and Jaime does some work for Eve in return ( Haunted , 5). Tee is a friend of Zoe's and an example of what happens when a necromancer goes over the edge; she knows Molly O'Casey, Jaime's grandmother. A more positive example is Faye, a "retired" necromancer friend of Lucas'. Benicio Cortez is Lucas' father and the CEO of the Cortez cabal of sorcerers.
Xavier Reese, an Evanidus half-demon ( Stolen , 2) is looking for help. David Hargrave is a rogue werewolf.
Toronto
Patrick Shanahan, an investment banker, is the grandson of the sorcerer, Theodore Shanahan, who had been interested in Jack the Ripper's From Hell letter. Geoffrey Shanahan, Patrick's father, had been an affable drunk. Randall Tolliver, a medical doctor and sorcerer, is a boyhood friend of Patrick's. The Shanahans have been clients of for decades of Zoe Takano, a vampire thief. Her "HQ" appears to be Miller's bar. It seems that she knows people who could help Jaime make that leap.
Rose is a syphilitic whore from Victorian London. Matthew Hull, a bookkeeper, is quite confused. He had worked exclusively for Edwin Shanahan, whom he believes was friends with Jack. Anita Barrington, a.k.a., Nana to her granddaughter, Erin, is a witch who runs a bookstore, Hecate's Haven, and is an expert on Jack the Ripper folklore.
Irene Ashworth is a housewife, Kyle Belfour is a systems analyst (and conspiracy nut), and Lyle Sanderson had been walking his dog. Rita Acosta (she's with the Sun) is a reporter Elena knows. Kara is a young prostitute,
An Evanidus is a short-range teleporter. Vampires have to drain lifeblood once a year to retain immortality. Immortality questers try to find the secret to true immortality.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a montage with Jack the Ripper standing in the background under a three-armed, old-fashioned wrought iron lamp post in the park, as a naked blonde-haired Elena looks back over her shoulder, her hands crossed and resting on her very pregnant belly, a pentacle pendant dangling from one hand. The yellow of the info blurb at Elena's elbow is repeated in the author's name at the top, just below another white info blurb. The title itself is also white and spans the bottom of the cover.
The title is a tough one unless you consider those zombies. They break so easily, and yet they keep coming back, as Broken as they are.
My Take
It's all about moral responsibility. When you owe someone a favor, you pay it back. When you unleash hell, you shut it down, even if you are pregnant. And it's not easy in Broken, as nothing stays broken, and our fearsome threesome keep sniffing about, attempting to sort truth from fiction.
It's a pip of a story with LOTS of action, and other than my one giant quibble, it was a good read with plenty of fun bits, ranging from Elena's thoughts about becoming a mother, little Natalie's mom who thinks Elena could have some fun too, with knitting *snicker*, and all the times Elena longs for a good chase or a hunt.
That one major quibble? How could they not make that connection? Elena, Jeremy, and Clay are normally so much smarter. This lack might have made more sense if Armstrong had caused the boys to be a little more clumsy / concerned / obsessed in worrying about the pregnant Elena, to help explain why they miss this. I also want to know why Elena treats Nick as though he's not competent?
No, it doesn't have anything to do with Elena being pregnant, and that pregnancy is a fascinating departure from Elena's usual life. I mean, you thought you had it bad when you got pregnant and suddenly your significant other is overly solicitous. Imagine being the only female werewolf in the world...and pregnant!? It's that first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective that makes all of Clay and Jeremy's efforts to distract Elena and the lengths to which they'll go to "sacrifice" to the altar of a woman being pregnant that will crack you up — it's so much more real when the reactions are from the "victim", *she says, laughing*
Clay continues to evolve! Who knew!?? It seems that Nick might be evolving too, sobering up...considering the possibilities.
Then again, there is Elena's comment about the anthropologically inclined Dr Danvers fascinated by human society but having no desire to join it.The Story
It should be an easy pay-off, but a mosquito intervenes and it becomes hell on earth, as dimensional zombies roam the city and pollute the waters.
The Characters
The Danvers Pack lives...
at Stonehaven. Elena Michaels is the only female werewolf. Her partner is Professor Clayton Danvers, the self-styled bodyguard for their alpha, Jeremy Danvers, an artist. Malcolm had been Jeremy's vicious father. Antonio, Jeremy's best friend since forever, and Nick Sorrentino, father and son, are the rest of the Pack. Logan had been a Pack brother in Bitten .
Karl Marsten, a cosmopolitan jewel thief and former rogue wolf, has had his own territory in Wyoming for the past five years, in return for events in Bitten . Robert Vasic is a half-demon professor of demonology, a former Interracial Council member and now the go-to guy on research issues, and Adam Vasic's stepfather. Adam is also a half-demon and Paige's best friend. Cassandra is the vampire rep on the council while Aaron Darnell is the second vampire delegate.
Jaime Vegas is a necromancer who makes a living entertaining people all over the US, and she's quite eager to be of use. She has a casual partnership going with Eve who scares off the pushy spooks and Jaime does some work for Eve in return ( Haunted , 5). Tee is a friend of Zoe's and an example of what happens when a necromancer goes over the edge; she knows Molly O'Casey, Jaime's grandmother. A more positive example is Faye, a "retired" necromancer friend of Lucas'. Benicio Cortez is Lucas' father and the CEO of the Cortez cabal of sorcerers.
Xavier Reese, an Evanidus half-demon ( Stolen , 2) is looking for help. David Hargrave is a rogue werewolf.
Toronto
Patrick Shanahan, an investment banker, is the grandson of the sorcerer, Theodore Shanahan, who had been interested in Jack the Ripper's From Hell letter. Geoffrey Shanahan, Patrick's father, had been an affable drunk. Randall Tolliver, a medical doctor and sorcerer, is a boyhood friend of Patrick's. The Shanahans have been clients of for decades of Zoe Takano, a vampire thief. Her "HQ" appears to be Miller's bar. It seems that she knows people who could help Jaime make that leap.
Rose is a syphilitic whore from Victorian London. Matthew Hull, a bookkeeper, is quite confused. He had worked exclusively for Edwin Shanahan, whom he believes was friends with Jack. Anita Barrington, a.k.a., Nana to her granddaughter, Erin, is a witch who runs a bookstore, Hecate's Haven, and is an expert on Jack the Ripper folklore.
Irene Ashworth is a housewife, Kyle Belfour is a systems analyst (and conspiracy nut), and Lyle Sanderson had been walking his dog. Rita Acosta (she's with the Sun) is a reporter Elena knows. Kara is a young prostitute,
An Evanidus is a short-range teleporter. Vampires have to drain lifeblood once a year to retain immortality. Immortality questers try to find the secret to true immortality.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a montage with Jack the Ripper standing in the background under a three-armed, old-fashioned wrought iron lamp post in the park, as a naked blonde-haired Elena looks back over her shoulder, her hands crossed and resting on her very pregnant belly, a pentacle pendant dangling from one hand. The yellow of the info blurb at Elena's elbow is repeated in the author's name at the top, just below another white info blurb. The title itself is also white and spans the bottom of the cover.
The title is a tough one unless you consider those zombies. They break so easily, and yet they keep coming back, as Broken as they are.
February 20, 2019
I’m really enjoying this series but I feel this book was long winded. It seemed to take me ages to read as I didn’t get that ‘can’t put it down’ feeling. All the action happened at the end and finished the story well. Still really enjoyed it.
February 28, 2023
5 stars. We’re back with Elena as the main character and I could not be happier. Her and Clay are my favorite couple of this series and I love them so much. Elena and Clay go on a wild adventure to get Jack the Ripper who has been brought into the 21st century. It was wacky but so much fun. On top of all of that Elena is pregnant! She and Clay are expecting twins even though a child between wolves has never happened before so there’s that on top of all the craziness. It was such an entertaining read as just about every character came together to help. What a ride. The next book is about Jeremy and Jaime! I cannot wait to get to it.
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