Armstrong, Kelley.
Bitten: A Novel
This is a fresh new voice debuting with her first werewolf novel, but no run-of-the-mill horror tale here. Instead, we have an independent female–the only one of her kind–whose Alpha summons her back to the Pack because there are “Mutts” creating havoc. The plot revolves around the Pack’s search for the perpetrators of some brutal murders which have been planted on the grounds of their ancestral home by renegade werewolfs or “Mutts.”

Armstrong’s Elena Michaels reminded me of the Anita Blake character created by Laurell K. Hamilton for a variety of reasons–she’s deeply conflicted over her dilemma–she was human and turned into a rare female werewolf without her own permission. And Elena is constantly fighting her attraction to Clay, another werewolf, and losing the struggle. Excellent sexual tension, an intriguing and enveloping plot, and sympathetic characters successfully complete the analogy to Hamilton and contribute to a very satisfying reading experience.

This is not a scary book, but it is suspenseful and not for the faint-of-heart because of the graphic description of the blood and guts variety. What made me keep reading was really the inner turmoil of Elena as she straddles both human and were-world. The author does a very good job at creating the mythology and sociology of the wolf pack, and its interaction with human society. It is believable enough to allow the reader to suspend disbelief and enjoy.

The other titles in this series are equally good–alternating between Elena and her pack and the witches, warlocks and other paranormal beings they meet along the way.

Originally by Leane M. Ellis, June 1,2002.
Edited September 30, 2008; lme

Categories: Book Buzz, Book Reviews, Fantasy, Horror