Otherworld #6

Broken

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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.

460 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 25,2006

Series
Places

This edition

Format
460 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
May 25, 2006 by Random House Inc
ISBN
9780553588187
ASIN
B00A2NZC4E
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Elena Michaels

    Elena Michaels

    DOB: Sept 22, 1968hair: white-blondeyes: blueheight: 5 10"build: slim, muscular but not bulky ,with small breastsElena Michaels is a Canadian journalist; the only known female werewolf.Both her parents died in a car accident when she was five years ...

  • Jaime Vegas

    Jaime Vegas

    DOB: Feb 14, 1963Hair: long, redEyes: greenHeight: 5 7”Build: curvy but slenderA necromancer. Works as a TV spiritualist.Jaime is first mentioned in Dime Store Magic when Savannah is watching her hit TV show (where she supposedly contacts the dead.)...

  • Jeremy Danvers

    Jeremy Danvers

    DOB: May 29, 1947Hair: blackEyes: blackHeight: 6 2”Build: leanWerewolf. Alpha of the American Pack. He currently resides at Stonehaven with his foster son/bodyguard, Clayton Danvers.more...

  • Clayton Danvers

    Clayton Danvers

    DOB: Jan 15, 1962Hair: golden blond curls Eyes: blueHeight: 6"Build: well-muscledClay Danvers is a werewolf. He was turned as a child and lived alone in the woods in Louisiana until Jeremy Danvers rescued and adopted him as a son. Hes a genius, with...

  • Antonio Sorrentino

    Antonio Sorrentino

    YOB: 1945hair: darkeyes: brownheight: 5 8"build: muscularHereditary werewolf, son of the former alpha, Dominic Sorrentino, best friend of the current Alpha, Jeremy Danvers, and Nicks father. more...

  • Nicholas Sorrentino

    Nicholas Sorrentino

    YOB: 1960hair: darkeyes: brownheight: 6 1"build: slenderWerewolf, Member of the American Pack.Antonios son. Best friend of Clayton Danvers."Nick was a half-head taller than his father, with the polished good looks of someone who doesnt ...

About the author

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Kelley 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.


Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
26(26%)
3 stars
44(44%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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I truly have a deep affection for these books! The characters of Elena and Clay are simply remarkable! They have captured my heart and imagination like no others. Their story is so engaging and full of excitement that I find myself completely immersed in it. Every time I pick up these books, I am transported to a world filled with adventure, mystery, and romance.


I can't wait to continue following their journey and discover what lies ahead for them. Will they face new challenges? Will their relationship grow stronger? These are the questions that keep me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages. I am confident that the author will not disappoint and will continue to deliver a captivating story that will leave me longing for more.


In conclusion, these books are a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. The combination of well-developed characters, a thrilling plot, and beautiful writing makes them an absolute delight. I highly recommend them to all book lovers out there.

July 15,2025
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After re-reading this book in 2019, I decided to change its rating to 3 stars.

“We sacrificed a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.” This line added a touch of humor. I was glad to return to Elena's point of view after several books away from her voice. However, this installment turned out to be the weakest among the first three starring Elena's POV. Still, it's worth checking out.

We have plenty of Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, and the setting of Toronto with an unusual historical mystery involving magic. The Jack-The-Ripper lore was unique, though not my favorite side-plot of the series. I missed Stonehaven a bit, but the dirty, gritty feel of Toronto worked well.

The book mainly focuses on Elaine's pregnancy. Jeremy and Clay are overly protective, and Elena has personal fears about changing and endangering the child. Some parts got a little tiresome, but overall, I liked the overprotective wolves and thought it was cute. Elena's fears were justified, and I'm glad she overcame some of them. I can understand her worry about shifting causing a miscarriage. On my second read, I didn't find it as overwhelming.

Jaime's addition was great. She's one of my top favorites, and I love her crush on Jeremy. She gets all 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 and fun character. I'm not as crazy about the vampires in this series, but she's humorous and quirky. Tee, with her creepy, insane energy, fascinated me. The villains worked well - I saw the hidden twist, but guessing in advance didn't take away from the story-line.

The zombie angle was different, and the story-line was a bit cheesy, but it was also over the top creative and well structured. Based on my re-read, I bumped the rating up to 4 stars from 3.

July 15,2025
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A solid 3.5 stars, which are automatically rounded up, for this adventure with the Pack.

Here, a very pregnant Elena (narrating), along with Clay and Jeremy, embark on a seemingly simple mission to Toronto that quickly turns extremely complicated and decidedly strange. They ultimately bring in the other Pack members and a candidate, and most importantly, as it turns out, Jaime Vegas the necromancer whom we met in book #4, Industrial Magic.

It was truly 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 available at the library, and it was great 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 venturing further into the unknown with her pregnancy, which gets a detailed treatment in this installment. It appears that the werewolf gestation period is only five months!

Pregnancy and action-packed adventure are intertwined, and Elena terrifies her companions with her ability and eagerness to get physical with the bad guys. Throughout much of the story, she's on the hunt through the streets of Toronto. Even in her human form, she's excellent at following scents, though far more so when she "Changes." The last quarter of the book builds to a splendid, albeit disturbing, climax - and you can probably guess what happens in the denouement!

Why only 3.5 stars? Well, aside from 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 repeatedly with everyday trivial activities that don't advance the story. Also, the relationship drama among Elena, Clay, and Jeremy includes some rather repetitive scenes. One or two encounters are sufficient to establish where they stand with each other; then just keep the dramatic scenes that impact the 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 bit misleading, but two of the Victorians are indeed zombies, and who's better to deal with a zombie than Jamie the necromancer!

There's 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.
July 15,2025
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4.5 stars

I have been eagerly anticipating my return to the world of the werewolves for an incredibly long time. And let me tell you, I was not in the least bit disappointed!

It was an absolute delight to witness Clay's protective daddy side. His fierce determination to safeguard those he cares about was truly heartwarming.

As I delved back into this story, I was once again captivated by the unique dynamics and the thrilling adventures that unfold. The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Clay's character is so well-developed, and his evolution throughout the story is both fascinating and touching. I can't wait to see what other surprises and developments await in the next installment.

This series continues to be a favorite of mine, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance with a touch of adventure.
July 15,2025
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Quasiment un 5/5.

Certes, l'intrigue est peut-être quelque peu moins \"prenante\" que dans d'autres tomes. Cependant, le travail sur les personnages est vraiment superbe.

J'ai particulièrement aimé le rôle de Jaime et l'apparition de Zoé la vampire. Leur présence apporte une touche de mystère et de charme à l'histoire.

Quel plaisir, également, de retrouver notre meute de loup, et une Elena quelque peu \"gênée\" par son tout nouveau corps !!! Elle doit apprendre à s'adapter à ses nouvelles capacités et à son nouvel environnement.

Bref : ça se lit, ça se dévore, et ça donne envie de lire la suite. C'est un livre qui vous retient en haleine et vous fait attendre avec impatience la suite de l'aventure.

Mme Armstrong est définitivement une des auteures phare d'ubran fantasy !!! Son style d'écriture est fluide et captivant, et elle sait créer des mondes et des personnages qui vous font rêver.
July 15,2025
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I found it truly interesting that this particular book centered around a pregnant woman.

To be honest, I can't recall reading any other urban fantasy stories where a pregnant woman takes on the role of investigator and kicks butt.

This book was indeed entertaining, yet it didn't quite make it to the top of my favorites list. However, that might simply be due to my personal lack of love for books about werewolves.

After devouring several books in this series in a relatively short period, which in reality is more of a collection of books set in the same world but with different, yet related protagonists, I must say that I'm highly impressed.

Kelley Armstrong has managed to craft interesting and engaging books that focus on women in various stages of their lives and relationships, making them relatable to a wide range of readers.

Her ability to bring these characters to life and create captivating storylines is truly remarkable.
July 15,2025
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This was equivalent to returning full circle to the main characters from the first book.

It was as if a circular path had been completed, bringing the story back to its original starting point. The main characters, who had embarked on a journey in the first book, now found themselves back in a familiar position.

This return added a sense of closure and continuity to the narrative. It allowed the readers to see how the characters had developed and changed throughout their adventures.

It also provided an opportunity to revisit the themes and ideas that were introduced in the first book.

Overall, this full circle return was a significant moment in the story, tying together the different elements and creating a more cohesive and satisfying reading experience.
July 15,2025
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Elena and Clay are back, and this time, Elena is pregnant. In this installment of the Women of the Otherworld series, Kelley Armstrong takes us on a thrilling adventure. Elena, stir crazy with overprotective werewolves watching over her, seizes the opportunity for a "safe" adventure. However, nothing is ever that simple. Her adventure leads to the return of Jack the Ripper, complete with zombie sidekicks.


I have always been intrigued by Jack the Ripper, and his presence in this story adds an extra layer of excitement, mystery, and gore. After reading the blurb, I couldn't wait to start this book. The combination of a pregnant Elena and the Ripper had me hooked from the start. I devoured Broken and didn't put it down until I finished. This book is truly a highlight of the series.


Elena's pregnancy was a pleasant surprise. It shows that she and Clay have overcome their past and are looking forward to a long and happy future together. The dynamics of the werewolf pack are also well-demonstrated, and I enjoyed catching up with the other pack members. The relationships in this world are complex and varied, adding depth and richness to the story.


The Jack the Ripper aspect was both interesting and creepy. There were several edge-of-the-seat moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself muttering at the book a few times, wondering what a heavily pregnant woman was doing fighting zombies. However, this added an element of frustrated excitement to the story.


Overall, Broken is 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 pick up the first book. You won't be disappointed!
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