Sigh.

I was extremely excited when I learned that we were going back to Elena's point of view.

I had truly loved the first two Elena books.

However, this particular installment didn't quite live up to my expectations.

The plot seemed to drag on and there were an excessive number of "convenient" moments that felt a bit contrived.

Despite this, I still have an affection for the characters.

Nevertheless, I found that a great many of the choices they made within the book were rather lacking in intelligence.

The entire series is starting to feel very drawn out and sluggish to me.

I'm really not certain if I'll have the motivation to continue reading it.

I'll have to give it some serious thought before making a decision.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark and grotesque tale!!

It was a captivating journey into a world filled with mystery and horror. The author's vivid descriptions painted a vivid picture in my mind, making me feel as if I was right there experiencing every moment.

The story had a unique charm that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed and complex, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

The dark and grotesque elements were masterfully incorporated, creating an atmosphere of unease and suspense. It was a refreshing departure from the typical light-hearted stories that are so common these days.

I would highly recommend this tale to anyone who enjoys a good horror story or is looking for something different and engaging to read. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and will leave you with a lasting impression.

A very pregnant Elena is going stir crazy and wants out of the house.

When a contact calls and offers her a deal - the location of a mutt (which is generally a Werewolf who is not in a pack and who hunts man) for the retrieval of the Jack the Ripper "From Hell" letter - Elena jumps at the chance.

She manages to convince Clay and the Alpha Jeremy and they are off to her old stomping grounds in Toronto.

Of course nothing is ever as easy as it seems and nothing is exactly as it seems either.

A tiny little act triggers the opening of a portal and out pop a couple of zombies who seem to be really intent on going after Elena.

The portal also seems to have triggered a cholera epidemic in Toronto and suddenly the cities rat population is going kinda whack-o.

Elena and the gang have to figure out how to right the wrong and get the portal closed and keep Elena and her growing belly safe from Zombie cooties.

I am a fan of Kelley Armstrong and although this book was not my favorite - I still could not put it down.

In fact - I forgot to bring it with me to work and almost turned the car around when I realized I had forgotten it and went back for it. (Lazy won over need to finish the book and I kept on trucking to work without the book - but it was a close call!)

I felt like the plot was fairly predictable and that the characters were a little off their game. I suppose that was supposed to be chocked up to Elena's pregnancy but that feels like an excuse.

I also feel like there were a lot of ends not wrapped up in this one. (Did they even actually deliver the From Hell letter?)

I hope we see more of Zoe in future books. I enjoyed her quite a bit.

TW/CW: Death, zombies, illness, injury, rats, murder, violence, fantasy violence, pregnancy, childbirth

REVIEW: In "Broken", Kelley Armstrong takes us on an enthralling journey back to the world of werewolves. Elena, the narrator, leads her pack as they embark on a job filled with zombies, magic, and even Jack the Ripper!

This book was truly a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Elena, who is pregnant and the only female werewolf alive to have given birth, refuses to take it easy despite the urgings of Jeremy and Clay. Instead, she dives headfirst into a case that takes her to the streets of Toronto. There, she finds herself chasing zombies, fleeing from killer rats, and engaging in intense face-to-face battles with sorcerers, witches, vampires, and other supernatural beings.

The story was exciting from start to finish, and I found myself completely immersed in the mystery, with the plot moving at a rapid pace. Although I may have guessed the outcome before the end, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, "Broken" is a great story that I highly recommend to fans of urban fantasy. It's a thrilling adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

It was good!

At the beginning, it was a bit difficult, but it got much better towards the end!!!

I have high expectations for the next one!!!!

This experience was quite remarkable. Although I faced some challenges initially, I managed to overcome them and had a great time in the end.

The progress I made was very satisfying, and it made me look forward to what's coming next with great anticipation.

I believe that the next one will be even more exciting and rewarding, and I can't wait to see what it has in store for me.

Overall, it was a great journey, and I'm glad I took it.

I'm sure that with continued effort and determination, I'll be able to achieve even more in the future.

Basic Plot: Elena and the pack accidentally unleash Jack the Ripper and must close the portal that let him into modern Toronto before the city falls to cholera, plague rats, and old-fashioned murder.

The fact that Elena was pregnant throughout the novel added an extra layer of interest to the already engaging plot. Jack the Ripper, with his macabre history, is a captivating figure that draws in an audience. Armstrong effectively used the "From Hell" letter as a hook. Elena's pregnancy was written believably, with some unique werewolfish side effects.

However, the pacing of Armstrong's writing was a problem for me. It was excruciatingly slow, and there were numerous questions about characters who appeared and disappeared, the significance of the letter that later became a non-issue, and so on. The plot holes were gaping, and I figured out the story long before the characters did, which rather than increasing suspense, made me want to reach into the book and slap the supposedly intelligent characters. This was not Armstrong's finest work. Nevertheless, there were still elements that kept me reading, although at times it was a real struggle. I will be taking a break from this series for a while.

I truly have a profound adoration for this series and am firmly determined to continue until I reach its conclusion.

Nevertheless, book 6 within this series, specifically in relation to Elena and her pack, regrettably failed to meet the high expectations I had set. Please don't misunderstand me; I have an intense love for Elena and her comrades. However, the storyline revolving around zombies and Jack the Ripper seemed rather disjointed and didn't quite make sense to my mind.

That being said, I did take great pleasure in the aspect of Elena being pregnant. Clay and Jeremy's protectiveness over her, along with their palpable excitement, was truly endearing. Additionally, I relished the subtle, flirty undertones between Jeremy and Jamie, despite the fact that Jeremy tends to keep his emotions tightly guarded within himself.

I am extremely eager and looking forward with great anticipation to reading Jamie's story. I sincerely hope that things heat up a little more between her and Jeremy, adding an extra dash of spiciness to their relationship.

Sixth in the Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series, this installment focuses on a pregnant Elena and the favor she owes Xavier. Five years have passed since "Bitten."

My Take: Moral responsibility takes center stage. When a favor is owed, it must be repaid. Even when pregnant, Elena must shut down the chaos she unleashes. "Broken" is filled with action, and aside from one major quibble, it's a great read. Elena's thoughts on motherhood, Natalie's mom's knitting suggestions, and her longing for a good chase add fun elements.

The Story: What should be an easy favor turns into a nightmare as dimensional zombies invade the city and pollute the waters.

The Characters: The Danvers Pack lives at Stonehaven. Elena Michaels is the only female werewolf, partnered with Clayton Danvers. Jeremy Danvers is the alpha, and the Pack also includes Antonio, Nick Sorrentino, and others. There are also various supernatural beings like Karl Marsten, Robert Vasic, and Jaime Vegas.

The Cover and Title: The cover features a montage with Jack the Ripper in the background and a pregnant Elena looking back. The title, "Broken," refers to the easily broken yet persistent zombies. Overall, it's an engaging addition to the series.

I had begun reading this series numerous years ago. After the third book, I put it aside. If my memory serves me right, it was because the third book and the subsequent ones did not have Elena and Clay as the central characters. I picked them up once more and, with a fresher perspective, have relished the 3 intervening books about Paige, Lucas, and Eve. However, this is what I had been awaiting - another adventure with Clay and Elena.

The significant surprise at the commencement of the book is that Elena is pregnant. It is an intriguing premise as most paranormal books tend to avoid the werewolf pregnancy aspect due to the changes their bodies undergo when they transform. Just like almost everything else Ms. Armstrong does, she does an excellent job with her world view and makes the ideas function.

But simply because Elena is pregnant does not imply that she can remain idle and decorate the nursery. Her anxiety is palpable through the pages, along with her fear of shifting and her awkwardness in both forms as the pregnancy progresses. She accepts a job from Xavier (from book 2) that takes her and the entire pack to Toronto, as nobody, from Clay to Jeremy to Nick or Antonio, is going to let her out of their sight.

And, of course, everything goes awry. Who could have known that slapping a mosquito could have such consequences as a drop of blood falling on an old scroll? A portal that brings in 2 zombies and a man from the time of Jack the Ripper? Poor Toronto, which had just recovered from the SARS epidemic.

In many respects, this was my second favorite in the series. The plot was intricate, you pondered who the real villain was (to a slight extent), and there was the nail-biting nervousness throughout the entire book that I relished.

Another must-read in the series.

I have a profound love for this book. It stands as one of my absolute favorites within the series. What truly captivates me is the ingenious way it weaves in the 'Jack The Ripper' legend, infusing it with supernatural elements that add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement.

Elena being pregnant and grappling with the unique issues that come with being a werewolf is a fascinating aspect. I'm sure many women would envy the fact that she gets to shave off 3 months of her pregnancy term.

Jaime's entrance into the story is also a highlight. She is confronted with her greatest fear - the potential madness that could afflict her later in life if she isn't cautious in using her abilities, as exemplified by Tee. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the consequences that necromancers and clairvoyants face when they overuse their powers and their barriers break down.

I believe Clay begins to show signs of acceptance, respect, and perhaps even a hint of liking towards Jaime in this book. She proves that she isn't just a flighty and superficial airhead. Moreover, she manages to avoid getting captured or possessed. Given Elena's perception that she sees something more than mere concern in Jeremy's eyes when looking at Jaime at one point, it seems that their relationship might be evolving beyond friendship.

The introduction of Zoe is a welcome addition, although she never gets her own full-length book. She does, however, have a couple of short stories and is mentioned as one of Elena's friends in future installments. She's a character I've always liked and wished could have had a more prominent role in the series.

I found myself getting a little emotional when they discussed baby names and Logan's name came up. Additionally, Nick's struggle to adjust to Clay and Elena starting a family is palpable. It's not that he doesn't want them to have a family, but rather it makes him reflect on his father's wish for a grandchild and forces him to consider whether fatherhood would ever be a suitable path for him. He isn't so much broody as he is burdened with guilt for not fulfilling his father's desire. Seeing him re-evaluate his life because of Elena's pregnancy made me feel a little sorry for him.

I'm definitely glad to have re-read this book, and I'm eagerly looking forward to re-reading the next novel as well. The story in this book has set the stage and hinted at what's to come, leaving me with a sense of anticipation and excitement.

I am still thoroughly enjoying this series to the fullest extent.

This book takes us back into the world with Elena and Clay, yet not precisely in the manner that I had anticipated, which is why I gave it 4 stars.

There was a greater emphasis on the pack dynamic rather than the couple dynamic, and this initially threw me off a bit.

I find myself wondering what future re-reads will uncover now that I have a better understanding of what to expect.

The inclusion of the Jack the Ripper story was a fascinating twist in what could otherwise be a somewhat tired supernatural genre.

Werewolves, vampires, demons, and the like - we have encountered them numerous times before.

But Jack the Ripper? That's a fresh perspective.

It made for an enjoyable read.

At times, it was a bit predictable, but that didn't detract from the overall enjoyment.

Armstrong's Otherworld series features alternating main characters. I chose to skip to Broken #6 as I wanted to continue Elena's story from Stolen #2. While Broken can be read standalone, it would likely be more appealing to those familiar with Elena and Clay's idiosyncrasies.

3.5 ☆

Elena and Clay, werewolves, are expecting a child after three years of debating. However, Elena, who already had a traumatic childhood and fears of abandonment, faces additional concerns during pregnancy. Will the physical change into wolf form harm her baby?

Clay tries to support Elena and reduce her stress, but he can't always stay out of trouble. Midway through her pregnancy, Elena, feeling confined to their home territory, seizes the opportunity to exchange favors with Xavier, the half-demon who once hunted her but later helped in Stolen. But they don't know that Xavier's request to steal a spell-protected Jack the Ripper memento will unleash plagues and pestilence upon Toronto.

Toronto plays a significant role in the story, especially the Victorian Cabbagetown neighborhood. Additional characters are introduced as Pack alpha Jeremy calls in supernatural reinforcements. Jeremy is an even-keeled and measured alpha, but still expects compliance.

Broken is entertaining, but I was less engaged than with the previous two Elena books. The main plot seemed to meander. It could also be a reminder that being a werewolf doesn't make an artist, anthropology professor, and journalist great private investigators. Nevertheless, existing fans will likely be pleased due to Elena and Clay's family situation. Keeping a very pregnant Elena safe amid the apocalypse, complete with zombies, added significant 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 ☆