From a blog post I penned back in 2006:

I chanced upon a new author whom I truly adore. Kelley Armstrong has a collection of books featuring supernatural characters. I devoured Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, Haunted, and Broken in the blink of an eye.

The first two and the last books center around the sole female werewolf in the world as the main character. The third and fourth books have a young witch as the focal point, while the fifth one tells the story of a deceased (yet ghostly) witch.

These books were truly excellent. My favorite themes, sex and violence, are present, but there's also a great deal about personal relationships and a well-developed world in which the characters dwell.

The books share the same cast of characters throughout. The stories and characters actually exhibit growth, which is a pleasant surprise. I'm really getting tired of series where the characters seem to be stagnant at a certain point and it all feels like a rehash of the same (think Anita Blake).

This is good stuff here. Do check it out.

I'm really going to have to take a break from listening to this series for a certain period of time. The narrator, unfortunately, completely spoils the books with that extremely stupid laugh. It's truly a turn-off and makes it difficult to fully enjoy the story. Additionally, I didn't have the same level of liking for this particular book as I did for the others in this series. There was something about it that just didn't click with me. Maybe it was the plot, or perhaps the characters didn't seem as engaging. Whatever the reason, it just didn't measure up to my expectations. I hope that in the future, either the narrator improves or a different narrator is chosen to bring these books to life in a more enjoyable way.

I absolutely love this novel!

From the very beginning to the very end, I was completely and utterly enthralled and lost within the pages of this remarkable novel. The plot is not only fun but also truly unique, setting it apart from so many others. The characters are nothing short of amazing and feel so real that it's as if they could step out of the book and into our world. And the writing! Oh, the writing is one of a kind, captivating and engaging from the very first sentence. I felt as though I was right there with the characters, experiencing every moment, every emotion, as it all unfolded in my mind like a vivid and enchanting film. Kelley Armstrong has an amazing voice that should be heard by all. Each of her novels has its own distinct plot and writing style, yet they all still manage to be part of a wonderful and truly awesome series that keeps readers coming back for more.

My reading of volume four dates back a very, very long time (I didn't even dare look) and so, I admit that I had a bit of apprehension. It took me some time to get back into the swing of things, and some elements remained unclear, but overall, I wasn't too bothered by that. I even really enjoyed my reading, and I admit that after several disappointments, it feels good.

In this fifth volume, we thus find Eve, Savannah's mother, a witch and half-demon who died from her condition, and this since the beginning of the saga. So it is very often through other protagonists that we learn things about her. Her reputation was not the most sympathetic, Eve flirting very closely with black magic. Finally being able to really get to know her was therefore an opportunity that I thought was great. Especially since it also allows us to discover the afterlife imagined by Kelley Armstrong. The universe thus expands even more and in a very successful way.

The central point of Haunting lies in the fact of wanting to move on to something else, of accepting the past to move forward. Eve died quite young and in a very unsympathetic way. Brutally separated from her daughter, she cannot come to terms with this separation and looks for a way to interact with her. She has, however, built the beginnings of a new life in the afterlife and has even found the love of her life and the father of her daughter, Krys. But that's not enough for her. She has regrets, like all of us, and cannot get past them. Although she knows that Savannah is surrounded by people who care about her and protect her, this does not completely satisfy her. One can easily understand this, but is this really the non-life that she really wants?

And it is at this moment that the Fates come into play and decide to entrust Eve with a mission: to catch a ghostly nixie who is wreaking havoc in the human world. And who better to apprehend a creature without scruples than a semi-demon with a rather shady reputation? The mission quickly becomes a quest and along the way, Eve will become aware of quite a few things. The kick in the pants that she so badly needed.

Allowing Eve and Krys to reveal themselves was really a great idea. Firstly, seeing the famous couple finally get a second chance is just adorable. Secondly, by giving them the opportunity to express themselves, we quickly realize that they are much more than their reputations. So, be careful, they are not choirboys, but they have their flaws and also a code of conduct. Krys appears to us in a new light. He is also a "point of comparison" compared to Eve. He has managed to come to terms with his old life. Of course, he would give everything to be close to his three children, but he knows that this is impossible, and that he must now let them fend for themselves. I found it very interesting to see these two characters oppose each other on some points, while remaining welded. And by getting to know them better, they even become very endearing. A winning duo.

For the mission, it allows us to explore the afterlife, to see old characters again and also gives a lot of action. Enough to balance out the slightly more spiritual side of Haunting. Frankly, I found the adventure rather nice and I had a very good time. It is violent, without being gory, and above all well-paced. The only thing that I can reproach Haunting for is Trsiel... I didn't understand the usefulness of this character... He allows the introduction of angels into the folklore of the saga, but for the rest... He is never there when you need him, as if he were doing it on purpose. And his non-presence at a key moment in the plot really threw me off... We don't have any explanation for this either, and I was very frustrated that Kelley Armstrong skipped over it, because clearly for me, it was a very shaky choice...

Apart from this small defect, I am really happy to have resumed my reading of the Women of the Otherworld. The universe is still as interesting and I must not wait so long to continue it. The fact that the last three volumes have not been translated slows me down a bit, I won't lie to myself, but it would be a shame to miss out because of that.

An okay beach read.

I've read a few of the books in this series, all of them out of order. So, some of what went on in "Haunted" confused me. Eve Levine is dead and now exists in the ghost world. However, she still has deep feelings for her daughter, Savannah, and is determined to protect her. Eve is also carrying on an affair with her old lover, Krisof, who is now a ghost as well.

Supposedly, in the ghost world, you can't touch anything. But Eve and Kristof keep finding themselves in places where they dress up in costumes, drink beer, and have sex. Armstrong tries to make this seem reasonable in the story, but it just comes across as strange.

Then, the Fates hire Eve to track down a completely out-of-control, serial-killing half-demon ghost called the Nix. There's an angel who is supposed to assist Eve, but he turns out to be worse than useless. This begs the question: "How did angels get such a great reputation for being problem solvers anyway?" Eve has to go to hell to talk to the Nix's old partner for answers. While there, she is attacked by several serial killers and stabbed repeatedly. (Note to the author: I understand that the Fates designed this prison to keep the inmates isolated, but it's a significant design flaw to have a jail so secure that even the warden can't get in there.)

This book wasn't a bad read, but it's strictly for holiday entertainment. Don't read it with your brain fully engaged, or you'll get a headache from all the contradictions.

I didn't like this, Kelley's 5th novel in her Women of the Otherworld series, nearly as much as the first four.

This book centers on Eve, and unlike previous stories, has little to do with any of the other characters I've grown to know and love.

Eve is Savannah's mother, and a ghost in the afterlife. She's unsettled and is having a difficult time leaving her mortal life behind and embracing her new "afterlife" with Kristof Nash, Savannah's father whom we met in Dime Store Magic. Even though Eve cannot manifest to interact with Savannah, she still obsesses about a way to make that happen, despite Kris's attempts to convince her to move on.

The afterlife contains various dimensions, with the one inhabited by Eve and Kris specifically for supernaturals. In many cases, these worlds are very much like the world of the living, though they're often stuck in the time of their heydey, think 1920's Chicago, etc. The Fates govern this particular dimension, and decide to send Eve on a quest to hunt and banish an evil demi-demon Nix who has been taking up residence in the bodies of various women and inducing them to kill for the last hundred years. The three previous seekers they've sent have all failed, in one way or another, and the Fates are hoping that Eve can succeed where they have failed. She's assigned an angel partner, Trsiel, who can bring the Nix to justice once Eve has found her, and Kris lends a hand as well.

Eve's quest to find the Nix is the basic premise of the book, and thus very few characters from the previous book are here. Only Paige, Lucas, and Savannah come into play a little, but not nearly enough. Perhaps that's one of the greatest reasons I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. However, Kelley's a talented writer, and it was good to find out more about Eve and what makes her tick.

Overall, while this book had its moments, it didn't quite capture my attention like the previous installments in the series. I still look forward to seeing what Kelley has in store for us in the future.

I absolutely adored this book.

I have a deep affection for Eve and was overjoyed to have the opportunity to see Savannah once more.

I despise Nix with a passion. The way she can inhabit bodies and make use of the most despicable people, permitting them to do as they please, is truly abhorrent.

I loathe how Nix targets Savannah, but I love the fact that Eve instantly springs into action to save her.

I was also glad to have Paige make an appearance again. I love how she is so ready and willing to defend Savannah.

I was extremely glad when they finally managed to defeat Nix and how everything neatly worked out in the end.

This book definitely deserves a 5-star rating!! It was an engaging and thrilling read from start to finish.

I find myself increasingly falling in love with this series the more I delve into it. Eve is undoubtedly one of my absolute favourites, and I'm truly glad that she has an entire book dedicated to her. Kristoff, too, is a surprisingly wonderful character. I have a genuine affection for his relationship with Eve. He is the ideal partner for her. It was truly remarkable to witness such a powerful character grappling with her emotions. Eve appears to be flawless in every aspect, yet she cannot let go of the living world despite being deceased. I firmly believe that this is an outstanding story that showcases how Eve ultimately comes to terms with her death and realizes that her daughter will manage just fine without her.

I would have preferred to have some chapters from the Nix's point of view, but aside from that, this was a relatively quick and engaging read. It kept me hooked from start to finish, and I'm already looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Spectacular!

Oh, I guess I should say more.

Let me start at the beginning, not of this book, but of this series. Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld was just barely on my radar until I saw the new TV series - Bitten. I picked up the first book, also called Bitten, and was hooked on the story of the only female werewolf, Elena Michaels. Book 2, Stolen, continued with the same main POV character and also introduced other supernatural beings, like witches, sorcerers, vampires, and so on.

Then came Book 3, Dime Store Magic, with a new main POV character, Paige Winterbourne. She was a witch introduced in Stolen and was the guardian of young Savannah Levine. Book 4, Industrial Magic, kept Paige as the main POV character and introduced the Fates, ghosts, and Eve Levine.

The new main POV character of this book, Haunted, is Eve Levine. I was ready for a new POV character as I sensed a pattern in Ms. Armstrong's series of 2 books per POV character, then switch. However, I never thought a ghost would be a worthwhile main character.

Ghosts! This book is full of them...and demons...and angels...and everything in between. From the previous book, I knew that ghosts had their own realm similar to the living world. The differences between the different beings and realms are expertly woven into a \\"quest\\" adventure. I'm still amazed by the world-building of this series!

Several characters from previous books make appearances, but don't overshadow Eve and her mission. She has a task from the Fates as payback for a favor. Without spoilers, she has to find a demon called Nix who escaped and is influencing people to kill.

The twists and turns of the adventure are exciting, but the climactic ending is what made me give it a full 5 stars. So much happens to Eve and the supporting cast, setting up the future of the series. I'm still hooked on the Otherworld and this book just increased my addiction!

I have always had a fondness for Paige. However, she always seemed a bit too "whitebread" to me. But when I saw both Paige and Lucas through the eyes of Eve, it made the couple more genuine and real. It was truly a pleasant surprise.

What's even nicer is that each story in this novel brings in older characters. This gives the readers an opportunity to view these characters from a different perspective. It enriches the narrative and makes the reading experience more diverse and engaging.

It shows the author's skill in creating a multi-faceted world with complex and interesting characters. I look forward to seeing how these characters develop and interact in the remaining parts of the story.

I would rate this story 3.5 stars.

I truly loved the character of Eve. She was full of charm and had a unique personality that drew me in from the very beginning.

Kristoff was also a great character. His actions and decisions added depth to the story and made me root for him throughout.

The adventure or mission aspect of the story was exciting and kept me engaged. It had its fair share of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

However, there were times when the characters seemed to be really messing around and not taking things seriously enough. This led to some situations that felt a bit repetitive towards the end of the story.

Overall, I still enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others who are looking for an exciting adventure with interesting characters. But I do hope that in future installments, the author can find a way to keep the story fresh and avoid the repetitiveness that I experienced in this one.

I absolutely adored this book! It is by far my favorite in the entire series. Eve has always fascinated me, and I was overjoyed to finally have a story that focused solely on her. After reading this, I also developed a great liking for Kristof. Additionally, it includes a bit of Savannah, Lucas, Paige, and Jamie as well. I found all the different aspects of the afterlife to be not only extremely enjoyable to read about but also really quite creepy at times!

It serves as a reminder to myself... stay as far away from Nixen as possible. They are truly nasty creatures! The author did an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world that kept me hooked from start to finish. I can't wait to see what else is in store for these characters in future installments of the series.