4.5

I deducted.5 from the rating due to the rather numerous editing errors in this book, such as spelling and grammar mistakes. However, aside from that, this is an excellent read.

The story unfolds from Elena's perspective. She is captured and confined in an institution with a psycho named Ty Winsloe. Ty is capturing otherworldly beings to study and attempt to determine the source and workings of their power. He pits them against each other in a game-like fashion, where they engage in battles and occasionally fight to the death. If Ty decides he is finished with them and they are no longer of use, he kills them. Elena must devise a way to escape and return to her pack to save the rest of the crew trapped in the institution.

This book is action-packed, featuring the same witty humor as the first book, Bitten. Overall, it is a fantastically crafted book. Kelley Armstrong's writing is extremely detailed, incorporating small elements that make the story feel as if you can truly put yourself in the narrator's position. While the first book focused solely on werewolves, this book introduces numerous new characters, including vampires, witches, shamans, and half-demons. I relished every aspect of this book!

I was truly excited about the plot of this book.

However, as I delved deeper into it, it ultimately ended up feeling extremely familiar and lacking in originality to me.

A significant amount of the content felt rather pointless and predictable.

Thankfully, the ending was very satisfying. I relished seeing the development in Elena and Clay's relationship.

Moreover, I really liked the new types of supernaturals that were introduced.

I am now excitedly anticipating seeing how they will be incorporated into future books!

This book had its highs and lows, but the potential for future installments keeps my interest piqued.

I look forward to seeing how the author builds upon this foundation and takes the story in new and exciting directions.

Hopefully, the next books will offer more originality and less predictability, while still maintaining the engaging elements that made this one somewhat enjoyable.

Thank you, Skye, for adding this book for me.

It means a lot to have you do that.

Also, I want to express my gratitude to both Emma and Skye for introducing me to this series.

Their recommendation has opened up a whole new world of reading for me.

I'm really excited to dive into this series and see what adventures and stories it has in store.

It's wonderful to have friends like them who share my love for books and are always willing to introduce me to new and interesting reads.

I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with them as I progress through the series.

Once again, thank you, Skye, Emma, and Skye for all that you've done.

Loved this one!

The introduction to other Supe’s was truly great. It added an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the story. I found myself completely engrossed in the book, unable to put it down.

I really enjoyed the suspense that was built throughout. It kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing what was going to happen next. In fact, I almost had about a dozen panic attacks while reading it.

These books are truly challenging for me to rate.

I have a genuine admiration for Armstrong's writing style. She has this remarkable ability to give importance to the tiniest details that significantly aid the reader in grasping the essence of her characters. This was a trait I highly valued in the previous book, and it is equally present in this one. I was particularly impressed with how she managed the suspense in "Bitten," but what she did with "Stolen" was even more captivating. For a major part of the book, Elena finds herself imprisoned by a group of individuals who kidnap preternatural creatures for the purpose of studying them. It creates a highly atmospheric thriller, sometimes even claustrophobic, and it had me completely on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.

However, the issue I have with this series is that I simply don't have any strong feelings towards these characters. I neither like them nor hate them; it's just a complete void of emotions. Maybe it's a matter of chemistry, similar to when you meet someone and they seem okay, but you just don't have anything meaningful to communicate with them.

Sure, I desired for Elena to escape and exact some truly nasty, NASTY, revenge on the main villain who tortured and humiliated her. But that's as far as my interest goes. I don't have any particular inclination to hear about her after that, and I'm actually quite glad that the next book will be told from another character's point of view.

This way, I might be able to establish a better connection with the new protagonist and perhaps gain a different perspective on this captivating world that Armstrong has created.

4.5 stars

The issue with penning a book in the first person is that the reader is only privy to what the main character knows.

Consequently, if one desires the reader to be aware of something, the narrator must either already know it or discover it during the course of the book.

When the entire premise of the book is centered around the main character being held captive and isolated, this can pose a challenge.

Elena has been kidnapped, yet Armstrong seemingly felt that the reader needed to know where and why she was being held.

Her solution was to have Elena's captors desperately want to be her best friend, and take her on guided tours of the facility, disclose their exact goals, introduce her to all the other captives, invite her to assist with work in the infirmary, and so on.

This was the sole real problem with this book. It was an evident narrative device that made me scoff on several occasions.

Would it have been so terrible to keep the reader in the dark along with Elena? To draw out some of the tension?

I was also slightly irked by Elena's complete, almost deliberate denseness.

Really, Elena? You truly cannot fathom the existence of other supernatural races, even after being presented with copious amounts of evidence and knowing that you yourself are a creature that the rest of the world deems a myth? REALLY? Ugh.

But otherwise, it was a great book. It had a rather slow start for me, but once things got going, the pages were turning rapidly.

It may not seem like a unique premise in the grand scheme of supernatural media, but to be honest, it was truly different from any other urban fantasy I've read. It was refreshing.

Having Elena stuck in captivity could have become tedious and dull, but Armstrong managed to keep it quite lively and engaging.

It was very uncomfortable in certain parts, but it all concluded well.

And it piqued my interest enough in the characters of Paige, Savannah, and Adam to not mind continuing on to Dime Store Magic even though I know there will be no Elena and Clay.

This was a definite expansion of the lore from the first book.

It managed to be both dark, yet sparkled with enough instances of humor to carry it through. The author skillfully wove together a complex web of storylines and characters, creating a world that was both captivating and mysterious.

I have an idea about the upcoming roadmap for the next book. I think it would be interesting to explore more of the backstories of the supporting characters and see how their actions and decisions have influenced the overall plot.

Perhaps there could be some unexpected alliances and betrayals that would add even more drama and excitement to the story. Additionally, I would love to see the author continue to develop the unique magic system that was introduced in this book and explore its potential even further.

Overall, I am extremely excited for the next installment in this series and can't wait to see where the author takes us next.

Really a 3.5.

I truly loved this book. Although it deviated from the format of the first one, it had its own charm. I felt that I was able to get to know Elena a whole lot better. Through the story, I started to understand some of the full wolfie psychology and physiology. It was quite an interesting exploration.

I'm a little disappointed, however, that Elena didn't admit to whether she and Clay "do it" in wolfie form. I mean, they soooo would! But then again, I suppose bestiality isn't really a suitable theme for a book. It might be a bit too controversial and might not sit well with many readers. Still, it would have been an interesting aspect to have explored further. Overall, despite this small disappointment, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

*** 4 ***

I had a buddy read with my friend V at the MacHalo Freaks! It was an absolute blast.

\\n  \\"...“Another werewolf thing. Like most animals, we spent a large part of our lives engaged in the three Fs of basic survival. Feeding, fighting and... reproduction.” ...\\"\\n

This wasn't just your typical ha-ha fun. It was incredibly engaging and intense. The first book mainly introduced us to Elena and Clay, her lover and mate who turned her into a werewolf. Even though they seemed comfortable and lovey-dovey, it wasn't all sunshine and roses after he bit her. Clay has his excuses, but he's very much a sociopath. He only stays within the "norms" because of his limited contact with the outside world and the strong guidance of his Alpha, Jeremy. He's gorgeous and loyal, but if I had to deal with him, I'm not sure either of us would survive our third encounter. The way he treats regular humans is just horrible, and I really dislike that. However, Elena is mostly okay, considering she has many reasons not to trust anyone, especially men, after being abused as a foster kid and then betrayed by Clay.

\\n  \\"...“I never tell that story. I hate it. Hate, hate, hate it. I refuse to let my past explain my present. I grew up, I grew up stronger, I overcame it. End of story. From the time I was old enough to realize that my problems were not my fault, I'd decided not to shift the blame to all of those foster families, but to get rid of it. Throw it out. Move on. I could imagine no fate worse than becoming someone who tells the story of her dysfunctional childhood to every stranger on the bus. If I did well in life, I wanted people to say I did well, not that I did well \\"all things considered.\\" My past was a private obstacle, not a public excuse.” ...\\"\\n

I like Elena, perhaps because of all her issues. She's been dealing with the Pack's rule enforcement outside the territory, and someone has scheduled a meet to sell her information on some mutts. It turns out that these appointments open her eyes to more supernatural creatures and a lurking danger. Someone is hunting them, and they're disappearing, causing alarm among all. Despite her confidence in handling herself and her safety, Elena gets captured. The bulk of the book focuses on her and her relationships with her captors and the others who were also captured. We even get a newly made werewolf, and to me, that was the most interesting dynamic in all the arcs. I'm not going to give away the ending, but you guys really have to read it. Even if the first book seemed a bit heavy on info-dumping and didn't flow as easily, the second book is all action and tension. Just give the second book a try before quitting the series, that's all I'm saying.

\\n  \\"...“Now I was standing in a forest grove with a witch, a half-demon, a vampire, and a shaman, planning to put an end to a nefarious plot to usurp our powers and alter the path of humankind. Talk about your conspiracy theories.” ...\\"\\n

The author's writing style really draws you in, and you can't help but want to know what happens next. It's not fancy prose, but it's not pedestrian either. It fits the storytelling and the Urban Fantasy Genre of the early 2000's perfectly. Although it may be a bit dated, it's definitely worth giving a try. You won't be disappointed!

\\n  \\"...“I was very strict on that point. No devouring classmates.\\" Jeremy rolled his eyes. \\"Other parents warn their kids not to talk to strangers. I had to warn mine not to eat them.” ...\\"\\n

Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a good book!

This series is part of my friend's challenge for the year. I have read "Bitten" three times, but I didn't think I had ever read "Stolen" until I started it. Then, as the story unfolded, things felt incredibly familiar. As events took place, I realized that I had indeed read this one before and loved it.

Clay remains my favorite character, and Elena grows on me even more in this book. It almost seems like some time has passed since the first book, which I think is a good thing. She is more accepting of Clay and their relationship. (At least that's how I feel.)

In this book, we also learn about more paranormal beings. I'm hoping that their characters will become important in the upcoming books.

This book had ACTION! I capitalized that because, damn, there were a lot of descriptive scenes, but also a lot of wheels turning. You can never predict what's going to happen. You're always on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. I loved this aspect; it made listening to the book so enjoyable. I wanted more and didn't want it to end.

The female vampire we meet doesn't seem very friendly, but I'm intrigued. Also, the witches - I'm not big on magic, but for some reason, I quite enjoy the back and forth between Paige (a witch) and Clay. It's like they're siblings, and I like that. She gives as good as she gets. I'm excited to see where that storyline will lead.

Adam, the half-demon, seems funny and remorseful for his abilities.

But it's the pack master that I really want to know more about. I want to learn more about Jeremy and see if maybe he will ever get his Happily Ever After.

I guess only time will tell.

I liked the narration, although not as much as I liked the narrator from the first book. But that's life.

Decidedly, I really like this author. Her portraits of strong women who are not without flaws and who seem terribly real (and yayyy here there is no love triangle that makes them stupid) are truly captivating.

At the beginning, I had some doubts. However, in the end, I can't wait to read the next part and discover the universe of the witches first and then the others. The general plot gives me chills down my spine, and one thinks that it may not be as crazy as it seems.

Well, nevertheless, the pack was missing for me.

I am eager to see how the story will unfold further and what new surprises and developments await in this fascinating world created by the author. I have a feeling that it will be an exciting journey filled with mystery, magic, and strong female characters that I will thoroughly enjoy.

Stolen was a completely unexpected read for me. In fact, I really had no idea what to anticipate. Ms. Armstrong expanded the world she had crafted in Bitten, incorporating various other paranormal beings such as witches, sorcerers, demons, and vampires.

What I liked about it was its realistic and everyday feel. The origins of these beings aren't clearly defined but are rather speculated upon. She doesn't simply label them as good or bad overall, except for the sorcerers who tend to lean more towards the bad side, mainly due to the animosity between them and the witches.

This book ended up being a slow-burning yet intense read. There seemed to be a strong underlying theme about the necessity of violence. Consequently, there's quite a bit of it, most of which is justifiable as Elena and the other paranormal beings she befriends find themselves fighting for their lives and freedom. However, there were also some violent scenes that made me uncomfortable.

The actions of Elena, Clay, and Jeremy often fall into the moral gray area if we consider them as humans with their associated moral absolutes. But they're not humans; they're werewolves, and their actions reflect that aspect of their nature. Still, each of them has a different approach to situations. Jeremy is the most self-controlled, with his actions guided by reason and what's best for the Pack. Elena is more likely to help those outside the Pack. Clay, on the other hand, thinks only of his mate, Elena, and the Pack. Nothing else matters to him. He'll take care of others to make Elena happy, but otherwise, he wouldn't go out of his way for something that doesn't benefit the Pack. In essence, Clay is a pure wolf in human form.

As a whole, they do kill, and sometimes it's more out of expediency than an absolute necessity. But Elena doesn't make excuses for her actions. She admits there might be another way, but this way is the best for the given circumstance. While a part of me was troubled by these killings, I couldn't ignore the fact that those they killed had shown a lack of respect and value for the lives of the paranormal beings they had stalked, kidnapped, and held captive. And when faced with the villain, Tyrone Winslow, it's clear what's worse: killing out of necessity or killing for fun. Winslow is a geeky, billionaire computer genius who decided to create a real-life death match where the paranormals have to run for their lives with no guarantee of escape. Why? Because he's a megalomaniac craving power, even in the most petty ways. He's petty and completely objectionable, and his power struggles with Elena and his interactions with his employees at the place where they're imprisoning the paranormals show just how loathsome he is. So, when Elena and Clay turn the tables on him, I didn't feel too bad for him. He got what he deserved.

Stolen also introduces the witch characters Paige and Savannah, who will play major roles in this series. I must say my interest was piqued, and I'm looking forward to reading their stories. However, the highlight of this story was seeing Clay and Elena and their relationship. Clay would do just about anything for Elena. His love is powerful and unwavering. And in this story, you can see that Elena loves him just as much, whereas in Bitten, she was running from that feeling and trying to avoid acknowledging her love for Clay. They just seem right together. Jeremy was also fascinating, and there were tantalizing glimpses of him in this story that make me want to see more of him.

Stolen was a book that required some investment on my part to read, but it was worth the time spent. It wasn't quite as captivating for me as Bitten, and I'm not sure why. But I did like seeing the development of Elena. She seemed more multi-faceted in this story. I saw more of her humor and emotional depth that I didn't quite notice in Bitten. Although it moved slowly at times, it was a good follow-up to Bitten.