2.5 stars

I read this book to fill the Shifters square of my 2018 Halloween Bingo card.

I just don't quite know why this series doesn't grab me. It had been a year since I'd read the first book and I was actually looking forward to this second installment. The assumptions in Urban Fantasy are always ridiculous to those who don't like the genre, but this one seemed a bit more ridiculous than most.

Take an ultra-insensitive billionaire, add his secret prison for supernatural creatures, and shake it up with the plot line of Richard Connell's short story The Most Dangerous Game, and you get Stolen. The first book limited itself completely to werewolves and was all about Elena coming to terms with her life as a member of that community. Hey presto, this book suddenly produces a whole range of other supernatural folk not hinted at in book one—vampires, witches, demons, shamans and sorcerers. Might as well go whole hog, I guess.

I'm not sure why some authors can do this successfully (for me) and yet I find this version annoying. I find Elena to be a disappointing main character, not nearly as mentally strong as I would like her to be. What good is supernatural strength if you haven't got the brains to back it up? Her relationship with Clay is also an irritant—they are incredibly irresponsible, often stopping in the middle of something crucial for a quickie. The sex seems gratuitous to me, not really moving the plot along, just thrown in as “characterization” I'm guessing.

However, I haven't given up. I will persevere with book three to see where Armstrong takes the concept from here. Just not until I've wrapped up all my various reading challenges for this year. I'm hoping that the next installment will bring more depth to the characters and a more engaging plot. Maybe then, this series will finally click for me.

4 stars. 5 stars. Book two was an even more of a banger than book one! I am completely obsessed with this series, this world, and the characters now. Elena and Clay are together, and the beginning had me fooled with their lovey-dovey and cute behavior. But then, BAM! Elena gets kidnapped and imprisoned by a weirdo named Winsloe. What a great villain with such a goofy name! Anyways, while she's imprisoned, we meet other paranormal creatures. I really enjoyed meeting all the new characters. I know the next few books follow Paige, who is a witch, and I'm very excited. The ending action scene was fucking awesome. Elena killing Winsloe was so satisfying and that scene was intense! This series has me in a chokehold and I'm starting book three soon.

My Thoughts

I am extremely glad that I have finally embarked on this series! This story has truly captivated me, and I found myself completely engrossed in the unfolding events and eager to see how everything would turn out for Elena. In this novel, she vividly demonstrated just how strong she is. There was a shift in the narration compared to the previous book, but I adapted swiftly and believed that this new narrator did an outstanding job in bringing the story to life. The different perspective added an interesting layer to the overall narrative. I am now eagerly looking forward to picking up book 3 in the very near future. I can't wait to continue following Elena's journey and see what new adventures and challenges await her.

It's been a wonderful reading experience so far, and I have high hopes for the next installment.

When Elena is dispatched to look into an individual who is peddling information regarding the existence of werewolves, she encounters a situation that is far more complex than she had anticipated.

She meets Paige and her aunt Ruth, who not only possess an inordinate amount of knowledge about werewolves but also assert that they are witches. Elena is initially skeptical, but when they begin to discuss sorcerers, demons, and vampires, she truly believes they are insane.

When Paige and Ruth inform Elena that the supernatural community is in peril, she is left不知所措. People have been vanishing, and it appears that they are being held captive, yet no one has been able to uncover the reason.

When Elena herself becomes the next kidnapping victim, she finds herself in a world of trouble. However, her captors failed to consider Elena's unwavering determination. She will stop at nothing to make her escape, and her Pack is equally resolute in their efforts to assist her.

In "Stolen," the second installment of the Otherworld series, we have the opportunity to reconnect with Elena, Clay, and Jeremy, but we are also introduced to a plethora of new characters and species, which made this a truly captivating read.

Although we didn't see as much of Clay and Jeremy as I would have liked (I adored both characters from the first book, "Bitten"), this was understandable given the circumstances. I wasn't certain at first if I would like Paige, but by the conclusion of the book, she had truly endeared herself to me, and I'm eagerly anticipating reading the next two books that are told from her perspective.

I also took a liking to the new character Adam, and I'm hopeful that he will make appearances in future installments. Kelley Armstrong did an outstanding job of ramping up the tension when Elena was held captive. I was completely engrossed in the story and couldn't put the book down.

There were numerous excellent twists that I didn't see coming, and the action had me on the edge of my seat. Although this book is quite distinct from "Bitten," I think overall I enjoyed it even more. I would highly recommend reading them in sequence to derive the greatest enjoyment from the story, and I'm confident that if you liked "Bitten," you will absolutely love "Stolen."

DNF at 70%.

I just can't believe that this book, "Stolen", is penned by the same author who wrote "Bitten". I have such a deep love for "Bitten". It was truly an amazing read that kept me hooked from start to finish.

However, "Stolen" is a completely different story. There are hundreds of pages where the heroine is continuously captured, brutally tortured, and assaulted. What's even more frustrating is that she seems to blame herself for a significant portion of it! The never-ending cycle of her suffering was just too much for me to bear.

It reached a point where I simply couldn't take it anymore and had to stop reading. It's a real disappointment considering how much I adored the author's previous work. I was really looking forward to another great adventure, but unfortunately, "Stolen" failed to deliver.

The Otherworld series has been lingering on my to-read list for an absurdly long time. So, when my friend presented me with the first book as a Christmas gift, there was no shortage of excitement. And that excitement skyrocketed when she gave me the second book for my birthday. Now, well, I'm rather annoyed that there are so many other books gathering dust on my bookshelves because I'm truly desperate to get my hands on the rest of the series.

Trust me, I'm as hooked as one can be.

The first book, to be honest, wasn't everything I had anticipated. It was a decent read, but I had hoped for something more substantial. In essence, I had been envisioning a five-star masterpiece. Still, I did genuinely enjoy it. I was drawn into the world, and I relished the story and the characters. It left me with a voracious appetite for more. The second book had a similar impact as the first - it was a great read, yet it didn't quite reach the level of brilliance I had been hoping for.

Let me begin with my favorite aspects.

The world-building in this book is truly remarkable! In the first book, we were introduced to the werewolf world. We came to understand the pack: their laws, roles, and the challenges they face. That was all well and good. However, for me, werewolves aren't my favorite part of the supernatural realm, so I was left longing for more. Stolen more than made up for that.

In Stolen, the supernatural world is fully revealed. We are introduced to numerous other supernatural creatures that exist. Witches, vampires, and demons galore. Our world expands exponentially as we're given more than just one type of creature to focus on. It should come as no surprise that I adored this aspect. There was so much to discover, so many new secrets coming to light. New laws, mythology, and a host of new characters.

Oh, the characters! So many new ones are introduced, each bringing their own unique flavor to the story. Just like in the first book, everyone has an important part to play. In some cases, there are characters about whom we don't learn much - but that only serves to hint at what's in store for us in later books. It's a promise that there's more to come, and I can safely say that I'm eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this series.

Then there are the things that irked me a little.

The story itself was excellent. I knew it was going to be a good one. However, certain parts seemed to drag on a bit too much. Elena's time in captivity, for instance, felt like it lasted longer than I would have preferred. While a great deal of learning and significant events took place during that time, I craved more action. It seemed to me that the story lost some of its momentum at certain points. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but I just wish there had been a bit more excitement throughout her captivity. It was enjoyable, but it could have been even better.

Overall, it was yet another great read, and I'm seriously chomping at the bit to continue with the series.

I kind of feel a little bad for those of you who read quite a few of my reviews.

Because when I read anything by Kelley Armstrong, it’s just a huge mess. I can’t help it. I’m in love. Every single thing this woman writes is on my all-time favorites list. She just really knows how to play with my emotions and write the perfect book.

I love that we get to read about Elena again. She’s the best heroine I have ever come across. She’s basically perfect. She’s strong, independent and actually thinks for herself. If I could be any character from any book, I’d be her. I love that even though she’s the main character, she’s not perfect. She struggles being a werewolf and is still unsure of herself, but the way she handles everything is really incredible. She’s a really inspiring character.

It’s not only Elena I love, I love all the characters. Clay is fantastic because if he were any other person, you’d hate him, but because he’s Clay, you love him.

I LOVED the plot in this book. I was expecting some romance between Elena and Clay, but it didn’t really happen because Elena is stuck in a prison for most of the book. I wasn’t even upset about it because the plot was incredible. I loved everything about it. I love how Kelley introduces new characters in this book. Every person mentioned plays a really important part in the story. I love how everything comes together in the end, but at the same time, the ending starts off the other books. This was a perfect second book and I couldn’t ask for anything better.

This book reads like a second foundational novel in this 13-book series.

Elena Michaels, the sole female werewolf known to exist, is abducted by a group of crazy scientists and taken to their laboratory. During the journey, she is introduced to a diverse range of other supernatural beings such as witches, vampires, shamans, and half-demons, etc. This sets the stage for future storylines and branches.

Overall, this was just okay for me. I prefer the groundwork to be mostly covered in the first book. By the time I reach the sequel, I'm eager to move forward with the plot. Although "Stolen" didn't manage to captivate me, readers who enjoy this kind of setup where an underestimated character is captured and her friends come to her rescue will likely love it.

Now, it's time to move on to the next novel, "Dime Store Magic."

Stolen is truly one of my all-time favorite installments within Kelley Armstrong's captivating Otherworld series.

It showcases the feisty werewolf Elena as the narrator, yet simultaneously opens the door to the incredibly rich world of other supernatural characters that will become the defining feature of the series.

As our story commences, Elena is set to meet someone who purports to have evidence of the existence of werewolves. However, it soon becomes apparent that this offer is actually a ruse by a pair of witches to get into the same room as her. They wish to warn her about a project that is gathering members of the supernatural community for study. The witches hope that the pack will join forces with them and others who are striving to halt the abductions. This is where we are introduced to Paige Winterbourne, the young 20-something witch who will narrate the next book. We begin to delve into the history of witches, sorcerers, shamans, and half-demons, while also getting to know characters of all different varieties.

Although it might seem like a lot to take in, it is accomplished rather seamlessly. Even with a huge influx of characters, each one is distinct and effortless to keep track of.

The story is filled with plenty of action, as Elena is captured and held with the other prisoners. This book isn't quite the emotional rollercoaster that Bitten was for me. Nevertheless, the plot was so excellent and the characters so much fun that I believe I might have liked it even more. And I simply cannot leave out the awesome allure of Clay Danvers here. He is such a wonderful love interest for Elena. The guy is completely devoted to her and, oh my goodness, is he hot!

I absolutely adore the way Armstrong has expanded her world-building with this book. Elena will probably always remain my favorite narrator, but the decision to branch out truly prevents the series from becoming stale. It's a great book. 5 stars.

So, I truly had a great liking for this one. There was an abundance of action and intrigue, which really kept me on the edge of my seat. However, I was in a bit of a dilemma regarding how to rate it. The reason being that I initially started listening to it on audio. But unfortunately, I didn't quite fancy the way the narrator made Elena sound. The voice seemed extremely masculine. *shrug* It really threw me off because that wasn't at all how I had imagined her voice in my mind.

Does that make sense? Anyway, I decided to switch to reading, and to my pleasant surprise, I enjoyed the story a whole lot better. I have a great love for Elena, Jeremy, and Clay, even when they manage to get on my nerves at times. I'm really looking forward with great interest to seeing what unfolds with Savannah!

I can't wait to find out more about her character and how her story develops within the context of this exciting narrative. It's these kinds of elements that make reading such a thrilling experience.

I have a profound love for this book as it plays a crucial role in expanding Kelley's Otherworld. Elena once again takes on the role of narrator, and I am truly enamored with all the minute nuances and themes it presents. Every aspect seems to contribute to the construction of her character and history. For instance, when she reveals her reasons for not typically informing Clay that she misses him or never expressing her love for him outside of the bedroom, citing that she perceives it as granting him excessive power to wound her, similar to what others have done in the past. She is aware that it is rather foolish, as she herself admits, yet it remains something she must overcome. Additionally, the way Ty Winsloe's treatment of her instills fear in her is not due to the power he wields within the story or because of him per se, but because it serves as a reminder of her distressing childhood experiences in the foster homes she endured. All of these elements combine to塑造 a truly substantial character in Elena.

One of my absolute favorite parts of this story (aside from her reunion with Clay and her vengeance against Ty) is when she is simply sitting with Jeremy, and he is sharing anecdotes of Clay's childhood. Through her perspective, we gain a deeper understanding of Clay and Jeremy's pasts and childhoods. We also witness the introduction of new supernatural races in this installment, such as witches, half-demons, shamans, vampires, and sorcerers. I must confess that upon first meeting Paige in this book, I was not overly fond of her. However, towards the end, she began to grow on me, especially when she threatened to sever and box a particular part of Adam's anatomy! She is a character who, in future books, becomes one of my favorites, right alongside Elena. I also have a great affinity for Adam's character. He is so boyish, yet (being a half-demon) he possesses a dangerous edge. Cassandra has never managed to capture my heart like the rest of the characters, but the male vampire we encounter briefly at the end does.

Once again, certain parts of the book brought a sense of sadness as characters I adored were killed, but a significant portion of it also made me laugh, like Xavier's antics. He was definitely a fence character, not truly aligning with one side or the other.

This book had several twists that, upon my initial reading, I did not anticipate. It kept me completely hooked from start to finish, with all the events unfolding and the new characters being introduced into the series. Elena only had me mentally chastising her on a couple of occasions when her insecurities manifested, causing her to think things that were not true and overreact to a few situations. She has come a long way since "Bitten" in that she has wholeheartedly accepted that she belongs with Clay and the pack. She has not relinquished her independent streak, nor is she running away anymore. She has accepted her life, even if she has not yet forgiven Clay, but she still has a great deal more progress to make. She still has to overcome many of her insecurities and learn to be more open with Clay. She must learn not to be afraid to tell him outright that she misses him when they are apart and that she loves him. After all, Clay has more than proven that he will never abandon her or leave her for any reason. She has to learn to believe and trust in that. I also find it delightful that at the end, Clay has now entertained the idea of having kids, much to Elena's horror! Lol, I couldn't help but laugh when she made the comment about hiding her birth control pills from now on! This book is an outstanding sequel to "Bitten" and is well worth picking up!

Leuk ongecompliceerd lezen.

It's great reading material for these days of Corona.

We follow the werewolf Elena and her partner Clay.

Elena gets kidnapped by an organization that researches how werewolves, witches, and other manifestations of paranormal things function.

Clay, Jeremy, and the others, of course, have to rescue her.

It's a 7, but here it's an 8.

It's more valuable than a 6.

This story offers an exciting adventure with supernatural elements.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

You'll be rooting for Elena and her friends as they face various challenges and try to outwit the kidnappers.

Whether you're a fan of paranormal fiction or just looking for an engaging read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It provides a welcome escape from the realities of the world and allows you to immerse yourself in a world of magic and mystery.

So, grab a copy and get ready to be entertained!