So, before I begin, I would like to say that under normal circumstances I do not like werewolves. I do not entirely know why, it may have to do with the fact that I find half human, half beast creatures whose mannerisms are controlled by a lunar cycle to be a little anti-female in nature, but I have never been particularly fond of any type of werewolf lore. However, I love this book.
This book was first forcefully thrust upon me by my best friend Katherine. I was hesitant to read it because it was right around the time the first Twilight movie came out and I was afraid this was some appeal to the adult women who inexplicably found themselves drawn in to Team Jacob and wanted a more adult series to become a part of. I have never been so grateful to have been wrong. I absolutely loved this book and immediately began making my way through Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and loving every one of the companion novels. I decided to re-read Bitten in celebration of the fact that it as been made into a TV series that will air on SyFy here in the States (Armstrong is a Canadian author) on January 13. I am really glad I did because I had forgotten how much I love her writing style.
Bitten centers on Elena Michaels. Elena is unique in this story because she is the only female werewolf in the world. In this modern day, realistic fantasy, Elena has left her life with the Pack, who are the dominating group of male werewolves in the United States, to lead a wolf free lifestyle in Toronto and pursue as normal a life as possible. She didn't choose to become a werewolf and she was not born into it. Her friend, fiancé, and love of her life, Clayton Danvers, bit her (hence the title), and she became the first female to survive the change. Though some would think that would be awesome, Elena did not and wants nothing to do with a life she considers brutal, savage, and a far cry from the life she dreamt of having when she grew up. So, she leaves the Pack in Central New York to pursue her "normal" life in Toronto, vowing to keep the wolf side of her separate.
If only things actually worked the way we planned them. Jeremy, the Alpha, calls Elena and tells her she needs to come home. There is an emergency and the lives of all the members of the Pack are in danger. Elena has to decide whether or not she stays in Toronto, struggling to hide who she really is and live the life she considers ideal or if she should return to the Pack and live the life fate has dealt her. Along the way she will has to face some hard truths, a serial killer, and a bunch of savage mutts that view her as a tool of vengeance.
This book is absolutely phenomenal for any fantasy fans. Though it has its roots in fantasy, it is set in a realistic setting. No one has super amazing powers or any of that nonsense, so the fact that they are werewolves and have adapted to modern day society and living standards seems completely plausible. They don't change with the moon cycle, they actually change more frequently and sort of at their will (there body will eventually force the change if they try to put it off too long). The struggle Elena faces seems completely relatable as well. It makes it easy to get lost in this world and not want to put the book down. Plus, Elena Michaels is kick ass. She is such a strong female protagonist. Even when she is whining, she is doing it in a way that isn't annoying. Her werewolf side gives her a side that allows her to be both cynical and witty in the face of a dangerous situation and still be bad ass. It is pretty fantastic. I love that not only is she strong, she has a very realistic softer side as well. She still gets butterflies in her stomach when super hot Clayton puts the moves on her, but doesn't hesitate to break the wrist of the arrogant mutt who is trying to intimidate her. Love it!
I love Armstrong's writing style. More than once when I have had a bad streak of books that I just thought were blah, I have simply been like "I need some Kelley Armstrong!". She writes with a style that just draws you in and completely envelopes you as you read. It flows so well, there are no plot gaps or crazy, unexplainable, ill written plot twists. She develops all her characters so well that I feel like they are people I know. Then, with the companion novels in the rest of the Women of the Otherworld series, you see them develop further as they all interact with each other. It is fantastic.
I highly recommend this and all of Kelley Armstrong's novels for anyone. I am really excited to check out the tv series they created and hope it does the story justice.
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