Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Women of the Otherworld series #1

Blurb from gr: Ever since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was five, Elena Michaels has longed for a normal family life. Smart, beautiful, and engaged to be married, Elena hopes to fulfill that dream when disaster strikes. Not only has her fiancé lied about his secret life as a werewolf, but he's made her one, too. She has no choice but to join him at Stonehaven, the upstate New York home of an elite pack of werewolves.

In an attempt to break away, she moves to Toronto to lead a normal life. Working as a journalist, Elena now lives with her new architect boyfriend, works out in the basement gym of their high-rise apartment, lunches with girlfriends from the office, and—once a week, at four in the morning—runs naked and furred through a downtown Toronto ravine, ripping out the throats of her animal prey. But when a band of outlaw werewolves threatens the Stonehaven pack, Elena's feral instincts drive her back there to join the defense. What follows is a war for territory, for pride, and ultimately for Elena herself.

Acquired: paperback; purchased by me

Wow. After having demolished the Sookie Stackhouse series, I decided I should try a break from the latest vampire fad, and go for a werewolf novel. I have to say I chose this book from the strength of its reviews on Amazon, and I didn't have big expectations.

I thought Bitten was most excellent. It was very well-written, action packed, and had me up reading til all hours of the night. I loved how Armstrong slowly revealed the layers of details surrounding Elena's transformation. I loved how Elena, despite being a powerful protagonist, still felt fear and panic in the appropriate situations.

Armstrong avoids the popular paranormal chick-lit formula, so it was a nice break from the types of books I have been reading lately.

I highly recommend this book!

My rating: 9/10