Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
01/04/2003 . Source: Donna Jones 

Pub: Times Warner. 460 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-7515-3094-8.

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Werewolves have always been around. Their history documented in the Legacy. What hasn't always been around are female werewolves. The werewolf gene being transferred down from father to son - never to daughter. Even a woman being bitten by a werewolf does not make a female. Often, the body gives up before they can assume the Change.

Elena Micheals, however, has gone against history. The only female of her kind, she is something of an enigma. Not only to the werewolf community but to herself at times, too.

She is desperately trying to live her life like a normal human being, trying to live away from the ruling werewolf pack. Unfortunately, they cannot live without her. There is a problem that threatens the Packs very existence, and they need Elena's help.

WOW! I say to you unabashedly. I really enjoyed this book. It had everything and then just a little bit more. Kelley Armstrong has a very strong beginning in her literary career. As her first book, it sits up there with my favourite authors amongst Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Why, I hear you ask.

Well, to start with it has a great story. The action taking place in Toronto, Canada and New York. Quite a lot is set within the walls of Stonehaven, the Packs remote home in vast acres of woodland surrounding New York. You may think that that would be quite dull, but the interactions of the Pack and Elena keep you interested. She constantly reminisces about her experiences within the house. Being bitten by her trusted lover and subsequently her resulting condition.

The real gem of this book is the characters. Elena, for example, is sassy, quite forthright and a very forward-thinking woman. The female population shout hooray at a heroine we can love and relate to! She is passionate but, above all, she is like the most of us, confused and lost in the world. Her character evolves throughout the book.

Constantly asking herself where she wants to be in regards to her life with and without the Pack. The Pack characters, all male as explained, are equally comfortable. You very soon want to know about them and find out their histories.

Yes, as most reviews and synopsis will tell you there is sex. You may think that the sex is thrown in and used to pull in a crowd? Not here. It is used to explain the intricacies of the werewolf species and how Elena's relationship has evolved.

The fact of the matter is that werewolves and vampires are sexy. It's the ferocity, the blood, the passion of the animal life ... and we are, after all is said and done, the human animal. Werewolves and vampire stories have always been used to show us how diabolical the human animal is - at extreme.

As werewolf stories go, it is a great one. I particularly liked the use of wit and humour. The only comment I would say about the book is the length of paragraph. It sounds like a pugnacious rant, but really you notice these things.

Because the paragraph length throughout the book is long, it does make for a heavy read. It's true that if you look at any book that you have found 'heavy', you'll nine times out of ten find that the paragraphs are long.

Overall, ‘Bitten’ is fabulous. It is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reviewing that really stands out in a positive light. I really hope that the second book following Elena, ‘Stolen’, is just as good. Also, ‘Bitten’ is being made into a film staring Angelina Jolie.

As much as I would hope they do the book justice, it's more important that Kelley Armstrong carries on writing such outstanding fiction.

Donna Jones