Men of the Otherworld

"Infusion". In 1946 in New York City the Japanese bar maid abetted by two other sorceresses seduced Malcolm Danvers, who to his chagrin wanted her in spite of loathing the race following the war. He knows she is pregnant and watches her stomach grow. He hunts her and kills her. When he goes to kill their half-breed offspring, his crippled father Edward, who he scorns for failing to become the Alpha as expected of a Danvers, demands he bring his half-breed abomination to the Pack to be raised by them; they call him Jeremy.

"Savage". In 1967 in Baton Rouge, the six year old child watched from the trees the adult change. He decided he wanted that skill too so balckmails the wolf by insisting he will not tell the secret into biting him. However, no one was there to mentor Clayton with the change until Jeremy took him under his wing two years after the bite. As Clayton learns to control his nature, Pack member Malcolm resents him for becoming Jeremy's favorite.

"Kitsunegari". In 2007 Jeremy has become the American Pack leader. He is wating for his Jaime to finish work when he meets a fox spirit, who insists she is for him as befitting the last Kogitsune while trying to seduce him.

Following up to her wonderful Women of the Otherworld saga (see LIVING WITH THE DEAD and PERSONAL DEMON), Kelly Armstrong provides fascinating tales of the males of the American Pack. Within "Infusion" and "Savage", there is insight into other male werewolves, which gives the collection a sort of anecdotal feel yet still focuses on the prime characters as described above. Ms. Armstrong once again provides a terrific urban fantasy anthology with this werewolves in New York compilation.

Harriet Klausner

Families in the American Pack have deadly agendas in Kelley Armstrong's collection of werewolf tales, MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD.

Out of the two novellas and two short stories here, I'd already read three in previous incarnations, when they were available free on the author's website. Now they can only be found in this anthology, with the proceeds going to World Literacy of Canada.

"Ascension" is a fine short, focusing on Jeremy Danvers's birth. The racist, unlikable Malcolm Danvers manages to attract a quiet Japanese lass, but she has a definite plan to keep the resulting baby from his father.

Though Malcolm is a character you'll want dead, or at the very least slapped, he at least has somewhat of a unique voice. I've read the Otherworld novels and short stories - Clay Danvers, Lucas Cortez and Jeremy all have very similar voices. And when these are written in first person, it becomes even more obvious. The same with the female characters, though when we first met Jaime Vegas as a secondary character, she at least seemed to be drunken and clumsy. But once she starred in her own novel, her distinguishing characteristics faded. I love these books' intriguing plots, but the characters aren't quite standing out as different from one another.

"Savage" traces Clay's back story - how he was bitten, and became Jeremy's "son". I still don't understand why Clay wanted to become a werewolf, and why Malcolm bit him instead of just killing him. It's kind of tedious.

"Ascension" tells of how Jeremy became Alpha. There's a lot of political faff, bitchiness, and killing people to raise your own status - and that's just Malcolm, let alone his followers. This has a more engaging plot than "Savage", but still seems to plod along.

Then there's a new short story, "Kitsunegari", where we learn the mysterious origins of Jeremy's ancestors. It deals with paranormal beings I hadn't heard of before, so yay for something new and interesting. But see above for character notes. I preferred Jeremy and Jaime when they were both single. Now a lot of scenes end with a saucy sentence, and closed-door shagging. Gets old fast.

Whilst World Literacy of Canada is a worthy organisation, I still wouldn't recommend paying hardcover price for this anthology. Luckily for those in the UK and Australia, this is being released first as a paperback. Those in the US and Canada will have to buy the hardcover now, or wait months for a paperback.

I still very much plan to follow any and all of Kelley Armstrong's works, but reading the Otherworld series (adult, not the YA's Darkest Powers) doesn't seem to enthuse me as much as it once did. I've become far too picky in my old age...

I have read all of the Otherworld books, so I loved finally getting some back story. It was really great to see how Clay became the man he is today. I loved being in his head and seeing the way he sees things. I also liked the Jeremy back story (including Malcom). I always wondered what Jeremy was, and now I know. The only negative thing I have to say is about the end. I won't spoil it for you, but it seemed a bit rushed and odd. I seemed like it could have used another chapter to really tie things up, but I still enjoyed the information that was given. Overall, great companion book to a wonderful series!

I was lucky enough to read all these stories on Mrs. Armstrong's website. Apparently she has added an extra story to the book version that I have NOT read. I won't write a synopsis on the ones I have as many have already done that. I am HUGE fan of the Clay and Elena storyline. Therefore, when I found the website and the stories I was ecstatic. While these stories aren't essential to understand the Otherworld, they do help. Many complained about Clay and how he forced his lifestyle on Elena. These stories, which focus mainly on Clay, tell us how his life prewolf and after was. It tells about Jeremy growing up with a father who hated him, a father who did the worst thing he could possibly do to his son. We get to see Malcolm in the flesh and the ambition that made him cruel. For me, I was able to get a better grasp of Clay and care more about Jeremy. In the other books he was alpha but we didn't really know much about him. This is a man who was barely in his twenties and took in a wild street kid and made him his own.
There are other stories in the book such as the Chupacabra, which I personally thought was weak and lacking characterization. Lucas is just a hard one for me to care about.
Overall, I enjoyed reading most of the stories but my favorites were Jeremy, Malcolm and Clay. The Danvers' men are very complicated and it was nice getting to know some of their history.

This book fleshes out Clay's background. I always love Clay and this book is primarily through his eyes, so it's a winner for me. I thought it was going to be a series of disjointed short stories, but they all meshed together to make a pretty seemless book. It followed a linear time line and was predominantly about Clay, and a bit about Jeremy - who is also a terrific character. So a happy unexpected treat. I don't know how meaningful it would be to people who had never read the series, but it's a treat for us fans.

First let me start by saying Kelley Armstrong is by far one of my favorite writers. Everything I've read of hers I love!

The collected stories in the Men of The Otherworld were all awesome. What a great way to give insight to those characters we know of and love but don't know very well.

These stories focused on the men of the Pack. We learn a bit about Jeremy - who he is and why and more about his abilities. We also learn how he came to be a father to Clayton, and how his own father raised him and interacted with Clayton. This collection was a great way to finally learn about the men of the Pack that female werewolf Elena spends so much time with. They definetly aren't necessary to the story line but are informative and entertaining if you are a fan of the Women of The Otherworld series!

Kelly Armstrong is easily one of my favorite authors. The Women of the Otherworld books are sooo good, and now we get to see the otherside.In this book Dominic(Antonio's father) is the Alpha.Jeremy Danvers is only 22 when it starts out. Jeremy's father is horrible to him because of his birthmother, and Jeremy was never quite the son he wanted.Malcome is strong and a fighter.Jeremy just isnt.He's quite and smart, and he doesnt fight.Clay was a young kid of 7 i think when he went looking and asked to be bitten.He didnt like his family and he wanted a change.Eventually Jermey finds him and has to civilize him.Clay is the only child werewolf that changes and is completey different from everyone.He is however completly loyal to Jermey, and hates Malcome.Even through Malcome eventually see the son he never had in Clay.As the book prgresses we get a look at young Clay and his bestfriend Nick. We see how Jeremy became Alpha, and how Clay got his much feared reputation.Its a great read and you get to understand a lot about the characters.

Clayton was six when he receives the bite that will turn him into a werewolf. He does his best to survive on his own but he is soon taken in by Jeremy and this man teaches Clay how to straddle the human world and the world of the Pack. Clayton soon grows from child to teen challenging his mentor at every turn, as he tries to find his place not only within the pack but within himself as well. He does this while learning the intricacies of controlling not only his animal instincts but also navigating Pack politics. Claytons' journey is a long one but he learns who he is and who he can count on.

This is really a coming of age story for Clayton but it includes several other characters, notably Malcolm. This was an entertaining read and fans of this series will no doubt find it a worthy addition to the previous titles. Ms. Armstrong has a lively imagination and brings her otherworld world to dramatic life.

I love Kelley Armstrong's books. My favorites are the ones about the wolves, and this has become my favorite of them all.

The story starts off in 1946 featuring the character Malcolm. We read his story before the book progresses into 1967. From here we reach the meat of the book which follows Clayton, a 6 year old who asks to be bitten by a werewolf. The book follows him until he reaches graduate school. At the same time the book follows Jeremy, Malcolm's Son. Jeremy is the reason Clayton is able to live past his first year as a wolf, and Clayton know this very well. Finally as an epilogue we are told about Jeremy's other half, the one from his mother that has made him different from all the other werewolf boys.

I know I suck at reviews and summaries, but I can easily tell you that this book made me laugh a fair amount. Also with my schedule it usually takes me a week or so to finish any book, I ate this up in two days.

I recommend this to anyone who likes reading urban fantasy books staring werewolves.

I love Kelley Armstrong. I think her writing is interesting, creative, and it grabs you from the first words and holds you through to the end. So when I saw this book in the store I simply HAD to have it right then and there! I was bitterly disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the stories are still all great! And if you never went online to her website then they are going to be completely original to you. But I had already read all but 1 of these on line. That doesn't make the stories any less readable, not by any means, but it does make me feel that I wasted a decent chunk of money to buy something I had already read. The original story is quite interesting and it explains quite a lot but that one story alone wasn't worth the $25 I spent on it.

Again, if you never read any of her online anthologies then this is definitely a great read. But if you did read her online works then this isn't worth buying.

The wolves are my favorite characters from the Other world series and getting the opportunity to see more about how they came to be the pack we know today was great. This was a pretty face paced read and it seems like every section answers another question about them that fans were probably wanting to know. I hope Armstrong is able to tie up any loose ends with them before the series ends.

I love the story lines of the individual books and the men who are in them. This book provided us with background information of the wolf pack and how Jeremy and Clay were molded. One farther, Malcolm not so loving, raised Jeremy who in turn raised Clayton with a gentle hand. Through Kelley I have e new found love for werewolves. This was a great book and one I would recommend.

I'm so glad that Kelley Armstrong wrote this book. As a fan of the series it is mesmerizing to hear the history of the pack from the male perspective. Especially since it is a male dominated society. This gives great insight into the the individual charecters and kind of makes me want to go back and re-read the series now that I have the additional insight.

This book is a great addition to the series, but you do not need to read any earlier books to enjoy it.

I bought it in audio and the reader is a great reader.

I am something of a secret Kelley Armstrong fan. I have read most of her novels and novellas. I think the label of fantasy/horror fiction allows potential readers to dismiss it as badly written pulp fiction. Men of the Otherworld possess excellent characterisation - the reader really 'knows' the character - if you met Clay in real life you would not dare run up to him like a giggling schoolgirl - he would turn on you. Clay is given greater depth here - and although one might squirm at what he does, his reasons are understandable. He becomes sympathetic as an almost feral child forced to adapt but never quite fitting in. Jeremy becomes even more admirable as we realise how strong his character must be to have resisted influence from his father. Literary merit is abundant in the scenes Armstrong sets as the reader is allowed to feel as if they are really amongst the characters. Who does not hate Daniel for mentioning the guinea pig? Everyone knew someone like him in their childhood and can relate to Clay. Clay is like a modern day Heathcliff (orphaned, wild, raised by a surrogate father etc)- he is just as savage yet, like Bronte, the reader can still learn to love him in spite of him and Elena is his Cathy(thankfully Elena does not have the personality of Cathy) but she is not in this novel - she is only hinted at towards the end. Read it. Doubt there are any better werewolf novels, and, there may not be characters across all the ficiton genres who are as interesting and involving.

I have read a bunch of books form Kelley Armstrong, and I loved them all, but this one is my favorite so far. I laughed through the whole book. I love hearing Clayton's young perspective - I could read many more like this!

There's a lot to like in Armstrong's conception of werewolves as true pack animals. Her characters are well drawn and likable, particularly Clayton, and the world she has imagined is an interesting one. I would definitely read more in this series.

Really good book,a new Author for me.Whole different view of the werewolf story's I have read in the past. And I'm happy to see more after this that sound very good as well. So I'm very pleased with this one.

I have been hooked on Kelley Armstrong since I first read Bitten. She does an excellent job telling her interpretation of stories that have become trite, boring, or made totally unreconizable. I have read all but a few of her books. I ordered more and can't wait to start on them!

This book fills in alot of the holes I thought I missed as I was reading the Women of the Otherworld Series. I even re-read some books to see if I did in fact miss a few things. Love that it gives the other side of a few stories already out there.

Can't get enough of Elena and Clay!

I'm so glad she wrote Clay's story. I read Waking the Witch first and then felt the need to go back through the series. Clay makes so much more sense after reading this book. God bless Jeromy and his patience!

As a whole, it felt a bit rushed, but I agree with the others that said it was nice to hear more of the men's background. My biggest complaint is that the third short story left us hanging in a manner that I am unused to from this writer. Definitely should be read, but I would have liked resolution in this book.

These are the backstories for many of the characters in Kelly Armstrong's werewolf stories. The stories flesh out the histories that Elena told us about in Bitten. This is not a necessary book to read to understand the series, but it is a fun read nevertheless.

its absoultly awsome. it pretty much gives an answer to what you always questioned an wanted to know about like claytons childhood which is very funny and why jeremys dad hated him. its an absoulute must read if you loved elena's books like bitten, broken an stolen

There's nothing in particular wrong with this anthology, other than we already know what's going to happen. Most of this book is about CLay growing up. There are no surprising twists or elements of suspense, just filling in the blanks left by other books. While interesting, it fails to add anything new to the world Armstrong has built. Only the final story adds something new and different to the stories that have already been told.

Armstrong doesn't disappoint, and this is no exception. I love her books but the otherworld series tends to put more focus on its female characters, with the males as supporting roles in the background- so it was nice to give them a little attention. I also love that we were able to get more backstore but in an interesting, relevant setting. Another great read.

If your a fan of this series then you are going to love this book. If you are new to this series then this book is really a pre-sequal to the series. Have you every wondered how Jeremy ended up raising and educating Clayton? Well this book starts when Jeremy is a young man and his father is the leader of the pack and Clayton is a wild child 6 years old and it tells how Jeremy found Clayton and how they became family. This is a total thumbs up all the way!

I love the story lines of the individual books and the men who are in them. This book provided us with background information of the wolf pack and how Jeremy and Clay were molded. One farther, Malcolm not so loving, raised Jeremy who in turn raised Clayton with a gentle hand. Through Kelley I have e new found love for werewolves. This was a great book and one I would recommend.