Stolen: Women of the Otherworld

By Kelley Armstrong

In the tradition of Laurell K. Hamilton, a deliciously wicked sequel to Bitten, from Canada's new queen of suspense.

Even though she's the world's only female werewolf, Elena Michaels is just a regular girl at heart—with larger than normal appetites. She sticks to three feasts a day, loves long runs in the moonlight, and has a lover who is unbelievable frustrating yet all the more sexy for his dark side. Like every regular girl, she certainly doesn't believe in witches. Then again, when two small, ridiculously feminine women manage to hurl her against a wall, and then save her from the hunters on her tail, Elena realizes that maybe there are more things in heaven and earth than she's dreamt of.

Vampires, demons, shamans, witches—in Stolen they all exist, and they're all under attack. An obsessed tycoon with a sick curiosity is well on his way to amassing a private collection of supernaturals, and plans to harness their powers for himself—even if it means killing them. For Elena, kidnapped and imprisoned deep underground, separated from her Pack, unable to tell her friends from her enemies, choosing the right allies is a matter of life and death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 25, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307358776

Kelley Armstrong

When librarians finally granted Kelley Armstrong an adult card, she made straight for the epic fantasy and horror shelves. She spent the rest of her childhood and teen years happily roaming fantastical and terrible worlds, and vowed that someday she'd write a story combining swords, sorcery, and the ravenous undead. That story began with the New York Times bestselling Sea of Shadows and continues with Empire of Night. Armstrong's first works for teens were the New York Times bestselling Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising trilogies. She lives in rural Ontario with her husband, three children, and far too many pets.

Reviews for Stolen

[devilwrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The premise: there's more than just werewolves in Elena Michael's world, and she's just now getting to know them, even though she'd rather not. But she doesn't have much of a choice: billionare Tyrone Winsloe is on the hunt for everything and anything supernatural, and what he wants, he gets. When his team captures Elena, she's got to use every skill at her disposal to stay sane, let alone alive. Because it's not just Winsloe she's got to watch out for: there's witches, vampires, sorcerers, shaman, half-demons, and best of all, a poltergeist that seems bent on killing everything in its path.My RatingWorth the Cash: with qualifiers: if what you loved about the first book, Bitten, was the Clay/Elena relationship and the werewolf culture, you're going to find most of that lacking in Stolen. Armstrong busts the doors wide open for her supernatural world, and while the story in and of itself is solid (a wee bit predictable in some places, a wee bit surprising in others), I found the story just wasn't what I was hoping for in the continuation of this series. Then again, I'm perfectly happy to lay the blame on ME: not just my personal wants out of a book, but the fact that I haven't been in a reading mood lately, let alone a reviewing mood, so that likely colors my reading. That said, as far as urban fantasy goes, it IS a very strong offering, and while sometimes the characters make mistakes (you'll be scratching your head over certain moments, but thankfully, those moments don't effect the plot), this book is still a cut above your usual UF fare. Just know that Stolen is more in the urban fantasy camp, whereas I felt Bitten was a wee bit more in the paranormal romance camp (the difference being the focus on romance in the plot). Will I continue with the series? No hurry: the next book features a different heroine, and I've already got so much to read waiting on my shelves that I can wait before continuing with this particular series. Hopefully, by time I get my book stacks down to a manageable pile, perhaps Armstrong will have an end in sight for the series, giving me something to work towards (yes, I'm weird like that: I actually LIKE knowing when something will end). :)Review style: not a lot to say on this one, so I'm going to keep it stream-of-conscious. Spoilers? Not at all. So if you're interested in the full review, feel free to click the link below, which goes to my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome! :)REVIEW: Kelley Armstrong's STOLENHappy Reading! :)

[mippy28 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Elena Michaels, the only known female werewolf, cavorts on a more fully cultivated supernatural playing field in this sure-footed follow-up to Bitten (2001). While investigating a suspicious notice advertising information for sale about werewolves, Elena meets witches Paige and Ruth Winterbourne-and, to her misfortune, a team of mortal and supernatural commandos who abduct Elena and Ruth to a remote underground bunker in the wilds of Maine. There Ty Winsloe, "billionaire and computer geek extraordinaire," is collecting a menagerie representing all the supernatural species that coexist anonymously with humanity (vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.). While his scientists study such creatures in the hope of distilling their uncanny powers as salable commodities, Winsloe hunts those captives who have outlived their usefulness in cruel most-dangerous-game fashion. Elena's efforts to outsmart Winsloe long enough to apprise her Pack of her whereabouts are complicated by a werewolf wannabe among the captors. Though the tale is pretty much a prison-break story spiffed up with magic, Armstrong leavens the narrative with brisk action and intriguing dollops of werewolf culture that suggest a complex and richly imagined anthropologic backstory. The sassy, pumped-up Elena makes a perfect hardboiled horror heroine, with enough engaging attitude to compensate for the loose ends left untied to set up her next adventure.

[starknits_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So in this book we're introduced to other beings in this world witches, half demons, shaman, sorcerer, and rich jerks who think they can do whatever they want.

[bodagirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While the first book in the series established a very small section of Armstrong's "Otherworld," this second book brings Elena, Clay, and Jeremy into more contact with the other supernatural characters that they didn't know existed. This is probably the weirdest part of the book - werewolves who don't believe other supernatural creatures exist and who spend the first third of the book being skeptical about the other supernaturals. The later portions of the book are much more believable (grain of salt for paranormal fiction) and you can see Armstrong setting several cogs in motion for later books in the series.

[jennybeast · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Eh, it was ok, it just didn't float my boat. A little too much whining. This series just isn't working for me.

[anissaannalise-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I must say that this one was a little bit of a letdown from the first book. I honestly thought it was a sequel of sorts or at the least a continuation of Elena’s story as laid out it Bitten. While this book had Elena as our ever wry witted narrator it was very much a set up for the other supernatural beings’ stories in the series. As such, this isn’t going to be a favorite for me. I freely admit that I enjoy vampires, witches, fey, demons & various other supernatural sorts in limited dose and have to be in the mood for them to really love them. I keep them far & few between in my reading, still this was not a bad read. I did like the take on all of the other supernaturals even if I’m not inclined to actually read those books in this series. I’m still all in for Elena & the Pack.

That said, I liked the beginning & Elena’s voice is still clear. I did wish there was more with Clay & Jeremy but it was good to see how Elena fared when in isolation & under duress. I admit that I didn’t really care much about the other non-Pack characters but I distinctly disliked Paige, so there’s that. I don’t know how I feel about WInslow’s “fate” but I was certainly hoping for him to have a different end. I’m going to read Broken next because that’s Elena & Pack centric & I have Frostbitten on my desk as well, so my nonfangirling over this one has no bearing on my want to continue the series. I’d recommend this one to anyone who is interested in the entire series spanning all the supernaturals but not to anyone looking for an intensive Elena/Clay story.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Elena, the only female werewolf, is kidnapped by a shadowy organization. While being held, she meets Paige (main character for several subsequent Armstrong novels) and various other supernatural characters.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Stolen
3 Stars

Beware: Minor Spoilers Ahead

Following up on a tip, Elena Michaels learns of the existence of other supernatural beings and is later kidnapped and held captive by a mismatched group of individuals, each with their own agenda. Will Elena be able to use her wits to survive or will she be hunted down and destroyed?

A promising sequel that does not quite live up to its potential - the pacing is off with a strong beginning, an unnecessarily drawn out middle and an exciting ending. The world building lacks definition and the heroine is difficult to empathize with.

The idea of the interspecies council is very interesting. Unfortunately, none of the races is properly fleshed out and, at first glance, they all appear to be preoccupied with their own needs without any real interest in working together. That said, the group does ultimately form an alliance, but whether this will play out in future books remains to be seen.

The most significant problem is Elena’s inconsistent characterization. On the one hand, she is all about maintaining her independence and strength of will (especially when it comes to Clay’s overprotectiveness), but once she is captured, she seems to forget that she is werewolf. Instead of using her supposed strength and resourcefulness to protect herself and others, she becomes meek and submissive with too many TSTL moments. Yes, she is a captive and that ostensibly means that she is at the whim of her captors, but the Elena in Bitten would never have allowed herself to become a victim.

Beware rant ahead! Why do so many UF authors feel the need to degrade their heroines by turning them into victims either by rape or humiliation? This is NOT a good trope and all it manages to do it undermine the character’s strength by having them be perceived as weak and ineffectual. If you create a strong, kick-ass heroine, keep it that way!

Rant over - continue reading …

Another issue with Elena’s character is her relationship with Clay. She remains unable to forgive him for his past actions and is often cold and cruel to him. This makes her appear childish and petty, especially given his obvious devotion and love for her. Nevertheless, she does seem to grow and change as the story progresses so there may still be hope in this area.

The secondary cast are the real highlight of the book. Whether it be the narcissistic sociopath intent on hunting supernaturals, the self-absorbed scientist obsessed with investigating the unknown, the spoiled little rich girl socialite with daddy issues that cause her to make a crucial error in judgement, the hedonistic vampire with a troubling past, the naive witch lacking in practical experience and the eager half-demon with anger management problems - each is well-developed and contributes to the overall plot and world building.

All in all, not withstanding its problems Stolen has its engaging moments. Moreover, the next installment focuses on a different heroine ans as such, I am willing to give Armstrong’s series the benefit of the doubt.

[linyarai · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good, a bit predictable but faster paced than the last book.

[kvhardy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book Two in the Women of the Otherworld series. My rating would actually be between 3 and 4 stars, as it just wasn't quite as good as the first book, Bitten. That book was really enjoyable.

That said, Kelly Armstrong's writing voice is very engaging, and Elena is an interesting character. Clay is the typical over-protective Alpha-male and all that, but in Kelly's world, it works, and I think it works because even though Clay is Alpha, Elena is not made out to be stupid or completely helpless. She is actually disturbingly ruthless on a couple of occasions, but by then we understand why, and well, I think she has reason to be.

Personally, I didn't find the whole reason for this story to make a lot of sense, and because Elena is actually a very strong female character, it didn't make much sense to me how cooperative she was during parts of the story. But well. What is done really well (in my opinion) is the fact that there are actually many characters in this world, and they are quite individual and recognizable. Well done...!

I might try the next book after a short break.

[bugetta-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me forever to read this book (I think I had supernatural creature burnout), but I finally finished it and I'm so glad I did. I was not super impressed by Elena in Bitten, but she definitely grew on me in this story. There was a lot of action and lots of new characters to meet. I'm so glad I gave this series another chance and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The pack is introduced to the fact that there are other supernatural races. But the most dangerous is still Man -- especially the spoiled brat kind with money

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Stolen is the second book in Kelley Armstrong’s’ Women of the Otherworld series. The main character here is Elena, a female werewolf. In this outing, Elena is kidnapped by a group of scientists backed by an eccentric millionaire. They are studying supernaturals and Elena soon finds herself being held prisoner with witches, demons and vampires. Of course, her captors have underestimated her and we all know that it is just a matter of time before her mate, Clay, tracks her down. Clay does not take kindly to anyone getting between him and the love of his life.This was quite a different book from the first in the series. That one dealt more with Elena adjusting to being a werewolf, living in a pack and the love story between her and Clay. This book has more action, and introduces plenty of new supernaturals, but I had to almost force myself to finish it as it seemed to just get sillier and sillier. Stolen was a book chosen for sheer escape reading, but I was a little disappointed that this book was less about the romance between Elena and Clay and more about Elena on her own. This is quite an extensive series, but I think perhaps I have outgrown these books and won’t be continuing on.

[puttocklibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While I don't enjoy this installment of the Women of the Otherworld as much as the first (or some of the later) in the series, I do really enjoy how this story propels us farther into Kelley Armstrong's supernatural world. Now its not just werewolves, but also witches, and vampires and (half) demons and more...and they've been there all along.I enjoyed the introductions to various different kinds of supernaturals, and they way they interract with each other in the supernatural world, and even Elena's struggle to free herself (and survive) her captivity was interesting. I felt like I got to know the Pack even better, because I could see how well they operated together from an outside perspective.Definitely recommended reading before delving further into Otherworld.

[sofie.roberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was more than excited to get stuck into this book, after falling in love with Bitten I didn't waste much time getting started on Stolen. And Kelley Armstrong defiantly did not disappoint. My one and only complaint is that Elena was not the main focus in the next few books of the series. But this is another brilliantly written book which continues to hold your attention throughout and keep you on the edge of your seat.

[brookeashley-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I rated them both 4 stars, I enjoyed Bitten better than this sequel, Stolen. Although they both follow Elena the werewolf, they're very different books - Bitten was about Elena's werewolf pack, and Stolen suddenly introduces a wide range of supernatural characters, from witches to vampires to half demons. I preferred the werewolf characters to the new ones, and was disappointed that Elena is separated from her pack for most a good 2/3 of the book. Also, stories where someone is being held captive always put me in a slightly panicked mood, so I wasn't thrilled that Elena spends most of the book captured by a wacky millionaire who wants his video games to come to life. Aside from that, it was still an enjoyable enough read for me to finish it in one sitting. I already have book #3 on reserve at the library, although I'm reluctant to read a Kelley Armstrong book about someone other than Elena.

[krumbs_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's odd reading this book after having read the subsequent books first. I didn't like the focus on the witch in book #3, and this book shows that I still don't like her. I enjoy Elena much more. Her point of view and reactions are so different than I would expect, making her more intriguing. I don't know that I believe her whole passive routine, but it kind of worked in the context of the story.

[roxyrolla · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book, lots of fun! Loved how the characters are being developed (Elena is awesome!) and love how new characters are being introduced. It was a bit long in parts, which is why I didn't give it a higher rating. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series, but not right now - I need a little break before I continue!

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting! The werewolf universe we were introduced to in the first book, Bitten, suddenly expands with a whole bunch of other supernatural creatures - witches, sorcerers, half-demons, vampires - all of whom are being attacked by a mildly insane bunch of experimenters. Elena and most of the werewolves weren't even aware of the existence of the other 'races'. The bad guys' motivations vary - from scientific experimentation to wanting personal power to wanting a real-life video-game-style hunt - but they're sufficiently similar that they're working together and have captured a whole bunch of supernaturals, and killed off quite a few after studying them. Elena is kidnapped by this bunch, and undergoes some rather nasty events, including having to babysit a newly-'bitten' werewolf (not really bitten, she injected herself. Idiot) and being brought along on a hunt of another werewolf (hunted by men). Excessive complications - telepathic communication that doesn't work very well, Elena's response to a mistake by Clay, enemies hiding in plain sight - make this a little hard to follow sometimes, but overall it's an interesting addition to the story. There's quite a lot of sex in the beginning and end; the first lot is somewhat gratuitous, the second lot feels like it fits the story. And while there is the threat of rape several times, it's never carried out - all the sex is consensual. There's also quite a bit of gore, particularly at the end; however, our big bad heroes are quite thoroughly sickened by it, they don't revel in it in the least. Well, not most of it. Elena does some elegant (psychological) torture on the worst of the bunch. Interesting expansion - I do want to read the next one.

[jshillingford_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the first Women of the Otherworld book, Bitten. It had a fresh take on werewolves (it's a biological trait genetically passed on paternally), and also introduced two very dynamic and engaging characters in Elena and Clay. In this sequel, Elena is kidnapped and learns the hard way that there are many more paranormal creatures in her world than werewolves. She must persuade some of them to work with her to escape their captor. An exciting story, with an intricate plot and more world-building that easily surpasses the potential of the first book. A must-read series for Urban Fantasy fans!

[kr15tina · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What I LikedVillainThe egotistical, superior, self-righteous rich guy or religious nut, I really really HATE these types of bad guys the most. In the case of Stolen we are dealing with the rich guy type, I just mentioned the religious nuts because they scar me. The rich guy is so frustrating for me, I would really love to punch him and kick his ass, he brings out the violent nature in me. But who wouldn't want to punch the guy standing over you with a gun pointed to your head telling you to strip, laughing and being all smug while nudging his buddies about what he can make you do. So yes I really hate this character in the book, but a good book will pull at all your emotions the good and the bad, making you feel elated and frustrated.ViolenceThere is a lot of violence in this book, bullets flying and necks snapping. I personally do enjoy a good kick ass violent book amidst all my wonderful happy go lucky HEA (Happily Ever After) books.ElenaI like her even more in this book, just as smart mouth and quick witted as ever. She has come to terms with some issues in Bitten and I am happy with where her relationship is at with her lover Clay. I like how she thinks during her captive time, she is trying to play nice but is continually thinking of her escape route. What I Didn't LikeIt did get a little slow during her captive time, I kinda just wanted it to move along and something to finally happen. "Escape or attempt to escape already", was a thought process at one point. Not long after though the pace picked back up and the excitement started.Reading OrderDo read this book after Bitten, don't read it before. Bitten and Stolen are both from Elena's POV. RecommendationThese books are NOT really for the passive faint of heart, you have to be ready for the character to snap a neck and move on, that is just the way the book is.

[sithereandread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading and reviewing "Bitten" by Kelley Armstrong I had high hopes for this novel. I can honestly say I was very pleased! Although this story did not revolve around a love story as the first one did, it was action-packed and nail biting. The true test of Elena Michaels as a character occurred when she was totally separated from her Pack and her love. She fought against her instinct and human nature to survive in captivity along with other dangerous "monsters" and the humans who put her there.Many other "races" were introduced in this book and it was interesting to gain some insight on them. I really felt that I was going along for a ride with Elena into the world of supernatural instead of just werewolves. The fact that she might not be the most dangerous creature out there made this journey very real and scary. The workers at this facility were so varied it made me wonder about their initial reason for creating this compound. The money behind the facility was a greedy, cruel, and evil man who thought money could do anything, but in the end that did not become the case. These human characters who differed severely from one another in personality kept me on the edge wondering who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.Kelley Armstrong was very smart in the creation of this novel. Opening my eyes to different characters and races, she was able to expand her "Otherworld" series into many books with the main characters being different in each. I cannot wait to continue reading this series and see how these characters progress.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elena Michaels is a 31-year old werewolf, the only female of her kind in existence. She lives in a pack that includes her sexy boyfriend Clay (who had bitten her twelve years before), and the Alpha male Jeremy. Elena’s job in the pack is to monitor the Internet for signs that some mutt (non-pack werewolf) is calling too much attention to the werewolf population.She finds a suspicious notice from Pittsburgh, and contacts the parties to arrange a meeting. Paige and Ruth, who posted the ad, were in fact trying to attract Elena: they claim to be witches, and want help fighting a group capturing and killing all paranormal beings. Elena is skeptical – she only knows about werewolves, but soon gets proof that the world is full of other “races,” including witches, half-demons, vampires and sorcerers. Unfortunately, the proof comes from being “stolen” by the group seeking paranormals. They are led by an internet mogul named Tyrone Winsloe, a sick and vicious man with endless resources who wants to prove himself even more powerful than beings with unnatural abilities. Elena needs to escape before Winsloe and his guards kill her, or before they capture and kill Clay who is looking for her, or both. Evaluation: This is definitely a page-turner, and the inclusion of other paranormals besides werewolves is done with enough intelligence and humor that it does not make the story outrageous. Elena, Clay and Jeremy are about as appealing for characters as you can find, and the romance and sex between Elena and Clay is everything you could want. Generally, there’s a lot of silliness in the paranormal genre, but Armstrong rises above the lesser authors to provide nuance, interest, and overall quality.

[suzanne520 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a very good sequel, though I can definitely see where Armstrong got her inspiration for her darkest powers trilogy now!I love Elena and Clay! I also love Jeremy! I look forward to the next in this series!

[jamesterck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My opinion: I just have to start by saying, Kelley Armstrong you are an amazing author! I have definitely found a new favorite book series, I am now dying to read #3. So this book starts out with Elena traveling to find someone who claims to have proof and knowledge about werewolves. These people happen to be Paige and Ruth, two women who claim to be witches. Elena finds this impossible, but before long the three of them find themselves being hunted. Due to some quick thinking by one of the witches (using a cover spell) they escape; Elena is still very skeptical that they are actually witches, but she knows she needs to tell Jeremy and the rest of the pack about the witches and the people that seem to be hunting all of them. The werewolves agree to attend a meeting with other preternatural beings to discuss what needed to be done. Due to some disagreements, the werewolves eventually part ways with the group...unfortunately Elena ends up falling right into the enemies hands. She's taken to a compound where she is kept prisoner, along with some other people with extraordinary talents. Someone seems to be "collecting" these people, the pretense being to study them. But the truth is more horrifying than any of them could of guessed. Elena definitely seemed to be more confident in this book, more sure of herself and settling into her role again with the pack. Her relationship with Clay sizzles (they are just so perfect together!). I'm finding it hard to write a review for this book...not because it wasn't good, but because it was awesome and it's hard to describe. I kept it brief because I didn't want to give away any vital information to future readers! But I can say that it's impossible not to fall in love with the characters, there's a lot of depth to them and Elena and Clay are pretty comical a lot of the time. Their relationship seems disfunctional sometimes, but it just works for them. I loved the scene in this book where they're making love and he's feeding her breakfast because she's starving; it was sweet, but also quirky, which really describes them to a T. If you haven't checked this series out yet, what are you waiting for? You won't be disappointed! My rating: 5/5 stars

[dbree007 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elena Michaels, the only living female werewolf, lured into billionaire Tyrone Winsloe experiments on the other races, those with supernatural powers

[crazybatcow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of suspense through the middle part of the book - about 2/3 of it makes the reader wonder how/if Elena will be able to "get even" with the bad guys. Of course we want justice to be served, and the bad guys are nicely creepy so we spend most of the book knowing ('cause how can the star character be killed in book 2) that Elena will be okay, but wondering how she'll get her justice. Nicely done.There are a lot of new "races" (a.k.a supernatural beings) introduced which seemed a bit over-the-top (I mean, really, how many supernaturals does there need to be in order for a world to be interesting?) I know that werewolves don't exist, and I suspend disbelief for them, in this book, but I also have to do this for a half dozen other "new" supernaturals too? Bit overcrowded, really.All in all, a very engaging book.

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, told first person by various supernatural women, in this case, Elena, a werewolf. This is the second book in the series, which begins with Bitten, but I find the books in the series stand alone well enough to be read out of order (although naturally you'd then encounter spoilers). I have my issues with Bitten, because I found the love interest in that book, Clay, problematic. By the time I got to this book though, it was less of an issue and isn't that germane to this book, which is a well-paced thriller/adventure with interesting takes on the different magical "races" such as werewolves, vampires, witches, sorcerers, etc. This specific book is a take-off on the old "Most Dangerous Game" scenario, but is an enjoyable, engrossing read when you want some escapist entertainment.

[lam_853660 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best urban fantasy series ever written. Though other books in the series follow different protaganists, Elena was the first, and remains my favourite.

[eowyna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elena Michaels, the world's only female werewolf, makes contact with a council of paranormal folk -- or rather, they make contact with her. They want to warn her of the danger posed by a shadowy group that has been kidnapping member of various paranormal races to study them. And then there is multi-millionaire Tyrone Winsloe, who loves to hunt unusual prey.A large cast of paranormals are introduced in this second book of Armstrong's "Women of the Underworld" series, many of whom will have their own books later. This book is firmly focused on Elena as she investigates, is captured, and lives for a time in captivity. In some ways, this reminded me of Season 4 of Buffy, from Spike's point of view. In other ways it has echoes of the Nazi final solution for aliens, with both scientists doing some sort of research, and a paramilitary situation. Given that, this book still has its own original twists and turns of plot, and kept me reading at a furious pace. A quite enjoyable read.