FROSTBITTEN

Author: Kelley Armstrong ISBN: 9780553806625 10/2009 PARANORMAL Publisher: BANTAM

Being the world’s only female werewolf has its advantages, such as having her pick of the Otherworld’s most desirable males. And Elena Michaels couldn’t have picked a more dangerously sexy and undyingly loyal mate than Clayton Danvers. Now their bond will be put to the ultimate test as they follow a bloody trail of gruesome slayings deep into Alaska’s frozen wilderness. There’s nothing the werewolf community dislikes more than calling attention to itself. So when a pair of rogue man-eaters begins hunting humans, it’s up to Elena and Clayton to track down the predators. But any illusions their task would be simple are quickly dispelled. For even in werewolf terms, there’s something very disturbing taking place in the dark Alaskan forests. A werewolf more wolf than human and more unnatural than supernatural is on the hunt—a creature whose origins seem to spring from ancient legends of the shape-shifting Wendigo. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Clayton and Elena find themselves confronting painful ghosts from their pasts—and an issue neither of them is eager to discuss. For one of them has been chosen to become the new Pack leader, and as every wolf knows, there can be only one Alpha. They’ve always been equals in everything. Now, when their survival depends more than everon perfect teamwork, will instinct allow one of them to lead…and the other to follow?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I admire Kelley Armstrong's gift of embellishment and the way she does not pull punches when she tells a story. I can honestly say that because of that gift, most of Armstrong's stories appeal to me simply because I know they will transport me directly into the characters that inhabit them, and everything else will cease to exist as long as I am reading. FROSTBITTEN is a prime example of this clever way of beguiling me. Given that I already am familiar with, and genuinely like the heroine, Elena Michaels, this being a Top Pick review for me was nearly a given.

Elena is the ultimate woman. Soft with her mate and children, but downright dangerous when it comes down to protecting the people (wolves) she loves, Elena is a character never to be forgotten. FROSTBITTEN is one heck of an emotional ride for her—unbelievably physical, too—and yet she handles it with a strength I can only imagine. Courage under pressure is a lame way to describe how she is, but when I think of all of the situations Elena finds herself in, I am at a loss for words. She is strong, fearless, and smart. Simple words, but their meaning is complex when attached to her.

While Elena is the reason FROSTBITTEN is most appealing, an honorable mention must go to the secondary characters: mainly Clay, Nick, Reese, and the bad guys I refuse to name. There is also the Wendigo pack who are pretty freaky, and the setting of Alaska with its treacherous beauty. All of these things come together to create another fantastic read from Armstrong. If you are a fan, I highly doubt you will be disappointed.

Shannon Johnson