Bitten (novel)
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 Time Warner (UK) cover art |
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| Author | Kelley Armstrong |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Dominic Harman |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Series | Women of the Otherworld |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, Romance, Adventure |
| Publisher | Viking Adult (United States), Little, Brown & co. (U.K.), Random House (Canada) |
| Released | 1 October 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) & Audio Book (Cassette) |
| Pages | 400 pp (hardcover) 384 pp (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-0670894710 (hardcover) |
| Followed by | Stolen |
Bitten is a fantasy novel by written by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
Elena Michaels is the world's only female werewolf. And she's tired of it. Tired of a life spent hiding and protecting, a life where her most important job is hunting down rogue werewolves. Tired of a world that not only accepts the worst in her— her temper, her violence—but requires it. Worst of all, she realizes she's growing content with that life, with being that person. So she left the Pack and returned to Toronto where she's trying to live as a human. When the Pack leader calls asking for her help fighting a sudden uprising, she only agrees because she owes him. Once this is over, she'll be squared with the Pack and free to live life as a human. Which is what she wants. Really[1].
[edit] Plot summary
The main character of "Bitten" is Elena Michaels, a strong, intelligent woman- who also happens to be a werewolf. She lives in Toronto, Canada and writes for a popular newspaper. Elena is also the only female werewolf in the world. She struggles to deal with her other-ness and to assimilate to the "normal," human world. She also contends with her terrible childhood, and with the man who bit her and turned her into a werewolf. Elena has managed to settle into a somewhat normal existence, living with her ad-exec boyfriend and ignoring her wolf side as much as possible. However, she learns that her Pack (the governing body of werewolves) is in trouble, and comes to their aid, flying to Stonehaven, the country estate of the pack Alpha. It is in Bear Valley, a fictional city in up-state New York. When Elena arrives, she is greeted by her ex-lover, Clayton Danvers, who is also the man who bit her and made her a werewolf (without her consent). Clayton is also the bodyguard and foster-son to Jeremy Danvers, the pack Alpha (leader). Elena learns that a local woman was found murdered on Stonehaven's land, and that she had been savaged by what authorities thought to be a dog. However, the Pack has determined that she was murdered by a Mutt, a rogue werewolf. Soon, the rest of the Pack arrives on the scene to help with the problem: Antonio Sorrentino, his son Nicolas Sorrentino, Logan Jonsen, and Peter Myers. They soon discover that there is not just one rogue Mutt, but a whole group intending to take down the current Pack and start their own, where they can do whatever they want, especially killing humans.
[edit] Characters in "Bitten" (with some backstory)
[edit] The Pack (the good guys)
- Antonio Sorrentino - Pack werewolf and father of Nick. Once the Pack's top fighter, still a strong fighter. Also the best friend of the Alpha (Jeremy). Hereditary werewolf.
- Clayton Danvers aka Clay - Bitten as a child, is seen as more wolf than human he is Jeremy's foster-son-turned bodyguard, and the werewolf who bit Elena. Also Elena's ex-lover, is still in love with her. Bitten by Malcolm(Jeremy's father) as a child, the story of which is told in Kelley's first online novella, Savage. blessed with drop dead gorgeous looks and genius intelligence but with all the charm "of a pit Viper".Also an anthropologst.(how he and Elena initially met.)
- Elena Michaels - Journalist and the world's only female werewolf. Bitten by then-lover, Clayton. Parents died at a young age, which sent her into many abusive foster families, which she was chosen for her looks.Determined to leave that life behind she focused on her school work and succeeded in going to college where she would meet clayton.Has a wicked temper.
- Jeremy Danvers - Alpha werewolf and leader of the Pack. Possesses some psychic abilities (to contact other Pack members). Hereditary werewolf.Has a hobby for all kinds of markmenship.
- Nicholas Sorrentino a.k.a Nicky - Pack werewolf. Son of Antonio, and best friend of Clayton. Hereditary werewolf.
- Logan Jonsen - werewolf, close friend of Elena. On the outskirts of the pack, lawyer in Los Angeles. Hereditary werewolf.Is killed By Mutt
- Peter Myers aka Pete - werewolf, good friend of Elena. Also on the outskirts of the Pack. Works as a sound engineer for top bands on tour. Once accidentally murdered two women, was rescued by Jeremy. Killed by LeBlanc.
[edit] The Mutts (the bad guys)
- Daniel Santos - Once a Pack werewolf, but left the pack after the death of his brother, Stephen Santos (killed by Clayton after trying to assassinate Jeremy). Loathes Clayton and believes Elena should be "his". Man-killer.He is so dangerous because he was once part of the pack. He knows how they think and act. Not entirely sane. Hereditary werewolf. Killed by LeBlanc, throat slit.
- Jimmy Koenig - Werewolf mutt, ex-drug addict/alcoholic, man-killer. Werewolf origins unknown. Killed by Clayton, neck broken.
- Karl Marsten - Hereditary werewolf. Professional thief, extremely talented, seeks territory to settle in. Extremely wealthy. Considered the second most dangerous Mutt by the pack. Very sociable and has a one track mind to get what he wants, while never being distracted.And now he wants territory.At the end of the book a deal is made and he gets Wyoming as his territory.
- Scott Brandon - Werewolf mutt. Serial killer, caught and put in prison.Goes on a rampage and changes at a rave, killing and injuring multiple people. Killed by an 18 wheeler delivery truck.
- Thomas LeBlanc - Werewolf mutt. Serial killer who targets women, kidnaps and tortures them. Terrifies Elena. Tries killing her at the Airport and almost succeeds. Killed by Elena.
- Victor Olson - Werewolf mutt. Pedophile who stalks his victims. Killed by Elena.
- Zachary Cain - Werewolf mutt. Huge, excellent fighter, but not very bright.Caught by Antonio, Elena and Clayton who brought him back to Stonehaven for information. Eventually killed and disposed of.
[edit] Other
- Philip Madden - Elena's live-in boyfriend. They share an apartment in Toronto. Works as an ad-exec. He proposed, then when LeBlanc came up to their apartment for Elena (she wasn't there) Clayton defended him which resulted in him getting kidnapped. Elena discovering they had Clayton and after calling an ambulance for Phillip she panics and changes, horrorfing Phillip and ending there relationship (in his mind). Later he convinced himself he had been hellucinating, still ending the relationship.
- Anne - Mother of Philip (Elena's boyfriend), Judith and Diane.
- Larry - Father of Philip, Judith and Diane, Husband of Anne.
- Diane - Phillip's sister. Also a friend of Elena.
- Ken - Diane's husband.
- Judith - Phillip's older sister. Lives in the UK.
[edit] Extra
This series shows werewolves as transforming into full wolves, the actual animal. It dispels many myths, like metal and silver being painful. Still, the transmogrification is portrayed as agonizing. Werewolves in this series are blessed with extra-strength while human along with keen senses. The members of the pack can also change at will.
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Nominated Best First Novel by the International Horror Guild
[edit] Trivia
- For a while, there was discussion of making a movie adaptation of this novel. Angelina Jolie was approached to play the central role of Elena. This has however been scrapped for now but there is still a script floating around for it.[2][3]
[edit] Release details
- First released in the U. S. by Viking Press in September of 2001, in hardcover.
- Released in trade paperback in January 2003 by Plume books.
- Released in mass market paperback in August 2004 by Plume books.
[edit] References
[edit] External links and quotations
- "Frisky... Tells a rather sweet love story, and suggests that being a wolf may be more comfortable for a strong, smart young woman than being human." - New York Times review
- "[Does]the same thing for werewolves that Anne Rice did for vampires in her Interview with the Vampire."- Rocky Mountain News
- Author's Official Website
- Review of "Bitten" at rpg.net
- Review of "Bitten" at sfsite.com
- Author's page at agent's website
