Book Review: The Hunter and the Hunted by Kelley Armstrong

The Hunter and the Hunted
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publication: DUTTON ADULT (June 12, 2012)

Description: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes two Otherworld short stories that take readers on an exhilarating honeymoon chase with werewolves Elena and Clay, and a mysterious mission through the afterlife with dark witch-turned-angel, Eve Levine.

It’s not a good sign when Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers resort to everyday activities on their long-awaited honeymoon in St. Louis. But their encroaching boredom is about to take a back seat to an unexpected threat that catches Clay’s attention. A non-pack werewolf is clearly stalking them—out to claim Elena for himself—and Clay has no intention of letting the upstart mutt spoil their romantic getaway, even if that means deceiving Elena as he pursues the rival werewolf on his own. Originally part of an anthology of supernatural romance stories, STALKED is the perfect introduction to Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series and an action-packed interlude for fans to revisit some of their favorite characters. 

In OFF-DUTY ANGEL, dark witch and half-demon Eve Levine is desperate for a little entertainment while her lover Kristof Nash is detained in afterlife court—enough to volunteer an extra week’s worth of angel corps duty just to pass the time. Luckily something even better comes up: a real celestial bounty-hunter mission to trail a shaman, someone who might prove to be a useful lead in Kristof’s court case. Following the target goes smoothly, until he leads Eve to The British Museum, where she inadvertently steps into a secret dimensional passage and stumbles upon a far more enticing puzzle…and a much greater danger. Packed with suspense and surprising twists, OFF-DUTY ANGEL reveals fascinating new insights into a beloved series character. 

Includes an exclusive early look at THIRTEEN, the epic finale to the Otherworld series, coming July 24, 2012.

My Thoughts: STALKED was a story that I was familiar with. I am such a fan of Armstrong's work that I buy anthologies just for her stories. If you have My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon, you already own this story. What I liked most about it is that it is told by Clayton Danvers. It tells about a honeymoon trip that he planned to St. Louis, which seems an odd honeymoon destination for a couple of werewolves, and which is turning out to be less exciting than either of them had hoped. Less exciting that is until a stray werewolf shows up who wants to kill Clayton and take Elena as his own. Obviously, this guy isn't too bright! Clayton notices him following them but tries to keep it from Elena so as not to spoil their honeymoon. Elena isn't fooled and together they end up taking on the not-too-bright stray werewolf. They also have a honeymoon that is more their style.

OFF-DUTY ANGEL is a story featuring Eve Levine. She is bored while Kristoff is off on a case and ends up getting herself into trouble as she starts following a guy, discovers a lost spell book attributed to Moses,  and ends up in the Hell dimension. It is Eve at her irreverent and quirky best and provides us with a look at the dimension where she lives people by oni, angels, fates, and other supernatural creatures.

The ebook also contains the Prologue and first six chapters of THIRTEEN. We see Savannah, Jaime, Jeremy, Adam and Eve in this section. It begins with Savannah, Bryce, Jeremy and Jaime getting away from a bomb blasted lab. Then Savannah and Jaime are arrested and the rest takes place at the jail. This brief teaser makes me very eager for the release of THIRTEEN on July 24.

The stories were a good way to find out more about the characters of the Women of the Otherworld series and were a good way to get an Otherworld fix while waiting for THIRTEEN.

Favorite Quote (Clayton speaking in STALKED):

I won't make excuses for what I did. The truth is that your whole life can change with one split-second decision, and it doesn't matter if you told yourself you'd never do it or if you stepped into that moment with no intention of doing it. All it takes is one second of absolute panic when the solution shines right there in front of you, and you grab it...only to have it turn to ash in your hand. There is no excuse for what I did.

I was offered this ebook in order to promote the upcoming final novel in the Women of the Otherworld series - Thirteen. I jumped at the chance. You can buy your copy of this ebook here.