DRIVEN (Otherworld Series 13.6) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Hard Cover Release Date January 31, 2016

Cains are known for being big, brutish and not-too-bright. The mutt clan embodies all the supernatural world’s worst stereotypes about werewolves. But not even the Cains deserve to be hunted down and skinned like animals.

When young Davis Cain comes to the Pack for help, Alpha Elena Michaels can’t refuse him. It isn’t about morality or justice. It’s about not letting anyone think they can do this to werewolves and get away with it.

But Elena is also dealing with the Pack’s homegrown monster—Malcolm Danvers, onetime enforcer, full-time psycho. Malcolm is now under Elena’s control, as part of the most difficult decision she’s had to make as leader. But if she has to let Malcolm in, she’s going to make full use of him…and the best person to catch monsters is one who knows exactly how they think.

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REVIEW: DRIVEN is the latest installment (and longer novella) in Kelley Armstrong’s paranormal OTHERWORLD series focusing on the Stonehaven Wolf Pack of New York. For followers of the series Kelley brings together the baddest of the bad-Malcolm Danvers- as the newest and most unwelcome member of Elena’s Pack. Malcolm has been in hiding on the other side of the world, and the psychotic killer wants to rejoin the Pack.

Told from Elena’s first person point of view, DRIVEN focuses on the ritualistic and very personal murders of the Cain family-another familiar name to fans of the series. This time, the Cains are targeted by an unknown source, as their numbers begin to deteriorate very rapidly, and Elena and Clay are called in to investigate. Malcolm will be offered his first official duty with the New York Pack as more bodies begin to pile up. What ensues is the hunt for the people (and wolf) responsible for terrorizing the Cain family, and the reasons for the sadistic killings. Be forewarned, there are numerous graphic scenes focusing on the aftermath of the killings.

DRIVEN reveals the growth and development of some of our favorite wolves. Love, maturity, family and children have altered Clay’s view of the world including his tolerance for Malcolm’s return but that is not to say the Malcolm can ever be trusted. Clay is now the Pack enforcer, and he doesn’t take any crap from the aging wolf. Malcolm, on the other hand, is an old wolf set in his ways, and has a difficult time adjusting to a new leadership, and the Pack’s new way of handling the mutts.

A number of our favorite wolves are front and center including Elena, Clay, Jeremy and Nick as well as Reese and Noah, and Reese’s friend Madison (the daughter of another wolf). Elena and Clay’s children-nine year old Kate and Logan-let Malcolm know they aren’t afraid of the man who has terrorized the Pack. Again, for fans of the series, if you have read most of the recent novellas, we were previously introduced to a half –demon name Vanessa-Nick’s current girlfriend- and the woman he is hoping to claim as his mate. Karl, Hope, Jamie, Antonio and Paige are present byway of mention-only.

DRIVEN is a suspenseful, disturbing and welcome addition to Kelley Armstrong’s OTHERWORD SERIES. The characters are familiar, impassioned and sometimes controversial. With the return of Malcolm in THIRTEEN confusion reigned and Kelley could not let this particular return go without some sort of response. DRIVEN reveals Malcolm’s intent and the reasons for his return to the Pack; I somehow think he may get what he wants.

Kelley has released a number of novellas, short stories and anthologies since the ‘final’ Otherworld installment of THIRTEEN, focusing on the Wolf Pack, and with it comes numerous looks at Elena and the Wolves. If fans have not kept up with the smaller releases, there is quite a bit of story line and history missing-the smaller stories are revealing plenty of information and growth for the Pack-new members, growing families, potential happily ever afters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy