Reviews

Driven by Kelley Armstrong

lolasreviews's review against another edition

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4.0

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

It's always a joy to be back in the Otherworld series. I love this series and getting to see how the characters are doing even though the series sort of has ended is awesome. I was really happy to get my hands on a copy of Driven as it follows two of my favourite characters Elena and Clay. This story deals with a mystery of someone who is killing the Cains and Elena and the pack go to investigate. Then there is the issue concerning Malcom, which get's solved in a satisfactory way in this story.

The story moves along nicely and kept my attention. The story with the who was killing the Cains and how they dealt with Malcom both were interesting and this book nicely dealt with both storylines and it worked well together. I would even say that the story line of the Cains helped them deal with Malcom as well. We see some changes of the pack and this book made me realize how far they have come since the start of this series. And ofcourse it was awesome to see Elena and Clay in action again and see their twins, which are awesome characters. I wish we got more scenes from the twins as they are a joy to read about.

I did notice I missed a few short stories that took place before this one, as they referred to some events which happened before and I get the feeling there is a short story about that as well, but even though I haven't read all the short stories before this I never felt lost. There was enough recap, that even if you missed some of the other novella's you could still enjoy this one. I would recommend to finish the novel length books of the series before you start the novella's as there is chronological order and reading the novella's before finishing the series can lead to a few spoilers. I did feel that this novella ties into a few other plot lines of previous novella's and wraps those plot lines up, it was nicely done.

We mostly read about character we already know, there's a chance and we see how the pack reacts to that. And we get a glimpse of their lives now, which is always awesome. I can't get enough of this world and characters so every time I have a chance to return to this world I grab it with both hands. In this book we meet a few new characters, most noteworthy David. I actually liked Davis and I thought he dealt with the situation well. We also meet a few other Cains, which were much less likeable. And there's a mention of Derek, which is a fun reference to Kelley Armstrong her other series.

To summarize: I really enjoyed this novella and was happy to be back in this world again even if for a little while. I read this story quickly and I really enjoyed it. There are sort of two storyline,s but it all meshes together nicely. We meet a new character, but this is mostly a chance to catch up with characters fans of the series already know and care about. It can be read out of order from the other novella's, but I would recommend to finish the 13 novels first. All in all is this another great novella in this series and it's an awesome read for fans of the series.

hemloc's review against another edition

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5.0

Five reasons to read Driven:

1) The story's beginning surprised me. Malcolm rejoining the Pack isn't something I ever would have expected, so if the prologue hadn't already hooked me to the story, this certainly did.

2) I love Davis and will riot if I find out he doesn't eventually join the Pack.

3) Nick gets to give a big speech that proves, once and for all, how much he's grown throughout this series (and Davis's reaction to it is so cute).

4) There is a teeny tiny crossover with Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series. I had to put the book down when Derek's name came up and take a moment to calm down. I was disappointed there wasn't more, but I'm ever hopeful it will happen one day.

5) The final scene with everyone together getting ready to sit down for a meal was really nice.

One drawback to Driven:

1) Although I enjoyed the scene between Malcolm and the twins, I had the same problem I've had previously in that the twins don't sound or act like children. In a series filled with nothing but adults having the kids act older than they are feels like a missed opportunity for something new.

travelingbookiemonster's review against another edition

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4.0

As per usual another awesome Pack story from the amazing Kelley Armstrong. Really loving Kate & Logan.

gperez11's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

ewarnerburton's review against another edition

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Love Elena and clay

Obviously I'll read anything with Elena and clay in it. But this was great! It was wonderful to see the evolution of the pack and how things have changed. Also the mention of Derek! Now I'm waiting very impatiently for a crossover to happen.

thechaoshour's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved this one! It's so much fun reading about Elena as alpha!

evaxo's review against another edition

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5.0

I just love the pack books. This was a bit gruesome with the skinning alive part but it worked well to show why the pack needed to get involved. I enjoyed having Nick involved and of course Elena and Clays relationship is always goals. Loved the little bits the kids were in too! I hated the idea of Malcolm becoming pack at the start, but as Elena by the end of the story I agreed with the decision. And happy to see a new prospective pack member, I liked Davies a lot.

Overall a nice, quick read, yes there's some nasty things going on but overall it still gives off thd family feels I always get when reading about the pack and that's enough to earn it 5 starts

bookfessional's review against another edition

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4.0

It feels like you can't have an Armstrong book, at least you can't have an OTHERWORLD book, without some lowlife scum either raping someone or having some kind of unhealthy interest in children, and as gratifying as it is to see Elena or Clay (or whoever) kill the perpetrators (slowly and painfully), sometimes I wish we could forgo it altogether . . .

This is not that book. FYI.

After Elena lets Malcolm back into the Pack in a limited capacity (NOT a spoiler, it's in the blurb), she takes advantage of loopholes in Pack protocol to keep him out of the fold--scheduling Meets in tandem with mini vacations/traveling on holidays, etc.--but her actions are a short term solution, and she's reached the point where it's no longer a viable option . . .

So she invites him--with restrictions--to Stonehaven for the next Meet, which is just . . . so wrong . . . And they're barely into it when Davis Cain calls asking for help.

He got home from a night out only to discover both his uncle and cousin skinned and strung up on trees in their woods, you see . . .

o.O

You can't be surprised. With the aforementioned raping and child victims, what's a couple of wolves getting skinned alive between friends?

Par. For. The. Course.

Armstrong, you is gruesome.

I feel like I should be used to it by now . . . But I'm not . . .

Anyway, despite the plea for assistance coming from:

1. A mutt.

2. A mutt who trespassed at Stonehaven on a dare.

3. A mutt who trespassed at Stonehaven on a dare, AND dared speak to Logan (who was eight at the time, I think).

Elena decides to carefully investigate the situation--can't allow anyone to run around skinning werewolves, mutts or otherwise, can we?

If you want to know what goes down, why someone seems to be systematically hunting down the Cains, you'll have to read it yourself, but allow me to say that it is delightfully dark and twisty.

ALSO, for fans of Armstrong's DARKEST POWERS Young Adult series, there's finally a bit of crossover. It's not much, but it felt like laying the foundation for a future story. *wishes and hopes*

Overall, another excellent addition to the OTHERWORLD canon that I highly recommend.

bananatricky's review against another edition

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4.0

I received a free copy of this novella from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Elena and Clay's twins are nine years old (helps me to keep the chronology straight). Malcolm Danvers has asked to rejoin the pack and Elena had to make a decision.

In the meantime, Davis Cain, young and not as stupid as some of the others, of the Cain mutts is returning home from a less than successful date to find his home suspiciously empty of uncle and cousin. When he scents four men and a werewolf at the door of their remote home he knows it doesn't bode well. When he can't raise other Cain kin he calls Clay for help.

I really enjoyed this novella, it was quite long which gave us room for a good plot and lots of interactions with various members of the pack. Main characters in this book are Elena, Clay, Nick, Vanessa, Malcolm and Davis - although the twins play a small but pointed role. I've got to say I am really looking forward to when they get to be adult enough for their own full-length book(s).

Soon the group are tracking missing Cains in El Paso and trying to find out who could be targeting the family, and why.

It was gritty, didn't pull any punches and was probably one of my favourite novellas of the series - only wish there had been more Karl and Hope - love them soooo much as a couple.

a_h_haga's review against another edition

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5.0

REREAD 2020

All in all, as good as a end to this series as we could get. I once read an interview with Armstrong where she said we wouldn't get more, for there was no ''happily ever after'' in this world. The Otherworld is a living, breathing world, and as such, the stories will keep happening and keep going. And I like that. It holds true to how I've experienced life myself, and that adds a grain of truth to the whole story and series and world that I greatly appreciate.

The story in itself is interesting enough and kept me intrigued, even if I had read it before. I like all the subplots and underlying thoughts and feelings of this story.

My biggest problem was the art. While I don't mind the general feel of this artists work, having now read multiple books including his works shortly after each other, I'm greatly annoyed at his use of color. Or lack there of! I know that almost all the males have dark hair, but there are so many shades of dark! And they all have the same body-build and jawline and just generally look alike, which is all in all annoying.

At least he discovered a kind of sandy blond for the young adults...

I'm keeping the original rating.
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Original rating: 5/5 stars