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Hiking through the snow, holiday baking and playing board games by the fire – what’s not to love about an old-fashioned family Christmas?
Werewolves Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers want to give their four-year-old twins, Kate and Logan, something their parents never had: a nice, normal holiday. No Pack responsibilities, no homicidal half-demons or power-hungry sorcerers to deal with – just the four of them, alone, at a chalet outside Ontario’s Algonquin Park.
Then a strange werewolf shows up at their door…while the town is buzzing about a young man, back from college, found half-eaten in the woods. And there’s the missing little girl …
With all the signs pointing to a rogue mutt with a taste for human flesh, Elena and Clay have no choice but to investigate. But are they the hunters – or the hunted?
Werewolves Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers want to give their four-year-old twins, Kate and Logan, something their parents never had: a nice, normal holiday. No Pack responsibilities, no homicidal half-demons or power-hungry sorcerers to deal with – just the four of them, alone, at a chalet outside Ontario’s Algonquin Park.
Then a strange werewolf shows up at their door…while the town is buzzing about a young man, back from college, found half-eaten in the woods. And there’s the missing little girl …
With all the signs pointing to a rogue mutt with a taste for human flesh, Elena and Clay have no choice but to investigate. But are they the hunters – or the hunted?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
41 people are currently reading
2893 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
302 books33.5k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
December 13, 2011
Thank you, thank you Kelley Armstrong. This story is exactly what I wanted and needed to say goodbye to my beloved Clay and Elena. "Hidden" is a novella for the fans. It's not for people new to the Otherworld series. Yes, it would still make sense, but it wouldn't resonate. It wouldn't mean to you what it means to us.
The basic premise is that Clay and Elena have brought their four year old twins away to a cabin to celebrate Christmas as a family. But the appearance of a mutt threatens their holiday celebration. And the couple must figure out whether he is linked to a suspicious death in the area, while juggling their time with their kids.
It was so easy to slide back into this world, with these characters who have become so familiar. That's part of what makes it so satisfying. The other part, is knowing we have seen the complete evolution of Elena. She has come so far since Bitten. Now she has finally found peace as Clay's mate... as Alpha-elect of the Pack... and as a mom to Kate and Logan. Reading this story shows us the last few pieces falling into place. She finally has everything she always wanted --even though it's nothing like she would have pictured it.
The external conflict keeps the story moving forward --with an unexpected twist at the end. But it also shows that conflict and danger are simply another part of the life Clay and Elena lead. It's part of what it means for them to be Pack, and will always exist, just like their connection with one another, their packmates, and their kids. It's all here. And I couldn't be happier with how it was done. --I'll definitely miss these characters, but this is a great way to send them off. 5 stars.
The basic premise is that Clay and Elena have brought their four year old twins away to a cabin to celebrate Christmas as a family. But the appearance of a mutt threatens their holiday celebration. And the couple must figure out whether he is linked to a suspicious death in the area, while juggling their time with their kids.
It was so easy to slide back into this world, with these characters who have become so familiar. That's part of what makes it so satisfying. The other part, is knowing we have seen the complete evolution of Elena. She has come so far since Bitten. Now she has finally found peace as Clay's mate... as Alpha-elect of the Pack... and as a mom to Kate and Logan. Reading this story shows us the last few pieces falling into place. She finally has everything she always wanted --even though it's nothing like she would have pictured it.
The external conflict keeps the story moving forward --with an unexpected twist at the end. But it also shows that conflict and danger are simply another part of the life Clay and Elena lead. It's part of what it means for them to be Pack, and will always exist, just like their connection with one another, their packmates, and their kids. It's all here. And I couldn't be happier with how it was done. --I'll definitely miss these characters, but this is a great way to send them off. 5 stars.
April 24, 2022
At 193 pages (Kindle version), this novella is just short of being a full-blown novel. AND it's got pretty pictures.
It takes place the Christmas after Frostbitten, and Clay and Elena have taken the kids to a secluded chalet in Canada for a family holiday (before the rest of the pack shows up on Boxing Day). The four of them are planning on making Christmas cookies, drinking hot chocolate, playing in the snow, etc., but all of that gets interrupted when a mutt shows up their first night there. A mutt that is acting rather shifty<---see what I did there.
Pack members are enlisted to come up early, and detecting ensues. I liked it. That is all.
It takes place the Christmas after Frostbitten, and Clay and Elena have taken the kids to a secluded chalet in Canada for a family holiday (before the rest of the pack shows up on Boxing Day). The four of them are planning on making Christmas cookies, drinking hot chocolate, playing in the snow, etc., but all of that gets interrupted when a mutt shows up their first night there. A mutt that is acting rather shifty<---see what I did there.
Pack members are enlisted to come up early, and detecting ensues. I liked it. That is all.
wishlist-aka-the-black-hole
December 18, 2011Thank the Book Lords! Another Clay & Elena story! :does snoopy dance:
August 3, 2016
Elena and Clay take their twins to Canada to celebrate a family Christmas together. But when a local teenager is found dead, his body mauled by a wolf, Elena begins to wonder if there is another werewolf in the area. Soon a mutt shows up on their doorstep, introducing himself and trying to make friends. Elena starts digging into the mutt's background. Is he a killer? Are there other missing or dead humans from this area? Juggling the Christmas holiday and their jobs isn't easy.
This is an excellent novella in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. It's so nice to go back and read about Elena and Clay. Along with their jobs of hunting down mutts that may be breaking the pack laws, parenting has become their number one priority. The twins, Kate and Logan, are now four years old and asking a lot of questions. Elena thinks it is too soon to tell the children that their parents are werewolves...and that they might someday be a werewolf too. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is an excellent novella in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. It's so nice to go back and read about Elena and Clay. Along with their jobs of hunting down mutts that may be breaking the pack laws, parenting has become their number one priority. The twins, Kate and Logan, are now four years old and asking a lot of questions. Elena thinks it is too soon to tell the children that their parents are werewolves...and that they might someday be a werewolf too. My rating: 5 Stars.
November 5, 2014
A full-length, fully-developed story with a mystery format. Elena and Clay are two werewolves on a Christmas vacation getaway with their two children. While they're in town, a 'lone wolf' approaches them - and his overly-friendly attitude raises alarm bells. Does this guy know that Elena's her wolf pack's designated investigator? Has he been up to something (like, say, murdering humans) that's against pack rules?
I had two categories of problems with this story. First, on a personal level: You cannot get two pages through this story without the main characters trying to have sex and being interrupted by their children. OK, I am sure that this does happen in families, but it is overdone and unappealing (although the author seems to think it is 'cute.')
I also was not won over by the Big Drama of whether to tell the kids that they're in a werewolf family, or not. Maybe it is just that the target audience for this story is mothers - and I am not, nor do I have any interest in being one.
Second category, on a technical level: The mystery is solved with a very unsurprising 'twist' and a trite 'boogeyman.' The big finale also doesn't make sense in the context. The story also contains that worst feature of poorly-executed mysteries: an overly-long expository bit at the end explaining everything that just happened.
I had two categories of problems with this story. First, on a personal level: You cannot get two pages through this story without the main characters trying to have sex and being interrupted by their children. OK, I am sure that this does happen in families, but it is overdone and unappealing (although the author seems to think it is 'cute.')
I also was not won over by the Big Drama of whether to tell the kids that they're in a werewolf family, or not. Maybe it is just that the target audience for this story is mothers - and I am not, nor do I have any interest in being one.
Second category, on a technical level: The mystery is solved with a very unsurprising 'twist' and a trite 'boogeyman.' The big finale also doesn't make sense in the context. The story also contains that worst feature of poorly-executed mysteries: an overly-long expository bit at the end explaining everything that just happened.
May 9, 2020
THIS BOOK OMGSH 😭 my wolf loving heart
December 20, 2011
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
It’s Christmas time and the Danvers/Michaels family is heading to a cabin to celebrate the holiday, just the four of them. The twins, Kate and Logan, are now 4 years old and it’s obvious that they’re leaps and bounds ahead of where they should be, in pretty much all aspects of their lives. They have advanced senses, reasoning, even reading skills as Logan is now enjoying the first book in the Harry Potter series. While Clay and Elena have kept from them the fact that both their parents shift into werewolves, and that not only do they belong to a family but also a Pack, it’s still unknown if the kids will shift themselves. It’s most likely that Logan will, but both kids are showing strong signs that changing may be in their future and Elena struggles with when the right time to tell them the truth about what she, Clay, Jeremy and the rest of the family can do.
Clay leaned over to his ear and whispered. “Listen. Do you hear that?”
Logan cocked his head. His eyes widened. “Wolves?”
Clay nodded.
Logan stared out at the sky, listening so intently, with this wistful look on his face, and I could tell myself I was imagining it, but I knew I wasn’t. He might not understand what he felt, but when he listened to those wolves, he felt something.
Everyone said Kate was so obviously her father’s daughter. Our friends teased Jeremy that it must be like having Clay all over again. Jeremy would smile and nod, but he’d told me that Clay had been more like Logan, serious and quiet, even when he was cutting up the classroom guinea pig and tying Nick to trees. The boisterous energy came later, but there was still that quiet side of him, and I could see it now, as he rested his chin on his son’s head, looking out into the night, listening to the wolves.
No trip can be completely uneventful as Elena and Clay end up investigating a brutal murder that has evidence of an attack by animal(s), and the signs point toward one of two mutts living in the woods where they’re vacationing. Nick, Reece and Noah are called in to help with the kids while Elena and Clay try to figure out what’s going on, and the truth hits really close to home when Kate becomes the target.
The murder/who-done-it storyline takes a backseat to the family dynamic in this one. It’s really the first time we’ve seen a lot of interaction between Elena, Clay, Kate and Logan and I loved seeing this side to Clay and Elena. We’ve had them together as a couple who first loved, then hated each other, and then found love for good. Now we get them as parents and trying to stay a step ahead of kids who are too smart for their own good brought a smile to face as I was reading.
[Clay and Elena sneak in some private time by “conserving water to shower together.” The kids could care less, unless their parents are gone for more than 10 minutes:]
A rattle at the door. A knock. Kate’s voice. “Mommy? Daddy?”
Another growl, this one harsher, swallowed as he [Clay] rubbed his face, looking abashed.
“Ditto,” I murmured as I grabbed the towels we draped over the shower door.
A clatter and a scrape at the door as Kate poked something into the lock.
“We really need to teach her not to do that,” I said.
(…)
At least the knock gave us time to get the towels on before she popped the lock.
“Good, you’re done.” She scrabbled onto the vanity and started chattering about her book.
As usual, Logan was right behind her. He’d never break into the bathroom, but he never stops her either. Let Kate risk getting in trouble, then slip in innocently behind her.
Kate and Logan know that something’s going on sensing that not all is as it seems, especially when Kate sees the mutt outside and says “he’s one of us” but she doesn’t have a way to actually describe what she means by “us.”
It was nice to get small updates on both Reece and Noah. Noah is slowly starting to settle in with Nick as his guardian, but even though he’s still wary, he’s happy. He’s able to think about his future and what he might want to do with his life and that wasn’t an option for him prior to being taken in by the pack and especially Nick. Nick is in and out of the story in small bits, he’s mainly there to watch the kids while the investigation is going on, but any amount of Nick is good. He’s sweet with the kids, he’s still a sounding board for Elena, especially when it comes to issues of her past that are brought back up when the danger to Kate hits close to home for her and all that she suffered in her past foster homes.
The ending is just so well done with a wonderful full circle moment for Clay and Elena with a callback to their first Christmas spent together (BEGINNINGS) twenty years ago. The issue of whether or not the kids should be told about what Clay and Elena can shift into is resolved in the end and it’s an emotional scene that’s so full of happiness, especially for the kids. If Clay and Elena’s story truly ends with this book, then I’d be a completely satisfied reader. While I hope we continue to get updates on the family, this story leaves me loving the family and I closed the book with a huge, happy sigh.
It’s Christmas time and the Danvers/Michaels family is heading to a cabin to celebrate the holiday, just the four of them. The twins, Kate and Logan, are now 4 years old and it’s obvious that they’re leaps and bounds ahead of where they should be, in pretty much all aspects of their lives. They have advanced senses, reasoning, even reading skills as Logan is now enjoying the first book in the Harry Potter series. While Clay and Elena have kept from them the fact that both their parents shift into werewolves, and that not only do they belong to a family but also a Pack, it’s still unknown if the kids will shift themselves. It’s most likely that Logan will, but both kids are showing strong signs that changing may be in their future and Elena struggles with when the right time to tell them the truth about what she, Clay, Jeremy and the rest of the family can do.
Clay leaned over to his ear and whispered. “Listen. Do you hear that?”
Logan cocked his head. His eyes widened. “Wolves?”
Clay nodded.
Logan stared out at the sky, listening so intently, with this wistful look on his face, and I could tell myself I was imagining it, but I knew I wasn’t. He might not understand what he felt, but when he listened to those wolves, he felt something.
Everyone said Kate was so obviously her father’s daughter. Our friends teased Jeremy that it must be like having Clay all over again. Jeremy would smile and nod, but he’d told me that Clay had been more like Logan, serious and quiet, even when he was cutting up the classroom guinea pig and tying Nick to trees. The boisterous energy came later, but there was still that quiet side of him, and I could see it now, as he rested his chin on his son’s head, looking out into the night, listening to the wolves.
No trip can be completely uneventful as Elena and Clay end up investigating a brutal murder that has evidence of an attack by animal(s), and the signs point toward one of two mutts living in the woods where they’re vacationing. Nick, Reece and Noah are called in to help with the kids while Elena and Clay try to figure out what’s going on, and the truth hits really close to home when Kate becomes the target.
The murder/who-done-it storyline takes a backseat to the family dynamic in this one. It’s really the first time we’ve seen a lot of interaction between Elena, Clay, Kate and Logan and I loved seeing this side to Clay and Elena. We’ve had them together as a couple who first loved, then hated each other, and then found love for good. Now we get them as parents and trying to stay a step ahead of kids who are too smart for their own good brought a smile to face as I was reading.
[Clay and Elena sneak in some private time by “conserving water to shower together.” The kids could care less, unless their parents are gone for more than 10 minutes:]
A rattle at the door. A knock. Kate’s voice. “Mommy? Daddy?”
Another growl, this one harsher, swallowed as he [Clay] rubbed his face, looking abashed.
“Ditto,” I murmured as I grabbed the towels we draped over the shower door.
A clatter and a scrape at the door as Kate poked something into the lock.
“We really need to teach her not to do that,” I said.
(…)
At least the knock gave us time to get the towels on before she popped the lock.
“Good, you’re done.” She scrabbled onto the vanity and started chattering about her book.
As usual, Logan was right behind her. He’d never break into the bathroom, but he never stops her either. Let Kate risk getting in trouble, then slip in innocently behind her.
Kate and Logan know that something’s going on sensing that not all is as it seems, especially when Kate sees the mutt outside and says “he’s one of us” but she doesn’t have a way to actually describe what she means by “us.”
It was nice to get small updates on both Reece and Noah. Noah is slowly starting to settle in with Nick as his guardian, but even though he’s still wary, he’s happy. He’s able to think about his future and what he might want to do with his life and that wasn’t an option for him prior to being taken in by the pack and especially Nick. Nick is in and out of the story in small bits, he’s mainly there to watch the kids while the investigation is going on, but any amount of Nick is good. He’s sweet with the kids, he’s still a sounding board for Elena, especially when it comes to issues of her past that are brought back up when the danger to Kate hits close to home for her and all that she suffered in her past foster homes.
The ending is just so well done with a wonderful full circle moment for Clay and Elena with a callback to their first Christmas spent together (BEGINNINGS) twenty years ago. The issue of whether or not the kids should be told about what Clay and Elena can shift into is resolved in the end and it’s an emotional scene that’s so full of happiness, especially for the kids. If Clay and Elena’s story truly ends with this book, then I’d be a completely satisfied reader. While I hope we continue to get updates on the family, this story leaves me loving the family and I closed the book with a huge, happy sigh.
January 25, 2019
Hidden – This is a Christmas story and it was awesome. I loved the twins and how Clay and Elena are as parents its sweet. The bathroom scene was HILARIOUS! It was sad that a mutt tipped their hand on telling the kids what they are but the way it happened. Oh, I just loved.
September 30, 2019
Read in Otherworld Nights.
This is a re-read for me as I own the ebook version too. This was a great pack story, out of any of the Otherworld tales, the pack ones are always my favourites.
This is a re-read for me as I own the ebook version too. This was a great pack story, out of any of the Otherworld tales, the pack ones are always my favourites.
January 29, 2012
I want to start off by saying this is the best and most fulfilling novella I have EVER read!
Clay and Elena take their two 4 year old children to a remote cabin to spend the Christmas holiday as a family. Their plans are changed by evidence there may be a man-eater in the area. Clay and Elena have to balance family with Pack duty while maintaining their "werewolf" secret from the twins.
This novella drew me in from the start. It provides an excellent window into the inner workings of the Michaels/Danvers family.
As a rule, I stay away from novellas as they are generally too shallow and leave me wanting more (not in a good way.) Clay and Elena are my favorite characters in this series. So much so, that I've only read the books that are directly about Clay and Elena. I would love to read more about them and their family.
Clay and Elena take their two 4 year old children to a remote cabin to spend the Christmas holiday as a family. Their plans are changed by evidence there may be a man-eater in the area. Clay and Elena have to balance family with Pack duty while maintaining their "werewolf" secret from the twins.
This novella drew me in from the start. It provides an excellent window into the inner workings of the Michaels/Danvers family.
As a rule, I stay away from novellas as they are generally too shallow and leave me wanting more (not in a good way.) Clay and Elena are my favorite characters in this series. So much so, that I've only read the books that are directly about Clay and Elena. I would love to read more about them and their family.
October 24, 2012
Nice short tale about Elena and Clay. The mystery isn't so mysterious, and quite frankly, I found the ending fight scene to be a little too predictable (why not have Nick do something?).
However, what makes the novella a winner is the development of the family relationships in the Danvers clan. That is the reason for a fan of this series to read this book.
However, what makes the novella a winner is the development of the family relationships in the Danvers clan. That is the reason for a fan of this series to read this book.
January 16, 2012
Upon receiving a review copy of Kelley Armstrong’s Hidden, I realized that I had only read a few books in her influential Women of the Otherworld series — and that the ones I had read weren’t the ones starring werewolf couple Elena and Clay. However, I had no trouble becoming engrossed in Hidden and understanding what was going on.
Elena is unusual in Armstrong’s universe; she’s the only known female werewolf. She and Clay are married and raising precocious four-year-old twins, Kate and Logan. The children show signs of potentially becoming werewolves as they mature. Elena and Clay both had troubled childhoods and have never really experienced a traditional family Christmas, and this year they’re determined to create one for the twins.
But their idyllic trip to rural Ontario is soon disrupted by a murder mystery. The dead man was savaged by a large canine, and there’s a werewolf sniffing around Elena and Clay’s vacation home who seems to be hiding something. This is a novella-length book, but Armstrong packs plenty of twists and red herrings into its short length.
The title, Hidden, can be taken as a reference to an aspect of the mystery’s solution… but it also applies to the secret of Elena and Clay’s lycanthropy. As Hidden begins, the kids don’t yet know that their parents are werewolves or that they too may become werewolves. It’s a subject of heated debate between the couple, and by story’s end, they reach a decision and implement it. The resolution of this plotline is sweet and heartwarming — and will probably be even more meaningful to readers who’ve been following Clay and Elena all along.
Hidden features six illustrations by artist Angilram. They’re all well-done, and some of them are simply adorable. I especially loved the one featuring Kate running to hug a particular wolf and the one where the two wolves are nuzzling in a snow-filled wilderness.
Elena is unusual in Armstrong’s universe; she’s the only known female werewolf. She and Clay are married and raising precocious four-year-old twins, Kate and Logan. The children show signs of potentially becoming werewolves as they mature. Elena and Clay both had troubled childhoods and have never really experienced a traditional family Christmas, and this year they’re determined to create one for the twins.
But their idyllic trip to rural Ontario is soon disrupted by a murder mystery. The dead man was savaged by a large canine, and there’s a werewolf sniffing around Elena and Clay’s vacation home who seems to be hiding something. This is a novella-length book, but Armstrong packs plenty of twists and red herrings into its short length.
The title, Hidden, can be taken as a reference to an aspect of the mystery’s solution… but it also applies to the secret of Elena and Clay’s lycanthropy. As Hidden begins, the kids don’t yet know that their parents are werewolves or that they too may become werewolves. It’s a subject of heated debate between the couple, and by story’s end, they reach a decision and implement it. The resolution of this plotline is sweet and heartwarming — and will probably be even more meaningful to readers who’ve been following Clay and Elena all along.
Hidden features six illustrations by artist Angilram. They’re all well-done, and some of them are simply adorable. I especially loved the one featuring Kate running to hug a particular wolf and the one where the two wolves are nuzzling in a snow-filled wilderness.
May 29, 2012
MY REVIEW
I downloaded the kindle version of this novella from Amazon.co.uk, and at over £3 thought it quite expensive for a novella. I am not so keen on the "comic" style cover even though it depicts Elena in human form and Clay in wolf form, with his penetrating blue eyes.
As always with Kelley Armstrong, this novella is well written with a great balance of suspense, mystery and pack/family life. I really enjoyed the novella, we, the readers got to concentrate on Clay,Elena, Kate and Logan as prime characters. We learn more about the twins. We also learn that Clay and Elena have different views on when the twins should be told of their true heritage. Are the twins displaying secondary powers are they just bright kids?
As always Clay and Elena's quiet family time is interrupted by a rogue mutt. They have to investigate two brother's, but which if either of them is guilty and who can be trusted? They have to call in back up to help keep the twins entertained, but as the novella unfolds it seems keeping the twins entertained is the least of their problems.
A really good novella that I read in one go, only disappointment was that I thought the price was a little expensive for a novella! It made me want to read more of the Women Of The Otherworld series and want to know even more about Clay and Elena and their family and pack.
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, would I read more novella's? Yes but truthfully only paid the almost £4 as it was a Clay and Elena novella! Wouldn't want to pay that price again really. Would I read more by Kelley Armstrong? Hope to! Would I recommend Kelley Armstrong books? Yes and I have recommended her lots of times.
Available from Amazon.co.uk
I downloaded the kindle version of this novella from Amazon.co.uk, and at over £3 thought it quite expensive for a novella. I am not so keen on the "comic" style cover even though it depicts Elena in human form and Clay in wolf form, with his penetrating blue eyes.
As always with Kelley Armstrong, this novella is well written with a great balance of suspense, mystery and pack/family life. I really enjoyed the novella, we, the readers got to concentrate on Clay,Elena, Kate and Logan as prime characters. We learn more about the twins. We also learn that Clay and Elena have different views on when the twins should be told of their true heritage. Are the twins displaying secondary powers are they just bright kids?
As always Clay and Elena's quiet family time is interrupted by a rogue mutt. They have to investigate two brother's, but which if either of them is guilty and who can be trusted? They have to call in back up to help keep the twins entertained, but as the novella unfolds it seems keeping the twins entertained is the least of their problems.
A really good novella that I read in one go, only disappointment was that I thought the price was a little expensive for a novella! It made me want to read more of the Women Of The Otherworld series and want to know even more about Clay and Elena and their family and pack.
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, would I read more novella's? Yes but truthfully only paid the almost £4 as it was a Clay and Elena novella! Wouldn't want to pay that price again really. Would I read more by Kelley Armstrong? Hope to! Would I recommend Kelley Armstrong books? Yes and I have recommended her lots of times.
Available from Amazon.co.uk
January 16, 2012
Elena and Clay take the twins on holiday to spend their first christmas together as a family. Kate and Logan are four years old now, though they seem older especially Logan, who knows more about science than any four year old should.
Elena and Clay's hopes for a quite family christmas are dashed when they come across another wolf. After finding out that a boy died under suspicious circumstances and a young girl was kidnapped, Elena and Clay investigate.
Elena is also conflicted about whether to reveal the truth about Kate and Logan's possible future as wolves. Logan and Kate are fun to read about, though I do find them incredibly whiny and spoiled.. I know a lot of readers want them to have their own book in the future but I'm not sure I'd want to read a book in their POV's because they have the perfect family/lives and Elena/Clay/the pack will ensure that they will never suffer or have any hardships..so I personally think they'll be pretty boring and uninteresting.
The best past of the novella are the illustrations..My favourite is the one of Nick..it's brilliant!
Elena and Clay's hopes for a quite family christmas are dashed when they come across another wolf. After finding out that a boy died under suspicious circumstances and a young girl was kidnapped, Elena and Clay investigate.
Elena is also conflicted about whether to reveal the truth about Kate and Logan's possible future as wolves. Logan and Kate are fun to read about, though I do find them incredibly whiny and spoiled.. I know a lot of readers want them to have their own book in the future but I'm not sure I'd want to read a book in their POV's because they have the perfect family/lives and Elena/Clay/the pack will ensure that they will never suffer or have any hardships..so I personally think they'll be pretty boring and uninteresting.
The best past of the novella are the illustrations..My favourite is the one of Nick..it's brilliant!
January 8, 2012
The Otherworld remains the most perfectly built world in paranormal/supernatural/urban-fantasy/whatever-you-want-to-call-it literature. I love Clay & Elena stories, and am head-over-heels for the twins. (Plus it has Nick, who is one of my favorite fictional boyfriends.) I know there is only one book left in the series, but can Kate & Logan please grow up and get a series of their own soon?
January 2, 2012
I loved looking in on Clay and Elena. They are my favorite from this series and throw in their kids and it made for a really delightful Christmas story.
September 13, 2017
Actual rating: 1.5 stars
Honestly, I was mostly drawn in by the artwork of the cover for this book. The art is pretty, and I was excited to see the art that was printed throughout the pages too. But the story... it just wasn't that enjoyable for me.
A story about wolves was kind of cool - I love Teen Wolf the TV show and have Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series on my "to-read" list - but this was just kind of dull in comparison to other media I have encountered about werewolves.
Perhaps I felt this way due to a large portion of it regarding the two parents, Clay and Elena, hiding that they are werewolves from their children, Kate and Logan. It just wasn't all that interesting or appealing, and I couldn't really get into their family life - the dynamics were there, but it just wasn't all that exciting at all.
One of this book that I did enjoy was the actual reveal of the villain, who it was and why. It wasn't entirely expected, though this person was accused earlier in the book, but the reason behind it all and the character's history was not what I expected at all.
The only other aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the Pack mentality. They weren't all blood related - some of the pack members were from different countries and were basically adopted into the pack, and they were all incredibly close, loyal and trusting with one another.
The writing of this book often had me rolling my eyes on the train, it was just so simple and dull at times that I literally couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes.
There were unnecessary random "sex scenes", I put them in quotation marks because they were so vague and nondescript that it could literally have been describing anything. I guess this is why sex scenes in romance novels are so cheesy and explicit, it is kind of necessary to get the point across and elicit a response from the reader. These scenes were, much like the majority of this book, dull and incredibly vague. These scenes weren't really necessary or essential to the story, and were probably the most cringe inducing of the entire book.
Overall, the book was vague, and incredibly simple. It wasn't really for me, despite the beautiful artwork spread throughout the chapters. I don't think I'll be looking into any of Armstrong's books in the near future, not really my cup of tea at all.
Honestly, I was mostly drawn in by the artwork of the cover for this book. The art is pretty, and I was excited to see the art that was printed throughout the pages too. But the story... it just wasn't that enjoyable for me.
A story about wolves was kind of cool - I love Teen Wolf the TV show and have Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series on my "to-read" list - but this was just kind of dull in comparison to other media I have encountered about werewolves.
Perhaps I felt this way due to a large portion of it regarding the two parents, Clay and Elena, hiding that they are werewolves from their children, Kate and Logan. It just wasn't all that interesting or appealing, and I couldn't really get into their family life - the dynamics were there, but it just wasn't all that exciting at all.
One of this book that I did enjoy was the actual reveal of the villain, who it was and why. It wasn't entirely expected, though this person was accused earlier in the book, but the reason behind it all and the character's history was not what I expected at all.
The only other aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the Pack mentality. They weren't all blood related - some of the pack members were from different countries and were basically adopted into the pack, and they were all incredibly close, loyal and trusting with one another.
The writing of this book often had me rolling my eyes on the train, it was just so simple and dull at times that I literally couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes.
There were unnecessary random "sex scenes", I put them in quotation marks because they were so vague and nondescript that it could literally have been describing anything. I guess this is why sex scenes in romance novels are so cheesy and explicit, it is kind of necessary to get the point across and elicit a response from the reader. These scenes were, much like the majority of this book, dull and incredibly vague. These scenes weren't really necessary or essential to the story, and were probably the most cringe inducing of the entire book.
Overall, the book was vague, and incredibly simple. It wasn't really for me, despite the beautiful artwork spread throughout the chapters. I don't think I'll be looking into any of Armstrong's books in the near future, not really my cup of tea at all.
June 6, 2021
A good book, revolving around the interesting issues around parenthood and what to tell and not.
This is another book I've not chosen to read for a long time and just been sitting on the shelf. Seems to be choosing books that have just not been chosen that now get their change.
This one have been left due to me feeling it might not be the best introduction to the series it belonged + the wherewolf theme to but it worked out good. Enough clues to give me a idea how thing where working out.
This is another book I've not chosen to read for a long time and just been sitting on the shelf. Seems to be choosing books that have just not been chosen that now get their change.
This one have been left due to me feeling it might not be the best introduction to the series it belonged + the wherewolf theme to but it worked out good. Enough clues to give me a idea how thing where working out.
February 6, 2012
4.5/5 (A-)
Not surprisingly, I really enjoyed Hidden :) Where to start? LOL. I looooved seeing Elena and Clay as parents and their interactions with the twins! It was just so sweet! We've witnessed Elena and Clay's relationship evolved throughout the series, from Elena and Clay's reconciliation to Elena's concerns about them becoming parents and up to this point. I have to say, I'm really glad Ms Armstrong took this step with this relationship and the way she developed it. Yes, it was the natural and logical next move in their relationship, but I don't think it was an easy one to execute and therefore Ms Armstrong was very brave. And execute she definitively did :) As I mentioned, I loved seeing Elena and Clay as parents. It's hard to be good parents, but it's even harder when you're werewolves! It's especially hard for Elena as she became an orphan at a young age, was moved from one foster home to another and therefore, didn't have a great childhood. I find her insecurity very realistic, but she doesn't let it show when she interacts with her children and with the support of Jeremy, both she and Clay are formidable parents in my opinion :) I also love that parenthood has strengthened their love as well :) I think it was great to see them wanting each other as much as they did in the beginning, perhaps even more. All in all, I think Elena and Clay have achieved the ultimate HEA ending and I'm glad for them!
We've seen glimpses of Kate and Logan in the past, but Hidden was really a treat :) Obviously, the twins are a bit precocious, but I think, overall, it worked LOL. They do remind me a lot of Clay! I also liked that Kate and Logan each had their own personality. I thought once again Ms Armstrong did a great job with the characterization, but for me, it was really the bond between the twins. The ribbing between siblings, the subtle rivalry, the chemistry and connection :) You can see that even as such a young age, their bond is unbreakable :)
I was really surprised to find out that Elena and Clay had not told the twins about being werewolves. It was definitively interesting to see Elena's feelings and approach to the dilemma and as it was explained, it was totally understandable. I assumed that Logan and Kate would both turn into werewolves... but it's true that Clay and Elena were both bitten and Elena is the only female werewolf, so nothing is guaranteed. As such, I can understand why she's so cautious and worried. I think this was definitively the most interesting storyline of the book. As for the mystery, it was okay. It wasn't particularly suspenseful or as strong as what we're used to with Ms Armstrong, but then again, Hidden was quite short. Plus, it really wasn't meant to be the focus of this book. Another element that I enjoyed in Hidden was the Pack. We got to see the new dynamics of the Pack with the inclusion of the twins and the two new members, Reese and Noah. Reese and Noah are two young werewolves and I feel that's exactly what the Pack needed. And it was great to see Nick in the role of a big brother :) By the way, still love the connection between Elena-Clay-Nick.
My only complaint about this book would be the publication itself. Hidden was published by Subterranean Press and as such, is not cheap. I didn't mind the price so much, because I'm really a hardcore fan and I think that's the audience the author and publisher had in mind. Also, I think this is a good length novella and the binding of the hardcover is good quality... but, I was expecting more illustrations. Ms Armstrong's website indicates 6 illustrations and there were 4. I wonder if it's because I got the hardcover copy as opposed to the leather-bound one. Also, if the publisher has gone to such length, it would have been cool that the illustrations coordinate with the text.
I really, really enjoyed Hidden. I think it was a great book and I simply loved re-visiting Elena and Clay and the Pack. Throughout the story, I picked up little references to the past and it really made me want to go back and re-read the series, especially Savage. Clay will never, never, never live down the guinea pig!! LOL! I also loved reading more about the twins and discovering the new dynamics :) This book was definitively meant to be for the fans and please them... and it pleased me enormously. It was a real joy to read Elena and Clay's HEA ending and it really tied up some loose ends... for now :) I definitively hope that Ms Armstrong will be re-visiting this series in the future. For now, if you are a fan of Clay and Elena, do not miss Hidden :)
Not surprisingly, I really enjoyed Hidden :) Where to start? LOL. I looooved seeing Elena and Clay as parents and their interactions with the twins! It was just so sweet! We've witnessed Elena and Clay's relationship evolved throughout the series, from Elena and Clay's reconciliation to Elena's concerns about them becoming parents and up to this point. I have to say, I'm really glad Ms Armstrong took this step with this relationship and the way she developed it. Yes, it was the natural and logical next move in their relationship, but I don't think it was an easy one to execute and therefore Ms Armstrong was very brave. And execute she definitively did :) As I mentioned, I loved seeing Elena and Clay as parents. It's hard to be good parents, but it's even harder when you're werewolves! It's especially hard for Elena as she became an orphan at a young age, was moved from one foster home to another and therefore, didn't have a great childhood. I find her insecurity very realistic, but she doesn't let it show when she interacts with her children and with the support of Jeremy, both she and Clay are formidable parents in my opinion :) I also love that parenthood has strengthened their love as well :) I think it was great to see them wanting each other as much as they did in the beginning, perhaps even more. All in all, I think Elena and Clay have achieved the ultimate HEA ending and I'm glad for them!
We've seen glimpses of Kate and Logan in the past, but Hidden was really a treat :) Obviously, the twins are a bit precocious, but I think, overall, it worked LOL. They do remind me a lot of Clay! I also liked that Kate and Logan each had their own personality. I thought once again Ms Armstrong did a great job with the characterization, but for me, it was really the bond between the twins. The ribbing between siblings, the subtle rivalry, the chemistry and connection :) You can see that even as such a young age, their bond is unbreakable :)
I was really surprised to find out that Elena and Clay had not told the twins about being werewolves. It was definitively interesting to see Elena's feelings and approach to the dilemma and as it was explained, it was totally understandable. I assumed that Logan and Kate would both turn into werewolves... but it's true that Clay and Elena were both bitten and Elena is the only female werewolf, so nothing is guaranteed. As such, I can understand why she's so cautious and worried. I think this was definitively the most interesting storyline of the book. As for the mystery, it was okay. It wasn't particularly suspenseful or as strong as what we're used to with Ms Armstrong, but then again, Hidden was quite short. Plus, it really wasn't meant to be the focus of this book. Another element that I enjoyed in Hidden was the Pack. We got to see the new dynamics of the Pack with the inclusion of the twins and the two new members, Reese and Noah. Reese and Noah are two young werewolves and I feel that's exactly what the Pack needed. And it was great to see Nick in the role of a big brother :) By the way, still love the connection between Elena-Clay-Nick.
My only complaint about this book would be the publication itself. Hidden was published by Subterranean Press and as such, is not cheap. I didn't mind the price so much, because I'm really a hardcore fan and I think that's the audience the author and publisher had in mind. Also, I think this is a good length novella and the binding of the hardcover is good quality... but, I was expecting more illustrations. Ms Armstrong's website indicates 6 illustrations and there were 4. I wonder if it's because I got the hardcover copy as opposed to the leather-bound one. Also, if the publisher has gone to such length, it would have been cool that the illustrations coordinate with the text.
I really, really enjoyed Hidden. I think it was a great book and I simply loved re-visiting Elena and Clay and the Pack. Throughout the story, I picked up little references to the past and it really made me want to go back and re-read the series, especially Savage. Clay will never, never, never live down the guinea pig!! LOL! I also loved reading more about the twins and discovering the new dynamics :) This book was definitively meant to be for the fans and please them... and it pleased me enormously. It was a real joy to read Elena and Clay's HEA ending and it really tied up some loose ends... for now :) I definitively hope that Ms Armstrong will be re-visiting this series in the future. For now, if you are a fan of Clay and Elena, do not miss Hidden :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2012
Hidden is different from the other Clay and Elena stories in this series, but I feel that it is the perfect goodbye story for them. This novella wraps up their story and leaves the reader feeling as if no matter what happens, Clay, Elena, and the twins will be okay. There is not much action or suspense in this story, but there is quite a bit of mystery. Armstrong throws in a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. All in all, this is a must read for all of the fans of the Otherworld series.
I put off reading this book for a long time because I simply did not want to say goodbye to Clay and Elena. They are my favorite Otherworld couple, and I apparently thought avoiding this book would mean that there would be more Clay and Elena stories. However, the book did not leave me feeling sad. Instead, I feel hopeful that Clay and Elena will have a good, yet adventurous, life.
It was interesting to see how Clay and Elena's relationship has evolved over the course of this series. They went from being at each other's throats (specifically Elena wanting to kill Clay) to being happily married with twins. There are mentions of memories and the past in this book, and we get to learn that Elena and Clay have been together off and on for twenty years.
This book focuses mainly on Clay and Elena trying to find a balance with Elena's new title as alpha-in-training or whatever the official title is and Elena wanting to protect her children from the type of childhood she had. Both of these things lead to extreme personal growth on Elena's part, but there isn't much action or steamy romance, which Armstrong's previous Elena and Clay books are known for.
The pacing is spot on, and while the plot isn't as suspenseful as some of the previous Armstrong books, I still couldn't put the book down. I read it all in one sitting. It's a quick read... it only took me about 2 hours to finish. The ending ties up all of the questions left about Clay and Elena's relationship, but leaves room for the reader to imagine where Clay and Elena may go from here.
Even though this book had a different feel to it, I still enjoyed it. It's a definite must-read for any fan of the Otherworld series. If you haven't checked out the Otherworld series yet, you are missing out on a captivating set of books. It's my absolute favorite series of all time. Armstrong is a fantastic author, and she does not disappoint with this final Clay and Elena story. If you'd like to read this book, buy it now before there are no copies left. It's a limited edition, so you don't want to wait on this one.
I put off reading this book for a long time because I simply did not want to say goodbye to Clay and Elena. They are my favorite Otherworld couple, and I apparently thought avoiding this book would mean that there would be more Clay and Elena stories. However, the book did not leave me feeling sad. Instead, I feel hopeful that Clay and Elena will have a good, yet adventurous, life.
It was interesting to see how Clay and Elena's relationship has evolved over the course of this series. They went from being at each other's throats (specifically Elena wanting to kill Clay) to being happily married with twins. There are mentions of memories and the past in this book, and we get to learn that Elena and Clay have been together off and on for twenty years.
This book focuses mainly on Clay and Elena trying to find a balance with Elena's new title as alpha-in-training or whatever the official title is and Elena wanting to protect her children from the type of childhood she had. Both of these things lead to extreme personal growth on Elena's part, but there isn't much action or steamy romance, which Armstrong's previous Elena and Clay books are known for.
The pacing is spot on, and while the plot isn't as suspenseful as some of the previous Armstrong books, I still couldn't put the book down. I read it all in one sitting. It's a quick read... it only took me about 2 hours to finish. The ending ties up all of the questions left about Clay and Elena's relationship, but leaves room for the reader to imagine where Clay and Elena may go from here.
Even though this book had a different feel to it, I still enjoyed it. It's a definite must-read for any fan of the Otherworld series. If you haven't checked out the Otherworld series yet, you are missing out on a captivating set of books. It's my absolute favorite series of all time. Armstrong is a fantastic author, and she does not disappoint with this final Clay and Elena story. If you'd like to read this book, buy it now before there are no copies left. It's a limited edition, so you don't want to wait on this one.
March 13, 2016
Clay and Elena want some alone time with the kids before the Pack arrive for Christmas at the cabin. The kids are four now and their parents are wondering whether or not to tell them the truth about their heritage as nobody knows if they will be werewolves themselves.
However, a lone wolf approaches them soon after they arrive, introducing himself and promising that he will not give them any trouble but Clay and Elena are instantly suspicious of him. The fact that a brutal murder blamed on animals has taken place in the local area get them even edgier and they interrupt their holiday to start to investigate. Nick, Noah and Reese arrive to look after the kids and provide backup. Yea! I love Nick! Well, I love ALL of the wolf pack but I've always had a soft spot for Nick. It doesn't matter if he isn't in it too much, I always like him to be there. My one niggle is that Kate is a little madam and annoys the hell out of me!
As the investigation continues, there is evidence of a second mutt in the area, and the one that came to the cabin seems to be lurking around too much. Elena is getting edgy and when it looks as if one of the mutts might have set his sights on Kate, it brings back many bad memories of the abuse that Elena once suffered. She is determined to save her daughter from that fate.
What I liked about this plot is that we are seeing Elena and Clay as the parents, worrying about hiding their werewolf side from the kids, worring about whether or not they will develop as werewolves or what happens if one does and the other does not. There is the fear that parents have of something happening to their kids or not being there to protect them. It is quite an emotional story and there is a lot of tension as we wonder who is sneaking around and what is going to happen.
I also liked finding out a bit more about the newer additions to the Pack. Noah is starting to come out of his shell and is bonding with Nick, and he and Reese prove capable of helping with Pack business.
The wolves are my favourite characters in the series and are the reason I started the series to begin with. I was really disappointed with the way the series was taken over by Savannah and her tantrums so it was great to get more of the Pack and I will never get bored with more novellas about them! I read this story in the anthology Otherworld Nights, but I loved the cover of this so much that I had to get the hardback novella to join the others on my book shelf!
However, a lone wolf approaches them soon after they arrive, introducing himself and promising that he will not give them any trouble but Clay and Elena are instantly suspicious of him. The fact that a brutal murder blamed on animals has taken place in the local area get them even edgier and they interrupt their holiday to start to investigate. Nick, Noah and Reese arrive to look after the kids and provide backup. Yea! I love Nick! Well, I love ALL of the wolf pack but I've always had a soft spot for Nick. It doesn't matter if he isn't in it too much, I always like him to be there. My one niggle is that Kate is a little madam and annoys the hell out of me!
As the investigation continues, there is evidence of a second mutt in the area, and the one that came to the cabin seems to be lurking around too much. Elena is getting edgy and when it looks as if one of the mutts might have set his sights on Kate, it brings back many bad memories of the abuse that Elena once suffered. She is determined to save her daughter from that fate.
What I liked about this plot is that we are seeing Elena and Clay as the parents, worrying about hiding their werewolf side from the kids, worring about whether or not they will develop as werewolves or what happens if one does and the other does not. There is the fear that parents have of something happening to their kids or not being there to protect them. It is quite an emotional story and there is a lot of tension as we wonder who is sneaking around and what is going to happen.
I also liked finding out a bit more about the newer additions to the Pack. Noah is starting to come out of his shell and is bonding with Nick, and he and Reese prove capable of helping with Pack business.
The wolves are my favourite characters in the series and are the reason I started the series to begin with. I was really disappointed with the way the series was taken over by Savannah and her tantrums so it was great to get more of the Pack and I will never get bored with more novellas about them! I read this story in the anthology Otherworld Nights, but I loved the cover of this so much that I had to get the hardback novella to join the others on my book shelf!
April 1, 2012
I'm very sad that Kelley Armstrong will no longer be writing stories with the characters from the Otherworld series of books. They've been excellent and the stories are always gripping and funny and full of action and adventure. This story follows my favourite characters, the werewolves, as they (Elena and Clay) go on a Christmas vacation with their twins. I've been wanting her to write a story about the twins since they were born, but they've only been mentioned briefly until now. We finally get to experience the family dynamic and learn what the twins are like. It's a shame she won't be taking the characters further, but at least we get one story, even if it is quite short. Elena and Clay are on vacation with the kids when they come across a mutt that's acting a little nervous. They reluctantly get sucked into researching him and find out he has a brother and some people had gone missing and died mysteriously recently. A confrontation inevitably ensues and is swiftly resolved. The story itself isn't very original or surprising, but she writes her characters so well that I'm just happy to follow them along on their adventures. The banter is always well written and the characters are never boring. It was also really interesting to see how she has developed the twins and the wolf-like characteristics that they both share. Elena and Clay are not supposed to be sure if their kids will become werewolves, as there's never been a female werewolf before and the gene is usually passed to the males only, but I think it's pretty obvious both of them will turn when they're older. If Kate doesn't (the daughter), then she still won't be normal as she's already displaying super hearing, smell and intuition. It's a fun dilema to play with though and I like that the twins both know their parents 'smell' things before they see them etc., but just don't understand what that means yet. I hope she'll return to the characters at least one last time to let us know for sure, but even if she doesn't, I have no doubt that the next batch of characters she writes will be just as excellent. I will miss my beloved werewolves though.
January 4, 2012
I can't tell you how great it was being back in Clay and Elena's world!
Well.. I guess I can, but any words that I could conjure up just wouldn't be adequate enough.
While there is a mystery that unfolds throughout the story, it's only a small part of what makes this so enjoyable.
Aside from the hunt for a potential man-eater, the story focuses on the twins and the questions surrounding the "will-they-or-won't-they" in regards to their chances of becoming members of the pack. Elena struggles with how to tell her children, what to tell her children, and more importantly when to tell her children. They are incredibly smart and perceptive for their age and it becomes increasingly difficult for Elena to keep certain aspects of their family's lives hidden from them.
Then we have the artwork by Angilram. The depictions of the twins and the last images with the pack were fabulous. It would be great if more stories came with pictures like these.
But what I enjoyed more than anything was the time alone with Clay and Elena. They made a continuous effort to steal little moments together here and there whenever they could. They are still very much in love and still one of the best fictional couples that I have ever had the pleasure to read about.
I'm very confident that Clay and Elena fans will enjoy this story. I only wish that their adventures together never had to come to an end.
Well.. I guess I can, but any words that I could conjure up just wouldn't be adequate enough.
While there is a mystery that unfolds throughout the story, it's only a small part of what makes this so enjoyable.
Aside from the hunt for a potential man-eater, the story focuses on the twins and the questions surrounding the "will-they-or-won't-they" in regards to their chances of becoming members of the pack. Elena struggles with how to tell her children, what to tell her children, and more importantly when to tell her children. They are incredibly smart and perceptive for their age and it becomes increasingly difficult for Elena to keep certain aspects of their family's lives hidden from them.
Then we have the artwork by Angilram. The depictions of the twins and the last images with the pack were fabulous. It would be great if more stories came with pictures like these.
But what I enjoyed more than anything was the time alone with Clay and Elena. They made a continuous effort to steal little moments together here and there whenever they could. They are still very much in love and still one of the best fictional couples that I have ever had the pleasure to read about.
I'm very confident that Clay and Elena fans will enjoy this story. I only wish that their adventures together never had to come to an end.
February 11, 2012
I really love the Otherworld series and Elena and Clay are my favourite characters so when I heard there was going to be a short story about them I knew I had to have it. This short story is about how Elena and Clay celebrate Christmas in a cottage with their kids. Ofcourse once they are there they find out there are two Muts (rogue werewolves) in the same area and they go investigate.
This story is mainly a very nice and sweet story about Elena and Clay and how they interact with their children. I absolutely loved it, it was very sweet and their kids where so cute! Another issue that's important in this story is whether Elena and Clay want to tell their kids that they are werewolves. I really liked the story. It wasn't a full book, but with 193 pages it was still larger than some of the books I've read. I enjoyed every page of it and it was worth every euro I paid for it. The pages that contained drwan pictures in colour where also a very nice touch.
To conclude a very nice story and a must read for fans of the Otherworld series. I really enjoyed this story and now I only want more stories about Elena, Clay and their children. There are still so many question left open, like will the children also change in werewolves whenn they grow up. I would like to see more of the children when growing up, I like reading about them. But I am not sure we are going to get more story about them. Still I keep hoping.
This story is mainly a very nice and sweet story about Elena and Clay and how they interact with their children. I absolutely loved it, it was very sweet and their kids where so cute! Another issue that's important in this story is whether Elena and Clay want to tell their kids that they are werewolves. I really liked the story. It wasn't a full book, but with 193 pages it was still larger than some of the books I've read. I enjoyed every page of it and it was worth every euro I paid for it. The pages that contained drwan pictures in colour where also a very nice touch.
To conclude a very nice story and a must read for fans of the Otherworld series. I really enjoyed this story and now I only want more stories about Elena, Clay and their children. There are still so many question left open, like will the children also change in werewolves whenn they grow up. I would like to see more of the children when growing up, I like reading about them. But I am not sure we are going to get more story about them. Still I keep hoping.
October 6, 2012
This Christmas themed novella about Elena, Clay and their family was heartwarming... in true Armstrong style. So no sap, but sweet stolen moments, action and humor.
As with their honeymoon, Elena and Clay just can't seem to get a break. In their quest to have a nice, normal Christmas time with their twins, they rent a cabin in the woods. Turns out, those woods are inhabited by nasty creatures.
Frostbitten was the last Elena-narrated book in the Otherworld series, but Armstrong has promised the possibility of more novellas. More so than Frostbitten, this story cemented the relationship between Elena and Clay and had a stronger feeling of closure to it. Elena's feelings on Clay, her place in the Pack, her older ideas for normalcy versus her current reality... everything came full circle.
The action plot was great, up till the ending, where I had to deduct half a star. A pity, too, otherwise this story would have gotten a full 5 star rating.
Because, as far as the characters and relationship aspect goes, Hidden was a perfect (preliminary) goodbye to Elena, Clay and the Pack.
As with their honeymoon, Elena and Clay just can't seem to get a break. In their quest to have a nice, normal Christmas time with their twins, they rent a cabin in the woods. Turns out, those woods are inhabited by nasty creatures.
Frostbitten was the last Elena-narrated book in the Otherworld series, but Armstrong has promised the possibility of more novellas. More so than Frostbitten, this story cemented the relationship between Elena and Clay and had a stronger feeling of closure to it. Elena's feelings on Clay, her place in the Pack, her older ideas for normalcy versus her current reality... everything came full circle.
The action plot was great, up till the ending, where I had to deduct half a star. A pity, too, otherwise this story would have gotten a full 5 star rating.
Because, as far as the characters and relationship aspect goes, Hidden was a perfect (preliminary) goodbye to Elena, Clay and the Pack.
January 25, 2012
If you are fans of Clay and Elena, odds are you will love this one. There was a lot of classic Clay and Elena in the book, along with more of learning how they are as parents, and even time with some of the new packmates.
I was surprised by the danger that managed to find it's way to them. You would think that being werewolves they wouldn't have to deal with this kind of problem, but these types of people are everywhere.
I also loved how Elena and Clay struggled with filling the kids in on their secret. At times it seemed like they knew, but while they didn't know the specifics, they knew something. The ending was great and had me laughing.
My only complaint for this book was that I wish it was longer.
I was surprised by the danger that managed to find it's way to them. You would think that being werewolves they wouldn't have to deal with this kind of problem, but these types of people are everywhere.
I also loved how Elena and Clay struggled with filling the kids in on their secret. At times it seemed like they knew, but while they didn't know the specifics, they knew something. The ending was great and had me laughing.
My only complaint for this book was that I wish it was longer.
April 18, 2023
REREAD 2020
I read this way back when it was released, and haven't picked it up since. Not because it was bad, but because I was a little worried of ruining the book, and I wanted to do a full reread of the series before starting on these novellas.
Hidden was as good as I remembered it. I love the family dynamic, and Clay and Elena. The story is good, both for character growth and for general story. Writing is as good as ever.
Honestly, I don't have a reason to not give it 5/5 stars, other than my own rule of not giving a full rating unless a book emotionally moves me, but I am considering redoing that rule for this one.
New rating: 5/5 stars
-----------------------------------
Original rating: 4/5
I read this way back when it was released, and haven't picked it up since. Not because it was bad, but because I was a little worried of ruining the book, and I wanted to do a full reread of the series before starting on these novellas.
Hidden was as good as I remembered it. I love the family dynamic, and Clay and Elena. The story is good, both for character growth and for general story. Writing is as good as ever.
Honestly, I don't have a reason to not give it 5/5 stars, other than my own rule of not giving a full rating unless a book emotionally moves me, but I am considering redoing that rule for this one.
New rating: 5/5 stars
-----------------------------------
Original rating: 4/5
January 7, 2012
This is a book totally for the fans. If you have read the Otherworld series, you will really enjoy this book. If you haven't read Otherworld, I don't recommend starting with this because you will be lost. Like all series - read them in order!
I am an Otherworld fan and Elena is my favorite character in the series, so I really enjoyed this book. This is a short novella about Clay, Elena, and the kids. Other reviews mention that this is a great way to say goodbye to Elena and Clay, but I think it's an opening to more interesting stories. I don't want to spoil anything so am afraid to say too much. Just if you love Elena and Clay, read this!
I am an Otherworld fan and Elena is my favorite character in the series, so I really enjoyed this book. This is a short novella about Clay, Elena, and the kids. Other reviews mention that this is a great way to say goodbye to Elena and Clay, but I think it's an opening to more interesting stories. I don't want to spoil anything so am afraid to say too much. Just if you love Elena and Clay, read this!
June 21, 2012
This is a really well-written novella that packs a lot into the short format. I love Elena and Clay,and the the story didn't disappoint. For me, the one misstep was the depiction of entirely too precocious 4-year old twins Kate and Logan. Logan's reading Harry Potter and Kate is "behind" in just reading kids' picture encyclopedias. Yes, they are supposed to be scary smart, but it was just a little too much, especially with the way they talk and how they are writing lists and schedules. It just seemed overdone and a too heavy-handed way of conveying their uniqueness. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
January 10, 2012
Wonderful story! Very sweet. And the illustrations are beautiful. We get to know Kate and Logan better and they are adorable. Clay and Elena are great with each other and with their children. In my opinion they are the most stable and healthy couple in urban fantasy genre. It took them many years to rich this point but now they are in harmony. It is nice to read about them being happy. So take the book and get you Elena&Clayton fix!
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