Led Astray: The Best of Kelley Armstrong

Cainsville #0.5, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2

by Kelley Armstrong

Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

With tales that range from humorous to heart-stopping, these are the stories that showcase Kelley Armstrong at her versatile best.

- Rakshashi (standalone)
- Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator)
- A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone)
- Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
- The Screams of Dragons (#0.5 Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
- The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator)
- Last Stand (standalone)
- Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
- Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- The Door (standalone, original to this collection)
- Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone)
- Suffer the Children (standalone)
- The Collector (standalone)
- Gabriel’s Gargoyles (#3.1 Cainsville universe, Gabriel)
- Harbinger (standalone)
- V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick)
- Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- Plan B (standalone)
- The Hunt (#4.1 Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
- Dead to Me (standalone)
- Devil May Care (#4.2 Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection)

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Anthologies, Paranormal, Short Stories, Horror, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2015

About the author

Kelley 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.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Review originally published on www.fantasyliterature.com.

Kelley Armstrong has published several series of urban fantasy and paranormal novels, including her WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD contemporary fantasy series, in which werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures live alongside humans, and the CAINSVILLE series, focusing on the lives in and around a town with mysterious supernatural elements. Her latest book, Led Astray, is a collection of twenty-three short stories, many of them set in the worlds created in her series, although several stories are stand-alone. This is an eclectic collection, primarily urban fantasy, but running the gamut from high fantasy to ghost stories to horror, with a few non-fantasy tales thrown in for good measure. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a few very good stories in the collection.

Some of the standout stories:

“The Kitsune’s Nine Tales” (from the AGE OF LEGENDS universe): Alvar Kitsune, the former marshal of the imperial army, is sentenced to death by the emperor as a traitor. The guard Senri is charged with taking Kitsune from the capital city to the Forest of the Dead to meet his fate. Kitsune had been Emperor Tatsu’s closest friend before his betrayal, and the emperor warns Senri:

“You know his clan’s totem?”

“The nine-tailed fox.”

“Yes. The kitsune. The trickster. There are many ways Alvar will attempt to escape, and before you leave, I am going to tell you every one.”

A fascinating game of psychological cat-and-mouse ensues, as Senri and his group of guards attempt to make certain that Kitsune doesn’t escape his fate.

“Last Stand”: A stand-alone tale set in the zombie apocalypse, with sympathetic characters and an interesting twist. Things aren’t always as they may seem.

“The Door”: Another stand-alone short story, in which a husband and wife and their two daughters live in isolation in a home with two doors:

When Momma or Daddy went out, they’d go through the first one, and then they’d close it before she’d hear them open the other. That was the real door. The one that led to terrible things, and she had no idea what those things were, nor had her parents even said they were terrible, but she knew. She just knew.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE DOOR?

Kelley Armstrong effectively creates an atmosphere that includes both tension and poignancy, as the parents scramble to hold on to a little bit of happiness for their family, and the older daughter gradually begins to understand the costs involved.

“Suffer the Children”: Addie, a half-wild twelve year old orphan, lives in Chestnut Hill, a small town in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic world. A diphtheria epidemic has just decimated the town, killing thirty-six people: one-third of its inhabitants and the vast majority of their children. Two strangers come to town, promising miracles… for a price. Addie and her adoptive father, the town preacher, feel that there’s something unwholesome about these two men, but most of the folk in town are so dazzled by the strangers’ promise to bring some of their children back to life that they shut their ears to any who try to voice a warning. There is magic in this tale, but its strength is in the psychological exploration of the various inhabitants of Chestnut Hill.

Several of these stories are superficial and a little simplistic, a little light on the world-building and characterization, although they may appeal more to readers who are familiar with Kelley Armstrong’s universes in her various book series. Some of the stories relied too much on the twist factor to make the tale, and could have used some additional depth. There is also a fair amount of gore and disturbing content along with a few sexual scenes, although relatively little of the typical paranormal romance appears in these pages.

This collection should have a strong appeal for Kelly Armstrong’s fans and other readers who like a mix of paranormal fantasy and light horror. I found the standout stories intriguing enough that I’m interested in checking out some of Kelley Armstrong’s novels.

[Carmel (Rabid Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

RAKSHASHI - 4/5
Given the amount of Speculative Fiction that I read, encountering a new-to-me supe is a rarity, so it was a pleasure hanging with Armstrong's Rakshashi. The lore was nicely fleshed out considering this short's length, and Amrita was a very likable character.

KAT - 5/5
I listened to the DARKEST POWERS trilogy a while back, so KAT was a welcome trip down memory lane while also contributing something extra to the original series by highlighting a lesser known protagonist, and adding another layer to the Edison Group experiment.

A HAUNTED HOUSE OF HER OWN - 3/5
Probably my least favourite story in this anthology. It start out as a decent ghost tale, but the ending fell a little flat for me, and maybe I'm missing something; however slotting it with this author's 'best' is a bit of a leap in my opinion.

LEARNING CURVE - 4/5
I saw a lot of Cassandra Ducharme in Zoe Takano, and the former just so happens to be my top vampire when it comes to Kelley Armstrong secondaries, so the similarities were pluses, and the bloodsucker hunting 101 lesson was cute.

THE SCREAMS OF DRAGONS - 5/5
A great series prequel—very dark and unsettling. I enjoyed picking out some of the characters from the full length books, but would recommend reading this short after at least the first installment, and quite possibly the second as well.

THE KITSUNE'S NINE TAILS - 5/5
This short was a lot of fun. The Emperor is betrayed by his most loyal friend, tells his jailer that his prisoner will try nine things on the road to the Forest of the Dead. Everything unfolds exactly as predicted down to the last... with a twist of course!

LAST STAND - 4.5/5
Told from the POV of the Infected, a breed of paranormals previously seen in BRANDED. I always love getting the baddies' perspective, and this author's Dystopian stories are excellent. Be prepared to be disgusted, and enthralled.

BAMBOOZLED - 4/5
This is Armstrong's self proclaimed "werewolf Western". The heist plot line definitely delivered, and Lily raised some interesting questions about Elena and Kate's gender scarcity within the WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD universe.

BRANDED - 3/5
Speaking of BRANDED, I'm not really sure why they put this one after LAST STAND as it makes more sense to read them in reverse order. But anyway, an eye-opener into what the Otherworld would have been like had the supes made their existence known to humans.

THE LIST - 4/5
Zoe and Brittany's vampire hunting 101 lessons continue. Fun times were had by all.

YOUNG BLOODS - 4/5
I can't really say much about this one without given too much away. I enjoyed it, and the twist made it worthwhile.

THE DOOR - 4/5
This one was... different. In a good way. I saw the ending coming, but I still liked getting there because regardless of the length of the story, Kelley Armstrong knows how to spin a tale.

DEAD FLOWERS BY A ROADSIDE - 3/5
This was just plain sad. So far this author is 0 for 2 with her ghosts in this anthology. Then again, I tend to be fussy whenever this particular supe is involved, thus there's a possibility that it's strictly a me-thing.

SUFFER THE CHILDREN - 4.5/5
I've read some pretty disturbing stuff from Armstrong in the past and SUFFER THE CHILDREN is for sure up there. Addie's a great character, and for a short it packs quite the punch.

THE COLLECTOR - 4.5/5
The premise was entertaining. I didn't really understand where the story was going at first; however I was 100% intrigued by the mystery of the puzzle boxes, and it came together nicely.

GABRIEL'S GARGOYLES - 5/5
I've made it my personal mission to learn more about this character because he is rather baffling in the CAINSVILLE series, and the author keeps teasing fans with these little shorts in-between installments. Keep 'em coming!

HARBINGER - 4/5
Another freaky one, but this was also a ghost story, and I actually didn't mind it. I felt sorry for the heroine; although I can't say that I would have been able to put the pieces together before it was too late either.

V PLATES - 5/5
And, the #1 spot in this collection goes to: V PLATES! This was the only title that featured known WOTO secondaries, and it was hilarious, in a super awkward, only Nick Sorrentino could get himself into this type of situation kind of way. Reese and Noah were awesome too.

LIFE SENTENCE - 4/5
I was caught off guard by the assistant, and couldn't figure out her deal for the life of me. Of course, it all came together is a fist pump worthy moment.

PLAN B - 3/5
I imagine that this story had a bit of a NADIA STAFFORD vibe to it, but having not tackled those books yet I can't say for sure. That point aside, this was more of a Mystery / Thriller, so not a genre that's in my wheelhouse.

THE HUNT - 3.5/5
The Wild Hunt is one of my favourite myths, and the beginning reminded me of STOLEN; unfortunately it was lacking in the intrigue department.

DEAD TO ME - 3/5
Armstrong really poured on the creepy in this anthology. This tale was kinda predictable, and didn't do anything for me when compared to some of the other titles in this compilation.

DEVIL MAY CARE - 5/5
This one added a tidbit or two to my on-going Gabriel research, and confirmed the reason why Patrick is in CAINSVILLE. The author revisits the story of Mallt-y-Nos (Matilda of the Night) in an interesting way.

[Althea Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

If Ray Bradbury had written this story, it would've been devastating. But it wasn't written by Bradbury. I wish it had been - the idea seems like one he would've loved. Sadly, I just don't care for Armstrong's writing at all.

A little girl has always been told not to open the door. At first, this seems like the very normal sort of stricture that most parents place upon their young children. But gradually, we realize that this family is not in a normal situation, and that there's a reason for the rule.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

With tales that range from humorous to heart-stopping, these are the stories that showcase Kelley Armstrong at her versatile best.

- Rakshashi (standalone)
- Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator)
- A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone)
- Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
- The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
- The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator)
- Last Stand (standalone)
- Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
- Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- The Door (standalone, original to this collection)
- Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone)
- Suffer the Children (standalone)
- The Collector (standalone)
- Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel)
- Harbinger (standalone)
- V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick)
- Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
- Plan B (standalone)
- The Hunt (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
- Dead to Me (standalone)
- Devil May Care (Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection)

What I Liked:

I don't think I've ever reviewed an anthology! I've certainly read a few, but not reviewed one (that I remember). I don't read anthologies often - the stories inside are too short for my taste, and I never feel satisfied. With this anthology, I was really only interested in the Age of Legends story, The Kitsune’s Nine Tales. While that one was probably my favorite of all of the short stories, I enjoyed this anthology as a whole.

There are so many stories in this anthology, and I won't bother summarizes each one, or even commenting on each one. We'd be here all day! I'll highlight some of my favorites - The Kitsune’s Nine Tales, The Door, and Devil May Care.

The Kitsune’s Nine Tales is the only story I really wanted to read in this anthology, when I first heard that this anthology would be a thing! I've read Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, and the Age of Legends series. I wasn't a huge fan of the Darkest Powers series, but I LOVE the Age of Legends series. The rest of Armstrong's books are unfamiliar to me, though I know how popular her books are (as well as she herself!).

The Kitsune’s Nine Tales is the story of Alvar Kitsune and how he escaped death in the Forest. This story is very short, yet very dense. There are short cameos from Gavril, his son, but call that this story takes place over ten years ago, so Gavril is but a boy. This story seems like it is going in one direction, regardless of whether or not you've read the Age of Legends books, but Armstrong finds ways to surprise a reader. This story was certainly interesting, and a bit surprising!

The Door is the next story that I really liked. It is an original short story, not related to any of Armstrong's published novels. It is the story of a young girl whose father brings her books and toys, and when her sisters are born, brings them books and toys. The girl is not supposed to go near a certain door. When her father dies, and then her mother, the girl opens the door. She must make a decision, if she wants to keep opening it, or not. This story sounds really simplistic, with little conflict, but the story itself is so intriguing! What's beyond the door? What didn't her parents want her to see? What do their deaths have to do with the door? This was a strange short story, and I'm not entirely sure I understand it, but that is the beauty of short stories!

The last short story I want to highlight is Devil May Care. This story is a background sort of story relating to the Cainsville series. I've not read this series. This story is about how Gabriel's father and mother met, how Gabriel came to be. It is a strange story, because the Patrick and Seanna do not know each other until one they meet. Their interactions are very strange. Gabriel is conceived, but the parents do not want anything to do with each other. Nevertheless, I am very intrigued. The world of Cainsville seems to be one of fae, foretelling, fulfillment. This story was brilliant for several reasons, but importantly so because I am hooked and want to read the Cainsville series now!

Overall, the stories in this anthology were engaging, entertaining, interesting, and definitely helpful if you've read the full-length novels of the series that the short story corresponds to. And the short stories that stand alone are mesmerizing and strange, definitely worth reading! All of the stories are rather short, which I (for the most part) enjoyed!

What I Did Not Like:

I don't know if there was anything specific I didn't like? It's possible that I might have enjoyed some short stories more, had I read the full-length novels associated. But that's my problem, not the author's, and it's not a negative towards the book! Just a note, in case you're in the same boat as me!

Would I Recommend It:

If you're a Kelley Armstrong fan, or even if you've only read one or two books by her, check out this anthology! I'm not usually one for anthologies, but this one was quite interesting, and very easy to read, as the stories were short and engaging. Armstrong is a talented urban fantasy writer, that is proven over and over!

Rating:

4 stars. One of the few anthologies I've read, and I've enjoyed it! Might I recommend the Age of Legends series to everyone? High fantasy YA, simply amazing! The short story in this anthology for that series is very eye-opening! Definitely check out some of Armstrong's books if you get the chance.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of the otherworld stars! This anthology was just freaking fantastic. I am a self confessed Kelley Armstrong fangirl and I gobble up everything she writes so I was very excited to read this book. That being said, I'm not usually a fan of short stories unless they're set in a world I already know and love and so I didn't have particularly high hopes for the standalone stories in this anthology although I knew i'd love the Otherworld stories. I am so glad to say that all my expectations were wrong, dead wrong. Every story in here was fantastic, there honestly wasn't a single story I didn't love and that surprised the hell out of me.

The Otherworld stories were, as expected, fantastic and a real treat for fans of the series. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Cainsville stories. I haven't read any of the books in this world yet and yet the short stories set in Cainsville were some of my favourites. I'll definitely be giving that series a read soon. You can read my rambley, incoherent, non spoilerish thoughts and star rating for each book below:

1. Rakshashi - 5 stars - I loved this story, it was such a strong opening to the anthology and not what I expected at all. I would very happily read a book set in this world (please Kelley Armstrong!), it was very cool and totally hooked me in.

2. Kat - 5 stars - This was a fab little novella, again it totally sucked me in and I wanted to know more about Kat and her story. A whole book (or series) on Kat would be awesome.

3. A Haunted House of Her Own - 4 stars - This story was very creepy and not what I expected at all. A lot of the stories in this anthology were really quite dark and brought the creep factor but as this was one of the first it took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it. The twist at the end of this was also fantastic, I didn't see it coming!

4. Learning Curve - 5 stars - This was short and fun. Zoe is very tenacious and I really enjoyed that about her.

5. The Screams of Dragons - 5 stars - When I read this I thought it was by far the best story of the bunch up to that point and now that I've finished the anthology this is still one of the top 3. This novella was my first introduction to Cainsville and it blew me away, it was really just brilliant. Bobby was a great (if not particularly pleasant)| character, the world was super odd and the ending was excellent.

6. The Kitsunes Nine Tales - 5 stars - Yet again, another 5 star read. I know i'm being boring and repetitive (and it's only gonna get longer) but honestly, all of these stories are just so good. Again, I'd happily read a fully book about this character. More please.

7. Last Stand - 4 stars - I adored the twist in this story. I wasn't sure i'd like this one, I assumed it was just another zombie story, I was WRONG! As usual, Kelley Armstrong is a master storyteller. She took a trope I hate and turned it on it's head.

8. Bamboozled - 5 stars - This was very different, set in the old west in the Otherworld universe! It features another turned female wolf, just like Elena, it was awesome!!

9. Branded - 5 stars - This one was quite dark but it was awesome. Again, another story I could happily read a full book about.

10. The List - 4 stars - This was another Otherworld story, it automatically gets points for that. I really like the Zoe stories and this one was short and fun. Name dropping Clay and Elena helped too!

11. Young Bloods - 4 stars - Another quick glimpse into the Otherworld. Short and sweet.

12. The Door - 5 stars - Again I just wanted to read more! Why are some of these so short, it's not fair!

13. Dead Flowers by the Roadside - 4 stars - This was creepy and sad. I enjoyed it but it was too short to be particularly remarkable.

14. Suffer the Children - 5 stars - This one was creepy as all hell. As usual it was very well written and I was totally engrossed. I really liked the Preacher and his family, the ending was excellent, if a little sad.

15. The Collector - 5 stars - Again, this was creepy! It seems to be a theme through most of this book. I don't usually enjoy scary stories but these are all awesome. I loved the main character in this one and yet again there was another twist I didn't see coming.

16. Gabriel's Gargoyles - 5 stars - I enjoyed this just as much as the first Cainsville story, it was excellent. Even though I haven't read the main series yet, I adore this world and the Cainsville stories are my favourites.

17. Harbringer - 4.5 stars - Creepy! It the word of the day apparently but it's true to this story too. Again, I'd happily and eagerly read a full book about these creepy dead girls.

18. V Plates - 5 stars - Another Otherworld story. I adore Nick and I love reading about his escapades, even if he's supposedly all grown up and responsible now.

19. Life Sentence - 5 stars - Yet another Otherworld Story, this one was simply awesome! I really enjoy reading about the cabals. They're the bog bad in the Otherworld and it's nice to see them get what was coming to them for once.

20. Plan B - 5 stars - This was different to what I expected but still excellent. I love how so many of these stories have such a great twist.

21. The Hunt - 5 stars - Super short but very creepy. I adore Cainsville, it be crazy.

22. Dead to Me - 5 stars - Again, a very short but cool and creepy story.

23. Devil May Care - 5 stars - One of the best stories in the book! Im seriously dying to read the Cainsville books. The Cainsville short stories in this book, including this one, were just brilliant. This story was definitely a standout.

In case you missed all of my gushing, this anthology was just amazing. Despite the awful cover, it really blew me away. I'd happy read a full length book about most of these stories. Fans of Kelley Armstrong NEED to read this.

**This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc provided by Tachyon Publications through Netgalley

As someone who has read _ and loved _the entire "Women of The Otherworld" series as well as the Darkest Powers trilogy, and lets not forget The Darkness Rising series, I am a big fan of this author.
And there's a reason to that: Kelley Armstrong's writing does not disappoint.

This book is another good example of that. If you want an anthology filled with stories that will leave you shock-surprised, this is just the thing for you!

Have fun and don't be scared by the ghosts...or the werewolf's... or just the nice friendly zombies. :)

Rakshashi (standalone) -2.5 Stars
Honestly I didn't start as a big fan of this one. I had no idea of what I was reading at the beginning. For that reason alone, I could have done with a little more background, since I had no idea which sort of character Rakshashi was.
The best thing about it was how it ended with a bang. Nice plot twist.


- Kat (Darkest Powers universe) - 3.5 Stars
I actually had already read this short a while back, but since I practically didn't remember anything about it, I decided to re-read it.
It was still pretty good. Dark Powers quality good.

- A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone) - 4 Stars
Be careful what you wish for..
Now, that is what I call a plot twist! Definitely didn't see that one coming. Also, people should just get cats to live with because humans are just too... murderous.

- Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe) - 3 Stars
At first I was like: "Who the well is Zoe?"
Like I mentioned at the beginning I did read the Otherworld books but I honestly couldn't remember anything about the "girl".
~after checking some books~
Oh, okay, I now have a vague idea about who Zoe is.

- The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator) - 4 Stars
If this is what I've been missing on the Cainsville series, I definitely have to start it as soon as possible. Creepy, creepy...

- The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator) -4 Stars
Another Kelley Armstrong series that I still haven't started...why?
I do not know.
Judging from this short, it seems to be pretty good.
Another one for my list.

- Last Stand (standalone) - 4.5 Stars
A great twist on a zombies story. People, let's not forget: Zombies have feelings too!

- Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)- 3 Stars
Werewolfs also made it into the wild West...
Also apparently, Elena wasn't the first female werewolf.
I wonder if Karl is related to this guy...

- Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) - 2.5 Stars
This felt a little distopian to me... just with super-naturals in it.

- The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe) - 3.5 Stars
This was cute with a twisted "vampir(istic)" sense of humour.

- Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) - 2.5 Stars
On the importance of respecting one's elders, because if not, bad things may happen.

-The Door” - 3 Stars
This one made me think of Gaiman's Coraline.

- Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone) - 4.5 Stars
One of my favourites in this anthology. It was heartbreaking to read.


- Suffer the Children (standalone) - 4.5 Stars
This one reminded me of a movie by M. Night Shyamalan, The village.
Not so much the plot, but the setting.
As for the story in it, it is one of the longest in this anthology, and don't worry: It is also creepy as hell.

- The Collector (standalone) - 2 Stars
It was okay. Maybe the one to which I connected the least.

- Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel) - 4.5 Stars
I liked this one. Made me want to start with the Cainsville novels right away.

- Harbinger (standalone) - 3 Stars
When dead girls start haunting Jenna, she just wants it to stop. Unfortunately their warnings may just come to late...

- V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick) - 4 Stars
Ah, Zombies in a unexpected place! lol
That will teach Nick Sorentino for life.

- Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) - 2.5 Stars
This one takes place in the world of the Cabals.
One of its members upon finding out that he's dying decides to do everything he can to reverse the situation : vampires and zombies are then taken into account.

- Plan B (standalone) - 4.5 Stars
Damn it! I was expecting one plot twist. Instead I got two. And that one, I did not see coming. :/
Very clever!

- The Hunt ( A Cainsville Universe Story) - 2 Stars
Hey, what was that? It took less than a minute to read. And I definitely wanted more.

Dead To Me (Standalone) - 3.5 Stars
Another mess with the readers heads kind of story...ye,Gods doesn't anyone do nothing else besides assassinate each other?

Devil May Care ( A Cainsville Universe Story)- 4.5 Stars
Another very tempting insight into the Cainsville universe. I really can't wait to start reading it.
This Patrick character seems very interesting.

In the end as you can read, for me, this ended up being a really successful combination of short stories. Thumbs up.

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelley Armstrong is an author who always seems to deliver top notch urban fantasy and this collection of short stories and snippets is such an interesting mixture. Because of the sheer amount here I won't review each and every one as that might make for an extremely lengthy review and truth be told that might be boring and also I already struggle to reign my enthusiasm in as it is! What I really liked was the simple fact that although we get snippets from her Otherworld and Cainsville universes we are also treated to completely new ( to this reader anyway ) and standalone stories.
Led Astray had me eagerly reaching to read the Otherworld stories as they are my personal favourite. If frank I was a little dissappointed as the couple I adore ( Clay and Elena) are mentioned here but sadly not present and I suspect I'm not the only one missing them. The Pack is present though so watch out for the story V Plates and even vampire Zoe is featured in the stories Learning Curve and The List.
If Cainsville is the series that enchants you then settle down and enjoy learning more about the towns inhabitants and in particular Gabriel in the stories Gabriel's Gargoyle and Devil May Care. I confess I've not yet started that series but this intruiging glimpse has me itching to begin.
As for the other stories here well it was an interesting mixture of just about anything you can imagine. We get a glimpse at a post apocalyptic world in Branded, zombies in both Last Stand and V Plates, there's even a nod to Hell Raiser and Pin head in The Collector! So lots to entertain but also poignant stories because this author reaches out and squeezes her readers hearts in both Dead Flowers by a Roadside and Suffer the children . If a twist in the tale is what grabs your attention then dive into Rakshasi or Plan B but most of all read this collection and judge for yourselves. I truly was gripped but sadly did miss my favourite characters and had read one or two shorts before but if you are new to this authors work then Im pretty confident that you will be very satisfied and hooked just like the rest of her fans. Shocks, horror, grief, magic and a little romance this collection has it all!
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
Four and a half from me

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read Omens, I will admit I was slightly confused. This short - and creepy - short helps give a little bit of insight into the town of Cainsville. I highly recommend checking this out prior to diving into the series.

The best part? It's free:
https://subterraneanpress.com/magazin...

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly very short stories, quite a few of them without a lot of tension. There are some good stories in between, but allover not a terribly exciting offer. Nice for fans of the author. Be aware that most of these stories (almost all?) have been published before.

*~*~*~*~*

Rakshashi: Demons, Hindu mythology, likeable character, good plot, liked it well enough. 3/5 stars.

Kat, A Darkest Powers / Darkness Rising Universe story: Vampires, witches, action from the get go, excellent world building. Too bad that the main series is YA, because I wouldn't mind to continue this. 4/5 stars.

A Haunted House of Her Own: Ghosts, The Shining Lite, Psycho and Roald Dahl having a date... Ok, but not exactly a new idea. 3/5 stars.

Learning Curve, An Otherworld Universe story: Vampires. Too short to do much of anything, pretty pointless. 2/5 stars.

The Screams of Dragons, A Cainsville Universe story: creepy little story, in which all the grown-ups spectacularly fail a small boy. It leaves many open questions at the end and I am not sure what the point is supposed to be. 3/5 stars.

The Kitsune's Nine Tales, An Age of Legends Universe Story: Japanese mythology, feudal Japan. Nice idea, again too short to be much of anything, hardly more than plot bunny. 2/5 stars.

Last Stand: different take on zombies. Short as well, but a clever, little story. 3/5 stars.

Bamboozled, An Otherworld Universe Story: Werewolves in the Wild West. Good story, plot and characters. 4/5 stars.

Branded, A Darkness Powers / Darkness Rising Universe Story: Post-Apocalypse. Humans hide away from the outside in fortresses... The writing feels a little dry, but it is pretty plotty and twisted for a short story. Not bad, but I did not really like the overall tone of it. 3/5 stars.

The List, An Otherworld Universe Story: Humorous snippet with vampires. 3/5 stars.

Young Bloods, An Otherworld Universe Story: Vampires. Another super-short one. 2/5 stars.

The Door: Post-Apocalypse of a sort. Again disappointingly short. 2/5 stars.

Dead Flowers by a Roadside: Ghosts. Seriously? Too short, 2/5 stars.

Suffer the Children: A backwards village in the Canadian wilderness is visited by two mysterious strangers, offering them something they can't resist. Well plotted, unusual idea. But I didn't really like it. That's on me and not the fault of the story. I could see this developping into a full-length novel, telling the life stories of Eleazar and Rene. I would even read it, despite my two-star rating. 2/5 stars.

The Collector: based on an idea of another short story. I had to look it up, as it isn't obvious, if you don't know Clive Barker. Nifty. 4/5 stars.

Gabriel's Gargoyles, A Cainsville Universe Story: Another little boy and his life in and around Cainsville, nicely written, nice ending, not terribly exciting. 3/5 stars.

Harbinger: Heroine sees dead people. Nicely done. 3/5 stars.

V Plates, An Otherworld Universe Story: Werewolves and zombies. Liked the plot. Makes me want to pick up the original series again. 4/5 stars.

Life Sentence, An Otherworld Universe Story: Rich guy with a terminal illness, searching for a way out... Wicked! 5/5 stars.

Plan B: Nothing supernatural in this one. Murder, she wrote. 3/5 stars.

The Hunt, A Cainsville Universe Story: Hunting. Extremely short, but creepy nonetheless. 3/5 stars.

Dead to Me: Murder. Or not? I am actually not sure what I am supposed to think. 2/5 stars.

Devil May Care, A Cainsville Universe Story: Fae. Exellent story, could be a great start to a series that I would like to read. Good world building, Patrick is a great character. Best story of the collection. 5/5 stars.

[Frank Errington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy

Kelley Armstrong is a New York Times bestselling author. Her first novel Bitten was turned into a TV series which just completed its second season on the SYFY channel.

In Led Astray, you’ll discover stories with new characters from within and outside Armstrong’s popular novels. Here you will find two original tales from Cainsville, plus journeys to and beyond the worlds of Darkest Powers, Age of Legends, Otherworld, and more.

To be perfectly honest, prior to getting a copy of Led Astray through NetGalley, I had never read more than a couple of Kelley's stories, which may have appeared in an anthology or two along the way. Thanks to this collection, I am definitely a fan and am looking forward to reading much more of her work.

Here we have twenty-one short stories and two that are more novella length stories. Most are tales that have appeared elsewhere, but two are completely new to this collection, including the novella, "Devil May Care", which closes out the book.

In nearly every collection I've ever read, there are one or two stories that are just not as good as the others. That is simply not the case for Led Astray. Every piece was well-imagined and richly entertaining. Every last one.

With so many stories in the collection, I'd rather not list them all. How about I give you a peek at three of my favorites.

"A Haunted House of Her Own" - Tanya and Nathan are looking to purchase a B & B. hopefully one that comes with ghost stories attached. Be careful what you wish for. Look for more than one twist in this wonderful little ghost story.

"Last Stand" - Kelley's take on Zombies with one of the best explanations ever for the walking dead.

"V Plates - A totally fun story of what happens when a young werewolf visits a brothel in an attempt to lose his virginity.

I was actually disappointed when I got to the last of the 434 pages in this book. Led Astray: The Best of Kelley Armstrong is available now in both paperback and e-book formats from Tachyon Publications.

Strongly recommended.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED Patrick's story and it was a story that shocked me! I love Patrick regardless and the fact that he 'gives as well as takes' but this was a side to Patrick that I did not know existed. I can't believe how Gabriel came about, well I can but not in that particular way... This series is friggin amazing!!!!

[Brittany McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another AMAZING job by Kelley Armstrong. She doesn't rank in my top all-time favorites for nothing. I love the short snippets of her dark and twisted mind. I hope to see more of these stories developed in the future. If I could only pick one, it would have to be the first story about the Rakshasi.

I want a WHOLE series on "Amrita" and her kind. How fascinating. Loved Nick's brothel problems and anything that returned to Cainsville and the Otherworld. The most disturbing stories were The Screams of Dragons and Suffer the Children, My Goodness. I love her and hope she never stops writing because I will never stop reading.

If you love anything about Kelley Armstrong or any book she has ever written, I highly suggest checking this one out, it's good for a long it down or a moment or two to check out a story or two at a time—high re-readability.

Well done once again. Easy 5 stars

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler free thoughts on the stories within Led Astray

Rakshashi (standalone) - This was a nice little standalone and introduced us to Amrita. She is a  Rakshashi who is doing penance for the life she lived previously. I found the myth and story to be interesting. Armstrong delivered a twist at the end that I quite enjoyed.
Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator) Kat is set in the world of the Darkest Powers series, a young adult series. This was action packed as young Kat and a vampire named Marguerite flew from those who purse them. I found Kat's story interesting her past, why she is with Marguerite and what she is. If this is a sample of the Darkest Powers world I want more.
A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone)- This was good and a perfect tale to share on Halloween. A young couple renovating a "haunted" bed & breakfast with a twisted twist.
Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe) This was short, but I loved Zoe. She is snarky, and her interaction with her stalker made me want to learn more about both of them.
The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator) This was dark and creeptastic. Those who haven't read the series need not worry, but it will give you a taste of Cainsville and perhaps make you shiver.
The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator) This tells the story of a warrior sentenced to death in the Dead Forest, he is escorted by three of the king's guards. Their leader has been warned at how clever Alvar is and we witness his warnings come to fruition. This offered a clever twist.
Last Stand (standalone) This was a post-apocalyptic story about a group of survivors holding up in an old farm. Armstrong delivered a jaw-dropping twist with this one, showcasing her ability to craft clever tales. I was impressed.
Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) A band of outlaw thieves who are more than they seem. The story takes place in the Dakota Territories in the year 1877. The paranormal twist was interesting and has me curious about the Otherworld universe.
Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) The more I read about the Otherworld the more interested I become. This story begins within the walls of a human compound where humans have separated themselves from supernatural beings. The town discovers that a young man among them is a  werewolf. We learn what they do to him and then Armstrong weaves a crafty tale.
The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe) I was so excited to visit with Zoe again, I quite like this character.
Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) The metro, vampires and a clever twist made this one a winner.
The Door (standalone, original to this collection) This was unique and the perfect tale to share. It highlights Armstrong's talents at weaving a captivating tale.
Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone) Grab the truffles and tissues before starting this one. Not a favorite.
Suffer the Children (standalone) I loved Addie and Armstrong brought her to life in this dark and disturbing tale. This is not for the faint of heart.  *shivers*
The Collector (standalone) Stick with this even if at first you are a tad confused because it become very interesting. I loved the puzzle boxes and Armstrong delivered.
Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel) Now this is a series I am reading, so I was excited for this story. I love learning more about Gabriel and Armstrong shared some deets as Gabriel finds the last gargoyle.
Harbinger (standalone) Ghosts, and a young woman who I felt deeply for. This one kept me on edge.
V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick) In this story we meet Nick, Reese and Noah. I haven't read the Otherworld stories yet, but this was interesting with a touch of humor. Each taste I get of this world has me craving more.
Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator) Daniel is determined to become immortal. This was weird, and it took me a while to get a sense of the characters but the author pulled it all together.
Plan B (standalone) This little mystery with is unlikable cast of characters offered up a thrilling suspense. While I figured some aspects out the author managed to surprise me in the end.
The Hunt (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator) A really short story set in the world of Cainsville and based on mythology. This had potential but it was just too short to sink my teeth into.
Dead to Me (standalone) This is like one of those campfire stories where you end up scratching your head at the end and think, "What the heck just happened?"
Devil May Care (Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection) I enjoyed this, but feel a little like I out the cart before the horse. I have not read Visions yet..but guess who is starting it STAT.


Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

I'll share my thoughts on each short story and end with a conclusion and list of my favourite short stories.

Rakshashi (standalone)
This one was nice enough, not too impressed. It was pretty short, we get a bit of the feel for his life and background and it nicely wraps things up. I did like how it seemed like he was capable and knew what he was doing and even though he deceives someone I understood why he did that. Original concept and supernatural type, just wish we got more.

Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator)
It was fun to see a character we don't meet, as far as I can remember, in the series. Her story is very different from the main characters of those series, but there are a few similar things. All in all I liked it, I kept guessing what type of supernatural she was and it's only revealed at the end. Filled with action and running and nicely get's wrapped up at the end. I like Kat, just wish it was longer.

A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone)
This short story gave me the chills. It's a short horror story. Not what I would normally read, but it was well written. The couple in this story buys a house and want to turn it into a haunted house inn, turns out the house really seems haunted. The twists at the end took me by surprise.

Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
Short, but fun. I have read another short story of Zoe once and this was nice little story about her and her Stalker. It was a bit too short to my liking, but it was a nice little tidbit, that gave a glimpse into her life.

The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
Really enjoyed this one. We learn a lot about Bobby, but I still felt like there was a lot of mystery and questions left as well. There is a lot of character change in this story and it was amazing to see the small changes happening and then at the end he was a totally different person. It was a bit sad and disturbing at times. And I am really wondering what was up with the dragons and who and what the dragons really were. Really well written and the ending was well done. I liked seeing Rose when she was younger and it gave me a new appreciation for her characters and she has been through. I also liked Hannah, I wonder what happened to her and if we will ever hear from her again. I liked how they focussed on how their abilities weren't a gift, but also a curse and how it was both good and bad. But the character changes of Bobby were my favourite aspect of it, strong story.

The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator)
I haven't yet started the Age of legends series so this was my first meeting with the world. I got a bit of a feel for the world, but very limited. the story is pretty straightforward and not all that captivating. I was wondering what he had really done to deserve this. And then I kept waiting for the twist I knew that would come. It ends with two twists at the end, which was nice, but beside that this one didn't do much for me. maybe if you have read the first books in this series already the story has more relevance.

Last Stand (standalone)
I am not a big fan of zombie books as for some reason zombies don't appeal to me. This one was well written and the zombies were different than I expected. There is a nice twists at the end, which is one of the things I am really starting to appreciate about these short stories. I felt a bit sorry for the main characters as they are in a difficult situation and have to make some hard decisions. The ending is open and maybe that's for the best, but I still had hope and wondered what would happen next.

Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
This was a fun short story about a supernatural couple. It takes place in the past, but it wasn't elaborated too much. I think it would make for a fun setting and story if it was a bit longer. We only get a taste here, but I did enjoy it. I liked how the couple interacted with each other and dealt with the issue they ran into. It stays a secret what supernatural they are until later in the story. I also like the fact that the main character was an actress and a good one at that.


Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
I already read this once before in another short story collection, but I enjoyed it enough to read it again. This short story is a bit longer than most of them, which also makes it easier to get a feel for the world. I never realized this was an Otherworld universe book as the world is very different and takes place in the future with a dystopia/ post apocalyptic setting. It was really well written and just as the first time I read it I had hoped it was longer as it was so good and I want to know what happens next, but on the other hand there is enough story and the ending is well done, it wraps things up nicely and it tells the story it needs to tell.

The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe)
I like Zoe, so I was happy we got another short story by her. I think Brittany is the same girl we met in the Zoe story earlier in this book. It gave a nice view of her life and her personality and the idea of a professor making a vampire list was fun. It was short, but long enough. With a small twist towards the end.

Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
Another fun short story. It's nice to see a bit more of the vampires in these short stories as in the main series they don't play as big of an role. An older man is sitting on the metro with a corpse and two vampires and hopes to come out alive. There is a fun twist towards the end and I liked how it got wrapped up. Although I do wonder what the police will think of it.

The Door (standalone, original to this collection)
This was a bit of a fast forward story, we get to hear what happened over the span of the years. It wad told in a bit of a detached manner which made it difficult to connect to the characters, but it still made for an interesting story. There is a door and the main character doesn't know what is behind it, in the end she finds out, but it brings us more questions than answers.

Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone)
This one was sad, horrible sad. The story is told from the point of view of a man who lost his wife and kid in an accident. I just felt really sorry for him. There are some events that happens, but it's also him getting lost in his thought. There is a paranormal twist, but there isn't really much attention to it. He can see ghosts but not his wife and child. I am not sure if I fully understood the ending. Overall this wasn't one of my favourites, it is well written, but I just don't like sad stories that deal with topics like this. It made me feel sad.

Suffer the Children (standalone)
I wasn't really sure what to expect of this story, but it quickly turned into one of my favourite reads of this book. It's original, slightly creepy and disturbing and even a bit sad and really well written. I had wished there was a bit more explanation towards the end of how one of the characters did what he did, but that was my only minor complaints. I really like Arie, preacher and Sophia. I quickly could relate to them. It is a dark read, lots of kids have died due to a disease and strangers come to town, saying they can help. But the price might be higher than they expect. Slowly Preacher and Arie piece the pieces together and we learn the horrifying truth. This was a slightly longer story and I couldn't finish it in one sitting, but it was really hard to put it down as it was so interesting.

The Collector (standalone)
Didn't care too much for this one. It was okay, but we don't get enough details plus at the end it is mentioned this one was written in another author his universe and therefore it was a bit hard to place. I did like the puzzle element, but I just didn't understand it fully and there was a mention of some creatures I think and I had no clue what they were and it didn't really mater. This one was a bit meh.

Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel)
I already read this one earlier in Gifted and I really enjoyed it. having just finished Visions that gave me another perspective and made things make even more sense, understanding something more about it. Gabriel is one of my favourite characters and I just love stories written from his point of view. Gabriel's Gargoyles is a short story about Gabriel finding the last gargoyle, it was a fun read and it gave me a better understanding of why Gabriel is the way he is. He is a smart kid that learned to care for himself at an early age. It was sad to see how his mom treated him, never being there for him. I liked seeing how at easy Gabriel felt with his aunt and in Cainsville and it gives a different view of some character we'll see again in the other books. All in all this was a fun little novella!

Harbinger (standalone)
This one was really short. With a twist at the end, but I didn't care much for this one. It was interesting to have the main character be the party girl and her room mate stay home. I was a bit surprised the main character didn't freak out more by the dead girls following her and tries more to figure it out. It's a bit sad.

V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick)
It was fun to be back in the Otherworld series. I did have some trouble remembering who was Nick, Reese and Noah, but luckily there were enough reminders of that. My favourite part of this was seeing the three of them interact. The plot was okay. It was fairly short, there is a bit of action and then it ends already. I did like how Nick seems level headed, he knew he couldn't solve things himself so he tried to call someone else.

Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)
Didn't the narrator of this one much. He wants to be immortal and is going far to achieve that. Didn't really like this methods and thought that the supernatural he turned into didn't much look like the original anymore and I thought it was a bit weird how much they changed it. Because what makes a supernatural what it is, when you can remove almost all things that make it what it is. Sorry don't want to spoil anything. There was a twist at the end.

Plan B (standalone)
The title is very fitting. Not very likeable characters, but a well written story with lots of twists. And the title plan Bis very appropriate. I liked this one and it surprised me with the twists. I did expect one of them, but was surprised by the next one.

The Hunt (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)
This one didn't do much for me. It was a bit too short. Someone goes to hunt and then there's a twist. It takes place in the Cainsville world, which was nice, but it was just too short for me to really care.

Dead to Me (standalone)
This one was a bit weird, not sure what to make of it. Didn't really do anything for me and the twist at the end only made me more confused.

Devil May Care (Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection)
I loved this short story! It sheds some light on Patrick his life and certain events very important to the Cainsville series. I would recommend reading Visions before you read this one as else this short story might spoil some revelations for you that take place in Visions. When I realized where this short story was about I was really happy and I read this almost in one sitting until I had to tear myself away from it and go to work. I also feel that patrick maybe isn't fully to blame, while I thought he was as simply he got tricked. I hate the person who tricked him even more than before, what a despicable human being. Sure things turned out fine, but i still feel sorry for the one who got the worst end of the deal here. I also feel a bit sorry for Patrick, although I am not sure if he wanted more, he sure tried. All in all this was one of my favourite short stories in this collection, it sheds more light on a topic in Cainsville and I loved learning more about it all.

To conclude: This is a great short story collection of short stories written by Kelley Armstrong, some take place in the universe of her existing series and other are standalones. I think the ones that take place in her series universe are my favourite as there I have more of a context to place them in, more background and knowledge about the world. Especially the Cainsville short stories, I read Visions at the same time as I read this and the short stories all shed a new light on events and reveal a bit more about Cainsville.
Although some of the standalones ones were very good as well. Most short stories contain some kind of twist which I really liked. As even though they were short they were enjoyable and often managed to surprise me with the twist. The short stories are all very well written, there were a few I didn't care for, but most were enjoyable. All in al I think this is a great book for fans of Kelley her writing or those wanting to get a feel for her writing style. I do recommend to read Visions before you read Devil May Care as else you will be spoiled.
My favourite series short stories: Devil May Care, The Screams of Dragons, Gabriel's Gargoyles, Kat and Branded
My favourite standalones: Suffer the Children, A Haunted House of Her Own and Bamboozled

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of Kelley Armstrong short stories. Some were part of her existing worlds, while others were standalones. Almost all were winners for me and I think any fan would enjoy this.

Rakshashi - This standalone short gives us a peek inside the life of an immortal woman, bound in servitude, to act as a hand of justice to her masters. It's supposed to be temporary, until she can balance the scales of her wrongdoing in life, but her actions line the pockets of those who could free her. After hundreds of years, she is ready to make her move. So how far will she go in her bid for freedom? I enjoyed this and would happily read more in this universe.

Kat (Darkest Powers/ Darkness Rising Universe) - I've never read any of Armstrong's YA stuff, so I was a little worried that I would be lost with stories related to those series. But I wasn't. In fact, I found this story to be quite engaging. It follows Kat, a teenage girl, and her vampire guardian on the run from some mysterious baddies who are tracking them. It's cool to see Kat's true nature come to light, just as she makes a bid for freedom.

A Haunted House of Her Own - Another standalone and I liked this one even more than the first. Tanya is looking for a haunted house to open as a bed and breakfast with her husband Nathan. She gets way more than she bargained for. This one is suspenseful and little scary, with a great twist at the end.

Learning Curve (Otherworld story. Narrator: Zoe) - I had read this one before. It was initially published in the Evolve anthology. Wannabe vampire hunters are stalking Zoe and she turns the tables on them. Pretty short.

The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville Universe) - Wow. That was one dark story. Set a bit in the past, it centers on a boy named Bobby who has something different about him. He has strange dreams about meadows and castles... and dragons. He makes the mistake of telling his grandmother about them and she never looks at him the same. It sends him on a path that ultimately destroys his life. Good story, but pretty twisted.

The Kitsune's Nine Tales (Age of Legends Universe) - The Emperor has sentenced his former marshal to exile and has sent a young soldier to accompany him. The Emperor warns the young man of the nine tactics his old friend will use to try to secure his freedom. There's a little twist at the end, but I found this story a little boring, especially after the oomph of the one before.

Last Stand - This standalone reminded me a little of I am Legend, though only in the sense that it leaves you questioning who the real monsters are when life isn't all black and white. It's set after a zombie apocalypse, only the zombies are people too and the uninfected are determined to eradicate them. Do the Infected deserve life after death? It may take a tactic they never wanted to resort to.

Bamboozled - Set in the Otherworld Universe, this story doesn't feature any characters we know. It's set in the old west and features a werewolf bounty hunter and his mate. We follow Lily, Cooper and their gang as they hunt a half demon, but the job goes a bit sideways. I enjoyed the twist here.

Branded (Darkest Powers/ Darkness Rising Universe) - I'm thinking I may be reading this series, based on the short stories I've read here. This was quite good. Rayne and Braeden both live in the Fortress that keeps pure humans away from the supernaturals of the world. Rayne doesn't want the life of a whore she is expected to have and it's only a matter of time before everyone figures out Braeden is really a werewolf. So they concoct a plan to escape and ensure their survival in the harsh world outside the walls.

The List (Otherworld story. Narrator: Zoe) - This one was initially published in Evolve 2. It kicks off at the same bar Zoe always frequents. It's been a year since "Learning Curve" and now Zoe has sort-of befriended Brittany, the teenage would-be vamp hunter from that story. Someone has created a list of so called "real vamps" in the city, so Zoe and Brittany go to check the guy out, only to find the real danger is from his groupies.

Young Bloods - There wasn't much to this Otherworld universe story. It's really short and features an older vamp who crosses paths with two younger vampires who bite off more than they can chew.

The Door - This is a sad little standalone about a little girl who grows up isolated with her family in her home. She can't ever go outside... beyond the door... until one day, she has no choice. And she learns the secrets that her parents have been hiding for her entire life.

Dead Flowers by a Roadside - Yikes. This one is rough. A man who can see ghosts longs to see his dead wife and daughter again. Short and depressing.

Suffer the Children - Another dark, dark standalone. This one is set in a secluded village, where diphtheria has killed most of the children. Two strangers come into town, offering to bring back the children, but for a very steep price. I wasn't very surprised by the way it played out, but it was still disturbing.

The Collector - What a cool surprise to get a Hellraiser story in here! That was always one of my favorite horror movies when I was younger! Sarah is a puzzle enthusiast and collector. When an online contest brings her to solve a particularly spectacular puzzle box, the story takes a cool turn. (Though probably less so for those who haven't seen the movie.)

Gabriel's Gargoyles (Cainsville Universe) - I'm not sure what the thing is with the gargoyles in this town --or why unfortunate kids keep visiting there, but maybe that would be less of a mystery for fans of the series. This story follows Gabriel, son of a drug addicted mother, whose Aunt Rose lives in Cainsville. He really wants to save up to get her some special tarot cards, and to find all the gargoyles. Not quite riveting.

Harbinger - I'll give Armstrong props for the fact that this story did not resolve the way I expected. College co-ed Jenna is seeing the ghost of a drowned girl. Then it becomes two... then three. I thought for sure I knew what they were trying to warn her about, but I was wrong. The real explanation was less dramatic than the more obvious route would have been, though, and felt a little out of left field.

V-Plates (Otherworld story. Narrator: Nick) - This story was originally published in Blood Lite 3. Reese wants Nick to help Noah lose his virginity. So they go to a brothel. But it's not what they bargained for when zombies enter the equation. It contains, perhaps, my favorite line in the anthology, "The last zombie hooker I met didn't look like that." LOL.

Life Sentence - This was a great Otherworld universe story. The narrator is Daniel Boyd, a sorcerer diagnosed with cancer. He uses his wealth and influence to search for a supernatural path to immortality. He cuts corners with people's lives. He does whatever it takes. That ruthlessness gets him the answer he seeks, but it also gets him something else he doesn't expect.

Plan B - Nothing really supernatural here. Gregory is a horrible man who doesn't just want to leave his wife, he wants to kill her. And leaving his mistress to take the rap is a solid plan B if their getaway goes awry. It's a twisty tale of double cross and triple cross, with a little racy scene or two thrown in to spice things up.

The Hunt (Cainsville Universe) - Probably the shortest story in the bunch... like 5 pages. A serial killer signs on for a hunt to add something extra to his next murder. But the tables are turned.

Dead to Me - Just when you think you know how a story is going to play out, Armstrong pulls a switch on you. It seems this woman's husband just doesn't want to let go, now that he's taken a tumble down her stairs. No matter how many times she tells him that he's dead, he doesn't want to listen. But it's not so simple as a haunting. I liked the ending on this one.

Devil May Care (Cainsville Universe) - This was a satisfying way to wrap up the anthology. It's a good story and long enough to really sink your teeth into. Patrick is an old member of the fae, who loves living life as he sees fit: with no responsibility. Until he starts having dreams of an old tragedy, destined to repeat itself through the ages. And he will play a part, whether he likes it, or not. Now I know why there was a Gabriel story earlier in the book. Good stuff.

Overall Rating: B/B+

[Danya · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all my short story collection reviews, I’ve broken LED ASTRAY down into its component parts to talk about my favourites – and least favourites – in the collection. While these stories do contain spoilers for some of Armstrong’s work, this review is spoiler free!

Rakshasi 5/5

Features a supernatural called a Rakshani named Amrita, originally from ancient India but currently bound to an American family of demon hunters. Amrita uses her powers of illusion and shape-shifting to…surprising results. Fascinating.

Kat 5/5

Kat is a runaway teen who lives with her ‘guardian’ Marguerite, a vampire trying desperately to stay one step ahead of the evil doctors who genetically engineered her. Or did they? Part of the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising YA universe.

A Haunted House of Her Own 3/5

Tanya and Nathan are living out their dreams of owning and operating a haunted Bed & Breakfast. But the couple always thought the ‘haunted’ status was just for attracting tourists – and Tanya doesn’t like the consequences when she finds that’s not the case.

Learning Curve 4.5/5

Otherworld story featuring Zoe Takano, a Japanese vampire living in Toronto. Someone’s been stalking Zoe – rather sloppily – so she decides to toy with her stalker and teach them a lesson. Zoe is playful and fun, unlike many of Armstrong’s vamp characters.

The Screams of Dragons 4/5

By far the longest of the collection, this Cainsville novella takes place in the 1960s or ’70s and follows the deeds – and misdeeds – of Bobby, a changeling Fae child. Gave me a serious case of the wiggins, but I loved seeing behind the curtain of Cainsville a bit. And if I’m not mistaken, Liv’s cat from the Cainsville books makes an appearance…40 years before Liv even arrives.

The Kitsune’s Nine Tales 3.5/5

This story Age of Legends story takes place about a decade before the events of the trilogy just as Alvar Kitsune has been revealed as a traitor and sentence to exile by Emperor Tatsu. A great glimpse into the minds of two master strategists.

Last Stand 3/5

A standalone zombie apocalypse story with a Walking Dead feel to it, with a definite twist. Monica is the Commander of the resistance against the Others – and she’ll do anything to protect her people.

Bamboozled 5/5

An Otherworld universe story set in 1877 in the Wild West following a couple who ‘bamboozles’ people to steal their money…and hunt the supernatural. Standout characters and a shippy-romance, plus a great plot. By far my favourite of the collection!

The List 5/5

Foll0w-up story to LEARNING CURVE, this story catches up with Zoe and her new protege who she jokingly calls “Brittany the Vampire Slayer.” These two are dealing with a list circulating Toronto, allegedly naming all the vampires living there. Very funny!

Young Bloods 3/5

Another Otherworld story featuring vampires, this is all about what happens when you make eye contact on public transport with someone you’d rather avoid – and then they start to get hungry. I liked seeing an older protagonist in this one.

The Door 3/5

Sad and sweet, this post-apocalyptic story follows a family struggling to protect their children from the horrors of the outside world. But once the kids open the front door, they can’t go back…

Dead Flowers by a Roadside 2.5/5

My least favourite in the collection, this super depressing story follows a necromancer whose wife and daughter died in a car accident when he was behind the wheel. It’s just all very cliche and melancholy, to be honest.

Suffer the Children 4/5

This is another long one, set during the 19th century in a small village in Frontier Canada that’s recently been rocked by disease. But when a strange man shows up in town claiming he can raise the dead, is it a miracle…or the devil? Explores the clash between Indigenous peoples and colonial settler culture in Canada.

The Collector 3/5

What happens when the dangers of the supernatural world collide with internet scams? Nothing good, that’s for sure. You can bet that Sarah Lane’s going to be battling more than just spam email in this one!

Gabriel’s Gargoyles 4/5

I read and reviewed this Cainsville story in December when it was first released as part of a holiday collection called GIFTED. Loved the story, my review for Gifted and "Gabriel's Gargoyles" is on goodreads already if you'd like to see it.

Harbinger 4/5

Jenna is a pretty normal college student when she suddenly finds herself being followed…by apparitions. But are these drowned women ghosts, or are they something more sinister? What does their sudden appearance mean for Jenna? Dark and sad.

V Plates 4.5/5

This Otherworld story reunites fans with the Pack as Nick ‘babysits’ Reece and Noah, two younger werewolves in the Pack. The thing about werewolves is that losing your ‘v-plates’ isn’t as simple as it is for human teens…and that’s saying something.

Life Sentence 4/5

Another Otherworld story, LIFE SENTENCE delves into the corruption rampant in supernatural Cabals. When Daniel is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he choose to fight it by becoming a supernatural – at any cost. Doesn’t work out well.

Plan B 5/5

Gregory and Deanna are having an affair, and the only way forward is to kill Gregory’s wife Abby. But no murder is perfect! No supernatural elements to be found here, just pure GONE GIRL-esque scheming and conniving.

The Hunt 3/5

The Wild Hunt of lore is still running strong (get it?!) in the present day, chasing down their victims. Interesting but very short – only four pages total!

Dead to Me 3/5

Getting divorced is rough, but it’s even worse when your soon-to-be-ex won’t leave you be. The protagonist of this story might say he’s haunting her, if ya know what I’m saying.

Devil May Care 5/5

Another Cainsville story, this one follows Patrick about thirty years prior to the events of the series. We finally get some answers to burning questions about his relationship with Seanna, how his connection to Gabriel is even more complicated than we thought, and the Matilda of the Night story. But what I really learned in this story is that Seanna Walsh was the scum of the earth.

All in all, LED ASTRAY is a strong collection for longtime fans of Armstrong’s works. Definitely on the darker side of things but the stories were very well selected to balance that out. Ultimately though, I would not recommend this for people who are new to Kelley Armstrong…too many spoilers for her myriad series!

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always a little hesitant when it comes to anthologies, as my experience with them can be varied. Still, when the opportunity to review LED ASTRAY came along, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve fallen in love with some of Armstrong’s past novels, like her Darkest Powers series and was anxious to read more of her writing.

Usually, my main issue with anthologies is that the story can feel incomplete due to the length or the characters aren’t developed enough. I had no such problems with the majority of the stories in LED ASTRAY; each of them were entertaining, and some I now can even call favorites. Also, ironically, my favorites were sometimes the shortest ones.

There are so many different genres mixed into this anthology: fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, and even a little horror was thrown in. There are some stories more geared towards adults and some to YA, but they are all enjoyable and will appeal to multiple audiences.

Some stories from her Darkest Powers, Age of Legends, Cainsville, and Otherworld universes, plus some standalones. They all read as companions, which was incredibly helpful as I have not yet read some of her adult series. You can jump right into the narrative without confusion. Some of my favorites like Rakshashi, The Door, and Harbinger were standalones, and they stood strong enough alone and still felt like a complete story.

Armstrong’s writing pulls you in and keeps your interest. All the stories were well thought out and imaginative, and the conclusions to some will definitely not be what you expected! There are some pretty creepy ones in here as well. They might not keep you up at night, but they definitely can give you a chill and raise the hair on the back of your neck.

I would definitely recommend this to Kelley Armstrong fans, and fans of related genres.

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon avis en Français

My English review


Rakshashi
That’s quite an interesting story about a vampire, a character with myths that I did not know about and I admit that I was curious to find out what a Rakshashi was. A small story that managed to surprise me. I would have liked to have a series filling this little novella. 4/5


Kat
We discover the story of two young women, Kat and Daisy, a girl with special gifts and a vampire who are fugitives and are caught up here for the first time. I have never read the Darkest Powers series of the author but I have heard a lot about it and I have a novel that I should read. 3.5 / 5

A Haunted House of Her Own
As you can guess from the title of the novella, the topic treated here is about a haunted house that a couple buys. I confess that I did not quite manage to connect to the story or the characters. 2.5 / 5

Learning Curve
I do not think that I know Zoe from the Otherworld series, but it was nice to get back into the universe and to follow here this vampire with a fiery temperament. A nice little story. 3/5

The Screams of Dragons
I love the Cainsville series and this is the first news that I read in this universe. The main character is not one we know about but we have the chance to meet Rose many times. The novella takes place many years before our time, when Rose is young enough to have a young Seanna. But it’s a pretty dark story that we discover here as we see the evolution of a very nice boy into a ruthless killer. 4/5

The Kitsune’s Nines Tales
I have not read the Age of Legends series, and it’s true that we’re pretty quickly immersed in the fantasy world without really having a background and it is a bit difficult I confess. But it was nice to catch a glimpse of the world that the author was able to create here. 3/5

Last Stand
It’s been a long time since I had not had the opportunity to get into a dystopia. So it was nice to discover this history, to see what could be the zombies there, to get to know Monica and I confess that it makes me want to know more. 3.5 / 5

Bamboozled
I love the Victorian era and this story is set during this period, how not to be intrigued? We follow Lily, a strong young woman in the Othrworld world and it was pretty interesting to see how the story was going forward. 3/5

Branded
This is another dystopia and I confess that this time the story really made me want to discover the series and see what the world has become. Besides, I would love to know what happened to the characters and to understand how the fortresses and the outside coexist, as well as the rules and the hierarchies inside. 4/5

The List
A little vampire story and a girl who is not on a list giving their names and who is determined to change that. 3.5 / 5

Young Bloods
Another little novella about vampires, even if the characters are different. 3/5

The Door
A very good story about a family trying to survive in a difficult environment where we will understand the ins at the end of the story. I loved discovering the secrets of this family even if the set is really sad. 4/5

Dead flowers by a Roadside
This time, the main character is a man, which changes a little. Not just any man, but one who manages to communicate with ghosts. But those with whom he would like to talk to are his wife and daughter. 3/5

Suffer the Children
We have alternatively three characters: Addie, Preacher and Browning. This is one is the longest story we can find in this anthology but I admit that I struggled to really get into it or to connect to the characters. 2/5

The Collector
This is one of the strangest stories I’ve read and I admit that I’m not sure I understood everything. 3/5

Gabriel’s Gargoyles
That’s a very good story, one about the past of Cainsville again and even better, a story about Gabriel. The author presents a part of his childhood, his research about the gargoyles, but also the difficulties of living with his mother and also the change that occurs when he is with Rose. 4.5 / 5

Harbinger
Jenna is a girl like the others who finds herself one day with the ability to see the ghosts of drowned girls without understanding the reason, ghosts who appear in front of her more and more. I admit that I was curious to know the reason for all this and I did not expect for such a purpose. 4/5

V Plates
A little story about zombies as we love them and which are always nice to read. It was quite short but it was a pleasure to see the mention of the characters that we know well and to revisit some we already know about. 3.5 / 5

Life Sentence
A zombie story again here, but unlike the previous novella, I admit that I did not managed to get into the story … 2/5

Plan B
This is a story of murder, conspiracy, between a married couple, but who wish to both get rid of the other. A novella full of surprises. 4/5

The Hunt
Here we find a fast enough novella about a particular hunt. 3/5

Dead to me
A strange story about a woman who lives with the ghost of her husband, but is this really the case when he keeps saying that he is not dead? It was interesting to discover this woman and see the truth about everything happening. 4/5

Devil May Care
Here we find a story about Cainsville, the last of the anthology and we follow Patrick this time as well as a part of his history. It was nice to learn more about this enigmatic character and on some of his secrets. A good discovery. 4/5

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark anthology is fantastic. This is how fairy tales used to be - grim and harsh. In this collection of over 20 short stories, Ms. Armstrong demonstrates over and over again how she is a master of her craft. I enjoyed every single story and felt chills in some of them. Many of the stories have no happily ever afters or even a happily for now. Instead, it seems the warning is clear - be careful of what you wish for. For those who have never read a Ms. Armstrong book, this collection can be read as a standalone. A few of the stories do tie into her different series. The tie ins enhance the world building for those hooked on the various series. For those new to Ms. Armstrong, it will cause the new reader to salivate and rush to read all her series.
This first-rate anthology could be devoured in one sitting. It's best to savour each story by itself. The deferred gratification by slowly consuming each story is worth it. It makes this painfully pleasurable book last longer. Each story is well written. It's tightly focused with nary a wasted word. The constant haunting gloomy feel keeps a reader on edge. The expressive descriptions of the places set the somber mood. The intriguing situations lures a reader into a bit of complacency before the trap is sprung. The endings to several of the pieces are gruesome and I reveled in it. Many times, it seems the villain wins the day. This is very different than most books and for this refreshing take, I applaud Ms. Armstrong.

I particularly enjoyed the twists and turns in the stories. It keeps a reader on their toes. It makes the stories unpredictable. Since I'm used to figuring out the ending easily for at least 90% of stories I read, being off balance is exhilarating. There is a certain horror aspect to several of these stories. For those who enjoy horror, this book will be up your alley. This book is highly recommended to those who enjoy darkness and things that go bump in the night.

*provided by NetGalley

[Nancy The book junkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25/5

Not the most exciting story but i enjoyed reading a little about young Gabriel!

Merged review:

It was nice to get a glimpse of how The hunt gets new hunter.

Merged review:

I didn't think i could like (kind of) Patrick and hate Seanna more but thanks to this novella this is now the case!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Led Astray: The Best of Kelley Armstrong is a book full of short stories all by Kelley Armstrong. Some of them are standalones. But a lot of them relate to her various series.

The short stories featured in this book:

- Rakshashi (standalone from 2011, appeared in The Monster's Corner)
- Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator from 2009, appeared in Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire)
- A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone from 2009, appeared in Twilight Zone: 19 Original stories)
- Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, narrator is Zoe from 2010, appeared in Evolve: New Vampire Stories of the Living Dead)
- The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator from 2014 Subterranean)
- The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator from 2014, appeared in Fantasy for Good: A Charitable Anthology)
- Last Stand (standalone from 2010, appeared in The Living Dead 2)
- Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator from 2014, appeared in Dead Man's Hand)
- Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator from 2013, appeared in Shards & Ashes)
- The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe from 2011, appeared in Evolve 2)
- Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator from 2010, appeared in The Bitten Word)
- The Door (standalone, original to this collection, NEW 2015)
- Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone from 2012, appeared in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women)
- Suffer the Children (standalone from 2013, appeared in Four Summoner's Tales)
- The Collector (standalone from 2009, appeared in Hellbound Hearts)
- Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel from 2014, appeared in Gifted)
- Harbinger (standalone from 2009, appeared in Campus Chills)
- V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick from 2012, appeared in Blood Lite III)
- Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator from 2010, appeared in The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology)
- Plan B (standalone from 2004, appeared in Like a Charm: A Novel in Voices)
- The Hunt (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator from 2011, appeared in The Globe & Mail)
- Dead to Me (standalone from 2009, appeared in Tesseracts Thirteen: Chilling Tales of the Great White North)
- Devil May Care (Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection NEW 2015)

I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan and have read most of her series including: Women of the Otherworld, Darkest Power, Darkness Rising, Cainsville, Nadia Stafford, and Age of Legends. In addition I have read many of her novellas.

I love these anthologies because then I get a chance to read some short stories that I might have missed. Plus I love reading anything new that I can get my hands on. The problem for me in this case is that there are only 2 new stories. I wish that there were more!

I think that this book is great for fans of Kelley Armstrong. But it is also great for people who might only have read a few of her books. Because then if a Cainsville short story for example piques their interest it might encourage them to want to check out that series.

The stories I had previously read are: The Screams of Dragons, Branded and Gabriel’s Gargoyles.

My favorites in this book are a) the new stories and b)the stories that feature narrators from her books. There is a Nick story (Women of the Otherworld) and a Patrick story (Cainsville).

The Patrick story, Devil May Care is fantastic. However, I would caution reading it before reading Omens and Visions. This story is about Patrick and contains spoilers.

If you are a fan of this author then this book is a must read!


Thanks to netgalley and Tachyon Publications for allowing me to read this book.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories give us a glimpse into what goes on around us that we cannot see … or if we accidentally get a glimpse … choose to dismiss. Kelley Armstrong doesn’t simply write stories – she creates other worlds. Worlds inhabited by Fae, Vampires, Werewolves and all sorts of “Otherworld” beings. Worlds that exist within the one we mere humans inhabit. Her beings walk among us going about their lives as we go about ours.

Ms. Armstrong gives her readers a nice mix of stories in “Led Astray”. Most work as stand-alone but many are definitely geared towards fans of her various series books, both YA and Adult. I’ve stated in past reviews and have to repeat here that I am always impressed with Ms. Armstrong’s ability to change her narrative voice smoothly between her YA and Adult books and short stories.

Among my favorites in the “stand-alone” stories were; “A Haunted House of Her Own” in which Tanya always wanted to own a haunted Inn. Her dream is finally about to be realized but the “haunting” was not quite what she had anticipated. And, “The Door” through which, in turn, first daddy and then mommy leave only to return with bags and bags full of gifts and food. But why were she and her sister forbidden to go through the door too? What could possibly be outside their little house?

The stories that tie in to books include settings and characters from Ms. Armstrong’s popular series including Otherworld, Cainesville and Darkest Powers.

I was telling a friend about this book, explaining that I enjoyed all the stories, granted some more than others, but feared that some readers not familiar with Ms. Armstrong’s books might feel a little lost in some of them. Many of these short stories fleshed out some peripheral characters from the books or gave some interesting background and history to main characters. My friend summed it up very well when he said, (used with permission) “So, it’s a love letter to her constant readers.”

That it is!


* I received this ebook at no charge via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *

[Kt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession

I've really enjoyed all of Kelley's books, including the other anthology, Otherworld Nights. So when I had the chance to read this one I didn't hesitate. Unfortunately, while LED ASTRAY was enjoyable, it just didn't suck me or wow me like I had hoped. Anthologies, and short stories are tough tricks because unless they are longer novellas, the short format just doesn't lend to the full set up I would like. However, in cases like Otherworld Nights, the stories are set in an established world with established characters, so much of that build up is unneccsary anyway. Unfortunately that wasn't the case here as most of the stories were not set in Otherworld or Cainsville, and even the ones that were didn't revolve around the main characters, with just a few exceptions. And I would guess it's no surprise that the stories that those exceptions were the ones that I enjoyed the most.

As I said, the stories were largely entertaining, but I can't help being frustrated at feeling like I was left hanging in each story at the end. They were just too short to be developed how I had hoped, and some are still leaving me scratching my head, namely the Dragon story set in Cainsville. I also would have loved to have seen more from the Door story, but again, these short stories just didn't lend to a lot of detail.

It's a compliment to Kelley's writing in itself that I wanted more from these stories. Despite that short format, I was engaged with each new tale. I can only hope that some of these will be expanded upon in the future as my appetite has been whetted, but not satisfied. In the end, aside from anthologies firmly set in established worlds, I think I'll pass on groupings like this. I just wanted more.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology contains 23 stories set in a variety of the worlds Kelley Armstrong has created in her novels and in other fantasy worlds. My favorites where the Cainsville stories especially Devil May Care about how Patrick came to be Gabriel's father and Gabriel's Gargoyles which tells a story from Gabriel's childhood that helps explain the man he becomes.

Screams of Dragons may be waking me up at night for quite a while as I try to decide whether the main character was already broken or if he was broken by the systematic abuse he suffers at the hands of his grandmother. Many of the stories contain more than a touch of horror with ghosts, zombies, and murderers. Many of the stories had unexpected twists to them.

All of the stories were entertaining and enjoyable. It is nice to be able to have these stories that were originally published in a variety of newspapers, magazines and anthologies in one collection. The Door and Devil May Care were original to this collection.

Fans of short stories and fans of Kelley Armstrong's work will enjoy being able to have this collection on their shelves.

[Ishabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The truth is, Kelley Armstrong's Bitten is actually one of my favorite paranormal romance novels. Even the series is one of my favorite TV shows, despite the fact that it's not as popular as other shows that feature paranormal characters. That being said, I may be a bit biased with this book even before I started reading it. Because, hey, I like Kelley Armstrong, so I'm already think that this anthology of short stories will be to my liking.

What I found out after reading the book was that even if I wasn't already a fan of Ms. Armstrong, I still would have loved her stories in this book. Having read her work before, I can say that in this anthology, she showcases what she does best which is write stories on the paranormal genre. She even dips into horror in some. This collection of stories has something for everyone. I mean, every reader will find at least one favorite. And while not all the stories will be unforgettable, any reader will certainly enjoy the adventure and otherworldliness of her tales. This is a good anthology all in all, and it's worth checking out.

[Jessica (a GREAT read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.


Kelley Armstrong has been one of my all time favorite authors for years! I adored her Otherworld series, ate up all her YA books, and am extremely hooked in her new Cainsville series. Though, the hardest thing for me is always tracking down her short stories that are in numerous anthologies. Luckily she's recently been releasing her own anthologies of particular themed stories! Led Astray is her latest collection and in here we have the very best of her work! We get stories from the Otherworld, Cainsville, the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising, and Age of Legend series, plus stories that are not related to her previous series and are just standalone pieces! There was only one story in here that I already read, and that's Gabriel's Gargoyles, so I didn't re-read that one. I already reviewed that one on my blog last year, so you can find that mini review in my archives.

We all know anthologies are the hardest to review, and I tend to break it down piece by piece. So this review will be longer than usual. But I'll try to keep each "mini" review within short!

RAKSHASHI

This is a completely new to me piece that has no place in her previous series. That hardest thing about short stories is diving into a story and not knowing anything about the world, characters, etc. And I think that's why this one fell flat to me. But at the same time was intriguing! Amrita is a powerful being, something like a djinn, but not so much magical powers. She has a master that she longs to be free of, but will only be free if he grants her it and he has no plans to do so.

As I said, I felt like I needed more background info with this story. It was hard to grasp onto the ideas and such and then it was over. So yeah, a good story, but not my favorite.

Rating 2/5 stars

KAT

This comes from the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising world, yet it's not a character we met. At least, not that I can recall. Kat is a supernatural of some kind, she doesn't know what yet. But she knows she's not fully human either. She lives with Marguerite who's a vampire. They're friends, companions of sorts. Life is good.

But they are always on the run. As we learn "bad guys" from the YA trilogies are after Kat for reasons unknown. What's worse? We never really learn what Kat is. Again, maybe we do know Kat already and my horrendous memory is failing me. But I felt there were just too many questions left unsaid at the end. It was still enjoyable, for as you might recall these YA trilogies are apart of the Otherworld series as well!

Rating 3/5 stars

A HAUNTED HOUSE OF HER OWN

This one was one of my favorites! It was dark and eerie and oh so mysterious with a chilling twist at the end that I couldn't help but love!! Talk about dark and spooky!

Tanya and her husband, Nathan just bought a bed and breakfast that is supposedly haunted. Tanya loves the idea of running a haunted B&B. But then weird things start happening. Seeing a person, then the next moment they're gone. Then Nathan starts acting odd. It's almost like he's possessed!

It was quite the chilling tale and I loved the eeriness of it all! The ending, is shocking, but has such a dark twist to it. I long for a short sequel/conclusion/epilogue, but I will just create me own in my head! Haha!

Rating 5/5 stars

LEARNING CURVE

This was a super short story set in the Otherworld that follows Zoe. Zoe was one of the few vampires we met. Besides Cassandra who was my fave, Zoe was the other fave! Zoe is dealing with a stalker in this one. She can't seem to shake him. And then she gets quite the surprise when does try to lose him!

While a decent story, I guess I just wished for more. It was almost too short and there were still a few minor little things I wondered about. But nothing that left me aggravated.

Rating 3/5 stars

THE SCREAMS OF DRAGONS

This was a Cainsville story! As you might know, I have a sucky memory when it comes to books. I can't remember details off the bat, but when returning to said worlds, I can remember things rather well with a few helpful hints.

This one rings of a prequel story of sorts. But I wasn't sure of our main character, Bobby. He seemed new to me. Bobby is a little boy who dreams of dragons and castles. He has a rough home life with parents who ignore him, a little sister who agonizes him, and an abusive grandmother. It's no wonder he finds refuge in Cainsville.

But as he grows older, life is still cruel to him. So he learns to fight back in the more astonishing ways.

This was a shocking story because you see this sweet, scared little boy turn into a monster! It was quite shocking. We see some familiar Cainsville faces as well. But I couldn't really tie in its connection to the series now. Or perhaps we weren't meant to.

Rating 4/5 stars

THE KITSUNE'S NINE TALES

An Age of Legends story! And while it was intriguing, again, my poor memory was slow to get caught up! Here we see Senri, a solider of the emperor taking Alvar, our villainous prisoner to the Forest of the Dead for his sentencing.

All the while Senri is doing his duty and taking to heart the eight tales the emperor said Alvar will tell him. He would do anything to escape punishment.

While short, the story definitely packed a punch at the end. It's not until those last lines that you don't see the excitement of the story either.

Rating 3/5 stars

LAST STAND

Another fresh story, we see Monica is a dystopic setting. The trouble with these new stories is trying to reorient oneself into the new world that we know nothing about. This can be said when starting any new series as well. But with short stories you don't have long to try to adapt before its over.

We see Monica alongside her refugees while they battle the Others. This definitely has an air of post-apocalyptic feel to it. The zombies were the main clue! And if I grasped the story right, there's definitely a shocking twist that you won't see coming!

Rating 3/5 stars

BAMBOOZLED

Back to the Otherworld again! Though this time, I feel like we meet new characters! I don't recall Lily and Nate, but I definitely liked their story! It's set in the 1800s where Lily and Nate are a sort of team of hunters. Hunters after the supernatural type.

They are off after a demon and they will have to play their roles right. But then things go horribly wrong and they'll have to fight for their lives to get out.

While short, I really enjoyed this one! There's quite the air of mystery to this one. I wish I could remember if these two were ever mentioned or popped up in the series, but really couldn't ring any bells with their names! I enjoyed these two for sure and wouldn't mind reading more about them if there's another story to tell!

Rating 5/5 stars

BRANDED

Back to the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising trilogies with more new characters! This one was quite intriguing, even though it took awhile to get into it. Again, with the whole reorienting myself with a new or old world. Though the setting is definitely different this time around.

Rayne lives inside the fortress with all the other townspeople. It's in order to keep all the supernaturals out. After the the government started mucking around with experiments, it created a few too many creatures they could no longer control. And the world became dangerous, hence the need for fortresses.

When Rayne outs her best friend as being a werewolf for the good the people, he's exiled instead of killed. For he was a decent sort of lad, whose only fault was keeping his identity secret. Otherwise, he would've been killed.

Rayne soon becomes racked with guilt over what she's done and will do anything to make things right. With the help of her friend but not friend, who just so happens to be the daughter of one of the men in charge, she's able to do just that.

There's definitely some intriguing twists and shocks to this one! It's quite surprising and very suspenseful. I only struggled with its connection to the proposed series. But again, just kind of assuming it's a "sequel" world of sorts! Still, a very delightful and entertaining tale!

Rating 4/5 stars

THE LIST

Another Otherworld universe story following Zoe the vampire once again! I can't remember if I read this one somewhere before, because it seemed familiar, but I kept reading it anyway!

Zoe reads an article in the newspaper listing about 20 or so real vampires. Outraged that she's not among them, she goes off in search of the professor. Though he's attracted a rather unique crowd of wannabes. Zoe's definitely bitten off more than she can chew with this one.

A short and sort of funny story with a familiar face that was enjoyable. It makes for a nice set in a day in the life of Zoe!

Rating 3/5 stars

YOUNG BLOODS

Another Otherworld story that once again, felt like I read before. Though when I read where all these stories came from, only one really struck a chord. Anyway, here we have Roger on a subway with two vampires, a teenage girl, and a dead man sitting next to him. How he gets himself out of this situation is far more surprising than I anticipated! Another shorter short read that was intriguing as it was delightful!

Rating 3.5/5 stars

THE DOOR

Another new new short story for the collection, but I swear I could've read this somewhere before. I've obviously read too much and have lost my memory!

A young girl lives with her parents and is told to never open this particular door. Naturally, she is curious about it over the years, but never questions it. Her father always brings back gifts and food when he comes through it. Then her parents have another baby and she's delighted with her sister. It's not until later on that we learn the true purpose of the door and what it hides.

A very mysterious story with a shocking surprise at the end!

Rating 4/5 stars

DEAD FLOWERS BY A ROADSIDE

Another non series related story, and it was quite confusing to me too. I got the gist of it as far as I believe. But it just didn't do much for me. A husband loses his wife and child in a car accident. He's always been able to see ghosts, he's tried helping them too. But he hasn't been able to see his wife or child and is saddens him.

It's the ending that's the most confusing. Again, I was able to guess at what was going on and happened. But I never like feeling unsure.

Rating 2.5/5 stars

SUFFER THE CHILDREN

Yet another non series related story. This one was quite long too. Lots of storytelling and it was quite chilling as well.

Chesnut Hill is a small town that recently lost all their children and elderly to a disease. Then two men come to them and say they can bring back all the lives lost in the past four days. Since the mayor's son fits this time frame, he and the other parents are all for this magical cure. Though it's far from magical and much more sinister than one could ever imagine. I was expecting it to go one way, but when it went the other unknown way...yeah, it left me pretty shocked!

Rating 3/5 stars

THE COLLECTOR

Sarah is a puzzle aficionado! She's very good at them and enjoys them. She starts participating in a website's contest for a series of them and fabulous prizes. Though when she gets to the final puzzle, the prize is anything what she could imagine it to be.

This one had been intrigued up to its very end, when a shocking unseen twist came in! It left be a tad befuddled and confused in regards to something. But other than that, this was a very intriguing story!

Rating 5/5 stars

HARBINGER

Jenna is being haunted. And the thing is, she's not sure who the ghost girl is. She's soaking wet and blue and never speaks. Soon another appears, and another. And none of the new ghosts provide answers either. She's aggravated and confused, so she attends a college party close to campus to blow off steam. Though she's a very careful girl.

Just when you sense the danger drifting towards Jenna and think you have the mystery solve. Think again! I loved the unique twist to this one! It made for quite the heart-pounding read!

Rating 5/5 stars

V PLATES

Another Otherworld universe story! This one follows Nick, one of my other favorite werewolves after Clay and Elena. Nick is playing mentor to both Reese and Noah. When Reese gets the brilliant idea that they should take Noah to a brothel to help get him out of his funk and rid him of his virginity to make his life easier with his girlfriend. Though they learn the brothel is hiding more than you ever thought it would!

Another shorter read but entirely entertaining! If only because it involved Nick! It was yet another enjoyable read!

Rating 4.5/5 stars

LIFE SENTENCE

This too comes from the Otherworld universe, but I feel like it's with new characters. At least, I couldn't remember them anyway. Daniel is a sorcerer and he's dying of cancer and he wants to remedied that right away. With the help of his extraordinary assistant, he weeds through phonies and fakes who claim to have the cure for the perfect zombie state, one that will allow him to be in control and a fully functioning near human.

But Daniel gets far more than he bargained for. Despite not knowing these characters well, you get the sense that Daniel isn't the best of guys, which makes the ending even more fitting!

Rating 4/5 stars

PLAN B

This is yet another non series related story and it was quite sinister! Here there are no paranormal beings of any kind. No magic or curses. Just humans being monsters.

Gregory is having an affair with Deanna and they plan to kill his wife, who he's unhappily married to. Then they can live happily ever after. But everyone here is cunning and conniving. They all have their own secrets and game plans. Who will the be winner? You'll never see it coming!

This was a very intriguing story! I loved the darkness to it. Guess that's kind of scary reflecting on me, but all in good fun! It was so very twisted and I truly never saw either one coming! That's what makes this an entertaining and suspenseful read!

Rating 5/5 stars

THE HUNT

A supremely short story set in the Cainsville universe. This one confused me a bit, because I couldn't remember who these characters were. It's nearly guaranteed that we never met them though. Here we see two sinister men about to take part in the Hunt that we've seen happen already in Cainsville. Though the results are not what you'd expect.

Rating 4/5 stars

DEAD TO ME

The final non series story and by far the most chilling! A woman is being haunted by her dead, almost ex-husband. Things in their marriage led to a divorce that was taking place, yet the two still saw each other on the side, despite being in other relationships. Already igniting my disgust for infidelity, I was curious to learn how the husband died. Why the wife was seeing him, since she claims his death was an accident.

It's not until the very end that we get a guiding light to share the answers to some very dark secrets!

Rating 5/5 stars

DEVIL MAY CARE

This is a fully new Cainsville story that's another prequel of sorts! It follows Patrick and gives us more insight to this trickster fellow!

Lately, Patrick has been haunted by dreams of a long ago fae tale that involved, Matilda, Gwyn, and Arawn. I believe we learned of this tale already, but here we get a little more insight into it. And how, apparently, it repeats itself every some odd years. Patrick believes he may end up playing some part in the story for this time around, and since it's not a happy story, he wants no part of it.

But he should know by now, you can't avoid fate.

How things end up turning out was quite shocking! I wish I could recall if any of this was new information, but alas, with reading wayyyyy too much, comes a poor memory! There's just too much in my head with all the books and stories, some details get forgotten or are just buried very, very deep!

Nevertheless, it was an intriguing and insightful story! Giving you just another little piece to the mystery that is Cainsville!

Rating 4.5/5 stars


And that is the end of the full length review of the very best of Kelley Armstrong's work! If you have yet to read any of Kelley's books and were thinking of starting or wanted a sample, I'd say this anthology is a good place to start. I don't think you'd be spoiled by anything in this one. Characters get mentioned that you won't meet at the very start, so that's the most you'd be spoiled by!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars


Led Astray releases September 15, 2015

[Fangs for the Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories by Kelley Armstrong, drawing upon her various worlds as well as several stand alones.

There are a lot of stories that draw from Kelley Armstrong’s various world series – and some of these I haven’t read. For me this was particularly a problem for the short stories based on the Cainsville series since I hadn’t read them. In some ways I think the order of the stories was off, if Devil May Care had come first rather than last, the world would have been much more explained and developed and, with that, I would have had more investment and understanding when reading The Screams of Dragons, Gabriel’s Gargoyles and The Hunt. But, if I had read Devil May Care first, I don’t think the same sense of mystery and alienness would have pervaded these books.

Thematically and in terms of tone all of these are very good at invoke the other, the very otherworldy feel of the fae but all with a strong sense of subtlety. They are unseen and mysterious and it’s all a lot of look-out-the-corner-of-your-eye-or-you’ll miss it etherealness that really real worked. They were creepy, they were low key, they were subtle and they were about normal or seemingly normal people caught up in this mysterious place with its mysterious people who are just ever-so-slightly off. I think that wouldn’t have carried the same weight if I’d read Devil May Care first even though I enjoyed it more, since that book is very up front and clear about what Cainsville is and why. It would have destroyed the mystery and the eeriness. I do think I am missing out a lot by not recognising any of these characters and not appreciating any new angles it my bring

I also haven’t reads the Darkes Powers/Darkness Rising universe and I’m now both eager to read them and quite frustrated by having read this first. Kat and Branded both seem to take familiar themes from The Otherworld universe but the world building goes in a very different direction – with the same supernatural creatures I know so well eventually leading to a complex and rich dystopia. In Kat we see the beginnings of this and Branded takes the extreme several years, perhaps centuries, afterwards. I’m a little frustrated in fact because I think I’d love to read this series but now I know where it’s heading I think I will miss much of the suspense of the characters facing the pending dystopia. I loved both stories not just for the world setting but also for the characters with Kat we saw strong female friendships, family and dedication and Branded showed a level of cunning and ruthlessness from a female protagonist that was absolutely applause worthy. It’s a terrible, dark, lethal world – and she does what she must to survive and thrive in excellent, terrifying fashion.

The main reason I was interested in this book was for those stories set in the Otherworld universe – I’ve read them all, I love this series and miss it now it was over, so it was nice to hark back to it. Though I have to say, in some ways, they clashed badly with the other stories in this book. The other stories have desperate, abused children, alien, cruel and downright creepy fae, several brutal dystopias and some downright disturbing standalones. Then we have the Otherworld stories which are a bit silly and great fun. I like them, but they’re theme bombs and derail the overall feel of the book


Learning Curve and The List are told from Zoe’s point of view. I’ve always liked Zoe, firstly for being an Asian lesbian vampire in a series that needed more POC and LGBT people, but also because she had so much fun. She’s ideal for short stories because so many of the other Otherworld characters are involved in such epicness all the time while she never has been. This is her life and the enjoyment she gets out of it – whether it’s having an amazingly fun time educating a terrible Britanny the inept vampire slayer or tackling some vampire-wannabes, she has a good time and I love her stories.

Another excellent one from the Otherworld Series was Bamboozled going back to werewolves of the old west with an excellent female protagonist. It was a great display of portraying prejudice, the misogyny of the time and the contempt against her as an actress while at the same time challenging it marvellously. It also works well at challenging the single-special-woman syndrome that has plagued some of the Otherworld Series (yes, cryptic for spoilers).

I was as big a lover of the zombie, brothel werewolf story with Nick and the young wolves in VPlates. Partly because it reminds me how frustrated I am that this series ended and I’ll never get to see this rebuilt pack. Seeing Nick who has both grown a lot but is still not-all-that wise (hence taking new werewolves to a brothel to lose their virginity) but is trying. The whole story could have been terrible, but in it way it nicely shredded the ineptitude of the extremely male-dominated, uber-masculine, sex-driven, testosterone world of the werewolves and, even without zombies, how it was all a little silly and wrong headed, which was definitely needed.


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[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vast collection of excellently crafted tales.

[Julie-anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rakshashi - a standalone story
Rakshasi are almost genie-like creatures that are tied to serving a family until they've atoned for their bad deeds during life. Of course, they don't exactly like this arrangement.

Kat - a Darkest Powers story
Kat and Marguerite are on the run from the Edison group but Marguerite is keeping something from Kat.

A Haunted House Of Her Own - a standalone story
A young couple buy a dream B&B - it's supposed to be haunted but that's what they want. The woman discovers maybe she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Learning Curve - an Otherworld story
An Otherworld based short featuring Zoe Takano who we met in Broken. Zoe discovers she's being stalked by someone.

The Screams Of Dragons - a Cainsville story
A Cainsville short where a young boy starts hearing the screams of dragons and haveing weird dreams. Then the Cainsville residents start treating him strange.

The Kitsune's Nine Tales - an Age of Legends story
A guard leads the Kitsune traitor to the Forest of the Dead. He's been warned about all his tricks along the way.

Last Stand - a standalone story
A virus outbreak means the recently dead are back, the dead and alive are at war. Our main character is a leader and fears for her group as the numbers are dwindling.

Bamboozled - an Otherworld story
A small group of people hunt down wanted criminals but everyone's in for a surprise with their latest hunt.

Branded - an Otherworld story
People live inside the Fortress for safety - outside are where the branded supernaturals live. A young mand and woman hatch a plan for leaving.

The List - an Otherworld story
Someone has made a list of vampires living in Toronto so Zoe goes to check the author out.

Young Bloods - an Otherworld story
A man realises there are two vampires on the train trying to intimdate people into confrontation but they don't realise who he is.

The Door - a standalone story original to this book
A young girl grows up learning to stay away from the door, only her dad is allowed to leave and comes back with food and toys. She always obeyed until the time came where she had to leave.

Dead Flowers By A Roadside - a standalone story
A man is haunted by visions of his wife and child. He keeps himself busy by fixing up the family car.

Suffer The Children - a standalone story
A village have recently lost all their young and elderly to disease so when two guys visit and claim to be able to bring them back, they agree.

The Collector - a standalone story
A puzzle solver takes part in an online puzzle that eventually leads her to an office for the last part - a puzzle box.

Gabriel's Gargoyles - a Cainsville story
A young Gabriel searches for all of Cainsville's garygoyles while also dealing with his mother.

Harbinger - a standalone story
A young woman is haunted by the spectres of drowned girls. She tries to talk to them, she tries to ignore them but they won't go away.

V Plates - an Otherworld story
Reese want to help Noah lose his virginity and asks Nick to help so they go to a brothel but it's not just an ordinary brothel.

Life Sentence - an Otherworld story
Daniel Boyd is dying so he uses his money and remaining time trying to find a way to stop it.

Plan B - standalone story
A man and his mistress hatch a plan to get his wife out of the picture but nothing goes as planned - always have a plan B.

The Hunt - a Cainsville story
A hunter decides to step up the hunting game and move up a level.

Dead To Me - a standalone story
A woman tries to stop her husband's ghost from haunting her home.

Devil May Care - a Cainsville story original to this book
Patrick only returns to Cainsville once in a blue moon and he learns of a prophecy when he's there so decides to avoid it all together.


I loved all these stories and a few of them were new to me either because I hadn't read the original anthology they were in or they're original stories just for this one.

I never have a bad thing to say about Kelley's work and I highly recommend this anthology whether you're new to her or a die hard fan like me. Although if you're new to her, some of these stories may be spoiler-ific or not make sense.

There were a lot of books I had on my Amazon wishlist purely because they contain a Kelley story that I've now been able to remove so ... bonus!

[Cas ♛]

This was a great short story! Loved it.