Full review at http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com Oh my. What a fabulous ending to a fabulous series! Where do I begin? How do I begin without giving away spoilers?! Multiple narrators: In 13, Armstrong gives us the story from several of our favourite characters: Savannah, Elena, Jaime, Eve, Hope, and Paige. I think Elena and Eve are still my favourite characters, but Savannah has grown on me. She might be a close third. Lots of danger and action. What I liked about the last three books in the series is how well Armstrong built up and presented the Otherworld as being on the brink of war. When compared to other series where the worlds are "on the brink of war", we saw very little action that would constitute a large scale battle such as war-- typically we saw a murder or two and the characters extrapolated "this is an act of war" and suddenly there is war. Whereas Armstrong is not afraid of blowing up buildings, killing large groups of people, large scale threats against innocents. The same sort of acts that might be cause for war in real life. And she puts the main characters right into the thick of it. The threat of war seems far greater. Savannah's character development ends in a wonderful scene of high action and tension. I wonder if Adam gets that top for his Jeep or that ski vacation. The women of the Otherworld are strong, and I love that the men aren't Beta males, but they allow the women to be strong and don't swoop in to save their women. There's a great fight scene for Elena in 13. Once again, Armstrong has delivered a high-octane, adrenaline-rush of a story with lots of action, hot guys and ruthless villains. I sure will miss the Otherworld series.

This is going to be a tough review for me to write. I have been reading this series since the first book, Bitten, was published in 2001. I was immediately drawn in by Kelley Armstrong's strong writing and unique voice, specifically how it related to shifters and the whole shifting process. I have always been very fond of strong female writers in the horror industry, and specifically it they are Canadian. Kelley Armstrong not only fit this bill, but she also lived in Toronto, which was almost like being my neighbor at that time (I lived in Hamilton). I felt an immediate kindred with her before even reading her books, but her writing hooked me from the first page. My skin stretches. The sensation deepens and I try to block the pain. Pain. What a trivial word - agony is better. One doesn't call the sensation of being flayed alive "painful". ...and that's just a taste of her descriptive and engaging writing style. The physical appeal of this new release is amazing! The cover is a stunning black and red artistic offering with a vellum type dust jacket overlay that I couldn't keep myself from stoking continuously once it was finally in my eager hands. I have to be honest, when I first started reading 13 I was highly disappointed...it was clear very early on (from comments direct from the author) that 13 would not be told from Elena's point of view. I was really hoping the story would return to Elena, obviously so were many others. I thought for sure I was going to hate this final book and that the whole series was going to be ruined for me. I am one of "those fans" who was annoyed early on by the swapping of character viewpoints in books 3 and 4 and so on. It took me a long time to get to know these new characters and enjoy their stories, but eventually I got used to the way it was going and I think in the future a re-read of the series will help me enjoy everything in a more fulfilling way. But I digress... Upon seeing Savannah was going to be the star narrator I almost didn't read the book. Of all the characters I have had a hard time getting to know Savannah. To be fair...I haven't read the last 2 books in the series because they were Savannah books. I am going to have to rectify that soon. 13 is a FABULOUS ending to this wonderful series that has been such a big part of my life for just over a decade. Even though Savannah was the main narrator in the book, almost every important character (in my opinion) made some kind of appearance, and it was more than enough to keep me happy. And I actually enjoyed reading from Savannah's perspective. It is abundantly clear that she has grown and matured and takes things much more seriously than she did when she first appeared on the scene. And in usual Kelley Armstrong fashion, this book is a complete treat to read as her writing style is just as descriptive (maybe too descriptive) and witty as ever. It was a little overwhelming in spots, so much going on, so many characters, I sometimes felt a little lost...but i guess that is to be expected when you are trying to tie all things together. It's been a while since I read some of Kelley's adult fiction, so I forgot how brutal and gory her scenes came sometimes be. It was shocking at first, but then I started to remember how it often goes, and as is common in final installments, blood has to be spilled, and people need to die. It's just how it goes. If you haven't read Kelley's Women of the Otherworld books yet your are truly missing out. I suggest you dig in now, and if you do, let me know. I would love a re-reading buddy!

I’ve been anticipating this book for months, and owe my mailman some cookies for grabbing the package out of his hands the way that I did. I opened it and read until 4 am, then woke up early to finish it off. Let me tell you – “Thirteen” is a book you will want to savor and enjoy, even if that means staying up all night to do so. Savannah Levine is still pretty much without her powers (although she’s starting to understand why and how to reclaim them), and there is something big brewing in the world that involves all our Otherworld characters. Be warned: there is no slow start this book. People are thrown into precarious situations right from the beginning, but this time, the stakes are much, much higher. With the veils between worlds thinning, the beasties they encounter are more deadly and less familiar, and the action a little more gory than in the past. All rules go out the window as Savannah and her supernatural family and friends struggle to survive and to make sense of what is happening around them. There are encounters with demons and Cabals, hellhounds and fallen angels, and it takes the work of everyone in order to bring the story to a conclusion. Despite the horror, there are still elements of humour, emotion and yes, even romance, and you need these moments to catch your breath and to be able to move on to the next adrenaline ride. The story itself is fast-paced and gripping, leaving you breathless at certain moments and cursing the author at others (Um, sorry about that Kelley. Were your ears burning?). People are hurt, and people die in this book, and you may not necessarily like how it happens, but it’s understandable and underscores the horror of the situation. Old friends and enemies met in previous novels and novellas appear, and there are some definite surprises in store. If you have read her most recent novella pack “The Hunter and the Hunted”, you will appreciate the little references within this book – but fear not if you haven’t because the story more than stands alone without it. Oh, and that question posted on message boards across the Internet as to who will/won’t die in this book? Not going to answer that for you, sorry. You’ll have to read it to find out. What makes this a truly great closing book for the series, however, is the evident commitment to the characters. While the main narrator is Savannah, those of us who have followed the series from its beginnings with “Bitten” are rewarded with a chapter or two of narration from the viewpoint of each of the female narrators of the series – Elena, Eve, Jaime, Hope and Paige. This is also a reminder that each book in the series has played a part in this final chapter, and if you go back to read them through again (like I did – ahem), you will pick up on so many details that were there, almost from the beginning. Savannah has grown from the frightened and frighteningly powerful young girl held with Elena in “Stolen” into the self-assured and confident adult witch that she is meant to be as she fights to stop events from unfolding. It’s a transformation that’s been a long time coming, and while we as readers have watched her grow, it’s a little hard for us – and for other characters – to accept that she is now truly an adult. Choosing to end the series with Savannah shows the transition and continual growth that the author has allowed in this series, and gives another generation a chance to share their experiences. Ultimately, though, for me the series ends the way it began – with Elena. There’s even the first chapter of Bitten at the start of “Thirteen” hard-copy version to remind you of where it all began. She too has evolved, accepting who she is and her role within her Pack over time, but now things change again. It’s been an incredible progression from the solitary young woman to the confident adult, assured of her place in the world and in her family. Elena has always been one of my favourite characters in the series, partly because her journey seems to mirror every woman’s struggle to accept who she is meant to be. The bonus chapter at the end of the paper copy, entitled “From Russia with Love” wraps things up in a way that satisfies every need. Kelley Armstrong writes such immensely strong female characters that your time with them is like spending time with your favourite female friends – mind you, friends that can talk to the dead, turn into wolves and cast spells if you annoy them. You know them well, and cheer for them as they battle their way onwards, and mourn for them as they suffer great losses. I would say, though that this book is an “au revoir”, and not a “good-bye” as the characters have the opportunity to connect with each other in different ways, touching base and starting new chapters within their own lives. Armstrong has even promised anthologies of short fiction with these characters, starting in 2014, and I know I’ll be first in line to read them when they appear.

The Good Stuff I was worried when I started reading this as I would be lost as I haven't read all of this series -- but Kelley is such a gifted author she gives you enough to figure out what is going on without frustrating longtime reader of the series Non stop action, you are constantly holding your breath and you so do not want to put the book down (This was very frustrating because I have so much to do right now -- I really needed to put it down -- ah well stayed up to 2am so I could finish) Fabulous ending -- ties up a lot of stories but also leaves things open so if Kelley feels like writing more of the series she can -- wonderful! So many of the characters are so lifelike and real, you feel like they are actually people I have said it before Kelley is one of the most gifted storytellers alive - she always sucks you into a story, I have yet to be disappointed Some nice light moments thrown in at just the right times Shows all sorts of families, not just those that consist of a mom, dad and biological children Female characters are strong and in most cases fabulous role models Characters are not perfect, in other words real (Yes I know there are no such thing as vampires and werewolves, and thank god none of the demons she described in this book -- icky!) The Not So Good Stuff A lot of gory violence (not necessarily a bad thing -- just more a warning) So hard to write a review for this one without any spoilers - so I will just say -- get thee to a bookstore and buy now, you will not be disappointed! Favorite Quotes/Passages "We worked quite well together," Cass said. "Or we did, after you two started speaking to each other again. Please don't ever send her to me when you're angry with her, Adam. It's dreadful. All that moping and angst. It's like being partnered with one of those fictional vampires." "Gotta admit, as good as Clayton Danvers looks from the other side, he looks even better in person." She paused. "Just don't tell Elena I said that." Another pause. "Or your father." I smiled. "Nothing wrong with window shopping when you aren't looking to buy." "Is this the point where I explain my master plan? Um, no. Thanks, but I have more important things to do." Who Should/Shouldn't Read Obviously if you have read the rest of the series you will LOVE this I would recommend reading the rest of the series before you read this, but if you have only read a couple of them, you will still find them enjoyable 5 Dewey's I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review