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3.5 � rounded up

Men of the Otherworld is an anthology with four stories about the Danvers werewolves who have played significant roles in Bitten #1, Stolen #2, Broken #6, No Humans Involved #7, and Frostbitten #10. You don't have to be familiar with the Otherworld series in order to enjoy this anthology. And in many respects, I think it would be better to read the first three short stories, which all precede Bitten.

"Infusion: 1946" introduces Malcolm Danvers and relates the circumstances of his son Jeremy's birth.

"Savage: 1967" is written in Clayton's POV as he recounts how he asked for the gift of being a werewolf and then how Jeremy sufficiently tamed the feral wolf cub to rescue him from a premature death.

"Ascension: 1972" is again from Clayton's perspective from age 10 through his early college years, ending once Jeremy becomes the alpha of the Pack.

"Kitsunegari: 2007" is narrated by Jeremy and takes place after No Humans Involved during a weekend visit with his girlfriend Jaime Vega. This story sheds some light on Jeremy's mother's origin and abilities.

Who needed an external villain when there was a character like Malcolm, who would undoubtedly have been imprisoned as a convicted murderer if he had been a straight-up human? But he was a werewolf, who long desired the position of alpha and the impunity to act freely as his aggressions dictated. He was a constant threat in both Jeremy and Clay's lives until Jeremy became alpha.

"Oh, don't worry, brat," Malcolm whispered. "No, I won't hurt you. ... I know a better way. Rid myself of a growing inconvenience and get a little payback in the bargain."
Malcolm tucked the knife into his pocket and sauntered out, as Jeremy raced in.
What I forgot, though, was that it wasn't me Malcolm wanted to hurt. I was nothing to him. Nothing but a new tool in a campaign he'd been waging for years.

Jeremy has always been painted from Elena's perspective as an unflappable alpha with mysterious motives. I liked him because I had been given no reason to dislike him. Through these stories, his concern and diligent care for his Pack's welfare were made evident. This is especially notable given what a terrible father Jeremy had in Malcolm. In Jeremy's initial interactions with little werewolf Clay, I have to acknowledge Jeremy as a master of operant conditioning.

And so I let myself be domesticated. In the end, like any stray, I was conquered by the promise of continued food and shelter. Trust would take longer.

Clay was an incredibly precocious scrap who developed a devoted loyalty to his protector. I really liked how his character is more animal than human after living as a wolf in the Louisiana bayous during his formative years. His antics during his feral days of acclimatization to human society were hilarious.

Behind me, the bag tumbled away in the breeze. Tipping it into its side, I thrust my head inside, hoping to find the missing food. There was nothing there...
I pulled back. The bag stuck behind my ears. I shook myself. It stayed on. I tried backing away from it and tripped, tumbling head over ass to the ground. It was then that I heard it. Laughter.
I caught the bag under my paw and yanked my head out. [Jeremy] stood there, arms crossed over his chest, trying to stop himself from laughing and falling miserably. I glared at him, salvaged my last sheds of dignity and stalked off into the woods.
The next day he brought extra food, so I decided, after much contemplation, to forgive him.

#1 Bitten 3.5 �
#2 Stolen 3.5 �
#6 Broken 3.5 �
#7 No Humans Involved 3.5 �
#10 Frostbitten 4 �

Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 �
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 �