Once Bitten

A Novel of Haven

By: Kalayna Price

Narrated by: Piper Goodeve

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Kita Nekai, on the run and the smallest of her shifter clan-a calico cat among lions and tigers-is being hunted. She was expected to accept her role as her father's successor whether or not her cat was up to the task of leading the clan. She disagreed. Now she's less than a step ahead of the hunters, bone-tired, cold, and living hand-to-mouth in the city of Haven. And that's the high point of her day. She's also drugged, "accidentally" turned into a vampire, and sentenced to death for recklessly creating a rogue shifter who tortures its human prey. She's got 72 hours to find the rogue, evade a city full of hunters, prove she's not responsible for the rogue, and keep the vampire council from killing her. All while sorting out an apprentice mage, a married ex-boyfriend shifter-hunter, and the vampire who made her.

©2009 Kalayna Price (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ill be watching for book two in this exciting new series." ( Darque Reviews )

"Urban fantasy readers who enjoy the works of Kelly Armstrong and V.K. Forrest will have a great time reading this exhilarating story." (Harriet Klausner )

"This was a perfect adventure." ( Paranormal Romance Reviews)

Good story

I just finished listing to Once Bitten and Twice Dead and enjoyed them both very much. It's a nice twist to the old vampire story. Lots of action and angry vamp politics and blood. Definately worth the listen. There will be a 3rd installment. :)

Starts slow but an excellent listen.

It took a little while to get into the Goodeve's voice, but after the first couple chapters it was hard to turn it off. The characters are well fleshed, the action relatively quick, and the storyline plausible. Kitta's character is a little illogical at times (always complaining, rarely willing to seek help even when she clearly needs it) but towards the middle of the book she gets a little more sense. The only character that really put me off was Bobby, since even though at the beginning of the story he mentions the fact that his mate is pregnant (and Kitta thinks about it once or twice), he never mentions it again. Nathanial is a good counterpoint to Kitta in his logical thoughts and patience to her lack of it. The back story doesn't always connect as well as it should to the current events but still, all in all, it was an engrossing listen and made a long plane ride go by much faster.

Nothing unexpected but enjoyable

There are a lot of Vampire/weir series out now and there is nothing in this story that will stand out as really eye opening or unique. That being said this author consistently delivers a well crafted story. It moves along at a good pace and I enjoyed the tale. I will probably keep reading the series. I found the narration a little flat, but since I am very picky about narration I would say still a good match to the character. A good rainy day read.

Lots of promise

This is the first of what could be a good series. Kitta is a shifter that fled her land 5 years previous. She's been hiding out from her father, head of the clan and dodging hunters set to bring her home, when she almost meets her demise. Nathaniel rescues her, but has to turn her into a vampire in order to keep her alive. She doesn't like the outcome and feels she can run away from being a vampire. She soon finds out reluctantly, that she can not flee her new life, and is being accused of being a rogue murderer of humans. Now, she has to prove her innocence in order to avoid the death penalty. With Bobby (an old love from the past), Nathaniel (her new sire), and Gil (a scholary faerie); Kitta sets out to find the real killer.
It's one problem after another and makes for an interesting tale. Kitta tends to be too outspoken for her own good most of the time, but hopefully at some point she'll wisen up. The narrator does an excellent job with all the voices, and keeps the story going at a good pace.

Interesting, gripping story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I read the other reviews here and think the comments on narration a little unfair. I think Piper Goodeve did an excellent job of portraying different characters through her narration, while leaving enough to your imagination by not allowing narration to take over. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and will be buying the second, in part due to narration.

What other book might you compare Once Bitten to and why?

It's a twist to any vampire / were story. Author was clearly influenced by Charlaine Harris / True Blood, some of the references indicate this very definitely. Less explicit sexual scenes however.

world building was good

I enjoyed entering the world(s) of once bitten. I am excited hear the next book and to see what happens to Kitta next.

still have many questions and want more depth

Any additional comments?

Once Bitten has, an intense mystery involving a rogue shifter. Kita finds herself in trouble and thanks to the quick actions of a lone vampire known as “the Hermit” she wakes up dead and unable to shift. Hmm, you think that would be enough for one day, but Kita ends up being accused of being the rogue shifter. She is granted seventy-two hours to find the killer and prove her innocence. Her ex-boyfriend Bobby and the vampire who saved her assist her along with a mage in training. This motley crew work together, quibble and begin to forge an interesting team.

Once Bitten despite flaws was a solid start to the Haven series. This first installment created questions regarding the world. While the reader is giving a basic understanding, it felt like we were thrust into this world and left to flounder. The second issue lies with the characters. All of them are intriguing and unique, but we gain very little connection. It is like watching a seriously good movie with the volume fading in and out. I want to better understand the relationship between Bobby and Kita not to mention the Vampire council and its hierarchy. So many questions. A little romance, or infatuation develops and I am interested to see how it progresses. Aspects of each character are fascinating, but I wanted to experience an emotional connection and gain understanding particularly with Kita. Having said that, I was interested enough to continue listening and picked up Twice Dead, the second audiobook.

Yet another formulaic but OK read, poor narrative

This is yet another formulaic book of the genra with some attempt at rising above the norm... Interesting enough to wade through to the end... However... The totally Monochromatic and uninspired narrative devoid of emotion or any intrest makes the wading through difficult... I want to try the next to see if it gets better...

painful read

I got as far as chapter 5 b4 calling it quits. The MC comes across as a recalcitrant and hedonistic teenager, who's wilfully blind and stupidly contrary. I just couldn't take it any more

perhaps a better read than told?

The story is good, but the narrator, while clear and capable, seems to be stuck on a one-emotion voice. The narrator reads the book as though all is doom and gloom, no joy, no humor, no fun. She isn't atonal, just few emotional variations, and from what I've read of Kalayna Price, her stories go the emotional gamut. So, while I like the book, I think I'll try reading it if my library gets it in.