Summary

Bitten, the 2001 debut novel by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong, launched the popular Women of the Otherworld series. This urban fantasy tale introduces Elena Michaels, the world's only female werewolf, as she struggles to balance her supernatural nature with her desire for a normal human life. Bitten received critical acclaim for its fresh take on werewolf mythology and strong female protagonist.

Plot

Elena Michaels, the world's only female werewolf, grows tired of her life in the Pack and moves to Toronto to live as a human. She's exhausted by the constant need to hide her true nature and protect others, as well as the expectation that she embrace her violent tendencies. Elena believes she wants a normal human life, free from the responsibilities and constraints of being a werewolf.

However, Elena's attempt at a peaceful human existence is interrupted when the Pack leader calls her back, requesting her help in dealing with a sudden uprising. Despite her reluctance, Elena agrees to assist, feeling that she owes the Pack leader a favor. She convinces herself that once this task is complete, she'll be free to return to her ordinary human life in Toronto.

As Elena becomes embroiled in the conflict, she finds herself torn between her desire for a normal life and the pull of her werewolf nature. The novel follows her struggle to reconcile these two aspects of herself while navigating the dangerous world of werewolf politics and confronting the threats posed by the uprising. Throughout the story, Elena must face her own internal conflicts and make difficult choices about her identity and future.

Themes

• Identity and self-acceptance
• Struggle between human and wolf nature
• Loyalty to pack versus individual freedom
• Female empowerment in a male-dominated world
• Control over one's violent instincts
• Belonging and finding one's place
• Love and relationships in supernatural circumstances

Setting

Bitten is set in the early 2000s, reflecting the contemporary urban landscape of Toronto, Canada. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a modern world where supernatural beings, particularly werewolves, coexist secretly alongside humans. This blend of the familiar and the fantastical creates a rich, immersive setting that grounds the otherworldly elements in a relatable context.

While much of the action takes place in Toronto, the novel also explores rural areas where the Pack resides. These secluded locations serve as safe havens for the werewolves, allowing them to transform and live according to their nature away from human eyes. The contrast between the bustling city and the wild, untamed territories highlights the dual nature of the characters, particularly Elena, as they navigate between their human and wolf identities.

Characters

• Elena Michaels: The protagonist, the world's only female werewolf. She struggles with her dual nature and desires a normal human life.
• Clayton Danvers: Elena's former lover and the one who turned her into a werewolf. He is fiercely protective of Elena and the Pack.
• Jeremy Danvers: The Alpha of the North American werewolf Pack. He is a calm and diplomatic leader who calls Elena back for help.
• Philip McAdams: Elena's human boyfriend in Toronto. He is unaware of her werewolf nature.
• Antonio Sorrentino: A senior member of the Pack and Jeremy's best friend. He is known for his strength and loyalty.
• Nick Sorrentino: Antonio's son and a younger member of the Pack. He is charming and often serves as comic relief.
• Daniel Santos: A former Pack member turned antagonist. He seeks to challenge Jeremy's leadership.
• Karl Marsten: A non-Pack werewolf who becomes involved in the conflict. He is cunning and self-serving.

Quick facts

• Bitten was Kelley Armstrong's debut novel, published in 2001.
• It was inspired by an episode of The X-Files about werewolves.
• Armstrong originally wrote Bitten as a short story before expanding it into a full novel.
• The book is the first in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. • Elena Michaels, the protagonist, is the world's only female werewolf.
• Armstrong's werewolves transform into full wolves, unlike many modern depictions.
• The novel was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Horror Guild.
• Bitten has been compared to Anne Rice's work for reinventing supernatural creatures.
• Bitten was adapted into a TV series. Starring Laura Vandervoort as Elena, it premiered on the Syfy channel in 2014 and ran for three seasons.
• Angelina Jolie was once approached to play Elena in a potential film adaptation.

About the author

Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery, and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is, however, an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.