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Otherworld #7
No Humans Involved
In her acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series, bestselling author Kelley Armstrong creates a present day in which humans unwittingly coexist with werewolves, witches, and other supernatural beings. Now, in this spellbinding new novel, a beautiful necromancer who can see ghosts must come to terms with her power—and with an evil she never thought possible.
It’s the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it is to be her swan song—one last publicity blast for a celebrity on the wrong side of forty. But unlike her colleagues, who are more show than substance, Jaime is the real thing.
Reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime tries to suppress her talents, as she has done her entire life. But there is something lurking in the maze of gardens behind the house: a spirit without a voice. And it won’t let go until somehow Jaime hears its terrible story. For the first time in her life, Jaime Vegas understands what humans mean when they say they are haunted. Distraught, Jaime looks to fellow supernatural Jeremy Danvers for help.
As the touches and whispers from the garden grow more frantic, Jaime and Jeremy embark on an investigation into a Los Angeles underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, Jaime must use the darkest power she has to defeat a shocking enemy—one whose malicious force comes from the last realm she expected. . . .
In a world whose surface resembles our own, Kelley Armstrong delivers a stunning alternate reality, one where beings of the imagination live, love, and fight a never-ending battle between good and evil.
From the Hardcover edition.
It’s the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it is to be her swan song—one last publicity blast for a celebrity on the wrong side of forty. But unlike her colleagues, who are more show than substance, Jaime is the real thing.
Reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime tries to suppress her talents, as she has done her entire life. But there is something lurking in the maze of gardens behind the house: a spirit without a voice. And it won’t let go until somehow Jaime hears its terrible story. For the first time in her life, Jaime Vegas understands what humans mean when they say they are haunted. Distraught, Jaime looks to fellow supernatural Jeremy Danvers for help.
As the touches and whispers from the garden grow more frantic, Jaime and Jeremy embark on an investigation into a Los Angeles underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, Jaime must use the darkest power she has to defeat a shocking enemy—one whose malicious force comes from the last realm she expected. . . .
In a world whose surface resembles our own, Kelley Armstrong delivers a stunning alternate reality, one where beings of the imagination live, love, and fight a never-ending battle between good and evil.
From the Hardcover edition.
505 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
275 books32k followersKelley 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.
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.
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August 17, 2018
[4.5/5 stars] Color me surprised – I think this was my favorite installment since the first book!
I wasn’t even sure I liked Jamie (the POV) when I met her early on in the series. She’s a slightly off-beat character who wasn’t introduced in the most flattering light, but as the series progressed, she’s slowly become one of the most interesting characters of the lot. I think the fact that she started out slightly unlikable has made it more profound for me to have such a turnaround of opinion. It also brings in some real-world considerations (something I don’t usually endorse while reading, lol) about the pitfalls of judging someone before you really get to know them. This might sound too sappy, but my favorite thing about Jamie is how compassionate she is – she’s always the first to jump up and offer help. And what I didn’t like about her at first is now the thing I appreciate most – that she unapologeticly dances to her own beat and owns it. :)
And then there’s the added benefit of her story containing my favorite love interest to date…
Another reason I liked No Humans Involved so much is my general interest in anyone practicing a skill at a high level. Jamie’s particular talent (necromancy) was a huge focal point of the book and I really enjoyed seeing the depth of her knowledge on it. She managed to show off what she can do without ever actually “showing off,” making her all the more interesting. The interactions between her and the other “necros” were particularly satisfying and comprised my favorite scenes from the book.
Series Status: Overall, No Humans Involved was a huge success and completely reinvigorated the series for me. The next book is already on deck. :)
Recommendations: The Women of the Otherworld series may have its ups and downs, but the high moments by far outweigh the lows. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is definitely one I’d recommend as a “staple” read. Each book is so different, you’re bound to find at least a couple of winners, no matter your specific urban fantasy tastes. :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller atwww.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
I wasn’t even sure I liked Jamie (the POV) when I met her early on in the series. She’s a slightly off-beat character who wasn’t introduced in the most flattering light, but as the series progressed, she’s slowly become one of the most interesting characters of the lot. I think the fact that she started out slightly unlikable has made it more profound for me to have such a turnaround of opinion. It also brings in some real-world considerations (something I don’t usually endorse while reading, lol) about the pitfalls of judging someone before you really get to know them. This might sound too sappy, but my favorite thing about Jamie is how compassionate she is – she’s always the first to jump up and offer help. And what I didn’t like about her at first is now the thing I appreciate most – that she unapologeticly dances to her own beat and owns it. :)
And then there’s the added benefit of her story containing my favorite love interest to date…
Another reason I liked No Humans Involved so much is my general interest in anyone practicing a skill at a high level. Jamie’s particular talent (necromancy) was a huge focal point of the book and I really enjoyed seeing the depth of her knowledge on it. She managed to show off what she can do without ever actually “showing off,” making her all the more interesting. The interactions between her and the other “necros” were particularly satisfying and comprised my favorite scenes from the book.
Series Status: Overall, No Humans Involved was a huge success and completely reinvigorated the series for me. The next book is already on deck. :)
Recommendations: The Women of the Otherworld series may have its ups and downs, but the high moments by far outweigh the lows. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is definitely one I’d recommend as a “staple” read. Each book is so different, you’re bound to find at least a couple of winners, no matter your specific urban fantasy tastes. :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller atwww.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
May 23, 2021
For some reason I feel like I would love being able to talk to ghost. I know "well if you actually had that power you'd hate it" or "well ghost don't exist" blah blah blah.
I'm talking about a theoretical thing here.
Just being able to speak to someone from a different time period would be so enlightening. But then you have the "never ever being alone" and probably perves watching you change... Ugh never mind.
Jaime makes it look livable and cool but also you can see the damage it does to her. You can't help all the lost souls. You also can't punch a ghost in the face when they are being rude or gross. But at least she can converse with them.
Until she can't.
On a set for her big film break as a spiritualist (when in reality she actually is a necromancer, good cover job lady), Jaime feels a pinch. And a poke. And a grab. But she doesn't see anything. She hears whisper-less words. But still nothing.
Her crush of four years comes in handy as she tries to figure out what exactly is going on. And so does a chaos-lover half demon (and our next narrator).
Kelley Armstrong's story telling picks up in this new heroine book in a glorious series of supernatural ladies. The writing is glorious. This book is 100%. Double the love from the last three. Probably my favorite since Stolen or Bitten.
Jaime is marvelous. I wish there were more books with her in the lead. Necromancers are cool to read about.
This book?
I'm talking about a theoretical thing here.
Just being able to speak to someone from a different time period would be so enlightening. But then you have the "never ever being alone" and probably perves watching you change... Ugh never mind.
Jaime makes it look livable and cool but also you can see the damage it does to her. You can't help all the lost souls. You also can't punch a ghost in the face when they are being rude or gross. But at least she can converse with them.
Until she can't.
On a set for her big film break as a spiritualist (when in reality she actually is a necromancer, good cover job lady), Jaime feels a pinch. And a poke. And a grab. But she doesn't see anything. She hears whisper-less words. But still nothing.
Her crush of four years comes in handy as she tries to figure out what exactly is going on. And so does a chaos-lover half demon (and our next narrator).
Kelley Armstrong's story telling picks up in this new heroine book in a glorious series of supernatural ladies. The writing is glorious. This book is 100%. Double the love from the last three. Probably my favorite since Stolen or Bitten.
Jaime is marvelous. I wish there were more books with her in the lead. Necromancers are cool to read about.
This book?
April 8, 2021
3.5 ☆
No Humans Involved is the only installment in the Otherworld series featuring Jaime Vega, so it can be read as a standalone. Necromancer Jaime makes a living off of her magical ability. She has parlayed her ability to contact the dead into minor celebrity fame. At the wrong side of 40, she has landed a gig as one of three spiritualists trying to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe for a reality TV show. Unlike her fellow two co-stars, Jaime is a real ghost whisperer.
Jaime isn't a cold-blooded charlatan. Filming for the Marilyn Monroe show requires the three mediums and crew to stay in a house in Los Angeles. Jaime senses spirits in the backyard gardens, and she's motivated to act when she realizes that these spirits are children.
As a delegate, Jaime can tap into the resources of the interracial council of supernatural beings. How convenient, as Jaime has also long been interested in fellow representative Jeremy Danvers, the werewolf alpha. Calm and collected Jeremy has accepted Jaime's invitation to visit her during this show's filming.
Jaime needs any help she can get because it's beginning to look like child sacrifices were made in some black magic ritual. And although Jaime can talk to dead people, she lacks the super strength and senses that other supernatural beings possess. Clearly somebody is not afraid to kill.
I enjoyed reading No Humans Involved. It's refreshing to get a supernatural protagonist who is physically vulnerable and who is also slightly older than the usual 20-something. Jeremy has been a secondary character in the four other novels that featured werewolf Elena. I liked the peek into his head as he's even more taciturn than Clay, his foster son and Elena's significant other. The mystery is not earth shattering, but this book falls under the urban fantasy heading so it's acceptable. And it's mystifying enough to justify cameo appearances by characters who had featured in earlier Otherworld novels.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#6 Broken 3.5 ☆
#10 Frostbitten 4 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
No Humans Involved is the only installment in the Otherworld series featuring Jaime Vega, so it can be read as a standalone. Necromancer Jaime makes a living off of her magical ability. She has parlayed her ability to contact the dead into minor celebrity fame. At the wrong side of 40, she has landed a gig as one of three spiritualists trying to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe for a reality TV show. Unlike her fellow two co-stars, Jaime is a real ghost whisperer.
My Nan raised me to regard ghosts the same way the average person sees door-to-door salespeople and telemarketers: an unavoidable nuisance of life, one that should be dealt with firmly and swiftly and, ultimately, ignored. As cruel as that sounds, it was rooted in self-preservation.
If I could speak to my Nan again, I'd ask her this: did it hurt you to say no and does it ever stop hurting?
Jaime isn't a cold-blooded charlatan. Filming for the Marilyn Monroe show requires the three mediums and crew to stay in a house in Los Angeles. Jaime senses spirits in the backyard gardens, and she's motivated to act when she realizes that these spirits are children.
Maybe that higher power couldn't free these ghosts alone. ... but I still felt like I'd been given a mission, and damned if I wasn't going to do my best to fulfill it.
As a delegate, Jaime can tap into the resources of the interracial council of supernatural beings. How convenient, as Jaime has also long been interested in fellow representative Jeremy Danvers, the werewolf alpha. Calm and collected Jeremy has accepted Jaime's invitation to visit her during this show's filming.
And this was the man I'd fallen in love with - the leader of a world in which I would always be "the other." My heart, it seemed, could be as feckless as my brain.
Jaime needs any help she can get because it's beginning to look like child sacrifices were made in some black magic ritual. And although Jaime can talk to dead people, she lacks the super strength and senses that other supernatural beings possess. Clearly somebody is not afraid to kill.
I enjoyed reading No Humans Involved. It's refreshing to get a supernatural protagonist who is physically vulnerable and who is also slightly older than the usual 20-something. Jeremy has been a secondary character in the four other novels that featured werewolf Elena. I liked the peek into his head as he's even more taciturn than Clay, his foster son and Elena's significant other. The mystery is not earth shattering, but this book falls under the urban fantasy heading so it's acceptable. And it's mystifying enough to justify cameo appearances by characters who had featured in earlier Otherworld novels.
#1 Bitten 3.5 ☆
#2 Stolen 3.5 ☆
#6 Broken 3.5 ☆
#10 Frostbitten 4 ☆
Men of the Otherworld #1 3.5 ☆ rounded up
Tales of the Otherworld #2 3.5 ☆
Otherworld Nights #3 3.5 ☆
January 21, 2021
I liked this quite a bit, but it's a letdown from Men of the Otherworld, which is why it wasn't a four star read for me. Of course, the more Jeremy, the better, and Jamie is such a good match for him.
This was most definitely a paranormal mystery. Jamie uses her real ability as a necromancer to solve the murders of child ghosts who are congregating at the site of a famously haunted house. This is pretty grim stuff, but it's handled well. How prescient is the concept of banal evil in the contemporary world. Someone has figured out that they can steal power for themselves with the right sacrifice, and they aren't above killing children. That right there makes this book tough reading. Although I will be sure to make it clear that it's not particularly gory or brutal. It's more the mere thought of children being murdered.
I read this out of order, but it wasn't a problem for me. The book does a good job of calling out characters so that you know who is who and which characters are new, compared to returning faces. The otherworld expands greatly from the initial books where it's many about the werewolves. Honestly, I still love Elena, Clay, and Jeremy and the gang more, but I find Armstrong's society of supernatural creatures very intriguing.
Jamie's a fun character. She's in her forties, and I appreciate her maturity and her viewpoint as a veteran in the entertainment field. I do have an interest in true life ghost stories, so I liked that element of the story as it explores how ghost hunters is a big thing now in the enterainment/television industry. Also, I can imagine Hollywood is really quite haunted. All of the energy, tragedy, and history there. I also like how she pursues Jeremy and gets past his formidable reserve. I enjoyed their relationship and the back and forth in their ongoing courtship that started in previous books and comes to a head in this book. I liked seeing Elena and Clay show up, and I find Hope very interesting.
All that said, I didn't connect to this book the way I did with the werewolf stories. It's probably a me thing, and not so much a problem with the writing. Of course, I'll keep reading this series. The witch storyline has my interest, which is good, since Dime Store Magic is the next book in order from where I started, which was Stolen.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
This was most definitely a paranormal mystery. Jamie uses her real ability as a necromancer to solve the murders of child ghosts who are congregating at the site of a famously haunted house. This is pretty grim stuff, but it's handled well. How prescient is the concept of banal evil in the contemporary world. Someone has figured out that they can steal power for themselves with the right sacrifice, and they aren't above killing children. That right there makes this book tough reading. Although I will be sure to make it clear that it's not particularly gory or brutal. It's more the mere thought of children being murdered.
I read this out of order, but it wasn't a problem for me. The book does a good job of calling out characters so that you know who is who and which characters are new, compared to returning faces. The otherworld expands greatly from the initial books where it's many about the werewolves. Honestly, I still love Elena, Clay, and Jeremy and the gang more, but I find Armstrong's society of supernatural creatures very intriguing.
Jamie's a fun character. She's in her forties, and I appreciate her maturity and her viewpoint as a veteran in the entertainment field. I do have an interest in true life ghost stories, so I liked that element of the story as it explores how ghost hunters is a big thing now in the enterainment/television industry. Also, I can imagine Hollywood is really quite haunted. All of the energy, tragedy, and history there. I also like how she pursues Jeremy and gets past his formidable reserve. I enjoyed their relationship and the back and forth in their ongoing courtship that started in previous books and comes to a head in this book. I liked seeing Elena and Clay show up, and I find Hope very interesting.
All that said, I didn't connect to this book the way I did with the werewolf stories. It's probably a me thing, and not so much a problem with the writing. Of course, I'll keep reading this series. The witch storyline has my interest, which is good, since Dime Store Magic is the next book in order from where I started, which was Stolen.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
February 8, 2011
I'm so obsessed with this series right now. I can't put it down, not even for just one second. I have tons of things to do and I just keep postponing them so I can keep reading it.
In this installment we get to (FINALLY) read about Jaime and Jeremy. I had been dying to read this book as everybody kept telling me it was the best in the series so far and I just needed to get to it fast. Now I only can say that I am devastated I gt through it so fat, but it was so good that I just could not control myself,lol. I had been wanting to know more about Jeremy since book 1 so once I got to this book I was so excited I could not control it and Jaime ended up being a terrific heroine, who would have thought there was so much more about her we did not know?
But there's so much more about each of the books in this series than the heroes and heroines... It's all about this amazing new world the author has created. The way she describes all the species and to get to read about them all in a same series... there are no words to explain how much I love this series.
If you have not read it yet, you must.
In this installment we get to (FINALLY) read about Jaime and Jeremy. I had been dying to read this book as everybody kept telling me it was the best in the series so far and I just needed to get to it fast. Now I only can say that I am devastated I gt through it so fat, but it was so good that I just could not control myself,lol. I had been wanting to know more about Jeremy since book 1 so once I got to this book I was so excited I could not control it and Jaime ended up being a terrific heroine, who would have thought there was so much more about her we did not know?
But there's so much more about each of the books in this series than the heroes and heroines... It's all about this amazing new world the author has created. The way she describes all the species and to get to read about them all in a same series... there are no words to explain how much I love this series.
If you have not read it yet, you must.
April 13, 2022
I thought an Otherworld story with Jaime (a real necromancer) working with fake celebrity spiritualists/necromancers would be fun. And that part of it was. The part that focused on her and Jeremy finally getting their stuff together was also fun.
Ritual sacrifice of children <-----NOT fun.
Seriously. Quit killing kids already. It's tiresome.
Ritual sacrifice of children <-----NOT fun.
Seriously. Quit killing kids already. It's tiresome.
January 15, 2019
This is the next instalment from Kelley Armstrong, and this time it is Jaime Vegas’s turn. Being the necromancer in the series expect ghosts, and lots of them! We follow Jaime as she is invited to be on a tv show with the aim to talk to Marilyn Monroe. Jaime was introduced as a character a few books ago and I actually warmed to her straight away. I was hoping we would get one based on her as a character. I think this book in the series compliments the collection perfectly, it’s lovely to finally get a story from Jaime.
I find Jaime more relatable than the other characters in the series, mainly because she is a total girly girl and does not let her gift hinder her appearance. The other characters are more into combat and so you wouldn’t find a heel or skirt on any of them so it is refreshing to find her meddling her way through the supernatural going on’s in a glamorous way. Talking of combat, as you can imagine, there is not so much of that in this book. If action is what your after this will likely be your least favourite. That’s not to say the book is lacking of all types of action, things definitely warm up in this one. Enter Jeremy. Jeremy is involved heavily in this fantasy and focuses a lot on his and Jaime’s relationship. You will certainly get slightly hot under the collar. Who knew Jaime was a sultry sexpot amongst other things?
Overall this did take me a lot longer to read than anticipated. It was a lot more passive and so the pages weren’t turned quite as fast as the others have been. I am hoping we see more of Jaime, I expect big things from her. It a lovely book in the series and I do hope you enjoy it, even though it is a bit more laid-back than what we are used to!
I find Jaime more relatable than the other characters in the series, mainly because she is a total girly girl and does not let her gift hinder her appearance. The other characters are more into combat and so you wouldn’t find a heel or skirt on any of them so it is refreshing to find her meddling her way through the supernatural going on’s in a glamorous way. Talking of combat, as you can imagine, there is not so much of that in this book. If action is what your after this will likely be your least favourite. That’s not to say the book is lacking of all types of action, things definitely warm up in this one. Enter Jeremy. Jeremy is involved heavily in this fantasy and focuses a lot on his and Jaime’s relationship. You will certainly get slightly hot under the collar. Who knew Jaime was a sultry sexpot amongst other things?
Overall this did take me a lot longer to read than anticipated. It was a lot more passive and so the pages weren’t turned quite as fast as the others have been. I am hoping we see more of Jaime, I expect big things from her. It a lovely book in the series and I do hope you enjoy it, even though it is a bit more laid-back than what we are used to!
August 15, 2016
This is the seventh in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and this time we get to experience the action through Jamie Vegas' eyes.
While filming for a tv show, Jamie finds out that the garden of the house were the filming takes place seems to be inhabitated by child ghosts. As the theory of human sacrifice for magical power gets further unraveled, Jamie needs all the help she can get.
This book can be read as a stand alone but readers might be confused by all the names brought up, because we see a lot different characters from Armstrong's world: Paige, Lucas, Savannah, Eve, Kristof, Hope, Karl and ofcourse: Jeremy.
Jamie has been infatuated with Jeremy for four years and it's really funny to see how the professional flirter turns into a 14 year old girl around the werewolf Alpha.
The reason I like Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series is because we see her world from so many different perspectives. Granted: not every main character has the same depth or attraction. Elena is my favorite but a big reason behind that was the angst between her and Clay. I loved Eve Levine because of her humor and big mouth, while her relationship with Kristof and her need for Savannah portrayed her vulnerable side.
Jamie is a show girl who has tried to turn an unhappy life with an unloving and demanding mother in a meaningful and purposeful existence. She has strong powers but these do not always come handy in battle. This makes Jamie seem like the muddler who is always in need for protection. This book shows however, that Jamie is more than capable of handling her own.
A very good, entertaining and solid read by Kelley Armstrong.
While filming for a tv show, Jamie finds out that the garden of the house were the filming takes place seems to be inhabitated by child ghosts. As the theory of human sacrifice for magical power gets further unraveled, Jamie needs all the help she can get.
This book can be read as a stand alone but readers might be confused by all the names brought up, because we see a lot different characters from Armstrong's world: Paige, Lucas, Savannah, Eve, Kristof, Hope, Karl and ofcourse: Jeremy.
Jamie has been infatuated with Jeremy for four years and it's really funny to see how the professional flirter turns into a 14 year old girl around the werewolf Alpha.
The reason I like Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series is because we see her world from so many different perspectives. Granted: not every main character has the same depth or attraction. Elena is my favorite but a big reason behind that was the angst between her and Clay. I loved Eve Levine because of her humor and big mouth, while her relationship with Kristof and her need for Savannah portrayed her vulnerable side.
Jamie is a show girl who has tried to turn an unhappy life with an unloving and demanding mother in a meaningful and purposeful existence. She has strong powers but these do not always come handy in battle. This makes Jamie seem like the muddler who is always in need for protection. This book shows however, that Jamie is more than capable of handling her own.
A very good, entertaining and solid read by Kelley Armstrong.
January 14, 2019
I was so looking forward to this book, Jamie wasn’t who I thought I wanted with Jeremy but it actually worked.
We also get Elena and CLAY!!! Yay!
This was zombies come to life it was weird and had me intrigued; it isn’t my favorite of the books because the story was weird for me but overall it was good. I want more Jeremy though; I kind of feel like this book was more Elena and Clay than Jeremy and Jamie. I think we lost some of the romance for them.
The ending though OH MY Word precious!! I want more.
Liked the narration.
We also get Elena and CLAY!!! Yay!
This was zombies come to life it was weird and had me intrigued; it isn’t my favorite of the books because the story was weird for me but overall it was good. I want more Jeremy though; I kind of feel like this book was more Elena and Clay than Jeremy and Jamie. I think we lost some of the romance for them.
The ending though OH MY Word precious!! I want more.
Liked the narration.
October 15, 2008
I can talk to dead people.
Jaime Vegas is a true necromancer. She can raise the dead if she has to. She can see and talk to ghosts. Only problem is, she can’t control seeing them. Constantly, everywhere, they see her, she pretends not to see them. Sure, she can deliver a message for them, but she can’t figure out why they’re dead, who killed them, what killed them, and would prefer not to even try. Now part of the interracial council, Jaime gives her feedback when it’s needed and wanted. However, she still doesn’t think they take her as seriously as she’d like them to.
Jeremy is a werewolf, the pack’s Alpha. As the Alpha, he’s constantly being protected, bodyguard and otherwise, for no one in the pack wants to lose him, and those not part of the pack wants to see him dead. This time he meets up with Jaime without protection, just ‘for a visit’. While he’s slow at getting there, he wants her. He just doesn’t want to put the risks on her of what a pack Alpha means; the constant need to be protected, always at risk, for the easiest way to get to Jeremy would be through Jaime. But she’s been wanting him since they met, and this time Jaime is determined to get him.
On the set of an anticipated TV show, something strange happens. Seems ghosts are trying to get her attention, but she can’t see them. She talks to them, but they don’t seem to understand or hear her. And other than indistinguishable whispers, she can’t understand them either.
With the help of mostly Eve, Kristof, Hope, Jeremy and Karl, they delve into the mystery, unable to understand why these ghosts are unlike those she’s ever encountered and wanting to lay them to rest. With a little sleuthing, they discover the ghosts are those of children, ghosts who’s energy has been taken away, making them unable to appear in corporeal form, unable to be heard even by Eve and Kristof. But finding out who and why is enough to shock everyone.
I liked the mystery involved in this one. I’d have never guessed - not true, LOL! I got an inkling of the who, just not quite the why and how. It was interesting to see how the plot worked out - definitely different from your usual run of the mill paranormal story. What I thought cute was how Jaime was portrayed like Daphne from the Scooby-Doo cartoon - a wimp, always the one in trouble, getting kidnapped and needing rescuing. But the courage Jaime finds to defeat them was right-on perfect. I couldn’t expect better.
I liked the banter between Jaime and Jeremy, especially the way she teased him. I do feel that there could have beem a little more spark between them. While it was strong, it wasn’t enough. Could have used a little more ‘oomph’ between the two of them.
And while the book is full of the usual: horror, action, adventure, suspense, mystery, satire, there were little inconsistencies that you catch and just let go. But I thought it was a little too neat, like it was hastily written. Too many tidy coincidences and not enough twists. And I know I’m not the only one who’d have loved to get more of Jaime’s background. You get snippets of her past, but it’s like the info barely made a dent on who Jaime is. Could’ve really used more on her.
Otherwise, another hit for the series. Keep ‘em coming, Kelley!
Jaime Vegas is a true necromancer. She can raise the dead if she has to. She can see and talk to ghosts. Only problem is, she can’t control seeing them. Constantly, everywhere, they see her, she pretends not to see them. Sure, she can deliver a message for them, but she can’t figure out why they’re dead, who killed them, what killed them, and would prefer not to even try. Now part of the interracial council, Jaime gives her feedback when it’s needed and wanted. However, she still doesn’t think they take her as seriously as she’d like them to.
Jeremy is a werewolf, the pack’s Alpha. As the Alpha, he’s constantly being protected, bodyguard and otherwise, for no one in the pack wants to lose him, and those not part of the pack wants to see him dead. This time he meets up with Jaime without protection, just ‘for a visit’. While he’s slow at getting there, he wants her. He just doesn’t want to put the risks on her of what a pack Alpha means; the constant need to be protected, always at risk, for the easiest way to get to Jeremy would be through Jaime. But she’s been wanting him since they met, and this time Jaime is determined to get him.
On the set of an anticipated TV show, something strange happens. Seems ghosts are trying to get her attention, but she can’t see them. She talks to them, but they don’t seem to understand or hear her. And other than indistinguishable whispers, she can’t understand them either.
With the help of mostly Eve, Kristof, Hope, Jeremy and Karl, they delve into the mystery, unable to understand why these ghosts are unlike those she’s ever encountered and wanting to lay them to rest. With a little sleuthing, they discover the ghosts are those of children, ghosts who’s energy has been taken away, making them unable to appear in corporeal form, unable to be heard even by Eve and Kristof. But finding out who and why is enough to shock everyone.
I liked the mystery involved in this one. I’d have never guessed - not true, LOL! I got an inkling of the who, just not quite the why and how. It was interesting to see how the plot worked out - definitely different from your usual run of the mill paranormal story. What I thought cute was how Jaime was portrayed like Daphne from the Scooby-Doo cartoon - a wimp, always the one in trouble, getting kidnapped and needing rescuing. But the courage Jaime finds to defeat them was right-on perfect. I couldn’t expect better.
I liked the banter between Jaime and Jeremy, especially the way she teased him. I do feel that there could have beem a little more spark between them. While it was strong, it wasn’t enough. Could have used a little more ‘oomph’ between the two of them.
And while the book is full of the usual: horror, action, adventure, suspense, mystery, satire, there were little inconsistencies that you catch and just let go. But I thought it was a little too neat, like it was hastily written. Too many tidy coincidences and not enough twists. And I know I’m not the only one who’d have loved to get more of Jaime’s background. You get snippets of her past, but it’s like the info barely made a dent on who Jaime is. Could’ve really used more on her.
Otherwise, another hit for the series. Keep ‘em coming, Kelley!
March 18, 2017
No Humans Involved
3.5 Stars
Jamie Vegas, renowned professional medium and secret necromancer, agrees to participate in a new reality show aimed at invoking the spirit of Marilyn Monroe. The situation, however, gets out of hand when she is beset by several unruly ghosts desperate to communicate, but oddly unable to do so. In order to help them, Jamie will have to marshal all of her resources, especially that of the alpha-werewolf, Jeremy Danvers, and come to terms with the true nature of her powerful abilities.
The build up toward Jamie and Jeremy's book had me very eager to read their story. In some regards, it lives up to expectations, but in others, it falls rather flat.
While Jamie and Jeremy's romance has been developing over the past few books, my impression was that they had not yet reached the point of being comfortable enough with one another to enter into a relationship. Consequently, it was strange to learn that Jeremy was coming to Los Angeles to spend time with Jamie. Did I miss a prequel novella to this book?
Nevertheless, once Jamie and Jeremy get together, the sparks fly and the two share several intensely intimate scenes. Unfortunately, Armstrong fades to black just as its getting really good.
The plot revolving around a cult-like group practicing human sacrifice in an attempt to attain magical abilities has incredible potential. Unfortunately, Jamie's path toward uncovering the truth diverts so many times that the story becomes drawn out and loses momentum. There is really no reason to include so many scenes involving the heroines from the previous books. The only conclusion to be drawn is that Armstrong is promoting other stories to first time readers.
Despite these issues, the climax and resolution are exciting and satisfying. Moreover, the insights into Jeremy's family history and the side stories about the various ghosts that Jamie encounters throughout the story are a highlight.
In sum, an enjoyable addition to the series, but I was expecting more for Jamie and Jeremy's romance.
3.5 Stars
Jamie Vegas, renowned professional medium and secret necromancer, agrees to participate in a new reality show aimed at invoking the spirit of Marilyn Monroe. The situation, however, gets out of hand when she is beset by several unruly ghosts desperate to communicate, but oddly unable to do so. In order to help them, Jamie will have to marshal all of her resources, especially that of the alpha-werewolf, Jeremy Danvers, and come to terms with the true nature of her powerful abilities.
The build up toward Jamie and Jeremy's book had me very eager to read their story. In some regards, it lives up to expectations, but in others, it falls rather flat.
While Jamie and Jeremy's romance has been developing over the past few books, my impression was that they had not yet reached the point of being comfortable enough with one another to enter into a relationship. Consequently, it was strange to learn that Jeremy was coming to Los Angeles to spend time with Jamie. Did I miss a prequel novella to this book?
Nevertheless, once Jamie and Jeremy get together, the sparks fly and the two share several intensely intimate scenes. Unfortunately, Armstrong fades to black just as its getting really good.
The plot revolving around a cult-like group practicing human sacrifice in an attempt to attain magical abilities has incredible potential. Unfortunately, Jamie's path toward uncovering the truth diverts so many times that the story becomes drawn out and loses momentum. There is really no reason to include so many scenes involving the heroines from the previous books. The only conclusion to be drawn is that Armstrong is promoting other stories to first time readers.
Despite these issues, the climax and resolution are exciting and satisfying. Moreover, the insights into Jeremy's family history and the side stories about the various ghosts that Jamie encounters throughout the story are a highlight.
In sum, an enjoyable addition to the series, but I was expecting more for Jamie and Jeremy's romance.
May 4, 2010
I am not one of those Armstrong fans who only read Women of the Otherworld series for the werewolves. I enjoy these books for the world-building and mysteries. And thankfully, in this regard, No Humans Involved is a much better book than its fillerifick/wish fulfillment predecessor - Broken.
At the center of the story is Jaime Vegas, a necromancer originally introduced in Dime Store Magic and who's been a reoccurring secondary character ever since. Jaime is in LA and participating in filming of a documentary about contacting Marilyn Monroe's ghost, along with two other "supernaturalists." She is however diverted from the shooting by a group of ghosts she accidentally encounters on the set. These ghosts are very insistent in their desire to get Jaime to help them, but she can't figure out what they want. The ghosts are unusual and nothing like the necromancer has come across before - she can't see or communicate with them. Can it be that the ghosts are victims of some heinous paranormal experiment? Jaime has to employ the help of about every supernatural she knows to get to the bottom of this mystery.
No Humans Involved is by no means a perfectly written book. It is Armstrong's habit to try to make every book of hers a sort of a reunion of all her previously introduced characters. This book is no exception - there is an obligatory revisiting of Elena, Clay, twins, Paige, Lucas, Robert, and the rest of the gang. Sometimes these cameos are vital to the story, sometimes they are unnecessary and only add some logistical confusion. In No Humans Involved this revisiting is not as jarring as in, let's say, Industrial Magic or Broken. In fact, I actually quite liked meeting Savannah and Eve again, and I am definitely ready to learn more about Hope and Karl in Personal Demon.
Overall, I enjoyed this 7th installment of Women of the Otherworld. No Humans Involved is a good mix of fast-paced adventure, great mythology, mystery and smutty romance. Of course, this book is no Bitten and Jaime and Jeremy are no Elena and Clay. But if you are a fan of Armstrong's non-werewolf books such as Industrial Magic and Haunted, I expect you will enjoy this book as well.
At the center of the story is Jaime Vegas, a necromancer originally introduced in Dime Store Magic and who's been a reoccurring secondary character ever since. Jaime is in LA and participating in filming of a documentary about contacting Marilyn Monroe's ghost, along with two other "supernaturalists." She is however diverted from the shooting by a group of ghosts she accidentally encounters on the set. These ghosts are very insistent in their desire to get Jaime to help them, but she can't figure out what they want. The ghosts are unusual and nothing like the necromancer has come across before - she can't see or communicate with them. Can it be that the ghosts are victims of some heinous paranormal experiment? Jaime has to employ the help of about every supernatural she knows to get to the bottom of this mystery.
No Humans Involved is by no means a perfectly written book. It is Armstrong's habit to try to make every book of hers a sort of a reunion of all her previously introduced characters. This book is no exception - there is an obligatory revisiting of Elena, Clay, twins, Paige, Lucas, Robert, and the rest of the gang. Sometimes these cameos are vital to the story, sometimes they are unnecessary and only add some logistical confusion. In No Humans Involved this revisiting is not as jarring as in, let's say, Industrial Magic or Broken. In fact, I actually quite liked meeting Savannah and Eve again, and I am definitely ready to learn more about Hope and Karl in Personal Demon.
Overall, I enjoyed this 7th installment of Women of the Otherworld. No Humans Involved is a good mix of fast-paced adventure, great mythology, mystery and smutty romance. Of course, this book is no Bitten and Jaime and Jeremy are no Elena and Clay. But if you are a fan of Armstrong's non-werewolf books such as Industrial Magic and Haunted, I expect you will enjoy this book as well.
October 21, 2019
Reread
JAMIE AND JEREMY <3333333333333333333 HEARTS IN MY EYES FOREVER. FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I really liked about this book (besides, um, EVERYTHING) was how much was focused on Jaime coming to terms with herself, her place in the supernatural community, and her own powers. I think anyone who spent enough time around Elena, Paige, Savannah, and even Cassandra would have their hangups about their usefulness and what they can really add to any kind of investigation, and just Jaime coming to terms with the fact that what she does is just different, no less powerful or relevant in its place than anyone else.
I was also super into Jaime and Jeremy working at figuring out how their relationship would work between their own individual lives, especially Jeremy's. I love that Jaime really does accept that he is the Alpha and that for a lot of things the Pack is just going to come first. It doesn't bother her (if anything, it bothers Jeremy). I really enjoyed seeing the way being Alpha of the Pack has impacted Jeremy's life and his decision to undertake a serious relationship, and the way he chafes at always being protected.
I keep coming back around to the idea of supernatural evolution because it's the over arching theme that's really sticking out for me on this reread. The series starts out so tightly focused on Werewolves, and then it just expands so far outwards. As the series itself evolves, so do the races within, and I'm just really fascinated by the ideas that were first developed in Stolen are still coming into play. Not only do we see that explicitly in this book with the magical evolution of humans, but it's also there more subtly when it comes to cultural evolution. Before Jeremy was Alpha, the Pack was exclusively male dominated. They STOLE babies from mothers, for crying out loud! and the men were encouraged not to develop lasting relationships. That all changed with Elena (and Clay), and it not only allowed for werewolves to evolve as a full blooded species but also for the other male werewolves to look at their lives, look at their choices, so to speak. We saw it in Broken with Nick questioning what he's doing with his life (What, what WHAT are you doing?), and we see it here with Jeremy, allowing himself to take a real spouse and partner. I AM ETERNALLY FASCINATED by this, and I would love to read something like the Werewolf Legacy that just detailed the history of the Pack for the next three to four generations.
ANYWAY. Besides all that heavy stuff, can we TALK about that sex scene, because I need a minute.
Reread October 2019
That balcony scene, AM I RIGHT?
JAMIE AND JEREMY <3333333333333333333 HEARTS IN MY EYES FOREVER. FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I really liked about this book (besides, um, EVERYTHING) was how much was focused on Jaime coming to terms with herself, her place in the supernatural community, and her own powers. I think anyone who spent enough time around Elena, Paige, Savannah, and even Cassandra would have their hangups about their usefulness and what they can really add to any kind of investigation, and just Jaime coming to terms with the fact that what she does is just different, no less powerful or relevant in its place than anyone else.
I was also super into Jaime and Jeremy working at figuring out how their relationship would work between their own individual lives, especially Jeremy's. I love that Jaime really does accept that he is the Alpha and that for a lot of things the Pack is just going to come first. It doesn't bother her (if anything, it bothers Jeremy). I really enjoyed seeing the way being Alpha of the Pack has impacted Jeremy's life and his decision to undertake a serious relationship, and the way he chafes at always being protected.
I keep coming back around to the idea of supernatural evolution because it's the over arching theme that's really sticking out for me on this reread. The series starts out so tightly focused on Werewolves, and then it just expands so far outwards. As the series itself evolves, so do the races within, and I'm just really fascinated by the ideas that were first developed in Stolen are still coming into play. Not only do we see that explicitly in this book with the magical evolution of humans, but it's also there more subtly when it comes to cultural evolution. Before Jeremy was Alpha, the Pack was exclusively male dominated. They STOLE babies from mothers, for crying out loud! and the men were encouraged not to develop lasting relationships. That all changed with Elena (and Clay), and it not only allowed for werewolves to evolve as a full blooded species but also for the other male werewolves to look at their lives, look at their choices, so to speak. We saw it in Broken with Nick questioning what he's doing with his life (What, what WHAT are you doing?), and we see it here with Jeremy, allowing himself to take a real spouse and partner. I AM ETERNALLY FASCINATED by this, and I would love to read something like the Werewolf Legacy that just detailed the history of the Pack for the next three to four generations.
ANYWAY. Besides all that heavy stuff, can we TALK about that sex scene, because I need a minute.
Reread October 2019
That balcony scene, AM I RIGHT?
January 16, 2019
I absolutely adore Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and am always happy to dive into each book whenever I managed to get my hands on it. With No Humans Involved, however, I admit to mixed feelings before going in. I adore the series, I was interested in seeing where things went, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about our lead. Sure, Jaime has interested me in the other books, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from her as a main character.
It turns out, I had no reason to worry. I adored Jaime as a main character, and her story was wonderful. It had all the layers you come to expect from a Kelley Armstrong novel, all the goodness of a Women of the Otherworld book, and had more than enough to keep me entertained throughout. In fact, I enjoyed this one much more than I had anticipated. It wasn’t simply good, it was seriously good.
In fact, I cannot help but hope we get a lot more of our characters from this one in the future books. I enjoyed the development of both Jaime and Jeremy so much, and I really need more of their story. If the truth is to be known, I enjoyed their development so much that they have taken the second place on my couples list for those in this series. I still have a soft spot for Paige and Lucas, but Jeremy alone was almost enough to push this couple into first place.
Without a doubt, this was a brilliant addition to the series.
It turns out, I had no reason to worry. I adored Jaime as a main character, and her story was wonderful. It had all the layers you come to expect from a Kelley Armstrong novel, all the goodness of a Women of the Otherworld book, and had more than enough to keep me entertained throughout. In fact, I enjoyed this one much more than I had anticipated. It wasn’t simply good, it was seriously good.
In fact, I cannot help but hope we get a lot more of our characters from this one in the future books. I enjoyed the development of both Jaime and Jeremy so much, and I really need more of their story. If the truth is to be known, I enjoyed their development so much that they have taken the second place on my couples list for those in this series. I still have a soft spot for Paige and Lucas, but Jeremy alone was almost enough to push this couple into first place.
Without a doubt, this was a brilliant addition to the series.
December 24, 2017
The seventh installment of the Women of the Otherworld series follows Jaime as she uncovers mysterious spirits on the set of a show she is filming. The spirits were sacrificed by humans so they could use the ashes for magic purposes, and Jaime must find out who is conducting these rituals so they can be stopped. We have visits from Eve, Jeremy, and Karl in this book, and
I honestly wasn't expecting to like a book told from Jaime's perspective as much as I did, and it really gave me a different view of how I previously pictured her. This book is well-written and I enjoyed getting to know Jaime's character a bit better.
I honestly wasn't expecting to like a book told from Jaime's perspective as much as I did, and it really gave me a different view of how I previously pictured her. This book is well-written and I enjoyed getting to know Jaime's character a bit better.
August 28, 2012
I plunged into this book with ridiculously high expectations and, for once, they all were met, leaving me utterly satisfied, staring at the last sentence with a huge grin on my face. No Humans Involved is a fantastic read with engaging plot, cruel villain, fast pace, butt-kicking action, hilarious dialogue, amazing romance and lovable characters.
First of all, there's Jaime and Jeremy. Really, do I even need to say more? They've had my heart since that balcony scene in Paige's book and I've somehow made it through all the teasers in the next books without jumping straight to their story. I adore Jaime. Simply love her to bits. She's very different from other otherworld women; she doesn't have Elena's physical strength, she doesn't have Paige's spells and she doesn't have Eve's butt-kicking abilities. All she can do is talk to ghosts which isn't really helpful in a troublesome situation, or so she thinks. And seeing as Jaime is one awe-inspiring trouble magnet in a constant need of being saved, it's no wonder she feels rather pathetic. Having a huge crush on one sexy alpha werewolf for four years is not helping at all. And then there's said alpha... The damn man is almost thrice my age yet he manages to melt me every single time he appears in the story. It's ridiculous! But if before he was only an attractive, unbelievably dense, caring gentleman able to take care of any problem, in this book he shows a whole new side and let's just say no woman can resist a man like Jeremy. Who would have thought that the owner of Stonehaven can be such a tease? Together with one naughty Ms Vegas they make quite a pair. There is nothing I dislike about them, absolutely nothing. They are adults, they are responsible, they are rational, they know the risks, they don't take chances. But maybe it's time to finally start taking them...
Another great things is the appearance of some old characters and introduction of some new ones. There are sneaky peeks into Clay and Elena's parental life, there is the chaos of Cortez household, there is hilarious adorableness of Eve and Kris and there is the tantalizing new couple aka Hope and Karl. The chemistry between the two promises one very interesting, funny, witty and sarcastic book, packed with action and mystery, of course.
And then there's the plot. Armstrong really did it this time. I can't say much since anything will be too spoilery, but I loved every single detail of it. The villain is ruthless and cold, the victims make my heart ache and the setting is perfect. The combination of Jaime's Hollywood life and her paranormal one really makes it all work together. Not only is the poor woman forced to work with nasty people of TV world, but she also has to solve a vicious crime involving ghosts and zombies. It can't get any more awesome, it just can't.
First of all, there's Jaime and Jeremy. Really, do I even need to say more? They've had my heart since that balcony scene in Paige's book and I've somehow made it through all the teasers in the next books without jumping straight to their story. I adore Jaime. Simply love her to bits. She's very different from other otherworld women; she doesn't have Elena's physical strength, she doesn't have Paige's spells and she doesn't have Eve's butt-kicking abilities. All she can do is talk to ghosts which isn't really helpful in a troublesome situation, or so she thinks. And seeing as Jaime is one awe-inspiring trouble magnet in a constant need of being saved, it's no wonder she feels rather pathetic. Having a huge crush on one sexy alpha werewolf for four years is not helping at all. And then there's said alpha... The damn man is almost thrice my age yet he manages to melt me every single time he appears in the story. It's ridiculous! But if before he was only an attractive, unbelievably dense, caring gentleman able to take care of any problem, in this book he shows a whole new side and let's just say no woman can resist a man like Jeremy. Who would have thought that the owner of Stonehaven can be such a tease? Together with one naughty Ms Vegas they make quite a pair. There is nothing I dislike about them, absolutely nothing. They are adults, they are responsible, they are rational, they know the risks, they don't take chances. But maybe it's time to finally start taking them...
Another great things is the appearance of some old characters and introduction of some new ones. There are sneaky peeks into Clay and Elena's parental life, there is the chaos of Cortez household, there is hilarious adorableness of Eve and Kris and there is the tantalizing new couple aka Hope and Karl. The chemistry between the two promises one very interesting, funny, witty and sarcastic book, packed with action and mystery, of course.
And then there's the plot. Armstrong really did it this time. I can't say much since anything will be too spoilery, but I loved every single detail of it. The villain is ruthless and cold, the victims make my heart ache and the setting is perfect. The combination of Jaime's Hollywood life and her paranormal one really makes it all work together. Not only is the poor woman forced to work with nasty people of TV world, but she also has to solve a vicious crime involving ghosts and zombies. It can't get any more awesome, it just can't.
July 15, 2022
Another Women of the Underworld book from Kelley Armstrong, this time focusing on Jaime Vegas, a popular spiritualist whose stage shows where she contacts those who have passed delight audiences. What the people don’t know is that Jaime is actually a necromancer, able to speak with and, in some cases, raise the dead. She has been invited to costar on a television production where three well-known spiritualists will try to contact the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. The fact that two of the three performers are frauds makes no difference to the Hollywood types who plan to make lots of money on the show.
When she moves into the house that the production company has leased to film their special, Jamie finds that there are actually ghosts in the garden that desperately want her attention, but she can’t speak with them and doesn’t know who they are. Jaime calls on her werewolf crush, Jeremy Danvers, for assistance in solving the mystery of the trapped spirits and helping them cross over and find peace. Together, Jaime and Jeremy uncover a truly evil group of people that are determined to gain supernatural powers via human sacrifice.
I enjoyed the necromancy power that Jaime embodies far more than the werewolf books that Armstrong is so captivated with. Jaime is very human and down to earth, nothing like the super strong and aggressive werewolves. Jeremy is the exceptional wolf who relies more on using his intellect than his brawn, although he is not above applying his strength when necessary.
The necromancer and the werewolf are an excellent team and manage to uncover the unspeakable evil being practiced at the cost of innocent lives.
This was a fun read, if not a work of great literature. Armstrong creates interesting, fully developed characters with their own motivations and desires. I will continue picking up the books in this series and enjoying the paranormal creatures that populate them.
When she moves into the house that the production company has leased to film their special, Jamie finds that there are actually ghosts in the garden that desperately want her attention, but she can’t speak with them and doesn’t know who they are. Jaime calls on her werewolf crush, Jeremy Danvers, for assistance in solving the mystery of the trapped spirits and helping them cross over and find peace. Together, Jaime and Jeremy uncover a truly evil group of people that are determined to gain supernatural powers via human sacrifice.
I enjoyed the necromancy power that Jaime embodies far more than the werewolf books that Armstrong is so captivated with. Jaime is very human and down to earth, nothing like the super strong and aggressive werewolves. Jeremy is the exceptional wolf who relies more on using his intellect than his brawn, although he is not above applying his strength when necessary.
The necromancer and the werewolf are an excellent team and manage to uncover the unspeakable evil being practiced at the cost of innocent lives.
This was a fun read, if not a work of great literature. Armstrong creates interesting, fully developed characters with their own motivations and desires. I will continue picking up the books in this series and enjoying the paranormal creatures that populate them.
June 18, 2011
I've been waiting for Jamie's story ever since Industrial Magic. It's hard for me to say why exactly, but I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with the embarrassing crush she has on werewolf alpha, Jeremy. I mean, you expect crushes from young, inexperienced heroines, but Jamie is 44 years-old. She is sexy and she is secure in her own skin... except when it comes to Jeremy. In his presence, she turns into an adorable fool, and it is completely impossible for me not to root for her.
So finally, after four years of carrying a huge torch for the man, Jamie is finally getting some alone time with Jeremy. He's coming to visit her on the set of the supernatural tv special she is working on. Jamie is holed up in a house with two other "psychics" to try to figure out the mysteries of Marilyn Monroe's death. Of course, the other two aren't necromancers, like Jamie, so they don't feel the strange pull coming from the garden. As Jamie opens her senses, she realizes that she has stumbled into something truly terrible... that the garden is filled with the tattered spirits of child ghosts. So she and Jeremy team up to investigate who killed the kids what dark magic has weakened their spirits.
Joining the two is half-demon Hope. (She was first introduced in a short story, called "Chaotic" in the anthology Dates From Hell. She's sort-of a love interest for the werewolf Karl we met in Bitten. It's easy to pick up the essentials of their relationship in the course of this book, but I can imagine that without the short story, you might feel like you're missing something.) Hope uses her contacts as a tabloid journalist to help them get a pulse on the local magical community. And her participation sets her up as the narrator for the coming book.
The murder storyline was very dark. But different, because the real villains here were plain old human monsters and their victims, the most fragile of us all. I don't think I've wanted to see folks die in the this series more than I wanted to see this group bite the dust.
But let's get back to Jamie and Jeremy. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin waiting for the big payoff between the two of them. And when it finally happened, I wanted more! I know Kelley Armstrong isn't an erotica author, but I could have enjoyed a few in-depth pages of smexy description, if you know what I mean. The tension has been building for ages between these two! I wasn't terribly thrilled with how they left things, though I understand it. I just hope to see more of them in the future. 4 1/2 stars.
So finally, after four years of carrying a huge torch for the man, Jamie is finally getting some alone time with Jeremy. He's coming to visit her on the set of the supernatural tv special she is working on. Jamie is holed up in a house with two other "psychics" to try to figure out the mysteries of Marilyn Monroe's death. Of course, the other two aren't necromancers, like Jamie, so they don't feel the strange pull coming from the garden. As Jamie opens her senses, she realizes that she has stumbled into something truly terrible... that the garden is filled with the tattered spirits of child ghosts. So she and Jeremy team up to investigate who killed the kids what dark magic has weakened their spirits.
Joining the two is half-demon Hope. (She was first introduced in a short story, called "Chaotic" in the anthology Dates From Hell. She's sort-of a love interest for the werewolf Karl we met in Bitten. It's easy to pick up the essentials of their relationship in the course of this book, but I can imagine that without the short story, you might feel like you're missing something.) Hope uses her contacts as a tabloid journalist to help them get a pulse on the local magical community. And her participation sets her up as the narrator for the coming book.
The murder storyline was very dark. But different, because the real villains here were plain old human monsters and their victims, the most fragile of us all. I don't think I've wanted to see folks die in the this series more than I wanted to see this group bite the dust.
But let's get back to Jamie and Jeremy. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin waiting for the big payoff between the two of them. And when it finally happened, I wanted more! I know Kelley Armstrong isn't an erotica author, but I could have enjoyed a few in-depth pages of smexy description, if you know what I mean. The tension has been building for ages between these two! I wasn't terribly thrilled with how they left things, though I understand it. I just hope to see more of them in the future. 4 1/2 stars.
July 24, 2016
Audiobook
I started this series and loved it but started skipping around not reading the secondary characters' stories. So although I have the book, I listened to the library's audiobook instead. I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing how Jaime Vegas (stupid name by the way) and Jeremy took their relationship to the next level while trying to solve a mystery. Good book. I'm planning on reading listening to the rest of the series.
I started this series and loved it but started skipping around not reading the secondary characters' stories. So although I have the book, I listened to the library's audiobook instead. I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing how Jaime Vegas (stupid name by the way) and Jeremy took their relationship to the next level while trying to solve a mystery. Good book. I'm planning on reading listening to the rest of the series.
February 21, 2022
1.5 at the most
It would have been a lot more enjoyable if it was 100 pages shorter. And the characters weren't so similiar. The premise was so exciting so I'm surprised I didn't enjoy this as much.
It would have been a lot more enjoyable if it was 100 pages shorter. And the characters weren't so similiar. The premise was so exciting so I'm surprised I didn't enjoy this as much.
April 28, 2018
Well shivery isn't dead when it comes to Jeremy Danvers. Love how smooth he is even though he's closed off, I still have a soft spot for him. I know, I know the book isn't about him but Jamie who has a sweet spot for Jeremy. ☺️ Jamie has come across something that's caused an uproar but she's got to find a way of finding out what but with the help of the alpha.
I really enjoy the mention of Long Island and The Amityville House which is near and people enjoy visiting on Halloween. As much as I enjoy the necromancers. I want some more of the werewolves.
I really enjoy the mention of Long Island and The Amityville House which is near and people enjoy visiting on Halloween. As much as I enjoy the necromancers. I want some more of the werewolves.
June 7, 2018
Easily my favorite book of the series!
May 2, 2016
At last! I feel like I have been waiting for a book for Jeremy and Jaime for ages! It makes me glad that I am reading this series well after they have all been published, waiting a year between installments would be torture. The last thing Jaime expected when she started doing a TV shoot in Los Angeles was to be haunted. Being a necromancer making a living as being a celebrity psychic she knows a thing or two about ghosts; however, these ghosts aren't acting as they should. Determined to get to the bottom of what is happening before more people die, Jaime starts to investigate. However, she isn't alone Jeremy, alpha of the werewolves and the man Jaime hasn't been able stop thinking about for the last few years happens to be visiting, and she hopes that protecting her isn't the only thing he will be doing.
Like I said above, I feel like I have been waiting for this book forever, Jaime normally so self assured and outrageous turns in to a blushing clumsy teenager whenever Jeremy is on the scene and frankly it is adorable so I have been dying to see where this will lead. Well, it led to No Humans Involved another fantastic book from Kelley Armstrong, it was action packed and exciting with all the romance I have been waiting for.
What I really liked about this book was getting to know Jeremy and Jaime better, Jeremy is the alpha of the werewolves and is almost sphinx like, you never know what he is thinking and unlike the other volatile werewolves he never loses control and keeps him thoughts and emotions close to his chest. Jaime is more outgoing, but is desperate to take a hold of her own destiny and prove that she is more than just a damsel in distress and that she can do some saving of her own. I loved seeing these two different personalities come together as Jeremy backs up Jaime as she investigates the ghosts.
We are also introduced to some new characters, Hope the half demon journalist and Karl the werewolf, who although we have seen briefly in Bitten (as the villain!) we haven't seen since. I believe they are the subject of the next book, something I can't wait to get my hands on. Together they are investigating he strange ghosts that Jaime has found, which leads to some very unexpected places, including a BDSM dungeon. I enjoyed the story and the hunt as they tracked down the culprits it made for a fast paced and interesting read.
Another winner in this series, I recommend that you give the series a try, it is one that needs to read in order as Kelley Armstrong does a fantastic job of building up her world through each of her books and you get the full benefits of getting to know her characters. Roll on book eight!
December 11, 2023
4.5 stars
Bumped to 5 stars based on a re-read 2023, love this couple pairing/series
“This is the first adventure I’ve survived without being kidnapped, attacked, knocked unconscious or possessed by evil spirits. A ripped blouse? Ruined skirt? Bad hair? I’d call this progress."
Finally Jaime and Jeremy. I had been waiting for several books since she popped up with her crush in Industrial Magic.
I've seen some reviewers dislike all the time spent in the house with the clairvoyant stuff, but I found the behind the scenes of the TV production and internal conflicts and rivalries fascinating. It leant an authenticism and layer.
Jaime is one of my favorite heroines. It was a nice break after the tough-as-nails and rather one-dimensional Eve. She's fragile but strong, gives the wrong impression to the outside world but is trying to catch up with the inner chaos. She's older and deals with some insecurities with the younger crew but I love how the author did that to where it's full respect for women of all ages; Jaime makes sure of it. Besides her fun personality type, her power is fascinating. She can do so many dark things with it, as she discovers in this book, and there's obviously such a mixed world of necromancy that can confuse and torment the necromancer.
“I saw my true power. The darkest power. The greatest power."
Jeremy made a supportive balance. He hints of childhood woes and perhaps some kind of weird power connection of his own through the runes. Their relationship is calming and almost therapeutic half the time, a penthouse letter the other house. The bedroom play was a little awkward sometimes, but it shows the differing personalities all the book characters have. I do like it more when men are completely into and obsessed with their women, so when Jeremy is still uncertain and on the brink for half the book, it makes the romance a little less potent. I also disliked the ending a wee bit - loved some of it, found other parts sad like the separation angle.
It's a full dive into ghosts and unusual supernatural villains. They don't' know the type of magic or villains they're dealing with until the end but this doesn't take away pacing or tension. Again Armstrong has children being killed, but thankfully except for one scene at the beginning it's off page. Disturbing stuff. She definitely makes her villains completely wicked.
I'm not Eve's biggest fan but she rocked in this book and provided a great plot anchor, Kris included.
Overall I was a little let down with Jeremy not being as intuned as I usually like the love interests to be, and there was some distant draw with their relationship, but I still loved the time they did spend together, Jaime is one of my favorites of the series, and the plot was well developed.
Bumped to 5 stars based on a re-read 2023, love this couple pairing/series
“This is the first adventure I’ve survived without being kidnapped, attacked, knocked unconscious or possessed by evil spirits. A ripped blouse? Ruined skirt? Bad hair? I’d call this progress."
Finally Jaime and Jeremy. I had been waiting for several books since she popped up with her crush in Industrial Magic.
I've seen some reviewers dislike all the time spent in the house with the clairvoyant stuff, but I found the behind the scenes of the TV production and internal conflicts and rivalries fascinating. It leant an authenticism and layer.
Jaime is one of my favorite heroines. It was a nice break after the tough-as-nails and rather one-dimensional Eve. She's fragile but strong, gives the wrong impression to the outside world but is trying to catch up with the inner chaos. She's older and deals with some insecurities with the younger crew but I love how the author did that to where it's full respect for women of all ages; Jaime makes sure of it. Besides her fun personality type, her power is fascinating. She can do so many dark things with it, as she discovers in this book, and there's obviously such a mixed world of necromancy that can confuse and torment the necromancer.
“I saw my true power. The darkest power. The greatest power."
Jeremy made a supportive balance. He hints of childhood woes and perhaps some kind of weird power connection of his own through the runes. Their relationship is calming and almost therapeutic half the time, a penthouse letter the other house. The bedroom play was a little awkward sometimes, but it shows the differing personalities all the book characters have. I do like it more when men are completely into and obsessed with their women, so when Jeremy is still uncertain and on the brink for half the book, it makes the romance a little less potent. I also disliked the ending a wee bit - loved some of it, found other parts sad like the separation angle.
It's a full dive into ghosts and unusual supernatural villains. They don't' know the type of magic or villains they're dealing with until the end but this doesn't take away pacing or tension. Again Armstrong has children being killed, but thankfully except for one scene at the beginning it's off page. Disturbing stuff. She definitely makes her villains completely wicked.
I'm not Eve's biggest fan but she rocked in this book and provided a great plot anchor, Kris included.
Overall I was a little let down with Jeremy not being as intuned as I usually like the love interests to be, and there was some distant draw with their relationship, but I still loved the time they did spend together, Jaime is one of my favorites of the series, and the plot was well developed.
May 3, 2010
I'll be honest, I was never interested in Jaime Vegas as a character, however, I had hopes that she would win me over once she was able to stand on her own two feet. She even had Jeremy to aid her. Sadly, she only proved herself more insufferable than I initially thought.
The plot itself wasn't so bad, it could have even been eerily compelling, but Jaime's lack of power was a hindrance. Having read The Summoning prior to No Humans Involved, I had the benefit of being introduced to an incredibly powerful, albeit, very young necromancer. Jaime's power resembles a parlor trick in comparison. Furthermore, there were entirely too many useless extras about Jaime's shoot that served no purpose other than to remind readers that the star of this book was in fact Jaime Vegas, not Eve or Hope who aided her throughout much of the story. More often than not, Jaime was only around to talk about her figure, slutty clothes, and her fence riding skills with her co-stars. Oh, and to perform a one man show to entice Jeremy into doing her. Um, since when does Jaime have this sort of bravado? She could hardly speak to Jeremy without blushing and suddenly she is flicking the bean for his viewing pleasure? Come on. I wish I could say that in spite of Jaime's lack of appeal that Jeremy more than made up for it, as I was hoping he would, but he didn't. In fact, I couldn’t find the Jeremy I know and love anywhere in this book. He too behaved way out of character, and I couldn't for the life of me understand why he came to see Jaime in the first place, or why she even invited him. It never mentions the motivations behind either of their actions.
I'm incredibly disappointed in Armstrong for this one. It read like a clichéd damsel in distress, turned saucy whench tome that I go out of my way to avoid. I think I will stick to the Pack and Chloe Sanders from here on out.
The plot itself wasn't so bad, it could have even been eerily compelling, but Jaime's lack of power was a hindrance. Having read The Summoning prior to No Humans Involved, I had the benefit of being introduced to an incredibly powerful, albeit, very young necromancer. Jaime's power resembles a parlor trick in comparison. Furthermore, there were entirely too many useless extras about Jaime's shoot that served no purpose other than to remind readers that the star of this book was in fact Jaime Vegas, not Eve or Hope who aided her throughout much of the story. More often than not, Jaime was only around to talk about her figure, slutty clothes, and her fence riding skills with her co-stars. Oh, and to perform a one man show to entice Jeremy into doing her. Um, since when does Jaime have this sort of bravado? She could hardly speak to Jeremy without blushing and suddenly she is flicking the bean for his viewing pleasure? Come on. I wish I could say that in spite of Jaime's lack of appeal that Jeremy more than made up for it, as I was hoping he would, but he didn't. In fact, I couldn’t find the Jeremy I know and love anywhere in this book. He too behaved way out of character, and I couldn't for the life of me understand why he came to see Jaime in the first place, or why she even invited him. It never mentions the motivations behind either of their actions.
I'm incredibly disappointed in Armstrong for this one. It read like a clichéd damsel in distress, turned saucy whench tome that I go out of my way to avoid. I think I will stick to the Pack and Chloe Sanders from here on out.
April 27, 2022
I am not quite sure what to say about this book.
On the one hand - I liked pretty much all the characters. It goes without saying that Jeremy is an A+ for me. Jaime was.....I don't even know. Likeable enough and smart enough, and yet there were moments when I wanted to shake her and be like "ma'am be serious. You are 44 yrs, not 4 yrs." So I dunno. The magic - necromancy and the backdrop (TV show with spiritualists and ghost hunters), and the human-sacrificing magic group....I dunno. I didn't disliked any of these elements, nor was I even squicked out.But I just....I dunno.
So yeah.
It was a good book, I enjoyed it, and have no qualms about returning to it sometime(s), and probably will, but my feelings and thoughts haven't quite settled.
I do wish I had seen more of Jeremy/his perspective, though. But this was Jaime's story to tell, and not his. Ah well.
On the one hand - I liked pretty much all the characters. It goes without saying that Jeremy is an A+ for me. Jaime was.....I don't even know. Likeable enough and smart enough, and yet there were moments when I wanted to shake her and be like "ma'am be serious. You are 44 yrs, not 4 yrs." So I dunno. The magic - necromancy and the backdrop (TV show with spiritualists and ghost hunters), and the human-sacrificing magic group....I dunno. I didn't disliked any of these elements, nor was I even squicked out.But I just....I dunno.
So yeah.
It was a good book, I enjoyed it, and have no qualms about returning to it sometime(s), and probably will, but my feelings and thoughts haven't quite settled.
I do wish I had seen more of Jeremy/his perspective, though. But this was Jaime's story to tell, and not his. Ah well.
July 23, 2015
All I remember from this episode of the Women of the Otherworld saga is:
-This was the first book released in hardback. So on my shelf I've got a neat row of paperbacks, followed by a few hardbacks, then it went inexplicably back to paperback for a short story compilation, then hardbacks again. It hurts me so, so much to look at the different sized books on my shelf. WHY ME.
-A really weird sex scene that lasts SIX pages where Jeremy the elderly werewolf sticks his wiener through a gap in some French doors while Jaime prances around her hotel room in a G-string.
-This was the first book released in hardback. So on my shelf I've got a neat row of paperbacks, followed by a few hardbacks, then it went inexplicably back to paperback for a short story compilation, then hardbacks again. It hurts me so, so much to look at the different sized books on my shelf. WHY ME.
-A really weird sex scene that lasts SIX pages where Jeremy the elderly werewolf sticks his wiener through a gap in some French doors while Jaime prances around her hotel room in a G-string.
July 3, 2012
Pas grand chose à dire sinon que c'est du Kelley Armstrong. Qu'il n'y a rien de nouveau sous le soleil, mais qu'au moins, le niveau reste le même...
Il est parfois agréable de pouvoir de fier à une série d'urban... On sait ce que l'on attend et l'on sait ce que l'on lira... Pas de mauvaise surprise... Une lecture "sécurité quoi!"
Bref j'ai aimé que l'histoire s'intéresse à J'aime et Jeremy et la trame de fond tient la route.
Un bon moment!
May 15, 2018
It’s funny. I held off on reading this one because I was only interested in Elena. Also, selfishly I didn’t want Jeremy to be with anyone. But it’s been years and now the book was in the romance package, so I listened. It was a decent read. Not Kelley’s best, but far better than a lot of PNR out there.
It’s a slow burn as far as romance and that was fine. Jamie wasn’t my favorite heroine but she was gutsy and I liked that.
Overall a good read. No real complaints.
It’s a slow burn as far as romance and that was fine. Jamie wasn’t my favorite heroine but she was gutsy and I liked that.
Overall a good read. No real complaints.
March 29, 2019
From the previous book, Jamie is involved in dealing with zombies.
This book focuses on Jamie and her adventures. I found her adventures with ghosts/spirit possession to be bland compared to Elena, Paige, and Eve. I did love how Jeremey is drawn to Jamie and how he expresses his infatuation for her.
This book focuses on Jamie and her adventures. I found her adventures with ghosts/spirit possession to be bland compared to Elena, Paige, and Eve. I did love how Jeremey is drawn to Jamie and how he expresses his infatuation for her.
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