Marked in Flesh (The Others #4) – Anne Bishop

marked in fleshFor centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community…

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

Rating: 4/5

Oh, this was one of my most-anticipated reads for the year – I tell everyone who will listen about how The Others is one of my favourite urban fantasy series, hands-down. And this instalment will not leave you disappointed. I say ‘more of the same’ with the utmost of love – it’s more of the world in and out of The Lakeside Courtyard, more glimpses of the characters we’ve come to know and love, more human-Others politics, more Simon and Meg, more hilarious interactions in the midst of turmoil and possible doom.

Indeed, after the events of the previous book, there is a definite sense of things coming to a head – a catastrophic reaction from the elder, stronger, legendary Others is imminent – and the only question is whether the humans allied with the various courtyards will survive the revenge storm that is to come.

While supplies are being stockpiled, Meg is trying to figure out how to help the other blood prophets, and Simon is a tad overburdened trying to keep everything together and make sure his people are safe, facing an impossible existential question. We also get insight into the workings of Ferryman’s Landing, Sweetwater and Prairie Gold settlements, populated by others, humans and blood prophets living and working together in harmony. The connections between them all are greatly emphasised in this instalment.

Two things that I’ve noticed about this series, now that I’m 4 books in:

  • It’s interesting that we don’t seen any romantic relationships with any of the Other inhabitants of the Courtyard. I mean, I think it’s a refreshing change from series where every character has to be shacked up with someone else, but I would be very interested to see the dynamics depicted between two of these ‘beings’, for lack of a better word. Which leads me to my next point: Henry, Nathan, Blair, Jester, Tess – we don’t even know much about these characters, and this is book 4. It would be awesome if we got more insight into anything about them – likes, dislikes, background, how they feel about everyone else. We really only get their thoughts in relation to Meg.
  • I  know that ‘strong female characters’ do not mean women with physical prowess, but rather well-written women with their own complex motivations, etc. That said, most of the women depicted tend to fall into the ‘traditional’ female roles and need to be protected (Meg and her human pack, for example.) All the leaders in the series, save for one, are male. Simon’s business committee are male. All the enforcers and police officers are male. I would have liked to have seen at least one woman who is, actually, physically strong and capable in that manner.

What do you think, readers? Especially with regards to the previous two points. I’d like to know your opinions.

***

If you’ve loved the series this far, then Marked in Flesh will be another fabulous reading experience for you!

Last thoughts:

-Simon’s bison problem and everyone’s reaction to it is utterly hilarious.

-Baby Sam. Keep being cute, you little cinnamon roll.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: Vision in Silver (The Others #3) – Anne Bishop

vision in silverThe Others freed the cassandra sangue  to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before—both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep…

Rating: 5/5

I’ve given five star ratings to the previous books in this series, and Vision in Silver is no exception, testament to the author’s exquisite world building, richly drawn characters and tense plot.

There are so many things I love about this series – the unique premise that is well-fleshed out, and the sheer brutality of the creatures that inhabit the world of The Others – people die, sometimes in horrible ways, and there are beings capable of great destruction. Indeed, this point is re-emphasized as everything comes to a head at the end of the book, and you’re left wondering if anything will be left in the wake of their anger.

In between these ominous events, however, are delightful moments of snark and humour – particularly in the endearing way everyone treats Meg, and in the way the poor creatures try to understand their human pack and their idiosyncrasies which make no sense to these primal beings. And I really love the way the non-biased humans and those in the Lakeside Courtyard work together to try achieve something and show that humans can get along with the Terre Indigne.

My favourite ship of Meg and Simon sails slowly along – even if they’ve only just held hands on the last page! Its frustrating but understandable and lovely to watch them circle around each other – how they trust in one another, and gain comfort from the other’s presence. <3

The supporting characters are also so well drawn that I’m itching to know all their back stories – from Tess, Nathan, Henry, Blair, Elliot and the rest, to the freed blood prophets, the allies in other courtyards, and the more mysterious Terre Indigne.

Finally, things have very much been amped up in this book, and I spent most of the time reading in horrible anticipation of everything hitting the fan. The scheming, the power plays, the all-too-common xenophobia, the emergence of some of the darker, more powerful creatures in response to the current events… I am simply in awe of this world that Anne Bishop has created, and The Others remains one of my all-time favourite urban fantasy series.