Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

The Others, Book 6

Synopsis: Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . .

After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns like Vicki’s have no distance from the Others, the dominant predators that rule most of the land and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what’s out there watching you.

Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger, Aggie Crowe–one of the shapeshifting Others–discovers a dead body, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the man’s death on her, despite the evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, things get dangerous–and it’ll take everything they have to stay alive.

Review: After finishing the story of Meg and Simon, I was really curious to discover this first spin off. How not to be? I loved all the novels and was really excited to see what the author was going to present us.

Vicki has managed to rebuild her life since her divorce. This is not easy because she keeps the consequences of moral harassment that her husband has made her suffer and she is not very comfortable with men. But she has rebuilt herself and she is trying to create a kind of little inn for everyone. Yet nothing is simple and when she discovers a body not far from home, it’s the beginning of trouble. It seems that her ex-husband is related to this story and that he is part of a group that wants to acquire her land. They seem to have forgotten the rules that govern this place or the fact that Vicki is helped by Others who have attached themselves to her.

I had a great time with this story but I must say that I found it a little below regarding the previous ones. Vicki is finally, when you think about it, pretty close to Meg on several points, but it’s true that no one in this style can surpass the original heroine for me. I really liked following the investigation and seeing what the characters were going to do next. It was also very nice to see some links with the first volumes even if it’s really very light. This novel is finally quite a standalone and the story is self-sufficient.

I wonder if the author will propose anything else, but in any case I was delighted to immerse myself in the universe and to discover new characters that make us travel!

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

The Others, Book 5

Synopsis: After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave

Review: Here is a series that I adore and I was really impatient to be able to immerse myself in a new Meg Corbyn volume. I did not realize that it was the last novel in the series while waiting for the spin off but it does not change my feeling about it. I wondered how this volume was going to be staged when we see that the previous one was divided between the different cassandra sangue. But then, we finally return to the original format by mainly following Meg & Simon, which was really very pleasant.

Peace gradually returns after the extermination of the movement against the Others. But the fear inspired by this attack and its repercussions are in everyone’s minds. A question remains “how many humans will they keep?” … while the Elders monitor the Lakeside Courtyard to try to understand the best way to handle future conflicts and newly available cities … But That’s when CJ, the detested brother of Monty arrives in town to enjoy the benefits of the Lakeside Courtyard, the troubles begin again and will only intensify from there. Indeed, after deceiving his sister who only wants the love of her brother, CJ is determined to make money on the back of these monsters. You will tell me that Simon or any other inhabitant has only to ask for him to leave the city, and yet despite his desire, the Elders have decided that they want to understand why humans do not want the presence of one of theirs and they therefore want to understand how they can differentiate the good persons from the bad ones to avoid killing everyone. And yet it is very difficult to accept when Meg’s security is compromised by this unscrupulous man who does not accept to be restricted and tries to take advantage of any situations, even if illegal ones. Yes, this volume revolves around this new arrival, the involvement of new humans in the community, the repopulation of certain cities, and of course Meg and Simon.

I spent once again a great time with the story, the characters evolve as well as their relationships. We discover some new interactions with the Elders and we wait to see what will happen exactly now. I was carried away by the story and the characters as for each novel and although I am a little sad to conclude my story with Meg and Simon, the author presents us a beautiful touching ending. I still have some questions, notably about the evolution of the relationship between Simon and Meg, about the decisions of the elders, but also about all the other prophets who adapt little by little to their new life. Yes, there are still many tracks to follow and I really wonder what we will discover later. In any case, it was a brilliant novel, impossible to put down before finishing it, a new very good story that will delight the fans of the series.

5 

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Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

The Others, Book 4

Synopsis: For 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…

Review: Ah Meg Corbyn … As soon as we finish a book, we can only wait for the next one with great impatience and it is a vicious circle that never ends. Yes, I can tell you that this is something very difficult, but every time we have such a wonderful time that we forget that we had to be very patient. It must be said that Anne Bishop has an undeniable talent and she always has wonderful stories that take us completely away, like this new novel. No, with her, there is no doubt as to whether the next volume will match the previous one because they are always fascinating. Besides, I can only strongly advise you to dive in the first volume of the series, you will not be disappointed!!!

Returning specifically to the story. The previous novel had shown us the escalation of the violence between humans and Others and it’s true that I was very curious to see all the consequences of these actions. But it is true that ultimately the war is declared and even if we have no doubt about the winners, we wonder what will happen to get there. As in the previous volume, we find all the characters we’ve come to know so far and even if it’s true that I struggled to manage the number of characters in the last book, it was a bit easier this time even though I mixed them from time to time with Joe and Jackson. But this is only a minor detail and I took a great pleasure in discovering the whole story. Moreover, it is sad to see so many sectarianism between humans and to finally see them fight each other (well, you could tell me that it does not change in real life, but it’s still quite sad).

We do not see much Jean this time, but we discover a little more about Hope, about her adaptation of her new environment and her way of having visions. It’s very interesting to see the dynamic between all Cassandra sangue and to understand that there are still many opportunities for them to discover. Of course, we also find our Courtyard Lakeside and all its members, and this is how we see the continuity of this association with the humans and what they will be willing to do for them. We understand their fear of getting lost in a being they hate and yet they can not assimilate all. But we also have the chance to discover other characters, other places and to see how humans and Others interact, to observe how much Simon and Meg inspired them and eventually how they are able to protect each other.

This is not a simple book, the war is declared and like all wars nothing is easy or pink and we wait, hoping that everything will be fine for our characters even if it is not always the case. Finally you will find that a lot of events are presented here and we wonder what will happen later after all that. I had a lot of fun discovering new Others characters and to see how they acted. And I am curious to see if we’ll see them again soon.

In all cases it was once again a wonderful volume (so fantastic) and I’m really curious to read the following (did I not say that it was a vicious circle?) to find out more. I advise you again to discover the series if this is not done, Anne Bishop has an undeniable talent to present unique and fascinating stories. And this end? Aaaah I want more !!!!

5

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Interview ~ Anne Bishop & Concours

Coucou tout le monde !

Anne Bishop est une auteure incroyable et sa série Meg Corbyn est juste géniale. J’en suis totalement tombée sous le charme. Si vous êtes curieux vous pouvez retrouver mes avis par les liens suivant :

Lettres Ecarlates (Tome 1)
Volée Noire (Tome 2)
Visions in Silver (Tome 3)

Merci à l’auteure pour cette jolie interview (la traduction est juste en dessous). Le deuxième tome Volée Noire sort en Français chez Bragelonne le 15 Avril 2015.

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1- For the people new to the world of Anne Bishop can you tell us a few things about you.

I live in New York State in the US, and I’ve been writing stories since I first learned how to form letters to make words. My debut novel, Daughter of the Blood, was published in 1998. In the Spring and Summer, I spend my time in the garden after the writing is done. I try to be friendly with the bunnies who camp out in my yard, but harsh words have been said when they climb into the big flower pots to sample young flowers instead of eating the greens in the yard. This is probably why the Wolves in the Others’ books are fond of having bunny for lunch.

2- You are well known for writing fantasy such as The Black Jewels series. Why did you decide to switch from fantasy into urban fantasy? What do you love most about writing this genre?

For me it’s not really a switch. It’s more like moving to another neighborhood in the same city rather than moving to a different city. I’m writing fantasy the way I always have, but this time the world I’m exploring has movies and pizza as well as supernatural beings. One of the things that I have fun with in this series is going to stores and considering if the Others would have any interest in purchasing items and why they would or wouldn’t want to buy something.

3- How did you come up with the world of Namid and its creatures ? Where most stories featuring shapeshifters focus on their humanness you do the opposite and depict predators (and that’s so refreshing!).

Building a new world is a slow process. Years ago, I thought it would be fun to write about werewolves and vampires, but I didn’t have an idea of who they were or the world they lived in beyond it being contemporary. Information and ideas began to accumulate over several years. When I reached the point of wondering what would happen if the Others were an entirely different species that had the ability to take on the shape of other predators, including humans, then I had the place where I could begin shaping the world called Namid.

4- I really enjoyed the humor that resulted from the terra indigene’s attempts to understand humans. Was this something you consciously planned or did it came rather spontaneously?

When I’m in a character’s point of view, I see through their eyes. A Wolf and a human may have some common goals–food, water, taking care of the family–but they won’t see the world in the same way. The Others have been observing the behavior of an alien species for centuries, but now they have more opportunity to interact and ask questions. So the humor isn’t consciously planned; it’s the result of characters dealing with each other.

5- The Others seems to be about the clash of two cultures. On one side we have the terra indigene who are intimately connected with nature. On the other the humans who seem to have forgotten that they are part of it. Is this an important topic for you?

Many years ago, a nature organization sent me a bumper sticker that said “One Earth, One Chance.” Many things are disposable in this day and age, but the world isn’t one of those things. I try to remember that.

6- Book 3 just came out in the US (as well as book 2 in France) can you tell us a little something about these two books? You might as well tell us a few words about book 4 (Pleeeeeeeeeeease I’m suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms, I need my others fix! ).

Each book shows us a little more about Namid and the beings who inhabit that world. In book 2, Meg and Simon work to uncover the source of drugs that are threatening the fragile peace between humans and Others throughout Thaisia. They also face challenges when the Controller sends another operative to capture Meg. In book 3, the Others force the release of the blood prophets and learn that sometimes well-intentioned actions can have unforeseen and terrible consequences. We also meet another young blood prophet who needs Meg’s help to survive. Book 4 can be described in one word: war. (There will be a book 5, but I can’t talk about it yet.)

7- Outside of Meg and Simon (too easy they are just perfects) which caracter of The Others is your favorite and why?

Oh, I can’t pick favorites in a story I’m writing. But there are the ponies. And Sam. And Vlad. And Henry. And Tess. And Ocean (you haven’t met her yet). And…

8- Coming back to Meg and Simon let me tell you that I’m in love with them and quite obsessed with their beautiful relationship. The way they show their affection is subtle and different from what we’d expect. We would like them to be more and yet at the same time what they have is just perfect Yes I know it’s not a question but perhaps could you tell us a bit more about who they are and their dynamic?

I really couldn’t because exploring who Meg and Simon are is part of the journey of telling their story. So you’re learning their story as it unfolds.

9- Outside of your characters who is your favorite heroine? And who is your favorite hero?

I can never choose one. J So, heroines would be Mercy Thompson (Patricia Briggs) and Elizabeth Bennett (Jane Austen). And heroes would be Roarke (J.D. Robb), The Virginian (Owen Wister) and Walt Longmire (Craig Johnson).

10- The world is about to end and you have to assemble your perfect apocalypse team with five fictional characters who would that be?

Daemon Sadi, Lucivar Yaslana, Ladvarian and Cassidy (from the Black Jewels), and Glorianna Belladonna (from Ephemera).

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1- Pour les nouveaux venus dans le monde d’Anne Bishop, pouvez-vous nous en dire plus à votre sujet ?

J’habite dans l’État de New York aux États-Unis, et j’écris des histoires depuis que j’ai appris à former des lettres pour faire des mots. Mon premier roman, La Fille du Sang, a été publié en 1998. Le printemps et l’été, je passe mon temps dans le jardin après avoir fini d’écrire. J’essaie d’être amicale avec les lapins qui campent dans ma cour, mais des mots durs sont dits dès lors qu’ils montent dans les grands pots de fleurs pour déguster les bourgeons au lieu de manger les légumes dans la cour. C’est probablement pourquoi les loups dans les livres des Autres sont friands d’avoir un lapin pour déjeuner.

2- Vous êtes bien connue pour écrire de la fantasy comme la série des Joyaux Noirs. Pourquoi avez-vous décidé de passer de la fantasy à la fantasy urbaine? Qu’aimez-vous le plus dans la rédaction de ce genre?

Pour moi, ce n’est pas vraiment un changement. C’est plus comme déménager dans un autre quartier de la même ville, plutôt que de passer à une autre ville. J’écris de la fantasy de la façon dont je l’ai toujours faite, mais cette fois, le monde que j’explore possède des films et de la pizza ainsi que des êtres surnaturels. Une des choses que j’apprécie avec cette série, c’est me rendre dans les magasins et réfléchir ce que les Autres voudraient acheter et pourquoi ils voudraient ou non acheter quelque chose.

3- Comment avez-vous inventé le monde de Namid et ses créatures? Là où la plupart des histoires mettent en avant des métamorphes se concentrant sur leur humanité, vous faites le contraire et dépeignant des prédateurs (et c’est tellement agréable!).

Construire un nouveau monde est un processus lent. Il ya des années, j’ai pensé qu’il serait amusant d’écrire sur les loups-garous et les vampires, mais je n’avais pas une idée sur qui ils étaient, ni le monde où ils vivraient sauf le fait qu’il serait contemporain. Des informations et des idées ont commencé à s’accumuler sur plusieurs années. Quand j’ai atteint le point où je me suis demandée ce qui arriverait si les Autres étaient une espèce entièrement différente qui a la capacité de prendre la forme d’autres prédateurs, y compris les humains, puis j’ai eu l’endroit où je pourrais commencer à façonner le monde appelé Namid.

4- J’ai vraiment apprécié l’humour des tentatives des terra indigene pour comprendre les hommes. Etait-ce quelque chose que vous avez consciemment planifié ou était-ce spontané ?

Quand je travaille sur le point de vue d’un personnage, je vois à travers ses yeux. Un loup et un homme peuvent avoir des objectifs communs – la nourriture, l’eau, prendre soin de sa famille – mais ils ne verront pas le monde de la même manière. Les Autres ont observé le comportement d’une espèce exotique depuis des siècles, mais maintenant ils ont la possibilité d’interagir et de poser des questions. Donc, l’humour n’est pas consciemment planifiée, c’est le résultat des interactions des personnages entre eux.

5- Les Autres semblent être sous le choc de deux cultures. D’un côté nous avons les Terra Indigenes qui sont intimement liés à la nature. De l’autre les humains qui semblent avoir oublié qu’ils en sont partie. Est-ce un sujet important pour vous?

Il y a plusieurs années, une organisation de nature m’a envoyé un autocollant qui disait “Une terre, une Chance”. Beaucoup de choses sont jetables aujourd’hui, mais le monde n’est pas une de ces choses. J’essaie de m’en souvenir.


6- Le troisième livre vient de sortir aux Etats-Unis (et le tome deux en France) pouvez-vous nous dire un petit quelque chose à propos de ces deux livres? Vous pourriez vous aussi nous dire quelques mots à propos du tome 4 (Pleeeeeeeeeeease je souffre de graves symptômes de sevrage, j’ai besoin de mes autres fixes!).

Chaque livre nous montre un peu plus sur Namid et les êtres qui peuplent ce monde. Dans le tome 2, Meg et Simon travaillent pour découvrir la source de drogues qui menacent la paix fragile entre les humains et les Autres à travers Thaisia. Ils rencontrent également des difficultés lorsque le contrôleur envoie un autre dispositif pour capturer Meg. Dans le tome 3, les Autres forcent la libération des prophètes de sang et apprennent que des actions parfois bien intentionnées peuvent avoir des conséquences imprévues et terribles. Nous rencontrons aussi une autre jeune prophète de sang qui a besoin de l’aide de Meg pour survivre. Le tome 4 peut être décrit en un mot: la guerre. (Il y aura un tome 5, mais je ne peux pas encore en parler.)

7- En dehors de Meg et Simon (trop facile, ils sont simplement parfait, quel est votre personnages préféré chez les Autres et pourquoi?

Oh, je ne peux pas choisir de personnages préférés dans les histoires que j’écris. Mais il y a les Poneys. Et Sam. Et Vlad. Et Henry. Et Tess. Et Océan (vous ne l’avez pas encore rencontrée). Et …

8- Pour en revenir à Meg et Simon laissez-moi vous dire que je suis amoureuse d’eux et tout à fait obsédée par leur belle relation. La façon dont ils montrent leur affection est subtile et différente de ce que nous attendions. Nous aimerions qu’ils soient plus et pourtant en même temps ce qu’ils ont, c’est tout simplement parfait. Oui je sais ce n’est pas une question, mais peut-être pourriez-vous nous en dire un peu plus sur qui ils sont et leur dynamique?

Je ne pourrais pas vraiment parce qu’explorer qui sont Meg et Simon fait partie du voyage pour raconter leur histoire. Alors vous apprenez leur histoire telle qu’elle se déroule.

9- En dehors de vos personnages qui est votre héroïne préférée? Et qui est votre héros préféré?

Je ne pourrai jamais en choisir un. J. Donc, les héroïnes seraient Mercy Thompson (Patricia Briggs) et Elizabeth Bennett (Jane Austen). Et les héros seraient Roarke (JD Robb), The Virginian (Owen Wister) et Walt Longmire (Craig Johnson).

10- Le monde est sur le point de se terminer et vous devez monter votre équipe parfaite pour l’apocalypse avec cinq personnages fictifs, qui seraient-ce?

Daemon Sadi, Lucivar Yaslana, Ladvarian, Cassidy (des Joyaux noirs), et Glorianna Belladonna (de Ephemera).

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Meg Corbyn, Tome 2

Résumé (traduction personnelle) : Après avoir remporté la confiance des terra indigenes résidant dans le Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn a du mal à comprendre ce que cela signifie de vivre parmi eux. En tant qu’être humain, Meg devrait être une proie à peine tolérée, mais ses capacités en tant que cassandra sangue fait d’elle quelque chose de plus.

L’apparition de deux drogues addictives a déclenché la violence entre les humains et les Autres, ce qui entraîne le meurtre des deux espèces dans les villes voisines. Alors, quand Meg fait un rêve mettant en scène du sang et des plumes noires dans la neige, Simon Wolfgard – le leader métamorphe de Lakeside – se demande si leur prophète de sang rêve d’une attaque passée ou d’une menace future.

Comme l’envie de parler des prophéties frappe Meg de plus en plus souvent, les problèmes trouvent leur chemin à l’intérieur du Courtyard. Maintenant, les Autres et la poignée d’humains qui y résident doivent travailler ensemble pour arrêter l’homme revendiquant leur prophète de sang et arrêter le danger qui menace de les détruire tous. 

Convaincus ? Je ne peux que vous conseiller la série chaleureusement en vous assurant que vous ne serez pas déçus. Ce sont trois merveilleux livres. Vous avez d’ailleurs l’opportunité de gagner 5 Tomes de ce deuxième roman, le tout en partenariat avec l’éditeur. Je suis vraiment contente d’avoir la chance de pouvoir partager avec vous ce magnifique coup de coeur. N’hésitez pas à participer ! Le concours est ouvert à la France et à la Belgique et se termine le 22 Avril. L’email que vous utilisé sera celui avec lequel nous vous contacterons si vous avez gagné. Remplissez bien chaque conditions dans la forme suivante :

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Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop

The Others, Book 3

Synopsis: The 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…

Review: I was really looking forward to start this third volume. I must say that when I saw that there was an ARC out, I counted the days to see if I would be accepted or refused. Fearful expectation, I tell you! I really really loved the first two volumes and I was eager to repeat that with this new novel. I can definitely tell you that I had again a great time with this book and I can only advise you to start reading the series if it’s not done yet. This is one the best of the moment!

We thus find our dear Meg who continues to slowly adjust to her new life. Yet the story doesn’t concern her alone, as we now have all the Cassandra Sangue to manage, as well as all the other problems added to the story. Lizzy, Monty’s daughter appears alone in the city, with a teddy bear bloodstained containing something very special. Strangely, everyone seems suddenly very interested in this little girl and our characters are going to find out a way to help her and to keep her alive with them. We then try to understand what happened and the secrets behind this. Secrets that will also affect everyone’s lives. But back to our bloodbprophets, these young women who find themselves thrown into a new world very different from what they knew. Oh yes, because even if this liberation was based on a good idea, it is very difficult to know how to control them. They panic, feel bad and poorly manage everything new in their lives. However, with Meg’s help, it could be possible to improve their lives, so they can finally manage to open up gradually to the world. It’s pretty heartbreaking to see that no one really knows how to take care of them, and Meg herself feels the effects of her life in this place she tries to learn to live in. Indeed, despite her adaptation, new things and events are very difficult to deal with for the young woman and her desire to cut to define new prophecies is sometimes irresistible and she forgets the consequences of her actions.

Meg increasingly takes into account the impact she has on the others. It’s true that perhaps she sees it a little more with the remonstrances that she receives, but I am always touched to see that they all love her. Every of her words can save many lives and even if we do not understand all the meanings, they arrive in due time. As always I enjoyed Simon. He tries to act better as a leader, but the Meg’s welfare is always the first thing for him. It’s very interesting to see the relationship between the two taking place. They do not know how to behave with each other but we understand their questioning. The feelings they have, are something new but they do not really know what that means. I remember a person who explained that they forme both a couple without realizing it and it is truly that. We would like them to be more and yet it’s so nice to have a novel without actually a real romance! Then it must be said, it is well known that everything would be really complicated for both of them. It would be a completely baffling novelty for the young woman.

We do not see much Sam in the novel even if he appears several times. Everything is rather based on the politic history, the actions of men, their greed and the action they have on the others and vice versa. I was completely swept away by the whole thing and I was really eager to discover everything to have all the answers to my questions. We get many revelations throughout the chapters and I admit that I was surprised by several of them. The only point that maybe perturbed me a little was me trying to remember about some of the characters previously seen and that I had almost forgotten. It was quite the same for the location of certain places. But these are of course details and I had a great time with the whole. You really need to try the series if it is not already done yet, you will fall under its spell! Anne Bishop has created a gem.

5

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Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Hello everyone! My review about Written in Red was published a long time ago but I wanted to share the Céline‘s review, a wonderful person and blogger, as she made me laugh a lot. I can only recommend you to discover her blog (but well French blog, I’m the one who translated it). Thanks to her for agreeing to share her review here.

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The Others, Book 1

Synopsis: No one creates realms like New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop. Now in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities—vampires and shape-shifters among them—who rule the Earth and whose prey are humans.

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

Disclaimer: “The characters and situations in this story are fictional, any resemblance to existing persons and situations can only be coincidental

Memo: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode4, Episode 5, Episode 6

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The cold haunting these October evenings is biting my cheeks. I did not dare to put my blue hat, wool makes me want to scratch my head and I did not want others to imagine things. I brought my hands on my knees, and I squirmed on the bench: wood is uncomfortable, and I felt a cramp up in my left buttock.
Melliane stands beside me, her dark scarf wrapping around her neck. Her cheeks are red from the wind. Behind us, the sign of Books-addicts anonymous is flashing. We’re in a hurry, we already have a few minutes late.

– It is bad…. Really bad …
– I know, she said in a companionate way
– No, But it’s true. If Urban Fantasy enters the criteria for the black-banned-books list, where are we going?

I let out a long sigh in despair while Melliane gently pats my arm.

– I told you so …
– I Know … I grumbled.

I can not help but add, sighing even louder:

– But still…. this first volume is so good… a real Urban Fantasy, with quality. An original universe, really well thought out with many details and colors. Various characters fleshed out, that have nothing to do with what I’ve read before, as if the author rewrote the myths. A story slowly built without being boring. It lays the groundwork for what will come after, leaving us the task of assimilating the world. Progressive relationships, evolving from mistrust to trust and where sex is not a central element. For that alone, just for this story, which is shaped on something other than a love relationship, Volume 1 deserves a medal …

– Ah but there is Meg and Simon, right? Melliane cut me frowning. Because Simon is….

I do not let her finish, and nods emphatically.

– Oh yes he is …
– And Meg, she is great too…
– Yes, she is really good. Not stupid, a heroine … But all cute with her demons …

A long silence falls between us. I relive the great moments of this first book, and by the small Melliane’s smile I guess she does the same.

– Well, what do we do?

She shakes her head in an apologetically way.

– I do not know …
– I Can not speak about that at the meeting tonight.

I am determined, no, this is not possible.

– That’s for sure, otherwise the Cerberus-red head will burn it. It should be kept secret, she replies.
– Yes, it should be kept secret.

Silence again.

-Can you not put it where you put the Thoughtless trilogy?

I suppress a shudder, standing up and, mechanically, I rub the right buttock which still bears the memory of that meeting with his horns.

– Well, There is a bull …
– What you have to do is run fast then… she replied with a shrug.

Does she think I’m Usain Bolt or what?

PS: And for the curious ones, I invite you to read the review of Melliane-the-evil-temptress for Volume 2!

5

Céline

http://lelivrevie.blogspot.fr/

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

The Others, Book 2

Synopsis: Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s “phenomenal” (Urban Fantasy Investigations)  world of the Others — where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard — Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader — wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Review: It took me a long time before reading the first novel, but I totally fell for it. It’s my big revelation for now and I think few books are able to reach the height of this series, which is just sublime! But you know the advantage of having read Written in Red that late? No? Well, I did not have to wait so long to read Murder of Crows. A big big advantage! I must admit that at the end of the first volume, I wondered how the author would succeed to write a second book as good. I can now answer and tell you that this new volume is as good as the first one and I was completely taken away from the beginning to the end of the story, to the point of not being able to put the book down until I had finished it.

Meg tries to return to a normal life as much as she can, but it is often quite difficult or even almost impossible. So when she thinks that she’ll finally have some time to try to understand what is happening around her, some new events occur to upset her existence. First of all, there is Simon … It’s really interesting to see them together, trying to understand what is happening between them. There is a lot of attraction between the two characters, and at the same time they do not really know what to do or how to act, because they have never been in such a situation. Still, I think they are the only ones who don’t see what is happening and the characters, Other or Humans, have a lot of questions regarding that. But there are also many other things… The first novel introduces us to this new drug that seems to affect both species indiscriminately but while it seems that someone use it to kill Crows, the Others must take steps. We know at the end of the first novel about the reason behind this poison but it is true that I was really curious to see the consequences of this revelation.

And while the war is looming at the horizon, accentuating the differences between these two worlds, the only ones who seem to go against it are Simon and Meg, as well as people who are there to support them. But it will be far from easy to do that and even if some problems are settled, others still appear, breaking their only hope of peace. This novel also allow us to discover new species that we did not know previously and at the same time many new characters that may well leave a great impression on the life of our heroine. In addition, we also have some new information about the cassandra sangue (their origin, lifestyle…) which was actually really interesting. We will also have the opportunity to see several times Meg’s friend, Jean, as we hear a lot about her and it is true that our heart is broken for her, especially after everything she has done for her. I was also really sad for Meg. While she discovers the world in the first volume, she is now trying to adapt. She is a strong young woman, who doesn’t hesitate to act when needed and at the same time she is so innocent. While everyone is watching her so she doesn’t have cut her and so access to her prophecies, it seems that it’s completely impossible for her to abandon this part of her life, an integral part of her existence. I think now that the characters have realized that they can’t change her, she is like that, but she will still have to find a way to not endanger her life.

I was quite surprised to see that the author had not dragged the big plot of the story along the books and I think that’s also what makes its charm to the series, but of course, a new threat looms more and more and I’m curious to see what will happen now.

This novel was a wonderful surprise again, and I am once again completely impressed by the author’s ideas whatsoever for her world, her characters or even her story. Everything is filled with originality and I took a great pleasure with this new novel. The pace is amazing, no dead time and as I said, once you get into the first chapter, you will see that you will be completely enthralled, as I was. This series is a gem and I am now really looking forward to read more. But how am I going to wait that long now? I feel that it will be very difficult! In any case, one thing is sure, if you have not yet had the opportunity to discover the story, I can only tell you force you to read it, because it’s really worth it. You will be amazed!

5

mellianefini