Written in Red (The Others, #1) in 2015 Snagged @ The Library Challenge

Jan 07, 2021 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My Goodreads friend Kimberly and many other reviewers gave this book rave reviews so I finally gave it a read. I really enjoyed this first book in The Others series by Anne Bishop. I have read many paranormal/shapeshifter novels and enjoy this subgenre. Written in Red has a unique take on it and offers a breath of fresh air. I loved the main characters and their believable evolution. Meg and Simon are so good together and give the story its depth as well as humor. Secondary characters are enjoya ...more

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Mar 05, 2014 TheGeekyBlogger rated it really liked it

Listened for Fun (Borrowed from a Friend)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Written in Red by Anne Bishop was downright awesome! Read IT!

Read It File It: Meg is freaking awesome! She is one of the most compelling leading characters that I have read in awhile. She has innocence, gumption, and also a brutal past. I don't know how Anne managed to wrap those 3 traits in one person but she did. Th ...more

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Dec 16, 2016 Melissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-library-books, 2016-audio

Okay, I am probably one of the last people to have started this series. With so much raving I knew I had to try it. My audio peeps really insisted on audio and I'm glad I went that way. Yea, the hype was correct, this one was good.

I think for me the reason I enjoyed this one so much was the worldbuilding as well as Meg. She is innocent and shy but yet has a will to her that makes her someone you would want to know. She might be scared a lot, but yet it doesn't stop her from fighting for what sh ...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, for-review

Why have I never picked up an Anne Bishop novel before this? I actually didn't even realize how long this book was until I started to write this review. The time just flew by, and it was really hard for me to put my iPod down!

Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, which is a blood prophet. Her kind have been bred by The Collector, who treats these girls as property and are raised in an isolated environment where they learn all about the world around them but never experience it. Cuts are sold to the Why have I never picked up an Anne Bishop novel before this? I actually didn't even realize how long this book was until I started to write this review. The time just flew by, and it was really hard for me to put my iPod down!

Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, which is a blood prophet. Her kind have been bred by The Collector, who treats these girls as property and are raised in an isolated environment where they learn all about the world around them but never experience it. Cuts are sold to the highest bidder and, as the blood is drawn, the cassandra sangue reveals a prophecy about the person who is in the room with her. Meg escapes and knows that the only place that she will be safe is in The Courtyard, a place where human law does not apply…a place ruled by “the Others” who are other-worldly creatures with special gifts of their own.

In Bishop’s urban fantasy world, the Others rule the earth’s resources and have a place called “The Courtyard” in many major cities where their kind live. Foolish humans who enter The Courtyard uninvited are eaten. The Lakeside Courtyard is a little bit different because its leader, Simon Wolfgard, not only employs humans in The Courtyard’s shops but also allows humans to enter The Courtyard to frequent the shops. When a woman named Meg applies for the job of Human Liaison, he is intrigued by her and hires her. Although she is human, his sensitive nose does not distinguish her as prey and that confuses him.

When the local police department issues a “wanted” flyer that shows Meg’s picture on it, Simon confronts Meg and asks her why the police are looking for her. She explains why she is on the run, and Simon discusses the matter with The Courtyard’s business council. They agree that they will protect Meg at all costs and, when Meg has a startling prophecy that involves one of their own, they become even more protective.

Meg’s job as Human Liaison involves receiving packages from drivers and sorting the mail, which will be taken by ponies to the various residential complexes. Some packages that are too large for the ponies can be delivered, although previous Human Liaisons have neglected to do so because of their fear in venturing away from the protection of the Liaison’s office. Meg loves her new-found freedom and does not appear to be afraid of the different species of Others. Many of them are shape-shifters, including: wolves, crows, owls, coyotes, bears, and hawks. There are also vampires and elemental witches. As Meg ventures forth into each territory on her package deliveries, she gets to know these creatures and befriends them. Many of the Others are at first very wary and cautious of her, and they find her lack of fear a little confusing. Meg is very kind and polite, and they are not used to being treated in such a way. Her thoughtfulness is what sets her apart from any other human they have ever encountered. She wins the hearts of all, and the Others soon come to think of her as one of their own.

I was truly enchanted with Bishop’s world-building. She has woven together an amazing array of unearthly beings, and Meg’s interactions with them taught me more about their kind. While the action was slow to develop, I was enthralled with learning more about The Courtyard’s inhabitants and each one of them won my heart over as Meg won theirs. The last quarter of the book was non-stop action, and I loved seeing all of the Others pull together to protect their own. I think my favourite creatures are the elemental sisters and their magical ponies.

I cannot wait to read more about the Others and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, Murder of Crows, which is expected to be released in March 2014. Until then, I plan to explore more of Bishop’s work.

Narrator Alexandra Harris is also new-to-me, and she did a great job conveying Meg’s innocence and kindness. The gruffness of her Simon characterization was a little overdone, but I appreciate her intent to give unique voices to each character. Overall, I thought she did a good job.

I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own. ...more

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Apr 26, 2017 Beth rated it liked it

I was wavering between a 3 and a 4, and it dropped down because it was just too long for what it was, and I'm getting cranky about that. I liked the interesting things it did with cutting, and the alienness of the Others, but felt it was clumsy with sexual agency in women (can't any of the good girls want to have sex?) and the alignment (not perfect) of Native Americans with the inhuman people was also off-putting. I guess the outrage of Wrede's book made me sensitive. ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 Jackie's Bookbytes rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, borrowed-from-library

Meg Corbyn aka cs759 is running away from her caged life. Fleeing from someone who she calls the Controller aka her owner. She has a prophetic gift insofar as when she cuts, she has visions and prophecies. She is a Cassandra Sangue and has the scars to prove it.

The Others are known as the terra indigene comprised of Elementals and Sanguinates. That includes Hawks, Wolves, Crows, Owls, Grizzly Bears, Vampires and a Harvester of Life that calls herself Tess.

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