Marked in Flesh (The Others, #4) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Mar 15, 2016 ette rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy-supernatural-para

So much potential, but where was the editor? There were so many redundant scenes--and how many times do we need people talking about stock-piling toilet paper and maxi pads??? The author was obsessed with these. And the writing got repetitive with word use. I was interested for a while, and then the end of the book was obvious. I really liked the first one, and I hope these go back to being more interesting and not a bunch of folks all saying the same thing and doing the same thing.....

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Oct 23, 2016 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, bechdel-test

Fourth book in the series that I have read within 6 months...clearly a sign of how much I enjoyed this series. I had a lot of distractions while reading this book, so I'm assuming that was at least part of the reason that I had trouble staying focused on this book. Meg is growing in strength and knowledge and personal identity. Her relationship with Simon is growing in what feels like realistic ways and time frames. The human pack is drawing together more tightly, realizing how much they need th Fourth book in the series that I have read within 6 months...clearly a sign of how much I enjoyed this series. I had a lot of distractions while reading this book, so I'm assuming that was at least part of the reason that I had trouble staying focused on this book. Meg is growing in strength and knowledge and personal identity. Her relationship with Simon is growing in what feels like realistic ways and time frames. The human pack is drawing together more tightly, realizing how much they need the Others. and we finally get a glimpse of "Namid's teeth and claws" and Monty's mom--which one is more intimidating? I like Monty's mom, and a number of the other characters. There are plenty of strong females in this series, filling important roles. Not simply objects or romantic interests or shallow competitors. I appreciate that they are treated with respect by the males around them. I am just confused why, in a world where women seem to be treated with this much respect, so many of them seem primarily relegated to traditionally female roles? waitresses. clerks. teachers. stay at home parents. We don't often see many female Others, although they obviously exist. I feel like that absence reflects more of the same issues--the male characters are strong and scary and dangerous. the women are strong and smart and dedicated and have great fortitude. But it's just not the same, and perhaps that underlying discrepancy is all the more obvious in contrast with the strong women and their friendship in this series.
Then again, perhaps that concern is a just a quibble. This is a strong, enjoyable, smart series that builds believable relationships and incorporates serious political ramifications in the world Ms Bishop has created. There's tension--I was up too late several nights while reading this, because I couldn't go to bed without knowing what happened. I am waiting impatiently for this next book to finish up the series, and yet I'll miss it when it's gone. So overall a good, worthwhile read. ...more

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May 28, 2018 Nicole rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, 2018

What I loved about this series was the light and fun characters, and the sense of humor
while the main characters are still there, the sense of fun has gone and it has turned very dark. While it is still more readable than many books, reading this was a disappointment as I was expecting to enjoy it much more.

I will try other Anne Bishop books, but I think I am done with this series.

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