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Written in Red (The Others, #1) by Anne Bishop; Start Date TBD
Look at the different takes on the covers. I think I adore all the detail in the French one the most!
Sara, I've got this one and the next from my library. When do you want to start?
I've got this one too - would you mind another buddy?
That would be great. I sent Sara a PM so hopefully she'll let us know if she's ready to read this one.
Lauren wrote: "I've got this one too - would you mind another buddy?"Lauren, are you good for starting tonight?
So I have to say reading the first few pages an image of that Twilight 'How it should have ended' youtube video comes to mind. Specifically when they have Bella say, "Let's go eat some people."If you haven't seen it here's a link. It's really too funny:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqvg0...
Lisarenee wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I've got this one too - would you mind another buddy?"Lauren, are you good for starting tonight?"
Sure. I'm listening to the audio so it may take me longer to read. Hope that's OK.
Is Sara joining us?
It is a long book, but we all kind of go at our own pace and yes, Sara will be joining in. She's thinking we might start the 2nd book on Monday. We'll see how quickly we can get through this one. I'm about 17% in. It's very different from other books I've read, but I'm liking it.
*****Comments for Chapters 1 - 6 *******So Meg is an interesting character. Where was she before she came to live with the Others? There was a Contoller, people she referred to as 'walking names', and punishment like you wouldn't believe. They also would pay good money for information about the workings of the Others complexes. At first I thought she was from an insane asylum or something but not any more. From what we see of her I'd say she's normal, but everyone around her says she's feeble or simple minded. Is that just because she's shy and doesn't know how anything works? Also, she foresaw her own death or someone else prophesized it? Yikes.
Asia sounds like a piece of work. I don't believe her employer will give her a part in a movie. She's delusional.
"There was a theory that the Others have had a lot of forms, changing their shapes as the world and the creatures around them changed so that they remained the dominant predators. But the first form, whatever it might be, is the evolutionary ancestor of all the terra indigene and is the reason they can change shapes. The theory also says they take on some of the traits of the forms they use—like that girl Crow attracted to something shiny."
Interesting.
So we have weres, vamps, and elementals. I wonder what Tess is with her ever changing and deadly hair? What was Medusa?
Interesting world.
Could Simon be attracted to Meg? He sure acts goofy.
Monty is interesting. He wants to change the dynamics of how the Others see them. I wonder if its possible.
I almost forgot about Simon's nephew who for the past 2 years retained his wolf form. I found it interesting that Simon says he can't imagine staying in one form for so long since he looks on humans as such a lowly life form. Apparently he likes the form just not what occupies it.
I looked up Namid and one source says it is the Native American word for Dancer while the other says it's the Native American word for Star Dancer.
Thoughts on Chapter 1 - Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
"The second wave of explorers and settlers found the abandoned settlement, and, once more, tried to claim the land as their own. The Others ate them too." - Could the abandoned settlement be Roanoke?
"Besides, she hadn't seen other parts of the prophecy yet. ... She didn't have to worry until she saw him." - Who wants to know the time and/or cause of their death? Not me - I would happily remain blissfully ignorant until the time came.
"A would-be shoplifter having his hand bitten off instilled a strong sense of honesty..." - I manage in the retail industry and I completely approve of this solution to shoplifting.
"...and some of the staff didn't hesitate to shift shapes and nip lingering customers who thought the store's listed closing was a suggestion rather than a firm time." - This also meets my seal of approval - I wonder if I could get away with putting a "Human Law Does Not Apply" sign in the front window?
I'm not quite sure what Tess is either - the only supernatural/fairy tale characters I can think of that had unusual hair are gorgons (like Medusa) who had snakes for hair and Rapunzel who had extremely long hair. I think we can rule out Rapunzel.
Is Meg cutting herself or did she escape captors who were cutting her open?
Simon is in the prophecy? As the man who kills her or as something else?
The end of chapter 1 is a good example of why you should obey "no trespassing" signs and a nice reminder to not choose the "special" meat at a butcher's shop.
@SaraI hadn't considered Rapunzel. Somehow this seems more sinister. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought of Medusa. I wonder if a Gorgon can glamour her hair, er, snakes?
They used to do the hand punishment long ago for a thief.
The special meat is pretty creepy if you let your mind wander. *Shudder*
Sara asked, "Could the abandoned settlement be Roanoke?"
I wondered about that, but it seems like this is a totally different world from ours. I'd liken it to another dimension like we've read in The Bloodhound Files series we've been engaging in or like Sliders on the SyFy channel. I'm thinking Thaisia is either a country or perhaps a continent like an alternate name for Asia? The geography seems to be named differently and even the Atlantic ocean is spelled differently with a K.
Yep, I noticed the different spellings too. I wonder how the dominance of the "Others" affected society? Did the Roman Empire ever exist, etc?In the Incryptid series, the Gorgons are able to disguise their hair - I wonder if Tess is doing something similar?
I accidentally closed out the window before I posted my thoughts! Frustrating!A quick summary of Chapter 2 thoughts:
I'm very curious about the Controllers/Walking names - did their victims have powers before they were captured or did the Controllers experiment on them and that caused them to gain powers.
Someone needs to give poor Meg a manual on how to deal with Alpha werewolf.
Simon's confusion over the lack of prey scent and the fact that he considered biting Meg to prove she was prey made me laugh.
Asia's a spy?
Thoughts on Chapters 3 - 6Warnings, Spoilers Ahead...
The version of this earth has a form of Christianity as Mikhos, the "guardian of police, firefighters, and medical personnel" seems to be the equivalent of our world's Michael.
The Drowned City is a very scary cautionary story - and a good example of why you shouldn't mess with elementals.
Monty has quite the job ahead of him if he's going to change the humans-Others dynamic.
Someone needs to hand Meg a rolled-up newspaper so she can swat Simon on the nose when he's growling and glaring.
The Crows have taking a liking to Meg. I loved Jenni's quote: "I'm going over to the store to see if I can find a sparkly that will make her smile again. The Meg smiles a lot - when the Wolf isn't snarling at her."
"He hadn't snarled at Meg. Not exactly. But he doubted there was a female in the Courtyard who was going to see it his way today." - Nope, you're pretty much on every woman's naughty list today.
Are the Simple Life folk this world's version of the Amish?
I really want to read Ms. Know-It-All's "Others Etiquette" columns.
Meg is such a sweet character - I love how she's making inroads with the Others.
Sara wrote: "Yep, I noticed the different spellings too. I wonder how the dominance of the "Others" affected society? Did the Roman Empire ever exist, etc?In the Incryptid series, the Gorgons are able to di..."
Oh, I hadn't heard of that series. I may need to look into it.
Sara said, "Are the Simple Life folk this world's version of the Amish?"I wondered the same thing. It makes me wonder why that would make them more appealing to the terra indigene? Are the terra indigene environmentally minded?
The Incryptid series is lots of fun. It's also nice when you want to read urban fantasy but need to take a break from vampires, werewolves, fae, and witches. The series features less common supernatural types.I bet the terra indigene are environmentally minded - with the exception of the vampires most of the group are "nature types" - animal shifters and elementals. We haven't discovered the lifespans of the terra indigene yet - if they are very long-lived, they might be uncomfortable with the changing technology - especially with how isolated they are.
I'm looking at the covers and the third listed above must be of Simon. I like the eyes.
Yes, the eyes are cool. The nose makes his face look lion-like.
Thoughts on Chapters 7 - 11Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
"When he saw her little, self-satisfied smile, he realized she was watching him watch her. Why would she be satisfied? Considering the way she struggled to expand her chest, she didn't even look bitable this morning. Or maybe he was still full from the deer they'd brought down yesterday and wasn't interested in another weak animal." - This made me laugh. Asia is pretty clueless for someone who prides herself on her manipulation skills.
Simon needs a refresher course on how to compliment human fearing without inspiring fear.
"...which was why they'd both made a promise not to eat quitters just to avoid the paperwork." - Simon is the funniest character in the book and he's not even trying to be amusing.
"But terra indigene who didn't have to deal with the monkeys only had a passing interest in electrical things..." - That's the confirmation for our earlier thoughts on why the terra indigene approve of the Simple Folk.
"Bad wolf." - All Meg needs is that rolled-up newspaper!
"If Thunder could make so much sound by stamping his foot, what could Tornado and Earthshaker do if they pitched a fit?" - Let's not find out! Are the ponies shifters or do they also have elemental blood? Their forms would suggest shifters but their names are all weather/element related.
Meg and Sam's snow adventure was adorable!
I think Meg and the Others are misinterpreting her vision. I think Meg is the target of the abduction and Sam is a witness to it.
****Comments for Chapters 7 - 11*****We now know what Meg is a cassandra sangue aka Blood prophet:
“Blood prophet,” Simon whispered as he continued to stare at Meg. “You’re a cassandra sangue.”
“Yes,” she replied, lowering her arm and pushing down her sleeve.
“But . . . why did you run? Your kind live in special places. You’re pampered, given the best of . . .”
“Whether you’re beaten or pampered, fed the best foods or starved, kept in filth or kept clean, a cage is still a cage,” Meg said with fierce passion. “We are taught what the Walking Names want us to know because what good is a prophet if she can’t describe what she sees? We sit in classrooms, day after day, looking at pictures that describe things that exist in the world, but we’re never allowed to know one another, never allowed to have friends, never allowed to speak unless it’s part of an exercise. We are told when to eat, when to sleep, when to walk on the treadmill for exercise. They even schedule when we take a shit! We are alive, but we’re never allowed to live. How long would you last if you were kept like that?”
I find the name interesting. Cassandra gifted with power of prophecy and the curse of never being believed. Sangue means (if I looked it up correctly) blood.
I also find it interesting that everyone was under the assumption the Cassandra Sangue were pampered. From the story Meg tells, that is not the case.
I too liked the adventure buddies. It was too cute. I can't believe Simon left the care of his nephew to Meg. That was surprising. Do you think he has a back up observing her? She keeps thinking he's constantly testing her from the map to this. Is she right?
more about the cassandra sangue:
“Cassandra sangue,” Tess said. “Blood prophet. A Thousand Cuts. Apparently, someone determined that was how many could be gotten out of one of these girls. The distance between cuts is precise. Too close and the prophecies . . . smudge. Too much space and skin is wasted. A precise cut with a very sharp blade to produce the euphoria and the prophecies. The girls become addicted to the euphoria, crave it beyond anything else. Which is what kills them in the end. Unsupervised, they might cut too deep or nick a vein and bleed out while their minds are within the euphoria and prophecies. Or they cut too close and the mixed prophecies drive them insane. However it happens, most of them die before they’re thirty-five years old.”
Not long to live. 1,000 cuts then you die if not sooner? I have to say the whole cutting situation makes me think of all those kids who cut themselves in real life. I sort of wish the whole euphoria situation had been replaced with a pain tithe or something else. I guess, however, that wouldn't have tied in so well with why so many are institutionalized.
The drug killing terra indigene doesn't bode well. I wonder how that situation will be handled?
The ponies are a big question, aren't they? They don't have guard in a last name which makes me wonder if they are just ponies or perhaps they're another species of horse? They said they're the elemental's ponies and it is interesting each has the name of something that is associated with an element, but they seem to have pretty strong personalities. I hope we learn more.
Yep, Cassandra was a prophetess who was cursed to never being believed after she spurned Apollo's advances.Do the blood seers actually have to cut themselves or has that been conditioned into them in order to make them more easily controlled. Of course, they could be the type of seers who need a material object in order to see the future. Maybe they should try tea leaves? It's much less damaging to the body.
Thoughts on Chapters 12 - 22Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
Meg and Sam continue to be adorable together. I hope someone gets to smack Elliot for his abuse of Meg. I understand the Wolves don't like the leash/harness but you would think they would see the progress Sam is making under Meg's care.
Yay for Vlad threatening Elliot on Meg's behalf!
"Swear words were one of the best things humans had invented..." - They do come in handy during certain situations.
"Ignore the fluffy. Remember the part about big and scary." - Wise advice but it would be so tempting to pet the wolf.
"Why didn't you call Simon, Meg? Why call me? Do the prophets have any idea what I am? Did you call me out of knowledge or ignorance?" - More ominous hints about Tess's true identity.
"And everyone who looked upon her died just a little." - More hints about Tess that could indicate that she is a gorgon. Both Cassandra and gorgons originated in Greek mythology.
I'm glad Meg and Tess saved the ponies - out of control beings with elemental powers is a terrifying thought. Asia better pray that Winter never gets a hold of her!
Thoughts on Chapters 23 - Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
Loved the ending - action packed and full of awesome moments.
Tess is definitely scary if the resident spirit bears decides that we will never speak of her identity again.
The Others over-the-top care of Meg in the aftermath of the lake incident was adorable.
The Cassandra sangue's blood is the cause of the frenzy drug? Those poor girls suffer so much because of their abilities. Meg's thoughts about the male sangues make me curious too - in Greek mythology Cassandra had a twin brother who could foretell the future - his name was Helenus. Maybe the male sangues are stored in a separate facility?
Loved this book!
I finished too, but my son is sick so I'll comment later.
Real life has decided to interfere with my reading and I'm really behind on this one. Sorry I haven't been such a good buddy. I'm also not going to be done in time for the next book :0(
Lauren wrote: "Real life has decided to interfere with my reading and I'm really behind on this one. Sorry I haven't been such a good buddy. I'm also not going to be done in time for the next book :0("
No problem, Lauren. I was a bad buddy for Dreams of Gods & Monsters and I was the one who wanted to read it. Just comment on what you thought when you read it. It's fun to see what everyone thinks.
****THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS FOR CHAPTERS 12 - end ****I think the leash situation was a great illustration of how people who are discriminated against might perceive things. When I lived in the Detroit suburbs, I had friends who made me see things in a way I never would have on my own. When people have been discriminated against for a large period of time it becomes almost second nature to assume that when certain comments are made their is an underlying nastiness to it and take it as a personal attack. It's kind of programmed into you and becomes your automatic response. You put up your guard to protect yourself and assume the worst of those most likely to think poorly of you. I could totally see how the Others would have a hard time dealing with what was an innocent attempt to help Sam. They're just not used to humans having their best interest at heart.
I felt so bad for the guy that Asia used to attack the ponies. He probably wasn't the nicest, but still.
We now kind of know what Tess is and wow, is she one scary lady.
I like how Meg seems to change the opinion the others have about humans. It brings to mind the saying that one person can make a difference.
Wow! What an ending. I love how everyone seems to be rallying around Meg. I could so see how people would rebel against the Others and all I can think of is how stupid can they be to go against individuals who hold so much scary power and are allowing you to stay on their land. If you don't like it then move. I have to admit their punishment of everyone is pretty extreme and terrifying. Tess and the Elementals are very scary. Wouldn't want to face a wolf either who sees me as special meat. *shudder*
When I was little I used to watch all the scary movies and this series feels like it got back to basics where the scary creatures are concerned. I rather enjoy the darkness of it and how it looks like we may get to witness a drastic change in the dynamics, if Monty has any say, of things. I look forward to seeing how the author will accomplish this.
Asia's patsy definitely suffered a horrible death.Tess is very, very scary.
The Others in this series are very "other" - definitely less human than the supernaturals in other urban fantasy series.
You all have made me - yes, made me - request the audio CDs of this from the library. LOL!
Lisarenee and I are evil that way! Seriously though, you need to read/listen to it - it's the type of book that you can't put down!
I don't know, the second one looks like it gets much darker.
It does but it's excellent and still has plenty of fun moments. Simon's confusion over Meg and humans in general will never fail to entertain.
I'll give the first one a try, definitely.
Lisa Kay wrote: "I'll give the first one a try, definitely."I ended up really behind on this one but if you read it, Lisa Kay, it will probably get me back on track :0)
I'll let you know when it comes in at the library, Lauren. Want to do it together?
Lisa Kay wrote: "I'll let you know when it comes in at the library, Lauren. Want to do it together?"That would be great.
Left off right in the beginning. I started listening and then real life raised its ugly head *sigh*
Wonderful. The CD is "in transit." We'll see when it gets here.
This CD is still "in transit." It must be coming from Timbuktu.
Lisa Kay wrote: "This CD is still "in transit." It must be coming from Timbuktu."Lol!
Yay! Got the CD from the library. I just need to copy and transfer it to my iPod/Touch; however, I have a small migraine, so I'll probably head back to bed. **sigh** When do you want to start (or re-start), Lauren? Do you want to have spotting points where we check in? Or do DQs?
Halleluiah! It arrived from Timbuktu!Sorry about your migraine, Lisa Kay - hope it feels better very soon :0)
I can start tomorrow and am good with either spotting points or DQs. Do you want to do a chapter breakdown?
I'll probably start it tomorrow. I think I'm going to pick up the hard copy, too, at my local library tomorrow; I'll do the chapter breakdown then.
Who's Your Author?
Books mentioned in this topic
Written in Red (other topics)Murder of Crows (other topics)
Dreams of Gods & Monsters (other topics)
Written in Red (other topics)
This topic is open for discussion of Written in Red by Anne Bishop. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Synopsis:
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.