#Monday Review - Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop (Urban Fantasy)

Series: The Others # 5
Format: Hardcover, 397 pages
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Publisher: Roc
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves…

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

Etched in Bone is the Fifth installment in author Anne Bishop's The Others series. The story picks up pretty much right where Marked in Flesh left off. The citizens of Lakeside and elsewhere are picking up the pieces after the Elders, aka Namid's teeth and claws, swept through putting down a revolt by Humans. In some areas like Cel-Romano, humanity will never be the same. In other areas, the clean up is becoming a major project that needs people to fill vacancy. 

Simon Wolfgard has his plate filled worrying about the Elders pending visit to Courtside. A visit that will also come with a major challenge that the Elders pretty much encouraged to see how the Others and Humans work out their problems. Simon also has to figure out what the Elders meant by how much human the terra indigene will keep. Simon also has to deal with the Intuits, Simple Folk, Sweet Bloods, and ensuring that his humans are well taken care of. But, protecting and keeping Meg safe from harm is his biggest piece of the puzzle. 

The Lakeside Courtyard has been fundamentally changed forever after the arrival of Meg Corbyn. Meg is known as a sweet blood to the Elders, and a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet to the rest of her human pack. Meg has tried to avoid cutting herself knowing that the more she cuts, the more probability that she will loose herself. As the trailblazer for other sweet bloods, this means coming up with other ways of seeing possible dangers. There was a curious part to this story that I have long wondered about. What happens when a Sweet Blood cuts a healed scar? Do they lose themselves? Do they survive? Or, do they fall to pieces in the darkness of what they see?

Meg's pack of humans have become even more of a presence than at any time before. They've also grown by leaps and bounds with the addition of a group of police officers who are now living within the general vicinity. I already mentioned Twylla and for good reason. She is a strong character, with a strong will for doing what is necessary. She takes charge in several different areas, and makes hard choices like leaving her own kids to their own devices. She also has a strong intuition when it comes to how to treat Others like Sam, and Skippy which makes for some humorous reading. But, when it comes to her son Jimmy, he may be the one person who may tear down her character along with everyone else in Lakeside.

For the first time in a while, there is hope that Meg and Simon will finally get over the hump and become more than just friends. There is so much protectiveness when it comes to Meg from not only Sam, but Vlad, and Tess as well. I adore Meg, Simon, Skippy, and even Sam together. It takes an outsider in the human police department to finally wake up Simon to the point where he knows that Meg is his family, and perhaps even though she will never become a wolf, his mate. 

Etched in Bone is the final novel feature Meg and the Lakeside crew. But, you will be happy to know that there is a Sixth novel planned for 2018. That novel is being called Lake Silence. Here is a teaser "Bishop’s new novel takes readers to a human village nestled in the terra indigene-controlled Finger Lakes region of Northeast Thaisia. It stars divorcee Victoria “Vicki” DeVine, owner of The Jumble — a small, self-sufficient community located on the shore of Lake Silence. Vicki and the town’s residents soon find themselves caught up in a chilling mystery, after a series of vicious murders rock the small community.

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