#Tuesday Review - Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop (Urban Fantasy)

Series: The Others # 4
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Publisher: Penguin/ROC
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

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…

Marked in Flesh is the fourth installment in Anne Bishops' The Other's series. As this is book number four, I would suggest that you take in consideration that there may or may not be some mild spoilers involved in this review. While I try like Hades to avoid them, at this point, we are deep into a series that has become one of my most appealing series currently being published, and one that I would walk barefoot through a patch of coals to get of the copy.

"We will give you some time to decide how much human the terra indigene can keep."

If you have read this series from the beginning (Written in Red), you know that there are really two main characters who really stand out because of who they are and what they stand for. The first is 24-year old Meg Corbyn who is known as a sweet blood, cassandra sangue, or blood prophet. She can see a future by cutting her own skin, something that the terra indigene of Lakeside Courtyard have been trying to help her stop. Cassandras only have 1,000 cuts before they lose their minds. 

Meg has come a long way since she stumbled into the Lakeside Courtyard, and became the human liaison between the terra indigene, and the human world. It hasn't been easy for Meg, especially now that she's considered to be the Trailblazer for other girls who were rescued by the terra indigene and given a hopeful future. I will say that the terra indigene are very protective of Meg to the point of really trying to solve her cutting issue. She is surrounding by her own human pack which she relies on, and then there is Simon, her go to, her friend, her thorn in her side, and maybe, crossing fingers, much more by the time this series winds down.

Simon Wolfgard is the leader of the Lakeside Courtyard. He has been given the assignment by the Elders, Namad's Teeth and Claws, to find a way to save his courtyard from being destroyed. Danger is on the horizon, and thanks the the Humans First and Last Movement, the Elders are really pissed off at all humans. There is trouble on all fronts, and Bishop really makes you feel the distress and pensiveness of all the characters involved. Whenever you turn the page, you just know that there is something awful going to happen and quickly, and whether or not your favorite characters survive, is just a matter of hoping she doesn't go all evil and kill everyone off.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that the world that Bishop has written, which is almost an alternative version of our own, has been expanded to include parts of the Midwest, and Cel-Romano where the human thugs are fighting a war of aggression. I love that Simon and the Terra indigene could have blocked any more humans from entering their courtyard, but they chose to help a select group, and the police from being destroyed.

I love the Intuits, and Hope (cassandra), and how Meg has really made a name for herself, especially with the Elders who are very, very curious about her. I love Simon and Meg's sauciness and fun. They are playful, and adorable, and it doesn't have to mean that there is a point where they must have sex. There are more than two dozen character who are important to this series. I can't see killing any of them off at this point because it would turn the tide as to what may or may not affect Meg and her human pack-mates.

I am all in for the fifth installment which is currently untitled, but should be releasing in 2017. I am curious about the Elders and their attitude towards Meg. I look forward to seeing if book # 5 is the last book, or will there be more story. 

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble |  Kobo

*Urban Fantasy Book Review* Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop

Series: The Others # 3
Publisher: Penguin/ROC
Released: March 3, 2015
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher
Format: E-Book, 416 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy

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…

For THREE books now, readers have followed along as 24-year old Meg Corbin, a cassandra sangue (blood prophet), escaped from the Controller and the Walking Names who exploited her for their own purposes, and found her way to the Lakeside Courtyard where Simon Wolfgard is the leader. Meg has become an important part of a rather unusual community that has a mix of humans and terra indigene aka Others. I dare say that Simon and the Others of Lakeside have become not only Meg's family, but necessary in keeping humanity alive. I also dare say that things are getting very interesting for Simon's pack of Others, Humans, and Cassandra's.

Meg is such an interesting character. She really is a believable character who tries to make the most out of being the Courtyards Human Liaison and finding a balance between her humans pack, and Simon's. Even though Meg has issues with wanting to cut herself too much, and makes silly mistakes because she tries too hard, it is HER prophecies that have saved numerous lives, and continues to do so in Vision. It is also her responsibility to be the Trailblazer for the other cassandras who were rescued by the Others.

Vision in Silver is a much, much different story than Written in Red  or Murder of Crows. First, we really get a sense of urgency when it comes down to Simon's determination as a leader to make changes that don't necessarily go over well with The Others. Simon's relationship with the Human police department (Monty & Burke) and his own human pack (Merri Lee, Ruthie, Theral, & Pete) has evolved. With their help, he has been able to keep Humans First and Last at bay, and the casualties of war low. His relationship with Meg has progressed. They are friends, and they really do care what happens to the other. Yet, Simon's relationship with Vlad, Henry, and Tess is what you shouldn't ignore.

Another group that gets the spotlight in Vision are the cassandra sangue who have been exploited so much, that they really are a sad lot when all is said and done. Even Meg has trouble with not cutting herself at inappropriate times. She's really a child in the sense that the world is so much bigger, and a dangerous place than she could ever imagine. There are some really awful and sad endings for groups of cassandra's and that we can blame on the fact that they've been brainwashed by The Walking Names into believing one thing, only to find themselves inadequately prepared to survive the outside world. There is also a heart warming moment when Bishop walks readers through the struggles of a young cassandra that Meg tries to help. Perhaps with Meg's further guidance, more will survive including her friend Jean.

Anne Bishop knows how to create unique worlds, and characters that truly stand out. One of the more interesting groups of characters introduced in Vision but not truly seen, are the native terra indigene who live in the wild lands and have absolutely no contact with humans. Now that HFL group has made their move and been exposed for their intentions, it will be interesting to see where Bishop goes from here. It will also be fun to watch Simon walk the tightrope of knowing that any time he makes a mistake, humanity could face extinction.

Vision in Silver is the third installment in The Others series but not the last. The Others is a series that is set in a fictional world known as Namid, the country of Thaisia, and a slice of territory known as the Lakeside Courtyard along with a few others places. I do believe that Vision in Silver is a bridge of sorts to the next story arc. The story ends in such a way that you could say that no more books are necessary, but never fear my friends! We are expecting two more books over the next 2 years!

**I received this book for free from (Penguin/ROC) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

Other books in Series: