Written in Red: a novel of the Others

i enjoyed it, okay. but god it went on for soooo long. they needed to cut some characters’ POVs. and honestly we could’ve cut all of asia’s character because who cares. but i found the whole premise of a bunch of animals not knowing how to care for a human but trying their hardest to take care of “our meg” to be really sweet. i actually enjoyed that a lot. i am definitely side eyeing the animals calling humans “monkey” in a derogatory way because …. … what do u mean by that. i would probably read the other books in the series tbh, like eventually. not immediately. 

big ab

Vicky  Nuñez 

I kept seeing this book and i don't know why, but I thought it was a YA book. 
It`s actually a super fun urban fantasy with all kinds of creatures that half the time want to rip someone's throat and the other half want to play.

What I loved about it were its characters, everyone from the cops to its main character, Meg, who all have very clear personalities. And you couldn't help but sympathise with all of them.
Another thing I liked was that sometimes I feel like urban fantasy is thought to be synonym of romance, and this book debunked that myth. There are hints of what may be a future romance, but its not thing really heavily implied. And it wasn't something I missed, I was having way too much fun laughing at some character's antics. 
Overall, I had a great time reading the book and I really look forward to more books in the series.

shelby mosel

Loved this series and will have full reviews soon!!

https://happyechos.wordpress.com/2017...

Sabetha Danes

It was hard for me to get into this book, the book was very slow starting but I know that it's because there was so much back story and world explaining to do, I'm hoping that her future books won't have to cover all of that again and will just get right into the story. Once it got going it had a great story line, but it worries me that the rest of the books could have the same "find the girl" theme which would get old.

Megan Williams

Anne Bishop is an author who constantly creates these worlds in which I find myself just in awe of. They are perfectly unique and new and just change the dynamic of books into something that treads on an unforeseen territory. My first series with Anne Bishop was The Black Jewels Series, which has become one of my favorite go-to reads and is a constant companion on my nook which I take with me to any place I go. So coming from that series, I had high expectations and what I thought was a good understanding of Anne Bishop's writing style. Let's just say that you can never have expectations going into a novel by Anne Bishop because she always succeeds the expected and reaches realms past one's imagination.

“Whether you’re beaten or pampered, fed the best foods or starved, kept in filth or kept clean, a cage is still a cage,” 

 Written in Red is a story surrounding the journey of Meg Corbyn, a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet who escapes her owners and finds herself within the territory of the Others. Meg lead a restricted, which might be an understatement, life where everything was controlled by her owner and her skin was cut for profit. After living life with limited touches with the outside world, coming to the Lakeside Courtyard becomes an overwhelming experience which sets in place a boulder of new events that changes not only how the humans see the Others, but more importantly, how the Others see humans.

 The things about Anne Bishop is that she creates worlds which are rich and dark, worlds that aren't mainstream because they hit on the darker side of humanity. The Others aren't these adorable shape-shifters which appear in mainstream novels, instead, they are animals hiding in human skin ready to be released at the slightest insult. These are beasts and monsters in the truest sense of the world as they feast on not only the flesh of other animals but also the flesh of humans who are declared as their enemies. I loved this take on what might otherwise be the usual paranormal dystopian fantasy novel as these characters were dark and real yet balanced by Meg who still holds on to this trueness of spirit and honesty which becomes quite rare in not only the world presented in this novel but outside of it too.

“It was easier when all we wanted to do was eat them and take their stuff,” he grumbled.
And it had been easier when he hadn’t cared if he made any of them cry.” 

 Meg Corbyn is a really interesting character for me because she has that purity of spirit which causes her to have a unique perspective on some of the things that I find a little different and the humans in the book see as a little different. Becuase she was kept from the outside world, she forms her own conclusions on the world and thses conclusions cause her to come under the protection of the Others and the courtyard leader Simon Wolfgard. Even though Meg is a little naieve about the way her world works, she's a fast learner and becomes a vital part of not only the courtyard, but what it means to be human and the relationship between humans and the Others.

 The reason Meg becomes such a vital part to her new world is becuase of Simmon Wolfgard. What I think is so interesting about this book is the fact that Simmon is not supposed to naturally like humans yet works really hard to try and change the way the Others and humans interact. Also, the main reason Simmon saves Meg is this completely interesting, valid and ironic reason which sets up this book for not only the characters but the events that will follow later in the series. Simmon is both hard to like and yet there's a reason people are drawn to shape-shifter novels. Simmon is wolf, not human, yet the fact that he holds a human's body and interacts with humans to learn more about them creates the humanistic qualities which allow the tennative relatioship between Simmon and Meg to form, a vital relationship.

 Overall, I would say that this is another genius creation by Anne Bishop which defy the ordinary and create an entire world which speaks to the darker nature of the usual fantasy novel. I would put a heads up for those that like a little romance in thier novels that not only is this book a more "happily ever after for now" kind of book, but also the romance that builds between the main characters is at a slower pace than most novels on the market. While I don't personally mind the nature of the romance because the novel doesn't revolve around teh romance, others might find fault in a novel which doesn't experience a fast love and an even faster relationship. Otherwise, this book is truly amazing and completely worth the cost!

“Vlad hated doing the paperwork as much as he did when a human employee quit, which was why they'd both made a promise not to eat quitters just to avoid the paperwork. As Tess had pointed out, eating the staff was bad for marale and made it so much harder to find new employees.”

Whitney Leno

As a huge fan of the Black Jewels I was nervous this book would let me down, because of this I've had the book sitting for a while. WHY DID I WAIT? I love how Bishop is able to create such unique worlds and her social commentary is *chefs kiss*. I have already bought the rest of the series!

Anastaciya

I liked the book. some say the world is confusing, but it didn't bother me too much. Our or an alternate one, it was interesting any way. Maybe I'm a bit naive, but the story didn't seem predictable and obvious, I was entertained. And that's all I really want from a book. I feel it's going to be another one of those addictive series, I'm definitely going to continue.

Judy Hudgins

Anne Bishop has created another world in which I would like to wander. However, being human and considered 'meat' by The Others, would make it a short hike.



In Written in Red, an alternative Earth, Thaisia, is the setting for this world and Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet. By making cuts on her skin, she sees visions of the future. This practice is both painful and euphoric. It also means she has been locked up and controlled her whole life, learning about the world by watching videos and looking at pictures, learning so she can describe what she sees in the visions. To her Controller, she and other blood prophets are a source of a very lucritive fortune. But Meg manages to escape and make it to a Courtyard where she seeks to hide against recapture.

A Courtyard is a city within a city, controlled strictly by The Others, the terra indigene, and maintained to keep an eye on the humans (or monkeys, as they are called). When Meg reaches Lakeside, she finds a job as the Human Liaison, despite Simon Wolfgard's, a shape-shifter, unease. She's human, meat, prey, but she doesn't smell like prey and he and the other shifters can't figure her out. 

From the very first day on the job, Meg is determined to succeed where others have failed. Mainly because it is only in the Courtyard she is safe from being returned to her Controller. And from the first, her naive approach to The Others slowly, but surely, worms it's way into their heart and protection. She makes sure Winter and her sisters has their books, she delivers packages to the Sanguinati (vampires with a twist) endearing herself to the head of their clan, and she gives treats to the ponies, all which in turn means that Meg is "theirs" and they protect what is "theirs".

While there are aspects of the book which are predictable, the overall read is great and Bishop has created a world which is different and fascinating. This world in which the shifters rule and don't have to hide what they are is engaging. A world in which a werewolf is the least of a humans worries if they anger an Elemental, or worse.

Murder of Crows is due out in March, 2014 and I am tapping my foot impatiently. It's on pre-order already.

Chantale

It took me a while to get through this book. It is slow but you get to know the world and the characters . 
It is good but not something I just couldn't put down. I will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I can get extra money to buy it and hopefully read it this year

Lorien O'Brien

I have adored Anne Bishop since I got about two thirds of a way through Daughter of the Blood, despite skipping scenes. I didn't skip almost anything and this is just as good. Although it's different and not as funny but I still love it.

Written in Red is about Meg Corbyn, running from an awful place to her one chance of freedom, and her death. What she finds is family, love, acceptance, and The Others, beings as old and powerful as the earth itself. Some are shapeshifters, some are something else entirely. 

It's an interesting world; humans are just meat to most Others, and certainly are devoured often, thanks to stupidity. But Meg is also not just human; she's a blood prophet, something I haven't heard of before. Basically if she's cut she can see the future, which is an interesting twist on the idea of foresight. I love all the different Others and how they each work together. The thought of a wolf technically over the Elementals and Vampire Grandfather is a little amusing but it works well. I adore the ponies, they're so cute and terrifying and beautiful. What great creatures.

I think it's interesting how humans are so stupid, but given what's happening today it's very clear we are stupid meatsacks that mistreat each other, the environment, and everything else. But there are clear exceptions, such as most of the police department. Monty, Kowalski, and Burke are awesome, and clear examples of what all police should be.

The changes each character goes through is what really moves the story. While there is Asia and other stupid characters, they get theirs. The changes made in the courtyard and the police department are steps in the right direction, and prove that humans are not lost causes.

This is a great book and the world is solid. Nothing could keep from reading this all day today and all last night. I have book 2 and you bet I'll be done with it soon.

 Bruna Acioly Leão

This book was fun to listen to! I'm curious to see where the series is going and learn more abou the characters and the world which are all very interesting.

Katerina Thorson

4.5/5

Final Rating based on the following categories:
Plot: 5/5
Character development: 3.75/5
World Building: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Compare to other books in its genre: 4.5/5

Wow what a read. This is a series that has been on my high to read list for awhile, yet I have no answer to why it's taken me this long to pick it up. The story was constantly moving, constantly making me think and wonder. All the characters were unique in their own way and each intrigued me so much that I could not put this book down at all. So many things capture my attention and it will be so hard for me to not give away any spoilers.

This year my goal was to branch out and read more Adult Fantasy. For a few different reasons: 
1. The world building is more in depth
2. More character development
3. Less of the same YA tropes we are all used to

Now there most likely are faults in those especially #3, since this book might have many Adult Fantasy tropes I am unaware of; however it just made me squeal with joy.

I want to point out my ONE pet peeve that I had at the beginning. For the first 50 pages or so we are thrown multiple POV's - as in almost 7-8 different characters - and it isn't easy to distinguish when this happens. Thank god for 3rd person POV or I would have been lost. However, after those 50 pages the POV switching seems to slow down and we start to only focus on the main characters Simon and Meg. With of course a few important side characters thrown in as well (some of who I fell in love with.)

Other than that there was little if nothing that I disliked or found annoying. 

Character Development
As I stated earlier the biggest thing I was looking forward to, when it came to reading Adult Fantasy, was a more in depth character development. And I was not disappointed. So many characters stood out to me, but none like Meg did. Our main character knows little to nothing of the outside world. She has been locked up her whole life and anything she did learn was through images and prophecies. So her personality shown through very childlike and sweet - I LOVED IT! Most of the time I would hate this but Bishop did so well with playing it that Meg had no childhood, no one to teach her the norms of society, especially one ruled by the Others.

World Build
Another key aspect to the book that I was enthralled with. Going into the book I was expecting just another mythical creatures (Vamps, Werewolves, etc) and that was a mistake on me. There was so much more to this book and I loved the fact that the author included a "Brief History" chapter at the beginning to tell you the story of the Others and humans. I will admit when I read this chapter all I could think of was "Pilgrams and Indians but the Indians win out and eat the Pilgrams". I would have liked to have more of a whole world type of world build arch since we don't get much information outside the city of Lakeside. 

The NON-Existence romance
For once, I am so grateful the author did not play up the idea of a romance - especially a cliche one with a human and a supernatural creature. While there is a hint of a slow burn towards the end, the love department was a zero. Guess what? That is OK! I loved that I got to focus on a young women who was not allowed to have human contact before, build these relationships with the Others and the Humans. In fact, I think a romance would have taken away from her character development and that of the world/plot build. 


What a truly amazing start to this series, I am excited to see where it takes me next.

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | DNF at like 25%? Give or take 1%. I can't recall. 

Okay, okay, okay--before you start throwing things out, hear me out! Taste is subjective. 

Written in Red is probably not a bad read. I am not here to rag on the novel or the author in any shape or form. I just couldn't connect with the story for one reason or another. Anne Bishop's prose is a bit prone to knocking the wind out of me; it has the habit of being long and detailed. In some cases, this is a good thing.

Yet, for this particular novel, it wasn't. 

Written in Red dragged on for me. Which was frustrating, because within the first 10%, you aren't supposed to feel like the story was already dragging on. 

There wasn't anything inherently wrong with the plot or the characters (I found the premise to be very intriguing and full of spark) in the novel. It just isn't for me, for now, so I had to shelf it. In the future, I may give it another try (it is always possible my mood just wasn't in the right place to fully enjoy this book) because I know a lot of people have found it to be quite enthralling. 

Here's to hoping!

Written in Red: a novel of the Others

Reviews