For What It's Worth


Monday, March 7, 2016

Review: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop


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… ~ Goodreads

Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:
Marked in Flesh is the fourth installment in The Others series by Anne Bishop. You absolutely need to read the previous books first, and in order, before starting this one.

I was on the fence as to whether I would continue this series. The previous book, Vision in Silver, felt more like of a set up and filler but Marked in Flesh has me fully immersed again.

The conflict between the humans and the Others, The Elders, the other cassandra sangue's, and of course Simon and Meg start intertwining in a way that finally gets the story moving forward and it's both frightening and hopeful.

Reading this series makes my blood boil with hatred towards the humans – maybe not the side I should be taking lol but I hated them with the hate of a thousand suns!! I’m totally rooting for the werewolves, vampires and even the ancient elders to burn them to the ground.

This is a fictional urban fantasy world but it’s hard not to see the parallels to our own current behavior in regards to the things (people) we fear and our treatment of the planet.

Obviously, IRL. humans aren’t at war with shifters and vampires for the earth’s resources – but it’s easy to see how Mother Nature always wins in the end. Even though Bishop is never heavy handed about the message – it’s clear that she’s warning us to look at how we treat each other and our planet. All while delivering a fantastic story with some of the best character development and kick ass world building out there right now!

My one minor quibble - there wasn't enough Meg and Simon. But there never is enough for me. BUT - Let's just say things are happening on that front!

I can't wait for the next (and final?) book in the series.

25 comments:

  1. This is a series I really want to start someday!

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  2. Ditto what Kate said. I've only recently had this series on my radar, and it sounds really good!

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    1. It's one of the few series out there with great world building and character development.

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  3. I'm listening to the first book as we speak! That's disappointing that the third book was filler. Book releases are too precious for set up!

    A five book series just sounds odd to me..

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    1. I believe it started as a trilogy - I might be wrong on that - and keeps getting extended. But according to Goodreads - and the way the story is going - I think the next one is the last.

      Also - I think I'm the only person who didn't love the last one and felt like it was filler lol

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  4. Oh I do enjoy books that though set in a different time or place or even universe than our own have parallels with the world we know.

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    1. I think you would like it Tracy. IT's kind of political but bigger than that. The romance is very subtle and doesn't over power anything.

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  5. Replies
    1. Did you like the first one? I feel like you would get impatient with this series lol

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  6. Must read... must read... must read the whole series. GAH! I so need this series in my life. I'm happy right now that the next book is the final (maybe) book but that is only because I know I won't have to read 20+ books to catch up. Of course when I start to read these, I'm sure I'll feel different. :D

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    1. You don't read this series??? I'm surprised - you would love it!

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  7. Good to hear that this one pulled you back into the series

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    1. Even when I don't love it - I love it lol If that makes any sense. The world building is phenomenal.

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  8. Oh yes I really loved this one too and I totally get you fore more Meg and Simon! I really want more!

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    1. Every single page could be Meg and Simon and it wouldn't be enough lol

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  9. Great review and i agree there was never enough simon and meg . I enjoyed this book too and OMG this book brought mother nature and others all in way that a person could relate to now a days but also in another world. I adore this series :) Yes I can't wait to read the next one either .

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  10. I killed this one on its release day, listening to it in one sitting on Audible. (Lucky I can carry my phone with me!) I was SOO thrilled with the book, and so disappointed because I was scheduled to go to Lexington to the Anne Bishop/Patricia Briggs signing but was simply too sick with flu to go. But this book DEFINITELY moved everything forward at warp speed - I love the world she's created and the characters who inhabit it! I want more Simon and Meg, too, but as a writer, I COMPLETELY understand why she doles that out in tiny nibbles. It's terrific tension-building, and such excellent writing overall. I love the Courtyard and would happily move in there to be part of Anne's world!

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    1. I love the pace of the Meg/Simon romance. I don't think it makes sense to rush that after everything Meg has been through and them having to work through their differences.

      I get bored with anything that isn't them though - or The Others.I seriously dislike the humans - even the pack humans. Just be happy Simon is letting you in and stop asking for more stuff! lol

      I didn't realize she was signing with Patricia Briggs. That would be a great event. I'm sorry you had to miss it.

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  11. This is a series I just haven't gotten to yet, Karen, but it sounds really, really good! Thanks for the great review!
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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