Series: The Others #2
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Published by: Roc on March 4, 2014
Format: eBook
Pages: 448
Source: Purchased
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Add to Goodreads
After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.
The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside's shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.
As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.
Anne Bishop continues to amaze me…I can’t get enough of this dark and enthralling paranormal world!
I honestly think this is the first time I’ve used the “rocked my world” icon on a review and if any review deserves it it’s MURDER OF CROWS! I completely apologize in advance for any ranting and raving I do in this review and acting like a teenage fangirl. The Others series has managed to make me step out of my reading comfort zone and devour each book like it’s the last book I’ll ever read! I’m an avid reader so that’s saying something about Anne Bishop’s writing.
MURDER OF CROWS continues shortly after the events of WRITTEN IN RED with Meg getting back to her daily activities of Human Liason. While Meg has assimilated to life at Lakeside, she’s still as vulnerable as ever. Her cassandra sangue heritage is further explored in this book and we see how Meg struggles with her prophecy abilities and how her new terra indigine friends fear for her life. Everyone from Simon to Vlad become extremely vigilente of the young woman who has sparked a change in each of them since her arrival.
Her friendship with the temperamental Simon Wolfgard is also put to the test when stronger feelings on his part (and possibly hers) causes Meg to keep her distance. There is no official romance between these two just yet, but the slow build is one of the best things about this series. I love reading about their movie nights and awkward flirting. I love a good romance but this is a book where there’s so much other awesomeness going on I don’t need it, but I do want it eventually! 😉
The world building of The Others continues to fascinate with the original stellar cast, some new supernaturals (Intuits) and a questionable organization who call themselves the HFL (Humans First and Last) is introduced. Meg’s past has come back to haunt her in this book and we learn a little more about the “world” she left behind and her captors. There’s an ongoing dark undertone to this series that I absolutely love, Anne Bishops supernaturals are not the glamorous sexy kind, they’re fierce predators who are more in touch with their animalistic side and waste no time reminding us of that throughout the book.
I can’t get enough of the fantastic character development and unpredictable plot lines the author throws at us. I don’t think I’ve ever been this invested in a story and its characters so early in a series…they’re more like friends than characters at this point. That being said, this is probably the first paranormal world that I wouldn’t want to be a part of because of the constant dangers! I’ll stick to reading about them instead…haha
MURDER OF CROWS is just as engaging as its predecessor and delivers a page turning read that’s hard to put down. Anne Bishop continues to raise the bar with her rich storytelling. I’m almost glad that I waited this long to read both books back to back because I’m not sure I could have waited for the sequel! The Others have become my latest book obsession and in one sentence: “Yeah, this book ROCKED MY WORLD!”
I so loved this book. My only complaint was that I listened and that narrator changed a few things from book one to book two. This will probably be my top read for 2014.
I enjoy audiobooks but I’m not sure I could have followed this series and all the details if I had listened. What were the changes? I’ve seen some readers mentioned pronunciation issues in their reviews, I’d find that annoying!
I love a slow paced romance too, if there’s even one..LOL I hope there is! Fantastic review! I loved this book too, I’d have a hard time picking my fav. of the two. I know what we all are going to be doing the day the next book comes out, I might even stay away from Pinterest…LOL
I think the slow pace just works in this story. I’d definitely question Meg if she just jumped in the sack with Simon with everything she’s experienced. I think they’ll get there one day! I think this book had a little more plot and less world building than the first so I got to know the characters better. You know you’re invested when you stay off Pinterest…LOL
YAY! This book rocked my world too! All I can say is… “Anne Bishop write FASTER!” I hear ya about not wanting to visit this world; I’d totally get eaten after like a day. LOL Great review Lori! 🙂
I don’t think I’d last that long! I know, a year is a long time but I’m sure it will be so worth it! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I want no NEED book 3.
Join the club! 🙂
Yup, fo sho this is going to my TBR
Braine, you won’t regret reading this series! 🙂
I LOVE Meg and Simon’s awkwardness too. I’m glad there’s still plenty of it in book 2 😉
Yes, finally someone who agrees with me that the romance is totally not needed at this stage, but I do like the thought processes they go through.
I loved this book, and now I want to re-read it.
This is definitely a re-read for me, but I’ll wait right before the next one comes out! 🙂