Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

5 stars

Better cover than the first!


Warning: If you don't have the stomach for rape or insinuated gore, I would honestly consider if you want to read this book. It's an adult book and it can be dark. 

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I have been dying for more of the Others, and it has finally come!

Alas, as quickly as the book was released, I also completed it just as fast. It was so good!

Murder of Crows takes a darker twist than it's predecessor this time around with more diabolical means to killing the others with such recklessness that innocent people are getting dragged in. While the plot takes an interesting turn, our main characters gain new development; our meek Meg is growing into her new surroundings as she learns to adapt, become tougher, and grows in independence. 

Meanwhile our wolf leader, Simon, becomes softer in his constant exposure to Meg. We learn much more about the dangerous drugs Gone Over Wolf and Feel Good and their terrible origins, as tension between humans and others rise considerably.

The relationship building between Meg and the Others is so unique and simply adorable in some ways. Honestly, I didn't think I'd enjoy the perspective of animals so much as I do in this book, it's so accurate, innocent in some ways, and heartwarming. 

Meg and Simon's relationship also undergoes serious development as they grow closer and more accustomed to each other to the point of relying on each other and even needing each other's company in their most vulnerable moments. (Yay!)

Meg's past is also given new views, as we focus on the dark side of the corporations that own and sell the cassandra sangue and our POVs include Meg's independent friend, Jean which was truly an interesting, and sometimes horrifying, add on.

The struggle for peace among humans and others continues in the third book, Vision in Silver!

Written In Red by Anne Bishop

5 stars

What a knockout! 

This was amazing, I'm ashamed I put it off for so long. 

(I blame the weak book cover.)

I've got to say I'm not usually one for werewolf stories but oh, this was so much more.

Readers are introduced to a world where humans are second in command and the supernatural run the roost. Tension is high but our focus is on a different town where the wolves and other creatures that dwell within the closed off park, try to live in peace with humans.

The leader of the pack is Simon Wolfgard a temperamental and fierce wolf who runs the human friendly bookstore called Howling Good Reads. He is definitely more animal than human as are most of the park members which is proven as they will consume any adult trespassers. But Simon finds it somewhere in his heart to take in the naive and gentle Meg Corbyn, who is a runaway prophet who longs to start a new life that isn't controlled by the organization that owns her as well as the others of her kind.  

She takes on the job of liason and spurs our story into action. The character and world building done by the author is simply astounding. I was easily sucked up into this new world, and was helpless but to turn the next page. You become easily attached to everyone, and I simply adored how easily Meg won people's hearts, even the most difficult.

Her bond with Simon's scarred nephew is especially heartwarming as she withdraws him slowly from his shell. Her relationship with Simon is very special and has been progressive but not instantaneous which was actually quite nice!  It has left me excited to see how they progress in the sequel.