Published: March 5th, 2013
by: ROC
Series: The Others #1
Genres: Adult-Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.
Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
Review
Words can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. Which is really surprising, considering the villain got on my last nerve. Annoying villain aside, I think that Anne has created a world that is unique in its own way, but still familiar at the same time. Big Bad Wolf? There are plenty; and not your average wolf either. These are wolves of nightmares. Vampires? Yep, but beware of shaking their hands. This is not a world where humans are in control. This world is run by shifters, vampires, elementals, and more. They are not to be messed with, and I really love the fear among the people here. Hey, sue me. It’s different from other UF I’ve read, and it’s refreshing. Among the humans and terra-indigene (wolves, vamps, etc…) are the cassandra sangue (blood prophets), who are enslaved for their skin. Wanna know what your future holds, good or bad? You can buy a cut for the right price. And this is where Meg Corbyn comes in. She escapes her imprisonment, and finds shelter among the terra-indigene. The question is, is she safe?
It’s really refreshing to have a heroine who is learning basic human things. She knows what most things are, but wasn’t taught how to use them. What was more interesting, was the fact that her kindness to the terra-indigene confused them. They knew she wasn’t all human by her smell. Still, she had them scratching their heads a lot. And when the vampire elder invites her inside the gate to deliver packages, it doesn’t go unnoticed by everyone. Meg, being the human liaison, does more than deliver packages. She treats everyone kind, and goes beyond her liaison duties. Even Winter, the moody elemental, has taking a liking to her. And I will not talk about the ponies. Okay, that just made me want one. I don’t care if they can cause disasters, I’d kill to get my hands on Thunder. And what she did for Sam made me love her, even though I was scared for her safety.
Simon Wolfgard: He’s one interesting wolf. I felt his frustration at not being able to figure Meg out. And I’m really ready to continue this series after that ending. I can only figure it’s about to get crazy. Simon runs Howling Good Reads (book store), so it’s no wonder I like him. He can be a jerk sometimes; and that’s only when he’s trying to figure out something. And I love how he handles Asia Crane.
Asia Crane: She has to be the most absurd antagonist, ever. Truly, I am not even kidding. And for what? Because she wants to have her own TV show; Asia Crane Special Investigator. Seriously, everything she did in this book was just crazy. And she was always going on about her alter ego, Asia Crane SI: What would she do? I wanted to reach in and blow her brains out.
There are all types of interesting characters to get to know. I love love love this book! It seems slow in pace, as we have to allow Meg to get herself together and learn her way around. Then, there’s the cutting thing. I won’t get into it, but I found its purpose in this story to be quite something. It gives this whole world credibility. If the terra-indigene can have “special meat” on hand, then there can be some unnerving qualities of the humans (or human-like in this case) around them. The Others are intimidating and I love it. There’s not really any action until the end (aside from that little feast at the beginning), but what action it is. The elementals went bananas because of The Meg. I’d hate to get on their bad side; especially Winter’s.
If you are in need of something different to read, I think this book will do the trick. I didn’t want to put it down, and after a couple of sittings I was done. Great world building, awesome characters, and a premise that makes you think of past history. It’s truly wonderful. Highly recommend!
[…] in this series: Written in Red | Murder of Crows/Vision in Silver/Marked in […]
LikeLike
[…] Also In This Series: Written in Red […]
LikeLike
I’m glad to see you liked this one so much! It’s been sitting on my kindle for years. I really need to get around to reading it soon.
LikeLike
Yay, Im so glad you loved this one too! I really need to finish the rest of this series soon!
LikeLike
After reading Daughter of Smoke & Bone, I feel like I can take down anything! Girl that was my first time, (in my adulthood) reading about angels, demons, monsters, and all that weird shit, so bring on the vamps and wolves girl! (I haven’t read a shifter book since like 2012 lol) I’ve heard really good things about this one, so I’m definitely adding it to my reading list!
LikeLike
Dag nabbit now I’m yet another person that hasn’t read this one. But I plan to, and it sounds like a winner!
LikeLike
It seems like literally all of my bloggy friends have read this book – and loved it! I don’t think I’ve seen a single negative review, among my peers. I’m actually impressed that so many have read it, within my circles! It’s obviously to me that I need to read this series at some point. I need more UF in my life! 😀
Great review, Lekeisha!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
LikeLike
I really hope you give it a shot Alyssa. It’s a very different read from most other UF that I’ve read.
LikeLike
So happy to see you had fun with this. I think she captured the whole awkwardness of the situation in a scary but funny way. Love the Others!
LikeLike
She truly did, and that is why I love it.
LikeLike
Fantastic review, you had me reliving the book for a moment and I loved it!! OMG I cannot wait for you to read more!!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m glad you did try this one, I’m so in love with this series, it’s just awesome!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Yay! Yeah, I love how they are series something that should be feared. Just wait until you meet the rest.
LikeLike
I am so ready!
LikeLike
Woohoo! Glad you got to start this series!!! Seriously, I’m doing a little happy dance in my seat right now, lol. I think the books get better and better too so it’s only looking up from here 🙂
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read the next one.
LikeLike
Haha! An annoying villain, eh? I love the way you describe the worldbuilding. I must read this one.
LikeLike
Yes, annoying villain. Just you wait. She is something else.
LikeLike
Yay yay yay so happy you started this series and that you liked it! I love it so much and it’s hard to describe to people but seriously it just gets better and better! Great review!!
LikeLike
Thanks! I can’t wait to continue.
LikeLike
Wooooow, you weren’t kidding with the bad book villain stuff were you? Rofl. XD
All that aside, though, this definitely sounds like a fun UF. It’s so different to see a female MC in UF be… softer. I guess that’s the right word? I love my kick-ass heroines in UFs, but it seems like Meg can still hold her on and not put a gun to every person’s head she comes across. I’ve never heard of a blood prophet before, either. Interesting!
Great review and thanks for the heads up!
Brittany @ http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com/
LikeLike
It is really unique.
LikeLike
I really should try book 2…
LikeLike
I’m gonna go ahead and get the others probably next week. Unless, my library has them all available, which is highly unlikely.
LikeLike
Wow great review. I’ve been wanting to read this one since a few months back when it was all over the blogosphere. I’m glad that you really enjoyed it! 😀
LikeLike
It’s really good. Hope you give it a shot soon.
LikeLike
Yay! I’m so very excited you are starting this series and that you loved the first book!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read book 2!
LikeLike
I’m so happy to see you enjoyed this one, Lekeisha! It’s a crazy good series. And I love how unique it is too to UF.
OMG Asia was the worst. I kept waiting for Simon to eat her because she was so bothersome. I was glad with who handled her though in the end.
I’m excited to see what you think of the rest of the series. Hope you love it! 🙂
LikeLike
LOL! I kept wanting to reach in and beat her, and I’m not a violent person. She was just so annoying. I was hoping that Simon or Vlad got a hold of her. I love Vlad!
LikeLike
Asia was doing way too much in this book with that whole Asia Crane: SI thing.
I’m glad you enjoyed this book. It’s definitely a refreshing UF story in a sea of similar stories.
LikeLike
She was so annoying. I actually can’t believe I loved this book so much. Whenever a character irks me to death, I usually go with 3 stars or less.
LikeLike
There were so many other things to like, though, so that probably helped. LOL.
LikeLike
Great review! I love this series. Have you read her Black Jewels trilogy? It’s very, very dark fantasy, but brilliant!
LikeLike
Thanks! No, this is my first time reading this author, but I’m hoping my library has her other series. I’m gonna just purchase the rest of this series in paperback, because I have a feeling I’ll be rereading it over the years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I actually really like the sound of this one being something different than what your usual UF is. I actually have it on my tbr and I need more wolves books in my life that are really good so this seems like the perfect place to start. Shame about the villain being annoying because I do love a good villain, but I think the rest of the book sounds like it is still worth it anyway.
LikeLike
I really loved it because it’s different from anything I’ve read in this genre, so far. I hope you get around to reading it soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person