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Written in Red

Book 1 in the series:The Others

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Written in Red by Anne Bishop follows the story of Meg, a blood prophet who escapes from captivity and finds refuge in the Courtyard, a sanctuary for the Others, shape shifters who are feared by humans. The book delves into Meg's integration into the terra indigene society, her interactions with the unique inhabitants of the Courtyard, and the dangers she faces as she tries to forge a new life for herself. The plot is focused on characterization, world-building, and setting the stage for the sequels, with a slow-moving narrative that eventually builds up to intense action and suspense.

The book explores themes of power dynamics between humans and the Others, the concept of humans as prey, and the development of relationships between the characters. It introduces readers to a world where supernatural creatures are in control, and humans are allowed to exist only because of their usefulness. Written in Red also touches on the character of Meg, a gentle yet determined protagonist who navigates a world she is unfamiliar with, showcasing her growth and resilience as she finds her place in a society vastly different from her own.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Meg as a resilient yet timid protagonist and Simon as a protective leader, complemented by a diverse supporting cast of Others.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and descriptive, blending humor and serious themes. It captures the nuances of character interaction and the unique societal structure.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a unique world where the Others, supernatural beings, dominate and humans are seen as prey. The story follows Meg, a blood prophet escaping captivity, as she navigates her new life among the Others.

Setting:

The setting is an alternate Earth dominated by the Others, with human communities under their control, particularly around the Lakeside Courtyard.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow to establish the world but accelerates as plot tensions rise, balancing character development with action.
Half blinded by the storm, she stumbled into the open area between two buildings. Hoping to hide from whomever was hunting for her as well as get some relief from the snow and wind, she followed an an...

Notes:

The premise involves a world where supernatural beings, known as the Others, dominate the Earth and view humans as prey.
The main character, Meg Corbyn, is a blood prophet whose visions come through self-harm, specifically cutting her skin.
The Others rule various territories, and the significant power dynamic is that humans are not at the top of the food chain.
The worldbuilding includes intricate details about how politics, geography, and technology differ from our own reality.
Meg manages to endear herself to the Others despite their initial wariness, illustrating themes of acceptance and change.
The Others are portrayed as truly monstrous, not romanticized, which is a refreshing change in paranormal fiction.
The series deals with dark themes like captivity, exploitation, and survival, making it impactful and often intense.
Characters like Simon, a shifter, and Simon's interactions with Meg evolve throughout the series as they navigate their differences and build relationships.
Humor is interwoven into the story, providing levity in a setting filled with tension and danger.
The series combines elements of urban fantasy with dystopian themes, showcasing a unique perspective on power and coexistence.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of self-harm, cutting, abuse, violence towards women and children, and murder.

Has Romance?

The book has a medium level of romance, focusing more on the development of relationships and friendships than on explicit romantic scenes.

From The Publisher:

Enter the world of the Others in the first novel in New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop's thrilling fantasy series: a place where unearthly entities-vampires and shape-shifters among them-rule the Earth and prey on the human race.

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.

Ratings (101)

Incredible (25)
Loved It (46)
Liked It (21)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (163):

Read It (102)
Want To Read (35)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (25)

4 comment(s)

Incredible
2 weeks

Re-Read Review @ 2023

Ten years later and I still loved this adventure into this intriguing world. I'll probably re-read up until the story veers away from the Courtyard since those were my favorite.

First Read Review @ 2013

An original, fascinating world full of unique and somewhat frightening characters! Highly recommended for UF fans looking for something new with a bite.

 
Incredible
1 month

Loved. Loved, loved, loved. Next one, now please!

 
Did Not Like
3 months

Ehhhhh.....I don't know. A few years ago I probably would have given this more of a chance. I try to read at least 100 pages before giving a book the DNF, but this one just didn't inspire me to put in that much effort. Bishop is doing much the same thing that Nalini Singh does in her Psy/Changeling series, but somehow it just didn't hook me. Maybe I'm not in the mood to be called a monkey? And why aren't there any shapeshifting monkeys? I think I've just read too many great books lately to slog through something that doesn't grab me right off the bat.

 
Liked It
7 months

interesting characters

 

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop is a winner of the William L. Crawford Memorial Fantasy Award, presented by the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts, for The Black Jewels Trilogy. She is the author of the Novels of the Others…

 
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