vabookworm703's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Written in Red is the first volume in Anne Bishop’s The Others series, an urban fantasy series where the humans live in a world occupied by the Others – a race of beings who, although they look human, have evolved into something more (i.e., shapeshifters, vampires, elementals).
The reader is introduced to Meg Corbyrn, a blood profit who has escaped her “controller” and stumbles into a city (Lakeside) controlled by The Others; the leader (Simon Wolfgard) feels that there is something different about Meg and is moved to help her by offering her the job as Lakeside’s human liaison (which appears to be nothing more than a mail/delivery person). Very quickly Meg endears herself with the residents of Lakeside because . . . well, other than delivering the mail and smelling like “not prey,” I’m not quite sure why the residents all feel this overwhelming need to protect Meg. Maybe she is more Other than human, and the Others protect their own? <shrug>
The plot is rather simple, Meg ran away, her “controller” wants her back, and the Others of Lakeside work to ensure that doesn’t happen; the B and C storylines are rather dull.
There is little world building, and the characters range from “meh” to intolerable (I’m looking at you Asia Crane). While there were times I found Meg to be a little too Pollyannaish and at times sickeningly sweet, it (kinda, sorta) made sense given her history.
I did enjoy the little bit of history Ms. Bishop provided regarding how the Others came into being, their interaction with humans, and the uneasy peace between the two races. While the characters were rather generic, the various races of Others present was quite interesting. I especially appreciate the fact that Ms. Bishop’s Other characters weren’t fully human even when in human form (i.e., Simon Wolfgard was always a wolf and acted like a wolf even when I human form). However, I did not like the fact that the Others routinely resort to “let’s kill” whenever they were faced with a threat (yea, yea, they aren’t human, but they have to interact with humans and are trying to learn/understand humans and threatening to indiscriminately kill people doesn’t help).
I have mixed feelings about Written in Red the idea is very interesting and Ms. Bishop’s writing style is pleasant. The action is fast paced, albeit repetitive. The character work was lacking and there were several plot holes and lots of loose ends (granted those may be picked up in future installments). I am intrigued enough, even with the flaws, to pick up the next volume to determine whether or not I like the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Mental illness
Spoiler
The lead character engages in cutting . . . this could be triggering to those with emotional issues or a history of cutting. The Others engage in some viciously violent acts, including eating live humans.
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