kstring's review against another edition
2.0
A few bullet points to outline my thoughts on this book
- Not a fan of the audiobook reader. Well, she was alright, but I didn't like the voice she used for Simon...
- Lots of unnecessary swearing.
- I didn't understand the motivations of all the characters. I mean, I understand that Meg is trying to run away from people who were treating her like property, but that's about it. Asia is a weak character who is completely un-relatable--is she really just doing it so she can star in a TV show? Seriously? I still don't understand Tess at all. But most of all, I don't know how after hundreds of years of hating humans, every single Other in the courtyard can suddenly feel so protective towards them after interacting with a single human for ONE MONTH. How can one month of interaction completely reverse a lifetime of thinking? And don't get me started on Simon: he's obsessed with Meg in a weird way.
- The POV was hard to follow because it was constantly switching between people mid-chapter.
- Not a fan of the audiobook reader. Well, she was alright, but I didn't like the voice she used for Simon...
- Lots of unnecessary swearing.
- I didn't understand the motivations of all the characters. I mean, I understand that Meg is trying to run away from people who were treating her like property, but that's about it. Asia is a weak character who is completely un-relatable--is she really just doing it so she can star in a TV show? Seriously? I still don't understand Tess at all. But most of all, I don't know how after hundreds of years of hating humans, every single Other in the courtyard can suddenly feel so protective towards them after interacting with a single human for ONE MONTH. How can one month of interaction completely reverse a lifetime of thinking? And don't get me started on Simon: he's obsessed with Meg in a weird way.
- The POV was hard to follow because it was constantly switching between people mid-chapter.
debwendler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hopkinsj100's review
5.0
Absurdly Wonderful.
This book is pretty much impossible to describe. In many ways it seems silly, but manages to be tense, funny, and emotional. It’s a richly populated world and it makes no damn difference you can anticipate the plot coming from a mile away, it’s a great read.
This book is pretty much impossible to describe. In many ways it seems silly, but manages to be tense, funny, and emotional. It’s a richly populated world and it makes no damn difference you can anticipate the plot coming from a mile away, it’s a great read.
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
4.0
A little dry at times but aside from that it was a solid read.
chantaal's review against another edition
5.0
Urban fantasy but make it slice of life until the slowly building plot threads collide into action in the climax. Yeah, this totally worked for me.
hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Solid start to a new series. The supernatural characters have just enough of a new angle to make things more interesting than the typical UF. The world building is sketched out pretty well too. It’s familiar enough to make sense while new enough to show a different approach to the supernatural idea.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get through this book. It is slow but you get to know the world and the characters .
It is good but not something I just couldn't put down. I will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I can get extra money to buy it and hopefully read it this year
It is good but not something I just couldn't put down. I will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I can get extra money to buy it and hopefully read it this year
laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Written in Red
5 Stars
In an alternate world, humans co-exist with the terra indigene, the original race to inhabit Namid. The Others view humans as nothing more than meat and tolerate their existence for the few technological developments that they offer. Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, who escapes her controllers and finds refuge with the Others. But Meg is a valuable commodity and mercenaries are soon dispatched to return her. Will they be able to get past the Others’ defenses?
Original world building, engaging characters and an intense plot.
The Others are a fascinating race whether it is the shapeshifters who assume traits from their animal natures, or the vampires with their gothic overtones, or the mysterious Tess whose predatory identity is a well kept secret. Bishop never allows the reader to forget that the Others are monsters in every sense of the word. The shifters are not cuddly and sweet; the vampires are not sexy and sparkly, and the elementals are not benign beings in charge of the weather. That said, it is also quite obvious that the cruelty, greed and selfishness of human beings are the real evils in the world.
The heroine is the epitome of innocence. While many reviewers have emphasized Meg's “Mary-Sue” traits, for me her naiveté and sweetness are essential not only to her characterization, but to the plot progression as well. It is only a character of this type that can create the circumstances in which the Others would begin to see humans as something more than food. Despite her inherent goodness, Meg has a core of inner strength and courage that is very appealing and her spirited nature comes to the fore as she grows in confidence.
The suspense plot builds slowly and is told from multiple perspectives that slowly grab the reader by the throat. By the time the climax arrives, it is impossible to put the book down and the action has you on the edge of your seat.
All in all, a refreshing take on tradition Urban Fantasy tropes and I will be reading the next installment as soon as I can.
5 Stars
In an alternate world, humans co-exist with the terra indigene, the original race to inhabit Namid. The Others view humans as nothing more than meat and tolerate their existence for the few technological developments that they offer. Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, who escapes her controllers and finds refuge with the Others. But Meg is a valuable commodity and mercenaries are soon dispatched to return her. Will they be able to get past the Others’ defenses?
Original world building, engaging characters and an intense plot.
The Others are a fascinating race whether it is the shapeshifters who assume traits from their animal natures, or the vampires with their gothic overtones, or the mysterious Tess whose predatory identity is a well kept secret. Bishop never allows the reader to forget that the Others are monsters in every sense of the word. The shifters are not cuddly and sweet; the vampires are not sexy and sparkly, and the elementals are not benign beings in charge of the weather. That said, it is also quite obvious that the cruelty, greed and selfishness of human beings are the real evils in the world.
The heroine is the epitome of innocence. While many reviewers have emphasized Meg's “Mary-Sue” traits, for me her naiveté and sweetness are essential not only to her characterization, but to the plot progression as well. It is only a character of this type that can create the circumstances in which the Others would begin to see humans as something more than food. Despite her inherent goodness, Meg has a core of inner strength and courage that is very appealing and her spirited nature comes to the fore as she grows in confidence.
The suspense plot builds slowly and is told from multiple perspectives that slowly grab the reader by the throat. By the time the climax arrives, it is impossible to put the book down and the action has you on the edge of your seat.
All in all, a refreshing take on tradition Urban Fantasy tropes and I will be reading the next installment as soon as I can.
katieaboateng's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the narrators voice on audible was hard to listen to. I think I would have enjoyed this more in hard copy.