I can’t believe it’s already September despite the fact that August honestly seemed like the longest month of the year so far – but that’s probably because I’m not a fan of the heat!! Still it was nice to see the sun even if it got a little hotter than I think anyone wanted and it was a little dry too where I am. I hope you had a good summer and managed to get some reading in. I’m actually really really pleased reading-wise this month.
By the time my last post went live I’d just recieved all the books I got last month, so I thought I’d share them here. They’re all books I was super excited to read. Only one of them was from a new to me series, which I’m really pleased with because as I said last month the goal is to get rid of my tbr pile.
In this powerful and exciting fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, humans and the shape-shifting Others will see whether they can live side by side – without destroying one another.
There are ghost towns in the world – places where the humans were annihilated in retaliation for the slaughter of the Others.
One of these places is Bennett, a town at the nothern end of the Elder Hills – a town surrounded by the wild country. Now efforts are being made to resettle Bennett as a community where humans and Others live and work together. A young female police officer has been hired as the deputy to a Wolfguard sheriff. A deadly type of Other wants to run a human-style saloon. And a couple with four foster children – one of whom is a blood prophet – hope to find acceptance.
But as they reopen the stores and the professional offices and start to make lives for themselves, the growing community attracts the attention of humans looking to profit. And the arrival of the outlaw Blackstone Clan will either unite Others and humans – or bury them all.
Series: The World of the Others, 2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: ACE (7 March 2019)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Wild Country is a very interesting book. It’s the second book in The World of The Others, a spin-off from Bishop’s The Others. I’m not totally sure when it is set in relation to Lake Silence, but the storyline runs parallel with Etched in Bone. It introduces a new settlement, that we get to see almost from the beginning which I found really interesting. As always there are multiple narrative lines with a lot of interwoven threads and the fun is trying to work out what is going on. There are also a lot of new characters to get to know.
Fans of the series, and of The Others will enjoy this newest addition. It has everything I have come to expect from a boy set in this world. Tensions are very high between the different groups, which is to be expected considering what else is going on in the world at the same time. Jana, Jesse, Tobais, Tolya and Virgil are all interesting characters, and I enjoyed following them through the story. I enjoyed the fact that this story focuses on trying to find a balance between humans and the terra indigene, and that this co-operation was very much the focus of the narrative.
Wild Country is a little slow to start, but this is typical for books in this series as long time readers will know. I think that this works to the story’s advantage as it helps to build tension, but also allows us as readers to get to know the new characters and place them within the world. Once things get going, they really get going though. This is helped by the alternating narrators, each giving us a little piece of the overall story. Bishop has definitely created a very interesting and complex and dangerous world, which this novel definitely emphasises but is also shows that even within the darkness and horror there can be moments of hope and light.
If you’ve enjoyed the other books in The Others and The World of The Others then I think this story will suck you in, and straight back into the world. If you’re new to the series then I don’t think that this is the book to start with, as there are spoilers. That being said, this book is one heck of a ride and I found it quite difficult to stop as I just wanted to devour it.
Title: Etched in Bone (The World of The Others, 1) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Publisher: Ace (6th March2018) Blurb:
In this thrilling and suspenseful fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, an inn owner and her shape-shifting lodger find themselves enmeshed in danger and dark secrets.
Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others – vampires, shape-shifters, and even deadlier paranormal beings. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . .
After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns such as Vicki’s don’t have any distance from the Others, the dominant predators who rule most of theland and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what is out there watching you.
Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger , Aggie Crowe – one of the shape-shifting Others – discovers a murdered man, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the death on her, despite evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, ancient forces are roused by the disturbance in their domain. They have rules that must not be broken – and all the destructive powers of nature at their command.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (5 stars) Review:
LAKE SILENCE is the first book in Anne Bishop’s new series The World of The Others, a spin-off from her brilliant The Others series. This book is set in the same world as the first series, but features new characters in a different place. This book follows the story of Vicki DeVine, a divorcee, who has taken over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. The new move was supposed to signal a new start for Vicki, but the discovery of a dead man on her property brings a lot of trouble instead.
Title: Etched in Bone (A Novel of The Others 5) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Publisher: ROC (9th March2017) Blurb:
New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to the world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shape-shifters and vampires far more powerful than they are . . .
After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders – a primitive and lethal form of the Others – the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them noew know to fear both the no-man’s-land beyond their borders and the darkness . . .
As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relativelt unscathed, though Simon Wolfguard, it’s wolf-shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.
With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will end: with her standing beside a grave . . .
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) Review:
ETCHED IN BONE is the fifth book in Anne Bishop’s brilliant The Others series. This book continues the story of Meg Corbyn and the inhabitants of the Lakeside Courtyard after the events of the previous four books. With the others having taken action against the humans who threatened them, the humans who survived their anger are still struggling to find the balance that may guarantee their survival. The Lakeside Courtyard may have escaped this turbulence relatively unscathed, but all the residents are aware of how fragile the peace is. When Lieutenant Montgomery’s brother turns up, the Courtyard is thrown into chaos.
Title: Marked in Flesh (A Novel of The Others, 4) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Publisher: ROC (10th March 2016) Blurb:
For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate – both within themselves and within their community . . .
Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others has changed. Some, such as Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn see the new, closer companionship as beneficial – both personally and practically.
But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others – and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs . . .
Rating: ***** (5 stars) Review:
MARKED IN FLESH by Anne Bishop is the fourth book in The Others series. This book continues the story of Meg Corbyn and the residents of the Lakeside Courtyard. Unrest caused by a radical group of humans who seek to control land belonging to the Others attracts dangerous attention that could cause trouble for everyone.
Title: Vision in Silver (A Novel of The Others, 3) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Publisher: ROC (3rd March 2015) Blurb:
New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop transports readers to a “mesmerizing”* world of magic and political unrest – where the only chance at peace requires a deadly price . . .
The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in a greater danger than ever before – both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.
Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade temps death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.
For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep . . .
*RT Book Reviews
Rating: ***** (5 stars) Review:
VISION IN SILVER is the third book in Anne Bishop’s brilliant The Others series. In this series Bishop has moved from high fantasy to urban fantasy/paranormal romance; and she does it well. There are repercussions for the events in MURDER OF CROWS (review) which are far reaching. Meg is the only one who can help with one situation, but it means putting herself in danger something her friends oppose as it means she must put her own life at risk.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.
Phew! It hasn’t been such a long time since I did one of these posts – just about a month. Things are going well for me at the moment and I had a great birthday, and got some lovely presents. I’m also doing really well on the reading front at the moment, touch wood!!
I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, especially her WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD series so I’m really excited to read the two novellas. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD was one of the few books I studied at school that I fell in love with, so I’m really glad to finally get hold of my own copy.
I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.
Title: Murder of Crows (A Novel of The Others, 2) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Publisher: ROC (4th March 2014) Blurb:
Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s “phenomenal”* world of the Others – where supernatural entities and humans struggle to coexist and one woman has begun to change the rules . . .
After winning the trust of the Others residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.
The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard – Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader – wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.
As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet – and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.
* Urban Fantasy Investigations
Rating: ***** (5 stars) Review:
MURDER OF CROWS is the second book in Anne Bishop’s fantastic THE OTHERS series. It continues the story of Meg Corbyn, who we first meet in WRITTEN IN RED (review), a cassandra sangue who wants to live a ‘normal’ life. Meg has survived so far, and slowly adjusted to the world outside but prophecy still calls to her, and as events in the world build the desire to cut and see the future grows.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Sunday is a new meme that I am planning to feature on the blog every week. It is based on the Sunday Post which is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, which was in turn inspired in part by the In My Mailbox meme. Basically, it allows me to let you know what went on the blog this week and anything interesting that is going on. It will also allow me to showcase any books I receive like the Showcase Sunday which is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits, and Tea.
This week has been both a fun and sucky week. The first couple of days of the week I didn’t feel partiuclarly well, so I didn’t get a lot of reading or blogging done. On the Wednesday I travelled down to London for The London Book Fair, and had a fantastic time – I got to say hi to Faye of A Daydreamer’s Thoughts, and I had a little wander of London itself and I may have stopped off at a few bookshops. After the London trip I have been exhausted, and I also have myself a nice little rash which I have to have a blood test for *sigh*. So yeah, this week has been both sucky and fun 🙂
Gollancz has secured the World Rights to publish illustrated diaries celebrating Terry Pratchett’s DISCWORLD. You can find out more and see the gorgeous cover here.
The Guardian has teamed up with Legend Times to offer an all-new monthly literary prize for self-published novels. For more information and how to enter follow the linkie.
TED and Simon & Shuster have agreed to co-publish a 12-book collection of TED books with one book published every one-to-two months from September 2014. For more info click here.
The Guardian in their Children’s books section has an interviewwith Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury author and illustrator of WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT which has been in publication for 25 years.
Anthony Horowitz is again writing in the world, of the world’s great fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes in his new book MORIARTY set to be published on October 23rd. You can find more info here.
Nominations are now open for the Queen of Teen Award, you can find out more info and how to nominate here. Nominations must be in by April 29th.
BBC Radio 4 programme Woman’s Hour will feature J. K. Rowling as a guest editor – the first in 60 years – during “takeover week”. You can find out more info here.
Scholastic have launched The Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children’s Writing which is open to unpublished authors of books for children aged between 7 and 12. For more info and how to enter follow the linkie.
The Independent reports that forty leading writers have sent the UK’s Secretary of State for Justice protest postcards with the names of the book that they would most like to send to a prisoner. You can find out more and the suggested titles here.
Sue Townsend the author of THE DIARIES OF ADRIAN MOLE has died you can find The Guardian’s obituary for her here.
There are a couple of new awards that were announced this week which I think sound potentially interesting for those who write. I loved the WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT interview, I have fond memories of my Mum reading me that book as a child. J. K. Rowling being a guest editor on Woman’s Hour also sounds like it could be interesting, so I will have to keep an ear out for that. I was sad to hear about the death of Sue Townsend, although I have to confess I’ve never read any of her books.
As the title of this post suggests, my book buying ban has kind of imploded…
London and its gorgeous wonderful bookstores got to me. I visited Waterstones Piccadilly, Foyles, and Forbidden Planet. I promised myself I would only buy five books max… I came home with fourteen. Oops!
NIGHT BROKEN (A MERCY THOMPSON NOVEL, 8) by Patricia Briggs
RISING DARKNESS (A GAME OF SHADOWS NOVEL, 1) by Thea Harrison
KINKED (AN ELDER RACES NOVEL, 6) by Thea Harrison
FANTASY LOVER (DARK HUNDER 0.5) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
DARK LOVER (A BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD NOVEL, 1) by J. R. Ward
MURDER OF CROWS (A NOVEL OF THE OTHERS, 2) by Anne Bishop
DARK VISION by Debbie Johnson
RAGS & BONES edited by Melissa Marr & Tim Pratt
STOLEN SONGBIRD (THE MALEDICTION TRILOGY, 1) by Danielle L. Jensen {review}
BATTLE MAGIC (THE CIRCLE REFORGED, 3) by Tamora Pierce
INTO THE STILL BLUE (UNDER THE NEVER SKY, 3) by Veronica Rossi
THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE (THE THRONE OF GLASS, 0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
SEA OF SHADOWS (AGE OF LEGENDS, 1) by Kelley Armstrong
FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
What can I say?! They all looked so pretty, and most of them were continuations of series that I’m reading. The few that aren’t I got because I had heard a LOT of good things about them on a lot of blogs, and I wanted to see for myself if they lived up to the hype.
I would love to hear what you’ve been up to this week and what books, if any, you’ve got so please leave me a link in the comments below.
Title: Written in Red (A Novel of The Others, 1) Author: Anne Bishop Genre: Urban Fantasy Publisher: ROC (5th March 2013) Blurb:
No one creates realms like New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop. Now, in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities – vampires and shape-shifers among them – who rule the earth and whose prey are humans.
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 whether she’s worth the fight between humans and Others that will surely follow.
Rating: **** (4 stars) Review:
Having read Anne Bishop’s The Black Jewels series and loved the first books, but been left pretty ambivalent about the later ones, and read her The Tir Alainn Trilogy and thought it was okay when I heard the first whispers of Written in Red I was intrigued. Once I read the blurb I knew I wanted to read to read the book, and I was not disappointed.
The Flutterby Room 