Tuesday 15 March 2016

Review: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

Marked in Flesh ( The Others #4) by Anne Bishop
Publisher: Penguin/Roc
Publication date: March 8th 2016
My rating: 5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Audible

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25644437-find-her
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 changed. Some, like 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…

My Thoughts:
Marked in Flesh was another winning installment of The Others series! I can’t get enough of the world and characters, but especially Simon and Meg!

The fate of the humans comes to a head after the horrific events orchestrated by the Humans First and Last Group in the last book.  Their actions and stance just made me sick, and really they put the future of the humans in big time danger!  The Elders, “Namid’s teeth and claws” have been watching, and I read with bated breath wondering what kind of retaliation they would take.  The question “How much human did the terra indigene want to keep?” hangs threateningly in the balance. 

“We can’t trust humans anymore.”
“Did we ever trust them?”
“No. But we counted on their desire to survive being stronger than their greed.  I don’t think we can count on that anymore.”

Fortunately, for Meg’s friends, the Elders are fascinated with her and the affect her friendship with those in the Courtyard have had on humans and terra indigene relationships. There are more and more being added to the group of humans The Others are allied with, such as the Prairie Gold Intuits, the River Road Community, Ferryman’s Landing, as well as quite a few in the Lakeside Police Department.  These people show that they feel every creature, whether human or other, should be treated fairly and with respect and I’m happy they’re banding together. 

Once again Meg worries about all her friends and tries to do whatever she can with her abilities to help.  It seems like Meg might be able to receive visions without cutting, or release of that pressing need to cut in other *ahem* ways in the future.  I’m hoping that’s the case.  Of course I read every scene with Simon and Meg over and over, relishing all the minuscule steps they take toward romance!  They’re going down that path and I think they’re finally starting to wake up to that fact! Oh, that last scene!!! Love, love, love!

Hope, the young cassandra sangue placed with Jackson and Grace in the Sweetwater settlement is able to have visions and express them through drawing without cutting.  Her visions were vital to all around.  I adored Hope and was warmed by the relationship she has with Jackson and Grace. The two are very protective of her, almost like parents.  She chose Wolfsong as her last name!! That just touched my heart.   

Even though this book is very serious, there are a lot of playful, funny moments that made me smile.  The swimming hole scene with Merri Lee, Ruth, Theral and Meg doing the “Squeaky Dance” made me laugh, and interactions between Vlad and Simon talking about “kissy books” or “exploding fluffballs” gave me a giggle, and the letter in “The ‘Others Etiquette’ Column” was flipping hilarious!

While Marked in Flesh doesn’t end with a cliffhanger, I eagerly await the continuation of this amazing series! I can’t believe I’ve got to wait a whole year!  I’ll be buying the audio version (the narration is amazing!) so I can enjoy this story all over again.




13 comments:

Nick said...

I just picked up a copy of this one and I can't wait to read it Rachel. I adore this series so much and I crave and devour every little scene between Simon & Meg! And OMG I'm so pleased to hear that they are finally moving towards being together. I can't wait to be reunited with the rest of the cast as well.
Fabulous review, Rachel! :) I hope I'll love it too!

Piecraft Bucharest said...

I absolutely have to make time for this series, because everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - seems to love it. Glad that this installment didn't disappoint either :) Brilliant review, Rachel.

Keertana said...

I just started this one and I already adore it. The sexual tension is slowly, but surely, killing me but I'm excited for it to all pay of so, so soon. ;) Wonderful review, Rachel--I can't wait to finish this up and get to the scene you alluded to but I'm taking my time with this one right now, just savoring it. :)

Lekeisha said...

I finally purchased Written in Red because I was tired of waiting for it at the library. I had been on hold since December! Anyhoo, can't wait to start this series.

Alyssa Nelson said...

I really need to start this series. I loved her Black Jewels series and have been looking to start this one soon. Good to know that it's holding strong and you're liking it! Thanks for sharing. :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

A cliffhanger.... NO! I have had my ARC for weeks, but I couldn't read it as I wanted to listen to it. I have my audiobook copy and I will be starting it in the next couple of days. I can't wait.

Eva @ All Books Considered said...

I still can't thank you enough for turning me on to this series! I agree this one was so good and I am so sad that the next book will be the last! Hopefully there is much more Simon and Meg to come!!

Rachel said...

No cliffhanger, Heidi! Thank goodness! :)

Rachel said...

I hope you love it, too, Nick! I look forward to your thoughts! :)

Rachel said...

It's sooo good, Lekeisha! I can't wait to hear what you think! :)

Rachel said...

i'm just happy you liked my recommendation, Eva! I always fret when I make a recommendation. :)

Wait, what?!! The next book is the last?! I did not know that...

Joy said...

Oh I'm so looking forward to a Meg/Simon fruition. It's time. Ack. The wait is killing me!

Carina Olsen said...

I keep hearing so much awesome about this series :D So glad you loved this book too Rachel. <3 I'm getting curious about these books. Thank you for sharing your lovely review :)

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