Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s world of the Others—where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules… 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 murder 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 if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or 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.
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Anne Bishop is my favorite author with Nalini Singh a very close second. This series of books is wonderful. I have read each of them repeatedly. This world is creepy and so interesting. There is a lot of tragedy that makes up each of these characters and when they find a bit of happiness you are cheering for them. The main character is a sweetly naive girl learning to make her way with the help of the most unusual Others. Loved it.
Murder of Crows is the second book in the Others series and I just loved getting to reenter this world with it’s amazing characters. I just had so much fun reading this story. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait o read the next book in the series.
I loved the entire series.
I loved this series with such an unusual world Ms. Bishop built! All of the characters, even the so called “villains”, are interesting and compelling, likable if not lovable while showcasing humanity’s abuse of each other and mother nature. My only wish is that she could write faster!
Anne Bishop’s Others series is my go to read. I own the entire series in hardback and paper (and have left some other copies in the Netherlands!)
I just have to keep on reading….. Up next the 3rd installment….
As wonderful as the first book. It picks up soon after the first book ends, and the same problems that the characters faced in the first book continue and escalate. This time, most of the drama happened elsewhere, so the emotional impact wasn’t as great as in the previous book. Meg and Simon’s relationship continued to grow, with funny misundrstandings that stem from Simon not understanding humans at all, and Meg still learning what it’s to be outside the institute. Nice new characters were introduced, and I hope we’ll see more of them in subsequent books.
A dynamite follow up to Written In Red! This is so different from Anne Bishop’s traditional works. And while I liked Written In Red when I first read it, I had a whole new appreciation for that story after reading the follow up. A Murder of Crows creates very finely drawn characters with a very compelling mythology. It’s a great study of how those who use others, ultimately become prey for those who honor others right to simply be. The characters have depth and the story wrapped up in a very satisfying fashion. I don’t know if she has anywhere else to take this story, but it was a great ride. If it goes no further, I’m still very happy that I came along for the ride. And I know this will be one of those books i re-read in the future if only to see how my perspective shifts the next time around. Well done!
WOW. Loved this series. I have read it multiple times and each time I hate leaving their world when I am done.
The story picks up where it left at the end of Written in Red. The plot of Murder of Crows develops around the slowly escalating conflict between the human population of Lakeside and the terra indigene living at Courtyard.
Once she has won the trust of the terra indigene, Meg Corbyn has to adjust to living amongst them. What breaks the rhythm are the drugs “Go Over Wolf” and “feel good” that appear to affect both human and terra indigene. They were introduced in the first book, and their use sparks violence between the humans and the Others. Meg Corbyn, the resident cassandra sangue has dreams that foreshadow the impending danger. People die on both sides, and the vulnerable truce that was once in place gets broken.
As you can assume, some crows get killed in this book. An investigation shows that they were poisoned with the drugs mentioned above. There’s an important plot twist where the reader learns what goes into making these drugs. I’m not going to say it so I won’t give away any spoilers, but it’s pretty twisted and gruesome!
If feel the story is not as good as the previous book, but the constant banter and the funny moments make up for it. The story is abundant in humor and snark:
“The cow-shaped cookies have a beef flavoring, the turkey-shaped cookies have a poultry flavoring, and…”
Jane held up one of the cookies. “Human-flavored?”
Meg stifled a sigh. That would be the first thing on her feedback list: don’t make people-shaped cookies. The Wolves were way too interested and all of them leaped to a logical, if disturbing, expectation about the taste.”
Read the full review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/book-review-murder-of-crows-by-anne-bishop
Once again, Bishop creates seamless characters in a compelling world. I was a little underwhelmed by Meg’s part in the story, but thoroughly enjoyed Simon’s continued struggle with his confusing feelings for Meg and the human / Other dichotomy.
Plot-wise the story was solid but not spectacular. I feel as though this book was almost entirely setup for the larger conflict that is to come. The individual scenes were satisfying, but the larger thread was a bit too straight-forward.
Really liking this series even though it’s a little more YA than I typically read but I really like the storyline and plot. In spite of the friendship between Simon and Meg, this is not a paranormal romance (totally suitable for teeanagers) but rather a paranormal/urban fantasy mystery/thriller. I really like the world building the author does and has created a really alternate universe for the world. Can’t wait to get the next book to see how the end of the this book shook out.
Our understanding of the characters and events driving conflicts in the world deepens in a genuine and compelling way. There isn’t a single wrong note in this series.
just found these! great reading!!! well written, wonderful plotting and dialog; no dumb stuff at ALL! Amazing. So happy when I find one of these authors.
This book held my attention & I was impatient to get the 3rd book (from library). Ilike the unusual premise of this series.
Wow, just as good as the first book. Intense to the point of frustration that I can’t read fast enough to find out what happens next but not wanting it to end so I can still be with the characters.
Can’t wait for more!