Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Series: The Others #1
Also in this series: Written in Red, Murder of Crows, Vision in Silver, Marked in Flesh, Etched in Bone, Murder of Crows, Wild Country, Vision in Silver, Written in Red
Publisher: Roc
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 433
Length: 18 hours and 33 minutes
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Reading Challenges: Casee's 2019 GoodReads Challenge
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Series Rating:
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 if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
When Holly first told me I absolutely needed to read this series, I was hesitant because it isn’t my usual fare. I like a hefty dose of romance in the books I choose to read and Holly straight out told me that The Others had romantic elements, but it technically wasn’t a romance series. Then Tracy jumped into the fray and told me that I had to read it. Tracy and I have very similar reading tastes, so I decided to listen to both of them and picked it up on audio. Holy crap you guys. This book is amazing. It was a little boring at first with the world building, but I could tell right from the beginning that I was going to love this series.
The Others have been around for as long as anyone can remember. Long before humans. The terra indigene rule as they see fit. They grant resources to humans at their discretion. At the same time, the humans aren’t completely powerless. With the resources that The Others grant them, they build. They build cities, transportation, create electricity. All things resources they grant to The Others at their discretion. There is shaky peace between humans and The Others, but that’s about to end.
Meg Corbin is a cassandra sangue, a blood prophet. When she takes a blade to her skin and cuts it, she can see prophecy. It is told that a cassandra sangue doesn’t live much past thirty. The compulsion to cut often outweighs self-preservation. When she arrives at the Lakeside Courtyard to inquire at the Human Liaison position, it is clear that she is on the run from something or someone. Simon Wolfguard is the head of the Lakeside Courtyward. While he wants to turn her away, something about Meg won’t let him do so.
Meg and Simon tiptoed around each other in this book. Which was okay. It worked. I think my favorite part of the book was Meg and Simon’s nephew, Sam. Sam was just a little boy when his mom was murdered. For two years he has been in wolf form and scared to come out of the cage that Simon let him have to feel safe. It was Meg that got him to come out of the cage, risking the anger of the entire pack. Their relationship was so sweet, it brought on all the feels.
When Meg sees a prophecy telling of a fight coming to the Courtyard, Simon has to decide if he’s going to protect her or turn her away.
I also need to mention that Alexandra Harris is one of the best narrators I’ve ever listened to. Hands down.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5.
This is one of my all time favorite series. I’ve both read and listened to it and ypu’re right the narrator does an exemplary job! Keep reading it only gets better!
This is one of my favorite series. I introduced my husband to it, and he went on to read the next four plus Lake Silence. We’re now encouraging our daughter to read it, too.
I have so much love for this series. I mean, I seriously love each and every book. My mom just started reading the series and she’s on a serious binge. LOL And I totally agree that Alexandra Harris is the perfect narrator for this story. I love Meg’s voice and Simon’s gruffness and all the others. 🙂
Glad you listened to Holly & Tracy. This is one of my favorite series. I listen first, then read them.