Written in Red

A Novel of the Others

By: Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Length: 18 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

No one creates realms like New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop. Now in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities - vampires and shape-shifters 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 if she's worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

©2013 Anne Bishop (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Amazing...A compelling story set in a seamlessly crafted universe.” (Fresh Fiction)

“A stunningly original yarn, deeply imagined, beautifully articulated, and set forth in clean, limpid, sensual prose.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Bishop has a way of making your heart wrench with joy and pain within a breath.” (Fantasy Book Critic)

WOW!!!!! JUST WOW!

This is truly a wonderful book, from start to finish, just outstanding. The book is 18 plus hours, I managed to listen to the entire book in about 30 hours. I did nothing else! The characters and the world that they live in are phenomenal. As events unfolded, I kept checking to see how much longer I had. This will probably be one that I go back and listen to again. And don't you just love it when the bad guys get exactly what they deserve?! It was really an outstanding performance with both Anne Bishop and Alexandra Harris. And you have got to be damned good to deliver such a fantastic performance without even one love scene!

This performance is worth BOTH of my credits for the month, so it was a bargain at only one credit.

Arrrooooo!!!

I absolutely adored this book. This is my first exposure to this author and all I can say is that I'm just blown away. The book covers are gorgeous and I can be lured in by beautiful graphics. I'm a book slut that way.

I didn't enjoy the narrator as much. I much prefer deeper voices and the voice seemed too young adult. However the voice was consistent and smooth. I could get past those slight annoyance and enjoy the story.

The premise of the story, based on a person who cut themselves (because they were a blood prophet), didn't appeal to me when I first learned of it and even though I had several recommendations by book friends, I resisted until now.

Finally in desperate need of a good book and looking for new authors I took the leap. Talk about rock my world. The best way I can describe this is an alternate reality story that is similar to our own world, but imagine instead that humans were the minority. Think of white man coming to America and finding indigenous natives that could and would readily eat you. It took a while but human finally negotiated a foot hold with bartering with the Others. Then after several hundred years as what rings strongly with our own society, humans forget what they should be grateful for and how they should be beholden too and starts creating trouble. They should let sleeping wolves lie as if they rouse they can not only eat you, but crush entire cities.

The main protagonist, Meg (who is the blood prophet), is actually an escaped slave who gets a job with the Others, and unknowingly starts changing the world of Others and Humans in her efforts to learn to be human and learn to coexist with the Others. She is not the strong fighter, and in fact scared a lot but she is brave in her own way. I didn't find this annoying because she wasn't whimpy/whiny. Even though the story is dark and violent as all the best Urban Fantasies are, there is so much charm and humor and the relationships and points of view of the different story lines are intriguing (other than one I didn't enjoy to much). I adored the elemental ponies, 'wolf' beds and cookies and Simon in his gruff/rough way was seriously too cute. Major hugs and scritches to Sam too.

Don't expect romance or sex - in fact I found it refreshing to see the development of relationships without it. (Reminds me of the lovely slow/strong relationship building of Kate and Curran over many books in the Magic series by Ilona Andrews) This story is NOT regular tame shifters that are just fury people. These are truly MONSTERS and the world building is just awesome.

My only little grumble was not liking the point of view of female baddie - she was just too annoying for me, rather than scary or worrisome.

As soon as I finished this I jumped on the next "Murder of Crows". I"m already jonsing for book 3.

Something Original; Something Fantastic

What did you love best about Written in Red?

Everything. I am absolutely in love. I haven't been this excited about a book since I first found Discovery of Witches.

What other book might you compare Written in Red to and why?

I don''t think I know any other books like this one, really. Perhaps that's what I love so much about it. If you like fantasy with shapeshifters, vampires, etc, then you'll like this. But it's different from anything else. It's more...real somehow. Like the contents could actually happen. The characters are true to their natures and don't apologize for it.

Which character – as performed by Alexandra Harris – was your favorite?

Hmm......That's actually a hard question to answer. Each of the characters is very distinctive and fascinating in their own way. The text itself portrays that, but Alexandra Harris brings those unique differences out. Great narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Can't answer this without spoilers. It's near the end and is definitely the climax of the plot. read it; you'll love it.

A Unique Fantasy Universe

I did not physically read this book, only listen, however it was one of the most intriguing books I have purchased. I was happy that I found a long book about paranormal fantasy world things, and was pleasantly surprised to find that I absolutely love it! it took me approximately 3 days to finish, however, it would have been a lot sooner had I not been at work. If you like stories about supernatural beings, told in a way that seems that the author assumes your knowledge of the universe, then you will love this book!

Does NOT disappoint!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I will definitely be recommending this book to family and friends alike, Anne Bishop tends to steer away from the general cookie cutter predictable story lines and makes fantasy a genre all her own.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I am slow to pick a favorite "character" as there are so many and find myself more leaning towards picking a favorite species throughout the series, and even that I find hard to do but for the sake of making decisions. I would have to say the elementals in the series were extremely fascinating as were their abilities and how they used them.

Which character – as performed by Alexandra Harris – was your favorite?

Out of the many characters and the voices the reader brought to the table. Winter, Spring, Simon, and Tess, were the ones that caught and held my attention the most as favorable. The fact that each of those four characters were some of the most volatile characters in the story was and is not lost on me. Also I am glad that even from a listeners perspective the reader made it known to the listener that this is exactly what each of the characters were. Volatile. the reader also allowed the listener to catch a glimpse the nature of the creature the character was classified as in each of their voices for instance. the author painted a lively wakeful picture in the voice of Spring refreshing and new. Winter's voice ranged from glacial beauty to cold and brittle as well as angry, Simon's voice was gravelly and territorial and Tess was predatory and unreachable as well as mysterious and secretive. giving you insight to the characters species and it's traits.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

many times I found myself laughing many times and others listening riveted on the edge of my seat with my ears perked at others. especially when things started to ramp up in speed near the end and by the end of the book I knew it will only be a very short matter of time before I will be purchasing the next book in the series. and by short matter of time I mean minutes.

Any additional comments?

I am always astounded and amazed by what Anne Bishop brings to the table with her characters and their well rounded development. I cannot emphasize enough on how well she paints such a vivid picture for each of them. which is something I truly value in a good read, since so many characters in so many books by authors these days are so two dimensional. so far, I have never found that to be the case with this author. and highly recommend this author to anyone who love a good quality read in the fantasy genre.

great read

I found this book very imaginative, intriguing story to get lost in! on to book 2!!

silly but cute

good for a ya. inventive storyline and characters. can't wait to see what happens next. BTW everone gets there's in the end.

great book

I loved the book looking forward to read the next installment . Let you know

great new story

A great new story to follow. Having it in audio is icing on the cake.

Bishop brings another strang world to life

This series isn't quite as disturbing as some of her other books but it's very good. She brings the world and the characters to life. I can't wait for the next one. I hope we get the same set of characters. The plot was done really well.