Written in RedAuthor: Anne Bishop
Series: The Others #1
Published by: Roc
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Format: eBook
Pages: 513
Source: Purchased
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.
I read the first two books of Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel series many years ago because someone practically forced me to. I liked them okay, but I just wasn’t into them, so I never continued the series. That’s why I didn’t give Written in Red much thought when it first made an appearance. Then it started to get a lot of buzz, especially from people I’m usually very compatible with when it comes to books. As much as I wanted to see for myself what the fuss was about, I continued to put it off. Now, two years later, I finally made this book my bitch.
And you know what? I loved it! I’ll be honest though, it felt like it had very similar elements as Daughter of the Blood and various other books, to where I even found myself chuckling about it.
Now, with that being said, I did find Written in Red to be completely compelling. I can’t even tell you how relieved I was that the world-building isn’t crazy complicated as I had anticipated. It’s actually pretty cool the way it plays on the world and its history as we know it now.
For some reason, I expected Meg to be much younger than twenty-four. Even though she’s twenty-four, she has the whole innocent and naïve thing going on that makes her feel younger. This type of character has a high potential to annoy me, but I actually like Meg. Her behavior and personality is very fitting in this case, since she was raised is such a controlled setting and used for her prophecies. Plus, it’s just plain amusing at times. I love how she assess situations and problems in such a pure, non-jaded way, yet is very intuitive and insightful.
The Others! I love them! These creatures are not human that shift into other beings. These are other beings who shift into human skin when need be. They are primal and savage, and not to be taken lightly. And that is what I love so much. I was surprised that there are a lot of different type of Others, though, like the vampires and elementals. It’s also amusing how they interpret human behavior at times, and are a bit ignorant when it comes to them. Meg adjusting to not only life outside of captivity, but inside this world other Others is definitely entertaining.
Sometimes there is that instant connection with a character, before you even know much about them. It was love at first “sight” for me with Tess. As soon as Simon and Meg walked into the café and Tess was mentioned, I just knew she would be my favorite. And I was right. The more her character developed the more she became mine. I’m a total character hoarder. I’m also hoarding Winter and the ponies, just so you know. Oh, and Jenni. Crap, Jester too. Aw, hell, the entire freaking community. But Tess is for sure my number one, and I can’t wait to discover more about her.
So yes, I’m a fan of Written in Red and look forward to Murder of Crows!
Gods above and below thank goodness we can still be friends. 🙂
I lied. I hated it. lol.
I’m out.
I’ve been a huge fan of Anne Bishop Black Jewels (the original Trilogy..didn’t listen after that) so I was super excited when I heard she was publishing a new novel. I do find some similar things in her writing, particularity a thing with young girls..and making them the suffer O-o although in this series is a bit tamed, but I don’t think this is nearly as dark as the Black Jewels, nevertheless I freaking enjoy her writing and I glad you did too 🙂
You love dark! And I know you do too so I’m a bit surprised you didn’t love the Black Jewels.
Yeah, the abuse of girls, and then the ‘protector’ … stuff like that. You know, it was so long ago that I read the Black Jewel books and I did like the darkness of it. That’s what I liked the most, but it was really the world building and stuff that blah-ed me out. Fantasy had always been the genre I avoided, especially high fantasy, so that’s where my lack of enthusiasm for it came from. I was expecting crazy world building in this too, which is why I was hesitant. I was glad this was toned down and UF. BUT, I’ve been enjoying more high fantasy A LOT lately and coming to really appreciate it.
I’m glad that you finally did get it a try because I also really love the series! It’s so interesting and different and like you I love the Others! I’m curious to see what you think of the sequels now! Great review!
I really enjoyed this book too. It is just so unique. I think that each book continues to get better. I can’t wait for book four. Great review.
I haven’t tried the Black Jewel series yet. I’ve heard things on both sides of the fence. I really want to give it a try to see what I think. I like dark stories and I’ve heard it is really dark, so I’m intrigued.
I’ve delayed reading this book for mostly the same reasons as yours, it’s still on my to-read list though, I should really move it up 😉
LOL finally made it your bitch. Godo for you. It’s still on my tbr pile. I’ve not tried her before but goodness everyone seems to love it. Glad this one went better than the first ones you read!
I felt the same way about this, it took me a bit to warm up to it and I’m still not sure if I loved loved it but I did really like it and I want to read more!
Dammit. Am I the only person who hasn’t read this series yet? THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE CHRISTY!!! Must read. So glad you loved this one as much as everyone else seems to, I’m really excited to meet the characters I’ve heard so much about. Especially the Others:) Can’t wait for your thoughts on the next two books!
This book has been on and off my wishlist countless times as I can never make up my mind whether to read it or not. Now I have an ebook copy which I will read this time!
Tess is one of my favorite characters as well. She’s so sassy, classy, scary, and so awesome at the same time, and I love that there is an aura of danger and mystery around her, especially her background as a Harvester, which is something even Simon is afraid of. I’m so happy to know that you ended up loving this series, Christy. It’s one of my beloved series!!!
So glad you loved it, Christy! Especially because I plan to read it as soon as I finish these two books I started. I’m in need of a good urban fantasy/ pnr romance and as you said everyone keeps raving about this series. Great review! 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad you’re getting into this series too. I keep reading amazing reviews of book three and it’s making me want to catch up. Very excited to hear your thoughts on Murder of Crows! 🙂
I am listening to the third book right now and I freaking love this series. I can’t wait for you do read Crows it is even better and you get to see Tess unleashed.
I’ve seen this book everywhere it seems and i have yet to pick it up! Tess sounds like a character that I would LOVE.
I bought this book after reading Kimba’s amazing praise for the series but do you believe I still haven’t read it! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, I think I may just have to bump it up on my review pile.
A great review!
Yup, The Others are like wildcats. They’re adorable but they’ll eat you when you step into their territory. I like Tess too! Her hair is so cool!
Kim speaks so high of this series that i’ve been wanting to try it for ages! So happy you enjoyed it Christy! I’ll make sure to read it soon!
I have this book sitting in my library book pile collecting dust. So scraed to read it and hate it, but EVERYBODY and their mother seems to love it. Glad Written in Red worked for you even though her other books were not so great.
I actually liked the Black Jewel series. I read the first three, But it is VERY fantasy based. It could get a bit much. But I am for sure trying this series.
Yay Christy, I’m so glad you finally read this one and really enjoyed it! Meg has this really endearing quality to her doesn’t she? It was so fascinating how she was well loved by the Others. Tess was a really fascinating character too! Great review!
Yay! I’m happy you enjoyed this! It took me a bit to get into it, but totally agree, the characters suck you in! Tess is definitely very interesting. I can’t wait to learn more about her. I love Winter and the ponies too, so cute!
Awesome review! Hope book 2 is awesome for you!
I keep hoping my library will put this in their digital library but no such luck. I’m definitely going to have to actually visit and put in a request for it. I’ve seen so many reviews of it and I need this so badly.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I heard so many good things about this series and can’t wait nd to reading it yet. The Others sound very well done and I like how they aren’t human and seem to have difficulties understanding human behavior. Great review!
Written in Red was my first Anne Bishop book so I was able to read it without comparing it to her others. She’s an author I’d been wanting to try for years. This book and series are so good, they have such depth to them.
I REALLY hope I will like Meg because I need mature characters, you know? I haven’t read any book by this author but I did buy this one (the hardcover is goooorgeous) so I will soon. Nice review. ^^
It isn’t that she’s not mature, she just has a innocence about her. I’m sure you’ll like her.
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