Etched in Bone (A Novel of the Others)

Recently discovered Anne Bishop and just binge read this series. I'm a big fan of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stack house books and these remind me of that series quite a bit. The writing and the characters are charming and funny but the stories move at a fast pace. Looking forward to the next one.

Wow this was great. It moved the story forward, moved Simon and Meg's relationship forward and built more bridges to the different communities of Namid. Bishop's universe expands and develops. Now I want a story set in Tokhar-Chin!!! Please, please, pretty please.

Extremely disappointed with this book. I think I'm in the minority in that I didn't think book 4 was that bad, I think there's fantastic world building in the series and although a little ham fisted, I liked some of the different characters and what I assumed was setting up for various potential spinoff series. For the first half of this book, I thought we were getting more of set up for spin off, although somewhat plodding, I found myself kind of excited for moving over to Ferryman's Landing, Bennett, etc. or possibly something set several yeasr later involving Sam and Skippy. A some point, the book starts to take a turn toward the main plotline, which centers around the extended Montgomery family. With the exception of Twyla, there is nothing interesting about the extended Montgomery family, they were completely self involved, insipid and generally terrible people who were completely unenjoyable to read- I'd take more letters from Nicolas Scratch. I am still angered by the bathroom scene. In addition to the plotline, I found there to be very little character development, there were nice touches here and there, which other than wanting to see if there was a resolution to Meg and Simon's relationship, were why I kept reading, otherwise this might have been a DNF. I'm not saying don't buy it or that I won't read "Return to Lakeside" or whatever the sequel will be, but I wish I'd gotten it from the library or at least the reviews had prepared me a little more for being so disappointed.

spoilers below...

I love the main characters in this story - the are well-crafted and well-developed and the way they grow and change with the series is fantastic. Meg Corbyn, the main character, has grown up so much over the series. She's still skittish (as would you be, had you been a virtual slave pimped out so people could cut you up and get prophecies), but is developing into a strong young woman who is getting much better at asking for help and channeling her gift through her prophecy cards instead of through cuts in her skin.

Twyla Montgomery is my favorite human character and this book really showcased her strength. Having to watch her three adult children screw things up so badly (at least 2/3 of them) and to stand firm so that they have to stand on their own two feet (or not) had to have been painful (especially since there are grandchildren involved).

Simon and Tess are my favorite non-humans, and I kinda want to be Tess when I grow up. (Mostly for the hair, but a little bit for the "harvesting of human lives with her brain" thing she's got going on.)

The bad guy - Cyrus James (Jimmy, or "that Cyrus") - is bad. He is lazy, petty, manipulative, and cruel. The way he treats his younger sister (who was adopted, as we are reminded frequently by him) is abhorrent. He is physically, mentally, and verbally abusive to her, to his own wife, and to his children. There is no doubt what-so-ever that he is a bad, bad man. Also not in doubt? That his son Clarence is fixing to grow up just like daddy.

This is well-established by the way they treat people they perceive as weaker and less-powerful. Their lack of perception is showcased by who they perceive to be weaker and less-powerful (small doesn't mean weak, especially when you're dealing with Others).

At no point did I say to myself, "Hey, self! That Cyrus seems kinda bad, but I'm conflicted as to whether or not he deserves the kind of punishment that the Others mete out."

Nor did I say, "I wonder if that shoplifting kid who is mean to his sister and who wears child-sized brass knuckles before beating up (or at least attempting to) smaller children is growing up just like daddy?"

The characters of both Cyrus and Clarence were carefully built and they both made me very uncomfortable with their slimy, greedy, stupid cruelty. (Anne Bishop's character crafting is amazing. It's a testament to her skills as a writer that she can cause me to have a visceral reaction to Cyrus with just a few strokes of her pen...errr...keyboard. Which is why what follows is even more upsetting and unnecessary.)

And then it was revealed that Clarence was offering his younger sister money to kiss his friend's bums and had been offered money for young Frances to do more than that. As if the exposition that Clarence was considering "trying to pimp his younger sister" (direct quote from the book) wasn't enough, later, in an effort to provide a distraction for his father, Clarence pulled down the pants of another little girl (Sarah), held her, and yelled out "Show 'em your bald [pejorative for the female external anatomy], [female dog/common insult for women]!"

Neither of the items mentioned in the previous paragraph were necessary. Clarence was already well on the road to Reprehensible Town, and making the child a sexual predator (which is never really addressed, other than Monty asking his sister-in-law - the mother of Clarence and Frances - if she knew Clarence was starting to pimp his sister and finding out that she was) is not only unnecessary, but lazy and gross. The fact that Sarah's public assault is mentioned again only in passing (therapy was recommended, but Clarence wasn't sent to sex-offender juvie, just "boys ranch in the woods" juvie) is even worse. If you're going to make a child a sex offender, then it needs to be addressed because that is some serious stuff and not just a kid going down a dark path.

To me, that was almost worse than the way That Cyrus behaved. It is well-established that he seems everyone, but particularly women, as objects to be used. He steals or coerces food from his sister and leaves barely enough for his children and wife. His mother's purpose is to be manipulated by either him or his children so that she can also be a source of food and money (Twyla is not having it, though. I love me some Twyla). He helps some guy sneak into Lakeside for money without caring what exactly that man wants (answer: to either retrieve or render useless something that's his and is beyond his reach). (Further answer: that "thing" is his ex-, a person, and I'm pretty sure we all know what's meant by "...if I can't take it with me, I'm going to make sure it's of no use to anyone.")

That Cyrus facilitates other crimes as well, and then uses his own son as a distraction when he (that Cyrus) actually does his own crime. (Such initiative!)

This crime (SPOILER) is the kidnapping, physical assault, and sexual assault of Meg. (Forced sexual contact is still assault, even if the penis doesn't go in the vagina.)

I've always been a little uncomfortable with the correlation between the cutting visions and sexual arousal, because it equates pain and pleasure in a non-consensual way, ensures that sexual pleasure for the blood prophets is morally questionable, and takes sexual agency away from the cassandra sangues.

There was absolutely no reason for that Cyrus to sexually violate Meg. He was already bad. That was established. She was already in a world of hurt - kidnapped, locked in a trunk where she received various bumps, bruises, and accidental cuts, and then cut and forced to prophesy against her will by someone who was unskilled and didn't know how to properly administer the cuts.

Sexual assault wasn't necessary to establish either her dire straights or his reprehensible character.

This was a very good story marred by laziness. The story-line was well crafted, the characters well developed, the world is still fascinating, and the overall series moved forward with this character-heavy novel.

I have read almost every book Anne Bishop has written and have yet to walk away disappointed. The latest book in her "Others" series, Bishop brings us back to a world like our own, but not. Names will be familiar without being the same, like months, days, and even places. It takes some getting used to but just shows you once again the world is similar but different. I liked that this latest novel is not about external places so much as specifically about Lakeside again, and it brings laughter and tears. While the outcome is never in doubt (I mean, really, never), there is plenty to love and many surprises. If you have enjoyed the rest of this series, you won't be disappointed. If you haven't yet read the rest, pick up the first book in the series instead. Bishop does make this book work as stand-alone but it won't be as enjoyable.

I thought the last book in this series was phoned in . Not bad but not up to the standards of the previous three. However, this book returns to Bishop form. It's wonderful, un put-downable and I love this world, Simon and meg!

A very satisfying ending to an excellent series. There was plenty of action.while it was unusual to keep danger (Cyrus) so close, it was understandable when one considered the elders' interference. I highly recommend.

I really enjoy this series. The books are interesting g to read and leave you wanting more. The characters are a mix of Humans and Others trying and succeed ing to live together while overcoming obstacles of many kinds.

This is a great book in an excellent series. While the plot line can be predictable, there are enough twists to keep you reading. Don't read this book out of order or you will have trouble understanding some of the plots.

I'm so sad. This wonderful series is apparently at an end. No more Meg and Simon. No more Sam and Skippy and all the other fascinating characters of the world of Namid. /sigh
Anne Bishop, I love your writing.

All her books are fantastic and I always look forward to her writing. Meg and Simon and all of her other friends are great. We even get to see a little more of the elders. Looking forward to her next book

Anne Bishop is a flipping genius. Her world building is phenomenal, her characters are realistic and likable, and this book was everything I could've hoped for to complete Meg and Simon's story arch. I can't wait for whatever she writes next. I buy very few physical books now and mostly ready digital copies, but Bishop's stories are worth the space and expense.

I so loved continuing to hear about the others. I love how they are adapting to humans and still be the Others. Meh is the glue and I am happy to see how the whole courtyard is seeing their love for one another.

I enjoyed the further development of the relationships between the characters. The bad guy is one you enjoy hating. Finally there is some movement on the romance front. I can't wait for the next book.

Author continues to intrigue me with where the relationship between meg and Simon will end up. Story continued to develop this theme. Also will be interesting to see what others will keep from humans.

She's (Anne Bishop) one of my favorite authors and this book didn't disappoint! i highly recommend her to anyone who enjoys strong female heroines, sensible dialogue, and excellent character development.

This is another really great glimpse into the courtyard and expands on the relationships of others and humans. The humor can be dark but it's always lauth out loud funny. Watching the characters learn about each others species and the awkwardness that ensues makes for a page turner. Entertaining read!

I these characters that Bishop has created. The world is raw and primal and yet innocent at the same time. I wanted a little more glimpse into the future to see what as in store for the min characters, but I can live with the ending.

This latest installment continues the story of Meg and Simon beautifully. This world is so well drawn that coming to the end means leaving old friends. Now the loooong wait for the next one. Just feel like going back and starting again straight away.

Overall good ending to this series. Definitely liked it better than the previous book in the series, though the first two are still my favorites. Good balance of lighter and darker moments.

It felt a bit abrupt where it ended. I wish there had been an epilogue, set a few years in the future, looking in on how the characters are doing. Meg and Simon's relationship certainly could have been developed further. I felt the same way at the end of her original Black Jewels series. We waited the entire series for these characters to get together, then when they finally do the book is immediately over. We don't get to see them interact as an actual couple at all. It left me with a bit of an unfulfilled feeling.

I LOVE this series...frankly, I love Anne Bishop! This is a great series that started out strong and hasn't - in my opinion - faltered in the least. The story-lines and plots are engaging and believable and I think the character development is awesome. I also appreciate that there isn't a ton of extraneous narrative which, to me, often feels like the author just wants to hear the sound of their own voice. I am already "jonesing" for the next book!

I chose to give Etched in Bone five stars because I love this book and the series. The challenges brought to the others and humans in their relationships were real. I know this could be a logical end to the series but I really hope not!

I thoroughly enjoy reading anything by Anne Bishop. I fell in love with her Dark Jewels Trilogy and Janelle as a heroine. Do yourself a favor and pick up any book by Anne, you will not be disappointed...

As the latest installment of the series, this did not disappoint at all and I couldn't put it down...which leaves me in the unenviable position of having to wait for the next one to arrive...Oh darn...

Although the story line in this continuance of the Lakeside Courtyard saga was very interesting and well-written, I enjoyed most, the philosophy included in the story. Lessons we would be wise to heed today.

Just another great part of an exciting and different storyline! I have enjoyed every book in this series! It has a great premise and the universe Anne Bishop has created for these books is not the usual take on shifters and their traditional "culture" portrayed in most fiction. I can see these places, and the story, in my head and I'm fascinated by it all! Can't wait for the next book!

I love watching the development of the world of humans and Others as much as watching the relationship evolve between Meg and Simon. The flavor of the not-quite-human narrative that Anne Bishop has developed is complex and delightful.

Well worth the wait and reading. A highly satisfying book of the Others. I don't know if it is a conclusion of the series, but I can always hope for more stories of the Other's world. Many thanks to Anne Bishop for creating so many worlds to get lost in. She is a true reading pleasure.

Very well written with engaging characters. I stumbled onto the first of the series while looking for something different to read and have ran back for every instalment since!
I love the world Anne Bishop has built and all of the people in it.