Monday, March 18, 2013

Written in Red by Anne Bishop

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.

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I think sometimes it's totally in my best interest to have no idea what's going to happen next. Comfort reads are comforting because I know that the hero and heroine - when my comfort reads have those - are going to end up together and have a great HEA. Anyone who's read Bishop's Dark Jewel Trilogy will feel be when I say that for the most part her work isn't comforting; it's still damn good though.

Each of the characters in Written in Red is incredibly unique. I've read a lot of paranormal romances and quite a few urban fantasies but even I have to say that what Bishop does with each species is new. She excels at making the familiar both unfamiliar and scary; just when you think you know what a 'werewolf' or 'vampire' are you read this book and remember that these things will EAT YOU AND ENJOY IT. Add that to the ambiguousness of the feelings between Meg and Simon, the confusion the rest of the Other residents have due to her 'not prey' scent, the mystery of where Meg comes from, and you have a book filled with moments that all feel important and vital. None of it ends up reading like an info dump though, instead we're getting little pictures into each of these creatures and their worlds (and their origins) and I can't wait to learn more. Highly recommended!

Overall Feeling - A+

Series - 1) Written in Red