Book Review: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

Marked in Flesh
Author: Anne Bishop
Series: A Novel of the Others (Book 4)
Publication: Roc (March 8, 2016)

Description: For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community...

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs...

My Thoughts: In this story, Humans First and Last think that they are ready to take over lands held by the terra indigene - the Others - and find that they have bitten off much more than they can chew from someone who is more that capable of biting back.

The story begins with Simon receiving a message from the Elders that he will have to decide how much human to keep. Naturally, he goes to Meg to help him decide. Meg is also busy trying to find a way to deal with prophecies without having to cut herself. The cutting is an addiction that creates a euphoria that she craves. She is experimenting with a variety of fortune telling cards. She is doing this not only for herself but for the other cassandra sangue who are living in various parts of Thaisia and who are looking to Meg for guidance.

Meanwhile, HFL policies and sabotages are growing more common and more frequent. The human pack inside the Courtyard is growing as those who are branded "wolf lovers" are taking refuge there. This is a worry to Simon who fears that there won't be enough resources to take care of all of them. But saying no to Meg when she wants to offer protection to someone else is not something Simon can do.

It is interesting watching those in the know try to figure out what they have to have if society ceases to exist and each place is on its own and in danger from the Elders. It was also fascinating to see some of those previously unseen Elders and see that the terra indigene, who are so frightening to humans, have things that frighten them too.

I love the growing relationship between Meg and Simon. But I think what I like best about this series is the portrayal of the Others which is so different than most paranormal series. These are humans who can sometimes put on a wolf suit. These are wolves who clearly think differently than humans do. I can't wait for ETCHED IN BONE coming in 2017.

Favorite Quote:

"What are you going to call them?" Meg asked.
"Lunch?" Simon offered.
The female pack gave him a look that made him think running away would be a good idea, if he wasn't the leader and couldn't back down.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.