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jon_rash's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating 4.5 out of 5. I listened to the audiobook and it was well done by the actress.
I really enjoyed this book. The concept is fairly original and well-executed for a UF Book. The plot has a decent bit of action but there is a good amount of character growth for the main characters. I did not care for one of the minor antagonists. It was fairly easy to see where her story was going but she still fit into the story well.
The main character, Meg is an interesting character as a protagonist. She lacks physical strength, however, she is not weak. She is willing to take a stand and work with people. She is a truly sweet and caring person and it shows. She grows and shows real strength throughout the story and I look forward to seeing where her story heads through the remaining novels.
Overall, I would gladly read this again.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. The concept is fairly original and well-executed for a UF Book. The plot has a decent bit of action but there is a good amount of character growth for the main characters. I did not care for one of the minor antagonists. It was fairly easy to see where her story was going but she still fit into the story well.
The main character, Meg is an interesting character as a protagonist. She lacks physical strength, however, she is not weak. She is willing to take a stand and work with people. She is a truly sweet and caring person and it shows. She grows and shows real strength throughout the story and I look forward to seeing where her story heads through the remaining novels.
Overall, I would gladly read this again.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next one in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Slavery
cutenanya's review
5.0
This book has made it to the top of my 2013 favorites list! I have never read any of Bishop's book in the past but I have heard great comments about her skill in world building and frankly, I love the world she created in Written in Red. The major reason why this is an excellent book is that in the majority of paranormal/ urban fantasies I have read so far, most of the shifters tend to have a human base and the shifting process only enhances their abilities to survive, hunt, and fight. In this book though, all the shifters are practically animals who can shift to humans but mostly retain their animal characteristics, or even find themselves to be more comfortable in their primal form. I really love this part of the book, I like how human values are not superimposed upon animals.
In terms of characterization, while I prefer tough, ass-kicking female leads, Meg is likable and reasonable, given her background. I appreciate the fact that Miss Bishop has taken time to let Meg grow, and all the other characters grow alongside with her, especially Simon, who despite being a leader, has still a lot to learn about humans and about loving humans.
Simon is strong and charismatic, in a way, but I think he is also stubborn and cute, especially the parts when he was playing around with Meg, buying the dog bed, and wanting dog cookies. Other supporting characters such as the kind spirit grizzly Henry, the guard Nathan and Jake who are playing games at the liason's office, the mysterious Tess (I still want to know what Tess is), the beautiful and enigmatic Vlad, and last but not the least, the humans. I really like Captain Burke and Lieutenant Montgomery and of course, I grow to hate Crane too.
The plot is also logical and interesting. Some may find the story a bit slow but I think the pacing is fine, because this is the first book and we need time to absorb the world. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully, see further developments between Meg and Simon and the rest of the Terra Indigene.
In terms of characterization, while I prefer tough, ass-kicking female leads, Meg is likable and reasonable, given her background. I appreciate the fact that Miss Bishop has taken time to let Meg grow, and all the other characters grow alongside with her, especially Simon, who despite being a leader, has still a lot to learn about humans and about loving humans.
Simon is strong and charismatic, in a way, but I think he is also stubborn and cute, especially the parts when he was playing around with Meg, buying the dog bed, and wanting dog cookies. Other supporting characters such as the kind spirit grizzly Henry, the guard Nathan and Jake who are playing games at the liason's office, the mysterious Tess (I still want to know what Tess is), the beautiful and enigmatic Vlad, and last but not the least, the humans. I really like Captain Burke and Lieutenant Montgomery and of course, I grow to hate Crane too.
The plot is also logical and interesting. Some may find the story a bit slow but I think the pacing is fine, because this is the first book and we need time to absorb the world. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully, see further developments between Meg and Simon and the rest of the Terra Indigene.
jeeva_reads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a solid read to me. I just enjoyed the whole thing without ever getting bored. Half of the book was just Meg doing mundane stuff but even that was interesting. Loved getting to know different kinds of Others and how they deal with humans. A solid read.
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
Written in Red is an interesting read, very different from what I was expecting when I went into it. What I expected was another story about werewolves and vampires, another story about a human interacting with them and blah blah.
Instead what I got from this story was a richly constructed mythology of werewolves, vampires, and elemental creatures, known as the terra indigene. Instead of the creatures that we're so used to stories about, these have a much stronger backstory and tie to the world in which they live. The terra indigene are older than humans, in fact, they aren't human at all. They merely take on the form of humans in order to move among humans.
Needless to stay, there is a lot of tension between the humans and the terra indigene. The main character of the story is Meg, who is on the run from her own past, and quickly finds a home among the terra indigene. They aren't quick to trust, so their collective protection of Meg creates a sort of turf war between humans and the terra indigene with Meg at the center of it.
There's not much to say that doesn't give away too much plot. Suffice to say that I was really taken with the details of the story. At times, I honestly thought it drug on. I did love the details and all the characters, but sometimes it got slow. I'm hoping for more action and world revelations in the next installment.
Instead what I got from this story was a richly constructed mythology of werewolves, vampires, and elemental creatures, known as the terra indigene. Instead of the creatures that we're so used to stories about, these have a much stronger backstory and tie to the world in which they live. The terra indigene are older than humans, in fact, they aren't human at all. They merely take on the form of humans in order to move among humans.
Needless to stay, there is a lot of tension between the humans and the terra indigene. The main character of the story is Meg, who is on the run from her own past, and quickly finds a home among the terra indigene. They aren't quick to trust, so their collective protection of Meg creates a sort of turf war between humans and the terra indigene with Meg at the center of it.
There's not much to say that doesn't give away too much plot. Suffice to say that I was really taken with the details of the story. At times, I honestly thought it drug on. I did love the details and all the characters, but sometimes it got slow. I'm hoping for more action and world revelations in the next installment.
brendalovesbooks's review
5.0
I enjoyed this just as much on a re-read as I did the first time.
I loved this book so much. There wasn't one thing I didn't like. I got so attached to all the various characters. I absolutely adored the setting. This is definitely a new favorite, and not only that, but high up on my favorites list. I was so happy to find this is the first of a series, and that there are a few more books for me to read in this world. Can't wait for the next one.
I loved this book so much. There wasn't one thing I didn't like. I got so attached to all the various characters. I absolutely adored the setting. This is definitely a new favorite, and not only that, but high up on my favorites list. I was so happy to find this is the first of a series, and that there are a few more books for me to read in this world. Can't wait for the next one.
erikabra's review
4.0
3.75 stars ! What a Nice read the writing is very Nice and the world is amazing. The plot twist was kind of predictable for me but i think it was on purpose. The story is original but i find that there was missing some action for my taste. I think its more of a YA fantasy but like What the MC is is kind of disturbing (in a Nice way) but thats the only darker content. i was expecting more dark stuff to support that. Great book overall
midora's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
halynah's review
5.0
POWERFUL! EXTRAORDINARY! EXCEPTIONAL! AMAZING! UNPUTDOWNABLE! BREATHTAKING! UNFORGETTABLE! UNPARALLELED! PERFECTION!
The BEST paranormal\urban fantasy I've ever read! Masterfully crafted word-building and fluent style of writing, plenty of awesome characters, not a single boring page or situation and the feeling like you experience everything yourself are only few of the reasons, why you MUST read this book. The idea with ponies and elementals is brilliant, and the term Sanguinati is genius (and this version of their form)! I loved Sam and all his interactions with Meg, I adored Vlad and Henry and all the crows. I liked such humans as Monty, and respected Tess and Simon. Meg was a great female protagonist and all her adventures in the Courtyard were exciting and delightful if sometimes scary. I'm looking forward to the sequel and strongly recommend this book to everyone despite their preference of genre!
The BEST paranormal\urban fantasy I've ever read! Masterfully crafted word-building and fluent style of writing, plenty of awesome characters, not a single boring page or situation and the feeling like you experience everything yourself are only few of the reasons, why you MUST read this book. The idea with ponies and elementals is brilliant, and the term Sanguinati is genius (and this version of their form)! I loved Sam and all his interactions with Meg, I adored Vlad and Henry and all the crows. I liked such humans as Monty, and respected Tess and Simon. Meg was a great female protagonist and all her adventures in the Courtyard were exciting and delightful if sometimes scary. I'm looking forward to the sequel and strongly recommend this book to everyone despite their preference of genre!