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mels_reading_rook's review against another edition
5.0
"How much human do the terra indigene want to keep?"
That is the question the final story of the Lakeside Courtyard is centered around. After the wake of the war between humans and Others, the Elders have come to observe the residents of Lakeside and learn what aspects of human they want to keep. Inside the courtyard, an unsavory character has arrived, threatening the family and pack that has formed there.
In this book, we see all the previous loose threads the author left throughout the series get tied up as she sets up a resolution for the characters. Once again, I enjoyed following them through their interactions, their joys, and their hardships. I think what I love most about these characters and their dialogues is how genuine they are with one another. They truly care for each other and they do their best to help preserve what they've created together.
The pacing of this novel felt a lot better than Marked in Flesh; I practically flew through the pages, eager to see what happens next. I think it helped that the focus of the story was entirely on the Lakeside Courtyard and not spread across multiple areas.
The ending was very satisfying for me as well - the antagonist got the comeuppance he deserved, and Meg Corbyn and Simon Wolfgard reached a new understanding with their relationship, and it finished their story on a very high and sweet note.
I would love to return to this world Anne Bishop created, so I can't wait to dig into Lake Silence as soon as I can. As it takes place in a different part of Thaisia, I can't wait to see how she will continue to flesh out this world that she created.
That is the question the final story of the Lakeside Courtyard is centered around. After the wake of the war between humans and Others, the Elders have come to observe the residents of Lakeside and learn what aspects of human they want to keep. Inside the courtyard, an unsavory character has arrived, threatening the family and pack that has formed there.
In this book, we see all the previous loose threads the author left throughout the series get tied up as she sets up a resolution for the characters. Once again, I enjoyed following them through their interactions, their joys, and their hardships. I think what I love most about these characters and their dialogues is how genuine they are with one another. They truly care for each other and they do their best to help preserve what they've created together.
The pacing of this novel felt a lot better than Marked in Flesh; I practically flew through the pages, eager to see what happens next. I think it helped that the focus of the story was entirely on the Lakeside Courtyard and not spread across multiple areas.
The ending was very satisfying for me as well - the antagonist got the comeuppance he deserved, and Meg Corbyn and Simon Wolfgard reached a new understanding with their relationship, and it finished their story on a very high and sweet note.
I would love to return to this world Anne Bishop created, so I can't wait to dig into Lake Silence as soon as I can. As it takes place in a different part of Thaisia, I can't wait to see how she will continue to flesh out this world that she created.
fireheart80's review
3.0
Good but a little too slow of a story with too much mundane stuff to fill the pages.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
I think this series is getting better and better as the world expands.
I reread the first 3 and then read 4 and 5. Many authors don't hold up to serial reading like that, but this series was fantastic to read as one extended story. The expansion of the world has been gradual and fascinating, satisfying while leaving me wanting more. I really enjoy getting to know the characters the better and they have stayed consistent and true to themselves throughout. The broadening scope has been easily handed in the story.
Looking forward to the next books.
I reread the first 3 and then read 4 and 5. Many authors don't hold up to serial reading like that, but this series was fantastic to read as one extended story. The expansion of the world has been gradual and fascinating, satisfying while leaving me wanting more. I really enjoy getting to know the characters the better and they have stayed consistent and true to themselves throughout. The broadening scope has been easily handed in the story.
Looking forward to the next books.
fiwilson's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
This was so much better than the last book in the series. Probably because it mostly took place in Lakeside, instead of trying to include everyone from everywhere.
clockworkbook's review
4.0
I love this series! It is odd to say that a series is touching, humorous and innocent, but has teeth and dark subject matters. I want to be part of the Female Pack/Exploding Fluffballs. I will definitely read this series again.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
RE-Read Sept 2023, 5 stars this time as well as the 1st read in 2018. This is just precious, the relationship between Meg and Simon and Meg and the terra indigene that have brought her in as Pack. I was left smiling at the gentle ending of this one as well as the last one.
After the Lakeside Courtyard is recovering from the storm that wiped out Toland and across the ocean, we get introduced to Cyrus as the new trouble maker. He is Lt. Montgomery's younger brother and is horrible. Total bad egg, with wife and 2 kids.
The courtyard is forced to allow them to stay even though they know they are trouble so that the Elders staying there can observe and see how to differentiate between "bad" or "good" humans. Not that anyone can "see" the Elders, but they can feel it.
The Elders realize:
"The sweet blood, the howling not-Wolf, had changed things in the Lakeside Courtyard—had even changed some of the terra indigene living in that Courtyard. She was not like the human enemies. She was not prey. She and her kind were Namid’s creation, wondrous and terrible."
Reading this series again helps me understand why this happened and it is a vital part in the Elders allowing humanity to exist.
But the best parts are the humorous touches throughout.
We get this update from the people settling into Bennett:
"With so many pets, as she calls them, needing new homes—or at least new caretakers—she suggested giving a dog, cat, or bird to every new resident as a welcome gift.
I am trying to discourage this idea without telling her that new terra indigene residents might think she was giving them an easy dinner."
Simon, as always:
“One young woman is hardly an invasion.”
“The female pack was the invasion,” Simon grumbled. “Exploding fluffballs. Bunnies with teeth.”
So the story is basically logistics at this point, who gets what food and resources (apocalyptical) as supplies become tight and how to share food with the humans that are now the Others' responsibility. Cyrus and his family stir up trouble in town as the Others are just trying to get on with life and helping the humans. Although he does provide an opportunity for "special meat" lol.
And Spoilers- then Meg is kidnapped and all hell breaks loose.
Meg- straight up creepy:
“I don’t remember most of what I see, but I remember one thing, Cyrus Montgomery. The Crows are going to eat your eyes.”
--------
And after she makes her escape:
"But she was part of the Wolfgard pack at Lakeside. Just because she was alone, she wouldn’t turn into some blubbering human. She would . . .
“Arroo! Arroo!” I am here. I am here, Simon. Come find me.
“Ar-r-rooo!” Please find me.
Then she turned into a blubbering human after all."
----------
Then Simon stopped, his ears pricked. Was it . . . ?
“Arroo!” They were barely in range of that howl, but it filled him with joy. “Arroo!”
“Arroo! Arroo!” Found you. He ran toward the sound. (awwww)
---------
Blair moved away to inspect the body. Simon just hugged her.
“There’s an Elder here,” she whispered in his ear.
“I know,” he whispered back.
“It laughed at me when I howled to tell you I was here.”
She could feel his smile.
And FINALLY- at the VERY END:
“Before we tell anyone about our decision, I think we should kiss,” Meg said suddenly. “To see if we like it.”
----------
“I think we like it,” Meg breathed. “I think we should try it again. Just to be sure.”
They tried it several more times, just to be sure, and eventually decided that they did like kissing.
They liked it a lot.
The End, Simon and Meg forever.
After the Lakeside Courtyard is recovering from the storm that wiped out Toland and across the ocean, we get introduced to Cyrus as the new trouble maker. He is Lt. Montgomery's younger brother and is horrible. Total bad egg, with wife and 2 kids.
The courtyard is forced to allow them to stay even though they know they are trouble so that the Elders staying there can observe and see how to differentiate between "bad" or "good" humans. Not that anyone can "see" the Elders, but they can feel it.
The Elders realize:
"The sweet blood, the howling not-Wolf, had changed things in the Lakeside Courtyard—had even changed some of the terra indigene living in that Courtyard. She was not like the human enemies. She was not prey. She and her kind were Namid’s creation, wondrous and terrible."
Reading this series again helps me understand why this happened and it is a vital part in the Elders allowing humanity to exist.
But the best parts are the humorous touches throughout.
We get this update from the people settling into Bennett:
"With so many pets, as she calls them, needing new homes—or at least new caretakers—she suggested giving a dog, cat, or bird to every new resident as a welcome gift.
I am trying to discourage this idea without telling her that new terra indigene residents might think she was giving them an easy dinner."
Simon, as always:
“One young woman is hardly an invasion.”
“The female pack was the invasion,” Simon grumbled. “Exploding fluffballs. Bunnies with teeth.”
So the story is basically logistics at this point, who gets what food and resources (apocalyptical) as supplies become tight and how to share food with the humans that are now the Others' responsibility. Cyrus and his family stir up trouble in town as the Others are just trying to get on with life and helping the humans. Although he does provide an opportunity for "special meat" lol.
And Spoilers- then Meg is kidnapped and all hell breaks loose.
Meg- straight up creepy:
“I don’t remember most of what I see, but I remember one thing, Cyrus Montgomery. The Crows are going to eat your eyes.”
--------
And after she makes her escape:
"But she was part of the Wolfgard pack at Lakeside. Just because she was alone, she wouldn’t turn into some blubbering human. She would . . .
“Arroo! Arroo!” I am here. I am here, Simon. Come find me.
“Ar-r-rooo!” Please find me.
Then she turned into a blubbering human after all."
----------
Then Simon stopped, his ears pricked. Was it . . . ?
“Arroo!” They were barely in range of that howl, but it filled him with joy. “Arroo!”
“Arroo! Arroo!” Found you. He ran toward the sound. (awwww)
---------
Blair moved away to inspect the body. Simon just hugged her.
“There’s an Elder here,” she whispered in his ear.
“I know,” he whispered back.
“It laughed at me when I howled to tell you I was here.”
She could feel his smile.
And FINALLY- at the VERY END:
“Before we tell anyone about our decision, I think we should kiss,” Meg said suddenly. “To see if we like it.”
----------
“I think we like it,” Meg breathed. “I think we should try it again. Just to be sure.”
They tried it several more times, just to be sure, and eventually decided that they did like kissing.
They liked it a lot.
The End, Simon and Meg forever.
nutmeginnz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brianne_k's review
5.0
*5/5*
This series is always a constant for me.. I love it so very much.
This book brought a new predator to the Lakeside courtyard, and sadly it is a predator like we have today, in our own cities. Jimmy was despicable. I hated reading from his perspective. And part of that is because he was so excellently written. So loathsome. So ugly.
Meg and Simon are still my OTP. The ultimate slow burn.
I know the next book doesn't take place in this courtyard that holds my heart, but I hope I love it just the same.
This series is always a constant for me.. I love it so very much.
This book brought a new predator to the Lakeside courtyard, and sadly it is a predator like we have today, in our own cities. Jimmy was despicable. I hated reading from his perspective. And part of that is because he was so excellently written. So loathsome. So ugly.
Meg and Simon are still my OTP. The ultimate slow burn.
I know the next book doesn't take place in this courtyard that holds my heart, but I hope I love it just the same.
tessa_b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75