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jesslynh's review against another edition
3.0
While I'm enjoying the series, Ms. Bishop really needs to kick the progress of the story down the road a bit more than she did with this one. Not much happened in this one. Not that it felt like half a book like some do, it was an entire book that didn't tell me anything. At the end, I had the feeling that I could have skipped the whole thing and not missed out.
I will wait for reviews instead of pre-ordering the next one.
I will wait for reviews instead of pre-ordering the next one.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It’s hard to believe that this is the final installment of The Others (at least as we know it—there will be future books, but this ends the Lakeside Courtyard-focused books). Meg has got to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, and I’m sad to see her story (and Simon’s) end. Still, Bishop gave us a fantastic send-off, so that’s cause for celebration!
What Fed My Addiction:
Meg’s journey.
Meg has come so far since the first book in this series. She never completely lost her innocence and good-heartedness, but she is a far cry from the naive, almost childlike girl who stumbled into Lakeside Courtyard in book one. I love that in this book, Meg is looking toward a future, something she’s never been able to do before. She still fights against some of her demons (the addiction of cutting for prophesy), but she has moved to a place of hope instead of acceptance.
Brutal.
In this installment, we get a deeper understanding of the Elders, who are even more beastly and brutal than the Others. They do not understand humanity (and never saw much use for it before Meg caught their eye). I liked seeing the world through their eyes. And there were some scenes with the Elders that were downright funny—unexpected considering their brutality.
Black and white and lots of gray.
One of the things I’ve always loved about this series is the fact that there is a LOT of gray area when it comes to who’s good and who’s bad. We get the story as told from the perspective of the Others (and a human who is not quite human), so we see the humans as often stupid and careless and narrow-minded. But sometimes I like to think about what this series would be if it were told from the perspective of the humans—would it be a story of oppression and brutality? Would we sympathize with some of the “stupid” humans who can’t seem to keep themselves from getting eaten? Of course, when it comes to the Humans First and Last movement, it’s hard to be even a little sympathetic—this is an area where the humans are obviously wrong, acting out of fear and hatred rather than common sense and love. Still, I like to think sometimes of what that alternate POV would be like—the humans who live in fear of being eaten for any wrong move.
Simon and Meg.
Simon and Meg have one of the most slow-burning romances of all time, and things don’t suddenly heat up in this book. But I kind of love that because it fits so well with the characters. Meg has been through so much trauma at the hands of men, it makes complete sense that she wouldn’t jump into romance. And Simon is … well, Simon. He’s an Other. And no matter how much he loves Meg, she’s still human. The romance in this final book gives us lots of sweet moments without turning Simon and Meg into completely different people.
Closure, but room for more.
I love it when an author gives us closure to a series but leaves plenty of room to revisit the world. That’s exactly what Bishop has done. Fans of the series will be happy to know that Meg and Simon’s story arc is completed (of course, leaving room for future glimpses). This feels like a final book (but there are plans for more—sounds like more of a companion series, but right now Goodreads is calling it The Others #6).
What Left Me Hungry for More:
Lots of logistics in the first half.
The first half of the book covered a lot of the details about basic logistics in The Others community, like where they would get food and how it would be distributed, who would work where, etc. They were trying to adjust to the new (more dangerous) world order. While some of this was interesting, I was missing a bit of the dramatic tension of the past books. There were definitely hints of promised drama with Lieutenant Montgomery’s brother, the stakes didn’t feel nearly as high to me as the last book (where Meg was trying to save the cassandra sangue). I didn’t truly feel like the danger and tension picked up until the second half of the book.
So, this is a bittersweet end, but it definitely leans toward the sweet. I’m excited that Bishop will be revisiting this world again in the future, and I can’t wait to see more of the Finger Lakes region and getting to know some new characters. This book gets 4/5 Stars from me, but the series itself is, without a doubt, an All-Time Favorite!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
It’s hard to believe that this is the final installment of The Others (at least as we know it—there will be future books, but this ends the Lakeside Courtyard-focused books). Meg has got to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, and I’m sad to see her story (and Simon’s) end. Still, Bishop gave us a fantastic send-off, so that’s cause for celebration!
What Fed My Addiction:
Meg’s journey.
Meg has come so far since the first book in this series. She never completely lost her innocence and good-heartedness, but she is a far cry from the naive, almost childlike girl who stumbled into Lakeside Courtyard in book one. I love that in this book, Meg is looking toward a future, something she’s never been able to do before. She still fights against some of her demons (the addiction of cutting for prophesy), but she has moved to a place of hope instead of acceptance.
Brutal.
In this installment, we get a deeper understanding of the Elders, who are even more beastly and brutal than the Others. They do not understand humanity (and never saw much use for it before Meg caught their eye). I liked seeing the world through their eyes. And there were some scenes with the Elders that were downright funny—unexpected considering their brutality.
Black and white and lots of gray.
One of the things I’ve always loved about this series is the fact that there is a LOT of gray area when it comes to who’s good and who’s bad. We get the story as told from the perspective of the Others (and a human who is not quite human), so we see the humans as often stupid and careless and narrow-minded. But sometimes I like to think about what this series would be if it were told from the perspective of the humans—would it be a story of oppression and brutality? Would we sympathize with some of the “stupid” humans who can’t seem to keep themselves from getting eaten? Of course, when it comes to the Humans First and Last movement, it’s hard to be even a little sympathetic—this is an area where the humans are obviously wrong, acting out of fear and hatred rather than common sense and love. Still, I like to think sometimes of what that alternate POV would be like—the humans who live in fear of being eaten for any wrong move.
Simon and Meg.
Simon and Meg have one of the most slow-burning romances of all time, and things don’t suddenly heat up in this book. But I kind of love that because it fits so well with the characters. Meg has been through so much trauma at the hands of men, it makes complete sense that she wouldn’t jump into romance. And Simon is … well, Simon. He’s an Other. And no matter how much he loves Meg, she’s still human. The romance in this final book gives us lots of sweet moments without turning Simon and Meg into completely different people.
Closure, but room for more.
I love it when an author gives us closure to a series but leaves plenty of room to revisit the world. That’s exactly what Bishop has done. Fans of the series will be happy to know that Meg and Simon’s story arc is completed (of course, leaving room for future glimpses). This feels like a final book (but there are plans for more—sounds like more of a companion series, but right now Goodreads is calling it The Others #6).
What Left Me Hungry for More:
Lots of logistics in the first half.
The first half of the book covered a lot of the details about basic logistics in The Others community, like where they would get food and how it would be distributed, who would work where, etc. They were trying to adjust to the new (more dangerous) world order. While some of this was interesting, I was missing a bit of the dramatic tension of the past books. There were definitely hints of promised drama with Lieutenant Montgomery’s brother, the stakes didn’t feel nearly as high to me as the last book (where Meg was trying to save the cassandra sangue). I didn’t truly feel like the danger and tension picked up until the second half of the book.
So, this is a bittersweet end, but it definitely leans toward the sweet. I’m excited that Bishop will be revisiting this world again in the future, and I can’t wait to see more of the Finger Lakes region and getting to know some new characters. This book gets 4/5 Stars from me, but the series itself is, without a doubt, an All-Time Favorite!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
3.0
A good ending to an equally good series. Lazy worldbuilding aside, these books were a really enjoyable ride.
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, I love how Anne Bishop creates such an intimate relationship between Sam and Meg without them even having a make out session. I love the individual relationships that Meg has with everyone in the Courtyard and just how she binds them all together. I can't wait to read book 6!
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Etched in Bone marks the last book in Meg's story arc. I've heard recently that Anne Bishop will continue writing in The Others world with a spin off. So keeping all that in mind, here are my thoughts on Etched in Bone:
The book picks up after the Elders swept through Thaisia quelling the human uprising. The terra indigene are calling for stricter dealing with humans. As some communities were wiped out completely, some are struggling to get back on their feet again, the Lakeside Courtyard has seemed to have found its rhythm in regards to The Others and humans working together. The Elders see this and are curious. They want to learn and understand this dynamic because as far as they're concerned, more humans should still be eliminated from the earth. So they watch, and they observe.
But things for Lakeside are thrown into a tailspin with Lieutenant Montgomery's trouble-causing brother shows up. As tensions rise between the humans in the courtyard, the Elders don't understand how such a small insignificant human could potentially be a danger to the bigger picture. But not-wolf Meg has seen what is to come, and it will threaten the precarious peace that has been found.
For me, Etched in Bone just didn't read like it was the final book in a series (or story arc). I feel like there is so much left open, which is probably why Anne Bishop is continuing with a spin-off, but I felt like there was a lot left open for Meg and Simon and the others in Lakeside Courtyard.
I've loved this series from the moment I picked up [book:Written in Red|15711341]. I've loved the pacing and the slow build-up of what turns around and winds up happening in the end, and this is certainly true for Etched in Bone as well. But, as I said, when I think of this book in the context of being that last book in a story arc, it just doesn't feel finished. Maybe this feeling will change depending on what events the spin-off decides to take on, if we'll still get updates or revisit our beloved Courtyard family, but as of right now, I wanted to feel more closure with the storyline.
On it's own, however, I loved that Etched in Bone brought the focus back to the Lakeside Courtyard. I know [book:Marked in Flesh|22062202] took us out of the Courtyard to other places in Thaisia and for events that transpired in that book I understood why, but I loved the dynamic and the day-to-day routine of being in the Courtyard and so I was really happy that the focus had shifted back.
I've also personally really enjoyed the slow build-up of the relationship between Meg and Simon. It never really lost the tentative and sweetness about it as they both figure out what is really between them. Part of me really wants their relationship to go further, to move past the sweetness, but the other part of me understands that is not who their characters are. At least who they are yet. I do like how Anne Bishop dealt with the Meg and Simon relationship in Etched. Their devotion to one another is unquestionable. It makes me really hope that this is not the last we'll see of this couple.
In the context of the overall story I, like the Elders, was very interested in the way Anne Bishop shows how much damage just one bad person can do. How much havoc they can wreak. It's kind of a simple premise, but executed in a way that makes it easy to see the chain of events and where they lead from and where they're going, but unable to stop it.
I can't wait to see what Anne Bishop has in store for us next with this series / world. While I feel like there's so much more to explore in Meg's world, Thaisia itself is a big continent, not to mention all the other continents / places we have yet to venture. It would be interesting to see the rest of the world and the different dealings between the humans and terra indigene
The book picks up after the Elders swept through Thaisia quelling the human uprising. The terra indigene are calling for stricter dealing with humans. As some communities were wiped out completely, some are struggling to get back on their feet again, the Lakeside Courtyard has seemed to have found its rhythm in regards to The Others and humans working together. The Elders see this and are curious. They want to learn and understand this dynamic because as far as they're concerned, more humans should still be eliminated from the earth. So they watch, and they observe.
But things for Lakeside are thrown into a tailspin with Lieutenant Montgomery's trouble-causing brother shows up. As tensions rise between the humans in the courtyard, the Elders don't understand how such a small insignificant human could potentially be a danger to the bigger picture. But not-wolf Meg has seen what is to come, and it will threaten the precarious peace that has been found.
For me, Etched in Bone just didn't read like it was the final book in a series (or story arc). I feel like there is so much left open, which is probably why Anne Bishop is continuing with a spin-off, but I felt like there was a lot left open for Meg and Simon and the others in Lakeside Courtyard.
I've loved this series from the moment I picked up [book:Written in Red|15711341]. I've loved the pacing and the slow build-up of what turns around and winds up happening in the end, and this is certainly true for Etched in Bone as well. But, as I said, when I think of this book in the context of being that last book in a story arc, it just doesn't feel finished. Maybe this feeling will change depending on what events the spin-off decides to take on, if we'll still get updates or revisit our beloved Courtyard family, but as of right now, I wanted to feel more closure with the storyline.
On it's own, however, I loved that Etched in Bone brought the focus back to the Lakeside Courtyard. I know [book:Marked in Flesh|22062202] took us out of the Courtyard to other places in Thaisia and for events that transpired in that book I understood why, but I loved the dynamic and the day-to-day routine of being in the Courtyard and so I was really happy that the focus had shifted back.
I've also personally really enjoyed the slow build-up of the relationship between Meg and Simon. It never really lost the tentative and sweetness about it as they both figure out what is really between them. Part of me really wants their relationship to go further, to move past the sweetness, but the other part of me understands that is not who their characters are. At least who they are yet. I do like how Anne Bishop dealt with the Meg and Simon relationship in Etched. Their devotion to one another is unquestionable. It makes me really hope that this is not the last we'll see of this couple.
In the context of the overall story I, like the Elders, was very interested in the way Anne Bishop shows how much damage just one bad person can do. How much havoc they can wreak. It's kind of a simple premise, but executed in a way that makes it easy to see the chain of events and where they lead from and where they're going, but unable to stop it.
I can't wait to see what Anne Bishop has in store for us next with this series / world. While I feel like there's so much more to explore in Meg's world, Thaisia itself is a big continent, not to mention all the other continents / places we have yet to venture. It would be interesting to see the rest of the world and the different dealings between the humans and terra indigene
guardyourhonor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Series review: I loved this so so much. I flew threw them, but they're also very competently written. I'm always a sucker for stories where kindness wins. It was an absolute delight to find a world where shifters aren't humans with a wolf inside them, they're always a wolf in any form. The whole world is amazing, in fact, and so detailed you would think Bishop had been writing in it for years. The characters got me just as much as the world. Our Meg immediately stole my heart. She's special, yes, but she's flawed and realistic and kind. But every character in the Courtyard was delightful, from Simon down to the ponies and the human pack. I'm so sad I can't spend any more time with them. If there's a flaw, it's the villains - they are pretty one note, mustache twirling bad guys. That said, they were fun to hate and see get their comeuppance.
eiie's review against another edition
4.0
A nice end to the series. The world still blows my mind. This ending is, however, more of a whimper than a bang. Satisfying but much more mundane than often seen with fantasy/urban fantasy novels. If you're looking for the smash-bang finish, you won't find it here. But if you readjust that expectation and realize that this series of books is about how we *think* about things and therefore we spend a lot of time in the heads of different characters listening to them think about the world around them, then it's lovely.
snance's review against another edition
3.0
This was paced liked the other books, slow and steady, but whereas a lot of things happened in the previous books, not much happened here. Cyrus/Jimmy was a bad dude who did bad things. And...? I did like the last few chapters.
anca_antoci's review against another edition
4.0
In Etched in Bone, the Elders (Namid’s claws and teeth) want to observe the humans interact with the Others and learn what these small predators can do to each other. So when Monty’s brother comes to Lakeside, despite his own family’s warning that he’s bad news, Simon agrees to let him stay. Simon is reluctant to have him so close to Meg but concedes to the Elders’ request.
The Elders keep an eye on Meg, the howling not-wolf and develop a taste for the wolf cookies. They leave a note asking Meg for cookies. Meg thinks the note was left by pups and yells (hoping they hear her) that good pups say ‘please’ when asking for things. Everyone is shocked!
The villain of this novel was Cyrus James Montgomery, Monty’s brother. He’s a con-artist and considers Lakeside as easy pickings. Cyrus is presumptuous, arrogant, and not very smart if he believes that human law can keep his safe from the terra indigene in the Courtyard.
As soon as he discovers what Meg Corbyn is he plans to cash in on her. Needless to say, things don’t go his way, and the punishment fits the crime. Warning! It will be gruesome! But you’ll have to read the book to see what happens.
Read more here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/book-review-etched-in-bone-by-anne-bishop
The Elders keep an eye on Meg, the howling not-wolf and develop a taste for the wolf cookies. They leave a note asking Meg for cookies. Meg thinks the note was left by pups and yells (hoping they hear her) that good pups say ‘please’ when asking for things. Everyone is shocked!
The villain of this novel was Cyrus James Montgomery, Monty’s brother. He’s a con-artist and considers Lakeside as easy pickings. Cyrus is presumptuous, arrogant, and not very smart if he believes that human law can keep his safe from the terra indigene in the Courtyard.
As soon as he discovers what Meg Corbyn is he plans to cash in on her. Needless to say, things don’t go his way, and the punishment fits the crime. Warning! It will be gruesome! But you’ll have to read the book to see what happens.
Read more here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/book-review-etched-in-bone-by-anne-bishop
getlostmatilda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0