We both set out to write a review for Etched in Bone, but it was one of those books that inspire not criticism or praise so much as a lot of things that make you go hmm. So we're calling this a review/discussion and we hope you'll share your thoughts in the comments.

Gretl's Thoughts
Other than "OMG! Simeg are so cute!" my biggest takeaway from Etched in Bone is that the politics in the series have become much more relatable. It's been there from the beginning but it's disguised enough that I think you could choose to ignore it until now. Things like the humans leasing the land from its original owners and therefore having an obligation not to abuse it are obviously about environmentalism. The Humans First and Last movement is about racism. (Those are both oversimplifications though.) The last book was focused global politics and you could view Namid's teeth and claws as the Others' nuclear option since whole cities are destroyed.

Going from that to crisis on a much more personal level gives Etched in Bone a slightly different feel. This book was about rulers who are out of touch with those they govern. It's a "Let them eat cake" situation. The Elders who have come to observe the Courtyard don't understand humans and their ignorance endangers people. Maybe because it's on a more personal scale, I find it much harder to ignore the politics in this book.

I think setting Meg and Simon's relationship in this smaller, more intimate context makes sense. The big, global events in Marked in Flesh might have overshadowed their HEA. This way we also see the results of the climax from the previous book. And it sets up the characters who are going to be in the spinoff series, which moves away from the Lakeside Courtyard.

It might be better to look at this book as a transition between story arcs, like Allegiance of Honor, rather than a series finale. The latter makes it seem like a really long epilogue showing the aftermath of events in Marked in Flesh, which is much less satisfying. (Goodreads also lists the next book as The Others #6, rather than first in a new series.)

I enjoyed Etched in Bone, especially Simeg, but wasn't blown away like I was with some of the earlier books in the series. It also gave me lots of food for thought, which is never a bad thing.

Rose Red's Thoughts
I agree with everything that Gretl said. The politics and the parallels that can be made to our current political situation hit a little close to home this time around. I especially agree with her observation that Etched in Bone felt like an extended epilogue for Marked in Flesh. As a continuation of the story, I was enthralled with the new details of the world and I loved seeing how the newest members of the Human Pack were settling into the Courtyard. I also loved seeing how the consequences of the Human First and Last movement were being handled.

One of my favorite things about this series, and it showed up in this book, is how Bishop presents evil and the bad guy. They're not like other big bads in the SFF genres. They're not out rightly evil. For the most part, the bad guys have an attractive face and can be seen as totally reasonable by the humans. Case in point, look at how far the HFL movement got in the previous books. An overarching theme we've seen in this series is that mistakes are made on both sides when you underestimate your enemy. This is definitely the case with the Elders in this book:

“They had needed to learn too much too quickly, and they had made a mistake. They would fix this.”

I found Jimmy to be a fascinating character in all of his horribleness. He acted as a foil that revealed sides to several of our main characters that we hadn't seen before. The thing is I knew as soon as he showed up on the page how his arc was going to play out and it felt like it took forever to get to the resolution. The pacing of the story was slow and felt off in such a way that the climax felt very anticlimactic.

As a series/Lakeside arc ender, this book fell incredibly short for me. I don't feel like the Lakeside arc was wrapped up at all. I didn't get a solid conclusion and it's messing with how I feel about the book overall. Like Gretl observed, this book felt more like a transition book and not a series ender. And this may be an unpopular opinion but there was not enough Simon and Meg in this last book of their arc. Don't get me wrong! What we do see of them is adorable and I loved all of their scenes but it felt like they were already getting brushed to the side to make room for the new arc and I didn't like that. Overall, I was underwhelmed.

This review will be posted life at 7pm UK time.

After the deathly events that transpired in Marked in Death, with the Elders mass-murdering so many humans in revenge for the Others deaths caused by the Human First Movement, Etched in Bone brings a slower proceedings to this world. The pacing faltered at times, leaving this book anti-climatic, but still enjoyable to fans of this series. It brings a conclusion to Meg and Simon that friends of mine and myself have been waiting for with baited breath and a whole lot of nervousness.

The Lakeside Courtyard has the eyes of the Elders upon them. The Elders are sorta like Big-Brother, watching every moment between humans and others, which will decide the fate of how much Namid’s teeth and claws will allow humans to navigate the world. Simon is uneasy and has serious misgivings after the Elders order him to allow Monty’s brother to cause mischief–and worse–as an experiment inside the Courtyard. Not only does Jimmy bring trouble, but he brings a lot of pain and danger to everyone in the courtyard, with Monty doing his best to try and keep his family together and safe.

Marked in Flesh I struggled with at times, which I’m so sad to be writing. For one it took me a long time to read the book, whereas I glommed the previous installments. I suppose I was looking for something bigger and more epic after Marked in Flesh, but this book is quieter in tone that shows the conclusions of previous events in micro details that sometimes left me feeling a little bored. Too many details of small world-building that verged on info-dump. Another big issue of mine was Jimmy. Jimmy was so over-the-top bad that I really found it hard to read his POV.

Meg doesn’t seem to realise the danger of what is going on in the courtyard and there is a disconnect between her and Simon for a little part of the book. Meg is still learning the ways of tarot reading and she’s getting better at it, but the urge to cut will most likely always remain with her for the rest of her life. There’s not much that happens in this book with Meg until the very end. It’s mostly Monty’s brother causing trouble and the world readjusting itself. Though a message that runs through this series is how humans never learn and still keep making the same mistakes time and time again. Which is all too believable.

So while I had issues with this book, there are still many things to love–and those are the characters and the bond and friendship they have built, especially the exploding human fluffballs which have become part of the Courtyard pack. Another storyline that is resolved is the romance between Meg and Simon. I’m not gonna beat around the bush and be coy. I was super happy with how things ended between them, though I wished it had been a stronger thread throughout the book. Bishop also never lets you forget that the Others aren’t human. Bishop lulls you into thinking everything is going so nice and swimmingly and then BAM. She reveals the darker and primal instincts of the Others that makes you squeamish and reminds you they have no hesitation in thinking of humans as meat lol.

The ending was more action-paced and the bad guy gets his comeuppance in Others fashion. While I was somewhat disappointed in this book, I have loved the journey Anne Bishop has given to us and I’m so happy there is an upcoming spin-off novel. I don’t know if this is the last story of the Courtyard, but I really hope Bishop returns. I so want Vlad to have his own book and to see more of Meg and Simon.

I give Etched in Bone a B-

Etched in Bone is the Fifth installment in author Anne Bishop's The Others series. The story picks up pretty much right where Marked in Flesh left off. The citizens of Lakeside and elsewhere are picking up the pieces after the Elders, aka Namid's teeth and claws, swept through putting down a revolt by Humans. In some areas like Cel-Romano, humanity will never be the same. In other areas, the clean up is becoming a major project that needs people to fill vacancy.

Simon Wolfgard has his plate filled worrying about the Elders pending visit to Courtside. A visit that will also come with a major challenge that the Elders pretty much encouraged to see how the Others and Humans work out their problems. Simon also has to figure out what the Elders meant by how much human the terra indigene will keep. Simon also has to deal with the Intuits, Simple Folk, Sweet Bloods, and ensuring that his humans are well taken care of. But, protecting and keeping Meg safe from harm is his biggest piece of the puzzle.

The Lakeside Courtyard has been fundamentally changed forever after the arrival of Meg Corbyn. Meg is known as a sweet blood to the Elders, and a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet to the rest of her human pack. Meg has tried to avoid cutting herself knowing that the more she cuts, the more probability that she will loose herself. As the trailblazer for other sweet bloods, this means coming up with other ways of seeing possible dangers. There was a curious part to this story that I have long wondered about. What happens when a Sweet Blood cuts a healed scar? Do they lose themselves? Do they survive? Or, do they fall to pieces in the darkness of what they see?

Meg's pack of humans have become even more of a presence than at any time before. They've also grown by leaps and bounds with the addition of a group of police officers who are now living within the general vicinity. I already mentioned Twylla and for good reason. She is a strong character, with a strong will for doing what is necessary. She takes charge in several different areas, and makes hard choices like leaving her own kids to their own devices. She also has a strong intuition when it comes to how to treat Others like Sam, and Skippy which makes for some humorous reading. But, when it comes to her son Jimmy, he may be the one person who may tear down her character along with everyone else in Lakeside.

For the first time in a while, there is hope that Meg and Simon will finally get over the hump and become more than just friends. There is so much protectiveness when it comes to Meg from not only Sam, but Vlad, and Tess as well. I adore Meg, Simon, Skippy, and even Sam together. It takes an outsider in the human police department to finally wake up Simon to the point where he knows that Meg is his family, and perhaps even though she will never become a wolf, his mate.

Etched in Bone is the final novel feature Meg and the Lakeside crew. But, you will be happy to know that there is a Sixth novel planned for 2018. That novel is being called Lake Silence. Here is a teaser "Bishop’s new novel takes readers to a human village nestled in the terra indigene-controlled Finger Lakes region of Northeast Thaisia. It stars divorcee Victoria “Vicki” DeVine, owner of The Jumble — a small, self-sufficient community located on the shore of Lake Silence. Vicki and the town’s residents soon find themselves caught up in a chilling mystery, after a series of vicious murders rock the small community.

So. Freaking. Good. I was sad about the series coming to an end, but I was excited to see what would happen. Especially after the events in the previous book. Bishop did a great job pulling it all together to give a satisfying ending to these characters, and made this an excellent series through and through.

Even though the human uprising was put to an end, things are still tense and very uncertain. The Elders have a big decision to make. They chose to observe The Courtyard in order to determine the fate of humans. No pressure! Of course, there has to be one asshole to screw things up.

I adore these characters so much! The more dangerous and terrifying the better. I really enjoyed watching the Others and the humans working together and bonding in their own ways. These two groups were once predator and prey, okay, they still are, but it’s different now. They’re evolving and have learned mutual respect and trust. Not that there isn’t still plenty to fear, but the growth is done exceptionally well. Bishop doesn’t go overboard and make them all hunky-dory overnight. There’s still struggle, but they’re on the right path.

We’ve been rooting for Meg and Simon from the very beginning, and it has been torture at times! For them too. Poor confused Simon. 😀 But, I’m pleased with the outcome. It’s been quite the ride with them, so it’s nice to see them get to the point that they do.

Overall, Etched in Bone is wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite series. Ah, but technically isn’t the end of the series, because there will be another book. The catch is it’s new characters in a different area. Woohoo! Hopefully we’ll still get glimpses of some of our favorites from The Courtyard.

Marlene: As I write this, it’s early October. I got the eARC from Netgalley five months pre-publication, and simply couldn’t wait until I read it. Whatever else is in this series, it’s definitely reading crack. I can’t resist them, and once I start, I can’t put them down until I’ve finished. Something about this world and these people drags me in every single time.

Cass: I’m stunned an ARC was available so early. Is that normal? Either way, I agree there must be some kind of digitally transferable narcotic in the font, because I cannot stop reading these books….and yet I can never come up with a reason to like them. Other than Hope Wolfsong. LONG LIVE HOPE WOLFSONG!

Marlene: FYI five months is a bit early. Three is more common, and sometimes it’s less than one. Occasionally the eARC comes out just slightly post-publication, which just seems back-asswards. I digress.

This series always strikes me as dark and fluffy, which really ought to be an oxymoron, and somehow isn’t. The Black Jewels series was dark and erotic (although Cass disagrees strenuously about the erotic quotient). Certainly the sexuality in that series was often front and center, even if wrapped in a choke collar. The “Eros” quotient of The Others is almost non-existent. And it’s also where some of the fluff comes in. Eventually, if this series continues, there will be a romantic relationship between Simon Wolfgard and Meg Corbyn. But right now that part is all confused emotion and virtually no action at all. And that’s actually a good thing, because even 5 books in, Meg is nowhere near ready for the level of intimacy and confusion that comes with being in a romantic relationship. That she’s getting there at all is part of what makes this series her journey.

Cass: The sex stuff confused the shit out of me this time around. My understanding from previous books was that the Others will totally plow humans while in their human forms – mostly as an experiment or kink. However, this time around, Simon tells Meg that the Wolves only mate “once a year.” No recreational sex? If they only want to have sex one time a year, would they really waste it on a human – someone they would be totally open to consuming for a post-coital snack?

I really struggled with continuity in this book. Not just with sex but with masturbation – I mean cutting. Wasn’t Meg addicted to cutting last time? Weren’t there pages and pages of debate about how she just can’t stop touching herself and how all those self-inflicted orgasms were going to kill her? And yet….suddenly no cutting. Instead of playing with herself she has a deck of cards. Wow that was easy. So easy that you wonder why the hell ALL the rescued prophets haven’t been given a sketch book and a deck of cards.

Marlene: I read the sex issues about mating vs. recreational sex as coming from the animal side of their natures. Also as part of the physiological differences between males and females on the animal side. Comparing to cats, with which I’m all too familiar, an intact female will go into heat every six months or less. The rest of the time she has no interest in mating. However, whenever a local female does go into heat, all the intact male cats for miles around are ready and eager to sire her kittens. Human females may not be fertile all the time (thank goodness) but are receptive a lot more often than once a year.

What I found interesting about this aspect was the way that the Others referred to Meg as Simon’s future mate – implying that they would, or at least could, form that long-term bond. Nothing like that has ever happened before. The Others may have recreational sex with humans, but they don’t form mating bonds with them. Except Simon and Meg, if they both survive the trouble they constantly find themselves in.

As far as cutting vs. the deck of cards, I did see Meg struggle with her desire to cut. To me, she seemed like an addict in a 12 step program, trying to resist the urge to cut “today”, and attempting to put together a string of “todays”. I also didn’t see that it was/would be the orgasms resulting from the cut that would eventually kill her. The orgasms are the built-in reward, the high, for the cutting. What would kill her would either be going mad, as the results of the uncontrolled cuts that sounded like a Dali painting mixed with some of Picasso’s cubism on steroids, or simply bleeding out, if she cut herself and no one was around for after care. Or if she just plain screwed up and hit an artery.

In other words, to me it made sense within this world’s context.

Cass : One thing I have enjoyed so far in the series has been the world-building……but that all went to shit with this installment. We spent so much time really looking into how the infrastructure of a society changes when the land cities are built on is leased, when every road and train track is an easement, when you have absolutely no water rights and pollution is prohibited. Etched in Bone stepped back from the larger society-based stories to really focus on Lakeside and the human pack, and introduction of “bad humans.”

The Others had their own reasons for reacting the way they did to the “bad humans,” which was addressed. Everyone else? Suddenly developed a case of shit-for-brains. Oh, you have proof that children are not being fed because an abuser is stealing their food? That they are living in absolute filth? That a child is being groomed for sex work? Do humans not have child protective services here?! The main characters all discuss how the bad human (trying to avoid spoilers) is going to fuck everything up, and possibly get them all killed…..but does anyone take any action? You don’t need Simon to handle an abusive drug-dealing thief. Instead, everyone sits back and frets about how bad it could be, and what a huge danger this person will be if they learn about Meg, and how scared we are for the poor defenseless kids…..but nothing happens. At all. Until it all gets so bad that The Others are forced to intervene. If this is how the so-called “good humans” behave, maybe it’s a good thing The Others so tightly control everything in Thaisia. I wouldn’t trust these morons with any kind of governing responsibility.

Did we know that humans are all super-sexist before this book? That there is rampant totally legal gender discrimination in employment? The only solution to which is, you guessed it, Others making the hiring decisions.

Marlene: The way that the bad shit went down drove me batty too. Howsomever, I think I let the way things unfolded go because it felt like it matched the current popular perception of how child protective services does and doesn’t work. (As a popular perception, it may not match reality). But it seemed like we as the audience knew for certain exactly how bad things were, because the story is told in third-person omniscient perspective. The characters in the story, while they had very, very solid guesses that were right, didn’t “know” in a legal sense, except for Sierra who was just as abused as the children. To bring child services in, someone would have to be willing to stand up and say what they witnessed and experienced. And the ones who actually knew, the children and Sierra, were up the river Denial for most of the story.

(I’m seeing a comment that popular perception is wrong, which doesn’t surprise me. But also doesn’t change what popular perception is. There are too many stories in the media where the local equivalent of CPS is overworked and understaffed and misses obvious signs or doesn’t investigate at all.)

Also, based on the rampant sexism we see from the human side of this story, we don’t actually know whether the kind of child services that we think of today even exists. That women were still restricted from some jobs even at what seems like an analog to our present is something that I don’t remember having seen before in the story, but also didn’t completely surprise me. The way that civilization keeps getting knocked back by The Others would mean that some reforms might not get reached. The ability of women to serve in all jobs everywhere is a hard-won right that has only occurred within my lifetime, and only in certain places on this planet. And is frequently a right that exists on paper but is next to impossible to enforce in practice.

Cass: That is not how CPS works! GAH! Lawyer brain is exploding. You don’t have to know for sure what is going on in the home. If you see signs that something may be going on, you report it. Specially trained investigators separate the children from their abuser and ask all kinds of general questions. They send the kids to counselors. They do medical tests. They survey the home. They can drop in unexpectedly. They pull school records. They interview neighbors and family…..you don’t need to see a kid being starved and beaten to report that you suspect a child is being starved and beaten. It’s not perfect, and they don’t catch everything, but they would have here. Pretty clear the kids were very chatty and open to admitting anything – when asked.

If CPS in Thaisia does not exist or is not like this….pretty easy to address. People commenting about the abuse could throw off a line: “And with food shortages, child protective services is refusing to take in anyone who is not an orphan…” something that addresses existing world building and tells you that some of the human services agencies we take for granted don’t exist in this form. Instead there is the implication that there is a CPS, but the bloody COPS AND ATTORNEYS of all people can’t be bothered to involve them. [end rant]

Marlene: It does seem to be a piece of worldbuilding that is missing. I think there was also an element of the human authorities deferring to The Courtyard on what was their turf, even when The Elders were wrong, wrong, wrong. Pissing off The Elders results in annihilation, and sometimes the needs of the many end up outweighing the needs of the few, whether anyone involved likes it or not.

And your rants never end, but they are generally fascinating.

Cass: I’m only ending that particular rant. I have a whole separate rant. WHERE IS MY HOPE WOLFSONG?! I could have skipped all the Meg/Simon stuff in favor of more Hope. Hope! Hope! Hope! Who cares what Meg or Simon are wearing at any particular time? You know what I care about? HOPE WOLFSONG TEACHING A WOLF TO DRAW. That is wonderful story I want to hear about. The new renaissance in Earth Native Art. While the Elders are deciding what to keep, they could develop an appreciation for artistry. They already like books and music….

Marlene: And COOKIES! (Cass insert: Yesssss, save the bakers)

But seriously, after several stories where we’ve seen more and more of the world of Thaisia, both its successes and very definitely its failures, the story in Etched in Bone is so insular it almost seems claustrophobic. And also a bit anti-climactic.

So many of the earlier books started with Meg and Lakeside and expanded outwards into the world, seeing the ways that the ripple effects of Meg’s adoption into the Lakeside Courtyard kept having effects in the wider universe. It felt like nearly every interaction, not just between Others and humans, but also between different species of Others, caught some of the ripples of Meg’s integration into Lakeside.

This story takes place on a very small scale, with the introduction of one sociopath into the Lakeside Courtyard, and then the way that the poison spreads throughout the community, and everyone’s reaction to it. It reminded me a bit of more than one TV episode where the hero or heroine has to find a righteous way to eliminate an abuser. This story felt small.

Cass: Yeah, I really could have seen it as short story or novella told from Twyla/Monty/ Sissy’s perspectives. (I loved Twyla’s irritation that all her kids refuse to use the names she gave them in favor of nicknames). The main series follows the main plot, and we can see how these things are impacting individual lives in other outings. This book felt so ancillary that – if there is another book coming – I would say you could skip this one and miss absolutely nothing.

Marlene: As far as the main plot goes, yes, this book feels skippable. Except for one thing that I wonder whether it will have later consequences. The Elders – the really, really, really powerful Others, the ones that even the “lesser” Others are pee in their pants (when they wear pants) scared of, totally, utterly and completely fucked up. And they fucked up in a way that none of The Others will forget. They also fucked up so badly that the ones they consider lesser banded together to tell them to fix the mess they made and made that stick. That’s a potential shift in the balance of power, as Father Erebus if no one else will certainly realize that The Elders are no longer all powerful if enough of them can get together and stick together.

And while the story as a whole felt anti-climactic, I still enjoyed being immersed in this world for a few hours. I like most of these people, even the ones for whom the definition of people is a bit loose. I like watching them interact, and it is always fun to see the way that these very different groups are building a community that respects their differences and searches for the best way they can all work together.

And unlike my friend Cass, I am interested in watching the progress of Meg and Simon’s relationship.

Cass: I’m already prepared for this series to end when Meg gives birth to the first blood prophet wolf.

My review can be summarized in one line: Not enough Hope Wolfsong. -500 points.

Escape rating F for completely fails to believably address abusive families.

Marlene: I’m also prepared to see this series end, either with the birth of Meg and Simon’s first child, or more likely with their wedding/mating ceremony. I had a terrible thought about just the normal amount of bleeding that occurs in childbirth and wondered if the author would or even should go there. It might be fascinating if Meg sees visions of the child’s future as she is giving birth to it, or the scene could be more gruesome and gory than many readers will want to see in what should be a happy ending. But we’re not nearly there yet. So I really hope that this series isn’t done.

On my other hand, I enjoyed this while I read it, but found it infinitely forgettable after I finished. And it’s only been a couple of days. So I have very mixed feelings.

Escape Rating B for being absorbed in it while I was in it, but being forgettable immediately after.

Not all books are my style and this book proves it. The writing was good. The characters were great, but I just couldn't get into it. I gave it a good 30% before shelving it.

I went back onto Goodreads and read some of the other reviews, wondering if I was just crazy and I noticed that people either loved it or didn't. I guess I'm not the only one. I'm not going to give this book a rating since I wasn't able to finish it.

The Lakeside Courtyard serves as a model for interactions between humans and terra indigene (also called the Others). Simon Wolfgard is the leader of this diverse group of individuals, as he seeks a balance between the various kinds of terra indigene and the newly formed human pack within his boundaries. Tensions are high after the Humans First and Last movement caused worldwide chaos (see MARKED IN FLESH for more details). Meanwhile, Meg Corbyn, a Blood Prophet, is learning new ways to cope in this ever-changing world and Simon will do anything to protect her. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Crispin Montgomery’s brother, Cyrus, has arrived in Lakeside and now everything they’ve worked for may be at stake. Will the humans and the terra indigene draw together to stop Cyrus or will Meg’s future come to an abrupt end?

ETCHED IN BONE is dark fantasy at its finest! Anne Bishop has crafted a world that is dark and alluring, where even a slight move or interaction can cause fear, chaos, or the destruction of the entire human population. I love how Anne Bishop navigates us through the politics of the various species within the terra indigene as well as with the humans. ETCHED IN BONE and <i>The Others</i> series are an excellent portrait of the importance of diversity and diplomacy.

Meg is continuing to evolve as both a woman and as the Trailblazer for the other cassandra sangue (blood prophets). In ETCHED IN BONE, Meg is becoming all too aware of her own limits as she’s learning how to live and love despite the allure of the razor. Simon’s love for Meg shows through each and every one of his actions and ETCHED IN BONE highlights just how important their bond is for both of them. Twyla Montgomery, Crispin’s mother, is also beginning to emerge as a leader within the Courtyard and I love her motherly approach to everyone she encounters, no matter whether they are human or terra indigene. However, it is Skippy who captures my heart in ETCHED IN BONE. I won’t reveal spoilers but there is one scene in ETCHED IN BONE that makes me love him all the more for his determination.

ETCHED IN BONE is the fifth book in <i>The Others</i> series. If you haven’t read this series from the beginning, stop what you are doing immediately and delve into Anne Bishop’s dark and hauntingly beautiful world. You won’t regret it.

*Review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

This is a must read series. Etched in Bone is the fifth in the series. Whilst it can be read as a standalone it is so much better read in the order written.

Meg, the blood prophet is doing is to learn how to see prophecies without having to cut herself. With the cards she's received, it could be that she no longer needs to slice.

It does contain a small love interest as Meg and Simon move at a slow pace towards their kisses. Honestly, the romance in this story is not needed but it does add a sweet adorable element. I personally would enjoy more romance.

Overall the entire book is freaking amazing, and so is the series.

Birdie Bookworm: I have to say, I was a little nervous diving back into this world. I’d loved the first couple books so much, and I really liked the followups. I just wasn’t as hot on it as I was in the beginning. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be as into it, so I was thankful when I totally was. This last book was really friggin' good!

Angie: Sadly, for me, it was the weakest of the series. I mean, I say that, but the weakest book in this series is better than the best in other series I’ve read, so take that with a grain of salt, but this one was just missing something for me. But I love the way it started - the high speed (bicycle) chase that was hilarious.

Birdie Bookworm: It definitely wasn't as good as the first, but I struggled most with the middle books. They were still good, but I felt like we were getting less and less of Simon and Meg. I loved how much of them were in this one, which is probably the only reason I enjoyed it more. Haha.

I totally loved was the bicycle chase. It was so funny, especially since you knew that Kowalski was crapping himself just a little, not getting that it was the chase game. It was great as the launching chapter.

Angie: Yes - a quick reminder to show you how differently humans and Others think. Also, I loved how quick Vlad (et. al.) was to show up when Meg was having a fitful nightmare. It makes you wonder what’s going to happen when she and Simon finally do the deed. If they’re loud, is everyone going to show up with popcorn and soda to watch the show? LOL

Birdie Bookworm: Or to kill whoever is hurting the Sweetblood. And imagine Meg's mortification! That would have been hilarious to read.

What was interesting to me was in how the plot with the HFL was actually finished in the previous book, so Etched in Bone got to take the story somewhere simpler. It reminded me more of the earlier books, being more about the differences in humans and The Others. The Cyrus made for a compelling story.

Angie: I'm sure it won't surprise you to know that I enjoyed the HFL aspect of the story. I didn’t care for Cyrus’ story. He was looking for more, more of everything and free of everything. He felt like a cruder, male version of Asia Crane, making him a recycled character and plot.

Birdie Bookworm: I can see that. I guess, for me, I prefer these bad guy types to the HFL story. That was when I struggled with the plot. I liked that Cyrus was connected Montgomery and Twyla, and how that posed its own issues. But if course we're opposite in how were the same! We both love the series, but love opposing parts.

Speaking of, I really loved the addition of Miss Twyla. I loved that she was a member of the human pack and that The Others recognized traits in her that were similar to them. I also loved how she was with Skippy.

Angie: I liked Miss Twyla with Skippy, too, but I had a really hard time with how Simon seemed to cow to her. I feel like the strength of the Others diminished over the series, and I don’t like that. On the one hand, I think the author was trying to show how the Others were trying to acclimate themselves to the humans and trying to integrate, but on the other hand, I feel like with as tenuous as things are with the elders, the Others should be asserting their dominance to show they can hold their own with the humans.

Birdie Bookworm: I think that the only reason Simon was like that was because she didn't act Human. He repeatedly said that she was more like his kind than she was like the humans. I think Twyla was the first time he didn't see a human as prey. Even the "human pack" still felt like prey. I liked that. Plus, I do think the Others that will live among humans are changing. They're adapting to live in harmony with "good humans." LOL

Angie: I get that, and I get what the author was trying to do, but the fact remains that while she may not have acted human, she was human. And I have a hard time believing his nature would allow him to cow to her. Simon is leader of a pack. Those actions don't signify leader to me. I guess I needed to be sold more to buy it.

I love ‘Others’ logic. There were times when they were mocking the humans, but only among themselves and it was always good-naturedly. It was hilarious because the things they say are so obvious and true.

Birdie Bookworm: Like all the Bunny talk. Haha. That had me cracking up. I loved how they compared them all to angry bunnies.

Some of the story line made me a bit uncomfortable, particularly with the children. I understand why Anne Bishop went there, and I believed the logic behind it; I just didn’t like reading it.

Angie: I agree. It almost felt out of place in this series. I think because it was on the tail end, it just didn’t fit for me. And I also had a hard time with Cyrus’ crude speech and thoughts. I do think it was authentic for his character, but it felt very jarring in a series that hasn’t been crude in that way so far.

And I was floored when they mentioned how it had only been a few months since Meg had shown up in the courtyard. Can you believe so little time has passed? So much has happened!

Birdie Bookworm: I didn't notice that. I feel like she's been there for years. It's unbelievable to me that so much has changed in such a short time. No way.

I loved everything about Simon and Meg, from the very beginning. I also loved the end. I think they’re perfect together. I just think I was hoping for something more. The end was kind of abrupt.

Angie: I agree; the end with Simon and Meg was abrupt. But what is doubly frustrating about that, was that I felt the events leading up to the end were dragged out. They could have been shortened significantly, and more time spent on Simon and Meg, who still have a long way to go to work their relationship out. There was a lot of heart to this series, but Meg and Simon were at the center of it. I wanted more, too. I wanted more Vlad, I wanted more Tess, more Elementals...I wanted more of the main players from the beginning of this series. There were too many ‘others’ who weren’t Others that got way too much page time for me in this installment.

Also, and I know this was a long shot, but I was hoping for closure with Daphne’s murder. I feel like Sam was the catalyst in bringing Meg and the Others together, and I would have loved there to be some focus on what happened to his mother.

Birdie Bookworm: I wasn't too surprised that wasn't solved. I figured it was just one of the random Other killings that they were always talking about. It would have been nice to get closure though. With Daphne and between Meg and Simon.

Angie: Gosh, reading back through, it probably seems like I didn't like this book, but there were parts I really enjoyed. The way Meg prophesies has evolved so much since the beginning of the series, and as always, I loved the interactions of those within the courtyard. I also loved the big turkey dinner, like their own version of Thanksgiving. I'm excited that there is going to be a spin-off series, and I can't wait to see what else we can learn about the Others. There are just some things that still haven't been covered - have we even learned the life span of an Other?

Birdie Bookworm: Nope, we haven't. There is a lot unexplored. Maybe they'll develop that more later. I hope they do, and I hope I love the new series as much as this one. I'm very unsure about it.

Angie: I am, too, but it won't stop either of us from picking it up This series has been a wonderful ride, and I'm just glad it's not over!

If you haven’t read The Others yet, keep in mind that it is best enjoyed if read in order. There are new characters introduced in each book, and if you’re not with them as they appear, they can be hard to keep straight in the later books. Also, if you are a listener, I highly recommend this series in audio. The narrator is fantastic, and she brings such life to the characters. She does a great job allocation a different voice to each character; often you know who she is portraying the moment she starts speaking. Phenomenal job!

The fifth installment in Anne Bishop’s epic fantasy Others series is the finale to the Meg Corbyn, Simon Wolfgard, and Lakeside Courtyard arc though not the end of the series. Currently untitled, Bishop has released information about book six, which is slated to publish in 2018, that:

“Takes readers to a human village nestled in the terra indigene-controlled Finger Lakes region of Northeast Thaisia. It stars divorcee Victoria “Vicki” DeVine, owner of The Jumble — a small, self-sufficient community located on the shore of Lake Silence. Vicki and the town’s residents soon find themselves caught up in a chilling mystery, after a series of vicious murders rock the small community.” via Happily Ever After.

Compelling narrative, dynamic characters, and strong world building keeps readers enthralled as Bishop continues to twist and manipulate the mythology she’s built this world upon, mixing more of humanity with the supernatural elements that gives the stories a darker and more unpredictable edge. The true appeal of this series for me and Bishop’s writing in general is the delicate balance she maintains between the benign and the horrific. Evil is often presented in a form that allows us to comfortably dislike them. Bishop continuously challenges that notion. A majority of her stories gives evil an attractive face and/or constitution. She cautions readers that mistakes are made when you underestimate your enemy.

“They had needed to learn too much too quickly, and they had made a mistake. They would fix this.”

Meg, Simon, and the residents of the Lakeside Courtyard have survived the war between the HFL (Humans First and Last) and the Terra Indigene. Areas of the world have been obliterated of humans and are now back part of the wild country. With all communication and transportation at the mercy of the Elders (Namid’s teeth and claws), the surviving humans and the terra indigene must work together and step lightly to avoid a complete annihilation.

“If we allow some humans to remain, than what kindof human should we keep?”

When the threat of war became a reality, Lt. Montgomery made sure everyone in his immediate family got safely to Lakeside except for his brother Cyrus and his brother’s family. Cyrus is the black sheep of the family; the con man, the grifter. Cyrus’s emotional abuse of their younger sister goes further than they suspected and they are appalled when he appears in Lakeside at her invitation. Especially Simon. He recognizes trouble when he sees it and Meg’s latest predictions only serve to further his anxiety as her visions of blood and death become more frequent.

Family and change are the themes of this story. The world is a fragile place right now and attempts are being made to rebuild the small towns and outposts. Humans and Others are working together to provide for those under their care; the strong providing for the weak. Families and friends banding together to make do and survive the leaner times coming. No one wants to upset the balance. Especially those who truly understand who their final judge, jury, and executioners are.

“The Others have their own way of dealing with betrayal, and it’s harsher than receiving a pink slip.”

Bishops’ characterization of various cultures stays fresh and inviting as she slowly draws out the individual characteristics that personalize them. She continues to explore the various species of terre indigene, using them to highlight the unique changes that are happening with in the Courtyard and the world at large. These changes are significant because it not only allows for new storylines to develop but it also allows Bishop to move past the confines of her own boundaries.

The one element of this series that has garnered the most attention is the slow burningromance between a wolf and a human. The conflict of Meg’s rescue and attempts to normalize her life always propped itself up against the developing feelings between Meg and her rescuer, Simon. The major obstacle has always been the definition of romance as readers define it. Simon is a wolf who has a human form. While he can act human when necessary-he isn’t. So the human emotions behind romance-the kissing, hugging, hand-holding, sex, etc...isn’t the expected or normal route for this couple to follow. Compromise takes on a whole new meaning. Meg, for all intents and purposes, is a true innocent having been raised in a sort of commune with almost no real world exposure. She feels emotion but struggles to understand the reasons behind it and the nuances caused by it. Bishop does an excellent job throughout the series of balancing this learning process for both Meg and Simon with their true nature.

“I’m not human. I will never be human.”

“Is that so important?"

Etched in Bone gives readers an action-packed and emotional farewell to a long-running and enjoyable arc. While I’m going to miss the Lakeside Courtyard and it’s myriad of personalities, I look forward to book six and the next adventure Bishop takes us on.

Despite having received an early copy of Etched in Bone, I waited until the very last minute to read the book. Not because I was being lazy or I forgot about it, but because of how how dear this series is to me. I knew that once I was done reading Etched in Bone, that was it for me and Anne Bishop’s incredible cast. Going into a finale is always a bit of a nerve-wracking experience if you ask me. I worry that things won’t wrap up the way I want it to, but I had absolutely nothing to worry about with this author. Etched in Bone was a spectacular ending, that beautifully blended together just about everything I love about this series.

I was actually quite curious to see how Anne Bishop would write this last book because the main story line wrapped up in the previous book. While the plots in this series are very strong, it’s honestly the characters that are the cherry on the cake. You’ve got an amazing huge cast, who I’ve grown attached more and more to as the series has progressed. It’s actually quite surprising just how much I love this big cast, because I’m usually not one for those. Meg and Simon are the shining stars here, and watching how much they have influenced each other was honestly impressive. They’ve both grown so much and I felt so so proud of their strengths and independence in Etched in Bone, especially my girl, Meg! Simon and Meg’s dynamic is still a little shy and awkward in Etched in Bone, but there’s also an underlying fondness and respect for each other that had me squeeing in happiness and wanting them to kiss already whenever they were together. I’ll be honest, I would have liked to see more Meg and Simon scenes in this last book, because I’m such a romance-junkie, but then the ending came and it made up for the lack of scenes wholeheartedly.

Besides Simon and Meg’s bond, I once again loved how Anne Bishop explored the relationships between the Others and humans. There’s just something very real about the way it’s portrayed. It was fascinating to watch the Others and the humans in the Lakeside Community come together after the events of the previous book. I especially enjoyed the Thanksgiving-style dinner that they shared. They’ve grown to respect each other and it’s heartwarming watching them interact and stand by each other. But as always, there has to be a bad egg, and this rotten egg came in the form of Jimmy Montgomery who was bad news from the very start. The plot was centered around this truly despicable character, who ruins the perfect balance that the humans and Others have achieved. He made me so angry and I just wanted for someone to eat him. We also get the chance to learn more about the Elders, who still don’t fail to crack me up with some of their antics.

As you can tell, I have nothing but good things to say about this series. If you’re looking for a new series to become rapidly obsessed with and you haven’t read The Others, then this is the series for you. You’re in for one epic ride with one epic ship.

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 Written in Red. 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 Marked in Flesh 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

This one is dark. I did not think the story could get much darker than the destruction of the Cel-Romano Alliance of Nations in the last book. If Marked in Flesh represents the arrogance and brutal nature of humankind, then Etched in Bone highlights the chaos wrought by a single, evil human being.

My favorite parts revolve around the residents of the Courtyard. In some ways, the Courtyard is a crucible for what happens when individuals from diverse backgrounds learn to live and work with each other. It is a lesson on the development of trust through genuine interactions, which including faux pas and other misunderstandings, as well as friendly overtures and helpful offers. It is an example of how groups view the world through different lenses. As Kowalski so aptly says, “We look at the same things, but don’t see the same things. It made me realize how easy it can be to screw this up and send the wrong signal.” When you have a group from varying cultures there are bound to be mistakes, but trust develops from how the characters respond to the misunderstandings. Do they accuse and curse one another or do they give each other the benefit of the doubt? Do they hold a grudge or do they learn to forgive? Ms. Bishop gives us an example of a wide group of creatures living in a manner that is simple, but not easy.

There is a lot activity in the Courtyard. Simon and Meg are featured heavily and there is a growing awareness of their attraction to one another. Meg is still trying to find a way to reveal prophecy without destructive cutting. She remains in contact with the other cassandra sangue. But the most significant addition is the arrival of Cyrus Montgomery, Lt. Crispin Montgomery’s brother. He is identified early as a problem. He is an entitled, narcissistic con-man. Although, it is prophesied that he will cause havoc, the Elders want to observe him in the Courtyard as an experiment. They want to see how the humans respond to one troublemaker within the community. We learn about what can happen in a fragile eco-system when a bad seed is introduced into the mix.

Prior to Cyrus’ arrival, the Courtyard is still negotiating between all the different residents, but for the most part, it is at peace. I experience the narrative almost like a children’s story focusing on the comedic interactions between a wide group of shifters, cassandra sangue, and humans. Then the happy story becomes darker with Cyrus’ schemes. He is a dark stain with his manipulative, selfish, and mean behavior. The story becomes sinister and Ms. Bishop does an amazing job infusing the mood with a sense of negativity and dread. I feared for my favorite characters.

My one criticism revolves around the pace. Although Cyrus is identified early on as a troublemaker, it takes a while for his schemes to come to fruition. Cyrus spends a lot of time complaining and lamenting his situation because he is at the mercy of the Courtyard’s generosity, which is limited. He has no job and does not contribute to the greater good. Therefore, he is not allowed a lot of leeway. The story really gets moving when he actively puts his plans into play which occurs in about the last 30% of the book. Did we need all that time to establish his evilness? I’m not sure. Maybe the long characterization itself is a lesson about how corrosive one human can be in a community. Nonetheless, the last 30% is breathtaking. This is the kind of storyline I expect from this series. It is highly suspenseful and evocative.
Upon reflection, there are many messages Anne Bishop conveys in this installment of the Others. For me, it is one of the most thought-provoking in the series. I know I will continue to think about the larger themes of acceptance and limitations of tolerance.

I thought this was a great continuation of the Others series. The progression of the plot and the development of the characters was good. The world is a really interesting and definitely one of my favourite aspects of this series. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure read for me, as it's not something I normally gravitate towards. I think this is a fantastic series and I would recommend checking it out, especially if you enjoy urban fantasy.

Etched in Bone, the conclusion of The Others was bittersweet to me. I was happy to get another installment of this amazing series and sad because I knew it was the end of Simon and Meg’s story!

Meg’s presence in the Lakeside Courtyard changed so much between the humans and the terra indigene, opening them up and weaving them together as no one would’ve thought possible. The changes have come to the attention of the Elders, a fierce type of terra indigene rarely seen, powerful and deadly when they want to be. The Elders have stepped into the conflict between human and terra indigene when the Humans First and Last group made a concerted effort to wipe out them out. It didn’t go well for the humans, at all.

This is where the story takes off. Lieutenant Montgomery’s brother, Jimmy, comes to the Lakeside Courtyard when he hears he might have something to gain. This guy is a real piece of work; Simon, Henry, Vlad, and Tess know it, and are ready to toss him out before he becomes trouble, but the Elders want Jimmy to stay while they observe his actions as a kind of experiment on just what type of humans they should guard against. This was the perfect example of how one person can cause so much trouble, even with a tight knit community such as the Lakeside Courtyard, and it had my insides in knots at time. I have to say, Lieutenant Montgomery’s siblings were pretty awful, especially in contrast to his mother, Twyla and him. Twyla has become sort of a den mother to the Lakeside Community and I loved her to bits! The scene with Skippy and the dinner brought a few tears on!

The Others is one my all-time favorite fantasy series! The plots are engrossing and will put you on edge, but the real draw for me has been the relationships between all these varied characters. Of course, the most important to me were Meg and Simon. As the series has gone on, they’ve become each other’s “constant” and anchor in life. Even when Meg and Simon didn’t understand their relationship and feelings that bubbled up between them, it was so plain to everyone else! I relished every interaction, and oh, that ending scene!

I love that the typical animosities between humans and terra indigene fell by the wayside for the few who decided to work together in the Lakeside Courtyard, and their extensions. Their cooperation was fueled by Meg’s uniting influence. Like I said, I’m so very sad to say goodbye, and I’d kill for a Simon and Meg epilogue/novella/short story! (Pretty please, Ms. Bishop?!!!) But I was so thrilled to hear that Etched in Bone isn’t the complete end of this world. Even though the next book, Lake Silence, won’t be focused on the Lakeside Courtyard, there is a continuation. Click HERE for more info.

Etched in Bone is the final installment of Anne Bishop's The Others series. And as a final book, I do think it delivers on a satisfying ending as it builds upon events from the previous book.

While Bishop provides a compelling conclusion to the tension between the humans and the Others its the continuation of Meg's development that continues to fascinate me as does the reaction others have to Meg (both human and Other). Meg started this series as a blank slate and it's clear that in this final book she's changed greatly and embraced a more independent nature. Meg's tentative relationship with Simon is of particular note, since fans of the series have been shipping their romance from the start. While there is nothing traditional about their relationship, I think fans will be pleased by the authentic approach the author takes with their "romance".

The atmosphere of tension is also particularly well done in the final book. Some pretty significant things when down in the previous book, and the final book has many moments fraught with tension. One misstep on the part of the humans could mean the end of humanity, and that razor's edge suspense is continued throughout the book. What is appealing about this tension is the fact that it is easily correlated to contemporary issues, which I personally found compelling and thought provoking. Fans of the atmosphere of the previous books will not be disappointed with the direction Bishop takes them. The suspense was high but it was balanced with lighter moments as well.

Etched in Bone is a damned fine ending to a brilliant series. If you're a fan of deconstructing humanity and asking big questions in your fiction AND you still like an entertaining story, this is a must-read series. Seriously, go read book one.

I've been waiting a year for the fifth and final book in The Others series to come out. And I've had the ARC in my collection for months--I had to have been one of the first to be approved for it. My willpower is SO STRONG, guys. Sometimes I don't know how I manage to wait until the release month to read these. Probably because I just have way too many books in line.

Anyway, the anticipation was strong with this one. I've loved the first four, and the last one teased some mega romance. My body was ready.

But maybe my brain wasn't? Or maybe it's because I'm halfway through marathoning ASOIAF for trivia next week. THIS FELT LIKE SUCH A CHORE. I couldn't make it halfway.

Something about Etched in Bone just didn't measure up to the rest of the series. Slow doesn't begin to describe it. It also barely focuses on Meg and Simon at all, which is what I was really looking forward to in this last edition.

One thing I noticed, in the slowness, is that Bishop is continually reintroducing characters to us, even though this is the fifth book. Really, if you've made it this far, you should know her world by now--how packs operate, why Meg is special, etc. A little bit of that is fine, but it shouldn't still be happening more than 25% into the book. it makes the story/series seem very choppy and ruins the flow of it.

The plot also focuses around domestic abuse, and there is a LOT of victim blaming. For a series that unpacks mental illness and addiction, I was pretty grossed out by how this topic was being handled. Maybe it resolves itself later--but it wasn't looking good.

I hated to DNF this, but I hated to finish it more. When a book becomes a chore, it just is not worth it, no matter how much I loved the rest of the series. I'm so disappointed.

Fast and dirty-Meg becomes a humanal and humans can be horrible.
Meg has had such a hard time adjusting to an outside life. She has massive scars inside and out, many she will never recover from. She is human but not like the other humans. Finding a place where she can be comfortable to be alive in a constant struggle but she is finding a path and it’s not one traveled before. Love, is something she never considered, and when feelings come she fumbles and struggles with them.
Simon has a deep bond to this human but not girl. Is it more than his need to protect her, could it ever be more ? Poor Simon , he really has so much to deal with in this book.
The Elders set about judging, and finalizing their cleansing from the last book. They are watching always watching, but not always the best judges.

The relative that is like a black plague. We all have one. They manipulate, gossip, disrupt and make being related to them horrendous. Montgomery has the ring leader relative, his brother Jimmy. Jimmy couldn’t be any worse, and his black soul leeches out. There is nothing he isn’t willing to destroy to make his life easier.

I love Meg Simon, Sam, Skippy, Henry, Tess, Vlad, the Elders.. all of them except two which I completely HATE. Two despicable characters, but one is the turd topping on the turd pile, Jimmy. Oh don’t think me too harsh till you get to know him. I adore the beings in this world and when somebody messes with them they are messing with my friends. That is the kind of book Anne Bishop writes, she pulls me in makes me a part of her world.

That was the last book in Meg and Simon’s story ? Say it isn’t so, Anne Bishop. I didn’t get a resolved feeling. I wanted to see the follow through, the bing bang, or a puppy ? I need more, that did not feel like a rap up !

The fifth book in Anne Bishop’s wholly original series The Others, ETCHED IN BONE delivers on all the promise of the series: a dark yet hopeful story, the finale beautifully ties all the disparate threads of the series together. Many seemingly unconnected – or even forgotten – threads come together and are resolved, and while their conclusion was hardly neat (more like gory), it was certainly satisfying.

Throughout the series, readers have seen how the Others, shifters and other creatures who can appear human, have gradually opened up their community of Lakeside to include human beings. The two groups have alternately meshed and clashed, all thanks to one woman who belongs to neither group. As a cassandra sangue, Meg is able to speak prophecies and see into the future when she cuts her skin, visions that have helped her friends avoid disaster time and time again. But cassandra sangue can only survive so many cuts on their skin, so Meg must discover a new way to speak prophecy whilst battling her addition to cutting.

Seeing Meg experiment with different ways of looking into the future has been really interesting and rewarding: it’s given Meg the confidence to both stand on her own and accept help, and stick up for herself when she feels her friends are coddling her. It’s been a long, slow journey, and while the work certainly isn’t done, Meg has really come into her own and become more autonomous in ETCHED IN BONE.

As always, the development of interpersonal relationships between the characters was beautifully done. Anne Bishop has a remarkable talent for writing huge ensemble casts and making each character come to life, even when we never read from their perspective. The various miscommunications between the humans and Others and the resulting confusion is at times dangerous for all involved, but it can also be funny; the series is infused with a sly sense of humour that helps break up the tension and lightens up the admittedly quite dark world these characters are living in. While there are some pretty major differences between Others and humans, the beauty of ETCHED IN BONE is seeing fan favourites Simon, Vlad, and Tess realize that it’s the similarities between the two groups that really matter in the end.

There’s not much I can say about the plot of this one without spoiling anything, so I’ll just say this: the big bad in this story was truly repulsive and I loathed him more than any other villains I’ve come across in recent memory. Watching Others and humans – especially Meg and Simon – work against him was made all the more satisfying because of how much I despised him. Then again, basically any time Meg and Simon were on page together I was squealing. Their friendship and its ripple effect among the Others and human groups alike has literally shaped the future of humans across the entire continent of Thaisia (North America). If that isn’t the stuff of an epic slow burn romance, then I don’t know what is! Needless to say, I loved every second of their interaction.

If you think you’d like complex world building, a distinctly rural-feeling breed of urban fantasy, and compelling characters, then you’ll love ETCHED IN BONE. So hurry up and get caught up on this series already, because I need to flail about my OTP!

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!