In the alternate reality created by Anne Bishop in her new Others series, humans are a weak yet dangerously clever minority in a world governed by wild creatures, the terra indigene, through their control of natural resources and territory. Within each wilderness-surrounded human territory exists a Courtyard where the Others oversee the boundaries and agreements humans made to exchange specific goods and services for the land they occupy as well as the water and resources necessary for those industries allowed by the Others.

Meg Corbyn knows little of the world except those small and disconnected glimpses allowed by her handlers. In desperate escape, she is drawn to the warmth of Howling Good Reads, a bookstore within an Others Courtyard, where human law does not apply. Luck seems to be with her when she notices a job listing on a placard in the window. Only here among the unpredictable and powerful creatures who may see her only as prey does she have a chance at safety from those who seek to take her back to the slavery of blood humans have created around her kind. She has foreseen her death, but better to face it on her own terms than trapped within her former existence.

As leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, Simon Wolfgard is responsible for seeing that the residents of the Courtyard are unharmed by the humans surrounding them, as well as the smooth running of those businesses where Other and Human interact. This includes the hiring of the few human employees as positions open. There is a fairly high rate of turnover, so when a half-frozen female comes in at closing and asks to be considered for the Human Liaison position he hears her out, even as his instincts tell him she is not what she seems.

With WRITTEN IN RED, Anne Bishop delves into Urban fantasy, bringing her stellar world building skills to a new arena. It is an amazing novel, one that kept me thoroughly engaged from the moment I read the prologue through the intensely exciting conclusion. I have been a fan of Bishop's more standard fantasy fare for a number of years, but I already know this will become my favorite series of hers, and perhaps my favorite Urban Fantasy series overall. I've mentioned Anne Bishop's world-building skills, hand-in hand with those she brings characterization to a level not all achieve. Those who people her novels are far from perfect, yet always engaging. They become real to the reader within a very short span of time, and I find myself thinking about them long after closing the back cover.

Aspiring fantasy authors could do no better than to follow her lead, and study her work to learn how to build a compelling story set in a seamlessly crafted universe. For those who read without the dreams of publication, they can count on Anne Bishop to provide a story worthy of their time and book budget. WRITTEN IN BLOOD is the first in her new Others series.

Book Summary

No one creates realms like New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop. Now in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities—vampires and shape-shifters among them—who rule the Earth and whose prey are humans.

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

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