It is no secret that The Others series is one of my absolute favorites and anyone that has ever picked up one of the books, doesn't have to question why. With it's unique take on supernaturals and Bishop's unique voice, it didn't take very long for this series to win me over and steal my heart.

This is a series that I pretty much drop everything for when I start it. Laundry doesn’t get done, calls get ignored and the world (okay maybe just my family) knows to leave me alone until the very last page is done because I will be useless until then anyways. I get completely immersed in the world, in the story, and in the very characters themselves and this latest installment was maybe even more so.

With knowing that this very well be the very last one, I savored it, devoured it and the whole way through, read it with a sort of bitter sweetness to it. It was hard to put down but at the same time I wanted it to last forever.

I will say that if this is the very last one, I am completely happy with the way it all came together. With the way things were answered and the way things were left with an air of expectation and lots and lots of hope.

I can't even describe all the emotions I had while reading this. There were characters I wanted to hold tight and give a hug to and others that I seriously wanted the Elders to get a hold of and all the while, I still couldn’t get enough or love the series any more than I was.

This has been such an adventure, such a journey and one that was worth every single minute and undone laundry and housework and all.

I have really enjoyed The Other Series. I have been so looking forward to this book and was excited to get an ARC of this. I'm sure it is just me but this fell a little flat for me. It had a hard time keeping my attention and just felt like it was a whole bunch of filler plots tied in with the main plot.

I wanted to see more of Meg and Simon and I know it's UF so romance isn't the focus of the story but I wanted to see more of it. Just my own personal thoughts and opinions on how I wish there was more development with them. I wanted more and their story left me unsatisfied.

Overall this series is so different and that is what I love most about this series. This series is a must read I feel especially for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.

A Recommended Read/5 Hearts
SJ for Romance Junkies

ETCHED IN BONE by Anne Bishop is the fifth book in her A Novel of the Others series. Oh. My. God. This series is phenomenal, and Bishop continues to take the characters to deeper, darker places while giving them hope and growth in a world constantly changing. Kudos to Anne Bishop for making this a 5 Heart book top her 5 Heart series! If I could, I'd rate this book an 11!

The story continues where MARKED IN FLESH, book 4, stopped. The humans are still encroaching and testing the Others, so much so that the Elders are not sure how many more humans to keep around. As in, keep alive. The Others rule the world, and the humans live on their lands only because the Others have granted them permission. After the war in the previous books, it's not a sure thing that humanity will survive their own stupidity. So the Others send out a pair of Elders to study the Lakeside Courtyard, where a small "pack" of humans lives in harmony with the Others there.

Led by Simon Wolfgard, the terra indigene (Others) in the Courtyard have not only embraced their small human pack, but they've definitely added Meg Corbyn, a blood prophet, to their enlarged family. Meg is integral to those who live in Lakeside. From the wolves to the Elementals to the Sanguinati. She protects them through her visions, and they in turn protect her innocence from those who would try to take her away.

But a human arrives who manages to stir up everything, and if they're not careful, the Courtyard in Lakeside might have to give up their humans. Permanently.

Bishop manages to draw the tension to a tight snap as events unfold. One nasty human being does so much damage, even though Simon and the Others know he's bad, they can do nothing because the Elders want to watch how a small, seemingly insignificant human can upset the peace.

The author does a fantastic job of continuing to show how those in the Courtyard interact and enrich each other's lives. The relationship between Meg and Simon deepens, and I was over-the-moon thrilled at how the story ended.

I so hope she pens many, many more stories of the Others in the Lakeside Courtyard. The world Bishop has created resonates long after the story ends. Now I'm going to go back and reread the series (thus far) from beginning to end. ETCHED IN BONE is a fabulous book not to be missed. Urban fantasy at its finest!

A RECOMMENDED READ!

A Novels of the Others series in order:

WRITTEN IN RED
MURDER OF CROWS
VISION IN SILVER
MARKED IN FLESH
ETCHED IN BONE

This was absolutely brilliant and I am so lucky I had to opportunity to read this in advance. This is not a book that someone could just pick up, it is very much a part of the series. If you have not read The Other series, I highly recommend reading it, because this series is insane and Bishop's work get stronger and stronger with each new installment. 10/10 because five stars just isn't enough!

5 Stars

When a truly excellent series comes to an end, readers and the author alike feel the stress of expectations, hopes, and fervent wishes for the final book. In this book, the last of Meg and Simon’s story arc in The Others series, ECTHED IN BONE, much is riding on whether the Elders, a “primal and lethal form” of the terra indigene who rule the world, feel they should continue to allow some humans to live in Thaisia. The blood prophet, Meg, and Simon Wolfgard’s relationship as well as her connection to the terra indigene in the Courtyard of Lakeside balances the future of humans on the edge of a knife. The Others essentially wiped out the nation of Cel-Romano for bringing war by attacking the shifters in an effort to be a human-only part of the world. Lakeside was largely spared and because of the unique relationships between some humans and the terra indigene there, the Elders have decided to closely observe humans connected with the earth natives to figure out who are bad ones. The affected parts of Thaisia still remaining and those areas that were mostly destroyed are trying to rebuild under the deadly watchful eyes of the Elders. Tensions are high and people are stressed for what happens in the Lakeside Courtyard, the Intuit, Simple Life communities and other shifter controlled places in Thaisia connected to the Courtyard will determine its fate.

Despite the harsh violence in this series, Simon and Meg’s tentative relationship has a sweet innocence which is the heart of the story. Everyone around them realizes they are mates, but since that kind of relationship has not been seen or understood in Thaisia’s memory, no one is sure what that means for them and the Others. They have taken tentative steps towards each other throughout the series. Simon and Meg are both changing and evolving; their relationship brings something new to the world which gives hope for the future. Meg has once again seen some chilling prophecies as she continues to try figuring out how to make a prophecy card deck for herself and the other cassandra sangues so they can live a life unshackled by the need to cut. The human “pack” becomes more intertwined with Courtyard life always aware that one wrong move can swiftly end in death by Namid’s teeth and claws. Monty, as the police liaison, has perhaps worked harder than anyone else to form the bonds of trust and a functioning relationship with The Others, so when his criminally-minded, abysmal brother, Jimmy, shows up looking for opportunities, he knows strong potential for disaster exists.

When two Elders arrive in the Courtyard to observe the human pack in order to learn how to determine which humans are enemies, the leaders of the Courtyard are very unhappy because they recognize a serious threat, but the Elders, like many kinds of rulers, do not heed their people’s warnings. Because they are also fascinated by Meg, the “howling not-Wolf,” Lakeside becomes their test case.
This is truly one of the best Urban Fantasy series; I have enjoyed it immensely. Anne Bishop has created a world where readers root for the terra indigene who consider most humans “clever meat” which shows the writer’s skill. While Meg and her kind are not prey and those in her “human pack” are people who want to be good neighbors to the earth natives, it’s easy to feel that the humans who make war simply to conquer, or are prejudiced against the Others for being different get their just rewards. And it’s not pretty.

Anne Bishop’s prose strikes at the heart revealing deep emotions whether of joy or wounded places. The world she has created is fascinating, thrilling and, sometimes, very chilling and somehow disturbingly beautiful and calls me back long after I have finished reading.

I must say 'The Others' is one of the best series I've ever read in my life. The story is very well-thought out, the world building is fantastic. I believe the strongest quality of this series are the characters. There are a lot of characters but they're all very original and unforgettable. I also love the romance, it's subtle yet so powerful and addicting. There are also hilarious moments in between chapters, I always find myself laughing out loud! Anne Bishop never disappoints! I highly recommend this series and this book!

This is a must read spellbinding 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. This tale kicks off after the Elders have made their displeasure known to the humans. I loved this book so much that I have already re-read it about ten times. Each time, I find more nuances I appreciate and wish to bookmark for re-reading.

Meg, the blood prophet is doing her best 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. Instead the cards help her see the immediate future. This allows her to warn the Lakeside Courtyard and their allies of impending danger. All Meg needs is a little peace and quiet to experiment. Unfortunately for her and the Courtyard, there is still much unrest and a lot of rebuilding to do.

Storylines with rebuilding and starting over are a favourite of mine. It could be, because I yearn for the opportunity to be in at ground zero to start rebuilding. It is something that excites and motivates me. Ms. Bishop does a wonderful job of showing how animals in human skin try to rebuild a better world than the one destroyed. There are still many human behaviours they do not understand. One of them is sexism. Human females are prevented from certain jobs because of their gender. The residents in the Courtyard do not understand this concept and their puzzlement is fascinating to watch. Ms. Bishop writes in several social issues in her books. I find that in this series, it is more powerful because she removes it one step away through using the different Others. In some senses, the Others are like children before they are taught hatred, racism and all the other negative categorizations. And this is why I enjoy this series so much. It shows a possible way of life where we can be less judgmental and work together. This is not to say the Others are perfect. There are a couple who display behaviours which are not conducive to the whole group. The respected leaders of each group immediately nip this in the bud. It is an utopian type of society interaction which makes me want to be in this world.

From a world building perspective, it continues to grow and impress. For some, it may seem a little dark. For those who were raised on the original Grimm Fairy Tales, this story is so good. There are consequences for actions and they may end in death. I find this to be so attractive. It is an object lesson which many do not understand nor care. It is clear the majority of humans in this world also struggle with this concept. Their "special snowflake" entitlement and constant demands for free handouts are anathema to the Others and especially the Elders. It is interesting to note, Ms. Bishop writes it in a way that it is not a lecture. Instead, she presents the Others and Elders's confusion because human behaviour does not make logical sense.

This story is more than just rebuilding. It does contain a little bit of love interest as Meg and Simon move at a snail pace towards their sensual kisses. Honestly, the romance in this story is not needed but it does add a sweet adorable element. For me, it is an allegory for interracial relationships. Simon's fear of losing too much of himself to become human for Meg is a struggle I have sometimes, when relating to my non-Chinese husband. There are parts of my culture and traditions that do not make sense to those outside of the culture. Just as it is hard for Simon to explain how some things work as a Wolfguard. And if he becomes too human, does this mean he will no longer be Wolf? Just as my assimilation into a non-Chinese culture could be deemed as becoming less Chinese. Will I still be accepted by the Chinese? Some will not accept my integration and no longer see me as Chinese. Same for Simon, if he loses too much of his Wolf, he is afraid that he can no longer be The Wolfguard. In addition, Meg's attraction to him is because he is Wolf. Simon's dilemma hits close to home for me and pulls me further into this world.

Lastly, Ms. Bishop always adds a bit of humour at the best times. During the tense times, she injects unlikely humour which makes me bust out chuckling. One notable scene which makes me laugh is the demand for "more cukkes". This demand from an Other is unacceptable to Meg. Her response to the demand is hilarious, as is the startlement of the Others at her response. These little light touches brings a fun into this rather dark tale. This paranormal fantasy is highly recommended to all readers.

Really three stars, but Ms. Twyla Montgomery is so amazing that she alone merits the addition of a fourth star.

This has become one of my favorite series. I truly enjoy the discoveries of the world that Meg continues to make as well as the relationships she builds with others. I loved the interactions between Meg and the Elders. The only weakness that I found was in the villain and the slightly predictable events that occur around the finale of the book. All in all, an enjoyable read. Any chance of a story involving Tess or other supporting characters?

This book continues the Other’s series by Anne Bishop. Since the Elders have put down a human rebellion, those left behind are unsure if any humans will be spared. At the Courtyard, Simon continues running a community that blends humans and other’s together. The Elders, particularly curious about how the community works, begins watching. When a potential agitator moves to the Courtyard, the Elder’s demand that he be allowed to stay, so that they can study the agitator’s behavior and influence.

Although I thought this book was better than the last, I still thought the characters were extremely weak. Meg seems to get weaker and needier with every book. Simon seems to lose intelligence, lose understanding of humans and grows more jealous with every book. Although this book was a bust, but Anne Bishop is my favorite author and I will continue to read anything that she publishes.

I'm so sad this is the last book. I've heard there will be another book in the same world, but not centered around the Courtyard we've come to know and love.

There is a lot of emotion in this book. Everything from funny moments (Meg treating an Elder as a naughty puppy), to emotional abuse. There is definitely a case of "some people shouldn't be allowed to have kids" in the book.

The police play a large role in this book, as do the Elders, and of course Meg and Simon. There is more relationship building on all sides, and we come full circle as Meg once again follows prophecy visions.

You would think that by book 5, there wouldn't be much left to world-build with, but there are still a few surprises in store. All the characters have felt so real in every single book, and this final one is no exception. There were a few twists I didn't see coming, as well as ones that I did (and have hoped for, for ages now!) This is definitely a series I will be re-reading for years to come.

If you haven't read this series yet, you are really missing out!

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was not a quick read in one sitting book. I am a huge fan of her series. I highly encourage you to read the first books before you start this one. I am giving 4 stars to this book because while I did enjoy it and loved seeing the characters continue to grow throughout the story and watch their interactions with each other unfold it didn't hook me as much as the first ones. However, in saying that I must say that I am extremely happy I read this book and finished it because of how she concluded the story. I am already anticipating what is to come next for our characters.

One final note is that the character development in this book is great as always. You can really care for the characters and want what is best for them or really hate them and want them to disappear. I highly encourage you to either try this series if you have not and definitely read this book if you have read her others. It doesn't disappoint.

One of the best urban fantasy/supernatural series ended with "Etched in Bone". The story of Meg and the Others concludes with this book, which is big and covers almost everyone who live in the Lakeside Courtyard.

The Elders roam Thasia after the events of the previous book and Simon's Courtyard becomes the center of the events which can determine the fate of all humans. I adored every moment he and Meg shared, which are much more than the previous books. As also the little family they have made with Sam and Skippy.

The human pack also has its iwn story to say. From Monty and the police force to the children and the elderly Twylla Montgomery who also lives in the Courtyard. There were also many funny episodes between chapters which gave a lighter tone to the story. Seeing the Others trying to find out more about human behavior is always very funny.

The ending of this series was very satisfying. Though I wouldn't mind more of Meg's and Simon's story to be told, I recently discovered that Anne Bishop will write another series based on the Others universe. But still, I want to learn about Jana the police officer and the male Wolfgard who is her boss! That would make an amazing couple!

I just absolutely love this series!!!! The characters and the story lines are so addictive! Anne Bishop is such a talented author. I will be recommending this book to patrons in my library.

This was another amazing entry into The Others series. What I love most about this series is that the Others are not just humans who can turn into wolves or hawks or crows. They truly are alien to the human characters. In this world, humans exist on sufferance. The land is owned by the terra indigene. Humans are just another kind of food for most of them. The Lakeside Courtyard is one of the few places where humans and smaller forms of the terra indigene interact.

After the events of the previous book, everyone is on edge. The Elders are trying to figure out how much of the humans to keep and whether or not they are worth the bother. They send two of their Elders to observe the interactions between humans and Others in the Lakeside Courtyard. They haven't picked a really good time.

Lieutenant Crispin James Montgomery is one of the humans that the Others trust. He is living in their compound with his young daughter Lizzie. His sister and her two daughters and his mother have recently come from the destruction in Toland. His mother is making a place for herself in the Courtyard but his sister is too much under the influence of his brother Jimmy to fit in. When Jimmy arrives with his wife and two children all sorts of things start to go wrong. He is a bad person. The wolves want to expel him from the Courtyard but the Elders want them to keep him around to observe. He wreaks all sorts of havoc.

This was a smaller story than the previous book but just as emotionally intense. Simon Wolfgard and Meg Corbyn are falling in love which is a new experience for both of them. Meg is a Blood Prophet who is trying to find a way to control her need to cut herself to trigger her visions. She is the role model for the other younger blood prophets. Simon is trying to understand Meg and take care of her but he wonders if they can ever have a relationship. A wolf and a human seem an unlikely pair.

Despite the emotional intensity, there were all sorts of elements of humor too. The actions of the human pack which the Others tend to refer to as exploding puffballs is constantly baffling and sometimes scary to the Others who deal with them. Talk about cultural misunderstandings!

I loved the way that Meg makes friends with all the various others from wolves and crows to vampires and elementals. I also love her relationship with Simon's nephew Sam and his friend Skippy. I thought the potluck and the humans acceptance of Skippy was one of the most touching things I've read in a long, long time.

I love this series and gladly point to my keeper copies when people want to know what great paranormal books look like.

This installment was great, for once the threat wasn't so much from the Others which puts life in Thaisia in perspective...lots to fear besides the Others. Another thing I really love about this series is that it reminds me of the Soap Operas that I grew up with. Not the melodrama so much as the style...you can almost hear an announcer saying, "Meanwhile at the mayor's office" and the story cuts to the Mayor's office for another part of the story from another perspective. Just love this series and am dying with the realization I am going to most likely have to wait a year for the next installment. UGH!

Satisfying end of this series. It was a pleasure to find the characters once more and learn more about them.

“Just a game. Simon thought we’d had great fun. Bet the other wolves did too.”
“And you?” Monty said.
“We look at the same things, but we don’t see the same things. It made me realize how easy it can be to screw this up and send the wrong signal.”

The human rebellion has been brutally put down by the Elders, and the ones left are unsure of where they fit and what to do. The more human terra indigene are also unsure as to what the Elders want. Everyone is on edge, and territories are being redrawn.

Left mostly well enough alone is the Lakeside Courtyard, for which everyone is grateful. Blood Prophet Meg and Simon Wolfguard try to maintain the balance that they have worked so hard for, but when Lieutenant Montgomery’s bad seed brother shows up, will that balance be broken? Meg has seen the future and it is bleak- her, standing next to a grave in the woods.

What I loved

Reading about Simon and Meg is like coming home to me. I love their squabbles, Meg’s continued learning about what it means to be human, and more importantly, a woman, and Simon coming to terms with the fact that he is becoming an integral part of the human community while maintaining his wolf nature. The character development in this installation was rich and relatable, and the police and other girls in the community got a lot more page time. This helped the world build also, since a post-human wipeout world always requires some survivors to give context.

I also loved that the romance narrative is (slowly but surely) progressing! While a good fantasy does not require a romance sub-narrative, it is never unwelcome when done right, and I love the slow build up of Simon and Meg as they come to terms with the feelings they have for another. Can a Wolf love a human? Can a once-victim learn to love, physically and emotionally, when she was once denied those feelings? Bishop handles this so well, so delicately. The reader wants to know more.

What I didn’t love as much

There is not much to complain about, except for some minor characterization issues that are personal opinion. I felt that the Elders’ reactions to things were sometimes… out of place? I just can’t picture the all-powerful forces of nature feeling shame, or guilt about not knowing something. In my head, they’d just act like they meant to do what they did all along and then do what the terra indigene ask of them. Their feelings of humor at Meg’s reactions and other such little whimsies I understood more, since forces of nature would be capricious, but any admissions of fault just seemed out of place.

Lieutenant Montgomery’s characterization also felt a little heavy-handed. The man is evil, but is he too evil? There is no feelings of love, guilt, or compassion at all, only greed and self-interest. It made him very easy to hate, of course, but he was almost too easy to hate.

Like I said, personal problems. This did not stop me from full-heartedly loving this installation into The Others series, Etched in Bone, and anxiously await the next one! Anne Bishop is my hero. Five waves! Pre-order now so it’ll be on your doorstep March 7th!

You know how with a lot of series, the last book is all about the big battle, and then there’s only a small section of emotional wrap up? Not here, baby! The big picture stuff was pretty well resolved in book four, leaving Bishop free to go back to the core relationships in the Lakeside Courtyard. And since I love these characters beyond belief, I was a very happy camper.

Yes, there is still peril to the Meg, humanity and the smaller shifters, but the focus stays on our main cast. The world building in this series is brilliant, the characters, both human and shifter are treated with poignancy and heart. They experience such aching growth and the interpersonal dynamics and romance will have you longing for more.

If you haven’t picked it up yet, the series is complete so now is the time. And if you need more convincing, tell me what I need to say to get you to buy book one (Written in Red). My heart was full of joy when I finished the book and yet I was so sad that it was all over, but hey, that’s what re-reads are for.