Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

March 4th, 2016 Kimberly Review 65 Comments

4th Mar
Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Marked in Flesh
by Anne Bishop
Series: The Others #4
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Length: 15 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 5 cups

For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community... Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically. But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

urban EPIC Fave Narrator Auto-Buy howlinggood

Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop is the fourth book in the urban fantasy series The Others. With brilliant world building and unique characters, I devoured this and already I am craving book five. Complex, relevant and captivating Marked in Flesh once again transported me to Thasia.

Full disclosure –  I am a tad OBSESSED with the Others series. I actually have a ritual for reading them.  It begins with listening to the audiobook narrated by the talented, Alexandra Harris. Then I read the hardcover and follow-up on my eReader randomly reading chapters here and there. Yes, I own all formats of this series. I am sure some of you understand particularly fellow readers who belong to Fandoms.

“Cutting is about revealing prophecy, and the euphoria that we feel when we cut is our bodies’ way of protecting our minds from what we see. The only way we can remember the visions is to swallow prophecy—if we don’t speak, if we don’t describe what we see, we’ll remember it.”

Marked in Flesh shares a violate time for those living in Thasia. Tension is high between the Others (terra indigene) and the Humans First and Last movement. Meg and the other Cassandra Sangue (blood profits) are more important than ever as attacks are being made against the Others.

Delivered in multiple POVs, Bishop shared the tension, violence and both sides of the ongoing issue. We are on the brink of war and everyone is on edge. While I love spending time in the Lakeside Courtyard  I appreciated the different perspectives from humans to those in different settlements. It allowed me to gain a strong sense of the world, become emotionally connected and feel like I was part of these volatile times. While humans and others do not always understand each other, it is becoming clear they have come to rely on each other. The Cassandra Sangue are adjusting to freedom and looking for alternative options to cutting for their visions. It was dark and fascinating.

We see a little development in the relationship between Meg and Simon, but we did not get nearly enough page time with this adorkable couple. Instead Bishop focused on the divide between Others and humans. The humans who stand with the Others are shunned and denied services. We spent more time with other key characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. A new territory developed for the Others and new faces both human and other are introduced. I have a feeling future books will be divided between different settlements. The Elders and the creatures belonging to Namid both fascinated and scared the ever-lovin’ stuffing out of me. We even spend time inside the head of one of them.

Bishop’s writing is beautiful and well paced allowing me to slip away from the outside world. I have never read an urban fantasy series that compares to the Others series. Unique, and breathtaking Thasia is a world I hope we never stop visiting. There is so much I want to discuss from things that made me cry to banter that had me giggling aloud. However, I do not want to spoil a single word for you. In some ways Marked in Flesh wrapped things up and answered our questions, but this world and story is far from over leaving me hopeful that Bishop and Penguin will give us a sixth, eighth, eighteenth book in this series.

Alexandra Harris has narrated the series since the begin and is the voice of Meg, Simon and the others in my head. This is why I must listen first. I thoroughly enjoy listening and find her pacing and tone enjoyable. It is my hope she continues to narrate all of Bishop’s books.

While Marked in Flesh and the Others series is an urban fantasy it is also a series for the masses, from its vivid world, beautifully fluid writing and unique characters. I highly recommend you try them.  I finished the final chapter and found myself once again waiting anxiously for the next release.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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65 Responses to “Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop”

  1. Eva

    ♥ this series, too and I agree this installment is fantastic! This is one that makes you think and keeps you guessing.

    my review

  6. Ramona

    I love your “ritual” and the fact that you own the series in every format available! Now that’s commitment and loyalty 🙂 I’m very ashamed to admit that I haven’t tried the series yet, though it is on my list. But your admission will now move me to do it for sure! It does seem as though I’m seriously missing out… Hope you are well, Kimba. Have a good weekend!

  7. Kathryn

    You’re a true fan with all those formats! I am so looking forward to this one and it would be an automatic buy for me too – one format though!! I am sure I’ll then be waiting anxiously for the next one too after I read this one.

  8. Rita

    Great review! I can understand this obsession with an author & series and wish I could latch onto even more. It’s a great feeling to anticipate the next installment 🙂

    I like how you mention that it’s for folks who might not be into UF that heavily. Good comment. Sometimes readers like me shy away from UF thinking it’s all woo-woo and not enough plot. This sounds like it has both!

  11. Melissa (Books and Things)

    NooooooOOOOO! Another brilliant review of this book. I still haven’t started the first book. I cannot wait to dive in. Unfortunately my library only has the first book on ebook and not on audio. Darn library! Just means I’ll have to get to it a bit later.

  13. Heidi

    I am so excited to listen to this one. I am starting ASAP. Everyone is loving it.

  14. miki

    i’ve started this series late but i’m addicted too, just need book 3and 4 (and all the rest after as each book bring more mysteries)

  15. Candace

    I love this series so much. I have to listen to them on audio but I haven’t tried to read them. I can see how this is a series that can be reread easily though so I get that. As soon as I get another audible credit I’ll probably get this. Although part of me wants to wait a little while longer so I don’t have as long of a wait for the next one.

  16. Lorna

    I listened to book 3 and enjoyed it. Read all the other books. Where did I get the idea that the next book was going to be the last? Somebody somewhere said that and I was so disappointed. Hopefully I am wrong! I was like you, finished this book and then was like :”so how long until the next one?” I can’t recommend this series enough!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think she was contracted for 3 then bumped to 5 and omg I hope there is more. I am not ready to part with this world. Maybe a spin-off IDK. Makes me ill thinking about it.

  17. Lekeisha

    Just added Written in Red to my Amazon cart! I’m not sure when I’ll hit the order button because I’m trying to see what else I need to add. Can’t wait to start this series!

  18. sherry fundin

    I haven’t read any of the books…yet, but from your review, I think I need to check them out. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.

  19. Sophia Rose

    Your ritual and multiple copies definitely doesn’t sound strange to me. There are a few series or authors I have a wee obsession with that occupy all devices and are carefully read.

    I have book one and I need to get busy and start this series. I’ve seen you and Melanie and others give it high praise.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes, you have a full year to play catch up, so you can squee in anticipation for the next book! I am glad you understand, non-book friends crinkle their nose at me like I am crazy.

  20. Jenny

    I’m so excited for this book Kim, but I’m bummed we don’t get as much Simon and Meg time! I WANT ALL SIMON AND MEG:) I’m hoping the final book gives us a little more solidity to this relationship that’s been building. Still, I don’t think Anne Bishop is capable of disappointing me, so I’ll be devouring this on Tuesday:)

  22. kindlemom1

    *high fives you and throws in a fist bump for good measure* I’m a tad obsessed with this series too, it is just so freaking fantastic. I loved this even if we didn’t get quite as much Meg and Simon time (and romance!) as I wanted.

  23. Melanie Simmons

    I so love this series too. I only have the audiobooks. This is the first year that I haven’t done a relisten before listening to the newest book. I think that means there will be a relisten in my future. I love your use of adorkable and a great word to describe Meg and Simon. I love how this series is so dark, but chuckle worthy in spots too. Great review.

  24. Wattle

    I just listened to the preview and really liked the narration 🙂 I must admit, the concept reminds me of another series I’ve read; though I am sure it is very different. I think I’ll have to check this series out!

  25. Bookworm Brandee

    Everyone is loving this book and this series! I keep meaning to read it but haven’t made it there yet. I love that you have a ritual for reading this series. That says quite a lot about how much you enjoy it, Kimberly. I’m going to make a point of starting this series SOON!

  27. Silvia

    So good, huh? I’ll definitely have to give this title a go, I’m really intrigued!

  29. Nick

    YAAAY! I’m so happy to see this was a huge success for you, Kim. I’m sad that there wasn’t enough Simon & Meg time, but this series is so good with the other elements as well, so I don’t even mind.
    Great review and I can’t wait to pick up my copy on Tuesday!!