Review ~ Murder of Crows ~ Anne Bishop

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
The Others #2
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased on Nook
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: 
Goodreads

Synopsis
After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside's shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Oh boy! I sure do love this world and spending time with the inhabitants of Lakeside and its Courtyard. I'm guessing you can tell how much I love it considering how quickly I read book #2?!? =)

Murder of Crows picks up essentially where Written in Red ended. The Others are still dealing with the threat to themselves as well as trying to avoid an all out war and also trying to protect Meg from those who'd try to take and/or harm her. And there's another issue - that of Simon and Meg's friendship/relationship and all the ramifications it could have.

I adore all these characters - their dynamics and interactions. Seriously love. But what makes this story that much more rich and engaging is that it's so thought-provoking. I think there are many parallels in Bishop's world and our own. I think there are some lessons we would learn - lessons in things like nature vs nurture, preconceived notions and prejudices, and the cyclical nature of animosity...I have 2 pages of notes! My family knows all about Meg, Simon, and the Others because it's a story that is constantly making me think and I have to share. LOL Maybe it's just me and Bishop didn't intend for all this thinking to occur...but this world affects me.

On the lighter side of things, I'm enjoying watching Meg and Simon as the fall for one another. And while its certainly a slow-burn (I don't even know if anything will ever come of it!) and I wouldn't mind things between them moving along more quickly, things have to move at this pace because Meg is so inexperienced in the world. It wouldn't work with her and Simon any other way.

I also admire how Simon and his Courtyard have taken on Meg's pack, how Simon's Courtyard differs from all others in their dealing with humans, and how it sets an example for all the others and Others.

I liked the new characters I met in this installment - especially Jean and the Intuits and I'm excited to see their impact on the story overall. I'm simply excited, period. I'm eager to see what happens next - what new danger will present itself and how relations between humans and Others will change - better or worse?

There's not a thing I didn't like about this story. And I'll be reading book #3 ASAP.

#TravelingtoTerminus Review ~ Magic Rises ~ Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels #6
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased Paperback
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Best Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack's shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there's little available in Atlanta.

Kate can't bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute--and they'll pay him in medicine. With the young people's survival and the Pack's future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer--but they have little doubt that they're heading straight into a trap...

It's been a few years since I read the Andrews - they welcomed me back into the Keep with open arms...and bared teeth.

Magic Rises evoked so many feelings, I thought I'd list them here.

• Sadness and Anger

I felt sadness over what the Pack was dealing with watching their kids go loup - and not being able to do a thing about it. I was sad and angry that the Pack was pulled into a trap with a cure being dangled as bait. And I was sad but mostly mad at Curran over behavior and my lack of understanding it for a large portion of the book.
I was saddened and angered that Kate was made to feel as though she'd never fit in the Pack - that no matter what she did, how loyal she is, how long she'd fight, some would never fully accept her.

• Surprise

I was shocked at who was behind the trap and all that went down after the reveal. I was surprised at some of the horrific things that occurred while the Pack was performing their duties away from the Keep. I was surprised at the many new creatures introduced and the mythology behind them.
I was shocked, horrified, and deeply saddened by certain events that happened at the direction of the one who set the trap as well.

• Satisfaction

The Andrews know how to deliver a well-crafted story. It was engaging and compelling. It was action-packed with incredibly choreographed fighting scenes. They inject just enough humor to keep me from wanting to curl up and cry. Their characters are exquisitely crafted, personalities crystal cut and clear. And their mythology and world building is riveting.

Magic Rises has it all! And I'm chomping at the bit to read the next installment. I can guarantee it won't be years in between.