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Etched in Bone
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Etched in Bone
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Etched in Bone
Audiobook16 hours

Etched in Bone

Written by Anne Bishop

Narrated by Alexandra Harris

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves...
 
After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders-a primitive and lethal form of the Others-the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man's-land beyond their borders-and the darkness...
 
As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery's shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.
 
With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end-with her standing beside a grave...
LanguageEnglish
Release dateMar 7, 2017
ISBN9781524756284
Unavailable
Etched in Bone
Author

Anne Bishop

Anne Bishop is the bestselling author of the Black Jewels series, the Tir Alainn Trilogy and the Landscapes of Ephemera series. Her novels are published in Australia, Germany, the UK and Portugal, as well as the United States. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading and music.

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Reviews for Etched in Bone

Rating: 4.248954359832636 out of 5 stars
4/5

239 ratings17 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    More character driven than some of the others, there's little action and a lot of squabbling among a character set that's now grown so large and diverse it's hard to keep track of who's who, let alone their species or location. Possibly not the best place to jump back into the series after a long gap.Everyone's settling back down to the new normal after the Elder's revenge. Normal ow means rationing and restricted food until new supply routes can be found through 'safe' areas, and transport in general is disrupted. However Monty's no-good brother and his family who are no better than they should be, have managed to make it through to Lakeside. Nobody's really that keen on Jimmy, but although lots of disruption seem to happen now that he's here, there's not yet sufficient evidence to do any more than warn him off. Jimmy's not that keen on warnings though and soon thinks of ways to improve his lot. Everything else is obvious.Lost the innovative sparkle and world building of the early books, and hasn't quite developed the characterization required to fufill the loss - probably not helped by the large cast. There were a few continuity holes too, details not followed up which just leaves you feeling a bit flat.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of my favorite series, and this book did not disappoint! So, down to business.The 5th, and potentially last, book in Anne Bishop’s The Other series follows Monty, the liaison for the police department and The Other, as his dirty brother comes to town expecting to live off of The Others, Meg continuing to find out how to deal with her life-threatening visions, and Simon trying to figure out if friendship is enough for him. The Others have taken over and retaliated against the humans in Thiasia, and the elders are watching Lakeside to determine how much human they should keep. The elders are ancient and terrifying creatures.This book is wonderful and feels like more than one book with all the activity that goes on! That being said, this is the 5th book in a series, possibly the finale (which I will get to) and SHOULD NOT BE THE FIRST READ. Go read these in order. At some point this week I will do an article about this whole series that I own on my nook and may buy in print to have for easy comparison. (Clearly, I have a problem.)Please make sure to follow this site and get updates on books, movies, and TV shows!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I enjoy this series! And love Skippy and Tess. This novel was a good *gasp* ending in the Meg and Simon story. While that makes me sad I hope we see them again.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    And the series winds up, Humanity has discovered that it's prey, or at least most have. The Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, but when Lieutenant Montgomery's dodgy brother arrives looking for something for nothing and not wanting to mend any fences. Although Simon and the Lieutenant want him gone, more powerful forces than him want to watch him, see how he worked, only he makes tensions worse. When he threatens Meg things will change forever.An interesting look at how humanity copes when they're not at the top of the food chain.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Another five star review for The Others series! Now is a perfect time to jump in because ETCHED IN BONE is the last book to focus on Meg Corban. Meg is once again in danger and it comes in the form of Lieutenant Montgomery brother. This guy was a huge piece of work and it's clear from the moment he steps into the Lakeside Courtyard that he is trouble. He had no clue who he was messing with and he deserved everything that came his way in the end. I really loved the progression of Meg and Simon's relationship. Things moved slowly for them, but it fits with both of their personalities and it wouldn't have seemed real for it to move any faster than it did. One of the great things about this series is that it isn't only the main characters that drive it. The secondary characters are just as developed and integral to the storyline. The Elders continue to be surprised by the howling not wolf, the female pack integrates even further into the Courtyard and a few other characters throw us some surprises in ETCHED IN BONE. I can't believe that there are five books in this series and I have absolutely loved them all. It is so rare to find a series like this and I am so sad that this is the last book to focus on Meg. I really hope that we aren't leaving the Lakeside Courtyard for good as I would miss everyone way too much and there is so much story left to be told about them. No matter what, I won't stop reading about this world until the author gives me a reason not to and I just don't see that happening. * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This turned out to be my favorite book in the series. It is a really great series so that is saying a lot. It took me almost a week to read this book. Not because it was slow but because I was extremely busy with work. Anytime I had a free moment, I had this book in my hands and I enjoyed everything I read. There were some moments that really stayed with me and one scene was so touching that I had to stop reading so that I could share what was happening with my family. It was a really nice conclusion to the story revolving around this group of characters.Some of the earlier books in the series spent quite a bit of time away from the Courtyard. This book stays with Meg, Simon, and the other characters living within the Courtyard which I actually liked a whole lot better. This book has a big focus on the humans that have become a part of the community, including Jimmy and his family who are new additions. The Others and the humans are working well together and things are looking really promising except that Jimmy and his family are not making life easy.Jimmy is Lt. Montgomery's brother. Montgomery actually has his entire family at the Courtyard including his mother, daughter, sister, and her daughters. He didn't invite his brother who has been a trouble maker and criminal for years. Jimmy finds out where they are and shows up and starts causing trouble the moment he arrives. It was really easy to hate Jimmy and his wife was no better.It has been really nice to see this group of characters grow and their relationships develop over the course of the series. Simon and Meg become closer with each book and some of the humans are also becoming very attached. Montgomery's mother, Twyla, was amazing in this book. She says what needs to be said and is firm but extremely caring. There is a scene with Skippy that really moved me and Twyla's reaction to everything made it even more. This is a series that really does need to be read in order since each book builds upon the previous one. I would highly recommend this series to fans of urban fiction. I am looking forward to future books in this series even though they are supposed to be about a different group of characters. I have my fingers crossed that we will get a least a glimpse of these characters again. I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group - Roc via NetGalley.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Full review to come.Notes:-This is the aftermath. What happens after a huge upheaval? Back to normal? Or are there smaller threats to deal with?-Not many book series deal with what happens after the confrontation with the big bad; just a small epilogue to see if the main pair gets together with a hint of a happy-ever-after.-I also like the fact that the books feature shapeshifters who don't go Hulk, all-dominating, caveman-behavior to show their alpha tendencies.-Anne Bishop's books have special snowflakes in them but the book worlds didn't revolve solely around them making the story absurd and ridiculous. -I love how she writes and deals with everything, everyone, and each and every facet.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I just read that this is the last book in this arc. I'm not sure what that means for sure, whether there will be another sequel series or only something related. If it's the latter, I was hoping for more out of this last book. If the former, than I suppose I can wait for more. This was an engaging story and kept me hooked for most of the way. A good addition to the story, but I really wanted more romance from Simon and Meg. Can't decide why I wanted it so much - maybe because there was a lot of potential there and it was hinted at over and over again. Regardless, as stories go, this was a good one. Check the series out some time.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I really love this series. It's an alternate world unlike anything else I've read. It's different enough from Bishop's other series not to be repetitive, but has some of the same elements (good vs. evil, an unbreakable moral code, sexual trauma, humor, and just a touch of romance) that make all her work compelling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop is the fifth and last book in The Others series, though I did hear there may be more books about Thaisia and its inhabitants. This is a series that, at least in my opinion, needs to be read in order. The inhabitants of the Courtyard change subtly over the five books in various ways that culminate in Etched in Bone.Meg Corbyn, the cassandra sangue, has mostly stopped cutting, suppressing the need by using her prophecy cards in lieu of the cutting euphoria. Things at the Courtyard have settled down; the Others and the humans are adjusting to living together after cataclysmic events of the previous books where the Humans First and Last movement tried to erase the terre indigene from all the lands. The story builds slowly as Monty's brother 'Jimmy' and his family arrive to disrupt the fragile peace. While the other books dealt with bigger issues and movements, Etched in Bone is more about how this one bad apple can also cause destruction on a different scale. Jimmy is a grifter who mistreats his wife and children, takes advantage of his siblings and mother, and just generally causes trouble. Right from the beginning, the reader wants the Others to eat him, but Namid's Teeth and Claws make them accommodate him, wanting to learn more about this one human troublemaker. The relationship between Meg and Simon Wolfgard has deepened. Meg is growing up, learning to deal with the real world after her years of confinement and Simon is patient while helping her adjust to new activities and changes. There are some lighter moments; I especially liked the turkey hunt and the Elders asking for their treats. All in all, Etched in Bone is a satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So at this time (2022) this is the last "Others" book featuring this cast and location. I hope that the Author revisits it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good ending to an equally good series. Lazy worldbuilding aside, these books were a really enjoyable ride.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I've been waiting and waiting for this book. I love love love the world. It's not a very good book. Alas.

    But, if, like me, you don't really care that the plot is a stretch if it means you get to spend more time with the characters (a check-in, if you will), I still highly recommend it. It did feel an awfully lot like, well, heck, I need some conflict, so let's manufacture some. A little too formulaic, and little too much like she's already said all that she had to say in the last book, but still some quality time in a quality world. I'm excited to hear about the new series coming out.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The latest in The Others series has the Courtyard secretly hosting the Elders as they observe the humans that live there. A known troublemaker moves in and is being allowed to stay only because he is related to Lt. Montgomery. His family knows he causes strife and is always looking for the easy way to slide through life. But the Elders want to see what happens. There is progression with Sam and Meg. For the most part this felt more like a book of smaller stories and things happening to lots of people to set up future stories set in this universe. Over all I enjoyed it but I certainly wouldn’t recommend starting here at all in the series.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm sorry that I have to say goodbye to one of my favorite series. However, I understand that Anne Bishop has announced she'll be returning to THE OTHERS world in 2018! I certainly enjoyed ETCHED IN BONE, in part, because it's narrower in scope then book 4 (which I also loved), which means that we get to spend more time with Meg & Simon and less with the rest of Thaisia. This character driven plot has a focal point around Cyrus James Montgomery, a con artist (and the family he drags along), who sees Lakeside as easy pickings because he has an in with his brother, mother and sister already in residence. Jimmy's presumptuous, arrogant, and just plain stupid if he believes that he can hide behind human laws in the Courtyard. The terra indigene mete out their own brand of justice and while it's ugly and barbaric, it certainly fit the crime. CJ's schemes escalate until he does the unthinkable. A shot to the heart would have probably hurt less!Anyway, the citizens are busy picking up the pieces of whatever is left in the wake of Namid’s claws and teeth. Cel-Romano has practically fallen off the map, most of the land has been reclaimed by the wild country, and food rations abound in the surviving cities, including Lakeside. The Simple Life folk and the Intuits are thriving, and the Cassandra Sangue are still a work-in-progress, but for the average human, life is simply hard. Meg's female pack make inroads with the Others by breaking bread together for the first time, and two Elders observe it all like some twisted science experiment.There are several delightful moments in this book which I'd found to be lacking in the previous volume. Skippy will surprise you; also we see first hand what happens when a cassandra sangue previous cuts are crossed with new cuts; Meg Corbyn's saved in the wild because she's the howling not-Wolf, and, yes, something DOES happen between Simon & Meg on the romantic front but don't get your hopes set too high. I would certainly have been happier if there was another book in this series to answer some of my remaining questions but I'd have to say Etched in Bone was certainly a happy finale and I look forward to additional OTHER books in the future. Jack Murphy
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the fifth and final book in The Others series by Bishop. Bishop said in her blog that there are plans for future books set in this world, but that this book ties up the storyline involving Meg and the Lakeside Courtyard. Although the story takes a bit to get going; this book did a wonderful job of tying up the series. It ended up being an amazing conclusion to all the elemental events that started happening in the last book.As I mentioned it took me a bit to get back into the story. In the last couple books the story has gotten so broad, spanned so many areas, and added so many characters that it took me some time to get my head around it all when I started reading this book. However, once the story started focusing a bit more on the Courtyard and the people there I got sucked right back into it.This book does jump around quite a bit and there are multiple storylines going on. There is the broad storyline about the Elders and their decision on which humans should live and which shouldn’t. Then there is the more localized storyline about Montgomery’s brother coming to Lakeside and causing a boatload of trouble. Of course in between all of this is the story about the blood prophets and how those girls are recovering. The storylines end up coming together well in the end; but much of the book feels a bit scattered.We meet some new characters in this book which was fun. We also get to see a lot more of the Elders and the Elementals; these creatures are fascinating. Meg goes through a lot in this book, as do all the residents of Lakeside Courtyard.I love how detailed, unique, and filled out the world in this series is. That is one of the main reasons I kept reading this series; because I loved the world-building so much.Things are tied up very nicely in the end. I would have liked to see a bit more happen between Simon and Meg; maybe we can get a novella or something about their life after all these events and how it progresses.Overall this was a wonderful conclusion to this series and was very well done. The story does start out a bit slow and at times seems a bit scattered because it jumps around so much. However, once I got back into the story (after the first 25% or so) I was completely sucked in and engaged in this world again. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy fantasy written in an urban fantasy tone that has intricate world-building and engaging characters. I look forward to seeing what future stories Bishop sets in this world!