Written in Red Audiobook
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris
Published by: Penguin Audio 03/05/2013
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.
©2013 Anne Bishop (P)2013 Penguin Audio
Sample of Written in Red Audiobook
My thoughts
Written in Red is the first novel of Anne Bishop’s new series, The Others.
One of my favorite trilogy of all time is The Black Jewels, written by Ms. Bishop. If you haven’t read or even better, listened to Daughter of the Blood (first book), I urged you to do so, as it’s a good starting point to get acquainted with her incredible talent; let me warn you, it’s not for the faint hearted or prude, it’s very much an adult read, not in the sexy kind of an adult, but in the dark and violent way.
Her books are not meant to be read or listened to, they are meant to be experienced with all the glory that is her uncanny ability to create worlds and characters that stay with you well past the last chapter. Her style of writing is smart and challenging, but most of all is enthralling.
Unlike The Black Jewels, this could be enjoyed as YA read, the violence and sexuality (practically non-existent) are tamed in comparison; nevertheless, it still bears Ms. Bishop signature style.
Once again Ms. Bishop has created a complex, intricate and yet cohesive world that will drag you slowly but surely with each advancing page.
In Written in Red , Anne Bishop introduces us to Meg Corbin, a blood prophet that has escaped from what I would call wardens more than her keepers, and who with no knowledge of the outside world (except from what she has learned from pictures), now has to navigate a world full of monsters and unsavory creatures (vampires, werewolves and elementals to name a few) known as the Others .
To be able to survive, Meg (known to her keepers as cs759) has to learn the politics of this new world, and to grow fast and strong really quickly.
Meg knows that her keepers will be mounting a manhunt after her, considering she’s a valuable possession for her ability to predict the future when she gets cut (yes, there is pain), and this makes her a treasured commodity.
During her escape, she will find temporary safety in a Courtyard run by the Others, more specifically, it’s run by a wolf shifter named Simon Wolfgard, who, after finding her interesting in an odd way, hires her as a human liaison.
It will seem that, at times, Simon regrets his decision; after all, the Others don’t like or trust any humans, but the undercurrent will indicate the contrary. And this is why I love her writing, her characters’ feelings are never black and white.
As much as Meg can feel safe with the Others, she must never forget they will eat humans at a drop of a hat. And even though, rules have been put in place to secure the safety, of both humans and the Others… They still are, the Others….. Below the surface there is a current of danger… And oh boy! You feel it.
I loved the complexity of the characters; there is no good and bad as clear as you would find in other novels, but one thing is for sure, Megan Corbin will not only gain your sympathy, but you will love to root for her safety.
There is a lot more to say; a lot more characters to mention, a lot more plots going on, but I know you don’t have all day, and neither do I, so I just hope you discover on your own how original and unique, Written in Red is.
One more thing, I do have a hard time classifying this as an Urban Fantasy (it’s listed as such on Bishop’s web page) to me it reads more as a straight fantasy novel.
Great review:
The Author
Anne Bishop
Written in Red Audiobook Narration
When I downloaded this audiobook I had a strong feeling this was going to be one of my top ten books of the year, I was just praying that it wasn’t spoiled by a bad interpretation.
I’m happy to report that the narrator Alexandra Harris did justice to the magnificent writing of Anne Bishop.
Her interpretation of Meg left you no doubts how strange, uncomfortable and vulnerable she felt.
The depiction of the heroine inspired the right feelings. And her interpretation grew as the character grew. All in all, Alexandra did a good job with the protagonist.
I also like how the creepiness and the danger of this world gets transmitted to the listener. Listening to her describe the Courtyard put me right there, right off the get go.
Her male voices were very good, I particularly liked her interpretation of Simon; an all around menacing male, and I clearly got that without feeling any effort from Ms. Harris
Ultimately, this was a winner all around for me, and one of my top 10 listens for 2013.
Narrator
Alexandra Harris
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