review: etched in bone (the others #5) by anne bishop

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. ~ Goodreads

Source: e-arc provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:

I’m really not adverse to writing negative reviews. But when every single person is in LOVE with a series and book and your the odd woman out, well…yeah. So here goes – don’t throw things at me! lol

I fell so in love with the first book in this series - and of course with Meg and Simon and The Others.

It was a must read series for me. The struggle to integrate humans with the The Others – the creatures (shifters, vampires, blood prophets) that are the natives of this world. Humans basically need their permission to exist. The entire human race could be wiped out in a blink of an eye if they piss off the Terre Indigene. One small community of Others, led by shifter Simon Wolfgard, tries to create that space where they can all coexist peacefully.

TBH, I've been less then thrilled with the last two books, feeling like things were dragging out and that there was less and less of The Courtyard and Others that I had loved so much. But I was still in love with Meg & Simon and the upcoming epic battle so I persevered knowing that Etched in Bone was the final book in this series but I was disappointed.

Bishop added new characters that don't really mean much and local cop Monty Montgomery’s asshole brother was completely unnecessary to get the plot where she was trying to go. There were far more sinister forces that could have put Meg in danger and lead to the same place without creating this convoluted family drama.

So much of this series hinges on you being torn between the humans trying to maintain their brand of civility and modern trappings while coexisting with the Others more wild ways and terrifying brand of enforcement. It was cute when they were figuring each other out at first. For example Meg made the shifter puppies dog biscuits. They’re wild creatures but now they’re addicted to dog biscuits and dog beds.

My problem is I don't care one iota about the humans other than Meg and a few of her friends anymore. They are whiny and demanding. There is no need to keep them around. All they do is put a strain on the Courtyard and then ask for more. The Others provide food, jobs, shelter, schools, gardens, meat, books, 4 place table settings and yet they’ll come up with one more thing that they want. Can’t we have chicken? JFC! Be happy they let you live and protect you instead of asking for more.

On a more technical note - there were looong, boring chapters about how to help the humans share washer/dryer time, how to get the fussy humans more beef, the benefits of yogurt. Who the f cares??

You have this rich world that Bishop built, with wonderfully complex characters and the blood prophets and we're discussing laundry and cheese? Dealing with a simple leach of a brother? That just wasn’t interesting to me.

There’s been a very slow unfurling of relationships and consequences and it seemed to all get thrown aside for more mundane issues that I could have read in any chick-lit contemporary novel.

I know everyone is a huge fan of this series so I suppose this review only applies if you had problems with the last few books like I did. If you didn't then you will love this one as well.

I didn't hate it AT ALL but the magic is gone for me and I'm just kinda bored with the whole thing.

As for Simon and Meg – highlight for spoiler: You do get a nice, if rushed conclusion. I would never expect sexy times or anything like that with them after all she’s been through but it ends up being more of – well are we doing this relationship thing or what kind conclusion. It was sweet and I’m happy with it but I wanted more emotion and together time after 5 books.

So SORRY!!! Just ignore me and my negative review…nothing to see here lol