Written in Red

January 7, 2013
Bishop (the Black Jewels series) wraps a generally by-the-numbers urban fantasy in ill-conceived world-building. In this alternate universe, Native Americans have been entirely erased; instead, the natives of Thaisia (the continent analogous to North America) are Others, monstrous paranormal beings like vampires and werewolves. Despite the Others seeing humans as “meat” and brutally maintaining ownership of the continent, human settlements feel just like present-day small towns. Meg Corbyn, a human with precognitive gifts, escapes human slavers and finds sanctuary in a town’s Courtyard, the Others-only section where human law doesn’t apply. She gets a job working for shifter Simon Wolfgard, who’s puzzled because she doesn’t smell like prey, and befriends a number of other Others. Meanwhile, Asia Crane, an actress spying on the Others for the chance to get her own TV show, brings potential trouble for Meg and her new protectors. The offensive setup does nothing to enhance the familiar special-snowflake heroine’s journey of self-discovery and implausible romance. Agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary Agency.

Starred review from February 1, 2013
For her latest dark fantasy series, Bishop (Twilight's Dawn, 2011, etc.) invents an entire Earth-like world, Namid, populated by a fascinating array of supernatural Others--and the humans who are their prey. On the continent of Thaisia, humans are tolerated for their technical and inventive talents, but they tread very carefully, knowing that if they transgress, they'll be lunch for shape-shifting wolves, raptors, bears, vampires or worse. Into the northeastern city of Lakeside, in the middle of winter, staggers Meg Corbyn, freezing, friendless and desperate. A cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn sees the future when her skin is cut--for her, the result can be agony or ecstasy. She and a number of like young women were slaves of the Controller, whose rich clients pay well for their visions. Naive but resourceful Meg escaped and now seeks refuge in the Lakeside Courtyard, the business district operated by the Others. Against his wolfish instincts--Meg is human, but doesn't smell like prey--Simon Wolfgard hires her as Human Liaison, a job that entails running the local delivery office. And Meg proves adept at looking after Sam, Simon's orphaned nephew, so traumatized by his mother's death that he's locked in wolf form. Simon has other problems too: pushy Asia Crane, secretly a spy for the mysterious Bigwig; disturbing and unaccountable reports from out west of humans and Others running berserk and slaughtering both each other and their own kind; and the human police, who have been instructed to urgently locate someone who looks very much like Meg Corbyn. It all adds up to a stunningly original yarn, deeply imagined, beautifully articulated and set forth in clean, limpid, sensual prose. A must for fans desperate to move beyond boilerplate urban fantasy.

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Starred review from January 1, 2013

Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, a blood prophet who sees the future when her skin is cut. Along with others like her, she has lived under the tight reins of her Controllers, with no actual experiences of the real world. Knowing that eventually blood prophets lose their usefulness and, usually, their lives, Meg seeks refuge at the Lakeside Courtyard, a part of the city owned and operated by the Others--shapeshifters and other supernatural creatures. Even though the Others have ample reasons to despise humans, they give Meg a job as the Human Liaison, dealing with the elements in the outside world that do business with the shapeshifters. As Meg learns more about both the world of experience and the society of the Others, she also becomes aware that her Controllers are not going to let her go without a fight. VERDICT The award-winning author of the Black Jewels series (Daughter of the Blood; Heir to the Shadows; Queen of the Darkness; The Invisible Ring) continues to craft well-plotted fantasy that is filled with sensuality and detail and populated with characters who compel the reader's attention. This urban fantasy should appeal to fans of Tanith Lee, Tanya Huff, and Storm Constantine.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2013
Bishop ("Bridge of Dreams") here launches a new fantasy series about the world of the Others, nonhumans (vampires, shape-shifters, and other supernatural types) who rule over and prey on humans. Meg Corbyn is a seer who escapes her servitude and hires on as a liaison for shape-shifter Simon. The uneven tale unfolds as Meg and her gift of prophecy become a point of contention between the Others and the humans. Narrator Alexandra Harris accomplishes strong voice differentiation among the various characters, but the narration overall lacks vitality and enthusiasm, detracting from the enjoyment of the tale. VERDICT Recommended for fantasy lovers. ["[Bishop] continues to craft well-plotted fantasy that is filled with sensuality and detail and populated with characters who compel the reader's attention. This urban fantasy should appeal to fans of Tanith Lee, Tanya Huff, and Storm Constantine," read the review of the ROC hc, "LJ" 1/13.--Ed.]--Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll., Newburgh, NY

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.