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    Marked in Flesh
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    Marked in Flesh
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    Marked in Flesh
    Audiobook15 hours

    Marked in Flesh

    Written by Anne Bishop

    Narrated by Alexandra Harris

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Fourth in the "flawless" (The Reading Café) New York Times bestselling series from the author of Vision in Silver.
     
    For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they're willing to tolerate-both within themselves and within their community...
     
    Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial-both personally and practically.
     
    But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don't realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others-and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs...


    From the Hardcover edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMar 8, 2016
    ISBN9780147525154
    Unavailable
    Marked in Flesh
    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 Marked in Flesh

    4.5/5

    326 ratings29 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      I love this series! I'm heartbroken over the wolves and Joe especially stupid HFL people
      It's going to be hard to wait for the next one to come out
    • 5/5
      Shit gets real.It couldn't any more real than finishing the book two hours before dawn the next day.*HFL vs. terra indigene*HFL vs. people who like to work wtih terra indigene*The Elders come out to play*If our own Mother Nature have teeth and claws this effective, where will we be? *Humans will be gone in a blink.*The eff??? Why Joe Wolfgard?*Simon and Meg. It exists. It's subtle. It just slides in. No one bats an eye.*If XXX is gone, what happens next?Full review to come.
    • 5/5
      Spoilers inside proceed at your own risk.

      Well as many are expecting things just got real. HFL are being idiots and in this book everything escalates. The entire plot is bigger and encompasses many towns and settlements so I love seeing all the interaction between them. I also love how much The Others in the Lakeside Courtyard have opened up to the fact that not all humans are bad, despite how many humans in this series are. I love the new characters popping up everywhere and of course there are touches of Ms. Bishops signature macabre style.

      I'm intrigued by the new settlements and blood prophets as well as the Elders who bring down the house (literally). I love seeing the scope of the terra indigne (sp?) and can't wait to continue this amazing series. The books continue to get better and better.
    • 3/5
      It's starting to move a little slow, but that might just be because of the format (audiobook, a little bit at a time while at the gym). But, it seems like it is taking FOREVER for things to progress. Still love all the characters though!
    • 5/5
      In Marked In Flesh, the fourth novel in her 'Others' series, Ms. Bishop ramps up the wish fulfillment against racists, polluters, and the greedy in general. The action in this entry is dated Sunsday, Juin 5 to Thaisday, Sumor 19.Nick Scratch ('Old Nick' and 'Old Scratch' are two old-fashioned nicknames for Satan), continues to promote the evil and foolhardy 'Humans First and Last' movement. Meg Corbyn is working on being the Trailblazer who will show her fellow cassandra sangue (blood prophets) how to survive.Chapter 1: This is where Simon and Meg have a conversation about his being a wolf no matter what form he's in and about a baby bunny.Chapter 2:a. Lizzy Montgomery is 7 years old.b. Enter Captain Burke's cousin, Shamus David 'Shady' Burke.c. See books three, Vision in Silver, for Pete Denby helping Douglas Bruke get information about Meg's former owner, the Controller.Chapter 4: Hope Wolfsong has an alarming vision.Chapter 8: a. Nadine's Bakery has been vandalized by poor spellers.b. Hope drew the elderly blood prophet Simon met when he was young.Chapter 12: Officer Montgomery's mother, Twyla, has an important phone conversation with her elder son. (Sounds as if little Lizzy has the misfortune to have jerks for uncles on both sides.)Chapter 13: Tolya and Nyx Sanguinati come to Bennett.Chapter 14: Meg's letter to Jean is here. It mentions the Squeaky Dance game.Chapter 15: Ruth's family is being nasty.Chapter 16: Look here for Officer Kowalski being asked to confirm advice in a Ms. Know-It-All Others' Etiquette column. (Hee!)Chapter 21: a. Kowalski advises Simon about bison.b. Meg and her human pack evaluated fortune-telling cards.Chapter 22: a. Harry of Everywhere Delivery warns Meg about changes at his workplace. A suspicious package is delivered.b. Vlad and Meg talk about the accuracy of her prophecies.c. Monty has a phone call with his sister and mother -- his brother is definitely a jerk.Chapter 23: Not everyone in Cel-Romano is a twit about the Others,Chapter 24: We're introduced to Atlantea, the Atlantik Ocean elemental.Chapter 25: a. One of Meg's card decks frightens Jester.b. There are some interesting messages exchanged.Chapter 27:a. Things are getting ugly between Prairie Gold and Bennett.b. We're introduced to young Rachel Wolfgard.Chapter 29: Meg reads the cards.Chapter 30: Hope is horrified by her latest drawing.Chapter 45: a. The River Road Community's enforcer, Roy Pantergard, has arrived. b. Simon explains to Steve Ferryman that gard names can be specific for one form or include several forms. Lynxgard includes lynxes and bobcats. All kinds of bears are Beargard. Panthergard is for panthers, mountain lions, cougars, jaguars, leopards, etc.c. Michael Debany approaches Vlad about a job for his sister.Chapter 47: Nick Scratch takes a trip.Chapter 49: a. Ruth and Karl call their families. b. Michael Debany's parents and sister come to the Lakeside Courtyard.c. Shady Burke, back in Brittania, sends a message to Douglas.Chapter 50: a. Meg earns a new nickname from the Eldersb. The Elders discover they like wolf cookies (which we'll learn more about in book 5).Chapter 54: Michael Debany's sister, Barbara Ellen, wants to be called 'Barb' instead of 'Bee' at her new job.The lessons taught in earlier books haven't been learned. The twits who join the Humans First and Last Movement are going to have to learn harsher lessons. If the news frustrates and enrages you, enjoy some nasty types getting force-fed their just desserts!If you're here for the romance between Meg and Simon, it's inching further along.
    • 4/5
      Humans run the risk of making themselves extinct. If the top of the food chain dislikes you for being foolish and threatening them, you are going to have to expect retaliation. Humans first forget that tolerance is a different beast from being right and they learn it the hard way.It's interesting to see how things are progressing and how human greed and stupidity can triumph over common sense and intelligence.Looking forward to the next in the series.
    • 5/5
      As always, Anne Bishop pulled me in to this book and I had a hard time putting it down until it was finished. While I will admit that the previous book in the series was so good that this one doesn't quite satisfy the way it did, this book was still extremely entertaining. This one focused more on individuals than on "will all humans be exterminated?" like the last book did, so we were told a story on a much smaller scale then the last book. That being said, there was still a lot going on in this book and I highly recommend it.
    • 4/5
      I do love this story but this book started out really slow for me. It did pick up and moved much faster for the second half of the book but I found myself having a hard time staying focused during the first part of the story. This is a series that is very detailed and I think those details became tedious for me as the story started to unfold. Once things really got going, I did move pretty quickly through the book and really enjoyed myself.One of the things that I do love about this series is the characters. Previous book have been largely focused on Meg and Simon with a lot of great supporting characters. This story featured Meg and Simon less than the in previous books. They are still central characters but this book spent a lot of time away from the Lakeside Courtyard. I liked the characters that were featured in these other locations but I missed Meg and Simon. This book does pick up right where the previous book left off so this is a series that really needs to be read in order. The world is in turmoil with humans and the Others at odds. Of course, it isn't all humans that are causing trouble but the Humans First and Last organization has grown and is making plans to take control of the land away from the Others. The fight between the groups will end up being dangerous for everyone involved.I would recommend this series to others. I think that the world building is very strong and the story is filled with characters that are hard not to like. I can't wait what will happen next!
    • 4/5
      I liked book 4 more than book 3, even with the soap opera type of presentation. The issues presented in the other books in the series move from conceptual to "gettin' real." This book shows cause and effect of actions. The Others world is captivating, intriguing, and refreshing. Humans are not the top of the food chain. Good character, storyline, and plot development.
    • 5/5
      4.5 stars. Another great one in the series. I really enjoyed this one - the suspense is building and building. I can't wait to see what happens next. One thing I'll say though, I was expecting a bit more action from the big ones. I also missed Sam. Didn't get very much of him in this one. Anyway, Meg and Simon.....it's going to happen....eventually. This is a very slow burn going on.
    • 5/5
      While I really love this series, I am getting a bit tired of the "where's Meg", "Meg's OK", "Watch Meg". Meg can't sneeze without 10 different beings checking in on her. Oh well.
    • 4/5
      Ok, so the only thing I did not like about this book is that I'm finding it hard to imagine where the story will go from here. Both satisfying and sad, but such a large culmination of events that I could see this being the end of series, and that would be tragic. Mostly because I crave these books. I love reading them. I love the not-so-subtle war between human greed and nature's survival and the peculiar point of view of the inhuman wolves.

    • 3/5
      And I’d thought the *last* book was dark! That was nothing compared to this one.

      I have a lot of feelings about the overall arc of the series, about how huge the expansion of the world and story has grown from book one, but if I’m just looking at this installment, it’s just as good as the rest of the series. Maybe a pinch more actually a three star book than the others in terms of quality.
    • 4/5
      The fourth book in a great series and as good as the others.

      The group of radical humans is gaining power and popularity. They attack the Others and the people who work with them but the final aim is to usurp land they think they diverse. What they don't know is that deep in the woods there are creatures much more ominous and cruel than shapeshifters. And those creatures are about to loose their temper.

      I generally liked the plot but it is quite dark and disturbing. I wish Joe wouldn't die, it was sad and somewhat unnecessary. The book lost somewhere this speck of humour and lightness that appeared in the previous books. Also, I would prefer to see more interaction between Meg and Simon, some development in their relations beyond the final scene which is not nearly enough. This way they wouldn't move on in the next seven books or so.
    • 4/5
      The fourth book finally has everything come to a head with the story lines. Meg is still struggling with finding a way to control her prophecies. Hope is also working a new way of telling her prophecies without cutting and it works for her but will not work for everyone. And what Hope sees is scaring everyone. Things come to a head with Humans First and Last with them attacking Others on their own land. Things in the world are changing and will not be the same by the end of the book. I really enjoyed this one and it was nice not to have a cliffhanger ending. Now to sit tight and wait for the next one, I have to admit it was nice finding a new to me series and reading 4 books in fairly quick succession.

      Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
    • 4/5
      I would like to thank Roc & NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book to review. Though I received this e-book for free, that has no impact upon the honesty of my review. Goodreads Teaser: "For centuries the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they're willing to tolerate - both within themselves and within their community... Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial - both personally and practically. But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don't realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others - and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs..."This eagerly awaited book picks up right were Vision in Silver left off, at the edge of humanity's extermination. Yet most humans remained oblivious to the fate they, or others, were courting. But the Simple Folk, Intuits, and a few smart humans remembered the stories, and knew the only way they could possibly survive what had been set into motion was by remaining friends with the Others. Or more specifically friends with the terra indigene that made up the buffer between the humans and the oldest of the Others. As always Meg takes a role that is front and center, but this time she's sharing it with Hope and Jean, two other blood prophets that had been rescued from the Controller. Add to that several humans, not just Meg's female pack, but local police from Lakeside, and a smattering of others from around the known world. That alone made this book different from those that precede it. I'm still deciding if I like this new different or not. It's definitely good, but the intimacy of Meg, Simon, and the other Lakeside Courtyard residents created an addiction; I went into this book expecting more of the same, and while I got more, I also got less - all at the same time. I anticipate days of sitting with the story before I really know exactly where I stand on this alternate approach. The new characters are good, as are the expanded roles for existing characters. The challenges each group faces make for interesting reading, and left me wondering where I'd stand in each player's role. For the terra indigene it's trying to find the perfect balance for not just themselves but those they've accepted responsibility for; for humans it's trying to present examples of how humans can, and will, work within the boundaries created by the Others. Why didn't the smart humans simply have Nicholas Scratch assassinated before he could cause any further damage? Was it for fear of making him into a martyr, thus furthering his cause? And why were people so quick to follow his lead? How did they become so dense, forgetting the agreements that existed with the Others - and the history of what happened to those that broke those agreements? It certainly makes for great commentary on the shortsightedness of humanity as a whole, and almost makes me wish that the earth did have protectors that would rise up and smite us for all the damage we've already caused. But then that may be wandering a bit far afield from the story. Maybe. I found the confusion over interpersonal relationships was very entertaining, especially Simon's confusion over Meg and his questions of just how human he'd have to become to be her mate. Assuming she was ever ready for a mate. But I certainly think he's more than willing to take that chance and wait for her. And I get the feeling that her body already knows how she feels about Simon, even if her mind hasn't yet caught up. This book read a bit more slowly for me than its predecessors, at least until about 3/4 of the way through. Not that it was to slow! Simply that the buildup to the end of the book took most of the book. It was an interesting balancing act, and one I've not really seen Ms. Bishop do before. But as always she did an excellent job of it, and I know that if there are any more books in this series (or anything else she writes), I'll grab them first thing! Ms. Bishop has a real talent for making you feel very strongly about her characters, either loving or hating them, rarely with anything in between. And of course the pace of the story flows right along with the emotional highs and lows of the protagonists, so you know that you'll always be in motion when reading anything she's written. I can't wait for another of her books; until a new one comes out I guess it's time to start re-reading another one of her series.
    • 5/5
      This series always makes me want to keep on coming back.I love the characters that we meet.The characters grow and learn. So that you want to know more about them.
    • 5/5
      Well, obviously I loved this one. I almost went the whole 5 stars, but I was able to put it down when I finished and not just start re-reading it, so I figured it must be lacking something. Let's call it "not enough Tess". But honestly, I had some fears over this one because surely the author couldn't keep on writing books this consistently good; surely there had to be a weakling among the litter? If there is, it hasn't yet been written. Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down. That's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read it yet. But yes, it is well worth the read.
    • 4/5
      Its a fitting end to this story, although, I find it hard to believe that the humans are so disconnected with the scary others, that don't think they are a threat, when it is so obvious. I don't get it - the author wrote a good story if you can ignore this obvious plot whole.Its a good book - the characters where interesting, although I found that the characters really didn't grow a whole lot. I did like how the humans and the others came together. The writing is well done.
    • 5/5
      In this story, Humans First and Last think that they are ready to take over lands held by the terra indigene - the Others - and find that they have bitten off much more than they can chew from someone who is more that capable of biting back.The story begins with Simon receiving a message from the Elders that he will have to decide how much human to keep. Naturally, he goes to Meg to help him decide. Meg is also busy trying to find a way to deal with prophecies without having to cut herself. The cutting is an addiction that creates a euphoria that she craves. She is experimenting with a variety of fortune telling cards. She is doing this not only for herself but for the other cassandra sangue who are living in various parts of Thaisia and who are looking to Meg for guidance.Meanwhile, HFL policies and sabotages are growing more common and more frequent. The human pack inside the Courtyard is growing as those who are branded "wolf lovers" are taking refuge there. This is a worry to Simon who fears that there won't be enough resources to take care of all of them. But saying no to Meg when she wants to offer protection to someone else is not something Simon can do. It is interesting watching those in the know try to figure out what they have to have if society ceases to exist and each place is on its own and in danger from the Elders. It was also fascinating to see some of those previously unseen Elders and see that the terra indigene, who are so frightening to humans, have things that frighten them too. I love the growing relationship between Meg and Simon. But I think what I like best about this series is the portrayal of the Others which is so different than most paranormal series. These are humans who can sometimes put on a wolf suit. These are wolves who clearly think differently than humans do. I can't wait for ETCHED IN BONE coming in 2017.
    • 4/5
      I liked book 4 more than book 3, even with the soap opera type of presentation. The issues presented in the other books in the series move from conceptual to "gettin' real." This book shows cause and effect of actions. The Others world is captivating, intriguing, and refreshing. Humans are not the top of the food chain. Good character, storyline, and plot development.
    • 5/5
      This series continues to be awesome. The characters continue to develop as the world as they know it changes drastically. I keep wondering if Ms. Bishop will be able to keep up the interest and pacing, and she does, splendidly so! Now I only have to wait until March, 2017 for Etched in Bone!
    • 4/5
      This was a good addition to the series. It ties up a lot of loose ends that have been hanging since the beginning of the series. However I don't think that this is the end. The ending makes me think there will be another book dedicated to the budding romance between Simon and Meg. At least I hope there is. :) This story didn't seem very long but most of that was because the whole book was a lead up to the ending where the Others extracted their punishment. Very page-turning even when not much was happened because you knew what was coming. Looking forward to more.
    • 5/5
      Marked in Flesh is the 4th book in The Others series. For all of the violence that takes place, in some ways this is the easiest story for Meg Corbyn. Meg is growing up and learning how to deal with her prophecies in new ways. Simon Wolfgard is learning better how to deal with Meg and the human pack that belongs to her.This story is about the culmination of the HFL actions and it goes about how you would expect if you've read the other books. There are a lot of new characters introduced, most of whom are entertaining/interesting. I did miss Sam, Skippy, Father Erebius, the Crowgard, and some of the characters who didn't get as much of the story as in other books.Since I just finished the story, I was quite struck by one passage that seems prophetic in our own world. "Stavros had found this epiphany quite entertaining since it came in the wake of Scratch's final speech, in which the man stated he could not be held responsible for actions other people took because they misinterpreted his motivational speeches as a call to commit violence against the terra indigene. Every man should be held accountable for his own actions."The parallels that Ms. Bishop is drawing with our own election cycle was quite striking to me. And appalling.I love the series and this book was no exception. I can't wait for the next one.
    • 5/5
      The conflict between the Others and humans has been brewing for a while and MARKED IN FLESH brings it to a head. Namid’s "claws and teeth" are finally fed up and they come out to take care of the HFL movement and no human is safe, that is unless you know the right people willing to vouch for you. I have an immense amount of love for The Others series and I thought MARKED IN FLESH was another hit.I can't say I was surprised by the amount of loss in MARKED IN FLESH. I was expecting it and was looking forward to some people being put in their place, but I was definitely shocked at how it happened and how swiftly it took place. I'm always intrigued by Meg and the other cassandra sangue. In MARKED IN FLESH trailblazer Meg experiments with another way to see the future that doesn't involve cutting, but takes away the need to cut. I am very interested to see what will come of this method and if all the cassandra sangue will be able to use it like Meg.I know some are really looking for a relationship update on our favorite cassandra sangue and wolf shifter, so here you go. There isn't much time for Meg and Simon's relationship to evolve, but they manage to evolve anyways. Slow and steady wins the race with these two and I always look forward to what development will come next for them. MARKED IN FLESH was a game changer. The writing is phenomenal as always and the characters continue to keep me reading. I look forward so seeing what happens next.* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
    • 2/5
      This is the third book in the “Others” series by Anne Bishop. This novel continues to follow blood prophet Meg Corbyn and wolf Simon Wolfgard, leader of the Lakeside Courtyard. Due to recent attacks by humans, the others are trying to decide “how much human to keep.”I am a big fan of Anne Bishop. However, this book seemed really disjointed. Something just didn’t come together. There seemed to be little advancement in relationships or emotional depth. Overall, this book was kind of a bust.
    • 4/5
      I got a copy of this book through NetGalley to review. I have been a long time fan of Anne Bishop’s work and really loved the first two novels of The Others series. I thought the third book was a bit weaker than the first two...this book was more in vein with the third book. I ended up enjoying it but got a bit bored at points because the pacing is a bit slow. Five book are planned for this series.The rebellious group of human called Humans First and Last led by Nicholas Scratch is ramping up their activities against the terra indigene. What Nicholas doesn’t realize is that both his and HFL’s actions are stirring up powers that are older and even more dangerous than the terra indigene and Elementals we already know. Meanwhile Meg and Simon are becoming more and more integrated with the human society around them and trying to help protect those humans who resist joining the HFL. They also know that a storm is on the horizon and that many of the humans won’t survive the days to come.The story in this series has continued to broaden and involve more and more of the world. While I appreciate understanding the world better and the broader story; the story is losing a lot of focus. In this book we jump between many different Courtyards, different Inuit communities, and even different continents. We hear from numerous points of view; some of them engaging and some of them not.I honestly miss the books when we spend more time with the denizens of Lakeside Courtyard. There are just so many more new characters introduced that I am starting to have trouble keeping track of all the characters at all these different locations (a glossary of who is as what location would have been awesome to have).There is a lot of good in this story too. I continue to really enjoy the changing dynamics at Lakeside Courtyard and how the terra indigene and humans interact and support each other.Additionally I really enjoyed watching the Elementals take out their rage on the humans who tried to defy them. Oh, and I can’t forget the Elders who were an awesome addition to the story; so mysterious and so fierce.The whole story is shadowed by a sense of dread. These stupid HFL humans think they can take on the very elementals and earth and win? Oh, my. Is it wrong that throughout the story I was rooting for the non-human segment of the population? The way things are tied up is quite satisfying and I enjoyed it a lot. I believe that there are five books planned for the series; however this would be a great book to end the series on...it really wraps things up nicely.Overall this was a good addition to The Others series. I really enjoyed the parts with the Elementals and Elders and enjoyed watching Nicholas Scratch get what he had coming to him. I did think that the book lost focus some and switched POV way too much. There are just so many locations and characters covered in this book that it made the story move slowly and it got hard to keep track of who was who. I would definitely recommend this to fans of urban fantasy (although it’s more like alternate reality contemporary fantasy). I am interested to see what happens in the fifth book, since the main story arc seems to be resolved in this book.
    • 4/5
      This is the fourth book in the ongoing paranormal series about a world mostly divided into humans and the terra indigene, commonly known as The Others. These Others include shapeshifters (such as werewolves), vampires, “elementals,” and “harvesters,” inter alia. There is also a third sort of in-between species with extra-sensory perceptiveness, one of which is the cassandra sangue or blood prophets, females who can see visions of the future after self-mutilation. These girls were previously kept in compounds by human abusers, tied up, and often raped or brutalized in other ways. Sessions offering their prognosticating services were sold to interested (and wealthy) parties. But the Others put a stop to the practice after a criminal consortium arose which sold the blood of the cassandra sangue as a street drug to make people go on insane homicidal rages. In addition to this threat to world harmony, a new political movement has been growing - Humans First and Last (HFL), which wants to challenge the hegemony of the Others and “take back the land” (which of course was never theirs in the first place). [The increasing popularity of the HFL populist leader, who stirs up prejudices and hatreds and inspires violent attacks, should not seem unrealistic to anyone following American politics.]The story focuses in particular on Simon Wolfgard, who is handsome, mid-thirties, and the dominant Wolf and leader of the Others’ Lakeside Courtyard, where humans and Others mix in an uneasy but mutually beneficial detente. In Book One, Simon gave the job of Human Liaison to Meg Corbyn, 24, a cassandra sangue who escaped her compound. Meg quickly became beloved by all the Others, and in particular, Simon, although he doesn’t quite like to admit his feelings for this non-wolf.But Simon has bigger problems than resolving his personal problems: overlording all the life on Earth are the Elders - dangerous primal beings who have issued warnings to Simon that if the humans keep harming the Others, their very existence as a species is at stake. That would include Meg, as well as the rest of the human “pack” now living in the Lakeside Courtyard, largely because of Meg’s influence. If the Elders destroy some, most, or all of the humans, can the Others replace what the humans have provided without losing who they are? And how can they protect those humans who have allied with them? And - besides Meg - do they even want to help the humans?Discussion: Most of this fourth book concerns the showdown between the Humans First and Last Movement and the Others. The author does a good job of maintaining the tension and pace. But as much as I enjoyed the ins and outs of the battle for the planet, let’s face my shallow interest: I wanted more of Meg and Simon together!The romance between Simon and Meg is proceeding very, very slowly, and I do like the fact that this means the series will last all that much longer. And at the very end of this book, we get a hint that the action between them might ramp up in the next book.Evaluation: I love this ongoing series about a young woman and her seeming soulmate and would-be paramour who is a werewolf. Who wouldn't like a hero, who, when he isn't being a sexy handsome great big guy, is an attractive great big doggy, whose fur you can run your hands through and against whom you can cuddle up and sleep?
    • 5/5
      I've rated "Marked in Flesh" a 4.5. I can honestly say that this book was totally riveting from start to finish!Anne Bishop's created a world where the mythical, paranormal and magical powers rule the world. They’ve co-existed and tolerated the humans time and time again, but as history has shown the humans are a greedy bunch who have learned nothing from history. (Isn't that always the way). It seems the human’s greed and self-worth have once again gone to their heads. HFL have slowly and methodically plotted against The Others. Unlike the humans, the Others haven’t forgotten the past and it seems history is about to repeat itself. What humans have seemed to forget is that the Shifters, the face the humans see of the Terra Indigine, aren't the Teeth and Claws of Namid.When Humans go over the line and kill Wolfgard, including friends we have come to know in the book, the question is will the Others have mercy on human-kind? Will the relationship between the Cassandra Sangue and the Others persuade them to leave the lesser Terra Indigene, Others, and non-confrontational human’s alone?Meanwhile, Simon struggles with the adaptations made to assimilate Meg into his life. He's worried for the loss of his Wolf nature, but at the same time, has growing feelings for Meg Corbyn, trying best to save her and the others' he's come to care about. Meanwhile, Meg battles the blessing and curse of being a blood prophet. Dark and brutal is the reckoning in this book with the human uprising put down by the Elders, the primitive and lethal "Teeth and Claws of Namid". This reckoning has been brought on by the humans themselves. Unfortunately, these creatures, the things of nightmares, have learned well from Humans to show no mercy. I must say that Anne Bishop magical world will stick with you long after the reading has ended. Her simply amazing world building leaves us to wonder what will happen to Thaisia going forward. This series has an absolutely unforgettable cast and an exhilarating plot makes "Marked in Flesh" a truly remarkable and irresistible read.Now's the hard part. I have to wait patiently for the next book in the series to be published, Etched in Bone. Jack Murphy