Book 7: Written in Red

Written in Red by Anne Bishop is the first book in her series called "The Others".  In this fantasy, the Others (shapeshifters, vampires, elementals, and more) are in control, and humans (called monkeys by the Others) are safe only so far as they are useful.  Desperate to be free, Meg Corbyn finds a job in the one place she might be safe, the Others' Lakeside Courtyard where human law does not apply.  Her job is to be the courtyard's Human Liason accepting deliveries from human businesses for Courtyard residents.  Her first day on the job is not promising...

"Get this into your head, Meg Corbyn.  We don't let humans live in out part of the world because we like you.  We let you live here because you can be useful, and you've invented things that we like having.  If it wasn't for that, you'd all be nothing but meat.  Which is something you should remember." (29)

But unlike previous liasons, Meg proves to be kind, honest, and very different from any human the Others have ever encountered.  She is actually a blood prophet whose ability to prophesy brings a lot of money to the man from whom she ran.  When the police bring a wanted poster of Meg claiming she is a thief, the courtyard leaders decide to protect her because she is like by both Grandfater Erebus (the oldest vampire) and Winter (an elemental the no one dares anger).  Meg is given a new apartment further in the compound where she will be safer, but the prices paid for her prophesies mean that the controller will not give up. 


In contrast the book is also sprinkled with bits of humor as the Others and Meg figure out how to get along...

"'I drive just fine,' Meg snapped.
'Considering you don't know how.' ...
Folding her arms, she stared out the side window and muttered, 'Bad Wolf.'
His only response was to burst out laughing." (137) 

"'Sam gave him an incredulous look. ' If I don't wear the harness, how am I supposed to pull Meg out of a snowbank when she falls in?'
Simon kept his eyes on the road.  The boy had said when, not if.  Just how often did Meg fall into a snowbank?  Was she clumsy, or was it play?  Or did she end up in the snow after getting tripped up by a puppy?" (312)

Over all it's a great story.  Even if you don't normally enjoy the urban fantasy genre, I would say give the book a try.  This is my second time through the book, and it will definitely be a book I come back to read again in the future.  5 stars.