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The World of the Others #3
Crowbones
In this engrossing and gripping fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, an inn owner and her friends must find a killer—before it’s too late.…Crowbones will gitcha if you don’t watch out!Deep in the territory controlled by the Others—shape-shifters, vampires, and even deadlier paranormal beings—Vicki DeVine has made a new life for herself running The Jumble, a rustic resort. When she decides to host a gathering of friends and guests for Trickster Night, at first everything is going well between the humans and the Others. But then someone arrives dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard bogeyman. When the impostor is killed along with a shape-shifting Crow, and the deaths are clearly connected, everyone fears that the real Crowbones may have come to The Jumble—and that could mean serious trouble. To “encourage” humans to help them find some answers, the Elders and Elementals close all the roads, locking in suspects and victims alike. Now Vicki, human police chief Grimshaw, vampire lawyer Ilya Sanguinati, and the rest of their friends have to figure out who is manipulating events designed to pit humans against Others—and who may have put Vicki DeVine in the crosshairs of a powerful hunter.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2022
430 people are currently reading
8596 people want to read
About the author
Anne Bishop
51 books10.6k followersAnne Bishop lives in upstate New York where she enjoys gardening, music, and writing dark, romantic stories. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the award-winning Black Jewels Trilogy. She has written a new series, the Others, which is an urban dark fantasy with a bit of a twist.
Crawford Award (2000)
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Crawford Award (2000)
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,017 reviews
April 18, 2022
And so continues my love-hate relationship with Anne Bishop's The Others series. Although, to be honest, it's really more of a guilty pleasure-outright disgust hookup, but that's slightly more complicated to explain. Mimi gets it. I've expounded before on the reasons why the series can be so satisfying, but also why it can fill me with self-loathing for once again giving in.
Unfortunately, Crowbones is in the same setting as Lake Silence, leading Bishop to include the terribly squicky and immature child-like voice of that main character, Vicki, among her ensemble cast of narrators [Feminist carol: you ever notice how her mcs are these developmentally impaired, male-abused women with a touch of the magical who are rescued and subsequently monitored by physically big, strong and wild men? The epitome of romance distress-damsel tropes.] It's slightly better this time around, since Vicki is not nearly as focused on potential romantic feelings with Julian (aside from overly cutesy discussions about cold feet) as she is about feeding her hostile guests and selling books to The Very Scary Others.
Seriously, why is Bishop so plot-impaired? But I should give her credit: this time we switch out greed as motivation and take on Emotional Manipulators and Bullies (look at Bishop join the #movement!) The good guys remain incredibly stupid, but it's all really okay, because we know that the Super-Scary Others are lurking in the background, ready to pounce. There will literally be no escape. Which is, after all, the satisfaction of the series: there's something out there, and it will protect us.
My copy arrived the library. Read chapter one. I feel safe referencing this quote:
Unfortunately, Crowbones is in the same setting as Lake Silence, leading Bishop to include the terribly squicky and immature child-like voice of that main character, Vicki, among her ensemble cast of narrators [Feminist carol: you ever notice how her mcs are these developmentally impaired, male-abused women with a touch of the magical who are rescued and subsequently monitored by physically big, strong and wild men? The epitome of romance distress-damsel tropes.] It's slightly better this time around, since Vicki is not nearly as focused on potential romantic feelings with Julian (aside from overly cutesy discussions about cold feet) as she is about feeding her hostile guests and selling books to The Very Scary Others.
Seriously, why is Bishop so plot-impaired? But I should give her credit: this time we switch out greed as motivation and take on Emotional Manipulators and Bullies (look at Bishop join the #movement!) The good guys remain incredibly stupid, but it's all really okay, because we know that the Super-Scary Others are lurking in the background, ready to pounce. There will literally be no escape. Which is, after all, the satisfaction of the series: there's something out there, and it will protect us.
My copy arrived the library. Read chapter one. I feel safe referencing this quote:
March 30, 2022
I'm never sure what it is about
Anne Bishop's
writing that I absolutely love, whether it is the way she incorporates her unique characters in a world that can hardly be understood to us mere humans or if it is the mystery that surrounds the stories that entwines The Others & humans alike, but whatever it is that captures me, I can never get enough!
These books are unique! I have never read anything like them ever!
From picking up Written in Red and becoming engrossed with the Cassandra Sangue to becoming addicted with both Meg & Simon and now finding the same pull with Vicki at The Jumble - I am absolutely glued to this world and it's characters.
I must admit I don't like horror films or horror books but The World of the Others, what it contains and what happens throughout this series is definitely something of nightmares but as captivating as any books could be, I couldn't love them more if I tried!
These books are unique! I have never read anything like them ever!
From picking up Written in Red and becoming engrossed with the Cassandra Sangue to becoming addicted with both Meg & Simon and now finding the same pull with Vicki at The Jumble - I am absolutely glued to this world and it's characters.
I must admit I don't like horror films or horror books but The World of the Others, what it contains and what happens throughout this series is definitely something of nightmares but as captivating as any books could be, I couldn't love them more if I tried!
May 30, 2022
If you follow me on GR, read my reviews, and trust my recommendations.....
actually do something about it??!
Go pick up the series if you like urban fantasy goddammit.
Chef's kiss.
4 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
Go pick up the series if you like urban fantasy goddammit.
Chef's kiss.
4 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
March 9, 2022
The Others is one of my favorite fantasy series ever!
The idea that beings that can appear human but are more like animals and that they are in control of the world and that humans need to learn how to survive in their world is just different. Meg and Simon's love story, if you can say that, was the best.
Crowbones is a continuation of this world but it could be considered book 2 of the Lake Silence storyline.
I absolutely believe that you have to read Lake Silence to enjoy Crowbones as much as I did.
Vicki DeVine (human) is the owner of the Jumble, a resort that is as good as it can be after the Great Predation. Vickie is still dealing with being afraid of men since her ex-husband did a number on her self-confidence. She is working on getting better about it.
Vicki is excited about throwing a party during Trickster Night. She has guests and friends coming over. Of course, everything goes wrong when someone comes by the door dressed as Crowbones and scares the Crowgard. A second later that person is dead and a shape-shifting crow is found murdered too.
Officer Wayne Grimshaw (human) starts an investigation with the help of Julian Farrow (Intuit) and Ilya Sanguinati (vampire).
They know someone is manipulating people to do harmful things but can they be manipulating Others too?
I gotta say, I was much more invested in this one because now I'm familiar with the main characters and their environment.
Vickie and Julian's love story is moving -not fast- but moving along. Ilya and Natasha are now a couple.
The Elders make quite an appearance and the addition of Crowbones made this novel quite satisfying.
Does Megan or Simon make a cameo in any way?
I can't tell. My lips are sealed.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The idea that beings that can appear human but are more like animals and that they are in control of the world and that humans need to learn how to survive in their world is just different. Meg and Simon's love story, if you can say that, was the best.
Crowbones is a continuation of this world but it could be considered book 2 of the Lake Silence storyline.
I absolutely believe that you have to read Lake Silence to enjoy Crowbones as much as I did.
Vicki DeVine (human) is the owner of the Jumble, a resort that is as good as it can be after the Great Predation. Vickie is still dealing with being afraid of men since her ex-husband did a number on her self-confidence. She is working on getting better about it.
Vicki is excited about throwing a party during Trickster Night. She has guests and friends coming over. Of course, everything goes wrong when someone comes by the door dressed as Crowbones and scares the Crowgard. A second later that person is dead and a shape-shifting crow is found murdered too.
Officer Wayne Grimshaw (human) starts an investigation with the help of Julian Farrow (Intuit) and Ilya Sanguinati (vampire).
They know someone is manipulating people to do harmful things but can they be manipulating Others too?
I gotta say, I was much more invested in this one because now I'm familiar with the main characters and their environment.
Vickie and Julian's love story is moving -not fast- but moving along. Ilya and Natasha are now a couple.
The Elders make quite an appearance and the addition of Crowbones made this novel quite satisfying.
Does Megan or Simon make a cameo in any way?
I can't tell. My lips are sealed.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
November 24, 2024
what can I say, this series makes me happy and I needed a reread... it's the best kind of comfort read, and I hope that we are getting more books from Sproing.... It's just too good to stop here 🤞🏼
Also up-rated it to 5 stars, it deserves them, since it's such a great comfort read for me, and will be read multiple times in the years to come.....
___________________________________
Crowbones is a fabulous spooky October read.
I LOVED visiting The Jumble again.
While I re-read Lake Silence I was reminded again why I enjoy this series so much. I adore the characters, love the world building, and really enjoy the writing.
The characters are extremely likable, maybe because of their flaws. The immediately become friends, and you can't help but root for them.
The story was fabulously entertaining, and exactly what I hoped for. I got more Vicky and her friends, more of The Jumble, more of the Others.
And my biggest hope is that the author continues with this story arc about The Jumble.
Vicky DeVine is a different kind of heroine.
From the outside Vicky looks frumpy, stocky, and timid, just not your typical female heroine. But outsides can be misleading. Although Vicky wrestles with her own demons she reminds me a lot of Meg. Not just in the way she behaves around The Others. She, like Meg, hides a spunky heart and just needs the right people around her. Her sass, makes me laugh when it surfaces at the most interesting times. Also I love that she slowly comes out of her shell when it comes to romantic entanglement. She deserves a happily ever after so much!!
For me, the main attraction of these books is definitely the world, the characters, the witty dialogues, and the camaraderie between men and women. There is so much friendship in these books. Especially between the different races. They support and help each other not just during dire situations. No wonder these books are some of my most cherished feel good novels. Although, they are not without gore, blood, and murder.
Also, I loved the many beloved characters that had a cameo in CROWBONES. And I can only hope there will be more books in the future.
Altogether CROWBONES was the perfect October read. It was spooky, set around Trickster Night, and brought out all the creepy feels. As always these books end way too early, and now I have to wait a year or longer for another one. In the meantime I’ll be re-reading to my hearts content.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Also up-rated it to 5 stars, it deserves them, since it's such a great comfort read for me, and will be read multiple times in the years to come.....
___________________________________
Crowbones is a fabulous spooky October read.
I LOVED visiting The Jumble again.
While I re-read Lake Silence I was reminded again why I enjoy this series so much. I adore the characters, love the world building, and really enjoy the writing.
The characters are extremely likable, maybe because of their flaws. The immediately become friends, and you can't help but root for them.
The story was fabulously entertaining, and exactly what I hoped for. I got more Vicky and her friends, more of The Jumble, more of the Others.
And my biggest hope is that the author continues with this story arc about The Jumble.
Vicky DeVine is a different kind of heroine.
From the outside Vicky looks frumpy, stocky, and timid, just not your typical female heroine. But outsides can be misleading. Although Vicky wrestles with her own demons she reminds me a lot of Meg. Not just in the way she behaves around The Others. She, like Meg, hides a spunky heart and just needs the right people around her. Her sass, makes me laugh when it surfaces at the most interesting times. Also I love that she slowly comes out of her shell when it comes to romantic entanglement. She deserves a happily ever after so much!!
For me, the main attraction of these books is definitely the world, the characters, the witty dialogues, and the camaraderie between men and women. There is so much friendship in these books. Especially between the different races. They support and help each other not just during dire situations. No wonder these books are some of my most cherished feel good novels. Although, they are not without gore, blood, and murder.
Also, I loved the many beloved characters that had a cameo in CROWBONES. And I can only hope there will be more books in the future.
Altogether CROWBONES was the perfect October read. It was spooky, set around Trickster Night, and brought out all the creepy feels. As always these books end way too early, and now I have to wait a year or longer for another one. In the meantime I’ll be re-reading to my hearts content.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
April 16, 2025
So, I despise this series more than any other book series in the world. I will briefly touch on this particular installment, and then proceed with my rant about the series as a whole.
The author tried to limit herself to a murder mystery. There was a lot of attention given to "Crowbones," a folklore figure amongst the supernatural, elemental-based lifeforms all loosely referred to as "The Others." One human dressed as this figure and was immediately killed. There were then a series of other murders around "The Jumble," the hotel that is more or less the focal point of this novel. Both humans and Crows were killed over the course of this novel.
As a mystery, it was dissatisfying. Very early in the story we learned that there were two characters conducting "experiments," and they considered each other rivals. There was some indication that they were supernatural themselves, or possessed a superpower of some kind, but this was never explained or followed up on. We were also given short interludes from the perspective of nameless Others in the woods who were trying to leave clues for the law enforcement authorities. So, the identities of the main villains were actually made clear very early on. After that, there were reveals about which characters were functioning as pawns. (Spoiler alert: There were a LOT of pawns.)
It tries to be an old-fashioned murder mystery not unlike an Agatha Christie novel, except with all these supernatural characters. This is the 8th book in this universe, so by now readers are well aware that there are shifter characters who turn into specific animals, and this author's take on vampires are called "sanguinati." They're all elemental supernatural creatures, even if they don't seem like it. And there are more obviously elemental characters who embody Fire, Water, Winter, Fog, etc. The last novel in this series had a MASSIVE cast, with many of the characters receiving no serious time or attention. So, maybe that's why in this novel, the author tried to limit this story somewhat. Halfway through the novel she arranges for all roads to be closed off, isolating a specific number of characters to be suspects.
... Of course, that list of suspects was still at least 14 people.
Now, as for this series as a whole? It is offensive. The author thinks she did something smart by creating a fictional universe in which Mother Nature fights back against pollution. And she cultivated a fan base of readers who enjoy the fact that naughty humans get dismembered regularly for even the smallest infraction against The Others.
But, this universe doesn't make any sense.
In previous novels, we learned that The Others rule this world with an iron fist, to the point that humanity is basically enslaved to them. Humans have to pay taxes on water, and the Others own all land and simply lease it to humans when they deem fit. The Others are allowed to murder and eat humans with impunity, for some reason. So, a few novels ago the Others got pissed off that a xenophobic group of human rebels dared to fight back, and they wiped out a huge fraction of humanity from the planet. In this novel they refer to the event as the "Great Predation."
Other reviewers have rightly pointed out that the author doesn't seem to have any grasp how impossible the technology of this world is. She doesn't seem to understand the level of industry required for the cell phones, televisions, and internet that characters in this universe continue to enjoy, despite the Great Predation. This novel makes one reference to how now magazines are published quarterly instead of monthly, due to the calamity that wiped out most of humanity. Still, characters call each other on their cell phones and look up information on the internet without any particular difficulty. The author refers to how The Others destroy telephone lines that extend across territories, limiting humans to local phone calls. (No explanation is provided for this other than simple cruelty, I guess.)
The author doesn't seem to understand that all of this would require MASSIVE industry. Metallic ores would need to be mined, refined, smelted, and shipped overseas. Factories would need to take the refined metals and rework them into computer chips and logic boards. Fossil fuels would need to be mined and refined into plastic (not to mention into the fuel for all those ships and trains), then shaped into the bodies of cell phones and computers. A lot of the raw metals needed wouldn't be found in the U.S. and would need to be shipped from Russia or African nations. But, none of that is supposed to be possible in this universe, because The Others rarely allow humans to travel overseas or between countries. They are willing to kill humans for even the slightest bit of pollution, so it is difficult to accept that humans were somehow still able to create mines and factories that collect and pollute fossil fuels. Also mind-boggling that the internet exists, and a level of industry that can create computers, but for some reason humans haven't banded together to invent nukes and destroy their supernatural overlords once and for all.
Because this world is Hell. There's no other way around it.
The author appeals to a very particular kind of dumb reader. We're supposed to be happy about the fact humans live in fear, presumably because we're supposed to identify with this novel's protagonist, Vickie, as somehow a "good" human. I mean, The Others have wiped out entire countries of humans, killing every man, woman, and child. There are multiple references in this series to "ghost towns" left after such purges. But, sure. We're going to believe that Vickie is one of very few humans who is good, or innocent, from the perspective of our bloodthirsty overlords. And we're supposed to be... happy...? Reading about the subjugation of humanity?
To be clear, The Others have slaughtered several thousand, if not several million, children. But the earlier books in this series tried to convince us that The Others somehow love children, or at least go out of their way to defend children when they happen to be around them. It's all just a lot of hypocritical theater, though. If you are a 6-year-old human child who happens to be standing near some of The Others, you're precious! If you're one of several thousand children living in cities marked for death, you're shit out of luck.
So, apparently the children's lives didn't really matter all that much.
Also, Vickie is a terrible protagonist. All we know about her is that she is short, overweight, suffers from panic attacks, and her ex-husband cheated on her and was verbally abusive. We know nothing about her academic interests, and she displays no particular skills or combat ability. She appears to have accidentally landed upon the one way humans can survive and befriend The Others-- come across as a friendly, non-threatening female. Meg did that in the original 5 books of this series, and now that's what Vickie is doing. Meanwhile, she displays confounding stupidity. In a previous novel, Vickie received a blood transfusion from a detective. Here, she thinks to herself that she absorbed personality traits from the detective by virtue of the blood transfusion. She seriously worries about what other personality traits she might get from a second transfusion. When she receives a second transfusion after all, she asks aloud whether she got any tattoos from the transfusion.
She appears to be seriously asking the question. I don't think she was joking.
Also, why are Vickie's chapters in first person, while all other chapters are in third person? When students in my creative writing class pulled shit like this, I had to explain to them that you can't hear other characters' thoughts when the book is in first person, unless your protagonist is telepathic. ... Here, it seems to be more of an intentional choice, but it's a dumb choice. Vickie isn't that interesting or admirable a protagonist. I do NOT identify with her, even if I'm supposed to. If nothing else, I understand how blood transfusions work.
My complaint throughout this whole series is primarily-- WHY? Why in God's name do The Others have agency, but they face no moral responsibility for their choices? The author keeps acting like it is somehow so obvious. Her fans try to defend her logic, even though it's illogical. They try to argue that humans can no more blame The Others for their actions than blame a tree branch for falling on a hiker, or a wildfire claiming a cottage.
... Except, in this universe, Tornado and Fire are actual, literal characters. They carry on conversations. They explain their thought process behind why they CHOOSE to kill humans. The author did the impossible and actually managed to make deaths from a hurricane an actual crime of malice. But, then, the elemental beings who perpetrate the crimes never face any consequences for their actions. And they're really fucking smug about it.
The Others have no depth, no morality. They kill constantly, but without any repercussions (legal or otherwise), and without even admitting that perhaps they should. Every book we see the same formula play out over and over again, where some "bad" humans kill some of The Others (often Crow shifters, because they're some of the least fierce species among The Others), and then those bad humans are inevitably slaughtered by the end of the novel. The Others act all affronted and horrified that humans would dare to harm any of them. The Others have this perpetual victim ideology, as if they can't grasp the concept that they have literally enslaved all of humanity and own the dirt upon which humans tread.
Newsflash: You are not the victims. You are our evil overlords.
Sometimes when I explain this series to people I say it's like someone did a psychology experiment. They're trying to figure out how many people are willing to betray the human race just because a sexy werewolf told them to?
It's also weird that the author made the choice to create only ONE group of rebels who dare to fight against The Others. It fits with the story she's trying to tell (humans = bad), but it isn't terribly realistic. There are no altruistic rebels in this universe. There's only the "Humans First and Last Movement." This group is written as xenophobic and hateful, even though they are the only freedom fighters humanity has. There are no splinter groups, or unrelated groups, just fighting for the proposition that the superpowered monsters who wiped out 75% of the planet's children deserve to pay.
Like, what the fuck, bitch? You hold human children responsible for the planet's pollution?
Very small note: The author repeatedly referred to "the EMTs" as an amorphous group of people of unknown number without individual names or characteristics. Setting aside that odd choice, which came up a lot, the author also doesn't seem to understand the difference between an EMT and a paramedic. She referred to EMTs suturing wounds and doing all sorts of other things that typically only a doctor could do, or at least only a paramedic could. I am a licensed EMT, so I rolled my eyes at this, wondering if she understands that after I take your vitals and medical history, all I can do is strap you to a board and give you fucking Tylenol. I would love to suture wounds. But, that isn't a thing that EMTs do.
Also, she indulged the idea that recently arrested people "only get one phone call." This isn't true. It's just a trope in fiction that non-lawyers like to believe is true.
The author tried to limit herself to a murder mystery. There was a lot of attention given to "Crowbones," a folklore figure amongst the supernatural, elemental-based lifeforms all loosely referred to as "The Others." One human dressed as this figure and was immediately killed. There were then a series of other murders around "The Jumble," the hotel that is more or less the focal point of this novel. Both humans and Crows were killed over the course of this novel.
As a mystery, it was dissatisfying. Very early in the story we learned that there were two characters conducting "experiments," and they considered each other rivals. There was some indication that they were supernatural themselves, or possessed a superpower of some kind, but this was never explained or followed up on. We were also given short interludes from the perspective of nameless Others in the woods who were trying to leave clues for the law enforcement authorities. So, the identities of the main villains were actually made clear very early on. After that, there were reveals about which characters were functioning as pawns. (Spoiler alert: There were a LOT of pawns.)
It tries to be an old-fashioned murder mystery not unlike an Agatha Christie novel, except with all these supernatural characters. This is the 8th book in this universe, so by now readers are well aware that there are shifter characters who turn into specific animals, and this author's take on vampires are called "sanguinati." They're all elemental supernatural creatures, even if they don't seem like it. And there are more obviously elemental characters who embody Fire, Water, Winter, Fog, etc. The last novel in this series had a MASSIVE cast, with many of the characters receiving no serious time or attention. So, maybe that's why in this novel, the author tried to limit this story somewhat. Halfway through the novel she arranges for all roads to be closed off, isolating a specific number of characters to be suspects.
... Of course, that list of suspects was still at least 14 people.
Now, as for this series as a whole? It is offensive. The author thinks she did something smart by creating a fictional universe in which Mother Nature fights back against pollution. And she cultivated a fan base of readers who enjoy the fact that naughty humans get dismembered regularly for even the smallest infraction against The Others.
But, this universe doesn't make any sense.
In previous novels, we learned that The Others rule this world with an iron fist, to the point that humanity is basically enslaved to them. Humans have to pay taxes on water, and the Others own all land and simply lease it to humans when they deem fit. The Others are allowed to murder and eat humans with impunity, for some reason. So, a few novels ago the Others got pissed off that a xenophobic group of human rebels dared to fight back, and they wiped out a huge fraction of humanity from the planet. In this novel they refer to the event as the "Great Predation."
Other reviewers have rightly pointed out that the author doesn't seem to have any grasp how impossible the technology of this world is. She doesn't seem to understand the level of industry required for the cell phones, televisions, and internet that characters in this universe continue to enjoy, despite the Great Predation. This novel makes one reference to how now magazines are published quarterly instead of monthly, due to the calamity that wiped out most of humanity. Still, characters call each other on their cell phones and look up information on the internet without any particular difficulty. The author refers to how The Others destroy telephone lines that extend across territories, limiting humans to local phone calls. (No explanation is provided for this other than simple cruelty, I guess.)
The author doesn't seem to understand that all of this would require MASSIVE industry. Metallic ores would need to be mined, refined, smelted, and shipped overseas. Factories would need to take the refined metals and rework them into computer chips and logic boards. Fossil fuels would need to be mined and refined into plastic (not to mention into the fuel for all those ships and trains), then shaped into the bodies of cell phones and computers. A lot of the raw metals needed wouldn't be found in the U.S. and would need to be shipped from Russia or African nations. But, none of that is supposed to be possible in this universe, because The Others rarely allow humans to travel overseas or between countries. They are willing to kill humans for even the slightest bit of pollution, so it is difficult to accept that humans were somehow still able to create mines and factories that collect and pollute fossil fuels. Also mind-boggling that the internet exists, and a level of industry that can create computers, but for some reason humans haven't banded together to invent nukes and destroy their supernatural overlords once and for all.
Because this world is Hell. There's no other way around it.
The author appeals to a very particular kind of dumb reader. We're supposed to be happy about the fact humans live in fear, presumably because we're supposed to identify with this novel's protagonist, Vickie, as somehow a "good" human. I mean, The Others have wiped out entire countries of humans, killing every man, woman, and child. There are multiple references in this series to "ghost towns" left after such purges. But, sure. We're going to believe that Vickie is one of very few humans who is good, or innocent, from the perspective of our bloodthirsty overlords. And we're supposed to be... happy...? Reading about the subjugation of humanity?
To be clear, The Others have slaughtered several thousand, if not several million, children. But the earlier books in this series tried to convince us that The Others somehow love children, or at least go out of their way to defend children when they happen to be around them. It's all just a lot of hypocritical theater, though. If you are a 6-year-old human child who happens to be standing near some of The Others, you're precious! If you're one of several thousand children living in cities marked for death, you're shit out of luck.
So, apparently the children's lives didn't really matter all that much.
Also, Vickie is a terrible protagonist. All we know about her is that she is short, overweight, suffers from panic attacks, and her ex-husband cheated on her and was verbally abusive. We know nothing about her academic interests, and she displays no particular skills or combat ability. She appears to have accidentally landed upon the one way humans can survive and befriend The Others-- come across as a friendly, non-threatening female. Meg did that in the original 5 books of this series, and now that's what Vickie is doing. Meanwhile, she displays confounding stupidity. In a previous novel, Vickie received a blood transfusion from a detective. Here, she thinks to herself that she absorbed personality traits from the detective by virtue of the blood transfusion. She seriously worries about what other personality traits she might get from a second transfusion. When she receives a second transfusion after all, she asks aloud whether she got any tattoos from the transfusion.
She appears to be seriously asking the question. I don't think she was joking.
Also, why are Vickie's chapters in first person, while all other chapters are in third person? When students in my creative writing class pulled shit like this, I had to explain to them that you can't hear other characters' thoughts when the book is in first person, unless your protagonist is telepathic. ... Here, it seems to be more of an intentional choice, but it's a dumb choice. Vickie isn't that interesting or admirable a protagonist. I do NOT identify with her, even if I'm supposed to. If nothing else, I understand how blood transfusions work.
My complaint throughout this whole series is primarily-- WHY? Why in God's name do The Others have agency, but they face no moral responsibility for their choices? The author keeps acting like it is somehow so obvious. Her fans try to defend her logic, even though it's illogical. They try to argue that humans can no more blame The Others for their actions than blame a tree branch for falling on a hiker, or a wildfire claiming a cottage.
... Except, in this universe, Tornado and Fire are actual, literal characters. They carry on conversations. They explain their thought process behind why they CHOOSE to kill humans. The author did the impossible and actually managed to make deaths from a hurricane an actual crime of malice. But, then, the elemental beings who perpetrate the crimes never face any consequences for their actions. And they're really fucking smug about it.
The Others have no depth, no morality. They kill constantly, but without any repercussions (legal or otherwise), and without even admitting that perhaps they should. Every book we see the same formula play out over and over again, where some "bad" humans kill some of The Others (often Crow shifters, because they're some of the least fierce species among The Others), and then those bad humans are inevitably slaughtered by the end of the novel. The Others act all affronted and horrified that humans would dare to harm any of them. The Others have this perpetual victim ideology, as if they can't grasp the concept that they have literally enslaved all of humanity and own the dirt upon which humans tread.
Newsflash: You are not the victims. You are our evil overlords.
Sometimes when I explain this series to people I say it's like someone did a psychology experiment. They're trying to figure out how many people are willing to betray the human race just because a sexy werewolf told them to?
It's also weird that the author made the choice to create only ONE group of rebels who dare to fight against The Others. It fits with the story she's trying to tell (humans = bad), but it isn't terribly realistic. There are no altruistic rebels in this universe. There's only the "Humans First and Last Movement." This group is written as xenophobic and hateful, even though they are the only freedom fighters humanity has. There are no splinter groups, or unrelated groups, just fighting for the proposition that the superpowered monsters who wiped out 75% of the planet's children deserve to pay.
Like, what the fuck, bitch? You hold human children responsible for the planet's pollution?
Very small note: The author repeatedly referred to "the EMTs" as an amorphous group of people of unknown number without individual names or characteristics. Setting aside that odd choice, which came up a lot, the author also doesn't seem to understand the difference between an EMT and a paramedic. She referred to EMTs suturing wounds and doing all sorts of other things that typically only a doctor could do, or at least only a paramedic could. I am a licensed EMT, so I rolled my eyes at this, wondering if she understands that after I take your vitals and medical history, all I can do is strap you to a board and give you fucking Tylenol. I would love to suture wounds. But, that isn't a thing that EMTs do.
Also, she indulged the idea that recently arrested people "only get one phone call." This isn't true. It's just a trope in fiction that non-lawyers like to believe is true.
June 1, 2023
Clearly I am inclined to love a book when I frantically start to refresh kindle at 9pm (one point for West Coast) and then stay up far too late because I had to read this all in one sitting. It definitely made me want to reread earlier books (and let’s face it I probably will). This is one of my favorite fantasy settings ever. I love this concept that humans may think they are the biggest or the baddest but they’re barely a blip on the predator scale. Such a believable urban fantasy series. I love the connections between previous books and characters. I did think Vicki’s character wasn’t as great or didn’t feel as rounded as some of the others in this book. I loved getting a glimpse into the Others myths and legends. Trickster Night (such a better name than Halloween) comes to Sproing and of course with it comes some unexpected chaos.
May 2023-This book definitely held up with the re-read. I need more in this series.
May 2023-This book definitely held up with the re-read. I need more in this series.
July 3, 2024
Was this book good?
Absolutely not.
Did I like it?
Absolutely did.
Will I read the next one?
Absolutely.
And, yes, there will be another one after this. We're going back to Lakeside.
The pull this series has on me is complicated. Just kidding. It’s not, but I'm compelled to say that it is to pad the reason I return every time there's a new book release.
So although it's not good, it's satisfying, but in, like, the most frustrating way. And I put up with it because I enjoy following revenge arcs that come full circle in the end. Sometimes you just need a simple, straightforward story with a simple, straightforward ending in which everything works out and evil gets eaten (literally).
Absolutely not.
Did I like it?
Absolutely did.
Will I read the next one?
Absolutely.
And, yes, there will be another one after this. We're going back to Lakeside.
The pull this series has on me is complicated. Just kidding. It’s not, but I'm compelled to say that it is to pad the reason I return every time there's a new book release.
So although it's not good, it's satisfying, but in, like, the most frustrating way. And I put up with it because I enjoy following revenge arcs that come full circle in the end. Sometimes you just need a simple, straightforward story with a simple, straightforward ending in which everything works out and evil gets eaten (literally).
August 31, 2022
This review and others @Bookerification
Rating: 3 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟.5
Honestly, I am not a fan of this book cover. While the dark tones and black feathers are well suited for the story, they do not create an appealing look.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The imaginative world that forms the core pillar of this story, and series, is easily my favourite part of this book. Once again, I was fascinated by the various forms of Terre Indigenes, and I relished the constant tension generated by the threat of their fury. The use of several points of view also worked great as it helped capture the full scope of all that takes place.
"Fear was a powerful motivator"
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
The gentle re-introduction of the world and characters makes for a relatively slow start as the scene is set. The pace soon picks up slightly as the first dead body is found, and the hunt for the killer(s) begins. The story that emerges after this is quite simple and follows a similar structure to the previous books in this series. While this made the story somewhat predictable, the recurring themes of friendship and loyalty embedded within the tale were still cute and entertaining.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟.5
Vicky's character is not the most relatable or exceptional, as she constantly needs protection and shelter. Although this is not her fault, it does little to make her character interesting. This is not helped by the fact that Vicky is not getting the professional help she needs to heal from her trauma and abuse. She also experiences little growth throughout the story, and this could have added some much-needed depth to her character.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
The numerous characters that popped in and out of the storyline were hard to track. However, there are a few well-developed and likeable characters who kept me engaged through their complex internal and external conflicts.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
The romance is a barely-there aspect of the storyline that does not progress much in this story. Despite this, the few moments we have with the two characters involved are cute and amusing to observe.
"he firmly believed that ignorance was bullshit, not bliss."
Overall, my enjoyment of this story likely comes from how much I loved the previous instalments of this series. I am, however, starting to feel like I am outgrowing this series as this story seemed too simple and predictable. A similar book I would recommend is The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani.
Rating: 3 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟.5
Honestly, I am not a fan of this book cover. While the dark tones and black feathers are well suited for the story, they do not create an appealing look.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The imaginative world that forms the core pillar of this story, and series, is easily my favourite part of this book. Once again, I was fascinated by the various forms of Terre Indigenes, and I relished the constant tension generated by the threat of their fury. The use of several points of view also worked great as it helped capture the full scope of all that takes place.
"Fear was a powerful motivator"
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
The gentle re-introduction of the world and characters makes for a relatively slow start as the scene is set. The pace soon picks up slightly as the first dead body is found, and the hunt for the killer(s) begins. The story that emerges after this is quite simple and follows a similar structure to the previous books in this series. While this made the story somewhat predictable, the recurring themes of friendship and loyalty embedded within the tale were still cute and entertaining.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟.5
Vicky's character is not the most relatable or exceptional, as she constantly needs protection and shelter. Although this is not her fault, it does little to make her character interesting. This is not helped by the fact that Vicky is not getting the professional help she needs to heal from her trauma and abuse. She also experiences little growth throughout the story, and this could have added some much-needed depth to her character.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
The numerous characters that popped in and out of the storyline were hard to track. However, there are a few well-developed and likeable characters who kept me engaged through their complex internal and external conflicts.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
The romance is a barely-there aspect of the storyline that does not progress much in this story. Despite this, the few moments we have with the two characters involved are cute and amusing to observe.
"he firmly believed that ignorance was bullshit, not bliss."
Overall, my enjoyment of this story likely comes from how much I loved the previous instalments of this series. I am, however, starting to feel like I am outgrowing this series as this story seemed too simple and predictable. A similar book I would recommend is The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani.
March 8, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had a great time with this book! I am a fan of this series and was excited to get the chance to revisit one of the communities I have enjoyed in previous books. This book takes to back to the characters we met in Lake Silence and they are facing another dilemma that is going to keep the town busy for a while. It was so easy to slip back into this world and the mystery kept me entertained until I turned the last page.
Vicki decides to hold an event at The Jumble for Trickster Night but when an uninvited guest shows up in an unusual costume shows up things go incredibly wrong. The Crows recognize him right away as Crowbones, the Crowguard boogeyman, and they are scared. Before long, bodies are being found and the local authorities have their work cut out for them. Not only do they need to figure out what is going on but they need to do so in a way that makes the Elders comfortable.
I really enjoyed getting the chance to see Vicki, Grimshaw, Julian, Ilya, and the rest of the gang working together again. The mystery was rather complex and kept me guessing until the very end. There were times that I was really worried about how things might work out for these characters that I have grown to care about. I liked that this book introduced us to a few new Terra Indigene and I really enjoyed getting the chance to see some favorite characters show up for a cameo appearance.
I would recommend this book to others. I would recommend reading this series in order if at all possible so you have some knowledge of the world the story is set in. I found this to be a very entertaining and exciting story and I hope to read more books set in this world in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book! I was happy to see that this book took us back to Vicki and the rest of the characters featured in Lake Silence. I fell easily back into the world of The Jumble and the small town of Sproing. I found the mystery to be rather complex and I was very curious how things would work out in the end. I thought that this was a wonderful addition to the series.
I had a great time with this book! I am a fan of this series and was excited to get the chance to revisit one of the communities I have enjoyed in previous books. This book takes to back to the characters we met in Lake Silence and they are facing another dilemma that is going to keep the town busy for a while. It was so easy to slip back into this world and the mystery kept me entertained until I turned the last page.
Vicki decides to hold an event at The Jumble for Trickster Night but when an uninvited guest shows up in an unusual costume shows up things go incredibly wrong. The Crows recognize him right away as Crowbones, the Crowguard boogeyman, and they are scared. Before long, bodies are being found and the local authorities have their work cut out for them. Not only do they need to figure out what is going on but they need to do so in a way that makes the Elders comfortable.
I really enjoyed getting the chance to see Vicki, Grimshaw, Julian, Ilya, and the rest of the gang working together again. The mystery was rather complex and kept me guessing until the very end. There were times that I was really worried about how things might work out for these characters that I have grown to care about. I liked that this book introduced us to a few new Terra Indigene and I really enjoyed getting the chance to see some favorite characters show up for a cameo appearance.
I would recommend this book to others. I would recommend reading this series in order if at all possible so you have some knowledge of the world the story is set in. I found this to be a very entertaining and exciting story and I hope to read more books set in this world in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book! I was happy to see that this book took us back to Vicki and the rest of the characters featured in Lake Silence. I fell easily back into the world of The Jumble and the small town of Sproing. I found the mystery to be rather complex and I was very curious how things would work out in the end. I thought that this was a wonderful addition to the series.
October 11, 2021
Electronic ARC provided by publisher.
I have a bit of trouble rating this series because on the one hand, I read every new book immediately and quickly. On the other hand, there are a lot of flaws in Bishop's writing and plotting that become more obvious over time. "Crowbones" is a return to Bishop's world of the Others, and a follow up to "Lake Silence". The central mystery involves a series of mysterious deaths that once again center around Vicki's lakeside resort, as well as new attention from a mythical crowguard figure known as Crowbones. All of the usual Anne Bishop tropes are there, including women who are either impossibly pure and almost childish or vicious and corrupt, and humans who are literally too stupid to live (I mean, this is a world where phenomenally powerful supernatural figures are everywhere and have made it very clear that they consider humans little more then prey. Why are there still so many idiots that think they can get away with scheming and blustering??).
Strangely, Bishop seems better at writing rounded male characters then female. The police officers, Sanguinati, and Intuit men who are investigating all come off as mostly reasonable and competent. The women on the other hand tend to come off as mostly one dimensional and in need of epic levels of protection (also, are there any Intuit women who actually travel outside of their communities? Seems like we only ever see the men). I did enjoy the working relationship between Ilya and Grimshaw, which seems to have settled into a more traditional buddy cop sort of thing. As much as I've tried to get invested in Vicki I have a hard time caring much about her as a character. She seems to mostly be a catalyst for the various humans and Others in the area so that they have someone to protect and avenge.
If you like Anne Bishop and have enjoyed the previous books in this series then you will most likely enjoy this one as well. If you are not a fan of her previous work then this will not convince you.
I have a bit of trouble rating this series because on the one hand, I read every new book immediately and quickly. On the other hand, there are a lot of flaws in Bishop's writing and plotting that become more obvious over time. "Crowbones" is a return to Bishop's world of the Others, and a follow up to "Lake Silence". The central mystery involves a series of mysterious deaths that once again center around Vicki's lakeside resort, as well as new attention from a mythical crowguard figure known as Crowbones. All of the usual Anne Bishop tropes are there, including women who are either impossibly pure and almost childish or vicious and corrupt, and humans who are literally too stupid to live (I mean, this is a world where phenomenally powerful supernatural figures are everywhere and have made it very clear that they consider humans little more then prey. Why are there still so many idiots that think they can get away with scheming and blustering??).
Strangely, Bishop seems better at writing rounded male characters then female. The police officers, Sanguinati, and Intuit men who are investigating all come off as mostly reasonable and competent. The women on the other hand tend to come off as mostly one dimensional and in need of epic levels of protection (also, are there any Intuit women who actually travel outside of their communities? Seems like we only ever see the men). I did enjoy the working relationship between Ilya and Grimshaw, which seems to have settled into a more traditional buddy cop sort of thing. As much as I've tried to get invested in Vicki I have a hard time caring much about her as a character. She seems to mostly be a catalyst for the various humans and Others in the area so that they have someone to protect and avenge.
If you like Anne Bishop and have enjoyed the previous books in this series then you will most likely enjoy this one as well. If you are not a fan of her previous work then this will not convince you.
March 11, 2022
The last book of the Others may have been the only one that was not 5 Stars for me but all of the other books in this series have been like mana from Heaven for a reader like me and deserve something more than 5 Stars and this one was no different as far as quality and staying up very late reading because I could not find a good stopping point. This is a bit different in that it is basically a VERY complex "whodunnit" and she feeds you enough information that you never get the whole story correct in your head until almost the last pages (as it should be) but I do have one warning and that would be this :
DO NOT START THIS SERIES AT THIS BOOK
there is a lot of background you need to know to really appreciate this story and get a 5 Star experience. You may notice I said very little about the story itself and that is not by accident, I could not think of much to say in a review that might not be a bit spoilerish so you will just have to take my word for it that this book makes the high mark set by the earlier books in this series and I can only hope she will come back to this world very soon.
DO NOT START THIS SERIES AT THIS BOOK
there is a lot of background you need to know to really appreciate this story and get a 5 Star experience. You may notice I said very little about the story itself and that is not by accident, I could not think of much to say in a review that might not be a bit spoilerish so you will just have to take my word for it that this book makes the high mark set by the earlier books in this series and I can only hope she will come back to this world very soon.
September 24, 2024
2024 Review
I need moreeeeeee.
2022 Review
I really love being back in the world of Lake Silence. And, I suppose, being back in the World of the Others in general. This story follows familiar characters but also ties into old favorites from other books.
Some horror as is usual for this series but overall it reminded me more of a cozy mystery. There are creative additions to the world-building with teenage sanguinati and crow mythology. I'm already hungry for more in this world.
Pre-Review
I need moreeeeeee.
2022 Review
I really love being back in the world of Lake Silence. And, I suppose, being back in the World of the Others in general. This story follows familiar characters but also ties into old favorites from other books.
Some horror as is usual for this series but overall it reminded me more of a cozy mystery. There are creative additions to the world-building with teenage sanguinati and crow mythology. I'm already hungry for more in this world.
Pre-Review
March 7, 2022
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I just absolutely love the world that Anne Bishop has created for the Others series. It is one of my all time favorite and Anne keeps on delivering engaging, suspenseful, and fantastic stories. I love all the characters in the village Sproing, and this is one of the very few series where I love that there are multiple POVs. It's Trickster Night and it starts off with pretty good but then someone arrives dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard bogeyman and things take a weird and dangerous turn. The blurb like always gives a great summary of what to expect to I won't go into the plot of the story.
Crowbones was just another phenomenal addition to the series and I was hooked until the very last page. I just love the author's writing style and imagination. Also the interactions between humans and the Others (aka terra indigene) is so intriguing. You can really feel the danger when they are around and the author is able to bring that aspect to life very well. But I also love how loyal the Others are when they care or find a particular human interesting. Vicki is one of them. She is a serious trouble magnet but thankfully she is surrounded by many forms of terra indigene to protect her. I loved seeing friendships and relationship develop and grow stronger, and I also really appreciated getting a glimpse of previous main characters. Crowbones is one of my favorite reads of the year and I can't wait to see what the author will come up next for this series.
I just absolutely love the world that Anne Bishop has created for the Others series. It is one of my all time favorite and Anne keeps on delivering engaging, suspenseful, and fantastic stories. I love all the characters in the village Sproing, and this is one of the very few series where I love that there are multiple POVs. It's Trickster Night and it starts off with pretty good but then someone arrives dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard bogeyman and things take a weird and dangerous turn. The blurb like always gives a great summary of what to expect to I won't go into the plot of the story.
Crowbones was just another phenomenal addition to the series and I was hooked until the very last page. I just love the author's writing style and imagination. Also the interactions between humans and the Others (aka terra indigene) is so intriguing. You can really feel the danger when they are around and the author is able to bring that aspect to life very well. But I also love how loyal the Others are when they care or find a particular human interesting. Vicki is one of them. She is a serious trouble magnet but thankfully she is surrounded by many forms of terra indigene to protect her. I loved seeing friendships and relationship develop and grow stronger, and I also really appreciated getting a glimpse of previous main characters. Crowbones is one of my favorite reads of the year and I can't wait to see what the author will come up next for this series.
March 29, 2022
Crowbones takes us back to all the characters of Lake Silence once more. Vicki is still running her bed and breakfast, The Jumble, with some of the Terra Indigene as helpers when Trickster night goes a bit sideways. Someone thought it would be funny to show up as one of the Terra Indigene boogy monsters to start a stir only to be killed later. Crowbones is a powerful Terra Indigene and she is there to clean up the mischievous taint that she has felt in a few communities now.
This was a bit spooky which follows the theme of it being associated with a kind of Halloween. Like usual there are some bad humans to hate and some good humans to root for. When everyone gets trapped in the town until all is sorted Grimshaw, Ilya and Julian must do what they can to protect Vicki and some other innocent guests from the murders happening in this sleepy little town.
I liked the plot quite a bit, it is a good story and we got to meet a few of the Terra Indigene we haven't yet. But there were quite a few people and sometimes I got a bit confused on who was who but the villains in the story were a nice twist.
I love being in this world and I really liked that we got a few pages with Meg and Simon on them, I do miss those two and wonder how they are. If you are a fan of the series Crowbones should not disappoint.
This was a bit spooky which follows the theme of it being associated with a kind of Halloween. Like usual there are some bad humans to hate and some good humans to root for. When everyone gets trapped in the town until all is sorted Grimshaw, Ilya and Julian must do what they can to protect Vicki and some other innocent guests from the murders happening in this sleepy little town.
“He wasn’t sure what disturbed him more—that the Others were able to excavate that much dirt from either side of the road and pile it into a hill that quickly . . . or the smiley face made out of boulders that was pressed into this side of the mound.”
I liked the plot quite a bit, it is a good story and we got to meet a few of the Terra Indigene we haven't yet. But there were quite a few people and sometimes I got a bit confused on who was who but the villains in the story were a nice twist.
I love being in this world and I really liked that we got a few pages with Meg and Simon on them, I do miss those two and wonder how they are. If you are a fan of the series Crowbones should not disappoint.
March 23, 2022
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up.
I remember being so excited when I first found Bishop’s The Others series. It felt like a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre, balancing genre favorite entities, like vampires and more common shapeshifters, with the less familiar, like elemental spirits and blood prophets. The series also managed to be both more brutal and somehow more innocent than most I had read in the genre, which I thought was a very interesting dichotomy. But, as much as I enjoy this world that is so similar to ours except in one major way, part of me wishes Bishop would have moved on after the original series ended in the fifth book. The World of the Others, the spinoff series, has not felt nearly as strong or as special as the original. This is obviously just my own opinion, but the wonder has worn off and, as much as I liked the idea, I think I’ve decided that this is the last book set in this world that I’ll be reading.
Bishop’s original five-book series set in this world fascinated me in terms of tone and world building. There was a simplicity and quaintness to the community of the Courtyard, which was an interesting foil to the expansive, terrifyingly unknown Wild Country surrounding the cities. Because so many of these characters could shift into human, but were most definitely Other, there was an innocence to their outlook on life that charmed me in comparison to many of the humans in the novels, whose complexities tended to hide evil. I found all of these building blocks, when paired with the almost oddly simplistic writing style, a truly compelling and original mix.
However, after transitioning from the Courtyard and Meg’s story into Wild Country and the small communities scattered within it, something about the series lost me. The simplistic style I enjoyed suddenly felt too simple, like the kind of writing we use to teach kids how to read. It lacked the nuance that helps readers embed themselves in a story. And oddly, the charming quaintness turned into a tendency to bog down so deeply in minutia that it became difficult to keep from skimming. These two concerns are a really weird mix, and no amount of intriguing preternatural entities could make up for them. Whatever magic imbued the original series is missing from The World of the Others.
Crowbones in particular felt as if Bishop was trying to juggle too many strands in the plot, leaving the overall narrative feeling muddy. And while I liked the idea of the Jumble, it just didn’t deliver the same level of charm as the Courtyard. There are some interesting characters here, and even some reprisals from the original series, but none of them felt quite as special as that original cast. Vicki, the closest thing we have to a main character, feels as though Bishop has tried too hard to make her quirky, lovable in spite of the fact she feels very unlovable. Something about the way Bishop wrote her fell flat in comparison to Meg. The other characters were fine, but forgettable.
Actually, my description of Crowbones, as well as Wild Country and Lake Silence, would be exactly that: fine but forgettable. Which is really a shame, considering how much I enjoyed the first series set in this world. But these three… none of them were bad. I finished them, and didn’t hate them. But I didn’t love them, either. These are “meh” incarnate.
I remember being so excited when I first found Bishop’s The Others series. It felt like a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre, balancing genre favorite entities, like vampires and more common shapeshifters, with the less familiar, like elemental spirits and blood prophets. The series also managed to be both more brutal and somehow more innocent than most I had read in the genre, which I thought was a very interesting dichotomy. But, as much as I enjoy this world that is so similar to ours except in one major way, part of me wishes Bishop would have moved on after the original series ended in the fifth book. The World of the Others, the spinoff series, has not felt nearly as strong or as special as the original. This is obviously just my own opinion, but the wonder has worn off and, as much as I liked the idea, I think I’ve decided that this is the last book set in this world that I’ll be reading.
Bishop’s original five-book series set in this world fascinated me in terms of tone and world building. There was a simplicity and quaintness to the community of the Courtyard, which was an interesting foil to the expansive, terrifyingly unknown Wild Country surrounding the cities. Because so many of these characters could shift into human, but were most definitely Other, there was an innocence to their outlook on life that charmed me in comparison to many of the humans in the novels, whose complexities tended to hide evil. I found all of these building blocks, when paired with the almost oddly simplistic writing style, a truly compelling and original mix.
However, after transitioning from the Courtyard and Meg’s story into Wild Country and the small communities scattered within it, something about the series lost me. The simplistic style I enjoyed suddenly felt too simple, like the kind of writing we use to teach kids how to read. It lacked the nuance that helps readers embed themselves in a story. And oddly, the charming quaintness turned into a tendency to bog down so deeply in minutia that it became difficult to keep from skimming. These two concerns are a really weird mix, and no amount of intriguing preternatural entities could make up for them. Whatever magic imbued the original series is missing from The World of the Others.
Crowbones in particular felt as if Bishop was trying to juggle too many strands in the plot, leaving the overall narrative feeling muddy. And while I liked the idea of the Jumble, it just didn’t deliver the same level of charm as the Courtyard. There are some interesting characters here, and even some reprisals from the original series, but none of them felt quite as special as that original cast. Vicki, the closest thing we have to a main character, feels as though Bishop has tried too hard to make her quirky, lovable in spite of the fact she feels very unlovable. Something about the way Bishop wrote her fell flat in comparison to Meg. The other characters were fine, but forgettable.
Actually, my description of Crowbones, as well as Wild Country and Lake Silence, would be exactly that: fine but forgettable. Which is really a shame, considering how much I enjoyed the first series set in this world. But these three… none of them were bad. I finished them, and didn’t hate them. But I didn’t love them, either. These are “meh” incarnate.
February 25, 2025
I had the opportunity to re-read and was eager to listen in to Alexandra Harris' fab rendering of the book. She makes the world of the book and the characters come alive for me and I hear her voices of the characters when I read the books including this one. Crowbones was as amazing this second read/listen as the first time.
What could be spookier than the version of Halloween depicted in The Others universe when a real killer arrives among the group? I was excited for this chilling latest installment in the series that returns us to the Lake Silence setting and cast of characters. Anticipation was high and I was not disappointed.
Crowbones is the third of The World of the Others series that follows the original The Others stories. It works best read in order as there are references back to characters and situations from the previous books, particularly Lake Silence.
Several months have gone by of relative peace since the momentous events of the summer and now it is time for a fun holiday, Trickster Night. Crowbones had a fabulous blend of murder mystery, urban fantasy intrigue, and a cast of characters that were colorful and exciting. There are several main characters getting their point of view including those who stirred up the trouble, but I confess to being extremely eager because familiar characters were back and telling the story. I loved revisiting favorites and seeing how things have advanced in their lives and some of the more discreet characters had their backstories painted in better. While, the setting is familiar from Lake Silence and the characters development is ongoing, this is something of a standalone plot as it doesn’t carry over the plot from before or after.
This felt like an old-style country house mystery the way the investigators and the perpetrators were all closed in together in an isolated, rustic setting until the case is solved. It was atmospheric and gave some great thrills and chills vibes when even those that are scary to humans are scared to go out in the dark. The mystery isn’t too twisty for the reader and the excitement and tension comes from keeping the good and innocent safe and seeing how they get at the truth and figure out what to do about the situation. Not to say, there weren’t plenty of surprises along the way. I loved the reveals about Ilya, Julian, and some others and was thrilled to be right back in this world.
All in all, it was a captivating read with tone, suspense, and development going strong. It made me love the series even more and feel the loss when the book was over. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this series. Those who want an alternative earth history setting for an urban fantasy that has a rich and complex development of plot, characters, and world, this series is a must.
What could be spookier than the version of Halloween depicted in The Others universe when a real killer arrives among the group? I was excited for this chilling latest installment in the series that returns us to the Lake Silence setting and cast of characters. Anticipation was high and I was not disappointed.
Crowbones is the third of The World of the Others series that follows the original The Others stories. It works best read in order as there are references back to characters and situations from the previous books, particularly Lake Silence.
Several months have gone by of relative peace since the momentous events of the summer and now it is time for a fun holiday, Trickster Night. Crowbones had a fabulous blend of murder mystery, urban fantasy intrigue, and a cast of characters that were colorful and exciting. There are several main characters getting their point of view including those who stirred up the trouble, but I confess to being extremely eager because familiar characters were back and telling the story. I loved revisiting favorites and seeing how things have advanced in their lives and some of the more discreet characters had their backstories painted in better. While, the setting is familiar from Lake Silence and the characters development is ongoing, this is something of a standalone plot as it doesn’t carry over the plot from before or after.
This felt like an old-style country house mystery the way the investigators and the perpetrators were all closed in together in an isolated, rustic setting until the case is solved. It was atmospheric and gave some great thrills and chills vibes when even those that are scary to humans are scared to go out in the dark. The mystery isn’t too twisty for the reader and the excitement and tension comes from keeping the good and innocent safe and seeing how they get at the truth and figure out what to do about the situation. Not to say, there weren’t plenty of surprises along the way. I loved the reveals about Ilya, Julian, and some others and was thrilled to be right back in this world.
All in all, it was a captivating read with tone, suspense, and development going strong. It made me love the series even more and feel the loss when the book was over. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this series. Those who want an alternative earth history setting for an urban fantasy that has a rich and complex development of plot, characters, and world, this series is a must.
March 8, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
In this book, we return to the Jumble and Vicki DeVine, first introduced in 2018's Lake Silence, which also happened to be the beginning of our visits to places other than Lakeside and people other than Meg Corbyn and her new family. We took a little detour in the next book, Wild Country, to witness some monumental events that had far-reaching effects for all humans. And now, we're back at the Jumble.
It's Trickster Night (their version of Halloween), and who should make a terrifying appearance? Crowbones, the ancient spirit Crowgard parents used to keep their kids behaving properly! In Crowbones' wake, bodies start piling up.
Vicki and her fellow humans and the Others who live in Sproing must work together to figure out who is causing the stir, as even bigger Elders and Hunters cut off the town from the outside world and begin Hunting themselves.
It was a great book, but I had a little trouble getting into it at the beginning, so I gave it 4.5 stars. I rounded down because the culprit(s) were a little obvious, but it was still a fantastic story.
I adore this world, and some cameos we got! I can't wait for the next Others-verse story!!!
In this book, we return to the Jumble and Vicki DeVine, first introduced in 2018's Lake Silence, which also happened to be the beginning of our visits to places other than Lakeside and people other than Meg Corbyn and her new family. We took a little detour in the next book, Wild Country, to witness some monumental events that had far-reaching effects for all humans. And now, we're back at the Jumble.
It's Trickster Night (their version of Halloween), and who should make a terrifying appearance? Crowbones, the ancient spirit Crowgard parents used to keep their kids behaving properly! In Crowbones' wake, bodies start piling up.
Vicki and her fellow humans and the Others who live in Sproing must work together to figure out who is causing the stir, as even bigger Elders and Hunters cut off the town from the outside world and begin Hunting themselves.
It was a great book, but I had a little trouble getting into it at the beginning, so I gave it 4.5 stars. I rounded down because the culprit(s) were a little obvious, but it was still a fantastic story.
I adore this world, and some cameos we got! I can't wait for the next Others-verse story!!!
March 19, 2022
We’re back with Vicky at The Jumble in Sproing after the last book centered around the people and events in the town of Bennett. Vicky’s inn is up and running with guests and she has some of the Crowguard working/staying with her to assist. As usual there are a few humans making trouble, tainting minds and capturing the attention of The Others, and not in a good way. Some people just never learn. Vicky and her friends must tread carefully so they don’t get between a deadly Hunter looking to weed out the bad.
I’ve loved The Others series from the beginning and so I was excited to get another glimpse into life in Sproing and catch up with Vicky, Wayne Grimshaw, Julian, Ilya and the rest of the Lake Silence crowd. Vicky seems to hold a similar position in the stories as the books that centered on Meg. A human that captured the attention and hearts of the The Others, meriting their protection. I will say that Meg and Simon’s books continue to be my favorites of the series. Vicky is likable, but I feel the newer stories don’t hold that same special place in my heart. I think part of that has to do with the fact that there’s no clear romance here. I think Julian is meant to be the love interest for Vicky, but I honestly think she has more chemistry with Chief Grimshaw. Don’t get me wrong, these newer stories are exciting and captivating, as well, and I eagerly look forward to every new installment! The story wrapped up nicely, but there’s definitely room for more!
A copy was kindly provided by Ace in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve loved The Others series from the beginning and so I was excited to get another glimpse into life in Sproing and catch up with Vicky, Wayne Grimshaw, Julian, Ilya and the rest of the Lake Silence crowd. Vicky seems to hold a similar position in the stories as the books that centered on Meg. A human that captured the attention and hearts of the The Others, meriting their protection. I will say that Meg and Simon’s books continue to be my favorites of the series. Vicky is likable, but I feel the newer stories don’t hold that same special place in my heart. I think part of that has to do with the fact that there’s no clear romance here. I think Julian is meant to be the love interest for Vicky, but I honestly think she has more chemistry with Chief Grimshaw. Don’t get me wrong, these newer stories are exciting and captivating, as well, and I eagerly look forward to every new installment! The story wrapped up nicely, but there’s definitely room for more!
A copy was kindly provided by Ace in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
January 21, 2021cannot wait for this book, roll on, March 2022
March 16, 2022
There are a few ways to get a high rating from me. Great story; great characters; great writing.
Unfortunately, Crowbones has none of that. It starts with the scrap of a good idea, but I can't help but think Anne Bishop probably should have realised what a mess the book is at the first draft and tossed it into a bottom drawer and pretended it didn't exist.
It really is confusing. And I recognise that confusing can be a good thing but in this case it's just frustrating.
Unfortunately, Crowbones has none of that. It starts with the scrap of a good idea, but I can't help but think Anne Bishop probably should have realised what a mess the book is at the first draft and tossed it into a bottom drawer and pretended it didn't exist.
It really is confusing. And I recognise that confusing can be a good thing but in this case it's just frustrating.
March 15, 2022
Read this review on
Fresh Fiction
Set in the world of the Others, Anne Bishop presents readers with CROWBONES. This dark story explores shapeshifters, vampires and other paranormal beings, so if you’re a Paranormal fan, then this is a must-read!
This story follows Vicki and the Jumble, a vacation getaway. Although she is human, she is faced with a lot of paranormal issues, including mysterious murders. To be honest, I was a little let down by this one a little as it didn’t hold my interest as some of the other books in the series. The writing is upbeat but not compelling.
However, the worldbuilding is absolutely amazing. You can tell that a lot of effort and detail is included so you can’t deny Bishop’s writing skill and imagination. So although this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I always find myself coming back for more!
Set in the world of the Others, Anne Bishop presents readers with CROWBONES. This dark story explores shapeshifters, vampires and other paranormal beings, so if you’re a Paranormal fan, then this is a must-read!
This story follows Vicki and the Jumble, a vacation getaway. Although she is human, she is faced with a lot of paranormal issues, including mysterious murders. To be honest, I was a little let down by this one a little as it didn’t hold my interest as some of the other books in the series. The writing is upbeat but not compelling.
However, the worldbuilding is absolutely amazing. You can tell that a lot of effort and detail is included so you can’t deny Bishop’s writing skill and imagination. So although this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I always find myself coming back for more!
September 5, 2025
Story 5 stars. Narration 4.5 stars rounded up
I always enjoy my time in the world of the Others. I liked this one better than the first one of the Others spin off books I think. Probably because there was more story set up involved once the story left the Courtyard with the first book. New characters and setting. We get new characters with this book as well but mostly ones that don’t have to be that fleshed out. And we already know a lot of the characters.
Everything about this book is unique right down to the names of the days of the week. To me, it’s always been one of the most fascinating series that I’ve ever read. Of course it is fantasy and an alternative earth-something I never thought I would enjoy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I hope the author continues to write them for a very long time. I don’t think I could recommend this series more especially the original Others series that will always be in my top 15 series I’ve ever read.
I always enjoy my time in the world of the Others. I liked this one better than the first one of the Others spin off books I think. Probably because there was more story set up involved once the story left the Courtyard with the first book. New characters and setting. We get new characters with this book as well but mostly ones that don’t have to be that fleshed out. And we already know a lot of the characters.
Everything about this book is unique right down to the names of the days of the week. To me, it’s always been one of the most fascinating series that I’ve ever read. Of course it is fantasy and an alternative earth-something I never thought I would enjoy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I hope the author continues to write them for a very long time. I don’t think I could recommend this series more especially the original Others series that will always be in my top 15 series I’ve ever read.
November 15, 2021
Vicki runs The Jumble, a vacation getaway. She's human, but the town is populated by many different beings, including vampires, shifters, and elementals. After several grisly murders and sinister threats, the human police chief Grimshaw and vampire attorney Ilya Sanguinati try to discern who is responsible. Is it outsiders coming into town for Trickster Night? Is there really a punishing vigilante Crowbones, or is that just a legend? Anne Bishop is a master at world-building; I've read all of her Others series, but this novel could still be enjoyed as a stand-alone. Recommended for fans of Charlaine Harris. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
February 6, 2022
Oh, I was so happy to be back in the world of The Others. It’s been too long!
Now, I will say that you shouldn’t start here. You should read her other books and you’ll be glad you did. There’s so much to understand about this world.
For those of us who are already invested in this world, this is an absolute treat!
The plot is dark, of course, but there are moments that are just so much fun. Vicki is a delight and I’m always happy when the Crows (and crows) play a part in the story. I was very worried for some of our characters and really enjoyed meeting some new ones – human and not.
I truly hope that I don’t need to wait as long for the next book. I love this series and this addition to the author’s world was wonderful!
*ARC via Publisher
Now, I will say that you shouldn’t start here. You should read her other books and you’ll be glad you did. There’s so much to understand about this world.
For those of us who are already invested in this world, this is an absolute treat!
The plot is dark, of course, but there are moments that are just so much fun. Vicki is a delight and I’m always happy when the Crows (and crows) play a part in the story. I was very worried for some of our characters and really enjoyed meeting some new ones – human and not.
I truly hope that I don’t need to wait as long for the next book. I love this series and this addition to the author’s world was wonderful!
*ARC via Publisher
August 6, 2022
Loved revisiting with this world, I miss Lakeside. I know them better and have more time invested in them. I wish they'd mingle a bit more. I loved all parts of this book but felt like it dragged a bit here and there. It could have been me I've been working long hours. When it ended (audiobook) I checked to make sure my batteries didn't die, "no that can't be the end" sadly it was. I hope there will be more
March 9, 2022
3 - 3.5
I thought the plot was more convoluted than complex. The villains need more development, at least for me, to understand their skill/gift,X-men-like superpower. I did love catching up with the characters of Lake Silence, but I do wish Vicki's character had shown more growth. The best parts involved Trickster Night and terra indigene folklore, i.e. Crowbones. The trail of physical evidence made for a gruesome and engaging murder-mystery-suspense thriller. There were many players in "Crowbones," which added to the mystery but I do wish there had been more development with 'Them.'
I thought the plot was more convoluted than complex. The villains need more development, at least for me, to understand their skill/gift,X-men-like superpower. I did love catching up with the characters of Lake Silence, but I do wish Vicki's character had shown more growth. The best parts involved Trickster Night and terra indigene folklore, i.e. Crowbones. The trail of physical evidence made for a gruesome and engaging murder-mystery-suspense thriller. There were many players in "Crowbones," which added to the mystery but I do wish there had been more development with 'Them.'
March 12, 2022
I love the world of the others.
Of the three books that have taken place outside of Lakeside (the original series with Meg & Simon) I am loving the ones set in the Jumble the best.
There is a nice touch of humor that seems to characterize the ones set in Sproing (I mean even the name of the town in kinda funny). And, Vikki, the main character, has a quirky inner voice that is a little absurd at times.
This one was a little chaotic -- but in a good way. It takes place around Trickster Night (aka Halloween in this AU) where the boogeyman of the Crowguard known as Crowbones take center stage.
The story in basically a murder mystery and the author gives us a lot of possible suspects and builds an interesting motive and means that fits into this paranormal world.
The ending was satisfying and included a couple of cameos by characters from the main series including an amusing 'note' to Vikki from Simon.
Of the three books that have taken place outside of Lakeside (the original series with Meg & Simon) I am loving the ones set in the Jumble the best.
There is a nice touch of humor that seems to characterize the ones set in Sproing (I mean even the name of the town in kinda funny). And, Vikki, the main character, has a quirky inner voice that is a little absurd at times.
This one was a little chaotic -- but in a good way. It takes place around Trickster Night (aka Halloween in this AU) where the boogeyman of the Crowguard known as Crowbones take center stage.
The story in basically a murder mystery and the author gives us a lot of possible suspects and builds an interesting motive and means that fits into this paranormal world.
The ending was satisfying and included a couple of cameos by characters from the main series including an amusing 'note' to Vikki from Simon.
June 28, 2022
The first three-quarters of 'Crowbones' was a lot of fun. There are some stand-out scenes, some chilling horror and some great humour. As usual, there's also the satisfaction of knowing that, eventually, the humans doing bad things for selfish reasons will get what's coming to them. The plot is more complicated than usual, which added to the tension and mystery and produced some good action scenes. Unfortunately, it seemed to leave a lot of things to explain in the closing chapters of the book, after the action was over. I found this clumsy and a little tedious. I'm not sure every plot detail needed to be explained, the explanations felt too neat and tidy to be credible and the exposition was very static.
Overall, it was a fun read but could have been more fun if the ending had been structured differently.
So what's it about? Well, we're back at The Jumble, the setting for 'Lake Silence', a Terra Indigene settlement that Vickie Divine manages on behalf of The Others as a rustic resort where humans and The Others can interact without anyone getting killed, as long as all the rules are followed and no one forgets that The Jumble, is in the Wild Country where there's no safety in the dark. The action starts with Vickie running a Trickster Night party which goes badly wrong when someone shows up pretending to be Crowbones, the bogey man of the Crowgard, terrifying the Crows in the party. Then the pretender is found dead, killed in a way that suggests the involvement of the real Crowbones, a hunter even other Terra Indigene are afraid of.
What I liked most about 'Crowbones' was that, for once, not all the bad guys were human. This time, some of The Others are part of the problem, acting covertly in ways so unacceptable to the Elders, that the perpetrators are seen as a contagion that has to be isolated and eliminated. Part of the fun was trying to figure out which of The Others were part of the contagion and which humans they were working with and why.
Some of the strongest scenes were in The Jumble itself. The Trickster Night scenes worked well. As did the way in which the Elementals Air and Water satisfied their curiosity about why two humans had gone into a bathroom together. The creepiest part was the disembodied voices calling out 'Monkey Boy' from the woods in a tone like a menacing lullaby. You knew that whoever was being addressed was doomed.
Unfortunately, the end of the book seemed to wobble out of control. Nothing was left hanging but the excitement drained away as the storytelling moved from Show to Tell.
Overall, it was a fun read but could have been more fun if the ending had been structured differently.
So what's it about? Well, we're back at The Jumble, the setting for 'Lake Silence', a Terra Indigene settlement that Vickie Divine manages on behalf of The Others as a rustic resort where humans and The Others can interact without anyone getting killed, as long as all the rules are followed and no one forgets that The Jumble, is in the Wild Country where there's no safety in the dark. The action starts with Vickie running a Trickster Night party which goes badly wrong when someone shows up pretending to be Crowbones, the bogey man of the Crowgard, terrifying the Crows in the party. Then the pretender is found dead, killed in a way that suggests the involvement of the real Crowbones, a hunter even other Terra Indigene are afraid of.
What I liked most about 'Crowbones' was that, for once, not all the bad guys were human. This time, some of The Others are part of the problem, acting covertly in ways so unacceptable to the Elders, that the perpetrators are seen as a contagion that has to be isolated and eliminated. Part of the fun was trying to figure out which of The Others were part of the contagion and which humans they were working with and why.
Some of the strongest scenes were in The Jumble itself. The Trickster Night scenes worked well. As did the way in which the Elementals Air and Water satisfied their curiosity about why two humans had gone into a bathroom together. The creepiest part was the disembodied voices calling out 'Monkey Boy' from the woods in a tone like a menacing lullaby. You knew that whoever was being addressed was doomed.
Unfortunately, the end of the book seemed to wobble out of control. Nothing was left hanging but the excitement drained away as the storytelling moved from Show to Tell.
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