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Book Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop


 
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
 

Roc, 2014

ISBN-13: 9781101637944

Available: Hardcover, paperback,  Audible audiobook

 
 
Meg has earned her place with The Others by spending her own flesh and blood and gift of prophecy to save them. But tensions between The Others and humans are at an all time high, with the appearance of two new drugs that either sedate The Others beyond self-defense, or throw the humans into berserker rages against them. While Meg struggles with her need to use her potentially maiming power, and a chilling premonition about her new friends, Simon the werewolf and Vladimir of Clan Vampire are troubled by what they’re discovering about the traditions of the blood prophets.
 

With a blizzard coming in, pushed by the rage of the elementals at the battles they’re facing with the humans Bishop throws in a bit of snowed in impending disaster tension as well. A great read, well paced considering Bishop’s penchant for trilogies. Definitely recommended for collections and fantasy lovers.
 

Contains: violence, sexual violence, language

Reviewed by Michele Lee

Book Review: Written In Red: A Novel of The Others by Anne Bishop

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
 
Roc, 2014 (reissue edition)
 
ISBN-13: 9780451464965
 
Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition
 

Meg Corbyn is on the run, with a deep secret. She’s a blood prophet, a young woman gifted with the ability to foretell the future by spilling her own blood. She isn’t is a free woman, though; she was raised by a corporation, her flesh sold for the use of the highest buyer. Now she is stolen property.; she’s stolen herself away, and found a perfect hiding place, within a community of creatures who have never even pretended to be human.

 

Written in Red is a vivid urban fantasy from epic fantasy staple Anne Bishop. Fans of Bishop’s writing will find some familiar elements, as will urban fantasy fans. The addition of a heroine addicted to self-mutilation, a new interpretation of shifters and vampires, and Bishop’s stellar prose, are sure to keep readers interested. Very much recommended for public library collections and fantasy/dark fantasy/urban fantasy fans.

 
 
Contains: language, violence, self-mutilation, sexual violence
 

Reviewed by Michele Lee

 

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Monster Librarian Facebook follower Linda Lee Booth for getting me back into the groove for 2015!

Book Review: Vampyres of Hollywood by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott

Vampyres of Hollywood by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott

St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009

ISBN: 0312565771

Available: Hardcover, Kindle ebook

A serial killer is murdering Hollywood’s celebrities, and Detective Peter King is on the case. King links the crimes to the Scream Queen, and her producer, Ovsanna Moore. Moore has a hideous motive for murder…the dead celebrities were all vampyres, and each had been sired by her.

Barbeau and Scott have produced an inventive take on the vampire mythos, linking it to classic Hollywood filmdom, and using actress Barbeau’s behind-the-scenes knowledge to add rich texture to the narrative. The chapters alternate between the viewpoints of King and Moore as the mystery unfolds in noir-like fashion.

Vampyres of Hollywood is adequately written, and fast-paced, with plenty of action and humor, but it is not for the squeamish or fainthearted. The violence is brutal and sometimes over-the-top, and there is plenty of adult-only content. That said, it’s a fast and enjoyable read for mature audiences. Recommended.

Contains: sexual content, graphic gore and violence.

Reviewed by Bob Freeman