Written in Red

I greatly enjoyed this book. In fact, I couldn't put it down last night and finished it in one fell swoop. The world is one of the most intriguing new takes in fantasy that I've encountered in years, richly imagined and off-center from ours with just enough familiarity to make the differences that much more striking. The characters are well-developed and believable, the Others different enough from anyone else's take on vampires, were beings and the like to stay fresh. I cared about Meg pretty quickly, and Sam almost immediately.

This isn't another boring romance book, which is a great relief. I can only hope that continues to be true for the series.

I'm thoroughly confused by my feelings for this book. It consistently annoyed the crap out of me and yet somehow I still... liked it? The writing style bothered me, just in general, and I felt like there was a lack of information where it was needed and yet a whole lot of unnecessary information pertaining to things I didn't care about. I did not love the frequent changes in POV, or the annoying villains. See what I mean? I just listed a whole bunch of stuff that made me constantly annoyed, and yet... I still liked the book. It was a cool world. I wanted to know what happened. I am just sitting here shaking my head and trying to figure out what's going on because I'm considering reading the sequel. What??

2.5 stars.

It has been so hard to finish this one.
I found it boring to death, but for a few moments.
I liked the worldbuilding and some Meg-moments, when she takes care of a puppy for example. But that is due to the fact that I love dogs :D Also her process of integration into the terra indigene society was very appealing and well done.
What I didn't enjoy was the lack of a solid plot, that made the book a bit too long and boring. It was more focused on characterization, putting the basis for the sequels hopefully. In the end it was slacking off too much for my tastes.

Whaaatttt?? Another vampire/werewolf book that does not suck?

I have read quite a few PNR books in search for the next Mercy Thompson without any luck. While this is not as good, it's very close. The world is refreshingly different from ALL the other basic vampire stories. In this one, the inmates are running the asylum. That is, the war between humankind and “the others” has ended, the others have won.

But it's not a post-apocalyptic world where people are harvested for their blood and meat. The supernatural folk has decided to live in harmony with the normal people, and they live in an uncomfortable peace.

Meg Corbyn is an ordinary woman. Not only she is not special in any kind, but she is actually quite docile, naive and fragile, a woman with the brain of a girl. While this might sound like a boring protagonist, and it kind of is, the world around her is not.

There isn't much special about the setting, other then the roles are reversed. The humans may outnumber the others, but they are the most powerful ones. Most people tremble in fear by the mere sight of one of them, and yet, it's not quite as it sound, or at least, it is not played out like most books.

Instead, it is like a minority group had all the power. Something akin of the Amish having super powers, and even though they don't care about us or our world, they can roam about it as they please. They have their life, their ways. We just happen to be here, trying to destroy them, but having failed so many times that we're beaten into submission.

The writing is also very good. The author establishes empathy with the protagonist, as dull as she may be. She is charismatic, intriguing and resourceful. The supporting characters even though a bit stereotyped, like the roaring alpha male, are decent enough to be appreciated as well.

The author takes a big risk incorporating precognition into the plot, and it is surprisingly not awful. I hate that sort of gimmick as I find it the most useless “super power” there is. Usually the ones who can see the future cannot change it, and so what's the point?

The discover of the powers of “the others” was nicely weaved into the story. Meg progression as a character is smooth, and so is her relationship with the supporting cast.

Overall, the most exceptional thing about this book is that I don't hate it. There is no overused cliche and roll eyes moments. The plot is not very ambitious, and as such there is no let down when things resolve itself out. It was an enjoyable reading.