Written in Red

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.

Originally posted at Fantasy Literature.

Meg Corbyn has escaped from the man who???s been using her prophetic abilities for his own profit. Meg has never been in the outside world ??? she???s been institutionalized since she was a child ??? and she has no idea how to take care of herself. The only place where she might successfully hide from her owner is in the Courtyard of the Others, a race of dangerous shapeshifters who are much more animal than human. Meg applies for the Others??? job opening as a liaison to the humans. She has no skills, but she???s determined to prove herself worthy.

Though he has very little experience with humans, Meg???s new boss Simon Wolfgard (a wolf who transforms into a human, even though he hates being in that body) realizes there???s something different about Meg. She seems so innocent and na??ve. When he and the rest of the Others discover that Meg is being hunted, they reverse their previous policy of not interfering in human affairs so they can protect her.

I didn???t read the publisher???s blurb for Written in Red before reading the book and that???s the only reason I can give it as much as 2.5 stars. The only interesting part of the story for me was the mystery of who Meg is and why she???s so valuable. Unfortunately, all of this is given away in the blurb. Other than this mystery, most of the plot focuses on Meg learning to live outside the institution that???s been her home for as long as she can remember... Read the rest: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/written-in-red/