Anne Bishop - Written in Red

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.
Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

Comment: This is most recent work by the author. So far, I've read almost everything she wrote and I can say I'm a fan. I also know many people have enjoyed this book a lot and it surpsised even those who didn't expect as much. I was very curious and I bought the book and now I didn't resist it anymore.

This book tell us the story of Meg. She is a cassandra sangue, a blood prophet with skin and blood perfect to cut and to be the path to the visions girls like Meg have. She lives in a facility controlled by those who own her and her fellow prophets but Meg gains the visions to know how to escape and one day she finally does.
Meg ends up in a place ruled by the Others, a group of beings not human but who live near humans because of commercial needs. The world is made of humans and Others and the relationship isn't always peaceful. The Others don't like humans and when those invade or try to do anything to Others, they eat them. The world is dangerous for humans but sometimes they still try to get their hands on what doesn't belong to them, but Others don't care about that. Meg is going to find out how much, indeed.

Wow, this book is great and this world rocks. I'm convinced there are few who could create such a world like Anne Bishop and to put fantasy to its highest wonders. I was so eager to get it I got the hardcover edition too!
This was a wonderful story and very well prepared and set and the author has done an amazing job in portraying a world and a society where many human traits are rules, like a sense of community, protection and help and a place where is important to be polite and respectful even when the Others claim they are against humans and their worse qualities. But all this serves to the beings part of the Others to show humans a side of them more reliable to be accepted and dealt with because deep down, they are predators waiting to kill their prey. Still, I enjoyed the dichotomy in their actions vs their beliefs.

I liked how the story unfolded and how Meg needed help and despite being human she became important to the community where she applied for work. Step by step she ended up being important to everyone and she prved some humans can be important as well and not everyone had a hidden agenda. Meg slowly but firly becama a part of them and it was both sweet and magical to watch the Others there giving their protection and respect to her. Meg was afraid to be a danger to them or to be caught by her previous controllers but her personal development in that place also proved her she could be a part of them and be helpful. I liked this sense of familiar actions taking place in a community where it's so important to help and be truthful. Meg never did anything to be punished and she tried her best. When it was time, she was defended because she belonged. I love that idea, the image of someone who apparently didn't have to be accepted, to belong and be wanted.

All the characters play their part and have something to add to the story. I found this amazing because even the ones who don't seem to matter, do. Meg and Simon are the main characters and I liked ho they build up their friendship very slowly but they did. I wonder if some romance might happen int he future, but so far Simon needs to accept that, in case it happens.
As for Meg, she is a good enough heroine, full of beautiful and worthy feelings. Many people mention the cutting as a bit disturbing but as I see this as a fantasy world and being Meg a sort of special human, I don't find it as weird or worrying as that. She cuts herself to help and although in real life it can be a sign of deep issues, in this novel I could put myself apart from that idea long enough to just enjoy the story.

In the end, this amused me, thrilled me and seduced me a lot! I can't wait to read more although the next book will only be out next year. Still, what a fascinating and perfect world, so many little details to cherish and that made the boo seem fuller and more structured...I loved it and how amazing it was. I recommend it to everyone!