Genres: Urban Fantasy
Published by Roc
Released on February 6, 2018
Pages: 514
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
The Delight
The previous book, Marked in Flesh, felt like the grand finale and, after reading this one, I felt that more than ever. Etched in Bone is a long fabulous epilogue. It’s the after effect of war, learning to live in the new world, and how the Others and humans go forward dealing with one another. Of course, there had to be a little villainy to deal with and a coming to an understanding between Simon and Meg and that was the most welcome part.
Review
As you might have surmised by that intro, Etched in Bone is not a standalone or good to read out of order. It’s the fifth installment in The Others series.
So yes, life at the Courtyard and in Lakeside feels somewhat precarious and hesitant as the Courtyard residents still take deep breaths of relief and the citizens of the city are still in shock even as the grumbling starts up once again (humans, we are not the brightest lot at times). Into this situation comes a snake in the grass to infiltrate and wreck his own brand of havoc. Simon wants him out of the Courtyard and even the city, but the Terre Ingene Elders wish to observe how one ‘bad’ human will interact with the rest.
Monty and his mother are worse than uneasy when his slicko brother Jimmy hits town and he learns his sister is has been the well that Jimmy keeps going to and has shown up because of it. Jimmy won’t listen and sneers when Monty advises to clean up his act and tread gently around the Others. Meanwhile, Jimmy is up to his schemes and trouble mounts quickly for the human pack and Others at the Courtyard.
Like I said, this one didn’t feel like a last book. Book four was that. This one felt like an after story because it was less global and more local in its conflict and action. It did resolve what life would be like post- Elders’ ending the human uprising and it brought along Meg and Simon’s relationship as well as highlighting all the inter-personal Courtyard and police pack relationships like an epilogue would.
While much less intense, this was no boring book. That ending was quite exciting, in fact. And yes, justice was served. I won’t pretend that I loved it as much as the previous book, but I needed the resolution pieces this one brought. Though, that said, I wanted more resolution when it came to Simon and Meg. It left things at a good spot, but still a bit more open-ended than I prefer. I’m glad there are more books in this world and I hope there are references back to Simon, Meg, and their friends in Lakeside when the series continues with other settings and characters.
All in al, I enjoyed this deliciously long denouement for the Lakeside Courtyard, The Others story and being once again with well-loved familiar characters, setting and world. I will be sad to leave the characters and setting behind, but so glad the author continued writing in this world. I can’t recommend this series enough.
Preview
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Glad to hear it continued to be engaging to the end.
That is always the best thing, right? 🙂
I think that you are exactly right. This book was like a long and much-needed epilogue. I wanted more out of Simon and Meg too. Great review!
I was very curious what would come after the last book b/c of the way it had that smashing ending, but was hoping it was at least going to be Simon and Meg coming to an understanding. Now, I have the ones outside the Courtyard to read still. 🙂
I’ve read the two spinoff ones and while a lot of people love them, I’m still a bit on the fence. I did give them both 4 stars because how could I not with all the wonderful world building going on! I just really miss Simon and Meg although you do hear bits from them but not enough! I’ll be interested to see what you think. Fantastic review as always.
Oh good! I was hoping the spinoffs had a little about Simon and Meg. Hopefully, I’ll love them, too. Thanks, Lorna!
I couldn’t agree more about this being more like a standalone. I liked seeing everyone in the courtyard again and getting a definitive answer on what Simon and Meg were going to be to each other. But, definitely not the tension of the 4th book in the series.
Yep! Always welcome is a new story from the courtyard, but I think I’ll see them as their own rather than connected by series arc like in the earlier books.
Great review Sophia. I listen to these and agree with a lot of your points. This is a favorite series on audio for me,
Thanks, Kimberly! I hope to try the very last release on audio b/c that’s one I snagged for review. I do love how audio enhances a story even more. 🙂
I’m really glad you’re enjoying this series. It is favorite of mine. I love this world Bishop has built. The characters are a lot of fun (and evil) too. 🙂
You and Kimberly @ CR are the ones that got me sold on trying it. 🙂 Oh yes, great villains to hate.
Oh, I couldn’t stand Jimmy and I knew it was a matter of time before he brought big trouble! Put me on edge. Yes, I would’ve liked more at the end with Simon and Meg, too, but I was happy enough with how it ended. I hope we get more of them in the future too. 🙂
He was such a toad. I just wanted him to meet his nasty end and be done with. LOL
Yeah, hoping for a few check ins with Meg and Simon through the rest of the series, too.
Eeeee! I had to skim this review. Lol 😉 I can’t wait to read the next book.
Oh yes, don’t want to accidentally spoiler it for you. 🙂 The next one for you is my fav so far. Hope you love it. 🙂