Just Another Reader

Written in Red, the first book in The Others series, was one of the biggest surprises to me last year. I had added it to my shelf at some point and then forgot about it. Then it was picked for me for a challenge. I loved it and was really excited for the second book which came out last month (libraries are slow).

Overall, still really liked this book. The world building aspect is my favorite part of the series. Basically, it does take place on earth, but humans aren't the only intelligent creatures, nor were they the first. I think they developed in Europe, but when they started traveling beyond they started meeting "The Others" which viewed them as prey. We've heard a bit about that area, but the story focuses on North America and takes place a few hundred years after humans crossed the Atlantik. 

The first two expeditions were eaten. The third traded with the native species and were able to strike a bargain with them. The humans were allowed to settle and use select resources that the Others allowed them and had to abide by their rules and sell their goods. Some formed larger cities which had a community of Others to watch over them.

A few hundred years later, tensions between the two groups are getting worse, especially with the appearance of drugs which alter the Others behavior.

So that's all just the background for these books. But I love it and it's one of the main draws for me. This book continues from Written in Red with focusing on one Others community in a city called Laketown. After the events of Written in Red, Laketown is still recovering from their ordeal. It soon becomes clear from the news that other cities are getting more chaotic as tensions between the two communities rise.

Murder of Crows does expand on the previous story, but I did not enjoy it as much. It's still good, but I feel there could have been more development on all sides. I did see there's a posting for the third book, Vision of Silver due out next year. I'm excited!