Book Review: Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 5 of The Others
Publisher: Roc (March 7, 2017)
Length: 416 pages
Author Information: Website
So, another one of my favorite urban fantasy series has come to a close. Finding out that Anne Bishop will soon be following up with a spinoff series did soften the blow somewhat, but I won’t lie; when I picked up this final chapter of The Others starring Meg Corbyn and Co., my heart was filled with excitement but also a lot of bittersweet feelings. I’m definitely going to miss spending time in Lakeside Courtyard and reading about its colorful residents.
Since Etched in Bone is the fifth and final installment of the series though, please beware this review may contain spoilers for the previous books. Marked in Flesh saw the Humans First and Last movement violently crushed by the Elders, and the repercussions of that event have been widely and deeply felt across the land. Pro-human groups have lost much of their power, and many of their remaining cities are now cut off from resources and protection. The thriving community of Lakeside Courtyard, having emerged from the Elders’ wrath largely unscathed, now finds itself in the position to offer help to those in need. Its wolf-shifter leader Simon Wolfgard is seen as one the more sympathetic Others, and word soon spreads that they are offering jobs and shelter to human refugees who are willing to work hard and won’t cause trouble.
Everything seems to be running smoothly, until the arrival of Cyrus James “Jimmy” Montgomery. Against his better instincts, Simon decides to let Jimmy stay in part because he is the brother of Lieutenant Montgomery, a well-respected man in Lakeside Courtyard, but also because Jimmy is the brother and son of two other current residents. That decision to show compassion ultimately turns out to be a huge mistake, for Jimmy is a con artist, seeing this opportunity not as the blessing it is but as an easy meal ticket and a way to scam money. Not realizing that the Terra Indigene reserve the worst kinds of punishment for his sort, Jimmy continues to emotionally blackmail his sister and abuse his privileges at Lakeside Courtyard, until it’s only a matter of time before he takes things too far.
I’m going to be honest here. I thought Etched in Bone ended up being another fantastic installment, but as an ending, it was somewhat disappointing. I think Bishop might have overplayed her hand when it came to the resolution of the HPL storyline in the previous book, because let’s face it, anything coming up on the heels of that epic conclusion in Marked in Flesh would be hard-pressed to rival that that act. And indeed, the conflict in Etched in Bone felt rather tame in comparison. For example, if this had been just another book in the series, I think Jimmy Montgomery would have made a pretty decent villain. For a series conclusion though? A small bit conman felt too low-key and insignificant to be the story’s main focal point, especially since we’d just seen the likes of Nicholas Scratch, leader of the Thaisian HFL who had the power of an entire movement behind him.
Then, there’s Simon and Meg. I’ve never made it a secret how I feel about these two. Their romance, if you could even call it that, has always weirded me out. I don’t care much for Meg either, and my enjoyment for this series has always been carried by my love for some of the other characters. Other than being able to tell the future by cutting herself (which the Others actually want her to stop doing), Meg brings absolutely no valuable skills to Lakeside Courtyard, and yet the Others all bend over backwards to treat this helpless little woman-child like a queen. To me, Simon’s attraction to Meg has always felt more like a loyal guard dog’s devotion to his master, like she’s something fragile to be protected and kept safe because she’s too weak to look after herself, and in turn she treats the wolf-shifter like he’s her big fuzzy pet. Bishop had this one last chance to finally set their relationship on the right course, and I was a little surprised that she didn’t take it. Simon still bends to “his Meg’s” every whim, while she continues to be portrayed a meek character who requires constant sheltering and protection.
Bottom line, Etched in Bone would have worked perfectly fine as a middle book of a series, but as a series conclusion, I felt it left something to be desired. But while my review probably goes against the grain of the overwhelmingly positive response this book has been getting, I just want to say I still adore The Others, and if nothing else, this was a satisfying and happy ending for everyone involved. I’m beyond excited that Bishop will continue to write stories set in Thaisia because I’ve enjoyed every moment I’ve spent in this world, and even though this novel didn’t exactly end with the bang I’d wanted, it was nonetheless a very good book and a must-read for fans.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Mogsy’s review of Written in Red (Book 1)
Tiara’s review of Written in Red (Book 1)
Review of Murder of Crows (Book 2)
Review of Vision in Silver (Book 3)
Review of Marked in Flesh (Book 4)
It’s quite sad when a series you enjoyed comes to an end, isn’t it? But on the other hand I believe a writer should “close the door” when the readers are still invested: better leave them wanting rather than when they are bored by lack of new, interesting threads.
I’m happy you will have a spinoff to look forward to, though! 🙂
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Yep, I prefer saying goodbye to a beloved series on good note, rather than having one drag on and on until it’s lost all its magic. I’m happy there will be a spin-off too though! 🙂
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They are weird, but I can enjoy them together now. But yes everything you say is true
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It was a great book. But probably on the lackluster side for a series ending.
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Do you think that we won’t see anyone in the spin off? Because I was still wondering about all the others Cassandre and the consequences of everything
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I hope we’ll see at least some cameos! It seems from the book description we’ll be focusing on an entirely different location though.
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I enjoyed book 1 of the series (esp the worldbuilding), although it felt a little overlong for me. I’ve been sort of on the fence about continuing the series. But I’m glad that you really enjoyed the world and I hope the spinoff series is just as interesting! Thanks for the great series-ending review!
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The world building is definitely one of the best things about this series! I know what you mean about the first book being overlong though, and tbh I felt it too, even though I didn’t mind it so much. All the books suffer from this to an extent as well, Making me think it could be a quirk of the author’s style 🙂
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Not a fatal flaw by any means, esp if the world of the book is a fun place to live! 🙂
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I haven’t started this series yet, I chose the October Daye books and thought I’d finish them first then maybe give this a try. I’m a little bit surprised that it’s finished so soon – I don’t know what but I thought it was going to be one of those series that ran for a while – like the Dresden Files, or Trueblood. It’s a shame the ending felt a bit anticlimactic but it still seems to have been a popular series – do you recommend it.
Lynn 😀
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She probably could have milked the series for a few more books, but I’m also kinda glad she didn’t. Sometimes it’s best for a UF series to end on a high note rather than wear out its welcome! Though, Bishop is working on a spin-off, so she’s not done with the world yet! 🙂
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On my list of series that I really want to continue with after enjoying book 1 so much!
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Oh I hadn’t realized you started the series! That’s awesome, glad you enjoyed it! 😀
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