Murder of Crows

A Novel of the Others

By: Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Return to New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop’s "phenomenal" (Urban Fantasy Investigations) world of the Others - where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules.…

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

©2014 Anne Bishop (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Anne Bishop is so good at writing character development...that I found I felt like I was there in the story.... I love this series, and I NEED MORE!" (USAToday.com)

“Fully satisfying.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Excellent End of the Meg Corbyn Story Arc

A Murder of Crows continues the excellent worldbuilding and storytelling begun in the first book, creating tension but expounding upon the characters we have grown to know and love. The book has a solid ending and completes Meg Corbyn's story arc in a satisfying manner.

Plot: Crows are being murdered across Thasia - even at the Lakeside courtyard. Someone wants the ever vigilant crows out of the way and only Meg's prophecies are saving their lives before it is too late. The emergence of two drugs that target both humans and Others make Simon and the Terra Indigene recognize that they can no longer be reactive and instead must make a plan to stop this new threat - before more human cities and lives (as well as lives of Terra Indigene) are lost from retaliation by the Others.

Murder of Crows expanded the universe nicely - adding a new type of humans (intuits) as well as several new characters, including a former cell mate of Meg's. As well, we are given far more insight into several characters, especially Simon and the humans (policemen and girls working the stores). Tess's strange nature is explained more as well as more history of the Terra Indigenes. But all the character building does come at the expense of action: events are told after the fact with a few sentences rather than battles as we had at the end of Written in Red. Yet it really is for the characters why so many, including myself, really enjoyed this series and so the loss of action isn't really a loss. Bishop replaced the action with a lot of tension and really knows how to milk a moment and ratchet up the suspense.

If Ia vote this 4 stars instead of 5, it's because of the sheer amount of repetition in the book. Concepts, ideas, plot points are repeated ad nauseum, almost to the point of being distracting. Yes, humans are seen as meat, we got the idea the last 45 times that was stated. The same with how the Cassandra Sangue work, etc. etc.

In all, a great series and one I heartily recommend to all. Especially since it has the most unique and nicely developed low key romance I've read in an urban fantasy in a long time.

Note: I listened to the Audible version of this book and enjoyed the narration. Arooo.

a great addition to the others series.

I liked this addition to this series. the only thing I don't like it's that the third book isn't out until March.

loved it

I truly enjoyed this series. I Highly recommend it. great character interactio. The story development is super interesting and as layers peel off you just need to hear more. More and more characters you like. I just listened to all 5 books...for a second time. GF rolled her eyes at me at first but she suggested the series so I blame her. I loved the characters and the social interactions were amusing.

THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING SERIES!

What made the experience of listening to Murder of Crows the most enjoyable?

The characters and the story itself has a lot of substance!

What does Alexandra Harris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She captures everyone's character and acts it out in her voice impressions of them.

Any additional comments?

The ending was too short and rather abrupt after the rising tension of the last two chapters, to my consternation it just felt rushed at the ending. As I reached the end of the book, my thoughts were, 'huh, that's it?' I felt the author rushed the last chapter just to end it perhaps to reach a published deadline? I felt it was lacking in someway.... I listened to the first book at least four times just waiting for this second book to appear and when it did appear on audible, I started on the first book again from start to end and then went on to the second book. but with the second book at the ending I felt I didn't want to listen to this book again just yet perhaps because there were some loose ends that weren't addressed in the story but I know it would be addressed in the third book. Aside from this gripe, I really loved these two books and can't wait for the third installment!

Better than the first book!

Better than the first book! Can't believe I have to wait a year (or more??) for the next one!

Enjoyed it

Meg is an interesting character, and the world building is solid. The narrator does a great job and has a pleasant voice that fits Meg rather well.

Fabulous

Some of the best world building ever. The characters are memorable and so very interesting. I just wish the humans overall weren't so stupid. This story sets up some major changes coming to their world. If you like mesmerizing stories read this series.

I love these books...

So much so that when I can’t find anything to listen to right away I restart these books. They feel like friends, friends that I know and want hear their story again, even though I know them through and through.

Captivating

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the second book in this series. Written in Red was excellent, a Murder of Crows only makes the story richer. The story presents a different concept of shape shifters, vampires, and an alternative universe. The whole concept is fresh. The story is rich in detail and well-developed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder of Crows?

The whole story is rich. That's why I gave it five stars. I enjoyed the evolving relationship between Meg and Simon. The changing of the relationship between humans and the Terra Indigene is fascinating.

What does Alexandra Harris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Harris makes the characters in the book come to life. You have a new appreciation for the action in the book. The tone of the voice gives you a new perspective of what the characters are feeling and doing. Masterful.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The book is a series of moving moments. The developing relationship between Meg and Simon. Henry. Tess. Vlad. Montgomery. The book itself is rich and the narration only makes it better.

Any additional comments?

I have listen to it twice already. I will probably do it again. Listening to it brings out a different dimension and doing it again only reveals out other levels.

Bought it when I was 2/3 of the way through book 1

I had book 1 of this series in paperback for quite awhile. Once I started reading it, however, I got 2/3 of the way through in pretty much a single sitting and interrupted my reading to come online to buy books 2 and 3 from Audible.

Book 2 is actually a little better than book 1, has some more story movement and less "set-up". I think if you liked book 1, you probably already have book 2... and likely the rest of the series too. I will be finishing this series in audio format. The narration is good. There is no swearing or graphic material.