Written in Red

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is difficult to find a shifter book that I like, but when I do its always awesome! This one is so unique in its world building. The terra indigene are the world's oldest inhabitants. No one really knows how they came to be, but everyone knows to stay away. There are many theories on the terra indigene, but no outsider knows the truth. Some say that the terra indigene evolved so that they could have a human form, but their animal forms are always right beneath the surface ready to pounce.

The terra indigene aren't animals who turn into humans or humans who turn into animals. They really are something unknown that learned to change into a human shape because it studied them. They gained something from the human form, whether it was standing upright or having the convenience of fingers and thumbs, just like they gained something from the animal forms they absorbed.

Shifters, Vampires, Elementals, and the Unknown; all of which have no ounce of empathy for the humans. These are not you storybook shapeshifters. These shifters are more inclined to their animal side. They are nowhere near human. No, these creatures eat humans for breakfast. Literally. After all, Humans are just meat. That is until Meg Corbyn comes into their lives and even the terra indigene don't know what to make of this odd woman.

The POV changes, but not for very long periods of time that it is irksome. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the changing POC, which is something you will seldom hear me say. But I think the side characters are what really made this book. I just loved the characters so much! There's Meg, Simon, Sam, Jester, Tessa, Winter, Henry, Vlad, Nathan, Erebus, Jake, Blair, Jenni, Monty, the list goes on! I have formed emotional attachments to all, so I will be deeply crushed if any die within the next books :/

I will say that Tessa is probably my favorite character. You know she's a badass, but you never really know her level of badass... She's such a mystery, yet we slowly learn more about her and her rare, unknown abilities.

I also loved the side story with Sam. He's so flipping cute! I could just image him in his little Pup form prancing around the Liaison's office. Puppies are clearly my weakness.

This book has all of my ingredients for a great book. Its mature, funny, and gory! I just love this world and the characters in it. They learn to tolerate humans and love Meg. There are so many funny scenes but here's a preview of one of my favorites:

Simon walked into the front office of the Liaison's Office and stared at the Wolf curled up on...
"What is that?" he asked, stomping snow off his boots as he stepped toward Nathan.
Mine, Nathan relied.
"How did it get to be yours?"
I am guarding, so it is mine. Giving Simon a smug look, Nathan added, I got cookies too.

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