Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop.



Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves…

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.

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Will definitely be here for this BR. But it makes me so sad that this is the last one with Simon & Meg as the MCS :(

Definitely sad!

Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet

Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)

Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad it's not Sam and Meg anymore, I'm so glad Anne Bishop decided to continue with the world.

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad it's not Sam and Meg anymore, I'm so glad ..."

Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

The synopsis looked interesting for Lake Silence! Looking forward to reading it as well:-) Its been a blast reading this series with you all!

Laura wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad it's not Sam ..."

I love that y’all are still steadily reading these! This series is my go to for just happy times. Lol.

I was totally on the fence before starting with Lake Silence. Too sad to let my favorite Others go, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. But sadly I think she’s planning on switching characters now with each book and I’m really not sure how I feel about that. It’s odd for spinoff series—not ever letting you get fully invested in characters. I’ll have to see how she handles the one after...

Laura wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad it's not Sam ..."

Laura, I am wondering if you’ve looked at the Anne Bishop challenge we did a few months ago as you’ve been reading to see if could spot the tasks? Lol!

Shannon wrote: "Laura wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad..."

I haven't but I will:-)

Shannon wrote: "Laura wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad..."

Here is the challenge Shannon was talking about.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I read the synopsis for this one. It sounds like a grim ending. I really hope (view spoiler)[ its not one of the Others. I feel like we are attached to everyone including most of the humans. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "I read the synopsis for this one. It sounds like a grim ending. I really hope [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't even read it yet O.O Oh my.

So when does everyone want to start? This weekend?

Cathy M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "I read the synopsis for this one. It sounds like a grim ending. I really hope [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't even read it yet O.O Oh my.

So when does everyone want to start? This week..."

Sounds good to me

Cathy M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "I read the synopsis for this one. It sounds like a grim ending. I really hope [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't even read it yet O.O Oh my.

So when does everyone want to start? This week..."

I'm in to start this weekend.

Picked up my copy tonight!

Yay! Shooting for Friday or Saturday to start?

Sounds like a good start time to me too. I'm excited to re-read it - and kind of sad that its the last one.

Yes! I'm sad that's it's the last one too

Prologue
(view spoiler)[
"broomstick girl" - * giggles* . Love it.

Oh boy Elders are coming to Lakeside. This is going to be interesting. Love the beginning so far. I like how the last prologue has changed and isn't the same one used for each of the previous books. (hide spoiler)]

I want to finish Red Sister (at 78% now) & then starting this later tonight!

Through chapter 3
(view spoiler)[
Bahhahah; Buddy is a parrot!!
(hide spoiler)]

Twyla (view spoiler)[
Most of us were in agreement that we liked Twyla in the last book. I am still enjoying her no -nonsense character. It's a sad day when you have to say some hard truths against your own child. It's going to be a good thing that she warned Elliot about Sierra (hide spoiler)]

Simon(view spoiler)[
Interesting that Simon has thought about taking Meg for a mate. The Others all realize how much he cares for her. (hide spoiler)]

in chapter 5
( hardcover version p 77-81)
(view spoiler)[
The courtyard has come a long way since Meg arrived there. It's interesting to see the Others interacting and watching the Humans and vice versa. This wouldn't have happened without Meg.

Jester compares Meg to Skippy and although perhaps a tiny bit mean he speaks the truth. Even though she is a young adult in her 20's she really doesn't have a lot of experience or coping skills because she lived in the compound.
Jester gives Meg some good advice. Food for thought for Meg

I think this scene goes to show how much the Others care for Meg and consider her a friend! (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Prologue

..."

(view spoiler)[That is awesome that she's known by Broomstick girl :D Or by howling not-Wolf. Oh how the terra indigene must gossip for even the remotest terra indigene to hear those stories!

The Elders *cue scary music* This is going to be interesting! Wonder how many "Elders" there are... (hide spoiler)]

So happy to be back in this world! *squeals with excitement*

First off - Chpt 1 -

(view spoiler)[Playing chase with Kowalski on the bicycle without him being aware of the game. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I was laughing so hard! But he had a point - how they look at the same things but may not see the same things, and how easy it could be to screw it all up by sending the wrong signal.

And how is the "Wolf Lover" hate still going on with everything that happened last book?????

Meg's having some lusty thoughts about Simon and his male bits :D Funny though that she could never hide it. Damn that wolf sense of smell!

Sounds like trouble, in the form of Monty's brother, will be coming soon. Seems like it's going to be a different type of villain in this one! And Twyla seems to be more of a main character. Like her so far though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 - Cathy (view spoiler)[ I loved that wolf chase game at the first too. And I like that Kowalski wasn't angry, even though he got scared.

Ha and yes Meg is progressing to lusty thoughts! Ha I kind of wonder if one of the reasons Simon is so patient is that wolves only go into heat once a year. (hide spoiler)]


Through Chapter 3 - Laura(view spoiler)[ I too loved that Buddy is a parrot! haha.

And I like Twila even more with her cautioning Elliot about her daughter and understanding her son instead of making excuses for him!

(hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 21
(view spoiler)[
I love that Simon doesn't always know what to make of Twyla! She is definitely the matriarch of the whole pack despite Simon being the leader.

The pot luck scene was interesting in that it was a Human - Twyla who accepted Skippy for part human/wolf and wanted to include him. I think it goes to show that not everyone discriminates.
Twyla was the one who told Simon that he needed to go talk to Meg and work things out. She has definitely gone from a minor to major character.

Meg!! Hoping the Others are able to stop Jimmy before he hurts Meg. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Phew! What an ending. The ending between Simon and Meg was definitely sweet. Loved it.

Having read the synopsis before I started the book I thought that someone we knew and liked would meet the ominous end. I'm relieved it was Jimmy and not any of the favorite characters.

I think Jimmy's wife and son each deserved the consequence given to them.

My only complaint is that Tess gets demoted to a minor character at the end of each book.

This is definitely one of my now all time favorite series. The world building was creative and fascinating; the characters and character building were super. The tension and suspense made you want to read each book in one sitting.
5 star read for me!

(hide spoiler)]
Sorry , once I started this I couldn't stop. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else thinks of book 5.

Thanks Shannon for recommending I read this series. It was totally awesome!

Cathy M. wrote: "So happy to be back in this world! *squeals with excitement*

First off - Chpt 1 - ..."

I found this hilarious too. (view spoiler)[ It just goes to show how differently they view things. Kowalski was probably freaking out at first. I found the whole thing funny as well. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 12. So far I am really enjoying this book and sad will be ending soon.

(view spoiler)[ The Elders are here and still observing sot hat they know "how much human to keep". They want to understand how to tell bad human from good humans. And they are using Monty's brother to figure out how one bad human affects the others and stirs up trouble. I think we can all tell that by the end of the book Monty's brother is going to be dead.

I just want to say how disappointed I was with Monty's sister. She kept making bad decisions and she seems to be focused on making the one brother who will never love her love her. She keeps doing things for him that get her in trouble. I liked the parallel Simon made of that wolf who died trying to get the love and attention of another wolf who was just using her. I agreed with his assessment that it would just see Monty's sister dead. Then she just took off in the middle of the night with her kids without a warning. I hope they will be okay but I don't have a lot of faith I Monty's sister at this point.

Was anyone else totally thrown by the fact that there were no female police officers. When Jana applied to go be a deputy out in Bennett because all she wanted was to be a cop but wouldn't be hired because she was a woman completely threw me. I didn't realize they had gender inequality among the humans. It kind of threw me. Was anyone else surprised? (hide spoiler)]

@ Claudia
(view spoiler)[
I was surprised too I just assumed there were women on the force but there weren't.

I would like to see a book about Jana and the town/settlement in Bennett. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "@ Claudia

I was surprised too "

It comes out next year. It's called Wild Country. I've already pre-ordered it,

So I forgot to hit "Post" to this comment earlier today...

Can understand not being able to stop! I didn't want to stop to comment last night either :)

Thru Chpt 16 -

(view spoiler)[Holy Crap. Meg scolding the Elders after that note thinking it was from the puppies. Priceless. It was funny but
terrifying at the same time!

I love how Meg is imitating the wolves' behaviors - the growling, licking Simon's cheek (!), baring the teeth. It's just all so adorable. Loved Jester's talk with Meg - a little harsh but I think she needed that.

And interesting how the Elementals talk with the Elders - almost like they are equals & they don't fear the Elders like all the other terra indigene seem to. Though if you think about it the Elementals are probably just as old as the Elders in the land.

The way Cyrus treats his family is deplorable. I have a feeling his ending is going to be brutal. But you know it will be deserving (& won't feel at all bad about it).

Lastly, SKIPPY!!!! Oh my god I teared up at that potluck scene. He really wanted to be included so tried to shift but ugh!!!! Loved how Twyla just accepted him, & made everyone else accept him as he was, even though it seemed like Simon didn't know what to do with him. I think that was one of the most heart warming scenes of this series. And made me love Twyla even more. She'll be his grandma too. GAH!!!!

Random - you know when Simon said before that Elliot is his sire it didn't compute that that meant Elliot was his father. Reading other vampire books, sire always meant the one who turned them so I guess that's why I didn't take it to mean that even though the terra indigene aren't transformed but born that way. So dumb, can't believe I didn't see that before! (hide spoiler)]

Claudia wrote: "Laura wrote: "@ Claudia

I was surprised too "

It comes out next year. It's called Wild Country. I've already pre-ordered it,"

I marked it as "to read" and read the synopsis. Having finished book 5 the synopsis for book 7 now makes sense to me! Yeah, more Jana!

Cathy M. wrote: "So I forgot to hit "Post" to this comment earlier today...

Can understand not being able to stop! I didn't want to stop to comment last night either :)

Thru Chpt 16 -

Holy Crap. Meg scolding th..."

(view spoiler)[
lol... There are way more references to Elliot being Sam's grandfather. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Through chapter 3

Twyla ..."

(view spoiler)[I wonder also if it's because she knows how dire the situation is with the terra indigene. And they have helped her family with jobs & places to stay so she feels a sense of loyalty to the Others. (hide spoiler)]

Simon - (view spoiler)[If he didn't have those thoughts of mating with Meg, I'd be seriously disappointed!! (hide spoiler)]

Claudia wrote: "Through chapter 12. So far I am really enjoying this book and sad will be ending soon. ..."

(view spoiler)[Sierra was so dumb! But goes to show how verbal abuse can be just as crippling as physical abuse. I guess I just can't understand as an adult how she continued to let him belittle her, and for her to STILL believe that she had to make it up to him for having been adopted. I'm glad she took off, but wish she would've at least said something to Twyla. Tough love. Hopefully in time she would be able to see that Twyla & Monty (& the Others really) were looking out for her best interests.

That fact that there were no other female police officers totally threw me too! Sounded also like there weren't female ranchers until the one they sent to Bennett. But crazy because it sounds like modern times so it was totally unexpected. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "So I forgot to hit "Post" to this comment earlier today...

Can understand not being able to stop! I didn't want to stop to comment last night either :)

Thru Chpt 16 -

Holy Crap..."

(view spoiler)[I know! I always got that Sam was Elliot's grandson & that Sam's mom Daphne was Simon's sister. But did not even realize Elliot was his dad until now... (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "Through chapter 3

Twyla ..."

[spoilers removed]

Simon - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think Twyla has a bit more common sense than everyone else and can see what will happen if she doesn't support the Others. I also agree with your points.

I 'm actually ok that this has been a sweet, slow romance with no love triangle. I like that their "romance " hasn't taken up the whole book and I don't think the book or series would have worked quite so well if she had progressed their relationships at a faster pace. (hide spoiler)]

Now thru Chpt 20 -

(view spoiler)[Will Cyrus never learn? First his distraction ruse with Jack to kidnap Theral - he died by the Elders. Then the meat stealing plan - those guys died by the Others. Please tell me he's not stupid enough to think he can get away with kidnapping Meg????????? (hide spoiler)]

Cathy, I'm not telling you anything... *whistles... (if I could)*

Suzanne,
(view spoiler)[ Has your opinion of characters changed since your re- read with us? Is there anyone you like less or more the second time around? (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Cathy, I'm not telling you anything... *whistles... (if I could)*"

Hahahaha :D

Laura wrote: "Suzanne,
[spoilers removed]"

It's funny because even though I THOUGHT I remembered this clearly, I'm definitely noticing more the second time around.
For the record, I'm on Chapter 14.

People I've noticed more:
(view spoiler)[ Burke - He seemed like very much a side character my first read through, but he really does SO much, even though he's not on that many pages. Lakeside would all be dead without him.

Twyla - I really like how take charge and down to earth she is, while still being very loving.

Merry Lee (Sorry - I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong) - she's brave with the wolves, and she is a problem solver.

Specific things I like-
Last time I was SUPER frustrated that they had to keep Jimmy around - I just wanted him gone. I understand better this time.

I liked the whole cookies pleeze. Meg has really changed everyone.

As mentioned by some of you above - I love how Meg is gaining some wolf like behaviours - licking, howling, etc. Its cool that its not just Simon changing to accommodate her.

The whole abusive brother/sister relationship is hard to deal with too - but I'm hoping it turns out ok - ie Jimmy suffers terribly and dies. I can't believe I don't remember, but I don't - so I've stayed away from spoilers this time around.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished!!! I am so sad to be done with this series. I really liked this book though I found myself shaking my head a lot at the actions of the characters.

(view spoiler)[We all saw the end of Cyrus coming but I can't believe he was stupid enough to believe he could get away with kidnapping Meg. That was the dumbest thing ever. I'm sorry that Monty had to see his dead body and all but honestly, Cyrus had it coming. (hide spoiler)]

Finished last night but was too busy today at work to post my comments! Another 5-star read for me!!

So -

(view spoiler)[A KISS?!?! All we got was a KISS??? Okay, it was sweet & so cute with their talk of romance & love & being enough for one another but I wanted more!!

I can't believe Cyrus really WAS that stupid. He got what was coming to him though I'm sure it was too quick for what he actually deserved. I was a little afraid that he was going to rape Meg but then thought no, the author wouldn't do that to us. He thought about it though which was enough to make him that much worse.

Burke should have insisted that Monty stay behind when they drove out to find Meg. Talk about conflict of interest! And I think it was pretty much expected that Cyrus would be dead so having Monty see what was done to Cyrus was sort of cruel.

Hearing how much this kidnapping affected everyone, & the consequences of what would've happened if they couldn't find her, was so freakin sad - it would've torn apart the Courtyard terra indigene. And that would've negatively affected all the humans as well. We've all seen how important Meg was to everyone there, all the changes in their thoughts & attitudes, so it really would have been devastating. Luckily it didn't go there!

Meg, our little survivor. Her hallucinations were a little trippy & I wondered how she was going to get away. At first had also wondered why there was no warning from Hope but then Burke received it from Steve Ferryman.

Poor Skippy - so glad he lived!!!! I love that wolf!! (hide spoiler)]

All in all, I have absolutely loved every one of these books so far in this series. Wasn't sure how this one was going to go with all the drama (different type of drama than before IMO) but it did not disappoint. Honestly I would be happy just reading their boring (though could it ever be boring?) mundane lives and still enjoy it :)

But that's not in the works so we'll move on to other characters. Hopefully like them just as much, though it appears that they will be more stand-alone based in the same world.

Everyone up to reading the next one?

Laura wrote: "Finished..."

(view spoiler)[Yes! What happened to Tess?!?!?! She wasn't as big a part of the group as she was in the beginning of the series. She wasn't in a lot of the meetings, she wasn't even around as much. But I guess that's because there are SO many characters now, and that group just kept getting bigger and bigger.. (hide spoiler)]

Claudia wrote: "Finished!!! I am so sad to be done with this series. I really liked this book though I found myself shaking my head a lot at the actions of the characters.

[spoilers removed]"

The Lakeside Courtyard part of the series is done, but there is 1 right now with the same world, different characters. Hopefully it will be just as good!