Murder of Crows Book Review

Synopsis:

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 murders 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 whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of 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.

My Review:

Murder of Crows is the second book in the series, The Others.  Written In Red was a 5 heart read for me...see my earlier review from March 18.  I did not originally plan to also review Murder of Crows but it just won't be ignored.  This series is fascinating with layer upon layer of intrigue, suspense, and world building, and characters that are magical.

Murder of Crows continues the saga of Meg, Simon, and the Others as they battle forces unknown, guided by the prophesies that are coming more often  to Meg.  Her visions are like pieces of puzzles, objects that individually make no sense.  They include things like blood, black feathers, a shark, smoke in a jar.  What do they mean?  Simon leads the charge to interpret Meg's visions as danger lurks near.  At the same time, Simon and Meg grow closer and continue struggling to learn what their relationship means and where it is heading.  Is a romantic relationship actually possible?  Simon experiences unfamiliar bouts of jealousy when other males come around Meg while she is unsure of her feelings for Simon.  What they both understand is that they really enjoy being together and doing normal human things like cuddling on the couch and watching movies...but Simon isn't human.  The character interaction in Murder of Crows is intense and fascinating and often humorous.  I laughed out loud at this hodge podge group of characters and their antics.

The plot in Murder of Crows is woven like a fine tapestry with detailed intricacies that will keep you searching for a pattern.  It's there, if you can recognize it.  Where is it all leading?  How does it all fit?  Will they figure out the puzzle of Meg's visions in time to save her, the good humans, and the Others?  Can they work together to save Meg from the Controller seeking her return to his compound and control?  Who is using the blood of cassandra sangues to make drugs that will harm the Others?

While Murder of Crows answers some of your questions, it raises more.  The suspense is high as they battle against forces unknown and race against time to discover and destroy the hidden danger threatening them all.  Everyone in town works together to help Meg (and her group of girlfriends - the "Fluffballs") reconstruct the journey she traveled when she fled the Controller and the compound where she was held captive - the journey of which she has limited, vague memories.  She asks Simon for one thing - to free Jean, the girl who helped Meg escape at the expense of her own freedom, and Simon vows to keep his promise.  Can he find the compound in time to save Jean and the other girls who are also cassandra sangues?  What will happen if he frees them?  Can they be rehabilitated? 

Murder of Crows is a intriguing story of many layers that fascinated me as piece after piece of the puzzle slipped into place revealing more of the bigger picture.  The characters are all an important, mesmerizing part of the story, each unique in their skills and what they bring to the table.  Murder of Crows is a worthy sequel to Written In Red and once again, I'm left anxious for more.  I have wavered between 4 and 5 hearts for Murder of Crows but because of the intricacies of the world building, characters and plot, this is another 5 heart read for me.  It deserves nothing less.  A Must Read for lovers of Fantasy!

Rating:  5 Gorgeous ♥♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!
  
Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra 

Quotes:

"S-Simon?" A tremble in her voice.

"Meg?"  Still plenty of growl in his voice.

"You're not a Wolf."

"I'm always a Wolf."

"But you're not a furry Wolf."

"No, I'm not.  And you're hogging the covers."  That said, he grabbed the covers she was clinging to and yanked.

She tumbled into him.  Before she could decide what to do, the covers were around both of them, and he had her pinned between his body and the bed.

"Stop squirming," he snapped.  "If you bruise more than the hip you just kicked, I will bite you." 
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"Where Meg is concerned, you've been confused since you met her."  Henry handed one mug to Simon and sat beside him.  "And now, my friend, you're a Wolf who has bounded into a pretty meadow and discovered it's full of snakes and  steel traps."

He didn't think that was a flattering description of Meg, but he swallowed the impulse to defend her.

"She's not terra indigene, Simon," Henry said gently.  "She's not one of us.  She's human."

"She's not one of us, but she's not one of them either," he snapped.  "She's Meg."