Tensions are rising as the uneasy coexistence between humans and the Others has been shaken up by recent events. The Others of the Lakeside Courtyard, let by shape shifter Simon Wolfguard, have a human liaison who is also a blood prophet. Meg Corbyn is human but her status as a blood prophet makes her unique. Her visions are uncannily accurate and thus the Collector is still trying to reacquire her as his property. Meanwhile, a larger threat looms over everyone as two new drugs have emerged that could spell the end for Monty and the other humans in the town of Lakeside.

MURDER OF CROWS is the second book in Anne Bishop's series featuring the Others. I would highly recommend reading the first book, Written in Red, prior to MURDER OF CROWS. Not only are both books just that good that missing out on one seems practically criminal but the events of the first book have a significant influence on what happens in MURDER OF CROWS.

The relationship between the humans and the Others intrigues me and we see far more of the political undertones in MURDER OF CROWS than we did in the first book. Money and greed are putting the world at risk and Anne Bishop does a marvelous job at showing the impact this has on her characters. I like seeing how Meg's relationship with the Others has made them think differently of humans, as we see a human pack emerging in the Lakeside Courtyard.

Anne Bishop excels at character development and world building! The complexity and scope of MURDER OF CROWS is impressive, all the more so for how cleverly Anne Bishop weaves the two aspects together. Without a doubt, the Others series, Written in Red and MURDER OF CROWS, are the two best books I've read this year and quite possibly my favorite dark fantasy/urban fantasy series of all time. I can't rave about the Others series enough! I love the characters, I love the world building, heck the only thing I don't love is that I have to wait on the third book to come out.