Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
After winning the trust of the Others 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.
The Bite Breakdown:
Quick Verdict
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop deepens the moral tension of The Others series while widening its emotional scope. Power shifts quietly here, and the consequences linger.
At a Glance
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Subgenre: Dark Fantasy, Speculative Fantasy
- Trope: Found Family
- Series: A Novel of the Others Book 2, The Others Book 2
- POV: Dual Third Person with Occasional Alternate POVs
- Romance Focus: Slow burn, secondary to survival and trust
- Tone: Dark, unsettling, quietly compassionate
The Premise (No Spoilers)
The uneasy balance between humans and the Others begins to fracture as outside pressures mount. Meg Corbyn remains at the center of that tension, even when she would rather stay invisible. Her presence continues to reshape the courtyard in ways no one fully understands yet.
As threats escalate, Meg learns more about her Cassandra Sangue abilities, often through pain rather than choice. Each revelation forces those around her to confront what she is, and what that makes her worth. The Others respond with confusion, instinct, and an unexpected protectiveness that rewrites their understanding of pack.
This installment advances the larger arc as A Novel of the Others series book 2 and The Others book 2. It marks the first real ripple of a coming conflict that will not stay contained.
What Worked
The book excels at showing power without spectacle. Meg’s growth unfolds through trial and error plus consequence, not bravado, which keeps her strength grounded and unsettling. Watching the Others struggle with empathy toward humans creates some of the most rewarding character moments in the series.
The sense of community evolves naturally. Bonds form through shared danger rather than sentiment, and that restraint gives the found family elements real weight. The world feels lived in, dangerous, and indifferent to human expectations.
What Didn’t Work (or Might Not)
Readers seeking faster plot momentum may find the pacing deliberate. The story prioritizes emotional and political buildup over immediate payoff. Some secondary threads remain unresolved, which can feel frustrating without the context of the full series arc.
Romance remains understated, which may disappoint those expecting clearer progression. The relationships develop through proximity and loyalty instead of overt tension.
Romance and Relationship Dynamics
Romance exists at the margins, shaped by trust rather than desire. Emotional intimacy grows through shared protection and quiet understanding. The slow burn suits the world, where survival always comes first.
- Self harm themes
- Violence toward humans
- Psychological manipulation
- Exploitation of power
Who Should Read This
This book suits readers who value character driven fantasy with moral complexity. It works best for those comfortable with restraint and long term payoff. Anyone drawn to found family dynamics in dark settings will find much to admire.
Final Verdict
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop strengthens the series by letting its themes breathe. The story trusts patience, and that confidence pays off.
Book Rating: 5 Stars
The layered character work and rising stakes deepen the series without losing control.
Heroine Strength: 5 Crowns
Meg’s power grows through agency and consequence, never convenience.
Spice Rating: 1 Flame
Romance remains minimal and emotionally focused rather than physical.
Lines That Get Crossed
In Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop, the courtyard stops being neutral ground and starts behaving like a pack, even though none of the Others plan for that shift. Wolves, crows, and elementals react to human presence with instinctive protection rather than detached tolerance. That change unsettles everyone because it breaks the rules that once kept humans clearly outside the Others’ emotional sphere.
Meg’s Cassandra Sangue abilities deepen in ways that strip away any illusion of fragility. Each vision exacts a real cost, and the Others finally grasp the scale of her power. Her existence destabilizes human power structures, yet it also threatens the Others if the Controller ever reclaims her. That dual risk forces them to confront how exposed their own hierarchy becomes once Meg’s value turns into leverage.
As Meg’s importance sharpens, the Others shield her along with the humans who live under their loose protection. Confusion follows because caring about humans never fit their worldview, yet instinct overrides doctrine. The courtyard becomes the first place where human lives matter alongside Meg’s, and that choice creates consequences that will not stay contained.
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