Wild Country

There is always one thing that you can depend on in life and reading. You can depend on the sun rising and you can depend on Anne Bishop writing a beautiful book. Every single time I have ever read a book of hers whether it is of the jewels line or the Others series they have never They are not always perfect. But in the end, I have loved them and loved what few imperfections they ended up having. The writing ends up flowing like prose. The world-building is so well done that you can almost see the rain falling on the blades of grass in the courtyard in The Others. You can feel the goosebumps travel your skin from hearing the Arwood. Not many authors can do that. It takes a steady hand and the ability to push and pull details, to add just enough here, and pull just enough there to get things just right and she is a master at it. And once again he did not disappoint. Wild Country was a high and delicious delight.

It was a delight that I so desperately needed. I have been fighting illness last month. It was able to take me from my misery and pull me into the world I have become so fond of and again immerse me in a fast-paced story with new characters that almost seem comfortable to me.

Speaking of characters. Something that Anne Bishop does, that I know of no other author that is doing is to not humanize or anthropomorphize werewolves, vampires, or any other lupine type creature. They are not human and will never be human. They are others and will always be. It adds a dividing line through the novel that I respect and admire. They can be friends as much as their species can come to understand each other, they can be lovers, as much as their species can allow. But they can not me mates, fall in love, or anything else. That can not be. It is a refreshing take on a somewhat tired out genre. Also, Anne shows how dangerous humans are. We are just dangerous in other ways. in much more dangerous and devious ways. Less respectable ways. It is in good balance with the rest of the novel.

The pacing was fantastic. Each section moved the story moved with each section have a specific purpose to the plot that added a noteworthy element to the plot. Not a word was wasted.

If you like stories that have werewolves, vampires, and creatures of others but are not stupid. No sparkle here folks. Just fantastic and interesting writing, about a town on the frontier trying to get started dealing with brigands and horse thievery, vagrants, and the like. This is the story for you.

I can not give this high enough praise another fabulous story out of Anne Bishop!!!