Vision in Silver

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.

Let it be known that this series is peerless; Anne Bishop’s world-building is innovative, her characters are exceptional, and the story is obsession inducing. I picked-up WRITTEN IN RED on a whim in 2013, and was wowed beyond measure. My fixation with all things THE OTHERS is so profound that it should be a bona fide medical condition. No joke! I listened to the previous two installments, so I did have some concerns that switching to hard copy might diminish my enjoyment of VISION IN SILVER, but that clearly didn’t happen because for the third time in a row 5-stars just isn’t enough. In this book we learn a lot more about the cassandra sangue, gain perspective on Simon Wolfgard, and get a glimpse of the show more terra indigene that live beyond the courtyards.

The blood prophets were the main plot focal point; free of their keepers, these girls are ill-equipped for life outside the compounds, and now it’s up to Meg to set them on the correct path. She and the other members of her human pack are attempting to write a sweet blood 101 guide of sorts. Little is known about the cassandra sangue, so a lot of it came down to trial & error with Corbyn as the lab rat. I liked how the author approached this aspect of the story, the progression was gradual, and each new discovery felt as though it could be the key to their very survival. Meg’s triumphs became mine, and her setbacks were absolutely devastating. Most were small things, but when experienced from such an innocent POV as this series’ protagonist, they became monumental.

Most stories that feature shifters put emphasis on the humanness of the characters while as Bishop does the total opposite. Her various gards don people flesh out of necessity, but it’s evident that they prefer fur, and view mankind as ‘clever meat.’ This is part of what makes THE OTHERS universe so original because misunderstandings between the two species occur frequently from common expressions being taken literally to every day gestures being grossly misinterpreted. I enjoyed gaining perspective on how the terra indigene see the world through Simon because he’s the most progressive leader among them which makes his outlook fabulously unique. He’s tasked with a huge decision at the end of this novel, and the outcome could be… scary.

This leads me to this book’s second main plot thread. Tension between THE OTHERS and humans has reached a boiling point, the Humans First and Last movement is gaining momentum and people are being forced to choose a side. You’re either a Wolf lover or a delusional HFL supporter who believes that mankind actually has a chance at being the dominant species. Bishop has succeeded in making me hate my own kind by illustrating the barbaric nature of Thaisia’s citizens, and highlighting the underlying prejudice that exists in all societies. The author makes it impossible not to cheer for the terra indigene, and eagerly anticipate the fast approaching day of reckoning when the wild country finally shows its teeth, and establishes once and for all who’s predator and who’s prey.

There’s only one cure for a VISION IN SILVER book hangover, and it’s more Meg & Simon! show less

This third book in the Others series has all sorts of political intrigue happening. The Others have freed many of the blood prophets from their imprisonment but now are having trouble finding a place where they can survive. They are depending on Meg to tell them how to make conditions acceptable for the other girls. But Meg has learned by trial and error. Each time she comes up with something that might help, it is shared. But she is afraid that it might be too little and too late.

Montgomery's daughter Lizzy comes to him after her mother's death carrying a stuffed bear stuffed with jewels and a diary containing potentially dangerous information about the Humans First and Last party. She also brings assorted enemies on her trail who want show more the jewels and the diary. Luckily one of the "wolf police" was riding the same train and noticed her as an unaccompanied child. Nathan is one of Meg's wolf guardians and knows Lizzy's father too.



Meanwhile, the Humans First and Last party is making it difficult for those who interact with the Courtyard. They are also encouraging humans to breach their contracts with the Courtyard. This is angering all the Others and endangering all humans. Tensions rise to a new height when the Others realize that the keepers of the girls who are blood prophets are breeding them and killing all the boy babies. If the members of Simon's Courtyard didn't know some humans, this could have been enough for the Others to exterminate all humans in Thaisia.



I particularly liked the story of the young blood prophet who finally names herself Hope. Watching her learn to interact with the world was interesting. I also liked the growing relationship between Meg and Simon but wouldn't be able to define it. Some humans think that they are falling in love but both of them are identifying the relationship as friendship. Given that they are different species, I think that friendship is the most the relationship can ever have but am willing to debate the issue with other readers.

I liked the combination of humor and incredible tension in the story. I hope that there are more books coming in this series. show less

Do you know what happened to the dinosaurs? The Others is what happened to the dinosaurs.

Vision in Silver is the third in The Others series by Anne Bishop. Actions having consequences is a huge theme of the series and is really coming to light in this installment. This is also the book where the fact that events in a small area are having a lot more impact on the world at large than our characters first imagined.

Freed from their "benevolent ownership" the cassandra sangue are finding it difficult to adjust to the outside world. This is proving dangerous both for themselves and those looking to help them. Can Meg, first of her kind to ever escape, help? Meanwhile, tension are rising as attacks on humans and Others continue, with the show more Humans First and Last movement placing all the blame on the Others. Unfortunately their actions have not gone unnoticed.

I could not put this book down. Bishop has an amazing talent of balancing the horror with the tender moments. One of the atrocities committed made me incredibly sad and the reaction Meg had to it made me teary eyed. At that moment I could've used my own wolf pup to cuddle. It's also interesting how the story continues to ask who the real monsters are, with humans basically being the greatest threat to their continued existence as a species.

Meg, the Others of the Lakeside Courtyard and her new human friends continue to be a joy. It's fun that the Courtyard has accepted a "human pack" to go along with Meg. I also feel it's going to be very important to the human's survival in the future. The new cassandra sangue who likes to draw her visions into pictures offers hope that perhaps they might have another outlet for prophecy that won't result in their early deaths. I also enjoy Meg and Simon's growing fondness for each other and how they work out how to have a relationship.

That ending gave me chills. The humans are in a lot of trouble. Quite honestly, they deserve it. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. I both look forward to and somewhat dread meeting the Elders. show less

This is the third book in a paranormal saga about a world mostly divided into humans and the terra indigene, commonly known as The Others. (The previous two books are Written In Red and Murder of Crows.)

These Others include shapeshifters (such as werewolves), vampires, “elementals,” and “harvesters,” inter alia. There is also a third sort of in-between species with extra-sensory perceptiveness, one of which is the cassandra sangue or blood prophets, females who can see visions of the future after self-mutilation. These girls were kept in compounds, tied up, and often raped or brutalized in other ways. Sessions offering their prognosticating services were sold to interested (and wealthy) parties. But a criminal consortium arose show more which sold the blood of the cassandra sangue as a street drug to make people go on insane homicidal rages, which was a threat to all species; the Others set the girls free wherever they could.

In addition to this threat to world harmony, a new political movement has been growing - Humans First and Last (HFL), which seeks to challenge the hegemony of the Others.

The story focuses in particular on Simon Wolfgard - handsome, mid-thirties, and the dominant Wolf and leader of the Others’ Lakeside Courtyard, where humans and Others mix in an uneasy but mutually beneficial detente. In Book One, Simon gave the job of Human Liaison to Meg Corbyn, 24, a cassandra sangue who escaped her compound. Meg quickly became beloved by all the Others, and in particular, Simon, although he doesn’t quite understand his reaction to this non-wolf.

This book, third in the series, begins four and a half months after Meg arrived at Lakeside Courtyard. As with Book Two, Bishop does an excellent job in beginning the story by filling in the background for this alternate world and what has been taking place in it.

In this book, the Humans First and Last Movement is gaining ground, and the rescued cassandra sangue are having trouble learning how to cope with the outside world. Meg too, while more well-adjusted than any of the others, is trying not to cut herself as much; supposedly a cassandra sangue only has a thousand cuts before she dies or goes insane. But the girls are driven to cut themselves. Simon wants to protect her, but isn’t sure how to do so.

Moreover, Simon faces yet another danger, this one from the Elders. The Elders are the oldest and most powerful of the Others, and do not interact at all with humans. But they enforce the integrity and sanctity of the Earth, and are watching Simon carefully. They know he, inspired in part by Meg, is experimenting with a new way for all kinds of Others to live together, and in addition, for them to live in peace and cooperation with humans. But the Elders have been appalled by the actions of humans such as the HFL and those who have abused the cassandra sangue. Simon knows if the Elders get pushed too far, all the humans will be annihilated. Which fire will burn the world, he wonders: hope or hatred? And if the Elders destroy all the humans, can the Others replace what the humans have provided without losing who they are?

Discussion: As usual, Bishop adds a delightful amount of humor to her story. For example, one of the vampire administrators, faced with a request by a gaggle of excited human women, sighs and reflects, “And humans think vampires are scary.” Or there is Simon’s lament: “Humans. Couldn’t be satisfied with being considered not edible, they also wanted to talk to him. And talk. And talk.”

The romance between Simon and Meg is proceeding very slowly, and while that is disappointing in a way, it means the series will last all that much longer. But they are both adorable, neither one knowing how to define their feelings or how to express them. Everyone else in the Courtyard understands what the two of them feel, however, and finds them as amusing as the reader.

In this book we also get more of Tess, in many ways the most interesting character. Tess is a “harvester” - one of the most ferocious predators of the Others. But Bishop makes her a fully “human” character with heart and perhaps even the beginning of happiness, in spite of her lonely role that makes even the Others fear her.

Evaluation: It’s kind of embarrassing/pathetic how much I love this ongoing series about a young woman and her seeming soulmate and would-be paramour who is a werewolf. But I am not alone in my love for these books; you will find that most reviewers are ecstatic over them. Really, who wouldn't like a hero, who, when he isn't being a sexy handsome great big guy, is an attractive great big doggy, whose fur you can run your hands through and against whom you can cuddle up and sleep.

Anyone who liked the Sookie Stackhouse books until that author sort of went off the rails will appreciate the skill of Bishop in bringing her paranormal world to life, and in making characters about whom you can’t wait to read more. show less

Still subpar writing, but still a lot of things that hit a particular chord with me. I am finding more bits of these books that I just have to skim because they drag, but the fun parts make up for it. Am I supposed to be rooting for the Others to go full on extinction on humanity here? Because I really find that I am.

**I purchased a copy of this book for my own enjoyment, with no expectations of a review**

Vision in Silver is the third installment of Anne Bishop's stunning The Others series. Even as the human pack within the Courtyard is growing, thanks to Meg’s presence, and despite Simon's disgruntlement, the radical Humans First and Last Movement is continuing to heat up. There are daily infractions against the agreements made with the terra indigene in Thaisia, and members of the hate-filled HFL movement are beginning to turn on humans still willing to work with the terra indigene. Even their families are not safe from the rampant vitriol.

In other places, such as Ferryman’s Landing, the new caretakers of the cassandra sangue are struggling show more to learn how to best care for these most unusual of humans. Meg and her female pack are struggling to find ways to ease the prophecy sensations that cause the girls to cut their own flesh, and she is going through each day trying to pay attention to the things that help *her*, such the stability of routine.

Meanwhile, Montgomery's daughter Lizzy ends up in Lakeside, unknowingly carrying a treasure the HFL will kill to get back. Attempts by the HFL to retrieve the treasure mesh with an increase in prejudice against the Others that ends in the deaths of two Courtyard members. Will the humans of Thaisia and beyond realise the danger of poking sleeping dragons? For more dangerous beings than the shifters and Sanguinati are beginning to take closer notice of humanity, and they aren't liking what they are finding.

In Meg, Bishop has created an extremely fragile human, yet Meg is stronger than she looks. She is determined to use her unique gifts to help her friends, despite the great cost to her well-being. That takes a great deal of courage and fearlessness. So does standing up to the snarly Simon when necessary.

This story is dynamic, immersive. It feels so very real, in its most tender moments, and its grittiest. I feel for these people. They have become a book family for me, and I care about what happens to them.

Sadly, I find myself seeing more and more of my present country reflected in this story. The HFL, with its 'humans first and only’ policy, that allows discrimination against the terra indigene and humans who work with them, has its parallel in Donald Trump and his legion of white supremacists who have swarmed out of the woodwork, eager to discriminate against those not fitting their perfect ideal. And, I might say, oblivious to the true dangers surrounding them. I hope things work out for the best, for the terra indigene, as well as ourselves.

🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended show less

If you haven't read any of these books & stumble across this review, my apologies. It's really for fans because at this point the complex plot lines & character histories are well established. If you're interested in something original, inventive & gripping, get your mitts on a copy of "Written in Red" & give it a go.
For the initiated, just know this is a must read. It picks up directly after "Murder of Crows" & you get the sense Ms. Bishop is using this instalment as a transition book where events & characters are being positioned like chessmen for the big showdown between humans & the Others.
The Humans First & Last movement is gaining strength & flare ups with the terre indigene are bolder & more frequent. Silly humans....they have show more no idea who they're dealing with.
In previous books, there were allusions to Others who live in the wilderness. They are shadowy, vaguely defined creatures who avoid human contact until one wanders into their territory. Then they're treated as snack food. But now we get hints they've been paying attention all along & may not be on board with Simon's attempts at integration.
This is a more sombre story. The tension slowly builds & you definitely get the feeling there is huge storm brewing just beyond the next chapter. Clearly war is inevitable but with 2 more books to go, it's anyone'e guess when it will happen & who will be left standing. Unlike other authors, Ms. Bishop doesn't shy away from bumping off a prominent character & that holds true here.
I really enjoy this series so it's a pleasure to catch up with all the characters. My only complaint is I missed the moments of humour that provided periodic relief from the scary suspense in previous books. Because of events unfolding around him, we get much less of Simon in mischievous wolf from, inventing new ways to torment his favourite squeaky toy. And the ponies were always good for a giggle but have smaller roles due to more pressing story lines.
But who am I kidding....I'm well & truly hooked. The possibilities are endless in this richly imagined world & many of the issues can be seen as allegorical. I've become hopelessly invested in its' residents, even Tess who continues to scare the bejeezus out of me. So I kept trying to slow my pace, knowing it's going to be a loooong wait for book #4. show less