Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Murder of Crows (Others, Bk 2)

Murder of Crows (Others, Bk 2)
Murder of Crows (Others, Bk 2)
Author: Anne Bishop
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
miz-firefly avatar reviewed on + 112 more book reviews


This series confounds me, but I am absolutely hooked on these books.

From a story perspective It shouldn't work. The Others are so ready to dispose of people who disturb them. They have the right to deal with humans who cause trouble in any way they see fit, and can easily decimate any community they choose to. They may occasionally look human or a reasonable facsimile thereof, but they aren't.

They allow humans to occupy some of their land because humans provide things they like to have. They tolerate people because it is momentarily convenient. But they have the upper hand, and don't give two hoots about humanity.

I would expect beings like that to smash first and not ask questions later. And yet when problems arise Simon's response is usually logical, reasoned, well thought out and geared toward maintaining calm relations with 'the Monkeys'. And the other leaders of the terra indigene - groups who have less contact with humans and who are having much more serious trouble with them are taking their cues from him. WTF? These fearsome creatures who can smash, tear or otherwise rend their way through any resistance keep encountering more and more difficulties with humans, and instead of running with their instincts are behaving LIKE HUMANS. More so than most of the actual humans. When characters don't follow their...for lack of a better word I'll say primary programing it usually interferes with my enjoyment of the story.

And that is my conundrum. Ordinarily inconsistencies like that would drive me right up a tree. But I'm enjoying the so story so much I don't care.