Written in Red, by Anne Bishop

This is Book 1 of “The Others” series. It’s an interesting premise, a world where all manner of supernatural beings exist next to, but quite independently of, “regular humans.” Bishop calls these “The Others,” and they’re stronger, faster, and tougher than mundane folks. They also brook no interference in their affairs and suffer humanity’s towns and doings — our very co-existence in their world — under strict terms.

I liked the world building in Written in Red. The main character, an extremely rare individual who is neither fully human nor fully Other, is sympathetic and engaging. The writing is clear and graceful. Several of the characters were very unusual.

There’s a fair amount of action, and while some of it was a bit on the gory side, I didn’t find the violence to be excessive. Of course your mileage may vary on that bit.

I haven’t yet looked at the other books in the series, but Book 1 certainly kept me engaged.