Michael's comments (member since Feb 10, 2009)

Michael's comments from the Urban Fantasy group.

This has been in my bookstack for a little while now, but I haven't picked it up yet, Maybe now I'll get around to reading it.

So, basically I just read the whole series (I am such a book hog, its like, give me a series, and watch me disappear for a few days) and its good.

One of my favorites.

Ever.

Im on the second chapter now, so far, its really good, better than I expected, and yes, definitely different from what Ive read before.

I noticed that this is the No Spoiler's thread, but its title says "Spoilers", might want to edit that, :).

I could just imagine how it would start.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO APPEAR TO ME AS RACHEL DAMNIT!"

"CRAP FOR BRAINS!"

Im hoping Rachel gets more demonic, and spends more time with Al, in the last book I was disappointed that there wasn't even a training scene in the ever after. I was really hoping for that.

At least this last book tied up allot of loose ends, though I think they next book is likely to be more Jenks centric, either helping Matalina get better or helping Jenks get past the 20 year mark. Something tells me "crap-for-brains" might make another appearance too.

Ok, updates, Ive gotten ahold of the Blood Ties series and the Succubus Blues series (Richelle Mead is turning out to be an amazing author, First I read the Vampire Academy series, then I read the Dark Swan book, now the Succubus Blues books, Im surprised because its rare for me to like an author's entire body of work).

The Blood Ties series was pretty good but I have some SERIOUS issues with the last book. It really taints my view of the whole series unfortunately. It's one of those "way to tidy" endings, and there was a mechanic that was good the first time it was used, but not the second, third, or fourth. If you've read the series I think you'll know what Im talking about.

Anything else you guys can think of?

The Dark Swan book was really good, I Just finished reading it. Now I have to wait for the second in the series! Thats the worst thing about books is waiting for them to come out.

So do I Nichole, :D, its good!

Im reading the Anna Strong series now Jess, thanks for pointing it out to me.

Anybody know any good books where the main character becomes something else than what they once where? Turned into a vamp? Bitten by a were? Become a Half Demon?

One of the things Im guilty of when reading a new series is scouting out the books ahead to see if the main character changes in one of those ways. I really enjoy it when my protagonist can stand face to face with what ever they are fighting on equal ground.

There is a comedian who says that "If the kid can read, everything is a kids book."

The thing about the Pack in the Kitty Norville books is the Pack Dynamic with Carl as a leader is SUPPOSED to suck. He is meant to be terrible, selfish, needy, possessive and all the other adjectives we can think of.

That is why Kitty left! Carl is one of her Catalysts for change. His being the way he is ultimately drives her out of town. She becomes her own creature after she leaves. The first book is about her finally mustering up the courage to leave a terrible and abusive system.

I really like the series, It has a nice balance for me.

The protagonist enjoys her job, she kicks ass, but she's always faced with taking the high or low roads to success.

Its got a great system of magic, and the lore/mythos/whatever is well done.

There is a connection to all the characters, Rachel and Ivy in their comfortable silences, Jenks is hilarious, Rachel and Trent is an interesting dynamic.

The thing about Rachel and Ivy is, Rachel loves Ivy, as a friend and possibly more but is unwilling to experiment. Ivy loves Rachel and wishes she would be willing to experiment but is afraid to drive Rachel away.

Rachel is somebody who loves Ivy for who she is not what she is. Rachel doesn't love Ivy because she is strong (physically), or can bring amazing amounts of pleasure/money/power to her. For Rachel, Ivy is just Ivy.

Ivy is somebody Rachel can trust, and she's never had that before, the same with Jenks.

Yeah I really like the Kitty Norville series. I liked for instance, that the world starts off closed, weres and vamps etc are secrets and then the world opens up. Thats certainly a new take. Every other series has the world wide open already.

Its interesting to see it happen.

Another thing that I never really noticed is the mass of "underdog" characters out there. I guess it just made sense that the protagonist would have the world against him/her. One series that really broke that mold well is the Marla Mason series.

She's a Kick Ass Ball Bustin' sorceress, but one of the things that makes her so unique is that she is the "Chief Sorcerer" in the City of Felport (sort of like being a Queen), she has resources she can pull upon to get her job done. Its a *nice* change. I really like it.

I grow tired of the Kick Ass Ball Bustin' female lead (Im a dude, I want some representation! Jim Butcher is like, the only author Ive found who has a good Urban Fantasy series based around a dude!).

Im getting tired of "Metaphysical Sex", but I love vampires so I guess Ive made my bed and now I have to sleep in it.

Im also starting to dislike the "Halfsies" characters. "Im a Half Demon/Vampire/Blah/Bleh/Whatev" and that makes me "Different and Special". How about the "average" vampire? Differ your characters by personality and actions not blood.