Has anyone read Dhampir by Barb Hendee? Would you recommend it?

My mother-in-law has tastes that run similar to mine and she enjoyed it. Its on my to eb read shelf ebcause she bought the book, read it and passed it along to me. There's a follow up or 2 that she also passed along.

I have read it and I did enjoy it. I had a few problems with some of the character motivations, but overall it was a good book. I really loved the next two in the series. :o)

Dhampir was a good book, but not great. I'm just starting the 4th book and they get better and better, maybe it just took a while to develop the characters. By the end of the 3rd book I even start to see things from Magiere's point of view, although I don't always agree with it. It's not urban fantasy; one of the reviews I read called it a cross between Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Just picture Leesil as Orlando Bloom's Legolas, yum!

I could handle Leesil/Legolas, I think. ;) I like all of the things mentioned so far, so I might give it a try.

I recommend too:
Savannah Russe - Darkwing Chronicles
Savannah Russe - Sisterhood Of The Sight (new series)
Richelle Mead - Dark Swan series
Jenna Black - Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist
Toni Andrews - Mercy Holling

Both of Laurell K. Hamilton series - Anita and Merry - will always be favorites. Too obvious?

Patricia Briggs is one of my very favorites, I love Mercy and her world.

Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series is terrific, dark and different.

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone, I'm finding lots of new ideas here.

I love Devon Monk's books about Allie Beckstrom, can't wait for book 3.

Has anyone else read Laura Anne Gilman Retriever series? I'm about to read book 6.

Keri Arthur's Riley books are great. I'm going to try her other series, too.

I like Richelle Mead a lot. Dark Swan is terrific, but I like all 3 series.

Has anyone else read Mike Carey's Felix Castor books? Smart and intriguing.

Barb: I like the Damphir/Hendee books a lot, but I wouldn't put them in urban fantasy because they aren't on this world. But they are good dark fantasy, for sure.

Hi Catherine,

I have read most of your list and love them too.

I Have not read Laura Anne Gillman or Mike Cary. I will have to look for them next time I am at the book store.

Have you seen the cover for book 3 of Devon Monk's MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS?

I got it off her web page and posted it here on goodreads.

If you have not read her blog, she is at: http://devonmonk.livejournal.com/ and posts updates about the series.

Really loving it!

Holy moly, Dejsha, what's Allie doing with that giant sword? I'm really looking forward to that one, have to put it in my calendar. Thanks for the link, too.

I know. I think it will be awesome! I really like the cover this time. :o)

Hi,

I'm new to this group and I see a lot of my favorite series posted but here are a few I didn't see.

Street Magic by Caitlan Kittridge (1 book so far)
Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk
Connor Grey series by Mark Del Franco

My favorites in this genre

Absolutely ANYTHING by Charles De Lint. A true master
Anything by Neil Gaiman
Sunshine by Robin McKinley (on par with the above authors)
Anita Blake books. Even though they become a little 'oversexed' Anita is still one of the best characters out there.
Mercy Thompson books. Amazing. (Briggs)
Sookie Stackhouse books. light fare but fun
Rachel Morgan books. I just wish Ivy and Rachel would get together already(kim harrison)
Rachel Caine weather warden books were decent
Harry Dresden books are fun, light reading

I really really really disliked the Brotherhood of the Black Dagger books, formulaic, poorly written and after the first one repetitive and tedious.

I love my UF to have a romantic subplot, but it's gotta be the subplot. I don't enjoy books where the paranormal/fantasy aspects are just sugar coating to make the romance a different type of romance.

Oh, and I'm a 'Twi-guy' (minus any of the homosexual connotations that term may or may not have)

I recently read Storm Born by Mead and enjoyed it. The main character bears some similarity to an early Anita Blake.
Just finished Something from the Nightside and I like John Taylor. Simon R. Green seems to have a knack for likable rogue heroes, since I also like Eddie Drood from his Secret Histories series.

In June, I read Karen Chance's Midnight's Daughter, which is set in the same universe as the Cassie Palmer series--apparently, I like everything Chance can crank out.

Terri Garey's Nicki Styx series is also likable and a little different from the majority of books out there. Sarcastic and realistic heroine, ghosts, a little voodoo here, a little Wiccan magic there. Oh, and the devil makes a fabulously memorable character.

For what its worth, the BDB books are paranormal romance, not urban fantasty. So, that's why the romantic plots were central to the stories instead of side interest.

Chelle wrote: "I also agree with Hamilton's Anita Blake series I like Obsidian Butterfly and really liked it then I read some of the newer ones -- way too much sex with bad plot I'm afraid to read the earlier ones."

the first 6 or so are really good, I thought. And once you get used to the sex scenes that span 4 chapters, I liked the rest of the books too. I think it's because I really love strong female protagonists and she's by far the toughest out there.

I've said it before, and I don't mind saying it again, LKH's Anita Blake books are really good up through Obsidian Butterfly. After that they remain good books, but the sex really becomes more extreme and prominant. I don't mind the sex, so this is a series I read when I'm waiting for books from other series I enjoy more.

J wrote: "Chelle wrote: "I also agree with Hamilton's Anita Blake series I like Obsidian Butterfly and really liked it then I read some of the newer ones -- way too much sex with bad plot I'm afraid to read ..."

I agree, she was doing good even with the explicit sex in her first 6 or so books but I get the feeling she is just cranking them out now for the sex only. Plot is only an afterthought and F-it Anita Blake, get over your personal problems with your past. I'm sick of reading about it. Get Therapy or admit you're a whore.

Crowgirl wrote: "J wrote: "Chelle wrote: "I also agree with Hamilton's Anita Blake series I like Obsidian Butterfly and really liked it then I read some of the newer ones -- way too much sex with bad plot I'm afrai..."

Yeah, I made the mistake of getting suckered into thinking SKIN TRADE sounded like it had a plot. Shame on me. I finished it, but it's the last one I'll read in this series. Boy, I really used to LOVE this series, too.

I too have quit reading the Anita Blake series and there are a few others that started well and then turned into either too much sex or a bad romance cliches. It almost seemed you could hear an editor demanding "More sex!" or "More romance!" and the author just dumped a load in.

Charles De Lint rules, he has a few series.

The Mercy Thomson books are great. The sex and romance there is part of a plot and good character developement.

The Dresden books are very good.

Just finished Street Magic by Caitlan Kittridge and it was very good!

Ed wrote: "I too have quit reading the Anita Blake series and there are a few others that started well and then turned into either too much sex or a bad romance cliches. It almost seemed you could hear an ed..."

Hm...you mention books I liked! Give me more recommendations, please!

This isn't actually 'URBAN' fantasy unless you count Pre-industrial, alternative universe as urban.

That said I highly recommend all of Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel's Legacy" books. This writer is close to Ursula K. Le Guin in style. The story is complex, characters numerous, magic seems natural and with beautifully written erotica for all sexual preferences.

I'm currently reading her newest called "Naaman's Kiss" which continues the history of the earlier works with those characters as ancestors.

Crowgirl, I'm glad to see the series is so highly recommended. I won a copy of Naamah's Kiss here, on GR, not realizing it was the seventh book in the series. I've since purchased the first book and now just need to sit down and read it (they're not short books).

DarkHeart wrote: "Crowgirl, I'm glad to see the series is so highly recommended. I won a copy of Naamah's Kiss here, on GR, not realizing it was the seventh book in the series."

I just finished the 7th book and it leaves you with enough questions that an 8th is obviously in the works. And no they are not short books. Enjoy

Le Guin has a similar style? I should get on that.

I just read the third instalment in Ilona Andrews books Magic Strikes! And it was a-friggen-mazing. My absolute favorite books so far.

It almost reminds me of the early Anita Blake books except it's 10 times more interesting and so so much better. Haha they are good : )

new_user wrote: "Le Guin has a similar style? I should get on that."

If you have read her classic "The Left Hand of Darkness" from the late 60's you might understand my reference. Where La Guin explored alternative sexuality (which was revolutionary at that time) Carey's books portray a civilization that sees all forms of sex as holy and spiritual. What I enjoy is the erotica is more like prose and doesn't fall into the base porn style of romance novels.

Oh, I thought you meant her style of prose was similar. Carey's style is very elegant and lyrical, and I appreciate that. I didn't care for the plot of the Kushiel series. Alternative sexuality was pretty all there was to it, at least the first book.

1.Patricia Briggs-Mercy Thompson
2.Lilith Saintcrow-Dante Valentine
3.Kelley Armstong-Women of the Otherworld
4.Rachel Caine-Weather Warden
5.Kim Harrison-Rachel Morgan
:D

1. Keri Arthur - Riley Jensen
2. Laurell K Hamilton - Anita Blake
3. Laurell K Hamilton - Merry Gentry
4. Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson

Connie commented that, "I used to like Laurell Hamilton's series, both Merry Gentry and Anita Hamilton, but I find myself getting annoyed with the pages and pages of insecurity, gratuitous sex and bad dialogue." I could not agree more. I used to love the Merry Gentry series, but it's gone on way too long. I know I am definitely in a minority here, but I never liked the Anita Blake series (please don't throw things at me!). Her character just grated on me far too much to enjoy. My favourite series/characters are (in no particular order):

1. The Nightlife Series (Cal and Niko Leandros)

2. The Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse- Eric is my favourite of Charlaine Harris' vampires)

3. The Dresden Files (I have such a crush on Harry Dresden)

4. The Night Huntress Series (I love Kat and Bones- although I wish Jeaniene Frost had given him a better name! Kat is such a strong character. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes.)

Warrick wrote: "Connie commented that, "I used to like Laurell Hamilton's series, both Merry Gentry and Anita Hamilton, but I find myself getting annoyed with the pages and pages of insecurity, gratuitous sex and ..."

Used to love Anita, will not read that series again after feeling my money was taken under false pretenses for SKIN TRADE!

I have been a huge fan of the Sookie books since I bought the first one in 2001. Loved Eric from the first time he appeared in DEAD UNTIL DARK! And the Dresden Files are another favorite. I don't have a crush on Harry, but I sure would like to have a friend like him! And am about half way thru DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE, the new Night Huntress book. I'm a Bones junkie!

Definately Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost...I just finished the 3rd and am waiting on the 4th to come out Tuesday.

I love the action, humor and of course the relationship & romance between Cat & Bones...Who doesn't like Bones! Btw, Anyone have any suggestions to a series similar to this one?

A good article on "true blood" at: http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/true-bloo...

It includes this info: "...the panel’s key reveal was that author Charlane Harris, whose “Sookie Stackhouse” books the HBO drama is based on, had “just signed a contract for three more books,” taking the series through 2014. Fans, naturally, hit the roof."

AND what I laughed at: "Writer-director Alan Ball kicked things off by announcing that the show’s Tru Blood, a bottled blood substitute that makes it possible for vampires to exist without feeding off humans — the show’s premise — was, starting Sept. 10, going to be available in bottled form for sale via HBO.com."

Drink up fans! ~c

A good article on "true blood" at: http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/true-bloo...

It includes this info: "...the panel’s key reveal was that author Charlane Harris, whose “Sookie Stackhouse” books the HBO drama is based on, had “just signed a contract for three more books,” taking the series through 2014. Fans, naturally, hit the roof."

AND what I laughed at: "Writer-director Alan Ball kicked things off by announcing that the show’s Tru Blood, a bottled blood substitute that makes it possible for vampires to exist without feeding off humans — the show’s premise — was, starting Sept. 10, going to be available in bottled form for sale via HBO.com."

Drink up fans! ~c

Crowgirl wrote: "A good article on "true blood" at: http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/true-bloo...

It includes this info: "...the panel’s key reveal was that author Charlane Harris, whos..."

I saw this article the other day and was glad to hear there will be at least a few more Sookie books in my future. I'm on HBO's True Blood mailing list and got an e-mail about a week ago about the Tru Blood beverage. It's a carbonated blood-orange soda. I'd like to try it for the kitsch value, but it's a bit pricey for that! My husband got me a set of Fangtasia & Merlotte's pint glasses for Christmas last year, so I could serve it in them if you didn't want to drink from the bottle!

Melodie wrote: "I'm on HBO's True Blood mailing list "

I so wish I could afford HBO. I'm stuck waiting for season 2 of True Blood to hit DVD. I will check the web site for those glasses. Sounds like a perfect gift!

I agree with Crowgirl- $4 a bottle is a little pricey, but what can you expect from HBO? I want the Fangtasia t-shirt.

Warrick wrote: "I agree with Crowgirl- $4 a bottle is a little pricey, but what can you expect from HBO? I want the Fangtasia t-shirt.
"

I've got the t-shirt that has the picture of Eric from this season' promo posters. Have worn it twice and it gets lots of comments. Have the same thing for my computer wallpaper at work!

I've never seen True Blood (no HBO here either) and my library's website didn't offer it for awhile. I went today to check again and finally found it! Of course so did about 500 other people!!! I'm now on the waiting list.

Wow! So many authors and series I have to learn about! But I guess that is why I am here!

Yeah that is one of the things I LOVE about Goodreads and it's groups.. I have added so many books and authors to my TBR pile!

And have found so many new favorites because of it :D