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

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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

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?

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!

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.)

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

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

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.

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.

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 : )

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

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

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).

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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 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)

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.

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

i like..

The dresden files by Jim Butcher

The weather warden series by Rachel Caine

The Ripple creek werewolf novels by Keri Arthur

The night watch trilogy (and the last watch) by sergei lukyanenko

The riley jenson novels by keri arthur

and thats about it (that i can remember!)

A lot of wonderful series have already been listed. I don't have a lot to add, but my favorites include:

* Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
* Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
* The Maker's Song by Adrian Phoenix
* The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
* The Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost
* Jaz Parks by Jennifer Rardin
* Little Goddess by Amy Lane
* Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
* Morganville Vampires - Rachel Caine
* Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
* Twilight Saga - Stephenie Meyer

New to group and after reading the posts- I'm mostly on the same page with everyone...

Anneliese- LOVE the Rachel Vincent series- was waiting at the door when Pride was released. After reading the first one I was afraid it was going to be to similar to Kelley Armstrong's series... the whole ran away from the guy ends up going back to the guy thing... but it developed into a good series. Luckily I don't have to wait too long from Prey to come out in June.

Queen Betsy vs Sookie- okay so I have a dog named Sookie now.. and it had nothing to do with True Blood on HBO.. I like Queen Betsy because it's funny, and so-not serious at all. She has another series about a mermaid which is cute too. Sometimes you just want a book to laugh through and it's done and over quickly.

There are so many more listed through out the posts- for exampled CE Murphy. Urban Shaman series- loved it. I'm upset she's settling with only having those three books, then you have her series with the Ancient Ones, again great series and she's following up with a couple more in that series.

Rachel Caine- Weather Warden series- really liked it because it gives you a different twist on how to look at the weather.

Karen Chance- has a good series out- Cassandra Palmer. I liked this series alot and she's finally putting out another one.

Lilith Saintcrow- was depressed after I read the last Dante Valentine book because I just wanted it to keep going.

Succubus series...the head demon has a John Cusak fetish. Hilarious.

I read the Cassie Palmer series and loved it (after trudging through the first 60 pages or so of book 1).

Betsy I adore BECAUSE she's silly (which is probably why I was peeved at the end of the last installment.) I enjoy MJD for the most part. Her Royals books are also funny. Anyone who can make me laugh out loud, like MJD and Lynsay Sands (Argeneau series), is a winner. Meanwhile, there have been a lot of books that people would throw into the same category as Queen Betsy that I find trite and unentertaining. It's a fine line.

Just read CE Murphy's Urban Shaman and I thought it was great. First book of the series. The main character is very realistic. I sorta' wish she and her sidekick, Gary the cabby, were my new best friends.

Terri Gearey's series, beginning with Dead Girls are Easy, is interesting. Main character can see ghosts and the first book delved into voodoo. Creepy, but light, if that is a possible combination!

Has anyone mentioned Richelle Mead's Succubus series? I really enjoyed that one. A little funny but with a serious story.

I'm new to this group, so I apologize if I repeat any series that people have already mentioned, but here are some of my favorites:

Sookie Stackhouse - Charlaine Harris
Hollows series - Kim Harrison
Dante Valentine series - Lilith Saintcrow
werecat series - Rachel Vincent
Dark hunters - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Midnight Breed series - lara adrian
in death series - jd robb

Ladykati- OMG YES! Vayl is sooooo awesome! He could bite me anytime :D

I think they might have been mentioned already, but I've really enjoyed Holly Black's modern faerie tales. I have not read many of the books mentioned here, so I'm excited to try some! :)

The Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin is fabulous. (once bitten, twice shy is the first in the series. I have read 1-4.) Vayl is amazing.