Urban Fantasy discussion
GROUP READ OF THE MONTH--ARCHIVE
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Group Reads -- August: Nightlife - September: City of Bones
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I'll go with Dog Days by John Levitt
First in a new urban fantasy series-with a bite as magical as its bark.
Mason used to be an enforcer, ensuring that suspect magic practitioners stayed in line. But now he scrapes out a living playing guitar. Good thing he has Louie, his magical...well, let's call him a dog. But there are some kinds of evil that even Louie can't sniff out. And when Mason is attacked by a supernatural assailant, he'll have to fall back on the one skill he's mastered in music and magic-improvisation
I'm going to nominate Blood Cross by Faith Hunter. We read the first book in the series (Skinwalker) a few months ago in the group and I really enjoyed it.
Theresa wrote: "I'm going to nominate Blood Cross by Faith Hunter. We read the first book in the series (Skinwalker) a few months ago in the group and I really enjoyed it."That was a good one. I really like this series and had it not been for the BOM I would not have found it.
Darcy and everybody, Dog Days is really good!Here's my nomination: Someplace to Be Flying (Newford, #8)
Here's the GR description: Lily is a photojournalist, pursuing rumors of magical "animal people" living in the ruins of Newford's slums. Hank has always lived in those slums, creating a life and a family of friends in the places where upright citizens fear to tread. When Hank and Lily's lives collide, they discover the strange truth of the "animal people", who were the First People to walk this earth, and who walk among us even today: Coyote the Trickster, Jackdaw the Storyteller, Fox, Cuckoos, Raven, and the Crow Girls.
(GR insists on putting numbers of de Lint's books, but one can start most anywhere with the Newford series.)
How about: Tinker by Wen Spencer.Synopsis: Inventor, girl genius Tinker lives in a near-future Pittsburgh which now exists mostly in the land of the elves. She runs her salvage business, pays her taxes, and tries to keep the local ambient level of magic down with gadgets of her own design. When a pack of wargs chase an Elven noble into her scrap yard, life as she knows it takes a serious detour. Tinker finds herself taking on the Elven court, the NSA, the Elven Interdimensional Agency, technology smugglers and a college-minded Xenobiologist as she tries to stay focused on what's really important - her first date. Armed with an intelligence the size of a planet, steel-toed boots, and a junkyard dog attitude, Tinker is ready to kick butt to get her first kiss.
I'm going to add Witchling. The first in a series, each book is told from the perspective of one of the three sisters.
The series in general is about 3 sisters, all half-fae, who are part of an otherworld intelligence agency, sent to earth to make sure "bad stuff" doesn't happen.
In the first book, Camille takes charge - she's part witch, part fae with a tendency toward wearing corsets and collecting men. Their rather quiet lives are interrupted when a new demon lord begins his bid to take over both earth and otherworld from the subterranean realms.
Some romance mixed in but it's predominantly about the fight. Various fantasy aspects enter in, including dragons, shape-shifters, demons, and vampires.
I'm recommending "Good Fairies of New York" by Martin Millar. Millar is more popular in England than he is here but I'm a little ways into the book and I'm enjoying it. It very much counts as straight Urban Fantasy and I think it will be a nice change of pace from what has been read the last few months. Here is the GR description: [close:] Tells of the adventures of a group of punk fairies who get drunk one night and are air-freighted to New York city.
I'm gonna recommend the first book in the Cal Leandros series, Nightlife by Rob Thurman.Synopsis:
In New York, there's a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side. Of course, most humans are oblivious to this, but Cal Leandros is only half-human. His father's dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares-and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal.
He and his half-brother Niko have managed to stay a step ahead for three years, but now Cal's dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they've always wanted him: He is the key to unleashing their hell on earth. The fate of the human world will be decided in the fight of Cal's life...
The series focuses much more on the characters than the stories. The story is there and you are seeing it progress, but it's really about the four main characters.
![Chelsea [Vampire Book Club] (VampireBookClub) | 44 comments](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1367184218p1/3580429.jpg)
The new Chess Putnam series by Stacia Kane is in-freaking-credible. So, even though it's a new one, I'm recommending Unholy Ghosts.PS. GoodReads has the series called "Downside Ghosts" but Stacia calls it Chess Putnam. So, don't be confused. :)
Teamevil wrote: "I'm recommending "Good Fairies of New York" by Martin Millar. Millar is more popular in England than he is here but I'm a little ways into the book and I'm enjoying it. It very much counts as stra..."That sounds like it could be really funny - and I'd love some straight UF for a change.
The Good Fairies of New York is fantastic. Good choice Teamevil and yes blackrose it is, from the very first page. Loved it. Which reminds me I must get to Lonely Werewolf Girl before book two comes out in a month or so.
How about Angels' Blood by Nalini SinghVampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
Bill wrote: "The Good Fairies of New York is fantastic. Good choice Teamevil and yes blackrose it is, from the very first page. Loved it. Which reminds me I must get to [book:Lonely Werewolf Girl|1..."There's a sequel coming out to Lonely Werewolf Girl?! Can't wait. I'd agree with The Good Fairies of New York or Tinker, preferably Tinker, and Witchling is also a great idea!
Carrie wrote: "I'd like to nominate Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler."I'll second that nomination (I loved Tempest Rising) and add my own nomination for Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs.
Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.
Bill wrote: "Yes Ruby Curse of the Wolf Girl in August. I take it Lonely Werewolf Girl is a goodie?"I thought it was actually rather better than "Good Fairies". Very enjoyable read.
Shanon wrote: "Carrie wrote: "I'd like to nominate Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler."I'll second that nomination (I loved Tempest Rising) and add my own nomination for [book:Cry Wol..."
I think Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground were done last year??? Or before.
Jamie wrote: "I'm gonna recommend the first book in the Cal Leandros series, Nightlife by Rob Thurman."Awesome suggestion! Awesome book and author! haha, I need the excuse to buy this book again as I gave my copy away.
I'd like to nominate Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow (tried to nominate this last time, hopefully I'm not too late this time).Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot-tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody’s business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to Hell.
The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a renegade demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It’s an offer she can’t refuse.
There’s just one catch. How do you kill something that can’t die?
Ruby wrote: "I think Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground were done last year??? Or before."Sure enough! Don't know how I missed that. Can I change my nomination to
Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks?
Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective investigating a series of grisly murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To hunt down the killer, she must infiltrate the clans. Only one man can help her - a werewolf named Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, whose charismatic presence disturbs Lily. Rule has his own reasons for helping the investigation - reasons he doesn't want to share with Lily. Logic and horror demand she keep her distance, but the attraction between them is immediate and devastating - and beyond human reason. Now in a race to fend off evil, Lily finds herself in uncharted territory, tested as never before, and, at her back, a man she's not sure she can trust...
I'm probably too late wih nomination, but I'd like to nominate "Spellbent" by Lucy A. Snyder, in the new Jessie Shimmer series.---------------
In the heart of Ohio, Jessie Shimmer is caught up in hot, magic-drenched passion with her roguish lover, Cooper Marron, who is teaching her how to tap her supernatural powers. When they try to break a drought by calling down a rainstorm, a hellish portal opens and Cooper is ripped from this world, leaving Jessie fighting for her life against a vicious demon that's been unleashed.
In the aftermath, Jessie, who knows so little about her own true nature, is branded an outlaw. She must survive by her wits and with the help of her familiar, a ferret named Palimpsest. Stalked by malevolent enemies, Jessie is determined to find out what happened to Cooper. But when she moves heaven and earth to find her man, she'll be shocked by what she discovers - and by what she must ultimately do to save them all.
I'll nominate Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin.
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I'm Jaz Parks. My boss is Vayl, born in Romania in 1744. Died there too, at the hand of his vampire wife, Liliana. But that's ancient history. For the moment Vayl works for the C.I.A. doing what he does best--assassination. And I help. You could say I'm an Assistant Assassin. But then I'd have to kick your ass.Our current assignment seemed easy. Get close to a Miami plastic surgeon named Assan, a charmer with ties to terrorism that run deeper than a buried body. Find out what he's meeting with that can help him and his comrades bring America to her knees. And then close his beady little eyes forever. Why is it that nothing's ever as easy as it seems?
I nominate Magic Lost, Trouble Found byLisa ShearinMy name is Raine Benares. I'm a seeker. The people who hire me are usually happy when I find things. But some things are better left unfound...
Raine is a sorceress Seeker moderate powers, from an extended family of smugglers and thieves. With a mix of street smarts and magic spells, she can usually take care of herself. But when her friend Quentin, a not-quite-reformed theif, steals an amulet from the home of a powerful necromancer, Raine finds herself wrapped up in more trouble than she cares for. She likes attention as much as the next girl, but having an army of militant goblins hunting her down is not her idea of a good time. The amulet they're after holds limitless power, derived from an ancient, soul-stealing stone. And when Raine takes possession of the item, it takes possession of her.
Now her moderate powers are increasing beyond anything she could imagine—but is the resumé enhancement worth her soul?
Munky wrote: "I'll nominate Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin.--------
This is a great book! Good choice. I'd like to recommend a book on my tbr list...
The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
Charlie is a divorced mother of one whose job it is to help the things that go bump in the night integrate into the new society that allows them to live amongst us. Then a new drug is released and Charlie's daughter is targeted. Her ex-husband tries to make a bargain to get her back and Charlie will do anything to save the situation.
Would anyone else be interested in reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I have it, and haven't read it yet. It sounds pretty good to me. That's my nomination.
I'm on good terms with Faith Hunter and I'd love to read her book, but I'll throw my had in the ring - Anyone for Prophecy of the FlameIt's about five people snatched from this world and thrust into a magical land. In the transfer they get the powers and looks they were pretending to have.
The main character is a housewife, drug there by her husband, who becomes the most powerful sorceress on the planet. Her husband doesn't make the transfer, though, and there is a handsome prince who has a vampire-like ability to make her swoon.
Nominations are now done.I will have up the poll for August today and the poll for September tomorrow.
Hi I'm new to Goodreads but I saw on some other groups that I've joined that they ask people to keep the discussion going on the group reads of the month by people who have already read the book. I've just finished reading the first 3 mortal instruments books and was wondering if I could be any help in this department for you. Contact me if you're interested!
Donna wrote: "Hi I'm new to Goodreads but I saw on some other groups that I've joined that they ask people to keep the discussion going on the group reads of the month by people who have already read the book. I..."Sure, you can do that, Donna. We tried something like that one month and it seemed to go over well, but nobody volunteered after that. :)
Donna wrote: "Well I'm up for doing September then :D So how will this work then?"
I will be setting up the topics next week for City of Bones.
Julia wrote: "Next week?"I always set up the next month's group read about a week early. That way if people want to start chatting early, they can.
Theresa wrote: "Donna wrote: "Well I'm up for doing September then :D So how will this work then?"
I will be setting up the topics next week for City of Bones."
Ok well if you could contact me when it's set up, and prehaps give me some pointers as i'm new at all this then that would be great and we can get the talk about City of Bones started :)
Donna wrote: "Ok well if you could contact me when it's set up, and prehaps give me some pointers as i'm new at all this then that would be great and we can get the talk about City of Bones started :)..."I'm not sure what pointers to give you as I've never needed to really work at getting a conversation started in the group read threads. If you want some ideas, you could check out the one time we had a "discussion leader" in this group... here are the links:
Here, here, and here.
Plus, I should point out that I despised City of Bones and didn't make it past page 100 so I don't think I'm going to have any great ideas for this book.
Theresa wrote: "Donna wrote: "Ok well if you could contact me when it's set up, and prehaps give me some pointers as i'm new at all this then that would be great and we can get the talk about City of Bones started..."Ok thanks :) and I'm sorry you didn't like it! I loved all the books.
If you just want to let me know when and where to start posting like a day before or something that would be good and I'll get started for you.
I've already read City of Bones, and the entire series pretty much became an absolute favorite. Love it more than any other I have ever lain my hands on. Love love love. I'm agerly looking forward to The Clockwork Angel, which is the first in the Infernal Devices series, a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments series.
Misty wrote: "I've already read City of Bones, and the entire series pretty much became an absolute favorite. Love it more than any other I have ever lain my hands on. Love love love. I'm agerly looking forward ..."I'm with you all the way :D
Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
Dog Days (other topics)Blood Cross (other topics)
Skinwalker (other topics)
Someplace to Be Flying (other topics)
Tinker (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Levitt (other topics)Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Lilith Saintcrow (other topics)
Eileen Wilks (other topics)
Lucy A. Snyder (other topics)
More...
The rules for submitting a book title:
1) One submission per UF member (regardless of whether we are nominating for more than one month at a time).
2) Please submit the title, author, and a brief description of the book.
3) UF titles are preferred, but Supernatural, Sci-Fi, PNR, and Fantasy are acceptable too.
4a) It must be the first book in a series or a stand-alone title. If the title is in a series, but can be read without previous knowledge of the earlier books, feel free to submit it.
4b) If we have already read and discussed the first book in the series as a group, the second title can be submitted, etc.
You can view our Group Read History here.
We'll go to a total of 14 nominations or an end date of Monday, July 12th - whichever comes first.
Please start nominating titles... and newcomers, please don't be shy - we would love to hear from you!
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AUGUST:
1. Dog Days by John Levitt
2. Someplace to Be Flying (Newford, #8) by Charles de Lint
3. Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
4. Nightlife by Rob Thurman
5. Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt
6. Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
7. Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks
8. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
9. The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
SEPTEMBER:
10.. Blood Cross by Faith Hunter
11. Tinker by Wen Spencer
12. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
13. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
14. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
15. Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
16. Spellbent by Lucy Snyder
17. Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
18. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
19. Prophecy of the Flame by Lynn Hardy