Urban Fantasy discussion
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GROUP READ OF THE MONTH--ARCHIVE
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What Should We Read In May?
I just finished Frank Tuttle's latest--Brown River Queen. BUT since I know a lot of people haven't started the series AND The Mister Trophy (one of the first in the series) was recently free, I'd like to suggest The Mister Trophy. (The first three in the series can be read in an order and all three are very cheap.) So, my suggestion is The Mister Trophy by Frank Tuttle. A fairly short, but FUN selection that gets us ready for summer reads!
Hi I'm a newbie so I apologize if this book has been done before:) I am always looking for a great new UF series - one I haven't read is the urban shaman series - so I suggest Urban Shaman by CE Murphy.
This is not a new book but I am suggesting it because I personally would like to read it.
by Emma Bull was published in 1994 and is considered to be an early example of Urban Fantasy. For what it's worth Neil Gaiman highly praises it, but I am nominating it because I often prefer the "old school" Urban Fantasy and would like to read more of the now considered classics.
I've read some Emma Bull and it wasn't bad. I'm not sure I'd call it old school though. The one I read was kind of a weird blend of an old Western with some magic added. But the old Western wasn't quite accurate either...just a blend of everything.
How about--Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
Welcome to Gil's All Night Diner, where zombie attacks are a regular occurrence and you never know what might be lurking in the freezer. . . .
I've had it on my shelf for too long and it looks fun.
Christopher wrote: "I am going to nominate The Devil You Know by Mike Carey, I didn't see it in the history."Love that one. Could not put that down.
it's a bit out of our normal spectrum, but how about Bitter Seeds? a secret group of British warlocks defending the world from nazi clairvoyants during WWII sounds all sorts of engrossing to me.Jalilah,I would definitely call 'finder' old-school UF. Maria, the one you're thinking of is called Territory, and is a much more recent work of hers (and full of great ideas that never really go anywhere; 'finder' is, I think, the better book).
Michelle wrote: "it's a bit out of our normal spectrum, but how about Bitter Seeds? a secret group of British warlocks defending the world from nazi clairvoyants during WWII sounds all sorts of engrossing to me...."
I grabbed Bitter Seeds yesterday for 2.99. The ebook might still be on sale.
How about
Dead Things?
Amyiw wrote: "How about--Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez

Welcome to Gil's All Night Diner, where zombie attacks are a regular occurrence and you never know w..."
It is fun. Read it when you are in the mood for something silly.
I see that the group has already read books #1 and #2 of the Chicagoland Vampires series so I think I will nominate book #3 -
Christopher wrote: "I am going to nominate The Devil You Know by Mike Carey, I didn't see it in the history."I'll nominate that too - love the Felix Castor books.
I like A. Lee Martinez. Hadn't seen that particular book. Can take or leave the Mike Carey one. It was kind of slow in the middle and I found myself skimming.
I agree. I just wish I hadn't read most of them. If I could wipe my memory of every UF book I've read, I'd do it in a second.
Shehreyar wrote: "I agree. I just wish I hadn't read most of them. If I could wipe my memory of every UF book I've read, I'd do it in a second."I've read a lot of them too!
Maria wrote: "Fated TOTALLY TOTALLY ROCKS!!!"Why???? I really liked it :D
Although, I was seriously pissed off with Alex's partner (forgot her name).
Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Fated TOTALLY TOTALLY ROCKS!!!"Why???? I really liked it :D
Although, I was seriously pissed off with Alex's partner (forgot her name)."
The whole series is awesome. Yeah, she had some issues. I like that both characters (well, all of them really) are evolving. The best series do that.
Maria wrote: "Fated TOTALLY TOTALLY ROCKS!!!"When I first read your message (the one above), I thought you'd written Fated TOTALLY TOTALLY 'SUCKS'.
lol
That's why I asked 'WHY??'. Anyhow, the story was great. I can't wait for the third one (or is it the fourth?)
Did you notice in the first book, I think on the first page even, there's a tiny reference to Harry Dresden? Alex says something like, 'There's a wizard in Boston who advertises himself in the newspaper'. I LOLed when I read that.
Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book, I think on the first page even, there's a tiny reference to Harry Dresden? Alex says something like, 'There's a wizard in Boston who advertises himself in the news..."I remember reading it, but couldn't tell you the page. I've seen it mentioned in a couple of reviews since then too.
He's a very detailed and clever writer. I love the way he has several subplots in each story. Good stuff.
Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book, I think on the first page even, there's a tiny reference to Harry Dresden? Alex says something like, 'There's a wizard in Boston who advertises h..."Anne Sowards is the editor for the Jacka series, right? I tend to enjoy many of the books she edits.
Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book, I think on the first page even, there's a tiny reference to Harry Dresden? Alex says something like, 'There's a wizard in Boston wh..."I like a lot of what she edits as well. I don't know if she is his editor (I don't remember). He has a US one and UK editor. Since it comes out first in the US though, it may mean it's base publication is here.
I'm gonna nominate
as I've just finished
.I see
has been nominated as well which is on my TBR list :) I'm also reading the Walking Papers Series by C.E. Murphy and really enjoying it so far. Haven't heard of most of the others so must check them out.
Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly excellent, and I love the London setting. Although, I wish he would include the city more in the story (like the Peter Grant novels do).
Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly excellent, and I love the London setting. Although, I wish he wou..."
Oh no! That would slow the pace down. I'm kind of glad he doesn't! Poor guy. He can't please everyone!
Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly excellent, and I love the London setting. Altho..."
No, no. I didn't mean it as a critism. Merely that when you have a setting as rich as London on your hands, you'd do yourself some good by exploiting it.
But you are right--it would drag the story down. Jacka's tight pacing wouldn't survive the drudurgy of having to somehow incorporate the city into his story.
Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly excellent, and I love the London ..."
I think he does a pretty good job of it. I've been to places he's mentioned and a lot of the big names are in there. Enough so that I know it's London and you get that sense of the alleyways and the age of the city.
Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly excellent, and ..."
Yeah, he does a great deal to keep the setting alive.
Have you read the Peter Grant books, though? He really manages to pull you into a scene. Very vivid. Not just his descriptions, but his dialogue too. There's a remarkable tilt to how the characters speak. It's not as if he spells out the accents, but it's just in the way the characters speak.
Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plotting is certainly e..."
I don't think I've heard of them. Well, the name kind of rings a bell, but I don't think I've read them. Will have to look them up!
Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book..."His plott..."
You really should. It's the first Urban Fantasy (like Hard-UF) that I've read in a while which has a truly original feel to it. The writing is witty (full of satire and veiled humor) and though you'll see some traditional ideas scattered about, the author has given everything his own, unique spin.
Faswop wrote: "
would be my suggestion"I second this..I love the fae and this seems a fresh take on them. Plus its a debut novel and I love to support writers who are just getting started.
Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kindle-aholic wrote: "Maria wrote: "Shehreyar wrote: "Did you notice in the first book...."Thanks, I'll check it out.
Oh, Peter Grant is the main character. You mean this series: Midnight RiotYeah, I gave it a shot. It was okay. Kind of choppy and I didn't enjoy it even close to Benedict Jacka's stuff. A couple of my friends really like that series.
Karen wrote: "I'm gonna nominate
as I've just finished
.I see
has been nominated as well which is on my TBR list :) I..."Karen wrote: "I'm gonna nominate
as I've just finished
.I see
has been nominated as well which is on my TBR list :) I..."I love this series by Maria Snyder specially Poison Study!
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Books mentioned in this topic
Masque of the Red Death (other topics)Masque of the Red Death (other topics)
Masque of the Red Death (other topics)
Poison Study (other topics)
Fated (other topics)
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NOTE: Authors, no self-promotion. Books must be urban fantasy and not PNR or straight fantasy. Please list only one book, and make sure it hasn't been one of our previous group reads.
Thanks!!