Picky reader searching for cool recs

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Greetings lovers of fantasy fiction!
I am in dire need of your recs and would be ever so grateful for your help.
It feels like I’ve read (or tried to read) everything out there.
I apologize in advance for my pickiness.

I definitely prefer UF over straight-up PNR, even though I realize the line is quite often blurred. However, I know that authors like Christine Feehan, J.R. Ward, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole are just not my cup of tea (no disrespect).

I also prefer the content to be on the adult side but am not adverse to a well-written YA or NA book.

It goes without saying that world-building, character development, and an intriguing plot are a must. I'm open to any setting, any dynamics as long as it's good storytelling. I also crave an awesome, slow-burning romantic subplot, with lots of twists and drama. Insta love (or sex) is a complete turn-off. The more sexual tension and banter the better. Bring on the battle of wills.

Authors I’ve really enjoyed: Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison, Richelle Mead, Karen Marie Moning (Fever series more so than Highlander), Diana Rowland, Kalayna Price, Rachel Caine, Jim Butcher, Seanan Mcguire, Susan Ee, Sarah J Maas (her “Court of Thorns” series is fantastic), Katherine Harbour, Anne Bishop, Melissa Marr, Suzanne Collins, M.P. Attardo (read Intermix Nation if you haven’t!), C.L.Wilson, Jacqualine Carey, Nicole Peeler.

Authors I’ve given a try and who were okay: Karen Chance, Jeaniene Frost, Chloe Neill, Carolyn Crane, Stephanie Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Meljean Brook, Laurell K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Jocelyn Drake, Stacia Kane, Liani Taylor, Nalini Singh, Maria Snyder.

Authors I couldn’t get into: Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, Jennifer L. Armentrout, J.A. Saare, Linda Robertson, Devon Monk, Caitlin Kittredge, Carrie Vaughn, Vicki Pettersson, Adrian Pheonix, Jennifer Estep, Jennifer Rardin, Cassandra Claire, Katie MacAlister, Becca Fitzpatrick, Thea Harrison, Trisha Baker.

There are many more, of course, but hopefully, this list gives you a better idea of what I’m looking for.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer)]

You've read or tried most of the ones I was going to say other than Cecy Robson. Her Weird Sisters series is fabulous and it isn't an insta-love but there is a triangle of sorts so (kind of, sort of, not really) if you are adverse to those at all you might not care for it.

Suzanne Johnson's Sentinels of New Orleans series is really good as well.

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) wrote: "You've read or tried most of the ones I was going to say other than Cecy Robson. Her Weird Sisters series is fabulous and it isn't an insta-love but there is a triangle of sorts so (kind of, sort o..."

Thanks, Mlpmom! I'll check them out.

[♥Lynn ♥]

Have you tried:
Rebekah Turner

This series is more UF/Steampunk. It's different from anything I've read so far, but I really enjoyed it.

Kevin Hearne

I'm currently reading book 1, but really love it so far.

[♥Lynn ♥]

I also discovered Melissa F. Olson last year and had to read everything of hers. She has two series and I loved the UF world she created.

[Jessica]

My favorite author is Jacquelyn Frank in the Paranormal Romance genre... Though she is often grouped with Jeanine Frost and I noticed you weren't a fan of her... That being said, I never read any of Frost's books, so I don't know how similar or different they are, I just noticed that the names tend to come up together in conversation. I really enjoyed her Nightwalker series... To the point that I might even say obsessed. It's a great story line with strong characters, not just make characters either. If you choose to give it a try, start with Jacob, next is Gideon, Elijah, Damien, Noah, lastly Adam, but she continued it with a spoon of series that eventually meets back with the characters from these books.

Hopefully you can get into it if you haven't tried already! best of luck!

[Jessica]

Please excuse my phone's auto correct

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Jessica wrote: "My favorite author is Jacquelyn Frank in the Paranormal Romance genre... Though she is often grouped with Jeanine Frost and I noticed you weren't a fan of her... That being said, I never read any o..."

Thanks, Jessica!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

♥ ♥Lynn ♥ ♥ wrote: "I also discovered Melissa F. Olson last year and had to read everything of hers. She has two series and I loved the UF world she created.

[bo..."

Thank you, Lynn!

[Oleander]

I don't see Patricia Briggs on your list. Her Mercy Thompson and Alpha Omega series have very good story telling. Both series are set in the same world and weave together.

[Jenny]

Lauren Dane ( Goddess with a blade) and J.C. Daniels (Colbana Files) are two series I enjoy. They do have a love interest but it wasn't instant and not usually the main part of the story.

[Rachel]

Elizabeth Hunter is one of my favorites. Consider her Irin Chronicles

[Akaria]

You might like Majorie Liu's Hunter Kiss series. I only read the first book, but enjoyed the worldbuilding and heroine. The author also wrote a couple of X-men comics if you're into that.

[KiBo]

Absurd_Tails, I'm a picky reader too. Are there any books that you have read that you can recommend?

[Katie]

These books look great!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Oleander wrote: "I don't see Patricia Briggs on your list. Her Mercy Thompson and Alpha Omega series have very good story telling. Both series are set in the same world and weave together."

Yeah, I read the first Mercy Thompson a while back but didn't continue with the series. Maybe I should consider revisiting. Thank you, Oleander!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Shari Kay wrote: "Have you tried the plot arc is great...but it is pnr with sex. Even I have mixed feelings about it because the sex/or why they have sex is odd(can't go more into ..."

Thanks for the rec, Shari Kay!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Jenny wrote: "Lauren Dane ( Goddess with a blade) and J.C. Daniels (Colbana Files) are two series I enjoy. They do have a love interest but it wasn't instant and not usually the main part of the story."

Great, thanks, Jenny!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Jay wrote: "Check out Gena Showalter, I started with her Alice in Zombieland series."

I tried reading her Lords of the Underworld series, wasn't blown away. But I'll check out your rec, thanks, Jay!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Rachel wrote: "Elizabeth Hunter is one of my favorites. Consider her Irin Chronicles "

Thank you, Rachel!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Akaria wrote: "You might like Majorie Liu's Hunter Kiss series. I only read the first book, but enjoyed the worldbuilding and heroine. The author also wrote a couple of X-men com..."

Thank you, Akaria! I think this is on my TBR list.

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

KiBo wrote: "Absurd_Tails, I'm a picky reader too. Are there any books that you have read that you can recommend?"

Oooh, so many, KiBo :) Depends on what you're in the mood for. If you can name a few authors you've enjoyed, might make things easier.

I'm currently reading and liking it.

[JT72]

Kresley Cole Immortals after dark series! The best!

[Jules]

Ordinarily I'd probably not bother suggesting things, but I see a lot of my fav authors in your list.

Karina Halle has quickly become a fast fav -- I totally suggest reading the Experiment in Terror series. As has L.H. Cosway (though I haven't read her supernatural stuff yet), she writes great romance.

A couple more suggestions by way of fantasy -- Kevin Hearne, Julia Kagawa (Fae series but better, to me, was Blood of Eden) and Simon R. Green's Nightside series.

Hope there's something there for ya.

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Jules wrote: "Ordinarily I'd probably not bother suggesting things, but I see a lot of my fav authors in your list.

Karina Halle has quickly become a fast fav -- I totally suggest reading the Experiment in Terr..."

Thank you, Jules!

[Amoreena]

I'm commenting to see more of your recommendations! It looks like we have similar taste in books!

[Beige]

We also have very similar tastes. Here are a few others I've enjoyed

My top pick. This is sci fi in that it has space travel and aliens, but it reads just like urban fantasy. Full of nonstop action, intrigue with an awesome heroine. Super fun!


Because you listed Jacqualine Carey I'm going to recommend . It's so different from her "Others" series, in fact I thought it was much better, but it reads more like a typical fantasy in style, so you need to be in the mood for that.


Ignore the awful cover. I've read the first 2 in the series and they so much fun. Amazing world building, elves, pirates, goblins and an evil magic stone. Best of all, a heroine that doesn't mope, she's too busy for that crap!


I did that compare book thing with you and saw that you'd tried Meljean's pnr series. Her steampunk novel really surprised me. I waited years to read it because I was convinced I wouldn't like steampunk, but oh boy, she did this so well. Amazing characters and a break neck pace. Can't wait to read more in this series.


A few other ones that are worth trying that I didn't see on your list are





I'm going to try C.L Wilson and Nicole Peeler. I'm not a big fan of typical pnr either, but if you like these, maybe I will too :) Thx.

Happy reading!

[◬❍Nastja❍◬]

Beige wrote: "We also have very similar tastes. Here are a few others I've enjoyed

My top pick. This is sci fi in that it has space travel and aliens, but it reads just like u..."

Oh, wow! Thank you so much for your recs, Beige!

I actually have tried reading Anne Bishop's Black Jewel series. Dunno, maybe I wasn't in the right mood for it but couldn't finish, unfortunately. The Others is much more to my liking.

And I have read the # 1 Iron Duke novel and liked it! Brook is a very good writer.

Oooh, Lisa Shearin! My ebook reader died just as I was reading the first book, and I never got back to it. I should, it was fun.

I will definitely check out your other recs.

Nicole Peeler is UF, a well-written series with a cool take on Celtic/fae entities in a modern setting.

C.L.Wilson is more fantasy, but with incredible world-building and character dynamics. Such a beautiful story.

Enjoy!

[Matie’s Reads]

I just finished the Wildest Dreams series. Read it! We have similar tastes and I could put these books down.

It's a fantasy series but I have been suggesting to PNR fans with good results:)

(there are only 4 of the 5 books out)

[Elizabeth]

Katie, I just finished Victoria Clapton's Awaken and am reading the second in the series Accept. They are really interesting. The characters are engaging and the story line is gripping. It is a similar style to what you've described. It is a woman remembering her previous lives. I think you would really enjoy the books. They catch your interest right away, and move quickly.

[Daylarie]

these books were amazing and unexpected. LOTS of funny banter :) I'm surprised no one has mentioned them.

[Aniketa]

I read this series, , not long ago and it was ok.

[Amoreena]

Katie wrote: "I just finished the Wildest Dreams series. Read it! We have similar tastes and I could put these books down.

It's a fantasy series but I have been suggesting to PNR fans with good..."

I just read the first book in this series and cringed through the entire thing. The writing is okay but if you are any kind of feminist at all, the way the guy thinks and acts will bother you!