One of These is Not Like The Others

[Steph, Serious series addict]

With the market being flooded with PNR/UF books these days, it’s getting harder and harder to find something that hasn’t been done. Have you found a series that offers up something new & different?

Off the top of my head, I can say that from the start Ilona Andrews’ series have felt unique to me.

It’s getting harder to find something that doesn’t fall into the "same ‘ole, same 'ole" category. I feel for authors trying to start a series today. It’s got to be hard to find something that hasn’t already been done ten ways from Sunday.

[Literary Ames]

Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent - Bean Sidhes (aka Banshees) are different


Psy/Changeling by Nalini Singh - the Psy are unique, living in Silence with the help of the Psy Net.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

You're right, Amy, I can't believe I didn't think of those b/c I really like them both.


This series sounds like it should be kinda unique, "soul gathers, battling demons for the souls of the dead". I haven't read either though I will be reading book 1 soon. I'll get back to ya on whether or not it really is something original.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Speaking of Nalini Singh, what about



they're a pretty unique story line. Angels making vamps.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Oooh yeah, good one, Sandra!


This was kinda different ... witches and their hunters/protectors (of course LOTS of sex, as *oh, how convenient* they need sex to survive)



The gist:
"... born witch hunters, a breed of men with a centuries-long and honorable history of protection and justice. They'd been immortal and unstoppable guardians of the earth witches, highly evolved women with powers drawn from the earth's elements to protect, heal, and assist mortals while hunting down and killing demon witches. Now, thanks to a thirty-year-old blood-and-sex curse {they} fought a dark, soul-destroying compulsion for witch blood." If they give in to the draw of witch blood and kill one, they become soulless rogues and "without their souls, when they died, they would become shades banished to walk between-worlds in endless agony."

[Laura Lulu]

This is a really good series that doesn't get much attention because the poor author was screwed by her publisher in the cover department. When they were rec'd to me, it was with the caveat pay no attention to the book covers!

The 2 main characters are Lee, who is a Shield, and Taro, who is her Source. Shields & Sources are paired up right out of training and they are paired for life--when one dies, so does the other. There are natural disasters all over their world, and Sources are born with the ability to channel the energy of the disaster to prevent it. But the power they channel would kill them, hence the Shield. The Shield protects them while they are channeling.

It's a totally unique premise, and the books are alternately serious & lighthearted, with great snarky characters. I love the characters & snatch the new releases up right when they come out--the 5th is out next month.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Laura Lulu, I haven't heard of that series or author at all. Sounds interesting, I'll look into getting my hands on it. Thanks for sharing.

Also Steph, same goes for the series you mentioned.

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

I think Adrian Phoenix's Maker's Song series is quite unique. While it has vampires, Dante is a very unique creature, not less so because of his connection to The Fallen. It's very dark and engrossing and really beautiful. I absolutely adore this series.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Laura LuLu, hadn't heard of that one either. Sounds interesting though. You are SO right on the cover flop, wow, poor thing. LOL! Is it very historical romance-y or more UF? I don't tend to like HR much, although I'm willing to give them a go.

I second DH's suggestion to check out "The Maker's Song" series! Definitely unique and worth a read.

[Laura Lulu]

Steph, it's not historical romance at all, it's more fantasy, with a UF slant, rather than an epic fantasy slant.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Gotcha. Thanks. I added it to my "recommended to me" list. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Steph wrote: "This series sounds like it should be kinda unique, "soul gathers, battling demons for the souls of the dead". I haven't read either though I will be reading book 1 soon. I'll get back to ya on whether or not it really is something original...."

So, I read book 1 last month, I think, and finished book 2 yesterday. I really like the idea of the band of soul gatherers and the battles they wage, while snaggin' their mates. It's different enough to feel new to me.

I liked book 1 quite a bit, but book 2 just wasn't all I was hoping for after #1. I really like the main character, Brian, in book 2. Dunno, kinda bummed over the let down and hoping book 3 is better.

[Sharon]

Sandra wrote: "Speaking of Nalini Singh, what about



they're a pretty unique story line. Angels making vamps."

I just read these books a while back. Loved them!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Me too. I'm anxious for Archangel's Consort next yr.

[Susan (Suz)]

Oh I just bought these two as someone else recommended them to me!! Glad to hear they are good!:) Can't wait to read them!!! If there were only more hours in the day to read or else I didn't have to work for a living LOL

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Susan, I gave them 5 & 4 stars. I really liked them. Waiting rather impatiently for the 3rd one, as mentioned by Steph.