J.D. Robb

[Jess]

So, she is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. But can her books be considered urban fantasy? The characters are not anything mystical, but the books are set in the future, by about 50 years. Maybe it could be considered mystery fantasy...

Anyone have a comment

[Jess]

Hi Kate! That would be interesting, I'll see if more people join the group. Hopefully they do! :)

[B]

There's a thread asking a similar question here: http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com...

[Jess]

thanks for that link Bonnie! As I have been reading more into her series, I really couldn't figure out what the genre was.

I also think it's amazing that she is Nora Roberts. I don't really see many similarities in the writing styles, although I have only read a few of Robert's works.

[Starling]

You need to compare the newer, originally hard cover, Nora Roberts books to the JD Robb books to see that they are obviously the same author. If you compare the stuff she wrote originally for Harlequin it isn't as obvious, but even those books, even the very first one, is readable. Short, but readable.

I love the JD Robb series, but don't have a clue as to where to put it as far as genre goes.

[Susan (Suz)]

Starling are you referring to her In Death Series? I love that series, altho I find it hard to get back to since it doesn't include anything other worldly ;) But yeah it's hard to decide where to classify it....

[The Flooze]

I usually think of In Death as futuristic mystery/suspense. It starts in 2025, right? And it's not really a romance since the relationship is continuous rather than a series of HEAs.

I like how the futuristic aspects are subtle. Nothing too jarring, but just enough to show that tech has advanced and the city has changed. Probably especially noticeable to New Yorkers.

I've only read the first book, but I liked it a lot and really loved the main character. She felt very realistic. I keep meaning to continue with the series but so many other books keep popping up! I wouldn't classify it as UF because there aren't really fantasy elements in it, are there? It's crime procedural throughout the series?

[Starling]

I lived in New York City up until the mid-60s. I really get the feeling that she KNOWS the city. I've never lived inside any other cities, only in the suburbs, but have always felt that New York is different from other cities. And she "gets" the feel of it very well.

And I'll agree that it is basically futuristic mystery. But for some reasons, if you like the paranormal/urban fantasy authors, you will probably like her as well.

[The Flooze]

Agreed!

[Justcarey]

I love the JD Robb books but unfortunately, I can read them faster than she seems able to write them.
:-) And I consider them romances even tho the primary characters are in a long-term relationship. Her descriptions of their "romance" are inspiring. LOL

[Susan (Suz)]

I agree on all accounts!:) I do love Eve the main character and I love her hubby! It's a great series and one I def want to continue, but right now i'm still to all consumed by withes and were's and vamps, oh my! LOL

[Jess]

Maybe it's a romantic suspense. There's romance throughout the series with Eve and Roarke, and also with the other side characters. And each book is it's own little suspensful mystery..

But there were a few books that had a sort of otherworldy theme. With the witches and cults and such. But I don't think it's predominate enough to make it into the genre.

I think in the bookstores it's shelved in mystery.

[The Flooze]

Actually in B&N and I think? on the binding, it's classified as romantic suspense?

I just hate to qualify books like that as romantic since it's continuing saga. I always think it's strange MJD's Undead series is PNR when by definition, it's really UF!