Happiness is a good book: some of Seanan's favorite urban fantasy and paranormal romance reads.: seanan

Happiness is a good book: some of Seanan's favorite urban fantasy and paranormal romance reads.

I was asked recently if I would be willing to make a list of some of my favorite urban fantasies and paranormal romances. Because I am an amiable blonde, I am doing so. In the case of series, I will list the series name and first book, so you know where I at least think you should start. Format is as follows:

The Toby Daye Series, Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire.
Half-fae private investigator-slash-knight errant October Daye tries to solve magical murders and prevent more than the usual amount of chaos in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ongoing series, sequential, told in the first person. Five books currently available, two more confirmed.

Genre: Pretty unadulterated urban fantasy.
Recommended for: People who like my books, since I wrote them.
Romance level: Low so far. Sex not shown onscreen. Safe for teenagers and your mother.

For this list, "favorite" is defined as "I enjoy reading them, and am actively pleased to see another book in the series or by the same author," rather than "this is the highest quality that the genre has to offer." My books, my biases. This is by no means a comprehensive list, since my attention span is not that great right now.

With me? Awesome. Let's rock.

anthemyst

June 29 2011, 19:33:09 UTC 6 years ago

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I love the Women of the Underworld series, but I would add that if you are put off by sex scenes with dubious consent you might be better off starting with the third and fourth books, narrated by Paige, and doubling back for the Elena books after. Especially since the scene comes with very little context or backstory for their relationship, it almost put me off the series completely. But I'm extremely glad it didn't!

seanan_mcguire

July 6 2011, 15:12:35 UTC 6 years ago

Very fair. I love Paige beyond all reason, too. Clay and Elena have never been my favorite couple.

lazyknight

June 30 2011, 22:02:07 UTC 6 years ago

For some UK-based u/f, try the Felix Castor novels by Mike Carey -- proffessional exorcist withs doubts, first novel is The Devil you Know. I was sat in a pub one day, reading one of these novels, and nearly spilt my beer when I realised that his protagonist had just recommeneded the very same pub to someone else :-)

Also, "Rivers of London" by Ben Aaronovitch -- UK police officer becomes a magicians apprentice. First in the series so far (IIRC)

Oh, and for a standalone, China Mieville's "Kraken" is ZOMG good!

July 6 2011, 15:12:45 UTC 6 years ago

Awesome!

sixthbrightest

July 3 2011, 00:37:25 UTC 6 years ago

I'm already a Weather Wardens fan and a Women of the Otherworld fan, so I will definitely have to make use of this list.

Also, I really adore your Toby Daye series! I had never heard of you before your response to the gay YA story debacle, and now I've fallen in love. Thank you for being an excellent writer and awesome person.

July 6 2011, 15:12:59 UTC 6 years ago

That's fantastic. :) Thank you, for reading!

wee_warrior

July 4 2011, 22:47:45 UTC 6 years ago

Thank you so much for the Kate Griffin/Matthew Swift recommendation. Just started the first book, and it's very awesome so far.

July 6 2011, 15:13:20 UTC 6 years ago

The dude who plays Castiel = a very good Matthew Swift, really, if only he were British.

July 7 2011, 12:58:17 UTC 6 years ago

Hmm. I have no visual image of Matthew at all - I seldom have, mostly it's like "dark hair, nose, two eyes" when it comes to characters - but Collins would definitely be an interesting choice. If only he were British.

Having recently watched Game Of Thrones, I could actually see Joseph Dempsie as Matthew, except that he's likely too young. But he has an amazing presence.

July 7 2011, 18:56:08 UTC 6 years ago

I <3 fantasy casting.

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Happiness is a good book: some of Seanan's favorite urban fantasy and paranormal romance reads.

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