Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Top 5, *scratch* Top 7 Urban Fantasy Reads


Yes, as you can probably tell from my going pattern here I'm not doing well with sticking to top 5s. I've moved on to top 6s. Hey, the blog is 5 and I need one to grow on... Sounds like a good excuse. *nod*

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Top 5, er, 7 Urban Fantasy Reads

My guest blogger today is Melissa from Books & Things. Thank you Melissa for joining me in celebrating another year of blogging!

I think one of my favorite genres is UF. I tend to be drawn to it more than any other genre. I seem to have been catching up or finishing a series this past year. Although there are a few good YA UF books out there, most tend to stay in the adult category so I’ll stick with adult. Some of my favorites (and I’ve tried to stay with 5… TRIED) I’ve read in the past year are:

1. The Charlie Davidson series: Third Grave Dead Ahead (#3), Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet (#4), Fifth Grave Past the Light (#5) by Darynda Jones
I really got caught up with this series and I’ve actually just finished the 6th book. This is a great series to do on audio. Lorelei King is a great narrator and I’ve done this whole series in audio format. The series is humorous, action packed and has one very swoon-worthy male in the series (BTW who is MINE).




2. Arcadia Bell Series: Binding the Shadows (#3), and Banishing the Dark (#4) by Jenn Bennett
These are the last 2 in the series and I’ve read them all including a novella set in the world. I adore the characters in this book. There is Arcadia our heroine, Lon a wonderful demon daddy, and Jupe an irrepressible teenager who will totally steal your heart. This is a series that should NOT be missed. Plus all books are out so those who haven’t tried it can devour them all at once.












3. Elemental Assassin series: Heart of Venom (#9), and The Spider (#10) by Jennifer Estep
I adore this series as well. She might be an assassin but she has a heart of gold (or silverstone). This is another series with great main characters and wonderful secondary characters. Poison Promise (#11) just came out and I still love this series.












4. Cold Blooded (Jessica McClain #3) by Amanda Carlson
Oh another great series that has just captured my attention. I really love not just the characters but the world in this one. I am impatiently waiting the next installment Red Blooded out this fall.


5. Wisp of a Thing (Tufta #2) by Alex Bledsoe (the Hum and the Shiver)
This was a great conclusion to the Tufta duology, the first being The Hum and the Shiver. It was something very different and very engaging. This one is set in the mysterious Smoky Mountains.

Honorable mention: Strange Country (Wide Open #3) by Deborah Coates, The Lost (Lost #1) by Sarah Beth Durst, Watcher of the Dark (Jeremiah Hunt #3) by Joseph Nassise, My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie #1) by Diana Rowland, and Carniepunk by Various UF authors ( Rachel Caine, Jennifer Estep, Kevin Hearne,Seanan McGuire, Rob Thurman, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Gay,Mark Henry, Hillary Jacques, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Meding, Allison Pang, Nicole Peeler, and Jaye Wells.)


Top 7 For My World...in words and pages:
First, thank you Melissa! I'm so glad to see you have had an amazing year in books. :) And I don't feel so bad about not sticking to the Top 5 plan either. ;) Again, I struggle with numbering order so these are in any order and all amazing. :)

The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty
Oh my. This one is plain fun in words. I love the creation Mur has here. It's a story and traveling guide in one. I know, sounds like it wouldn't work, but IT DOES! And everything we take in as we sight see has a supernatural relation to it as well. Just enjoyable fun and story and characters here.


Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
This world is amazing. There is a bit of everything here and the story is deeper than we get in some Urban Fantasy reads. I enjoyed meeting Dante as she kicks some serious *## as she goes along. She is one dangerous woman and I wouldn't want to cross her.


Weather Child by Philippa Ballantine
Aaaah. Now this was a pleasure to read. I love the weather witchy take here. And it's more than just females. The men too have abilities. Some are stronger than others. But the connection to their ability is through an essence in them. Then you have the connection to each other. All set in a time of trouble.


Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson
I'm so glad Melissa loved this one too. I don't know what more I can say of this book, and whole series, other than Urban Fantasy fans will gobble this series up.


God Save the Queen by Kate Locke
I was late coming to this series. But dang. I love the twist to the British history and the impact of the infection to create Vampires, Werewolves, and goblins. Well played! And the development of the information as we read. Wow.


Playing For Keeps by Mur Lafferty
Mmmm. These are the unlikely superheroes. lol. This one I listened to for free and so loooooved Keepsie and the crew of non-superheroes that might have to save the day. lol. Oh did I laugh with this one.


Knight Shift by Krista D. Ball
Ooooh. We get a little further with the character and her crush here. And the story! Oh my! The things we learn and what is to come. Yeah, this is a paranormal that is a read for you.


And now for the giveaway!
I have a few prints here I want to giveaway. I'll do two Rafflecopter giveaways (one for each) so you can pick what you want to enter for. Or enter for both!

10 comments:

  1. oh favourite urban fantasy i've read this year let see.... i think "grave dance" by kalayna price the others favourite were more paranormal romance than urban fantasy i guess^^

    thanks

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  2. Oh thanks for having me on today! I'm so glad you didn't MAKE me only have 5 books there. LOL Love your list. So want to read the Saintcrow book!

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  3. Congrats for your 5th blog birthday! This is my 5th year as well! I'm having a big giveaway on my site as well, feel free to stop by HERE.

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  4. Awesome books :) 7, I see ;)

    Best UF...well I REALLY liked the Kara Gillian series this yes

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  5. Free Agent by J.C. Nelson, is a really fun book and a really cool and slightly original urban fantasy concept. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  6. "Storm Front" by Jim Butcher was good.

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  7. I love the Elemental Assassin Series. One of the best UF series out there.

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  8. Oh I think my fave was Murder of crows by Anne bishop, this one was sooooo good!

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  9. I need to start the Elemental Assassin and Charley Davidson series - so many people love them! I do love Amanda Carlson's blooded series though! Long live UF! :-)

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  10. Coming late to the party, I finally discovered Ilona Andrews and Magic Bites.

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