Paranormal Fantasy Primer for Newbies and Everyone

[jgmme]

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Sarah3973 wrote:

This is such a great thread! The only problem is that now I am completely overwhelmed and want to go spend  thousands to buy all of these books!  I loved Anne Rice's Vampire books, especially The Vampire Lestat  and am a big fan of Sookie (my fave is Dead to the World).  The Twilight Series...ehh, I can take it or leave it.  I'd really like to find another fun, fast moving series but have no idea where to start!  I don't want Harlequin style soft core porn (i.e.. "her quivering breast heaved as he lowered himself to her, his manly staff erect with love for her" you know what I mean), but I'm not going to turn my nose up at some good old fashioned sex (obviously) and I don't like it when the authors take themselves too seriously..If that makes sense.   Can someone point me in the right direction.  I love this genre, but I like my paranormal fast moving and fun (Sookie) or lovely, well-written page-turners(Anne Rice).  

Thanks!

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heres a few more you can add to your growing list.....

Spider's Bite 

Night Life (Nocturne City Series #1)  

Three Days to Dead  

Dying Bites (Bloodhound Files Series #1)  

Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane Series #1)  

The Better Part of Darkness  

I hope i was able to help grow you TBR pile....lol

[Vermontcozy]

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Sarah3973 wrote:

This is such a great thread! The only problem is that now I am completely overwhelmed and want to go spend  thousands to buy all of these books!  I loved Anne Rice's Vampire books, especially The Vampire Lestat  and am a big fan of Sookie (my fave is Dead to the World).  The Twilight Series...ehh, I can take it or leave it.  I'd really like to find another fun, fast moving series but have no idea where to start!  I don't want Harlequin style soft core porn (i.e.. "her quivering breast heaved as he lowered himself to her, his manly staff erect with love for her" you know what I mean), but I'm not going to turn my nose up at some good old fashioned sex (obviously) and I don't like it when the authors take themselves too seriously..If that makes sense.   Can someone point me in the right direction.  I love this genre, but I like my paranormal fast moving and fun (Sookie) or lovely, well-written page-turners(Anne Rice).  

Thanks!

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 Bloodfever (Fever Series #2)   Reading now     Hi Sarah3973.Darkfever (Fever Series #1) 

Tempest Rising (Jane True Series #1)  

Tracking the Tempest  I was just where you are a few months ago.Looking,searching,wondering What series should I start!!.It was suggested by a few Very Trusted BNers here , you know who you are,,that I started  with Nicole Peeler's series  The First 2.., In 2011, 2, more I believe..,Written beautifully,a wonderful descriptive and set in Maine and Boston..I fell in love with the characters,gave me an understanding and vocabulary of that world..Addicted!!!.  Anxiously awaiting #3  I am on to"The Fever Series "now  Author "Karen Marie Moning."reading "Bloodfever"..Also excellent..So well written    Another series I will follow,and learning more and more...  Have a look on BN...The BNers here are just so well versed in this Genre... and love to share..PaulGoatAllen,(PGA) Moderator and some Have other " Secret names for him,is the reason we keep coming back..He is great..and keeps us involved.  Let us know what you are reading...Susan..Have a Great time deciding...Also was an Anne Rice fan..for years..Glad she is Back..Maybe another Series....

[Vermontcozy]

Angelology  Hi dainewt You posted ths book which I have on my "Holiday" list..Did you really like it,just wondering..Thanks Susan..Your page of Books and also TBears are Great..

[dalnewt]

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Vermontcozy wrote:

Angelology  Hi dainewt You posted ths book which I have on my "Holiday" list..Did you really like it,just wondering..Thanks Susan..Your page of Books and also TBears are Great..

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I did enjoy Angelology. It was an April Feature on the Fantasy & Sci-Fi Board. I'd give you the link, but right now that function doesn't seem to be working for me. Just type in the book's name in the search box on the Fantasy/Sci-Fi Board and you should come up with the threads discussing it. Also, here are my thoughts about the book:

This was a very enjoyable and satisfying book for me. It has three diverse but weirdly compatible sections.

The first one masterfully conjures glimpses of Evangeline's childhood and artfully creates Evangeline's character as well as giving intriguing sketches of the ailing Nephilim, Grigori, and the clueless researcher, Verlaine. Although unbelievably naive, Evangeline is fully realized in this section. Plus, the descriptions are unbelievably rich and tantalizing to the senses. 

The middle section relives portions of the life of Celestine Clochett, (a dying nun in Evangeline's convent), beginning with her experiences as a young scholar at the Atheaeum, a secretive angelology academy located in Montparnasse, Paris. This section is more cerebral as Celestine researches, participates in discussions and attends lectures/meetings. The history of the Nephilim and society of angelologists is fascinating and masterfully intermingled with the thoughts and feelings of Celestine, a fifteen year old scholarship student who's unsure of her worth and desperate to prove herself. She's also friends with Evangeline's grandmother, Gabriella, an intriguing, self-contained fifteen year old student from a well-established angelology family. Celestine is alternately envious and concerned for Gabriella as she becomes aware of Gabriella's affair with a mysterious man. Near the close of the section, Celestine travels to the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria in the company of her mentor, Dr. Seraphina Valko and other angelologists. They climb the mountains, transverse a gorge and descend into a cave rumored to be the gateway to the underworld. I don't want to ruin this section for anyone, but the nature and physical properties of angels are clarified and an ancient artifact is recovered from the cave. Further, the end of this section highlights the evil represented by the Nephilim and covert war waged between the angelologists and the Nephilim.

The last section adds a thriller/action element as the Nephilim close in and the angelologists race to recover the artifact. The action at the convent was extremely well done. Eventually, there's a code to crack and a search which sort of reminded me of Brown's Da Vinci Code. But, it's not as well engineered, intricate or suspenseful as that Dan Brown thriller. (Note, this section expands Grigori's character and his contradictory nature fascinated me. Further, the landmarks utilized were masterfully described within the story. It's as if I stood inside or in front of them.)  Also, some plot developments were predictable. Nonetheless, the unsentimental manner in which everything culminates as well as the perverse but satisfying conclusion made the book worth every minute I spent reading it. 

[Vermontcozy]

Angelology  I was so taken with your review and your skillful writing,that I want to read "Angelogy" sooner than later...dainewt ,Are you a writer,reviewer.?.No need to answer that since I am a very private person as well. I think I will buy the book and add another to my "Holiday List"..Best Susan

[dalnewt]

Thanks for the praise. And, no, I'm don't review books professionally or quasi-professionally. I review books solely for myself and to share my thoughts with others on the B&N web site. (Note, I was an English major back in my college days, so I try not to mangel my reviews/opinions too badly.)

Like I said before, read the threads concerning Angelology  and look at the customer reviews. (Some readers loved it, while others seemed disappointed with the lack of tight plotting and/or other aspects of the book.)  

[Sarah3973]

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Vermontcozy wrote:

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 Bloodfever (Fever Series #2)   Reading now     Hi Sarah3973.Darkfever (Fever Series #1) 

Tempest Rising (Jane True Series #1)  

Tracking the Tempest  I was just where you are a few months ago.Looking,searching,wondering What series should I start!!.It was suggested by a few Very Trusted BNers here , you know who you are,,that I started  with Nicole Peeler's series  The First 2.., In 2011, 2, more I believe..,Written beautifully,a wonderful descriptive and set in Maine and Boston..I fell in love with the characters,gave me an understanding and vocabulary of that world..Addicted!!!.  Anxiously awaiting #3  I am on to"The Fever Series "now  Author "Karen Marie Moning."reading "Bloodfever"..Also excellent..So well written    Another series I will follow,and learning more and more...  Have a look on BN...The BNers here are just so well versed in this Genre... and love to share..PaulGoatAllen,(PGA) Moderator and some Have other " Secret names for him,is the reason we keep coming back..He is great..and keeps us involved.  Let us know what you are reading...Susan..Have a Great time deciding...Also was an Anne Rice fan..for years..Glad she is Back..Maybe another Series....

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Vermontcozy (and everyone else who has made suggestions),

Thanks!  You guys totally rock!

I just downloaded the ebook of Tempest Rising and plan to get started on that this afternoon on my CrackBerry since I think I am the only remaining human who has not purchased a Nook or a Kindle...yet. 

I had a hard time choosing where to start since several of y'alls suggestions sounded very good.  I have to admit that I chose this one because I like the cover art.  (I know, I'm a total dork).  

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know how nice everyone over here in Paranormal & Urban Fantasty is.  Thanks again for all of your suggestions.  I am excited to get down to the business of reading more of these books so I can contribute to the group!

Thanks again!

[Sarah3973]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

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In my opinion, soft core porn can be great if done right – the problem is that if the scene goes bad (too chessy or too graphic) the overall storyline is really flawed for me. There is nothing quite likereading a sex scene written really poorly...

If you want a laugh, check out the "Quivering Puppies: Cheesy Sex Scenes" thread! Hilarious!!!

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Paranormal-Urban-Fantasy/Quivering-Puppies-Cheesy-Sex-Scenes-...

Paul

Thanks Paul!  Can't wait to check out the link after work.  I have a feeling there might just be some inappropriate stuff there!! 

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[paulgoatallen]

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Sarah3973 wrote:

Vermontcozy (and everyone else who has made suggestions),

Thanks!  You guys totally rock!

I just downloaded the ebook of Tempest Rising and plan to get started on that this afternoon on my CrackBerry since I think I am the only remaining human who has not purchased a Nook or a Kindle...yet. 

I had a hard time choosing where to start since several of y'alls suggestions sounded very good.  I have to admit that I chose this one because I like the cover art.  (I know, I'm a total dork).  

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know how nice everyone over here in Paranormal & Urban Fantasty is.  Thanks again for all of your suggestions.  I am excited to get down to the business of reading more of these books so I can contribute to the group!

Thanks again!

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Thanks for the kind words, Sarah – and you're right about the wealth of suggestions, it's amazing. I read a lot but because of this group, I've discovered a ton of other great reads...

Paul

[Vermontcozy]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

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Sarah3973 wrote:

Vermontcozy (and everyone else who has made suggestions),

Thanks!  You guys totally rock!

I just downloaded the ebook of Tempest Rising and plan to get started on that this afternoon on my CrackBerry since I think I am the only remaining human who has not purchased a Nook or a Kindle...yet. 

I had a hard time choosing where to start since several of y'alls suggestions sounded very good.  I have to admit that I chose this one because I like the cover art.  (I know, I'm a total dork).  

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know how nice everyone over here in Paranormal & Urban Fantasty is.  Thanks again for all of your suggestions.  I am excited to get down to the business of reading more of these books so I can contribute to the group!

Thanks again!

---

Thanks for the kind words, Sarah – and you're right about the wealth of suggestions, it's amazing. I read a lot but because of this group, I've discovered a ton of other great reads...

Paul

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Thanks Sarah, Enjoy your new Genre.. pen21 was my influence in reading Nicole Peelers"Tempest Series"..Then I was brought into "The Fold" by TBear and dainewt,and others.,once they knew I was Ok.. :  )  .PGA has been so supportive of all of us..Welcome..and come back and post anytime..We are around somewhere..I have a BellaBlkberry  Thats her name..Still on The Fence about a "Nook"..Susan...

[jessicabree]

Just popping in to say thanks for the great threads and book lists!  I have worked my way thru a good bit of both adult and teen urban fantasy and paranormal romance and was struggling once again to find my next series.  So glad I looked over here!  I just sent several samples to my nook and will check them out.  I have to find something to hold me over until the next installments my favorite series come out!  

[Angela_79]

HI to all

              Just started reading books in the Genre and l LOVING IT. Twilight was the 1st but a little to high school for me. Went on to the Snookie Stackhouse and moved fast through them,  I just finished the Black dagger Brotherhood series and looking for a new series to read. There are so many I'm not sure which one to go to. The BDB I loved them and read them fast so some thing along the same line would be nice. Can ANY ONE point me the right direction.

[TiggerBear]

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Angela_79 wrote:

HI to all

              Just started reading books in the Genre and l LOVING IT. Twilight was the 1st but a little to high school for me. Went on to the Snookie Stackhouse and moved fast through them,  I just finished the Black dagger Brotherhood series and looking for a new series to read. There are so many I'm not sure which one to go to. The BDB I loved them and read them fast so some thing along the same line would be nice. Can ANY ONE point me the right direction.

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See list above, same category. Though exactly like BDB does not yet exist.

[paulgoatallen]

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Angela_79 wrote:

HI to all

              Just started reading books in the Genre and l LOVING IT. Twilight was the 1st but a little to high school for me. Went on to the Snookie Stackhouse and moved fast through them,  I just finished the Black dagger Brotherhood series and looking for a new series to read. There are so many I'm not sure which one to go to. The BDB I loved them and read them fast so some thing along the same line would be nice. Can ANY ONE point me the right direction.

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OMG, Angela what a fantastic typo! Snookie Stackhouse!!! I instantly thought of a paranormal fantasy taking place on the Jersey Shore.... Can you imagine sookie stackhouse moving to New Jersey?

(Snooki – image below – is a "character" on that MTV reality show, for those of you who don't know...)

Paul

[SciFiCanuck]

LMAO Paul!  Leave it to you to turn this thread in a whole new direction, hahaha!

[TTUMommy]

I'm going to agree with Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. Another good series is Lynn Viehl's Darkyn/Kyndred series (vampire-ish)

I can't believe that these haven't been added yet:

Christine Feehan:

     Ghostwalker series (psychic)

     Leopard series (shapeshifters)

     Sisters of the Heart series (psychic)

     Drake Sisters (psychic)

     Carpathian/Dark series (vampire)

Lora Leigh's Breed series (shapeshifter-ish)

Shelly Laurenston's Pack/Pride series (shapeshifters)

Yasmine Galenorn's Sisters of the Moon and Indigo Court series (fae)

Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalker series (demons/shapeshifters/vampires/druids)

And then of course, all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's work is awesome!

[TiggerBear]

NEW Update

 

Vampire Series you have to read!

Anne Rice - Vampire Chronicles
Laurel K. Hamilton - Anita Blake
P.N. Elrod - Vampire Files
Jennifer Arimintrout - Blood Ties
Tanya Huff - Blood books
Charlane Harris - Sookie Stackhouse
Elanie Bergstrom
Susan Sizemore - Laws of the Blood

Chelea Quinn Yarbo - St. Germain

Mario Acevedo - Felix Gomez

Karen Chance - Midnight's Daughter

Barb & J. C. Hendee - Noble Dead

Vampire Romance series you have to read!

Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress

                           and the spin off series

Lynsay Sands - Argeneau

J.R. Ward - Black Dagger Brotherhood

Marta Acosta - Casa Dracula

Ghost Series you have to read!

Karen Chance - Cassie Palmer
Laura Anne Gilman - Retrievers

Tamara Siler Jones

Carole Nelson Douglas - Delilah Street

Kat Richardson - Grey Walker

Stacia Kane - Downside Ghost

Fae Series you have to read!

Laurel K Hamilton - Merry Gentry
Charles De Lint
Melissa Marr

Jennifer Arimintrout - Lightworld/Darkworld

Seanan McGuire - October Daye

Karen Marie Moning - Fever series

Weres and Shifter Series you have to read!

Patrica Briggs - Mercy Thompson
Rachel Vincent
Carrie Vaughn

Caitlin Kittredge - Nocturne City

Something Witchy this way this way comes Series you have to read!

Jim Butcher - Dresden Files
Simon R Green - Nightside

                           Drood Family
Anne Rice - Mafair Witches
Kim Harrison - Hollows
Yasmine Galenorn

Rachel Caine - Weather Warden

Lilith Saintcrow - Watchers

                           Dante Valentine

                          Jill Kismet

Caitlin Kittredge - Black London

Gail Carriger - Parasol Protectorate S1 (see side note below)

A bit of Brimstone series you have to read!

Majorie M. Liu - Maxine Kiss

Zombies and the reanimated Dead series you have to read!

Kelly Meding - Evy Stone

S1 I struggled a bit deciding where to classify this series. Partially causing the delay of it's addition. I finally went with deciding Alexia's powers to be magical in nature and as she's the protagonist.....

[dalnewt]

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TiggerBear wrote:

NEW Update

 

Vampire Series you have to read!

Anne Rice - Vampire Chronicles
Laurel K. Hamilton - Anita Blake
P.N. Elrod - Vampire Files
Jennifer Arimintrout - Blood Ties
Tanya Huff - Blood books
Charlane Harris - Sookie Stackhouse
Elanie Bergstrom
Susan Sizemore - Laws of the Blood

Chelea Quinn Yarbo - St. Germain

Mario Acevedo - Felix Gomez

Karen Chance - Midnight's Daughter

Barb & J. C. Hendee - Noble Dead

Vampire Romance series you have to read!

Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress

                           and the spin off series

Lynsay Sands - Argeneau

J.R. Ward - Black Dagger Brotherhood

Marta Acosta - Casa Dracula

Ghost Series you have to read!

Karen Chance - Cassie Palmer
Laura Anne Gilman - Retrievers

Tamara Siler Jones

Carole Nelson Douglas - Delilah Street

Kat Richardson - Grey Walker

Stacia Kane - Downside Ghost

Fae Series you have to read!

Laurel K Hamilton - Merry Gentry
Charles De Lint
Melissa Marr

Jennifer Arimintrout - Lightworld/Darkworld

Seanan McGuire - October Daye

Karen Marie Moning - Fever series

Weres and Shifter Series you have to read!

Patrica Briggs - Mercy Thompson
Rachel Vincent
Carrie Vaughn

Caitlin Kittredge - Nocturne City

Something Witchy this way this way comes Series you have to read!

Jim Butcher - Dresden Files
Simon R Green - Nightside

                           Drood Family
Anne Rice - Mafair Witches
Kim Harrison - Hollows
Yasmine Galenorn

Rachel Caine - Weather Warden

Lilith Saintcrow - Watchers

                           Dante Valentine

                          Jill Kismet

Caitlin Kittredge - Black London

Gail Carriger - Parasol Protectorate S1 (see side note below)

A bit of Brimstone series you have to read!

Majorie M. Liu - Maxine Kiss

Zombies and the reanimated Dead series you have to read!

Kelly Meding - Evy Stone

S1 I struggled a bit deciding where to classify this series. Partially causing the delay of it's addition. I finally went with deciding Alexia's powers to be magical in nature and as she's the protagonist.....

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Wow, another updated list! Glad to see the addition of Moning's Fever series. So, have you read all of the 'Fever' books? I stopped at Faefever (Fever Series #3). I just couldn't get past the failure to move story arc forward, (or perhaps 'move the arc forward at a faster rate' would be a better way to put it). Plus, I had trouble with that concluding scene.   

[TiggerBear]

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dalnewt wrote:

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Wow, another updated list! Glad to see the addition of Moning's Fever series. So, have you read all of the 'Fever' books? I stopped at Faefever (Fever Series #3). I just couldn't get past the failure to move story arc forward, (or perhaps 'move the arc forward at a faster rate' would be a better way to put it). Plus, I had trouble with that concluding scene.   

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(chuckle) Yeah the arc is a bit of a tease, but I can hang in there at least 8 books. Afterall I still read LKH and that arc has barely moved more that a tic in 9 books now. It like a hay ride so long as your enjoying the ride.....

That being said. Everything I have heard about the up coming

Shadowfever (Fever Series #5) 

is that the plot is on top up the hill of the roller coaster.

[dalnewt]

OK, your Moning addition inspired me to buy the paperback version of the 4th 'Fever' installment 

Dreamfever (Fever Series #4). I already know that the book is tangential to the story arc, and I'm expecting that. (I hope it's not as offensive as that last church tower scene in the third book.) I wouldn't have bought the book in the more expensive hardback version, but the paperback price is an acceptable cost for finding out how the series spins out.

(P.S. I'll never know how you've stuck by the AB series. I absolutely loved some of the AB characters, but most changed for the worse in her last 4-5 novels.)