Recent Reading

[tentoumushi]

So lately I've been reading female-protagonist-with-werewolves-and-vampires-and-sometimes-other-supernatural-or-mythological-creatures fantasy. The existence of the genre is obvious, but there's disagreement as to where to draw the lines and what labels to use. Urban fantasy or contemporary fantasy or paranormal romance--none of these quite work for me, so from here on out, I'm going to call it "werewolves & vampires fantasy".

What I look for in this genre are fast-paced, readable stories with strong, appealing female characters. I also like that there are so many books of this type out there that I haven't read, but it's a bit overwhelming, so I thought I'd make a list.

What I've Liked
The Parasol Protectorate (Gail Carriger)- Set in a AU Victorian England, I love these.
Kitty Norville (Carrie Vaughn) - I had my doubts reading the first one, but after that they've been consistently enjoyable.
Mercedes Thompson (Patricia Briggs) - Very entertaining.

What I Haven't Liked
Rachel Morgan (Kim Harrison) - I haven't read very far into Dead Witch Walking, so I may give it some more time, but so far, it's dreadful.
Sookie Stackhouse (Charlaine Harris) - I only made it a few chapters in. The writing is terrible. True Blood is actually an improvement.
October Daye (Seanan McGuire) - I really tried to get through Rosemary and Rue, but it was boring, so I finally gave up halfway.

What I'm Reading Now
World of the Lupi (Eileen Wilks) - I'm about halfway through Tempting Danger. It's readable, but not all that compelling.

What I've Got Coming Through Inter-Library Loan
Night Huntress (Jeaniene Frost)
Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews)
Cassandra Palmer (Karen Chance)
Jane Yellowrock (Faith Hunter)
Women of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)

What I Also Plan To Check Out
Weather Warden (Rachel Caine)
Greywalker (Kat Richardson)
The Walker Papers (C.E. Murphy)