2009 Reading #73: Moon Called

[snurri]

Books 1-10.
Books 11-20.
Books 21-30.
Books 31-40.
Books 41-50.
Books 51-60.
Books 61-70.
71. The Elephant's Secret Sense by Caitlin O'Connell.
72. Bloom County Babylon: Five Years of Basic Naughtiness by Berke Breathed.

73. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. I'm trying to grok the contemporary urban fantasy phenomenon, which seems to be on the verge of taking over the genre, at least in terms of sales. I don't know that this book helped much. I like Mercy as a character pretty well, but she too often feels like a minor player in her own book, and there's a lack of urgency to the story despite the kidnappings and near-deaths. I can't decide if I'll be trying more urban fantasy soon or not, though I'm open to recommendations. (Preferably books without werewolves and/or vampires, if possible. I particularly don't grok the appeal of the werewolf thing.)

Comments

[mastadge.livejournal.com]

My favorite in the genre is Mike Carey's Felix Castor novels, starting with THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, followed by VICIOUS CIRCLE, DEAD MEN'S BOOTS and THE NAMING OF THE BEASTS. I think there are two more coming. Truly ass-kicking, well-written and fun, and each is a complete story that still builds on what's gone before, moving toward what is looking to be an epic, intimate confrontation at the end of the series.

I've heard good things about Daniel Abraham's entries in the genre (under the name M.L.N. Hanover).

I enjoyed the first Dresden File okay but never read any subsequent volumes, though I'm assured that they get really good starting at #3 or 4 and only get better after that.

And now I feel bad for naming three male authors from a genre dominated by female writers. Hmm. Marjorie M. Liu's books look promising, and I've heard good things about Rob Thurman, Mark Teppo, Tim Pratt, Caitlin Kittredge, none of whom have done vampires yet, I think.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Thanks; I had some of those authors in mind, but I'll make note of the others. I'm thinking of making a trip to Uncle Hugo's to pick up a few prospects.

[nballingrud.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the Mike Carey books, but I liked his run on Hellblazer, and I'm curious. Maybe I'll pick one up now.