ants

I ended up having to work a chunk of the weekend, so I've saved this for when I can focus just on it. Hopefully this weekend. Was it good?

It downloaded last night and I've been waiting for the weekend. Not sure how to feel about this one. It was one of my favourite series and I really liked how it wrapped up. She also has a history of killing some pretty major characters. So I both look forward to it and am also bloody worried about how I'll feel at the end of it. A bit like the last Black Jewels book where I really hated how Anne Bishop treated a long term character.

I really love the way that the Alex Verus world has developed. It is extremely grey, with the bad guys often winning and the good guys frequently grey, if not black. And it really encapsulates that if you want power and to wield it, there are consequences. What happened in Fallen really shows development of the character, but not necessarily (in a pure white/black sense) in a good way. So much to be resolved yet.

Added the below to the second post.

Thanks. Was there any spoilers for the new book(s)? I hate spoilers!

Was it any good?

I read it, thought it was quite good, but relatively expensive. Very readable. That said, a big element of the premise was a bit stupid: I'll probably read the second if the price drops.

Thanks for that. For those of us who are outside the Americas, can you watch it later, or only live?

I imagine a lot will take this approach at least at first. Especially long term series such as Rivers of London, Dresden, Toby Daye, Alex Verus, etc. Not too hard to put out some more books which are meant to be broadly before these events. But in series which are contemporary, it may be hard not to have the series deal with it at some point, unless they choose to diverge wildly from the current real world. Obviously a lot will depend on how the pandemic develops. If the major impacts of COVID are confined to less than 6 months, having before/after becomes easier. If we have waves across 18 months, ignoring it will be harder. And even if it is 'after', the economic fall out would have to be part of the books.

Not my memory, but its been a while. ___________________________________________________________ It will be interesting to see how the urban fantasy authors handle COVID-19. For a number of those with ongoing, contemporary series, they'll face the decision of whether to include the pandemic and how to treat it. They could (initially) just ignore it; most books don't say the exact year(s) they relate to. Or they could incorporate it, but give it a mystical overlay. Is it caused by something in the magical world, either deliberately, an accident, or as fallout from other actions. Alternatively say it is natural, but have it impact the magical community in different ways. This whole overlay of magic within the modern world is what will separate urban fantasy authors dealing with COVID versus other authors. Obviously where they set their series will be important, even to the degree of where in the USA or Europe. Australian experience of the disease will be very different from London vs New York vs country USA vs California. It may be interesting how authors who aren't living in the area they write about will handle that. And of course, books written about this period are probably at least 18 months away, as the books coming out first would have been written prior to the outbreak. So therefore, we'll see what some of the longer term impacts are first.

What are the Athens Club books?

Well, in my case look at the second post in this topic for my view on completed series. Unfortunately I haven't read the Ninth House, or Last Smile in Sunder City, so don't know their style. For Peter Grant, a similar kind of series is the one I mentioned above (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth) which also have a strong, realistic detective bent, although in a higher magic world and with more emphasis on the humour. Gladstone's craft sequence is definitely brilliantly, and probably (just) qualifies as Urban Fantasy. It is extremely high end magic. As far as ongoing series, assuming that based on Peter Grant and the Craft Sequence you're not so interested in strong romantic or over-the-top humourous series (such as Karen Chance), then the series I'd recommend would be: Ales Verus by Benedict Jacka: I think these are one of the best ongoing series, with a huge weight of "gray" to their view of the world and who "wins" each book (not always the good guys). This does make them a bit dark, and the main characters do go through a lot of crap. The characters use magic extensively, within the modern world which isn't aware of it. The October Daye books by Seanan McGuire are fantastic. Its based around a half-faerie knight, so a lot of the books are spent in faerie and very high magic, but each one usually focuses on a mystery. The books don't have an arc per se, although what has been going on has been building and the latest book(s) are very much tying off (or continuing) knots from earlier in the series. Some of what happens to October sucks, but the series overall is fantastic. A little troublesome getting them on kindle via the UK website. Michelle West's cast series is a fantasy urban fantasy (i.e. it is urban based in a fantasy world), which is extremely high magic. Like the Craft series is just urban fantasy. A little deus exy, in the way storylines get completed. but this series is one of my favourites and Michelle West would arguably be my favourite author. A current favourite of mine is the Alice Worth series by Lisa Edmonds. Hi magic, quite a lot of action. The King's Watch series might be up your alley if you enjoyed Peter Grant. By Mark Hayden. The main character has a number of similarities to Peter Grant, if Peter was happy to cross over the line more and was more arrogant. Again, quite good detective books. I'm enjoying Keri Arthur's Lizzie Grace series. Definitely a simpler story telling style, but good fun. Concentrates on two witches who have opened a coffee shop, have a back story, and are helping stop the magic that's been going wrong on the "werewolf reservation". The magic is simple although high level, and the world building is interesting. As an Australian I like that she set it in Victoria, but its a little annoying she didn't go the whole hog and swap out Werewolves for Were dingoes/wombats or something. I enjoy the Alex Craft books which are nearing completion. The main character is very interesting, with a rather unique set of magics and drawbacks. The series is a little more "popular" style, but very good. Debra Dunbar's Templar series is another which has a more comfortable reading feel to it, which you might or might not enjoy. But quite an easy reading series. And slightly different, the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman is an absolute delight. But very high magic.

I think often having an alpha male in a modern setting can be a little cringeworthy. In a historical setting at least you can understand the social/cultural drivers for people to rate that and desire it. For example, in Pride & Prejudice Elizabeth being wowed by the wealth of Darcy's properties is fine. Put it in a modern context, and you would look a bit down on someone changing their preferences based on a suitor's wealth. I think there is also a lot of badly written paranormal romance.

By the way, because my urban fantasy reading is sometimes a little more low brow, and I'm often willing to give many authors a chance, I get some, well, not particularly great books recommended to me by Amazon (whose change in recommendation system several years ago was SHITHOUSE). A number of these books declare themselves as "reverse harem" novels. What exactly draws people to these books? I read some of the Merry Gentry books, and I have tried some of these books, and don't really get it. What makes it interesting the idea that one character will have 4-5 of the other gender (not that that really matters) all falling in love with the main character? It just seems really strange to me, that this is not only a thing, but one where they put it into the Amazon title? And did this ever occur on the other side? As far as I'm aware, at least in urban fantasy, there aren't any standard harem books. Maybe the old GOR books (I've never read them)? Or is this really just aimed at female characters? I can think of one fantasy book which was set in a world where females outnumbered males by about 15:1 (can't remember the title), but no others. Not that there aren't any number of books where the male protagonist wades through a swathe of females, its just usually there isn't a romance element, and they're not all at the same time! I don't know if its sexist, empowering, or something in between, It just seems bloody odd, and a poor way to do romance.

Unfortunately the sale doesn't apply to Amazon.co.uk. Rats, my original books in the series are all paperback. Started reading two books in the last week, and both have been really good. The One Who Eats Monsters (Wind and Shadow Book 1 of 1) This book by Casey Matthews is absolutely brilliant. Although it claims to be the first in the series, its now been 3-4 years since it was written. However, it is fine as a stand alone book. The main issue is you will want more books! The heart of it is the story of an exiled Deva (Monster/Creature/Goddess?) who has been forbidden to be in civilization for thousands of years (at least). She hunts monsters, both of the human and non-human variety, but her understanding of humans is low, and her interest in learning more is also low. As a result of specific circumstances, she gets the opportunity to move to the USA. Asked if she had a home, she mournfully said there were no wild places anymore. So she heads to the USA in the absence of anywhere better, and with the issue of having to learn how to live within civilisation with these humans. What she definitely didn't expect, is to also start falling in love. The very slow blossoming of a relationship between Ryn (who is also learning what humans, family and friendship means) and Naomi (who thinks she has her whole life planned out) is beautifully written, and incredibly touching. The dance between the two, with a bit of juggling by Naomi's friend Denise, is both sad and simple. A story about love and acceptance. Overarching this is also a lot of action, much of it very violent as Ryn doesn't really have any hangups about hurting (and eating) people she deems as monsters. Ryn is pulled into a conflict between two Deva, where Naomi is a target. So there is a significant action element to the book in addition to the romance. The way this book made me feel is similar to McKinley's Sunshine, although the styles are very different. Both books deal with a main character learning new things about themselves, with someone who rocks their world view. Both really draw you in, and make you want to explore it again. The blend of the action, romance, and just following Ryn learning about the world and how humans view it is brilliantly done, and eminently re-readable. I've done so three times already! lol. The characters are rich, the world building is solid, and the cast of friends and villains is extremely well done. Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 1 of 5) I'm currently part-way through the third book. Written by Honor Raconteur and Katie Griffin, the books are mostly from the point of view of a Magical Examiner (Henri) who is partnered to the Shinigami Detective. The Shinigami Detective (Jamie) is actually an FBI agent from modern Earth who was dragged across worlds to the planet of the novel, The world of the novels have technology from around the early 1900s, but which is supplemented with magic. Although the bulk of the book is the case notes of Henri, Jamie certainly doesn't hold back writing comments in the margins, and adding some mini-chapters. Seeing her notes is a fantastic light element, especially when they go back and forth. At their heart, the books are detective stories, with a strong dash of bromance (maybe romance in the future?) between the main characters. These books wouldn't work if the main investigations weren't interesting and good mysteries. The actions taken by the detective pair is realistic (allowing for magic), and has spurts of action followed by the grind of detective work. The grind could get boring, but is not because there is so much going on between the main characters and the broader cast. Including Jamie from modern earth is an inspired touch, as it lets her talk about the world as someone from our one would, both learning about the magic and systems she finds herself in, and takes us along for the ride. At the same time she introduces concepts and technology from our world, and is definitely a disruptive figure! Henri meanwhile has a huge curiosity, and so the two learn about each other and their two worlds. A bachelor foodie who is a bit of an academic, he is also a pragmatist who approaches crimes with solid logic, but also a strong curiosity. He also is absolutely scathing of other characters, which is always funny! This curiosity and openness to new things serves him well with his new partner. The broader cast is also strong, with a feeling that even minor characters are real and have some depth. There is a very dry humour that infuses the entire books, meaning that at any stage there is always some element that makes you smile. The character cast is broad, strong, but also written to make every one have an element of humour. At the same time, certainly some of the cases investigated are quite dark. Overall, the blend of humour, detective work, bromance, and fantasy magic is expertly welded into novels that are a delight on any number of levels. As I said, I'm up to number 3, and plan to race through all five!

Recently discovered "Oddjobs". There are about 5-6 books in the series, I'm up to book 4 (although I am flagging a bit). The premise is a little illogical, and the style is aimed for that crazy/humorous style of character, with a number of points of view. The main premise is that the end of the world is coming, due to creatures called the Venisarlan (sp?) which are already here. Worldwide governments have decided they can't fight back, don't want to all commit suicide, so they'll just manage the end of the world to be as efficient as possible. As I said, the main premise is illogical. The book focuses on a team based in Birmingham who are managing towards these goals for the government. So making sure the apocalypse doesn't start earlier than necessary, while keeping the public ignorant. If you like quirky characters with slightly crazy attitudes, they're generally fun books.

Hmm, I thought I had but quickly checking makes me think I haven't. Although I'd swear I've got it somewhere in paper version. I may not have read it as a little searching makes me think I was confusing it with Marjorie M Liu's Hunter Kiss series. So, I'll have to try out Black Sun's daughter. Thankyou! False value was very enjoyable, I love that series.

A bit odd. Karen Chance's new Cassandra Palmer book ("Shatter the Earth") is listed on her website as coming out in December 2019. On Amazon.com there is a blog on Karen Chance's author page saying it's coming out on 20 January 2020. The blog post is from one month ago, the website is up to date (and talks about the latest cover, has the first two chapters as samples), so everything seems in order. Yet neither the US or UK Amazon sites have the book on them, so you can't pre-order. Can't even find it. Weird and annoying.

By the way, can I just reiterate how much I HATE the whole international ebook system!!! I was reading Seanan McGuire's Incrypid series, and had the joy of finding out that although the books are all ebooks, in the UK you can only get 3 of the series on Amazon. Damn it. Mixed feeling on this. I was pretty happy with where the series finished.

I just recently read the Kings Watch series by Mark Hayden. Just the core series, none of the novellas or the previous work (which I'm not sure if it is urban fantasy). Overall it was a pretty good read, although I suspect the main character may irritate some readers. He's a little bit full of himself, and his morals are a bit lacking. The tendency to kind of finish abruptly, and then pick up immediately in the next book could also be irritating if there weren't already five written. Others may not like the attention paid to the ordinary life (including cricket ). But the world portrayed and the storylines are very well done, the writing quality is good, and there are many very well fleshed out side characters. Unlike many urban fantasy novels the investigations actually take weeks if not months, which is far more realistic, although that does mean Hayden concentrates quite a bit on the ordinary life as well. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed them, and would recommend them to others. Will now read the side/earlier books.

Spellcrackers final book delayed another year again. Now due January 2021. I originally pre-ordered it in 2014!

Just realised today I missed one classic. That was probably my first urban fantasy series. The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. Fantastic introductory series.

All completed series, some may be tricky to get. People looking through the list will probably realise that I do like unique world/magic systems, strong female characters, and don’t mind characters who have been through a lot as long as they are written well and build on that, rather than papering over the back story. Note that some of these books I read a long time ago, so my views might be a little out of date. A bit like you look at some of the 1990s urban fantasy books that were favourites, and realise with hindsight they were simpler and/or had issues that you’ve since forgotten. Sunshine (Robin McKinley) – a standalone book, arguably one of the best of the genre. Robin McKinley captures the essence of a protagonist discovering their powers, in a rich world that foodies in particular will love! I don’t think anyone has written an “ordinary person gaining powers” story better. Dante Valentine (Lilith Saintcrow) – a darker series with a damaged heroine (although to be fair, everyone from her high school was damaged), set in a future with both magic and technology. Strong writing but some dark plots, and one of the few urban fantasy books which has the “alpha” romantic interest which also details the abuse and conflict that can arise from that. Summon the Keeper (Tanya Huff) – a light hearted series which has some of the most awesome characters in literature. Is as much comedy as fantasy, but anyone who doesn’t like Austin is, well, a dog person. Must read. Assuming you like them, you should also read the Enchantment Emporium books. Although Tanya Huff writes them in a different fantasy world, there are significant similarities to the Keeper books. Huff's one-off fantasy books are also very good. Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews) – feels more like a typical urban fantasy series, with lots of werewolves and vampires. However, there are lots of twists on the common trope and the series is fantastically easy to read. A very well done version of the “I’m secretly really strong” character, with a well-developed back story that evolves over the series. Also doesn’t hit you over the head with the romantic interest. Set in a world that is post-apocalyptic due to the return of magic. Southern Vampire (Charlaine Harris) – a long series focussing on vampires. Reasonably traditional, but set in a small southern USA town and deals with a protagonist who has little magic, and has to deal with the real world. As the series evolves more types of magical beings get involved. A well written series which has a lot of followers. Miss Misery (Tracey Martin) – a world with regular magic and four main types of preternaturals, the series is very well written and has a strong arc. The main character is engaging, as is her balancing of her own abilities and place between humans and pretes. The learning curve as to where her abilities come from, and her reaction to what she learns, is really well done. Jill Kismet (Lilith Saintcrow) – again, a bit darker series with a lot of bad things happening to the main character. But Lilith Saintcrow writes very well, and the series rockets along. Lots of action and violence. Set in a world where people do deals with the devils, and those who are assigned to deal with the fallout when people lose control. Morgan Kingsley exorcist series (Jenna Black) – decent writing, with a innovative world setting/magic system, with strong plotting and story lines. The series is very solid, complete, and doesn't really get mentioned. It’s a world where people do deals to take a demon inside, at which point they can achieve more such as be awesome firefighters. Some demons are good, some are bad, which is where exorcists come in. Downside Ghosts (Stacia Kane) – a fantastic series, although again with a damaged main character. The stories are very engrossing, and quite touching. It is set in a world where ghosts are regular returners (and are like dangerous animals) and there is a whole system for keeping them under control. The main character is a drug user, and Stacia Kane doesn’t shy away from showing the downsides of this. One of the best written characters around. Pax Arcana (Elliott James) – a much more traditional urban fantasy, but extremely well written with a knight/werewolf hybrid protagonist who has to negotiate a world where most creatures are hunting him, and a geas on him limits his choices. Very well written, comes to a very good conclusion, and has strong plots. Hollows series (Kim Harrison) – another post-apocalyptic world with magic now flourishing (although the apocalypse was due to DNA virus rather than magic), this is a high magic series with a style that is a little over the top in style (although nothing as much as Karen Chances’ books). A long series focussing on a witch and her friends, there are both light and dark periods. In my view one of the best urban fantasy series out there, blending enough laughter, darkness, romance and world building to be a fantastic series. The Walker Papers (CE Murphy) – a series focussing on a police mechanic who is native American, the series is really well written. Another one which can be light and/or over the top in places, but a strong story arc with a character who develops over time. The main character discovers her abilities in the current world that doesn’t acknowledge/know of magic, and slowly builds her skills over the series. Felix Castor (Mike Carey) – books that hover on the edge of being horror, these dark books deal with a beat down protagonist in a world where most people don’t know the dark forces that want to get in. Extremely well written, although you won’t always be a fan of the protagonist. Fever series (Karen Marie Moning) – a strong but dark series set with the fey, which deals with the actual apocalypse. A little bit young adult, although the dark themes would mean you wouldn’t give it to anyone too young. Other series (Anne Bishop) – completed, although there are spin-offs. For those familiar with Anne Bishop’s work this is a bit derivative, as it is very similar to previous series set in Epic fantasy worlds. Her original series is probably her best, but it is also the most adult and with the darkest themes. This is a cleaner version, which a wider audience will enjoy, set in an urban fantasy setting. Anne’s writing does just capture you, and these are very easy to read. Lockwood & Co – young adult, but enjoyable for all ages. Set in a world which is beset by hauntings, and where only children can see ghosts. Follows a group of children who have set up a company to deal with ghosts, and their exploration into what has caused the issue. A good read. The negotiator trilogy (C.E. Murphy) – another one of Murphy’s series, this is a well written trilogy that is quite strong. The major fantastical creature is a gargoyle, and the magical rules are quite a bit different from the standard tropes. I enjoyed it a lot. Blood Books (Tanya Huff) – more of a traditional vampire series, but well written (is anything Tanya writes not?) and enjoyable. Also worth noting the first came out in 1991; so arguably it's the first of the more traditional vampire genre that has followed. Greywalker series (Kat Richardson) – not as stand out as others on the (great) list, but a good read, unique magic system, and enjoyable nine books. Unfortunately not necessarily easy to get your hands on the later books now, for some reason the early ones are on kindle but not the last few. Hallie Michaels (Deborah Michaels) – another series set in rural America, the series is a good read in the current world, with a good main character and support characters. Well worth reading. Twenty Palaces (Harry Connolly) – unfortunately only ‘complete’ in the sense there won’t be anymore, so keep in mind the big questions won’t be answered. However, the books were brilliantly written, with a character who with limited magic dealt with the world in a methodical approach in stopping creatures from another dimension running wild. The “enemy” is more unusual than what I usually see, the world building is reasonably unique. Connor Grey series (Mark Del Franco) – I was a big fan of this series until the last book, which I thought was weak. But that’s partly because there are certain types/styles of ending I don’t like, and this fit the bill (on several fronts). Therefore others may be fans right up to the end. Given the strength of the series up to then, I've put it here rather than below in the "good" section. The series focuses on a main character who is an ex-agent whose magic is partly broken. A high magic world, and interesting characters and development. Max Gladstone's craft sequence (as there doesn't appear to be more books). A high-magic world of dueling lawyer necromancers and corporate espionage! Despite what sounds weird as written, the series is fantastically written with a good blend of action, mystery and intrigue. The world is post a major revision where the gods were (mostly) destroyed and the power they represented corporatised. Brilliantly written, engaging characters, with a weird chronology that is extremely well done. Bareback by Kit Whitfield is a fantastic stand alone book set in a world where everyone is a werewolf except a handful of people born "bareback", with no fur. A really good story, it deals with prejudice and abuse, and the themes are very adult. It also has a good mystery which the story centres around. I've used this book as a recommendation for "serious readers" who "think fantasy is a joke genre for serious writing", to show them they're wrong. The One who eats monsters by Casey Matthews was clearly intended to be more than one book, but works as a stand alone book. I personally love this book, and its up there with Sunshine and Summon the Keeper as a rereader. In a slightly different current day earth, there are secretly gods and spirits that influence the world. Ryn is a creature of chaos, so got banned from civilized lands long ago and has had little interaction with humans. That all changes when she comes to the USA, and following her discovery of herself within the human world is incredibly funny and touching. The book has some dark elements, so be warned, but I love it. A few which are good, but not great. I'd recommend them to read. The Karma trilogy is a nice series, one of those dealing with people who are archetypes (a little like the Indexing books by Seanan Mcguire). You can buy all three as a single kindle book on Amazon pretty cheaply. Speaking of which, Seanan McGuire's Indexing books (2) are both good books dealing with a protagonist who is struggling to avoid being an archetype, and stop fairy tales from taking over the world. Varies between the slightly silly and very seriously adult. Very enjoyable books. Arcadia Bell series by Jenn Bennett. A nice series about someone who summons demons. The series is solid, a good read, although it hits you over the head with the romance. The books use a reasonably unique system of magic, so you're not seeing the traditional werewolves and vampires here (by memory...) The Sarah Jane Beauhall books by J. A. Pitts is a nice little series of 4 books which centre around a lesbian blacksmith for movies and re-enactment festivals. The series doesn't blow you away, but are a good, solid read. J.C. Nelson's Grim Agency books are a good read with another reasonably unique magic world. The main protagonist works for the Grim Agency, which is an enterprise that sells wishes from the head of the agency, a Fairy Godfather. The books mix a little of ridiculous high adventure in, but generally are a lot of fun. Not unexpectedly, Marissa Locks the protagonist has a bit of a special history, but frequently she has to manage with a lot less assets up her sleeves than those around her. Melisa F Olson's Scarlett Bernard & Disrupted Magic series (same character, really the same series) are set in a traditional vampire/werewolf world. The difference being that the protagonist is a null. She's hired out by the supernatural community to clean up after them. The series is well written, and the world is pretty good despite the standard supernatural creatures. There are further spin-off books set in the same world. Susan Illene's Sensor series, is another series where the main protagonist has a slight twist in a reasonably standard world of werewolves and vampires. In this case it is that she is a sensor, and can detect supernatural creatures. Sensors are rare because supernaturals see them as a huge risk (and sensors have previously hunted them). The series is solidly written, although it moves into a slightly more extreme high magic world as the series progresses. The romance is hit you over the head stuff obvious, and involves an Alpha male to boot. There are also spin-off books in the same world. The series is good enough to recommend, not good enough to tell people to hunt down. Jacqueline Carey has two good urban fantasy series. The Agent of Hel trilogy are a rural fantasy series which is reasonably by the numbers, but solidly written and good books. The protagonist Daisy Johanssen is the enforcer/cop for a town which is protected by Hel, and has a strong tourist trade. Crimes and evil abound, and Daisy has to stop it. Good writing, good plotting, but nothing blows you away. Jacqueline Carey's second completed urban fantasy series is the Santa Olivia and Saints Astray books. Its about the bastard child of a werewolf growing up in a town that is stuck in a neutral zone between the USA and Mexico after a pandemic/wall building exercise. Werewolf is probably not the greatest descriptor, since these have no real connection to the traditional stereotype, but are really more genetically created soldiers (no shape-shifting). The books have a strong theme around prejudice, isolation, and are very good to read. However, the special abilities Loup Gannon have does make her over-powered a little bit. But the books are still a powerful read and very recommended. More of a traditional fiction book than a high (or medium) action fantasy books however, as they explore Loup's growing up and exploration of who she is. The Man from U.N.D.E.A.D books are a very different beast from the ones I've listed above. Set covering a spy character think of them as a James Bond series with more (black) humour. They are full of action, are over the top, and about a character saving the world in a very spy, action movie kind of way. But fun. Simon R. Green's Nightside books are short, high action, over the top noire books about a detective in the nightside. Very adult themes, and runs the line between ridiculous and fun. Have a strong action movie, James Bond feel like the Man from U.N.D.E.A.D book above. Although also a bit of a feel of Harry Dresden. Helen Harper has a LOT of urban fantasy books. Most of her series are IMO ok, without really being strong enough to move to the "Good" list here. Generally very light hearted, simple plots with out a huge amount of substance. Her The Lazy Girl's Guide To Magic Book series is the exception. It just has a perfect blend of humour and good plots, which moves it onto my Good list. Georgina Kincaid (6 books) by Richelle Mead is a nice series. Romance is a central component, but does slowly develop. This is very different from other Mead series, and is definitely not young adult. The main protagonist is a succubus, who has slowly grown tired of her job. In the world Mead creates heaven and hell are in contention over souls, and succubi play an important role. But Georgina has slowly lost the hatred that drove her to accept the offer of becoming a succubi. The series is well written with Georgina slowly realising that the path she chose was not really for her. Very enjoyable.