ants

Well, my apartment got flooded from fire sprinklers next door, plus had to do work for work, so let's just say that reading this book got delayed another week. Very frustrating.

Spoilers man, spoilers!

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!