Some readamakating

[barbarienne]

Useless post about what I'm reading. Useless because, hello, I am a very slow reader. Also, I admit that the primary time I get to read books is in the bathroom.

Currently making my way through Pale Demon by Kim Harrison. Yes, I am totally anti-thisgenre, but I have two exceptions and Kim Harrison is one of them. (Harry Connolly is the other

Comments

[sartorias]

Don't need to reread the first--the entire first half of the second book recaps the end of the first book.

[barbarienne]

I refuse to reread books just so I am reminded what happened and can proceed with book 2. It's like a little test I put authors through: is their stuff memorable enough, and do they inclue sufficiently in subsequent books to keep their readers on track?

This, incidentally, is why I haven't read GRRM's SOIF series yet. Too many years between very complex books = massive confusion for me. When we're closing in on the last one--and really the last one, not the "oh, I think I will need more books than I expected" last one--then I'll mainline the whole thing.

[stfg]

Are you actually looking with paranormal stuff without the schmoop? If you are, I would recommend Silence, which is Michelle Sagara's newest book. It involves ghosts and necromancers, but does not have a romantic subplot. It has a subplot of friendship and connection among a group of high school students instead. i really enjoyed it.

[barbarienne]

I'm not actively looking, but it is always nice to have recommendations! :-)

[apis_mellifera]

One of my favorite urban fantasy series is Tim Pratt's Marla Mason series--she kicks butt in sweatpants and sensible shoes! There are real consequences for her actions! She knows she is not a nice person and that she does unethical things!

I got real tired of Kim Harrison's stuff--I got tired of Rachel jumping to conclusions all the time and of her leveling up at the end of every book. Jenks is pretty awesome, though. I love Jenks.

[barbarienne]

I am in 100% agreement with your criticisms of Harrison's series. It isn't enough to outweigh the good for me (yet). I love the magic system, and of course Jenks. Back when the acquiring editor was considering the first book, she brought it to me (this was at my previous place of employ) and asked me to read it and tell her what I thought of it as a regular consumer-reader. My biggest comment was MORE JENKS.

[apis_mellifera]

I would read the HELL out of a Jenks book. Or a book with pixies as the main characters because they strike me as one of the most interesting bits of that whole setting.

[barbarienne]

And yet I confess her plot-manipulations to extend Jenks's lifespan were kind of...

I'm conflicted, you know? OT1H, Jenks lives! More Jenks! OTOH, I feel like it was done solely to keep the cool character around, because killing him off would have pissed off the readership.