Reading roundup (urban fantasy recs) and Snowflake Challenge, days 10-11

[hamsterwoman]

This reading roundup is batch #1 from the epic urban fantasy rec party from the December ramble, and I would like to say thank-you to all the people who recommended both of these books to me, which gave me the kick in the butt to finally read them, after meaning to check out the series(eseseses) for quite a while :)

1. Kate Griffin, A Madness of

Comments

[ambyr]

My reactions to A Madness of Angels were likewise pretty mixed, although I think our bran/cranberry assessment was somewhat different.

[hamsterwoman]

Oh, interesting, I didn't realize you'd read it. *digs up your goodreads review*

Hmm, yeah, looks like Bakker worked better for me than for you (although I agree on the sub-bosses and the video-game like progression of plot; which apparently left so little impact on me that I didn't mention plot at all in my write-up, and didn't notice until just now XP) and urban magic vice versa. It looks like I probably liked it more overall, at least as far as willingness to read more in the series goes.

Completely agreed with your sentiments of wanting to like the book more than I ended up liking it though.

[_profiterole_]

Ah, so glad that you enjoyed Mercy Thompson! <3 I must say that, while I'm a big fan of werewolves in werewolf books, I'm usually less so in vampire/other books.

lol at your remark about the cover art. Mercy is a mechanic, she wears greasy T-shirts all the time, definitely not what's on the book covers.

[hamsterwoman]

I must say that, while I'm a big fan of werewolves in werewolf books, I'm usually less so in vampire/other books.

Oh that's an interesting distinction! Do you think it's because people who write vampire / wizard / whatever books are less interested in exploring werewolf dynamics in depth and just sort of throw them in there for competition / local color?

I know book covers are frequently totally ridiculous and have nothing to do with what's inside the book, but in the absence of something to counteract them, like a strong rec from a source I trust, the Mercy covers were pretty offputting XP

[_profiterole_]

It seems to be a logical explanation. It's so common to have werewolves in vampire stories that they probably put them there without caring as much as actual werewolf writers.

[lyssa027]

My friend recommended Patricia Briggs to me, but I haven't checked out any of her books though.

[hamsterwoman]

Having only read the one Mercy Thompson book, I would recommend at least giving it a shot -- it was quite enjoyable!

[loupnoir]

You've read the best Mercy tale. According to one of those "someone told me that" Internet sources, the author had to agree to making Mercy's love life "complicated." There are times in the following tales, where it felt like the stupid love triangle was forced in as an afterthought. Also, I hate it when, three books into the series, a character suddenly acquires another talent.

The Kitty series by Vaughn is equally uneven, with the same stupid useless love triangle crap, but the first book is worth reading. Yes, I love werewolf tales, but I find that I'm more into the concept of were than what folks are turning out.

[hamsterwoman]

You've read the best Mercy tale.

Aww, I was afraid of that... I could definitely see publisher meddling leading to needless complications in Mercy's love life, and, not looking forward to that at all...

And thanks for the other rec, too. I think I've seen the series around, but haven't heard much about it, so good to get a rec and a warning :)

(Random P.S.: my brother and his girlfriend are staying in Fort Bragg this weekend. So if you happen to spot a tall young man accompanied by a petite Asian woman, that might be them :)

[meathiel]

I'm glad you liked the Mercy Thompson book ... I've pre-ordered the recent one lately and can't wait to get my hands on it. It will still be a few months, though.

I haven't read your account of the Matthew Swift book as that's still on my to read list.

[hamsterwoman]

I did -- thank you for rec'ing it! I definitely intend to read on (and looks like my library has them from #4 onward, which should make it easier after the next couple)