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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Urban Fantasies! (10/8/2013)

Top ten Tuesday pink

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

As you’ve probably figured out by now, I’m a little bit of a TTT rebel. This week’s topic is supposed to be about the best and worst series endings. Since I’ve already done a Top Ten Book Beginnings/Endings several weeks ago, I’m going in a totally different direction:

Top Ten Urban Fantasies!

I have a difficult time picking out which one of these fantastic series is my favorite because I like them all for different reasons. Richelle Mead Is my favorite author and the Succubus series is my favorite work of hers, so that’s definitely a contender. But the Riley Jensen series by Keri Arthur is the one that first sparked my love for the genre. Let’s not forget T.A. Pratt who remains one of my writing idols. Then there is Kim Harrison who keeps getting better and better with each book. All I have to say is, there’s a lot of good reading up there!

Which urban fantasy is your favorite?

by Niki Hawkes

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Book Review: Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

a1Title: Black Magic Sanction

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: Rachel Morgan #8

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—her worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom. But trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and a lowlife ex-boyfriend-turned-thief.

The Review:

Arguably the best one yet, Black Magic Sanction was heart-wrenching, funny, and dynamic. I was absorbed from the first page and at the edge of my seat the entire time! I am so glad I pushed through the first novel because this is the sort of series that builds momentum and interest with each book that eventually makes it more than the sum of its parts. I always take forever to read these books because they’re my go-tos set aside for when nothing else it working for me (the only other author I do that with is Robin Hobb).

Her character development is superb, there are so many great storylines going on between Rachel and the other characters, and I can only imagine how the series is going to wrap up. Particularly with the elves and demons, each of them has a well-rounded and dynamic interactions with the main character, and I love that I’m never totally sure who’s on her side (kind of like with Jarlaxle in the Legends of Drizzt saga). Let’s take a moment to discuss the sidekicks: they’re the best I’ve read about in any genre! They really are what make the series unique and special, and I find scenes where they’re involved to be my all-time favorites.

Anyway, that’s all I feel I can talk about without giving anything away. These truly are wonderful books, and I encourage those of you who gave up at the first book to keep reading… it gets epic! A warning for the wary: these books are rather sensual and sometimes violent, so use your own discretion.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Niki’s Book Recommendations!

If you liked: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs…

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Then you might also like:

a1Title: Stray

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Shifters #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shifters was an incredibly absorbing series that I can still remember vividly years later. The first books is weakest, but the rest of the series boasts great character development, world-building, and overall story. This is my first pick for fans of the Mercy series. (MA: sex and violence)

a2Title: Succubus Blues

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Succubus #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Fiction

One of my favorite authors, the Succubus series will knock your socks off! Fantastic character-driven story that also manages to build an interesting magic system while following a great story-line. I read these back to back – I haven’t done that with a series since grade school! (MA: sex and language)

a4Title: Magic to the Bone

Author: Devon Monk

Series: Ally Beckstrom #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

This series has a strong concept and magic system, with a touch more grit than the mercy series. (MA: language (I think))

a7Title: Ill Wind

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Weather Wardens #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

I picked these up after reading the author’s Morganville Vampire novels, and I have to say, it’s a highly original urban fantasy. For me, it had the same overall feel as the Mercy series.

a3Title: Dead Witch Walking

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: Rachel Morgan #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

I love Kim Harrison!!! She is quickly creeping up my list of all-time favorite authors. It’s the series as a whole that makes me feel this way, and I wasn’t totally on-board until a few novels in. Now I can’t put them down! The similarities to Mercy here are great characters, great writing, and similar genre. (MA: sex and violence) Read full review

a5Title: Grimspace

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: Sirantha Jax #1

Genre: Science Fiction

I’m recommending this one because, even though its science fiction, it reads more like an urban fantasy. The characters made me incredibly nostalgic about Mercy, and it was one of the most entertaining series I’ve ever read. The world-building, at least in the first book, is probably its only flaw. (MA: Language/Sex/Violence) Read full review

a6Title: Full Moon Rising

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Riley Jensen

Genre: Urban Fantasy

For the longest time, this was my favorite urban fantasy. I love the cast of characters, I love the plot, and I love how sexy it is. Definitely for mature audiences only (sex, language, and violence)

I Love New Books! (Noteworthy Releases 1/22/13)

Not a super heavy week for releases, but what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality – the new Kim Harrison book is out!!!!

1Title: Ever After

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: Rachel Morgan #11

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Overview: The ever-after, the demonic realm that parallels our own, is shrinking, and if it disappears, so does all magic. It’s up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to fix the ever-after before the fragile balance between magic users and humans falls apart. Of course, there’s also the small fact that Rachel is the one who caused the ley line to rip in the first place, and her life is forfeit unless she can fix it. Not to mention the most powerful demon in the ever-after—the soul-eater Ku’Sox Sha-Ku’ru—has vowed to destroy her, and has kidnapped her friend and her goddaughter as leverage. If Rachel doesn’t give herself up, they will die. Forced by circumstance, Rachel teams up with elven tycoon Trent Kalamack—a partnership fraught with dangers of the heart as well as betrayal of the soul—to return to the ever-after and rescue those she loves. One world teeters on the brink of interspecies war, the other on the brink of its very demise—and it’s up to Rachel to keep them both from being destroyed.

2Title: Imager’s Battalion

Author: L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Series: Imager Portfolio #6

Genre: Fantasy

Overview: The sequel to Princeps follows magical hero Quaeryt as he leads history’s first Imager fighting force into war. Given the rank of subcommander by his wife’s brother, Lord Bhayar, the ruler of Telaryn, Quaeryt joins an invading army into the hostile land of Bovaria, in retaliation for Bovaria’s attempted annexation of Telaryn. But Quaeryt has his own agenda in doing Bhayar’s bidding: to legitimize Imagers in the hearts and minds of all men, by demonstrating their value as heroes as he leads his battalion into one costly battle after another. Making matters worse, court intrigues pursue Quaeryt even to the front lines of the conflict, as the Imager’s enemies continue to plot against him.

3Title: Boundless

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly Trilogy #3

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Overview: The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of first love to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she could no longer deny was that she was never meant to have a normal life. Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seemed like the best option, so she’s headed back to California—and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place. As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal. In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must choose her fate once and for all.

4Title: Everbound

Author: Brodi Ashton

Series: Everneath #2

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Overview: Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity—a debt that should’ve been hers. Now she is living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night, Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away. No matter how she tries to reach for his hand, she can never find it. Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen—and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to help in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself. Nikki and Cole, along with Cole’s bandmate Max, descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated—and more deadly. From a Lake of Blood and Guilt to Sirens’ alluring tricks to insurmountable walls of rock and flame, the trio is given every reason to turn back and give up. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack—even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

5Title: Slither

Author: Joseph Delaney

Series: The Last Apprentice #11

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: “My name is Slither, and before my tale is finished you’ll find out why.”

The dark is full of terrifying creatures. And Tom Ward—the seventh son of a seventh son, and the Spook’s last apprentice—hasn’t seen all of them. Far from the county, one named Slither has lived for hundreds of years, hunting blood. But a dying father binds the monster to a bargain. If Slither will take his two youngest daughters safely to their family in the south, then the eldest daughter, Nessa, is his. For Nessa the nightmare is just beginning. And when Slither and Nessa cross paths with the feared witch assassin Grimalkin, they will become unwitting players in the quest to stop the Fiend once and for all.

6Title: Jill Kismet: The Complete Series

Author: Lilith Saintcrow

Series: Jill Kismet (All)

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Overview: Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night. Not everyone tries. But Jill Kismet is not just anyone. She’s a Hunter, trained by the best —- and in over her head. Welcome to the night shift…

The omnibus edition of Jill Kismet contains: Night Shift, Hunter’s Prayer, Redemption Alley, Flesh Circus, Heaven’s Spite and Angel Town.

*Overviews and photos taken from bn.com

Coming Soon: “Ever After” by Kim Harrison

Title: Ever After

Series: Rachel Morgan #11

Author: Kim Harrison

Release Date: January 22, 2013

As mentioned in a post for book #1, “Dead Witch Walking”, Kim Harrison is my go-to author for excellent urban fantasy. I love this series, and can’t wait to find out what happens next! January can’t come quick enough this year. :)

Book Review: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

Title: White Witch, Black Curse

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: Rachel Morgan #7

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The OverviewSome wounds take time to heal…and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won’t rest until his death is solved…and avenged. Whatever the cost. Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderland food chain, Rachel’s past comes back to haunt her. Literally.

The Review:

As I’ve mentioned before in a review of the first book, “Dead Witch Walking,” Kim Harrison is my go-to author for urban fantasy. After finishing this seventh book in the series, she’s still going strong and, if anything, gotten better.

The intrigue and suspense in this particular novel are great. Not only is Rachel trying to help in a case involving an aura-stealing banshee, but she’s also dealing with an ornery demon AND trying to solve a murder case at the same time. As you can see, there are multiple arcs to the story, ones that Harrison manages to blend together seamlessly.

She is also good at delivering great relationships, and not necessarily in a romantic sense. The main character’s friends, acquaintances, and even enemies are what keep the story fresh and vibrant for me. I’m reading to find out how their stories play out, too!

Overall, these books are highly entertaining and memorable – the type you can set down when you’re busy then pick up weeks later without skipping a beat. They’re also incredibly clever – I laugh out loud at least a couple times every time I read them!

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like: