I’m back once again to share with you my endless UF wishlist 😀 There are so many amazing series people keep recommending, so my TBR pile is also near exploding…
So let me tell you about a few of my absolutely-must-read-UF-series!
Stray by Rachel Vincent (Shifter series)
There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . .And I’m one of them.I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.I’d been warned about Strays — werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I’m no meek kitty. I’ll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — ’cause I got claws, and I’m not afraid to use them . . .
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series)Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they’ll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I’m not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.
Mercy Thompson’s sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.
She’s tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.
But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself … and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.
Several people have told me that this series is the alpha and omega of urban fantasy and an absolute must read. I trusted their judgement, so I ordered the foirst 4 books which I have neatly waiting on my TBR shelf. But aren’t the covers oh so pretty? 😀
Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines (H&W Investigations)Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm – if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires. As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend – a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing – and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren’t always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil – whether she likes it or not…
The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Petterson (Signs of the Zodiac series)
When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert. By rights, she should be dead. Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset — a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow — seeking answers to whom or what she really is . . . and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.
My fellow Book Lovers (namely Susi) are big fans of this series. The covers are stunning but the tidbits I caught it seems this is not a safe series: here you will have your heart squeezed and suffer for/with the caharcters. But if it’s well done, isn’t the heartache and tension worth it?
Thank you all for your suggestions last time, there are some of them that I have already started (Kim Harrison The Hollows series) and as you can some of them are on my absolute wishlist/TBR list (Mercy Thompson series).
I love, love, LOVE the Briggs books. I highly recommend them. I recommend all of Briggs's book, actually.
I've read all but the last one of the Shifter books. I didn't like them as much. I feel like the author had a great idea, but she just isn't as skillful a writer. There's a lot of repetition. I grew frustrated with Faythe's lack of growth and I didn't like the love triangle.
I haven't read any of the last two series you mention, so I've added them to my try-it list. Thanks!
I love the mercy thompson series now but be forwarned…the first book isnt that great.
so if you hate it (especially if its as much i did) dont worry! The second is absolutely fantastic and the third is just as good if not better!
You have read the Jennifer Rardin Jaz Parks series havent you? If not…OMG you are soooo missing out right now?!
Of course the book covers of Signs of the Zodiac series are awesome – the artist is Chris McGrath! He does the Harry Dresden covers as well as the Black London (Caitlin Kittredge) ones.
http://christianmcgrath.com/
Yes, your Patricia Briggs cover is very pretty…..wish I could say the same for the offerings on this side of the pond.
Maybe I need to expand my job search to countries with superior-book-cover offerings. It would make shopping in an actual bookstore much less frustrating…..
Oh right, must read UF. Hmm. Sunshine by Robin McKinley was pretty amazing. But it's not a series, and more futuristic urban fantasy. Nevertheless, it is a must read.
Erica Hayes' Shadowglass was wondrously bizarre. I'd suggest starting there, but I got a vibe that it was mid-series, so you might want to investigate a bit more thoroughly than I did.
Gina Farago's Ivy Cole and the Moon. (I finally got my hands on the sequel, Luna, and it is sitting at the top-ish of my TBR pile).
Also, Laura Anne Gilman's Retrievers series. At least up the 3rd book – which is as far as I've currently read.
Sonja Blue series by Nancy A. Collins. I believe they are out of print now, but totally worth the effort to track down. And not just for the cover art. 🙂
cass at feministdracona dot net
Thank you Mary Beth and Amanda for whetting my appetite for the Mercy Thompson books, I really can't wait to discover it as everyone keeps raving about this series 😀
@Sheree: Thank you for the link, will browse it 😉
@Draconismoi: I know! That's why it took me years to finally buy the Mercy Thompson series, because I strongly dislike the original US covers, find them ugly 🙁 so I was very happy the UK edition were so beautiful and classy 😀
(I always check on the UK and US site of the Book Depository to see which edition I prefer and order from there)
Thank you for the many suggestions, haven't heard of these before, so I'll have to investigate. Thank you! 🙂
I have The Others and Zodiac on my list too! I would add The Fever Series by Moning and I love the Grave Witch series. Greywalker by Kat Richardson. pretty much anything dark and gritty
Chris McGrath's models include Paul Marron (my absolute fave) and John Paul Pfeiffer (Harry Dresden).