Come in out of the cold and pick up a drink. Admire the view of the city by night from the window and feel safe for a little from the terrifying dangers that lurk in those city streets. I'd ask you to leave your aggression along with your weapons at the door, but I suspect there's going to be a lot of ass-kicking at this party :)
I'm delighted to welcome five wonderful urban fantasy writers to the party over this week. In a little while, I'll introduce you to today's guest of honour, Michele Lang. On Tuesday, we have Alayna Williams, on Wednesday, Jennifer Estep, Thursday, Terry Spear and Friday, Jennifer Armintrout.
Together these authors show an exciting range of style, setting and plot encompassed by the genre. And they'll each be giving away a prize on their day.
Talking of prizes, I'll add one more at the end of the party: any one of my available ebooks (excluding Blood on Silk which I can't get at!) to one winner drawn from all who comment throughout the party. I hope you'll be able to join us every day and comment as much as you like to make the party rock :).
So, let's begin with a definition! Wikipedia describes urban fantasy as "a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods. The prerequisite is that they must be primarily set in a city."
Couldn't put it better myself :). One of the things I like most about urban fantasy is the cross-over into other genres that I already like - vampires, werewolves, historical romance, futuristic romance etc - which are given a particular edge by the setting and of course by the characters who grow out of that setting. Most of us love reading about heroines who can take care of themselves and others in the mean streets of a large, anonymous city, probably because we'd like to be able to do just that in real life.
So are you a long-tine fan of urban fantasy, or coming new to the party?
Marie
Love this! I fell in love with urban fantasy last year!
ReplyDeleteFab, Jeanette! What was the book that first made you fall in love?
ReplyDeleteMarie
It was the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I was never really into urban fantasy but my cousin encouraged me to try it and I got hooked! Love the genre now!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm reading more Urban Fantasy now that I have my Kindle. It's so easy to try new authors.
ReplyDeleteJust started reading in December 2010 and have devoured a number of books including all of Illona Andrews backlog. Also now follow Laura Bickle/Alyna Williams, Dianne Sylvan and Stacia Kane. Keep finding more books for the TBR pile. Had to figure out how to read first person and deal with reading about serial killers.
ReplyDeleteJeanette - then I'm not surprised you're hooked :).
ReplyDeleteCindy, the Kindle is a blessing in may ways! I love mine too for the same reason.
Lindseye, it's true there are a lot of grittier elements in UF than in most romances! Delighted to hear you're an Alayna Williams?Laura Bickle fan, because she's our next guest of honour at the party!
Marie