December 11th, 2009 — Defining the Genre, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
I had to educate myself on this. For instance, until I read Katiebabs’ WTF post on Laurell K. Hamilton (among other things) I would have cleanly classified Anita Blake as contemporary paranormal romance. If Anita Blake is urban fantasy then so to by deduction must be Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson Series and Buffy the Vampire Slayer
.
Which begs the question, when did vampires and werewolves leave their home in Paranormal Land and cross into the Fantasy World? Isn't fantasy populated with witches, magic, dragons, and princes? As Orson Scott Card said (and I’m paraphrasing) if you think trees the story is a fantasy; if you think metal it’s a science fiction… or in this case not-fantasy. I think of vampires and werewolves as claws and teeth, which is probably why I’m so confused. 
Are you? Let’s figure it out together.
Urban Fantasy Romance Is:
- Fantasy elements (also including paranormal here don’t ask me why) in a people populated setting be it city or town.
- Sure to deal with mystery, suspense, and/or crime.
- Reliant heavily on world-building to make it work. How did these creature rise from obscurity and into the everyday? How do normal humans deal with them?
- A romance, but it doesn't overwhelm the driving plot.
- Usually a series so world-building and romance arcs are sprinkled throughout many books.
- Usually contemporary or modern, but can be set in historical or futuristic settings too.
- Populated with tough kick-ass heroines.
- Never fluffy. It’s gritty, dark, and thrilling.
Urban Fantasy vs Paranormal Romance:
What’s the difference between an urban fantasy and a paranormal written in an urban setting? Please explain! Here’s what I got so far…
- Paranormal romance is usually hero-centric whereas urban fantasy tends to be heroine-centric.
- Paranormal romance is about the hero and heroine’s relationship first and foremost with a HEA (happily ever after). Urban Fantasy romance is about saving the world and finding love while you do it.
-
Avon executive editor Erika Tsang explains: “In paranormal romance the relationship between the couple is the focus of the main plot. In urban fantasy, the world that the couple exists in is the focus.” Publisher's Weekly
This is why everyone says the two get confused and are used interchangeably. It really is a difference of degrees I feel.
Do you prefer Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance? I am clearly a fan of both even though before I wrote this post I thought I never read an urban fantasy. Give me Edward Cullen and Buffy Summers!
What are some of the other Urban Fantasy Romance series that you enjoy?
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September 14th, 2009 — About, Gifts, Paranormal, Vampire, Young Adult
For a long while I was a fan of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Anita Blake was a kick-ass heroine who's policy was shoot first, apologize later if wrong. Her story started out overcoming her hatred of all things vampire. In the beginning a couple of books into the series she had a werewolf boyfriend and a vampire who wanted to be her boyfriend. The vampire had already made his claim (by some metaphysical vampire mojo) on Anita by making her his 'vampire servant' except instead of being servant like they were equals. The series was full of sass and bad guys getting mowed down. Anita is like a metaphysical sponge, she touches (not literally) another's power and if it's at all related to passion or death she can practically replicate the power on her own, which was definitely interesting to read as she struggled to cope with powers that seem to war with each other.
Now there are too many characters, too much gratuitous sex scenes - especially with characters I couldn't give a hoot one way or the other for, and Anita seems like a whole other character than when she started. Mostly my complaints are the editions of the London vampires that basically came out of nowhere and seem to be extremely important. I haven't read the latest one with adorable werewolf Jason (Blood Noir
) because I was so disappointed with the last book (The Harlequin
) and I hear another one is coming out in June (Skin Trade
). Does anybody still read these as a huge fan of the series? I would love to get back into the series but only if I hear the last one/two books are better than what has come before.
Another vampire series are the Vampire Academy books by Richelle Mead. She is contracted to write five of them and three are currently for sale, so there are plenty of chances for the series to take off like Twilight by Meyer. I haven't had a chance to read these yet and I'm hoping one or two readers have and can shed some light on them. From what I can tell you have mortal vampires and immortal vampires, in particular a mortal vampire princess must be protected from the fierce immortal breed all the while having to go to the vampire version of high school. Why must she be protected? and what's the forbidden love that's mentioned on the backs of the books? Inquiring minds want to know...
Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Of course, Twilight makes this list. A brief synopsis: Supernatural male + vulnerable female set in high school find true love in each other and must fight to keep it. Read my take on the whole series and individual books by starting here on Twilight Saga.
Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
I keep hearing of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I need to pick these up asap! Especially now that it's a television show on HBO by the name True Blood (First Season
, Second Season
.) If you are like me and haven't started the books get the Sookie Stackhouse Box Special with Books 1-7
. Enjoy!
What vampire books / series are you currently reading? Let us know - leave a comment!
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-17 15:09:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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June 6th, 2009 — About, Paranormal, Poll, Vampire, Werewolf
I bet that headline caught your attention! This post started innocently enough in the comments of The Smell of a Hero.
Susan said:
In my world everyone's fang obsessed (lol) I'd say werewolves would also use fangs since wolves have large canines. (No claws) he-he.
I said:
They do have large canines. I think that should be a post - comparison of vampire and werewolf canines: Does Size Matter?
Susan goes on to note in an email:
...vampire fangs are thinner, when I think werewolves I think thicker (cough, cough).
Oh dear! What have we started? The battle between vampires and werewolves has begun. Will paranormal ever be the same? Probably, but let's pretend otherwise...
Does size matter in paranormal?
When we think of heroes in paranormal romances we know a few basic facts. Nearly always, the hero is the alpha male whether it is in a vampire kiss or of a werewolf pack. Usually, the heroine is kick-ass. Additionally, she is also somehow forbidden to the hero. Rarely do we see a heroine go for the beta or lesser male in a paranormal. So that brings us to the question does size matter? I say it does.
In two book series that I've read, the vampire has won the girl in the end. The first is in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series where Jean-Claude muscles out Richard Zeeman. Granted, the series evolves and Zeeman comes back into the picture, along with a few dozen other men. The second is The Twilight Saga
with Bella clinging to Edward Cullen and choosing him over Jacob Black.
With the second series we'll never know the characters respective sizes, but in Hamilton's world alpha lycanthropes are so far very well endowed and have the added benefit of being able to control that part of their anatomy... ie make it even bigger. I imagine using that ability might be used in male to male posturing, as for lovemaking... a girl can only hold so much.
But back to the canines, and not err... other equipment. Which species of nighttime heroes has the bigger bite (allure)?
Vampire heroes are elegant, sophisticated, and mysterious. Their beauty is just one of their allures. Do not for one moment think their charming façade equates to being a pansy. Oh no, vampire heroes are known for their volatile mood swings, strength, and deadly control.
Werewolf heroes are overtly masculine, muscled, and alpha. Their outer strength is coupled with inner sensitivity. They are the leaders for their packs and must take care of every member. It is a task that burdens them heavily at times, especially when youngsters are determined to run a foul.
If you had to turn...who would you choose to turn you?
Answer the poll below and leave a comment!
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The rest is as they say is all in the fang.
Photo Credits: Hare Guizer
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