Books that Bring You Back

[ling]

Over the past few years, I've been mostly reading mysteries and chick lit with an occassional foray into romance. Although SF/F was my first love, I just couldn't find anything to sink my teeth into. I guess part of it was the idea that I had to read the higher concept books. Books that I don't enjoy reading, but everyone says is either fantastic or mind blowing. I know it's a stupid thing. You should always read what you love. So I think that's why I stepped away from SF/F for a while.

But the other day, I was at Borders and saw that they had a buy two and get one free deal. It was one a couple of SF/F books. So I picked up a couple of them, one of which was Patricia Briggs' Blood Bound.

Even before I'd stepped away from the genre, I'd long since been jaded by the plethora of books involving vampires. So I don't know what made me pick it up. I usually read the first few pages to see if I liked it and I did. It turned out that I liked it so much that I bought the previous book, Moon Called and the sequel, Iron Kissed. I'm reading one upstairs and the other downstairs. Hey, I started in the middle. Reading them together won't reveal anything I don't already know.

I like this series because the character is strong and vulnerable without being sappy and angsty. A lot of heroines to me have faux strength. The author says she's strong willed and independent, but everything she does makes me cringe because she's not only submissive, but very dependent on an alpha male.

Not this heroine though. She may be confused and in a love triangle, but she's not letting them lead her into something. She's trying to figure it out herself and she's making it very clear to them that she doesn't want to get into a relationship with any of them.

She also manages to kill werewolves and vampires too, but she's not a bounty hunter or a slayer. She's a mechanic who happens to have incredible things happen to her.

I like the character a lot, which also shows the power of how a character can pull you into a story. I don't want the books to end because I know there aren't any new one's waiting for me on the bookshelves. But I'm glad that I picked this one up. I feel like I'm returning to the genre again and I'm enjoying it immensely.

Do you feel blah about the genre sometimes? What brought you back? Or are you staying away still?

Comments

[shaolingrrl.livejournal.com]

Is this the series set in Richland, Washington? It was recommended to my niece (who also lives in Richland, Washington). Is it okay for a 14-year-old?

[frabjouslinz.livejournal.com]

I love these books - I would totally have read them at her age, but are they appropriate? Um, well, there's a little sex, but it's mostly implied, and tension, and the like. There's a lot of violence, but it's integral to the plot, and not overblown. There's a 15 year old in the series, but she's not the main character. I think they'd be pretty good for Amanda to read. I like all the rest of P. Briggs' books, too. I'd recommend them to you, and then you can decide what's appropriate for her.

[shaolingrrl.livejournal.com]

Okay. Thanks.

You quit spinning yet?

[frabjouslinz.livejournal.com]

Not quite - still spinning when I work at the computer, or read. I think it's a close focus - sitting still thing, because I seem to be ok watching TV. But those images move. And I'm absolutely fine walking/driving/dancing, which is good. I just feel like I'm about to fall over, say, right now.

[shaolingrrl.livejournal.com]

It's not just having to deal with me, then? :-)

[frabjouslinz.livejournal.com]

You've caused lesser persons to have weak knees, gorgeous.

[shaolingrrl.livejournal.com]

Will you marry me?

[lingtm.livejournal.com]

oh dear. *fans self*
When did it get so steamy in here?

[frabjouslinz.livejournal.com]

Well, this is *your* blog. It could veer into steamy at any moment. ;)

[lingtm.livejournal.com]

I think it would depend on the 14 year old. Is she afraid of ghosts, vampires or werewolves? Ok, I have to say that there was one scene in the second one that scared the bejeebus out of me. But if she's reading in the adult section, I think she'll be fine with it. If she's still reading "Princess Diary" type books, then no.

[shaolingrrl.livejournal.com]

She's an odd one. Intellectually pretty advanced, emotionally hovering on the edge. I think she'd be okay. I think she's maturing faster than her parents really want to acknowledge.

[frabjouslinz.livejournal.com]

I *love* Patricia Briggs. I've read all her stuff - she has some high fantasy out there, too, and if you like the urban fantasy, I think you'd enjoy Dragon Bones and Dragon Blood. Totally frickin' awesome. Well, I think so.

It's not so much that I've stepped away from the genre, as that there are tropes that I avoid - such as vampires. Except there have been some really good reimaginings lately, so now I can't say that anymore. I too am not fond of all the high concept books - they may be well written, but a lot of times the characters or the plot don't grab me, and I end up feeling like I'm reading it for a class. So I understand what you mean. I guess I'm just a low-class kind of girl. I like my plots twisty without being impossible, and my main characters likeable, and while there can be as much horror and blood and death during the plot as the author can slam in there, I need a hopeful ending, or I get really stinkin' mad.

[lingtm.livejournal.com]

We have a lot of fun in our low-classness!! I'll check out the dragon books when I'm at the bookstore next. I like the twisty plots too and mystery really does a good job with that.

[norilana.livejournal.com]

You totally convinced me to get those books! And I agree about sort of stepping away form the genre and reading around the edges so to speak. These days I enjoy reading a lot of romantic historical stuff. And the stuff I want to write is ancient and stodgy, not at ll what's 'in" right now.

[lingtm.livejournal.com]

Who cares what's 'in' and what's not.

If Charlaine Harris hadn't written her vampire mystery novels, there wouldn't be a huge market for vampire romances!

You write that ancient and stodgy stuff. You could totally start a movement!