Who's Your Author? discussion

So I have heard a lot about Adrian Phoenix, and decided that I should read her book A Rush of Wings. Since there isn't currently a discussion about this author, it seemed like the perfect time to start one! What do others think of her?

Also, did I catagorize her correctly? Does she write PNR or UF? Like I said, haven't read her yet so any insight would be great!

I would consider A Rush of Wings to be more UF than PNR, if I remember correctly there's a little sexual tension between a two of the characters, but no "love" or sex.

I found the world that Phoenix has created to be very interesting, but had a hard time getting into the book. It was a very slow read for me, and I haven't been motivated to read the next book in the series. I know others have loved it so it may just have been me.

I'm intrigued by it so far. It's dark, that's for sure. But sometimes I like to read something that's dark. Thanks for the heads up about it being more UF. I'll move the discussion to that folder.

I would definitely categorize her Maker's Song series as urban fantasy. I'm one of her big champions around here, as I absolutely adore the world she's created and the characters that inhabit it. I love Dante and his mix of vulnerability and strength and his devotion to those he cares about. Heather is a wonderful balance for Dante and her character is becoming more fleshed out as the series progresses. I love the supporting characters of both Lucian and Von and am eager to learn more about them both. The only thing I don't like is that we have to wait a year in between books. ;)

Why have I never heard of any of these authors? What about Anne Rice, or Michael Crichton?

Liz, I agree that these books are urban fantasy, but disagree that there is no "love or sex." There definitely is sex, though not a lot of it (one scene per book), and there is a definite love story going on, it just moves more slowly than in a PNR book, and it's not the main focus of the series. But it's definitely there - that's what hooked me! Well, among other things. I also love Phoenix's characters and the world she's created. It's so beautifully dark, I love it.

Brien, perhaps you haven't heard of these authors because you're not as well read in this particular genre yet? Anne Rice is kind of an older writer; we might consider her one of the forebears of urban fantasy, but she's not really a current writer in the genre. We certainly could talk about her, she'd be relevant, it's just that she's not as current as a lot of the other writers we like to read and talk about. And Michael Crichton wrote science fiction. This group focuses more on the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. Stick around, and you'll become familiar with a lot of the writers we're talking about, and hopefully you'll discover some great books!

Nichole - I coudn't have said it better myself about Anne Rice and Michael Crichton.

Brien - I've never read Anne Rice. I probably should one of these days since I love vamp books, but so far I'm pretty happy with the authors that I am reading. As for Michael Crichton, he is a great author. I'm just not sure if he fits into the genres that we usually discuss in this particular group. I have several favorite authors that aren't discussed on here. My favorite probably being Vince Flynn, but his books really don't fit anywhere near UF or PNR.

Thank you Liz. Can you explain what a urban fantasy is? I have a company with 800 titles, (Jones Harverst Publishing) so I truly need to know!

I think Anne Rice's "Lasher" would fit right into Paranormal Romance category.

I was not being sarcastic. I really don't know what urban fantasy is. Is it a fantasy set in a big city? Can you give me an example.

It's basically fantasy set in todays time period, and basically in today's world. It's like if right now, all around us, were vamps and weres. UF tends to be harder and darker than PNR. Also, while there might be some romance in UF, it's never the main focus of the book. It's just a side story. That's kind of the basics of it. PNR also involves either vamps, weres, the fae, witches, etc. but for the most part, romance is a HUGE part of the story.

That's kinda the basic deffinitions and differences.

I would agree with previous comments that The Makers Song Series is UF. I love both A Rush of Wings and In the Blood. I read *In the Blood* twice back to back because it was that riviting. I enjoy the pace of the storyline and feel that there's enough going on to keep me interested in reading the next book. I like the way the characters have developed over the two books and that other characters have been introduced to us. I also think that she's perhapes creating another storyline with Lucien...bit of a cliff hanger going on there...., which I'm hoping she'll clarify in Beneath the Skin. I'd also like to see Von developed as a character, and perhapes Trey the Web Master.

Thank you Kelley Anne. My 15-year-old daughter made me watch the "Twilight" 10 times. Is that the kind of thing you mean? Or is it more like "The Matrix." (Sorry if it is Taboo to write about movies rather than books.)

Hmm... I would say the first book, Twilight, was YA PNR, as it was all about Edward and Bella and had the requisite HEA. The next three books were more YA UF though.

I would say The Matrix is SCI/FI though, not UF.

Ditto!

Without having spoilers, or are we allowed:) what are peoples thoughts on Luciens current situation.

Spoilers are deffinetly allowed, but please, for those of us that haven't read it yet, note at the top of your comment that there are spoilers! :)

*** SPOILERS ***



His situation is definitely an interesting one. I loved all of the back story that we got for him in In the Blood, and I'm expecting a lot more for Beneath the Skin. I'm also desperate for Dante to forgive him.

I read A RUSH OF WINGS last year. Have IN THE BLOOD in The Pile, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Still haven't read In the Blood yet. I'm bad bad bad. But I adored A Rush of Wings. Fabulously dark in tone with some interesting additions to the vamp mythology. I thought it was nicely paced and Dante is wonderfully tragic. I'm glad to hear that Heather becomes more fleshed out in the next book. Pheonix didn't go very deep with her in the first but that could also be attributable to her being an Agent (FBI, correct?) and so she naturally wouldn't be an overly emotional or easily riled personality.

Michelle i think you have an interesting point about Heather. I've always liked her and took it for granted that because of job she would distance herself from the situation she was in. This would also mean that she would not bare her soul to the world and we wouldn't know about all the ins and outs of her life. Alot happens in the second book to flesh out Heathers character.

I love Adrian Pheonix and the world she creates in The Maker's Song series. I hadn't read much UF before reading Rush of Wings because I love the HEA. After reading it I fell in love with the genre. I really loved the dark tone of the series and the characters are so great. This series is so different than what is out their and that is what I love most about it.

I just enjoy dark intense emotionally charged books of any genre, so didn't really take into account the fact that this was UF. If I read something and enjoy it for me the genre becomes unimportant.