Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

Something someone mentioned on another topic made me wonder what you all thought the best world-building books are. Some series/books are really about our world but slightly skewed, and others are totally different. Like On the Edge, by Ilona Andrews and the Magic series' world. I'm curious as to which "worlds" you like best and why.

I think Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series has great worldbuilding.

Even though the GhostWalkers by Christine Feehan are in the normal world, I love all the aspects of the characters with their enhancements.

I had a disagreement with a good friend about the Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward. She believes it has flimsy worldbuilding, but that was one of the things about it that kept me reading it after Dark Lover. I didn't buy the romance, but I definitely bought into the vampire world that Ward created.

Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series

Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series

Larissa Ione's Demonica series

I would have to say the best "worlds" that I have read would have to include the Patricia Briggs' world from the Alpha and Omega series and the Mercy Thompson series (the government sanctioned areas for the fae, the vampire homes, the wilderness community where Bran and Charles live); the Hollows series by Kim Harrison (paranormal folks outted when biological disease from tomatoes kill most normal individuals - and those that are left are terrified of tomatoes...a good mix of boundaries between the different areas of life - the demon world, the Hollows, the regular world); and Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series (I don't know, I just really like the juxtapositions of the country hillbillies and the sophisticated vampires and how their lives mix and mingle).

You are so right about The Hollows, Stacie. I neglected to list that one.

I want to add Marjorie M. Liu's Dirk & Steele series. It does take place in our world, but a world with different creatures and humans with different powers and special abilities. These books take place all over the world, and the author is just great at immersing you into that area and culture, while giving you a great romance and story.

Good one, Nita.

This should be a listopia list.

I know Ilona Andrews was already mentioned for their Edge series, but I want to throw in a vote for the Kate Daniels series. Atlanta but not as we know it - with periods when the magic is up, rendering everything mechanical useless, and vice versa. Additionally the huge pack of various shifters that Curran leads and The Order and how Kate balances it all with her mercenary work and her heritage. And how creepy are their vampires? =)

I definitly agree with the Mercy Thompson series, Demonica series and the Hallows.

I would like to also add Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunter series

JaimeRush wrote: "Something someone mentioned on another topic made me wonder what you all thought the best world-building books are. Some series/books are really about our world but slightly skewed, and others are ..."

Ok, so I know that this has nothing to do with this post, but......

Jaime,
I just bought your book "Out of the darkness". I had read some of your posts on this site, and found alot of your comments interesting.

That being said: I picked up your book at Borders, without even making the connection, that you are "Jamie Rush" until I got home.

Is that cool or what?!

I can't wait to start reading.


BYW: I really love the cover, very handsome guy and I like the tattoo on his neck.
Out of the Darkness

OK, now not I have already made a mess of this post's topic, I just realized, the book that I bought (Out of the Darkness by Jamie Rush) is the second book of the series. UGHHHHHHHHH

No worries, I was planing on going to the bookstore today anyways, I want to get First Drop of Crimson Now, I will get A Perfect Darkness too!

I would like to add Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series. It was the world building that sucked me in so thoroughly to that series. It takes place in a future world where there are three 'races' the Psy, the Changelings, and the regular old humans.

Thanks for all the good info! I'm toying with an urban fantasy idea which would be in a totally different world. It's always good to see what works and what doesn't, and especially what readers love. I have a good deal of it in mind, fanciful but dangerous. Not future-torn. My current series is set in the normal world (such as it is!) so this is a whole different kettle for me :)

Leslie, that is funny! I don't go around promoting myself here because it's fun to interact as a reader and glean information as well, like with this post. Readers have such invaluable input, and I love reading your opinions. Yes, isn't that dude on the cover cool? He actually reminds me of one of the other characters in the book: Eric. Hope you enjoy the books!

I'd like to add Jean Johnson's Sons of Destiny series. She did an excellent job creating a world complete with it's own geography, politics, mythology/religions, and cultures.

C.L Wilson's tairen soul books get my vote for best world building. She created the whole package from people, places, and animals, magic well just everything.

Oh you know what other book I like for the world building is Meridith Gentry. I mean the sex can be a bit gratuitous but I love the stories about the fae between the two courts.

Off the top of my head and in no particular order, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Chloe Neill, and Larissa Ione world-build pretty in depth, especially Andrews. You can tell she really enjoys that aspect of writing.

Like new_user, I'd have to say Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series for sure.

I agree about the world-building in Ward's BDB, Cole's IAD series, and Wilson's Tairen Soul series. I also think Robin D. Owens did a good job in her Heart Mate series.

Harper wrote: "I agree about the world-building in Ward's BDB, Cole's IAD series, and Wilson's Tairen Soul series. I also think Robin D. Owens did a good job in her Heart Mate series."

I'm so glad to see that about the Soul series and the Heart Mate series. I haven't read any of them yet, and its nice to have another series to look forward too!

Michelle wrote: "I'm so glad to see that about the Soul series and the Heart Mate series. I haven't read any of them yet, and its nice to have another series to look forward too!"

I haven't read all of the Heart Mate books yet, but I've read all of the Tairen Soul series so far and I really love it. I definitely recommend checking it out.

some of my favs for world building are:

1. BDB (Ward)
2. Chicagoland Vampires (Neill)
3. Fever series (Moning)
4. Dark Swan series (Mead)
5. Mortal Instruments (Clare)
6. Demonica (Ione)
7. Hell on Earth series (Kessler)

1)Kate Daniels Land (Ilona Andrews)
2)Cat and bones and the Night Huntress World (J.Frost)
3)The Fever World (Karen Moning)
4)Demonica (Larissa Ione) Who wouldn't love a Demon General Hospital LOL
5)C.L wilson Tairen Soul Series
6) Patrick Rothfuss ~ KingKiller Chronicles
7) Joss Ware Series

I would have to say, the Fever series by Karen Moning and BDB by JR Ward (not my favorite in terms of writing but I like the world). While I enjoy other series, those have impressed me with the uniqueness.

LOL@ Demon General Hospital. Too true, Erika.

i love the realities Jacquelyn Frank creates. Her nightwalker series is one of my top 3 favorite series. that series as well as her Shadowdweller series are really great creations.

new_user wrote: "LOL@ Demon General Hospital. Too true, Erika."

oh, yeah - how could i have left Demonica out of my fav world building series list??? LOVE this series, and yes, the underworld general hospital (UGH - how funny is that?!?) is such a great creation....that hospital sees a LOT of action, and not just medical-related!! *wink wink*

LOL! Action. *nudgenudge*

lol!! yeah, and i think Wraith has cornered the market in using the storage room!!!! :)

LOL! Ah, Wraith. Delightfully slawty. LOL.

I love the Meredith Gentry world (LKH) and the Anita Blake world. They are both interesting yet disturbing. Hamilton is a wonderfully descriptive writer. I also really enjoy the Fever world (KMM). She just grabs you and pulls you in, her writing style is almost addictive. I also really liked the Night World (LJS). It was my first "fantasy world" and it opened my eyes to PNR.

OOH. The Demonica sure is one of my fav. But i gotta ask, Wraith WHO?! Lore is the my new obsession!

One of the best world builders out there is Richelle Mead.
I think she did excellent job in all her 3 series, especialy in 'dark swan'.

Another good one is Karen Chance.
Love Dorina and Cassie's world.
If you have'nt read them yet, well, then, GO READ!

Harper wrote: "I agree about the world-building in Ward's BDB, Cole's IAD series, and Wilson's Tairen Soul series. I also think Robin D. Owens did a good job in her Heart Mate series."

I definitely loved the Heart Mate series! Another series that is not romance but has very intricate world building is The Foreigner series by CJ Cherryh. I really enjoyed the intricacy of the alien politics interacting with the human politics.

Shay wrote: "OOH. The Demonica sure is one of my fav. But i gotta ask, Wraith WHO?! Lore is the my new obsession!

One of the best world builders out there is Richelle Mead.
I think she did exce..."

hi, Shay - i completely agree w/ you about Mead...i love all of her series (w/ Georgina being my personal fav), but i think she has really created an amazing world in the Dark Swan series....she's working on Iron Crowned right now, which will be released in the beginning of 2011, and i can't wait!! :)

Leigh wrote: Iron Crowned right now, which will be released in the beginning of 2011, and i can't wait!! "

Yeah! I love her.
VA is my fav of her 3, and i cant wait any longer to see whats next for Roza & D (or Adrian?)
But, with 'Succubus Shadows' coming out in acouple of days, i think i can actualy make it till may 18th w/o losing my mind. But then, the wait till 'Iron Crowned' will be sooo long... 2011... Damn, I need my MEAD fix! NOW!
:)

lol!!! i know exactly what you mean! i read VA first, fell in love with it and her writing, and then found and DEVOURED the Georgina series. after loving both of those, i then read Dark Swan. man, that woman can write!!!

i don't like having to wait 'til 2011 for IC, but like you said, at least we have Georgina this week coming up, and then Rose in May. i'm very anxious as well, to see the direction she takes w/ these series. i really like her peripheral characters and other potential love interests for the protagonists, but i am a die-hard fan of both Team Seth and Team Dimitri (and Dorian for Dark Swan).

i'm doing a re-read of Georgina right now to prepare for SS, and i'm in the beginning of SD....don't know how i'll react to it a 2nd time around, but i have a feeling i'll be a hot mess just like the first time.

oh, btw, re: IC, apparently there will be a sample of it at the end of SS!! woot woot!!! :P

Shay wrote: "OOH. The Demonica sure is one of my fav. But i gotta ask, Wraith WHO?! Lore is the my new obsession..."

LOL! E's my fave. :D I love the Dark Swan series too.

Jennie wrote: "I would like to add Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series. It was the world building that sucked me in so thoroughly to that series. It takes place in a future world where there are three 'races' ..."

I'll definitely agree with you on this one. It leaves you wondering where this place is so you can go meet these people lol

I'm also REALLY looking forward to more of Jacquelyn Frank's Gatherers series. Hunting Julian introduces you to the amazing world and I want to hear more about it!

G.A. Aiken's Dragon Kin series is another one that I get completely wrapped up in! :D

I really, really disliked Huntin Julian, and I love Jackie Frank. But I really hated that world :ducks Tomato's: lol

Courtney wrote: "Jennie wrote: "G.A. Aiken's Dragon Kin series is another one that I get completely wrapped up in! :D"

I love the Dragon Kin too! I think the most interesting couple is Isa & Ibhar the blue (is that how you write it?!). wonder if she'll right a full book about them...

Right? I love how she's always messing with him (riding him, pulling his hair). I REALLY hope they get their own book. <3