Happy Friday!! Stormy here, bringing you this week's edition of Friday Reads...Paranormal style!
I was thrilled when we decided to do Paranormal week on the blog because that's my home. It's what I read, it's what I write and it's what I LOVE. In today's post, I'm going to cover my favorite Paranormal series' and try to give you a few different species options. While I read a lot of Indie, these are all pretty mainstream options. If you don't want to pay full price, I suggest hitting up your library!
I'm also going to be continuing Kat's theme because like her, I love a great series. When I read, I want to dig in and spend as much time as possible getting to know the characters, their world and their stories. There's nothing I hate more than when a good series comes to a close. So, let's get to it!
I was thrilled when we decided to do Paranormal week on the blog because that's my home. It's what I read, it's what I write and it's what I LOVE. In today's post, I'm going to cover my favorite Paranormal series' and try to give you a few different species options. While I read a lot of Indie, these are all pretty mainstream options. If you don't want to pay full price, I suggest hitting up your library!
I'm also going to be continuing Kat's theme because like her, I love a great series. When I read, I want to dig in and spend as much time as possible getting to know the characters, their world and their stories. There's nothing I hate more than when a good series comes to a close. So, let's get to it!
Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series is hands-down one of my all-time favorites. I bet I've reread all five books every year since I found them. First, it's set in Ireland. You just can't go wrong when a story based on the Fae is based in Ireland. Second, the two main characters are so well-developed that you find yourself laughing, crying and swearing at them as they banter back and forth at each other. The story centers on Mac (MacKayla) who transplants herself from Georgia to Dublin to find out the real story around her sister's death. She gets more than she bargained for when she meets Jericho Barrens (the ULTIMATE book boyfriend) and she is lured into the seductive, magical, terrifying world of the Fae. And bonus, it's on sale for $5.99 right now! Warning...there are some scrumptious and scandalous scenes.
Everybody loves Sookie! What everybody doesn't love (if they've read the books) is True Blood. Blech. Charlaine Harris built a world around present day people dealing with immortals ranging from vampires, to shifters, to faeries to witches. She gave Sookie a wonderful Southern charm that makes her the perfect person to be able to handle the likes of Bill and Eric (btw...Eric...yum) and maintain secrets of her own. I say I dislike True Blood, but it's only because you can't take 300 pages and spread it over ten TV episodes and expect any of the original content to live on. And I really, truly enjoyed every one of the Sookie books. They are actually a series I own and enjoy rereading. Harris's style was consistent, the characters felt real and I never felt like the story had gone too far to be believable (yes, it's paranormal, but even that only goes so far). If you've never given the books a chance, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed, unless you really like True Blood.
The Iron Fey series is a masterpiece. Julie Kagawa is just a genius as she combines a variety of Fae species I would have never imagined, one of which was birthed as a consequence of the new world we live in. Megan Chase, our heroine, is befriended by a character you will be shocked to realize you know all too well. She learns of her half-fairy heritage and is quickly stuck in the middle of a war she doesn't understand that puts her at odds with the guy she's fallen for. This series does a fabulous job of rotating the books between your favorite characters' perspectives, giving you a glimpse into life from every side. As a bonus, the cover art is gorgeous and you'll love how it looks on your e-reader screen.
I love a series that takes something I think I know, like werewolves, and changes it up on me. Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy did just that. Grace has watched out her window for years, just waiting for winter to come, and along with it the wolf that's never far from her. At the same time, Sam is torn between two lives and the shift that he can't control as the seasons change. When Grace meets Sam in person, his eyes give him away. The problem is, the change is coming and they can't stop it. This story alternates between their two POVs but does it beautifully. The transitions are seamless and you can't wait to find out what the other one is thinking. Dive in, right now it's only $2.99!
Oh, Melissa Marr, how happy you make me. The Wickedly Lovely series is another Fae-based series, but it takes yet another spin on the topic, focusing on the clash between summer and winter Fae. Aislinn has always been able to see the faeries around her. She sees their disgusting forms, their evil little tricks and how horrible they can be. But, she's always been able to hide that fact. Until the Summer King decides that she should be his next conquest in his search for the true Summer Queen. Aislinn is torn between the pull toward the King that she can't explain, and the love she knows she feels for her human best friend, Seth. Ahem...if you're looking for book boyfriends, it's a fierce battle between Seth and Keenan. The rest of the books in the series bring in characters you've met along the way, continuing a great story line and keeping you engaged while also in the loop on your favorites.
I will be honest, I read this book because of the cover. I saw it in Barnes and Noble and knew I had to have it. What I didn't know was that Lauren Kate would suck me in and bleed me dry as she told me the eternal love story of Luce and Daniel. I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read it, or heard about the upcoming move (Squeee!), but suffice it to say that Luce and Daniel have been around since the beginning and their love has endured more than you could ever imagine. For a story that starts in a high school, where this one ends is really great. I will say that reviews are mixed and people either really love this one, or don't engage with it at all. But it gets my thumbs up.
What are your favorites? Knowing my tastes, are there any you just know I'd love? I'm always open to suggestions so hit me up in the comments!
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