WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: You know those really, really good fanfics you find sometimes? Those where there's an interesting plot, a hearty dose of UST, believable conflict and lovely sex scenes? I felt the same way reading these books as when I'm reading a very, very good fic. And that is a compliment! You get silly, fun and emotionally engaging entertainment with magic and mystery thrown in together with the romance and erotica. A great read if you want to smile and feel good!
The plot goes thus-ly: Lucien, newly made Lord Crane after the very unexpected deaths of both his father and older brother, must return to England from exile abroad to take care of their posthumous affairs. The trouble truly starts when Lucien is hit by waves and waves of strong suicidal impulses. Never having suffered such impulses before, Lucien draws the conclusion that he's been put under a curse. Being a sensible sort he sends for a magic users to help him out. Unfortunately, the practitioner who shows up - Stephen Day - has had terrible experiences with the Crane family. The two of them now need to figure out if they can work together and what, or who, is attacking Lucien. The matter is further complicated by the fact that they find each other v. attractive.
This book series currently consists of 5 quick-read books and a number of short stories. The first three books focus on the main characters of Lord Lucien Crane and Stephen Day. The following two books have other main characters but still feature Lord Crane and Mr Day as important side-characters, which is why I'm thinking of nominating the whole series as one fandom.
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: Are you interested in mystery? Space? Mysteries in space with the setting being giant world ships made of blood and flesh populated only by women? Then you're in luck, because this is the book for you!
The plot goes thus-ly: Zan has lost her memory. She knows only that she's supposed to conquer a ship (or world?) called Mokshi, that she is currently on the world Katazyrna, and that all the people around her know her. Jayd has all her memories but she keeps them close to her chest. She knows Zan better than she knows herself - or at least she knows the old Zan, before the amnesia. Jayd has told Zan that the two of them made a pact or a promise, and that they must work together. But how much trust can one put in Jayd? Or in anyone on these blood-soaked world-ships build of flesh and blood?
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book! It clearly also has touches of horror - horrific things do happen in it, but it's not a through-and-through horror story. I'd first and foremost classify it as a mystery novel; what I wanted to find out most as I read this was Zan's true identity and what the deal was with the Mokshi and Jayd. The horror dwells in the background of this mystery-plot with everyday brutal violence and a H. R. Giger-esque environment. But there is also hope and friendship! People in this book gain things by being decent, instead of losing things for being kind.
What's mostly driving my potential nomination of this book is that I really want to know more about these characters! I especially want to know what happens to them after the end of this book. The characters are so human and their world is so strange yet consistent that I can't help but want more of its weird but compelling dissonance. Just...more of this please!
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?: Hopefully at your local library! If you want to buy it, check out the author's website to find where you can get the hardcover, paperback, audiobook and ebook version.
A Charm of Magpies Series & The Stars Are Legion
FANDOM NAME: A Charm of Magpies Series by K. J. Charles
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: You know those really, really good fanfics you find sometimes? Those where there's an interesting plot, a hearty dose of UST, believable conflict and lovely sex scenes? I felt the same way reading these books as when I'm reading a very, very good fic. And that is a compliment! You get silly, fun and emotionally engaging entertainment with magic and mystery thrown in together with the romance and erotica. A great read if you want to smile and feel good!
The plot goes thus-ly: Lucien, newly made Lord Crane after the very unexpected deaths of both his father and older brother, must return to England from exile abroad to take care of their posthumous affairs. The trouble truly starts when Lucien is hit by waves and waves of strong suicidal impulses. Never having suffered such impulses before, Lucien draws the conclusion that he's been put under a curse. Being a sensible sort he sends for a magic users to help him out. Unfortunately, the practitioner who shows up - Stephen Day - has had terrible experiences with the Crane family. The two of them now need to figure out if they can work together and what, or who, is attacking Lucien. The matter is further complicated by the fact that they find each other v. attractive.
This book series currently consists of 5 quick-read books and a number of short stories. The first three books focus on the main characters of Lord Lucien Crane and Stephen Day. The following two books have other main characters but still feature Lord Crane and Mr Day as important side-characters, which is why I'm thinking of nominating the whole series as one fandom.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?: You can get them as both ebooks, paperbacks and audiobooks, with a few of the short stories being available on the author's website. If you don't want to give money to Amazon, check the author's website for alternatives or check in with your local library or bookstore~!
***
FANDOM NAME: The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: Are you interested in mystery? Space? Mysteries in space with the setting being giant world ships made of blood and flesh populated only by women? Then you're in luck, because this is the book for you!
The plot goes thus-ly: Zan has lost her memory. She knows only that she's supposed to conquer a ship (or world?) called Mokshi, that she is currently on the world Katazyrna, and that all the people around her know her. Jayd has all her memories but she keeps them close to her chest. She knows Zan better than she knows herself - or at least she knows the old Zan, before the amnesia. Jayd has told Zan that the two of them made a pact or a promise, and that they must work together. But how much trust can one put in Jayd? Or in anyone on these blood-soaked world-ships build of flesh and blood?
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book! It clearly also has touches of horror - horrific things do happen in it, but it's not a through-and-through horror story. I'd first and foremost classify it as a mystery novel; what I wanted to find out most as I read this was Zan's true identity and what the deal was with the Mokshi and Jayd. The horror dwells in the background of this mystery-plot with everyday brutal violence and a H. R. Giger-esque environment. But there is also hope and friendship! People in this book gain things by being decent, instead of losing things for being kind.
What's mostly driving my potential nomination of this book is that I really want to know more about these characters! I especially want to know what happens to them after the end of this book. The characters are so human and their world is so strange yet consistent that I can't help but want more of its weird but compelling dissonance. Just...more of this please!
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?: Hopefully at your local library! If you want to buy it, check out the author's website to find where you can get the hardcover, paperback, audiobook and ebook version.