SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

G'Morning fellow lovers of the page,

I'm in search of Adult (vs. young adult), sci-fi, paranormal, fantasy, and/of urban fantasy that has one of more in combination of faeries, angels, and vampires.

Some romance is okay, but not mandatory, as long as it's a secondary function or feature of the main story line.

Thanks in advance!
-A

One of the best angels I have ever met in print is Xas in The Vintner's Luck and The Angel's Cut by Elizabeth Knox. These are definitely not YA.

You won't find too many Fae flirting around in adult SFF, but James Barclay's Dawnthief (Chronicles of the Raven, #1) contains Elves and the theme running through the 3 book series is the saving of the Elven realm.

Meredith Ann Pierce wrote a number of books in the 80's/90's containing an angel hero.

E E Knight's Vampire Earth series is AU and takes a (very) different slant on vampires.

A good Urban Fantasy series with a Vamp hero is Tanya Huff's Vicky Nelson books beginning with Blood Price.

And there's always Anne Rice to fall back on.

But anything by Charles de Lint is worthwhile reading. His Newford books are quintessential Urban Fanasty.

Oh, almost forgot, if you don't mind romance themed books, then Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series has the MOST fantastic Angels you would ever hope to meet!! Angels' Blood is the first one, and Raphael is....just WOW !!

I'm afraid I'm not very knowledgeable about books with supernatural beings. I only got ... two:

The Last Werewolf did in my opinion quite alright. Has werewolves and 'stinky' vampires.

Then there's Magic Bites which is the first book of a series. I have no idea how the other books are but this one is primary about the FMC doing her mercenary job. Has shapeshifters (werewolves among others), vampires and necromancers that control vampires.

I'm also looking for some recommendations of adult (non-romance-centric) vampire or angel fiction, so will be watching this discussion. :)

My recommendations:

Vampires-
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King - Spooky small town fiction about a vampire who moves in.

The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas - A little moody. Interesting and sympathetic take on the lonely vampire.

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist - Very dark and very disturbing, but not for what you might think. I found the humans much more despicable than the vampire in this story.

Angels- Admittedly, I have been less successful here in finding angel fiction I enjoyed. I've got a few on my to-read list, but for now I can only really recommend this one...

Archangel by Sharon Shinn - Actually categorized as science fiction. You might not want to read the synopsis if you want to be surprised.

These are great! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. Keep them coming, I read approximately 3 to 5 books a week. =D

Lindsey wrote: "I'm also looking for some recommendations of adult (non-romance-centric) vampire or angel fiction, so will be watching this discussion. :)

My recommendations:

Vampires-
'Salem's Lot ..."

You have just recommended three of the books I was going to! LOL. But yeah, Salem's Lot, Archangel, and Let the Right One In are all great reads.

I'm seconding these:

The Vampire Tapestry,

The Last Werewolf,

Magic Bites,

Blood Price,

and the work of Charles de Lint especially Memory and Dream (Newford Book 5), The Mystery of Grace, Muse and Reverie, Moonlight and Vines, Trader, to list a few titles.

I also recommend A Kiss Before the Apocalypse, Tithe, The Butter Spirit's Tithe, Welcome to Bordertown, Nevernever.

I'm going to recommend the Quantum Gravity series by Justina Robson, starting with Keeping It Real. It's got cyborgs, faeries and elves, demons and angels, and pretty much everything in between.

These are mostly urban fantasy suggestions:

I enjoyed Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire books (although there's definitely a falling off toward the end of the series). There's romance here, but there are also other central plotlines (usually a murder mystery).

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files has at least two of the three (vamps, fairies, angels) in the mix.

Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid books include a supernatural hodge-podge; vampires are in there.

Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson stories focus more on werewolves but Fae and vampires play strong roles as well.

Elizabeth Bear's Promethean Age Books deal with Faerie, as does Seanan McGuire's October Daye series. Bloodshot and Hellbent by Cherie Priest are narrated by a vampire thief.

For something a little different, you might try Christopher Moore's Bloodsucking Fiends and You Suck (not my favorite Moore, but still often funny).

With a Victorian-ish setting (and a fair amount of romance), Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate books include vampires.

Kate Griffin writes a nice urban fantasy series which has everything in it including some rather clever blue electric angels which live in the telephone wires. Very much like the Dresden Files only set in London. The first one is called A Madness of Angels

L. Jagi Lamplighter's "Prospero's Daughter" trilogy with both angels and fairies. Prospero Lost, Prospero in Hell, and Prospero Regained

I'm rather fond of Peter Grant. It isn't exactly the standard. The fae influence comes through river gods and goddesses and the primary vampire in the series is a mute housekeeper, which to my mind makes it better. Anything that hasn't been done to death... It's some pretty interesting, well thought out, cleverly plotted urban fantasy.

The series starts with The Rivers of London, or Midnight Riot as it was renamed for the US market. The club has read it, but I think it's been a while. The audio books are excellent if you're into such.

Would definitely second Moore's vampire trilogy. Really light compared to most vampire books but so entertaining with lots of humor.

Also, you can't go wrong with Anne Rice and Interview with the Vampire

Also, of course, Dresden.

Hillary wrote: "These are mostly urban fantasy suggestions:

I enjoyed Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire books (although there's definitely a falling off toward the end of the seri..."

Wow! Spot on, I love all of those.

The Fever Series is really good. First book is Darkfever.