Sunday, July 31, 2011

My Top 5 Urban Fantasy Picks for August

Hi, writer friends! As many of you know, I've started a monthly urban fantasy newsletter. One of the features is a listing of lots of cool new releases for the month. This month, there are a whopping 48 new urban fantasy releases on my list. And that was with weeding out the heavy paranormal romance and subgenres like steampunk ('cause otherwise my list would be even more enormous). So, I thought I'd list my top five picks here, and if you want to see the rest, click here to sign up for my newsletter. Such a tease, right?

Not in any particular order:

Soul Thief - 8/30/11

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…


Mayan December - 8/16/11

Dr. Alice Cameron is a famous scientist - an archeoastronomer - devoted to studying ancient Mayan culture. The era driving her career has always been the end of the Mayan baktun, so she's on the Yucatan Peninsula in December 2012 with her daughter Nixie...and so are fellow serious scholars, plenty of end-of-the-world crazies, and - at an international summit - the President of the United States and other heads of state. When Nixie disappears into the past in the Mayan jungle, rationality and mysticism, the present and the past start merging.

Meanwhile, Alice is drawn into the machinations of statecraft by an old friend. A savvy scientist, a handsome dreadlocked time-traveler, an ancient shaman, a noble Mayan couple, a computer nerd, and an 11-year old traverse the past and present in a search for the meaning of life and a way to save two worlds.


With Fate Conspire - 8/30/11

Seven years ago, Eliza's childhood sweetheart vanished from the streets of Whitechapel. No one believed her when she told them that he was stolen away by the faeries.

But she hasn't given up the search. It will lead her across London and into the hidden palace that gives refuge to faeries in the mortal world. That refuge is now crumbling, broken by the iron of the underground railway, and the resulting chaos spills over to the streets above.

Three centuries of the Onyx Court are about to come to an end. Without the palace's protection, the fae have little choice but to flee. Those who stay have one goal: to find safety in a city that does not welcome them. But what price will the mortals of London pay for that safety?

Always a Witch - 8/1/11 

Since the gripping conclusion of Once a Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past.

Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

Fury - 8/30/11

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.



So, what about you guys? Any books you're dying to read, urban fantasy or others?

14 comments:

  1. Great picks - I want to read all of them... hehe it seems my to read list is getting out of control long:) BTW, loving your newsletter.

    Tania

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  2. Considering I'm never one to figure out what Urban fantasy is I'm elated you made a list of fab choices!!! Several of the covers alone caught my attention! Looks like Amazon gets some money today!!

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  3. Excellent list. They all sound like a worthy read. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  4. I was amazed when I saw the incredible list in your latest newsletter; having this Top 5 list is an extra benefit. Aren't so many of the covers gorgeous?

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  5. thanks, those all look intriguing.

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  6. Your newsletter is awesome! It was my morning read. :)

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  7. Oh these look awesome! Off to sign up for your newsletter now ...

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  8. Great picks, with such beautiful covers, too! It's funny, whenever anyone asks me this question, my mind goes blank!

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  10. Great picks, Alexia! I love the titles and covers. They will all go into my TBR pile.

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  11. I love the sound of Fury. Another to add to my list. Thank you!

    Matched by Ally Condie and Blood Red Road by Moira Young are on my August read list.

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  12. Yay for Urban fantasy. I love the sound of all these books. :) I have a Saje Williams on my list. I loved his "Tales from the Magitech Lounge".

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  13. Those sound like fun fantasy reads. I have some classics I need to catch up on--modern classics, I should say, like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

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  14. These sound great! One day my stack of to-read will get smaller....

    Left an award for you on my blog, btw!

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