Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday Ten: Book Series

Those who know me know that I read A LOT. These are the book series that I have enjoyed the most (thus far)

10. The Sorority - Tamara Thorne
Number of books in series: 3
Reading Order: Eve, Merilynn, Samantha
Genre: Horror

One of my favorite horror authors, Tamara Thorne creates a story of murder and mystery involving the Green Man. It was different from many things I had read before, and I recommend her works to anyone who likes scary stories. :)



9. Children of the Sea - Virgina Kantra
Number of novels in series: 4 in print, more in the works. 2 novellas.
Reading order: novella in Shifter anthology, Sea Witch, Sea Fever, Sea Lord, novella in Burning Up anthology, Immortal Sea
Genre: Paranormal Romance

I must admit I picked this one up for the GORGEOUS cover art. But reading these books is almost like reading a modern fairy tale. The Children of the Sea are Selkies and Finfolk (shapeshifter that change into sea creatures). Different from the typical vampire or werewolf, and the stories draw you in; as do the characters.


8. Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries - Charlaine Harris
Number of books in series: 10 with more in progress, and a book of short stories.
Reading Order: Book of short stories take place at various points in the series. Novel order is: Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead, All Together Dead, From Dead to Worse, Dead and Gone, Dead in the Family
Genre: mixed

You may recognize this as the books the True Blood series on HBO is based on. I recognize it as the books I read to drool over Eric Northman. Blond Viking Vampire. Need I say more?

7. Lords of the Underworld - Gena Showalter
Number of Books in series: 6 with more to come, one novella, two short stories.
Reading Order: 2 short stories in Into the Dark anthology, one is a prequel the other can be read at any time. The Darkest Night, The Darkest Kiss, The Darkest Pleasure, The Darkest Whisper, Heart of Darkness anthology, The Darkest Passion, The Darkest Lie
Genre: Paranormal Romance

I love a series with a foothold in mythology. This one is rooted in Greek myth, and the heroes (and a few heroines) are immortal warriors possessed with a demon lord once trapped in Pandora's box.

6.  Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling
Number of Books: 7
Reading Order: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Genre: Children's/Young Adult

Such a fun series at time, seriously dark at others. What a ride it was reading Harry's story as the battle between Voldemort and himself drew closer and closer.


5. The Black Dagger Brotherhood - J. R. Ward
Number of Books: 8, more in progress. Insider's Guide.
Reading Order: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged, Lover Mine
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Such an interesting take on vampires. Complete with a writing style of her own kind, Ward makes her series stand out from others in a number of ways. And she isn't afraid to cross boundaries to do it.



4. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
Number of Books: 7, one more in progress, graphic novel, and companion.
Reading Order: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone. Graphic novel, The Exile, can be read as a companion to Outlander, starting a little bit before, and ending a fraction of the way through the timeline of the original novel.
Genre: mixed

It is hard to classify this series. It has historical aspects, contemporary segments, time travel, paranormal, mystery, romance, and more. But what makes this series so huge (other than the page lengths of the novels themselves) is the love between Claire and Jamie Fraser. Oh, James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, I love you! It is almost difficult to read another book after finishing these because you become so used to Gabaldon's attention to detail that others sometimes seem lacking.

3. The Dark-Hunter Series - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Books in Series: 19 with more coming soon, 5 novellas, Companion book, short stories, spinoff series, manga series.
Reading Order: can be found at http://www.dark-hunter.com/
Genre: Paranormal Romance, spinoff is YA

Acheron is one of those novels that stand apart from the rest of the romance genre. If those who criticize romance were to read this particular book, they might change their tone. However, do not rush out to read this book without reading the books that precede it. Half the fun of Acheron (er...part one isn't too fun) is piecing together the puzzle pieces collected from previous books. The characters in the series are incredibly fun. One of those series that I rush out to buy the new ones on release day, devour it that day, then pout because I have to wait for the next one.

2. The Forbidden Game - L. J. Smith
Books in Series: 3
Reading Order: The Hunter, The Chase, The Kill
Genre: Young Adult

This is the series that really made me love reading. The series that got me hooked on Norse mythology, and created my first obsession with a book character. Oh, Julian. I still love you!

Definitely the best of all Smith's trilogies and series. The Vampire Diaries gets all the attention, but The Forbidden Game earns your attention.

1. The Fever Series - Karen Marie Moning
Books in Series: 5
Reading Order: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, Shadowfever (1/18/2011)
Genre: Urban Fantasy

When a fantastic romance author switches genres, it creates chaos among the readers. Will it be any good? Can she do that? Will we see the characters from her other series ever again? Yes, yes, and yes. She nailed it. MacKayla Lane has to be one of the best heroines of this day and age, even if she was slightly too stupid to live when the first book starts off. She earns our respect, and she earns our tears. When her story comes to an end in January, it will be bittersweet. We've been dying for the conculsion to this story, but when it is over it is over...at least there will be more books set in the Fever world, and a graphic novel. And you know there has to be reasons any series can knock Julian from the top of my list....V'lane. The single most sexiest blond in all of the written universe. I *heart* him.

4 comments:

Ricki Treleaven said...

I *heart* Julian, too, Victoria! :( *poor guy* What an awesome list!!! You have me intrigued by the Sorority series. I might need to pick that one up! Thanks for sharing these wonderful book series with us!

Victoria said...

You're welcome. I looooooove Tamara Thorne. She does an excellent job with horror, with a hint of eroticism in there. Some of which is so disturbing but you can't stop reading. You might have to order the books online though because she hasn't had a new book in print for some time now :(

Anonymous said...

Um, I seem to notice that you left out a LARGE factor in the awesometasticness of the Fever series! Not even a mention :( Why? LOLOLOL

Jenn

Esrun said...

What can one say? This is not for muggles who are weak at heart! A fantastic rollercoaster ride of suspense, treachery and of course magic! J.K Rowling is on her way to being one of the best fantasy writers of the 21st century.Forget that nonsense that Harry Potter books are "Just for Kids". I am 32 years old, and although a kid at heart, I find I can not put these books down. Yes, it's long - but I still flew through it, it's hold on the reader is that strong! All I can say is, Ms. Rowling - keep 'em coming! You say you can't write a book in 6 months - well, I hope you won't keep us waiting too long for book 5! I must find out what is happening! Danger and intrigue lie ahead for young Potter, so I say - "Accio Book 5! "

Followers