#Genre: Urban Fantasy

[haveyoureadthispoll]

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

[paperbackd]

Book review: When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

A gorgeously atmospheric urban fantasy steeped in Polish mythology, which follows three unlikely allies as they spend a tumultuous 24 hours racing to find the legendary witch Baba Jaga.

When Among Crows is a surprisingly short novella, clocking in at just 176 pages. Usually, I'd consider that too little time to introduce and establish the rules of a complex fantasy setting, delve into the backstories and motivations of three main characters and allow readers to form an emotional connection with them. I stand corrected; When Among Crows might be the most successful fantasy novella I've ever read. Roth delivered on all fronts - beautiful writing, original fantasy worldbuilding, a wonderfully complex protagonist and intriguing side-characters with equally interesting backstories. I'm tempted to say that my only critique is that I want more, but I also think it was the perfect length for the story that Roth wanted to tell. Not every story needs to be 300+ pages, and this book proves it.

I haven't read anything from Roth since the Divergent trilogy, probably because I was a little jaded by the conclusion of that series. This novella has completely changed my mind about Roth as an author - I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from her now.

Many thanks to Tor Books for providing a copy of When Among Crows. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. When Among Crows will be released on May 14th 2024.

Publisher: Tor Books Rating:  5 stars | ★★★★★ Review cross-posted to Goodreads

[queerromancerecs]

The Reanimator’s Heart

Title Reanimator’s Heart, Reanimator Mysteries #1

Author Kara Jorgensen

Summary:

Felipe Galvan’s life as an investigator for the Paranormal Society has been spent running into danger. Returning home from his latest case, Felipe struggles with the sudden quiet of his life until a mysterious death puts him in the path of the enigmatic Oliver Barlow. Oliver has two secrets. One, he has been in love with the charming Felipe Galvan for years. Two, he is a necromancer, but to keep the sensible life he’s built as a medical examiner, he must hide his powers. That is until Oliver finds Felipe murdered and accidentally brings him back from the dead. But Felipe refuses to die again until he and Oliver catch his killer. Together, Felipe and Oliver embark on an investigation to uncover a plot centuries in the making. As they close in on his killer, one thing is certain: if they don’t stop them, Felipe won’t be the last to die.

Genre:

Historical Urban Fantasy

Ship type:

m/m

Why you like it:      

An interesting premise and interesting magic system. I didn’t like the ending for this one—it was rushed, imo—but the worldbuilding made up for it, and there’s a sequel out now that will hopefully wrap up everything up nicely.

Content tags

Violence and death, obvs.

(image description: black and gray background with red details to highlight the two male silhouettes in period costume standing on opposite sides of an image of a human heart. there are symbols of death near the bottom: a skull and an hourglass)

[thatstudyblrontea]

Bod walked down to the main gate of the graveyard, and looked out through the bars. A bus rattled past, in the street; there were cars there and noise and shops. Behind him, a cool green shade, overgrown with trees and ivy: home. His heart pounding, Bod walked out into the world.

Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

[wehavebooksathome]

Under the Whispering Door

★★★★★

Title: Under the Whispering Door Original title: Under the Whispering Door Author: T.J. Klune ISBN: 978-1250217349 Publishing year: 2021

Sometimes you have a lot to say about a book.

Sometimes you just have an overwhelming feeling of yes, yes, I really loved this. And are having so many emotions that you just know you'll have to reed this again.

[bookmovieaddictee]

The Midnight Mayor (Matthew Swift #2) by Kate Griffin

It's said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, then the Tower will crumble and the kingdom will fall. Resurrected sorcerer Matthew Swift is about to discover that this isn't so far from the truth. . .

One by one, the protective magical wards that guard the city are falling: the London Wall defiled with cryptic graffiti, the ravens found dead at the Tower, the London Stone destroyed. This is not good news. This array of supernatural defenses -- a mix of international tourist attractions and forgotten urban legends -- formed a formidable magical shield, one that could protect London from the greatest threat it has ever known. But what could be so dangerous as to threaten an entire city?

Against his better judgment, Matthew Swift is about to find out. And if he's lucky, he might just live long enough to do something about it . . .

📖📖📖📖📖

The question of the day is, does it count as a plot twist when the plot twist is what's been said all along? Is that vague enough to count as a spoiler?

Firstly, let me preface this: if you are a reader who did not enjoy the first book's overwritten purple prose, you will not enjoy this story. Kate Griffin's in her groove now.

Ain't shit finna stop her now, not even a llama potion. She's just doing her own thing, defying all the rules of good writing. Hemingway rolls in his grave, I'm sure, because somehow she managed to improve on this haphazard style; the writing and descriptions are a lot less repetitive than they were in a Madness of Angels.

Writing style aside, this book can be summed up in a few words: it ain't safe. Literally no one is safe.

Nothing works twice, and everything that might have saved them before is no-selled by the antagonist, the Death of Cities.

And Matthew is just awful. I'm not sure how a protagonist can be equal parts craven, homicidal, merciful, selfish, and brave (see what I did there? ehehehe...). He literally throws every single person he knows under the bus, threatens every ally he has into cooperation with death (and wastes life senselessly), and leaves a trail of bodies and destruction wherever he goes. Not to mention everyone thinks he killed everyone Bakker's Shadow killed. I'm not surprised every faction out there yearns for his destruction. How is a person who's favorite way of asking nicely is "I'll fucking kill you!" such a fucking punk? Goddamn, I've never read a protagonist who was simultaneously so good at eliminating his allies while failing to kill his enemies.

Moreover, I'm not sure how he can irritate me this much and I still be so damned hooked I'm sitting there with my face glued to the pages, my mind on the story even when I'm supposed to be making my living.

Everyone in this story is morally detestable. There are no heroes here, and yet, despite the maniacal narration and POV, there's some sympathy for every perspective. I do enjoy all the side characters more than Blue Electric Angels and Co. Sometimes I wonder what women the author knows irl that every single female character in this story is such a miserable bitch though. Maybe it's her living out her 'fuck politesse' fantasy. Maybe it's the lack of sun in Europe that leaches the last bit of kindness from their hearts. /s

If you follow my blog at all then you know I fucking love Oda. She's literally my favorite character. There's something about her homicidal zealotry with a cause that gets me gay for her every time. Bang. Bang. Bang.

My favorite psycho bitch-- and Matthew's too, considering how many times she bails his ass out with a gun where magic won't do. (At least he pays her back with something other than a gruesome demise.) Not to mention, consequences~ gets me going every damn time. That and the subtle character development that's alluded to that just sets the speculative pistons pumping into overtime.

If we're following the trend of the series, if she dies next book, I don't know if I'll finish the series. Such a copout to kill every single character I start to love. Two will be two damn many. I ought to make sure I check this out in a physical copy, so I can chuck it out the window when I am inevitably infuriated, and not destroy my expensive e-reader.

But then...large print.

***

What with the club scenes, sneakerhead wayward youth, and guns and suits, I had this song on my headphones on repeat while reading this 😁

[cinema-hallucinations]

Prompt: Create a thriller movie concept about a government agency charged with the licensing and authorization of new magic spells.

Title: The Arcane Ordinance

Tagline: He who controls shall also rule

Logline: Veteran Arcane Inspector Evelyn Crowe stumbles upon a sinister plot within the Department of Thaumaturgy (DoT) as a cabal led by Director Vance seeks to weaponize a spell that punishes magical deviations, threatening to control and ultimately suppress all magic. Forced to team up with a rebellious young mage, Evelyn must expose the conspiracy before magic itself is shackled.

Characters:

Evelyn Crowe (50s): A seasoned but disillusioned Arcane Inspector with a deep understanding of the consequences of unchecked magical power. Despite her skepticism towards modern approaches, she respects the freedom of responsible spellcasting.

Aiden Thorne (20s): A brilliant and rebellious young mage, constantly pushing the boundaries of magic. His unorthodox methods attract suspicion from the DoT, but his creativity proves invaluable in the fight against Vance's control.

Director Alistair Vance (60s): The outwardly stoic but power-hungry head of the DoT. He leads a secret faction obsessed with control, weaponizing order and efficiency through a dangerous new spell.

The Archivist (Voice Only): A mysterious and unseen figure residing within the DoT's vast magical archives. They offer cryptic clues and forgotten lore to Evelyn and Aiden through whispers and ancient texts.

Plot Summary:

Evelyn Crowe investigates a series of seemingly random incidents – a promising young mage inexplicably losing their power, a magical artifact malfunctioning with disastrous consequences, and a surge of fear gripping the magical community. These events appear unrelated, but Evelyn's sharp intuition senses a hidden pattern.

Suspicion falls on Aiden Thorne, a known rulebreaker who experiments with unapproved magic. However, as the incidents escalate, Evelyn uncovers a disturbing truth – Director Vance and a shadowy faction within the DoT are responsible. They have been developing a powerful new spell, the "Arcanum Oculus," capable of detecting and punishing any deviation from DoT-approved formulas. This spell, disguised as a safety measure, is Vance's insidious way of controlling all magic.

Wrongly accused, Aiden is forced to go on the run. Evelyn, realizing her initial judgment was misplaced, seeks his assistance. Together, they delve into the DoT's forbidden archives, guided by the cryptic whispers of the Archivist. They discover ancient texts detailing the dangers of suppressing magic's natural diversity, and how such control can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Evelyn and Aiden must expose Vance's plot before the Arcanum Oculus is fully operational. They face a race against time, deciphering forgotten lore, utilizing their contrasting magical styles to create diversions, and ultimately confronting Vance in a tense showdown. Evelyn's experience and strategic thinking clash against Vance's rigid control and his weaponized magic. Aiden's creativity and understanding of unconventional magic become crucial in disarming the Arcanum Oculus

Themes:

The dangers of absolute control and the importance of diversity in magic and thought.

The consequences of stifling innovation and punishing unconventional approaches.

The power of collaboration between experience and youthful rebellion in a fight for freedom.

Visual Style:

The film utilizes a dark, bureaucratic aesthetic for the DoT headquarters, emphasizing the stifling regulations and Vance's controlling nature. Scenes within the archives are steeped in mystery, with dusty shelves and flickering lights hinting at the forgotten power hidden within. The magic itself varies, with the DoT-approved spells appearing sterile and controlled, while Aiden's unorthodox magic is a vibrant display of raw energy and improvisation. The climax delivers a visually stunning clash as Evelyn and Aiden confront the Arcanum Oculus, a swirling vortex of magical energy threatening to consume all magic within its reach.

The Arcane Ordinance is a suspenseful story that explores the potential dangers of unchecked authority in a world where magic thrives. It highlights the importance of embracing diverse approaches to magic and the freedom to explore its potential without fear of suppression. Ultimately, it's a thrilling story about defying control, harnessing the power of unconventional thinking, and safeguarding the very essence of magic.

[thepromptfoundry]

The Prompt Foundry will be kicking off the new year with Genreuary: A Genre Exploration Extravaganza!

We all have our favorite genres and it's always fun to explore new ones! That's what Genreuary is all about—make something to celebrate your favorite examples of some classic genres, try your hand at creating original work of your own in genres you've never played in before, or run with the excuse to stick your blorbos in some genre-swap AUs!

If you use this list, please tag me here @thepromptfoundry, I’d love to see your writing and art!

Feel free to combine different days' prompts with each other, or combine them with other events! Use your favorite characters from media, make some OCs, give us some academic analysis, make art that's all vibes, whatever tickles your fancy.

Respond to as many prompts as you want or as interest you, don’t worry about missing or skipping any. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

If you have any questions or musings, check our FAQ, and if you don't find your answer, shoot me an ask.

Plain text list below the cut:

1 Suburban Sitcom 2 Urban Fantasy 3 Steampunk 4 Regency Romance 5 Magical Girl 6 Political Drama 7 Slasher Horror 8 Detective Noir 9 Gothic Romance 10 Time Travel Adventure 11 Post-Apocalyptic Survival 12 Dysfunctional Family Drama 13 Sword and Sorcery High Fantasy 14 Isekai 15 Contemporary Slice of Life 16 Historical War Drama 17 Cyberpunk 18 Spy Thriller 19 Investigation Procedural 20 Courtroom Drama 21 Paranormal Romance 22 Courtly Drama 23 Gothic Horror 24 Western 25 Courtly Intrigue 26 Workplace Comedy 27 Starship Adventure 28 Boarding School Drama 29 Alien Invasion Sci Fi 30 Disaster Thriller 31 Communal Living Sitcom

[racefortheironthrone]

Is Discworld (at least the City Watch and Moist von Lipwig) urban fantasy? Also, is there any historical precedent for the Thieves’ Guild or was that particular plot point a satiric exaggeration on Pratchett’s part?

Yes, Ankh-Morpork is pretty much the textbook definition of urban fantasy.

I don’t remember if I’ve ever done stuff on weird fantasy guilds, but I probably should some day… (hint to anyone who wants to ask me about them.)

As far as I know, formal Thieves’ Guilds originate in Fritz Leiber’s Lankhmar stories, one of the early pioneers of sword-and-sorcery and became fully entrenched in the fantasy genre thanks to their incorporation into Dungeons & Dragons and the like. What Terry Pratchett did was to (lovingly) satirize Leiber’s trope through the lens of the British tradition of trade union-based humor that you can see in the works of George Macdonald Fraser and a generation of postwar writers who had grown up in an environment of hegemonic trade unions and who couldn’t see the Thatcherite writing on the wall.

[writtenroses1813]

Just putting this out here cause I had to explain it to my mom, but here are the types of fiction (sorry if I leave out any)

Urban fantasy aka “I live in a modern society but turns out the creatures of old live in the forest” Ex: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Paranormal (Romance) aka “My sexy neighbor is secretly a werewolf/vampire and I’m a human teenage girl” Ex: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Epic Fantasy aka “This is a crazy quest isn’t it my dear found family” Ex: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

High Fantasy aka “This is a crazy quest of prophecy isn’t it my dear found family oh look a dragon” Ex: The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien

Dystopian aka “This future world is apocalyptic and quite obviously favors the rich” Ex: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Utopian aka “This future world seems peaceful on the outside but that just covers all the absolutely insane problems only this 16-year-old can fix” Ex: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

[rakktoons]

All I need is chocolate and season two of dead boy detectives

[haveyoureadthispoll]

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. A flying demon feeding on human energies. A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down. And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

[kaiser-loki]

Something I'm wondering about - for us fantasy writers, how many write in a different subgenre that's not their favorite? It's a silly musing since genres and subgenres are, in the words of Captain Hector Barbossa, less like rules and more like guidelines, but I'm still interested.

Only including those genres because a.) those are my favorite types of fantasy, b.) we got limited space here, c.) I don't want to search for every subgenre of fantasy there is.

I wouldn't really say I have a favorite, but if I had to chose I'd probably go with Urban Fantasy. While I write a lot of that, I haven't released any of it. So the closest poll option for me would be Option 4 lol

[queerromancerecs]

Iron & Velvet

Title Iron & Velvet (Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator #1)

Author Alexis Hall

Summary:

Name’s Kane, Kate Kane. I’m a paranormal private investigator, which is like a normal private investigator except—and stop me if you’re having trouble following this—more paranormal. This business comes with a few basic rules: don’t start drinking before noon, don’t get your partner killed, don’t sleep with the woman who killed him. Last year I broke all of them. The only rule I didn’t break was the one that said don’t work for vampires. But then a dead werewolf showed up outside the Soho shag palace of Julian Saint-Germain—a bloodsucking flibbertigibbet who’s spent the last eight centuries presiding over an ever-growing empire of booze, sex and hemoglobin. I shouldn’t have taken the job. The last thing I needed was to get caught in a supernatural smackdown between a werewolf pack and a vampire prince. Even if the vampire prince was dangerously my type. But what can I say? I was broke, I’m a sucker for a pretty face and I gave up on making good decisions a long time ago.

Genre:

Urban Fantasy Romance

Ship type:

f/f

Why you like it:      

While some of Kate’s inner dialogue is obnoxious, the majority of the dialogue (both inner and outer) is deeply entertaining. The relationships between the heroine and everyone around are likewise entertaining, and there’s a few moments at the end especially that are textbook THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS.  

Content tags

Kate has an ex show up at one point who’s clearly a stalker.

Link

(image description: part of the cityscape of London on its side with a grey sky or background that looks gritty)

[thatstudyblrontea]

Tomorrow night always comes.

Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

[wehavebooksathome]

Interview mit einem Vampir

Title: Interview mit einem Vampir Original title: Interview with the Vampire Author: Anne Rice ISBN: – Publishing year: 1976 (Translation: 1978)

Here's my deepest, darkest secret: I'd never consumed any kind of Interview with the Vampire media until 2023, and I don't know why. Technically, it's right up my alley: I was aware of its existence, I had as big a vampire phase during my teenage years as the next-best nerd, and I started slashing any male characters that even dared to look at each other around the same time, so homoerotic vampires should have been exactly my thing, and yet.

Anyways, I pulled this book out of one of these public bookcases a couple of years back, and with the new tv show now being available in Germany, I thought it was time to finally read it.

And. Um. It might have helped if anyone would have told me it's not just homoerotic subtext, but actual text. I mean, sure, Louis has an ongoing gay crisis throughout the entire book, but he literally talks about loving and/or being into both Lestat and Armand several times??

Nobody had warned me about the super creepy pedophilic vibes Louis and Claudia have going on, either?? I really could have done without them and the constant reminder that Louis sees her partly as a daughter, partly as a (potential) lover. Yikes.

Apart from that, I found the pacing a bit weird. Some plot points feel very dragged out, while others seem to happen in the blink of an eye and are so rushed that they don't really get a chance to shine. All in all I still don't know how I'd rate it, tbh. It definitely had its moments, but probably an equal amount of really questionable moments.

As a side note, I was also surprised that the book was first published in 1976 and not the 90s (at least so where two different people I mentioned this to), because in my mind, this was 100% a 90s thing, so in some ways it feels actually quite progressive to me now.