Merry Gentry Alternatives?

[delilahkanes.livejournal.com]

I think it's quite easy to find Anita-like alternative reading material in this day and age (I can't spit without hitting a book about some girl dealing with vampires/werewolves), but I was wondering if anyone has stumbled across some quality urban fantasy material about faeries? I'm almost completely clueless.

The only one that immediately comes to mind is War for the Oaks (highly recommended).

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm without any books lined up to read right now and it's kinda freaking me out.

Comments

[twistedimp.livejournal.com]

War for the Oaks, yeeeees. And anything else by Emma Bull.

Charles DeLint, although he doesn't do too much with faeries, I don't think, he's not vampires and werewolves. Neil Gaiman... Neverwhere for what you're interested in, but I recommend reading basically anything he's ever written. Holly Black's books, even though they're YA, are quite good (Tithe, Valiant, Ironside). C.E. Murphy doesn't do (many) faeries, but she's also not (much) into the vampires and werewolves. I find Tanya Huff hysterically funny, although some people I know have mixed feelings about her, but her "Summoner" books have maybe one vampire in a very minor role. Her other big series should probably be avoided if you don't want fanged and fuzzy things, although Vicki Nelson could wipe the floor with Anita any day. Mercedes Lackey's elves-and-race-cars (SERRAted Edge) books are fun, in the same beach-read sort of way Tanya Huff is fun.

...off the top of my head. :)

[delilahkanes.livejournal.com]

Oh, look at you. I'm already a huge fan of Tanya Huff (I think at this point I've read every book she's ever written?) and I theoretically love Neil Gaiman but I must admit, red-faced, that I've only ever read his Sandman comics. See below on my opinion on Mercedes Lackey. As much as I used to love her (certainly used to be high up on my top favorite authors list), there are somethings she can't seem to pull off in a particularly great way and her elves stuff immediately comes to mind. I'll give your other recommendations a look over. Thanks!

[suzycat.livejournal.com]

I've only ever read his Sandman comics

*smites you*

Read American Gods IMMEDIATELY.

[coffeehouse.livejournal.com]

I third American Gods.

[caudebac.livejournal.com]

I fourth it. Wholeheartedly.

[siedhr.livejournal.com]

I prefer Neverwhere and Good Omens and Coraline. I wasn't that crazy about American Gods or Anansi Boys.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU! I actually preferred Anasi Boys to American Gods, which was 2/3 longer then what it needed to be, with a plot that has been done a million times before (at least the idea of gods coming here with their believers and losing power....)

And certainly not his best work!

[thelittlebudgie.livejournal.com]

Yeah. American Gods seems to be one of those books that people either really like or dislike. NEverwhere, Good Omens and Coraline are definitely better starting points.

[twistedimp.livejournal.com]

The Sandman comics are made of awesome sauce, but so are his novels. You should read them! (Also, if you liked Sandman, try Moore's Promethea.)

My feelings towards Lackey are pretty much along the same lines as yours, actually, although for different reasons. I absolutely worshiped her during junior high and high school, but the characters and plots she uses (while still a hell of a lot of fun) got a bit repetitive for me after a while. If elves and NASCAR aren't your cup of tea, the Bedlam's Bard books are set in the same universe, but don't include race cars. I think the only books of hers that I still really keep up with are the Elemental Masters series.

I mentioned Emma Bull -- in particular, try "Territory." I was a bit skeptical going in, because it's a fantasy western, but it rocked hard.

[gorgeousnerd]

I second the recommendation for Holly Black's books. Since they're YA, they're pretty much guaranteed not to dip into porn. (Not that I have a problem with porn, just the LKH form of porn.

[rin-x-x.livejournal.com]

WHICH doesn't mean there is no romance in the novels.

Contrary to popular LKH-troobies belief.

[twistedimp.livejournal.com]

For that matter, it doesn't mean there isn't anything erotic or sensual in the novels.

Dear LKH. Explicit, graphic sex is not the only way to coven sexiness. Sigh.

[twistedimp.livejournal.com]

convey, even. Although "coven" is one of my more interesting typos.