Problems in Urban Fantasy

[the-mome-wrath.livejournal.com]

I found this three part article on the urban fantasy genre and the second part covered many of the cliches and annoyances of the genre. Sadly it seems the genre really is becoming formulaic. It doesn't name any series as examples, but as I was reading down the list I found that unsurprisingly LKH is in violation of many of them. The only thing I really noticed on the list that we haven't seen in the books yet is the lower back tattoo. Anita should get a tattoo, but it should say something like 'run while you still have a personality.'

For your reading enjoyment, here's the articles:

Urban Fantasy Part 1: The Formula
Urban Fantasy Part 2: When Things Go Wrong
Urban Fantasy Part 3: Deconstructing Urban Fantasy

Comments

[baeraad.livejournal.com]

Very well said, all of it. Now I kind of want to read her books, actually... Has anyone read them? Are they any good?

[shadwing.livejournal.com]

Might give it a try, I have some Borders's Bucks to spare and I need something to read while waiting for Turn Coat....

[pastygothchick.livejournal.com]

Have you read "The Warrior" from Mean Streets yet?

[pastygothchick.livejournal.com]

I have no good bookstores where I live. I order pretty much everything from the net.

I got some mailings about "Mean Streets" which got me into the Nightside series. I was totally blown away by Simon R. Green. I'm reading my way through all of his books.

[pastygothchick.livejournal.com]

I have "Blue Moon Rising" its on the list after the Hawk & Fisher series. I use Amazon.com and avoid the shipping cost by ordering more that $25 of stuff at a time. It takes longer to get it, but I figure "I can get a whole other book instead of paying shipping." I'd have to drive about 40 miles one way to get to the nearest Borders, it's just cheaper for me even if I have to pay shipping.

[shadwing.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! My Roomie found a copy while visiting her folks and grabbed one. I devoured that while she got through 'Day Off' and 'Its My Birthday Too' Add in Back Up and it was a very Harry Christmas in our apartment.

[shadwing.livejournal.com]

Noooo! We almost have all the Harry Stories! We are only missing Supernatural Wedding! (we have read the story...but lack an actual copy of the book)

[shadwing.livejournal.com]

Heck my roomie gave me Back Up as a X-Mas Gift, she had it hidden among her seven bookshelves for weeks and I had no clue...

Granted I had the Tales of Beedle the Bard (collectors) on order since July for her...yes we do evil over the top giving can't ya tell?

[easol.livejournal.com]

The one that came out a week ago or the one before that?

[countessof-roth.livejournal.com]

I have. THey are the only urban "fantasy" that i can read. My husband LURRRVES LKH, and that genre (i don't know WHY but he does) and well, those are the only books in that genre that I will read and enjoy.


Most of the other books in that genre irritate me because the characters are in no way shape or form believable- they are VERY 2 dimensional and wooden- These books, the main character seems, well, more real.