I've been reading. A lot. And I mean a lot. (Gosh, writers read? Who'd've thunk it?) And one of the absolute best urban fantasy series I've read recently is Elaine Cunningham's CHANGELING DETECTIVE.
The first book, Shadows in the Darkness (out in both hardcover and in paperback), introduces us to former cop and current P.I. Gwen Gellman. She's a kickass heroine who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. There's more to Gwen than meets the eye, and in Darkness, we learn exactly what that is. Lush with vivid imagery, fabulous supporting characters, and some of the best writing in the genre that I've seen, Darkness is a terrific kickoff to the Changeling Detective series. (And dude, there's even a strip club. The Jezzie in me is so psyched!)
In the second book, Shadows in the Starlight (out TODAY, right NOW, in paperback, as well as in hardcover), Gwen's coming to terms with the truth about what she really is...and is discovering some spiffy perks along the way. I tore through Starlight in one day, and God damn it, I want the third book! Now, now, now!
Why do I like Gwen Gellman? You remember when Anita Blake wasn't all about getting laid all the time--when she helped solve crimes and used guns as well as tapped into her powers, when she was a real person and not a caricature? That Anita Blake would have gotten along famously with Gwen. Hell, Edward would have gotten along with Gwen.
If you miss the old Anita Blake, adore Harry Dresden, and are passionate about gritty urban fantasy that's written so compellingly you will happily sacrifice sleep to keep reading, you will love Elaine's Changeling Detective series.
Added bonus: Jezebel interviewed Gwen today on Cat and Muse. Come on over, meet Gwen.
4 Comments:
Ah, to read again. O Jackie, how I covet your crazy laid-back lifestyle... :)
I just read a book called Unshapely Things by: Mark Del Franco it is a really good urban fantasy and is Book 1 in a series and the protagonist Connor Grey will give Harry Dresden a run for his money. It's nothingh like the Dresden Files, its just good to see another male protagonist in this genre.- Tevans
Devon--hooboy, yeah, that series changed. A lot. I think you're going to enjoy Elaine's books.
Richelle: Bwahahahahaha!
Tevans, thanks for the recommendation! I'm always looking for good urban fantasy, whether with a male protag or a female.
Tevans, you might be interested to know that I'm starting another urban fantasy series, this one with a male protagonist.
Bobby worked for a New Jersey crime family until pieces of his captain started showing up--AFTER they had a very public disagreement. He's hiding out in small-town New England, buys himself a house in the alien landscape that is suburbia. Problem is, the house is haunted, and the otherworldly energy jump-starts a troublesome psychic talent: Bobby can perceive ghosts when he's in the presence of the person who killed them. When he meets the woman of his dreams and finds that she's haunted by the ghost of the man HE is accused of killing, things get complicated.
I'm having fun with this. It's set in a fictionalized version of my home town, which just cries out for satire. And Bobby's neighbor, a Polish-American kitchen witch with a weird sense of humor, is vaguely autobiographical. My kids are appalled, but I figure that appalling one's teenagers is every parent's right---nay, duty. No doubt it aids in the necessary separation process.
Sorry for hijacking your blog comments with such a long post, Jackie, and once again, thanks so much for the review!
Hugs,
e
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