tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post5187123640939630062..comments2024-01-17T04:33:08.243-08:00Comments on My Friend Amy: The Appeal of Urban FantasyAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515314638093018928noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-17338398413865789882009-10-11T07:04:07.780-07:002009-10-11T07:04:07.780-07:00Thanks for finally putting a name to this type of ...Thanks for finally putting a name to this type of story! That will help me a lot when I explain it to my 7th graders.<br /><br />I'm not a huge fantasy fan - ones like Lord of the Rings. Hate having to learn all the new names and places. But I love the urban fantasy. Fantasy within the world I know.Jill of The O.W.L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11089648624834255015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-90996815558461761042009-10-10T22:40:21.819-07:002009-10-10T22:40:21.819-07:00I enjoy both urban fantasy and regular fantasy alt...I enjoy both urban fantasy and regular fantasy although I've slowed in the amount of fantasy I read in general unless you count all the YA books :) I am curious what his slight was.Debbie's World of Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09892876966477693699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-59194755852643794782009-10-10T15:28:15.294-07:002009-10-10T15:28:15.294-07:00I'm like Nymeth - I love fantasy, but urban fa...I'm like Nymeth - I love fantasy, but urban fantasy isn't my favourite. I think this is because it's still a relatively new subgenre that hasn't yet branched out from its signature tropes. Many of the urban fantasy novels published today rely on the same basic premises, (ex, the strong, wisecracking gal who falls in love with an unsuitable vampire/werewolf/shapeshifter/fallen angel/zombie/sea monkey), and I like a bit more variety than that. I do enjoy some "traditional" urban fantasies, (especially the whole Buffy franchise and Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld novels), and I'm definitely open to stuff that breaks the mold, but I'm really tired of seeing the same basic situations over and over again.<br /><br />(For the record, I feel much the same about the whole elf/dwarf/hobbit thing in secondary world fantasy, but secondary world stories have been around for a lot longer and have had more time to branch out. Many secondary world authors ignore the old tropes altogether, while others use them in new ways).<br /><br />I do think Rothfuss is spot-on with his comment about the appeal of urban fantasy, though.Memoryhttp://xicanti.livejournal.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-44568746334550354922009-10-10T07:23:23.703-07:002009-10-10T07:23:23.703-07:00I love urban fantasy, and that comparison to fairy...I love urban fantasy, and that comparison to fairy tales is excellent! I think it explains what the appeal is - at least to me. The balance between ordinary and extraordinary is exactly what gets me. I still love high fantasy, but urban fantasy is easier to get for me.kay - Infinite Shelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227285073921171393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-47913521419740824942009-10-10T05:23:37.707-07:002009-10-10T05:23:37.707-07:00You see, I'm the other way around, I don't...You see, I'm the other way around, I don't really like Urban Fantasy all that much but I love traditional fantasy genre (needless to say, Tolkien and his Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings Trilogy are one of my faves). I think it comes from me being a huge 'saga junkie' and the bigger the book, the thicker the plot and the more time I have to know and spend with characters, the better for me :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07127042690689033583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-12805739666479652492009-10-10T03:10:48.956-07:002009-10-10T03:10:48.956-07:00Urban Fantasy is not my favourite branch of fantas...Urban Fantasy is not my favourite branch of fantasy (I still like it, though!), but I love what Rothfuss said about it and fairy tales.Ana S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16092495983972185943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-88012720292425600642009-10-09T17:42:31.454-07:002009-10-09T17:42:31.454-07:00I do like urban fantasy, but for me it depends on ...I do like urban fantasy, but for me it depends on the story, whether I will like it or not. Some of the fantasy can be very dark, unhappy, and twisted, and I have to be in the mood for that. Not saying everything needs to shiny happy, but you know, I'm not an emo type of person.<br />Have Rothfuss' book The Name of the Wind on my tbr. Will try to read it next year. heard great things about it.<br />And yes, say what you will about Potter, but it got children and adults reading again, so I'm all for it! The woman is creative, you can't deny that.Jenny Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-13766777917191925812009-10-09T12:55:02.441-07:002009-10-09T12:55:02.441-07:00I enjoy Urban Fantasy, although sometimes they all...I enjoy Urban Fantasy, although sometimes they all run together in my head. I have not read The Name of the Wind, but it's on my list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-88021168121749757152009-10-09T07:48:05.345-07:002009-10-09T07:48:05.345-07:00I love that bit you mentioned from Patrick Rothfus...I love that bit you mentioned from Patrick Rothfuss. I do think that's why urban fantasy is so popular. I love all kinds of fantasy and initially thought I wouldn't like modern day settings as much. Part of fantasy's appeal for me is that whole new world, especially if done properly by the author. But it turns out I love everything fantastical. =)Meghanhttp://chikune.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-88968401145921766192009-10-09T07:18:28.632-07:002009-10-09T07:18:28.632-07:00Hey Amy, first time reader here. I saw your link i...Hey Amy, first time reader here. I saw your link in Peaceful Reader and had to click because--well--the main character in my noveling blog is named Amy. I'm glad I did, even though we are obviously very different readers.<br /><br />I love fantasy. I've never read Harry Potter, and have only seen one movie, but if I ever did get around to it that would probably be my ideal sort of book. Urban Fantasy is included in that love. ^^Uninvokedhttp://www.uninvoked.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-56863105847874528582009-10-09T07:11:47.784-07:002009-10-09T07:11:47.784-07:00You should check out A Madness of Angels by Kate G...You should check out A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin. That is definitely what I would consider urban fantasy.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978371169108528359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-82339776252938271392009-10-09T02:04:36.396-07:002009-10-09T02:04:36.396-07:00I am really curious now about what he said. I was ...I am really curious now about what he said. I was just reading his blog and he does read YA.Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17051732778079285105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-81283077744137662572009-10-08T20:53:58.623-07:002009-10-08T20:53:58.623-07:00I like urban fantasy, probably more than I like re...I like urban fantasy, probably more than I like regular secondary world fantasy. I don't know if I would compare urban fantasies to fairytales but there definitely is something to the allure of the magical in everyday life!Bellehttp://msbookish.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-67222374397022005322009-10-08T19:48:52.184-07:002009-10-08T19:48:52.184-07:00I don't read a ton of urban fantasy, but I LOV...I don't read a ton of urban fantasy, but I LOVE The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. If you're looking for a recommendation, pick those up!! The first book in the series is Storm Front.S. Krishnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10268527069548216054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-49399634734619560202009-10-08T17:08:22.037-07:002009-10-08T17:08:22.037-07:00In his list of favorite fantasy reads on Amazon.co...In his list of favorite fantasy reads on Amazon.com, Patrick Rothfuss includes Harry Potter, and says, "Say what you like, these are fun books to read." Go to the Amazon page for "Name of the Wind." You'll find an interview with him, which includes a link to his list.Sheila Beaumonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10298066921074730854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-41344964541866016532009-10-08T16:58:10.642-07:002009-10-08T16:58:10.642-07:00If the Twilight series is considered 'urban fa...If the Twilight series is considered 'urban fantasy' then I am a fan! Although I admit I was sketchy about reading those books initially b/c the fantasy genre is not typically my style. Part of the reason I like reading fiction is b/c I feel as though a lot of those stories could be reality. While Twilight-type stuff could not happen in reality, I definitely like the mix of fantasy with reality. Having said that, I tried Harry Potter and just couldn't get into it.Momma Buzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10602167183527319460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-76496749633293701722009-10-08T16:48:53.974-07:002009-10-08T16:48:53.974-07:00Harry Potter slights at ComiCon? Is that guy suic...Harry Potter slights at ComiCon? Is that guy suicidal?<br /><br />I'm all for fantasy, but I usually like my fantasy straight-up: other worlds, historical romance novels (~_^), etc. Urban fantasy is okay but I don't read a lot of it. For me it doesn't make the real world seem more fantastical, but Rothfuss' assessment about its appeal may be right. Although I think the appeal of fairy tales is that prepare you for a screwed up life.Heidenkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09494625457587427781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-66110768154584745242009-10-08T14:15:42.297-07:002009-10-08T14:15:42.297-07:00I like urban fantasy because it makes fairy storie...I like urban fantasy because it makes fairy stories full of trickiness and danger again. Like most fantasy readers, I'd gotten tired of too many rainbow unicorn worlds. But I really do wish that fantasy writers would stop bashing each other. Ursula K. LeGuin started it, feeling overlooked that she wrote a book about a wizard school first!Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-59356785224165646772009-10-08T14:15:14.910-07:002009-10-08T14:15:14.910-07:00I read and enjoyed Name of the Wind (insert shamel...I read and enjoyed Name of the Wind (insert shameless plug for my review <a href="http://archthinking.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-name-of-wind.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>), so I'm really curious what Rothfuss had to say about Harry Potter. Orphan boy, school for magic, hmm, I see a parallel.<br /><br />Anyway, I love urban fantasy, but I love a lot of fantasy.Lorinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03931566230820899463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-17330574242992585222009-10-08T13:43:23.729-07:002009-10-08T13:43:23.729-07:00I've only read a little bit of fantasy and tha...I've only read a little bit of fantasy and that was years ago. However, I just finished GRACELING and I'm going to read FIRE. I've also got DEFENDERS OF THE SCROLL "on tap" AND I'm getting lured in by steampunk! Oh, the joys of reading - you can go anywhere, any time - even if it doesn't exist!Gwendolyn B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03306180985189176946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-82929711685082273892009-10-08T12:28:23.508-07:002009-10-08T12:28:23.508-07:00As far as fantasy goes, I tend to like epic fantas...As far as fantasy goes, I tend to like epic fantasy most. Favorites are Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel Legacy, almost all of David/Leigh Eddings' series, Elizabeth Haydon and Stephen King's Dark Tower series. <br /><br />The only UF I've read lately I've liked. Jacqueline Carey's Santa Olivia, Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels, and (though I'm not sure if it is technically UF) Carrie Ryan's Forest of Hands and Teeth.KyleeJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00785603026281407598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-80919553022955253502009-10-08T09:49:57.938-07:002009-10-08T09:49:57.938-07:00I love UF, one of my fave types of read.I love UF, one of my fave types of read.Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12876050775872445521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-73602213429760156312009-10-08T08:43:40.482-07:002009-10-08T08:43:40.482-07:00The Name of the Wind is the best book I read this ...The Name of the Wind is the best book I read this year. I loved it so much and I generally think so well of Patrick Rothfuss that I am willing to pretend I did not read about his HP and YA opinion. *g*Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17051732778079285105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-22965565100404670532009-10-08T08:13:54.292-07:002009-10-08T08:13:54.292-07:00"the appeal of urban fantasy was the same as ..."the appeal of urban fantasy was the same as that of fairy tales explaining that the appeal of fairy tales is that they make the mundane world fantastical and the fantastical more real."<br /><br />I really like that! As someone that reads a lot of fantasy, this really sums up why I do on so many levels. Thanks for sharing!Kailanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136262232046813471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-37788173865817104552009-10-08T07:33:08.092-07:002009-10-08T07:33:08.092-07:00I'm a huge urban fantasy fan.
Favorite autho...I'm a huge urban fantasy fan. <br /><br />Favorite authors would be: J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, Rachel Vincent, Jocelynn Drake, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and many more.<br /><br />I'm also a fan of fantasy. It's a bit trickier because of the world building but it's always fun! :)Jess (The Cozy Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09952470536106390326noreply@blogger.com