We’re always thrilled to have urban fantasy author Jennifer Estep stop by ATUF, especially when she has a new book out. TANGLED THREADS, the 4th book in her Elemental Assassin series just came out on April 26th, and, according to Julia, it “contain[s] the best of the action sequences, bad-assery and romance from previous books.” Today Jennifer is sharing her Top 10 reasons why she loves writing & reading urban fantasy and giving away a copy of TANGLED THREADS. See details below.
You can read all the previous Top 10 Lists HERE
Why I Love Writing & Reading Urban Fantasy
by
Jennifer Estep
Greetings and salutations! I want to say thanks to Abigail for having me on the blog today. Thanks, Abigail!
So today, Abigail suggested that I do some sort of top 10 list, since those are always fun to come up with. I decided to list why I love writing and reading urban fantasy (both adult and young adult books) so much. Here goes:
1) I get to put a little bit of everything into my books: The great thing about urban fantasy is that it has something for everyone – action, danger, drama, romance, steamy sex scenes, kick- butt heroines, dangerous heroes. I love reading books that feature all of those elements, and that’s what I love writing too. 2) I get to write dark, light, and everything in between: My Elemental Assassin books are dark, violent, bloody, and gritty, while my Mythos Academy young adult series is a little less so. I like being able to mix it up and go between dark and not-so dark, an adult voice and a younger voice. I think it help keeps my writing fresh. 3) The young adult fantasy book covers: Have you seen the covers on the young adult books lately? They are freaking gorgeous. Seriously, I think the young adult fantasy genre has some of the most beautiful and eye-catching covers these days. Some of my favorites are the covers on Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series. I think those are really well-done, and the colors are just lovely. 4) All the great stories: There are so many great books out there in the urban fantasy genre right now, both for adults and young adults. Every time I go to the bookstore, I always see at least a half-dozen books that I’d like to bring home with me, if only my book budget would let me. Maybe when I win the lottery. LOL. 5) All the cool characters: One of the things I love most about urban fantasy is the sheer variety in the genre. No matter what type of creature feature you like to read about – vampires, werewolves, witches, wizards, fairies, dwarves, elves – you can find it in urban fantasy. It really is a genre that has a little something for everyone. 6) All the cool magic and world building: Along with all the different types of characters are the many forms of magic that go along with them. Telepathy, telekinesis, controlling the weather, healing, regeneration, seduction, charm, elemental magic. You can find all those powers and more in urban fantasy, along with settings that range from modern-day New York to elven castles to fairy lands full of dangerous creatures. 7) I get to pretend that I’m a tough girl: In my Elemental Assassin series, I write about Gin Blanco, an assassin known as the Spider. In my Mythos Academy books, I focus on Gwen Frost, a Gypsy girl with more power and magic than she realizes. Writing about such strong, take-charge characters lets me pretend that I’m just as strong, smart, and tough as they are – at least for a little while. LOL. 8) I get to write a lot of fight scenes: You can’t write about an assassin character without her getting into some serious trouble and taking on loads of bad guys along the way. Both Gin and Gwen get into lots of battles, which means that I get to write tons of fight scenes. There’s nothing I like better than writing a fight scene and showing how my heroine uses her skills, smarts, and magic to defeat the bad guys. 9) Getting away from it all: Whether I’m reading or writing, urban fantasy (and books in general) take me away from all my worries, troubles, and concerns at least for a few hours. It’s a nice and much-needed escape. Reading about someone who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the world helps me get some perspective and realize that I’m pretty darn lucky. 10) The people: Readers, bloggers, authors, and everyone in between. There are so many nice folks in the urban fantasy and romance worlds and beyond. It’s a great, supportive community to be a part of, and I’m grateful for all the help that various folks have given me over the years.What about you guys? What do you like about urban fantasy or young adult books? What are some of your favorite books and characters?
 Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone. Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for excerpts and more. |
Want to read more from Jennifer Estep?
Bigtime
1. Karma Girl
2. Hot Mama
3. Jinx
Elemental Assassin
1. Spider's Bite (read Review)
2. Web of Lies (read Review)
3. Venom (read Review)
4. Tangled Threads (read Review)
5. Spider’s Revenge (September 27, 2011)
Mythos Academy
0. First Frost (e-only prequel – July)
1. Touch of Frost (July 26, 2011)
2. Kiss of Frost (December 2011)
Giveaway provided by Jennifer Estep
One copy of TANGLED THREADS by Jennifer Estep
I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.
But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead.
Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too.
The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . .
Click HERE to read an excerpt
Giveaway Guidelines
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Open to US/CA only
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Leave a comment that includes a way to contact you if you win & answer one of Jennifer’s questions: “What do you like about urban fantasy or young adult books? What are some of your favorite books and characters?”
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Winner will be announced on May 7th
Interested in doing a Top 10 List or offering a giveaway on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME
I've read all of the rest of this series. Looking foward to reading Tangled Threads.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon.net
I like Urban Fantasy because the main female character is usually strong and decisive. They also have a touch or more of the paranormal which I like.
ReplyDeleteI really like Gin Blanco, the Mercy Thompson series by Briggs, the Kate Daniels series by Andrews.
I do read quite a bit of YA, mostly in the paranormal genre. I especially like The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine (like all of her adult work too).
acm05atjuno.com
Thanks for the fun post Jennifer! :-) I agree, I think you have listed almost everything I love about the genre: the kickass heroines, the action, the stemy scenes, and something else which I appreciate very much in my UF novels: humour! UF hasone of the best, dry, sarcastic humour in books, and I LOVE it! :-D
ReplyDeletePlease don't enter me as I live outside the US.
Sandy -- Thanks! I hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteAnne -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying Gin and all her crazy adventures. I keep meaning to try Caine's YA series ...
Stella -- Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. ;-) I love the mix of humor and action and magic too.
Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite genres because of the plots and the awesome characters but also because its set in modem time as of right now im reading the immortals after dark by Kresley cole and im loving them especially those wroth brothers
ReplyDeletelgmorales18@gmail.com
No need to enter me, either -- but that's because I bought Tangled Threads Tuesday, and have read/devoured it already.
ReplyDeleteI love the dichotomy between Gin's assassin-for-hire (&/or pro bono assassin!) job and her role as owner of the Pork Pit. And I'm impressed by how deeply the reader has been drawn into Gin's life over the course of the books, particularly, I think, in this one.
Mickie T
Laura -- I really like the Immortals After Dark series. Cole does some really cool heroines and heroes, and I love the different creatures and world building.
ReplyDeleteMickie -- Cool. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for all the nice words about the books. I appreciate them!
All great reasons to love urban fantasy.
ReplyDeleteMy main reason for liking urban fantasy is the escape it gives me. Especially in the middle of my work day. It is also refreshing to know that there are others in the world like me who the darker side of fantasy with all the paranormal beings.
Some of my favorite books are – Savannah Vampire series by Raven Hart and the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.
Thank you for the give away.
cheleooc at yahoo dot com
I'm really into urban fantasy right now. I have not read any of your work yet Jennifer, but I do have Spiders Bite on my wish list. Thanks for the awesome giveaway,
ReplyDeleteJnmt3@hotmail.com
I love young adult fiction and urban fantasy. Some of the youn adult fiction I think is better than the adult fiction. I love the Twilight series and Shiver series. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read your books.
ReplyDeleteI love UF because in UF, I'm able to read suspense, gore, fights, etc, without them making me nervous. In normal suspense and thrillers, it's real life and so I imagine in my head that it could happen and I get all anxious, whereas in UF, I know it can't happen, because supernatural creatures are not real, so I can read the same types of plots without the nervousness. Plus, I'm always amazed at how inventive the authors are.
ReplyDeleteI love Gin and can't wait to read Tangled Threads.
Daelith -- I like UF because you can read as light a story or as dark a story as you want (although it does seem like there are more dark stories these days). I hadn't heard of Hart's series. I'll have to check that one out.
ReplyDeleteRain Maiden -- Cool. I hope you get a chance to check out my books.
Tore -- I keep meaning to try the Shiver series. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa is also a good YA series.
Jen -- Cool. I hope you enjoy the book. And I know what you mean. There are so many cool world and characters and creatures in UF right now. It's a great time to be a fan of the genre because there's lots of great stuff to read.
Some of my favorite books are the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, the IAD series by Kresley Cole, the Pride series by Shelly Laurenston and so many more! I love all their characters and never get tired of reading about them. Also love your series Jennifer!
ReplyDeletelilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
Jeanette -- Thanks! I appreciate that and that's a great group of authors to be included in.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest before I started to read UF I didn't know the difference between UF and Paranormal til I read my first UF(Black Night) and found I loved it , Female characters are stronger, the romance is not in the fore front and I found I enjoyed it. I do love my romance but once and awhile I love it shadowed with action.
ReplyDeletevampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I love this series. Go Gin! It has the best of what I really like about UF--interesting characters and creative world building.
ReplyDeleteAmong other series I like are Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld, Kim Harrison's Hollows, Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Parks and Carolyn Cranes Disillusionists.
Thanks for the giveaway. (Email in profile.)
BLHmistress -- I like to go back and forth between UF and paranormal romance books. It's the best of both worlds. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLSUReader -- Thanks! I appreciate that. I like The Hollows series a lot too.
I really loved The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - probably my favorite one right now but I have a lot of other Urban Fantasy series on my reading list that I am really looking forward to reading (elemental assassin series and Shiver being a couple!)
ReplyDeleteelizabethjhoskins@gmail.com
Some of the authors I'm reading: Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Adrian Phoenix, JR Ward, Kresley Cole, Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, too many to list all.
ReplyDeleteI think the characters are a bit stronger, tougher, not everything can be rainbows and unicorns. I love vampires, werewolves, etc.
wade2121 AT gmail DOT com
I love getting lost in the worlds the authors create and love the different creatures that are usually involved. Some of my fave authors are Jennifer Estep, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison and Jeaniene Frost.
ReplyDeleteChllybrd(at)gmail(sot)com
Some of my favorite urban fantasy series are the Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson, the Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy, the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, and the Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
ReplyDeleteI also like to read YA novels and one of my favorite series is the Morganville vampire series by Rachel Caine.
Skk25@aol.com
Elizabeth -- I like the Iron Fey series a lot too. I just finished reading the e-story that Kagawa did between books 1 and 2. I think it's being offered as a free download in April.
ReplyDeleteWade -- I like the tougher characters too, especially when it comes to the butt-kicking heroines.
Stacy -- Thanks! That's a great list of authors to be included in. ;-)
Stephanie -- I keep meaning to try the Zodiac series. I've heard a lot of good things about it.
In urban books the females are most always strong willed and very strong. I love that!
ReplyDeleteI recently just read the Sabina Kane series and LOVED it. Who can't love Sabina and Mr. Giguhles.
I can't wait to read this series it's coming up on my TBR pile.
alycia@thejeepdiva.com
I love reading YA books because I find the worlds much more engaging. I do still read adult fiction, but the ones that stick with me are YA. One of the characters that I love is Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. She is so well fleshed out in the series. Plus she's kick-ass.
ReplyDeleteVivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I love your series - TANGLED THREADS is a must read- I can't wait for your YA series. I love the world building and the strong characters in Urban and YA books.
ReplyDeleteaudie@wickerness.com
Alycia -- Cool. I hope you enjoy the books. I keep meaning to try the Kane series. I've heard a lot of good things about it.
ReplyDeleteVivien -- There are a lot of cool characters/worlds in YA fiction. I'm about halfway through the Vampire Academy series right now, and I like how complex Rose is.
Audra -- Cool. I hope you like the YA series just as much as you do the Gin books. ;-)
The thing I like most is the problem solving that goes on. If something is wrong the characters have to work through any hang-ups they might have to get the job done.
ReplyDeletelenikaye@yahoo.com
Leni -- I like it when characters have to work together too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't the honor of reading your books yet, but I love urban fantasy and I just can't wait to start. I have heard alot about them but I will definitely get to it ASAP, so I can get to where I need to be, Thanks for the opportunity. Ladyfiera@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI like urban fantasy novels because anything can happen. The characters are always tough and take anything that life throws at them. These books are always exciting because you can never predict what's going to happen next.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite series are the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews (I love me some Curran), Night Huntress Series by Jeanine Frost, and the Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill.
I can't wait to read Tangled Threads and the new YA series Mythos Acadamy!
rlg36@unh.edu
I agree with your list 100%. I also read it because I love being able to escape into the authors world. I am able to do things through the heroine that I would never do in real life.
ReplyDeleteiqb99@yahoo.com
I love urban fantasy for the action, the kick ass main characters, the obstacles they always have to overcome to prevail against the bad guys, and the fantastic supernatural beings. Some of my favorite books/characters are Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson, Nicole Peeler's Jane True, Jaye Wells' Sabina Kane, Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan, Kelly Meding's Evie Stone, Ann Aguirre's Corinne Solomon, and of course, Jennifer Estep's Gin Blanco.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
I like UF because the characters are fun and the books are usually a fun light read that is enjoyable and cheers you up.
ReplyDeletejuliecookies(at)gmail.com
I like the creativity of taking our world and twisting it into something that could suit whatever supernatural/magical creatures an author can think of.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite authors? You! (Seriously Gin is a very unique character.) Devon Monk, Adrian Phoenix, Chloe Neill, Lilith Saintcrow, Ilona Andrews - goodness, there are so many good authors. And for young adult? Lish McBride's 'Hold Me Closer, Necromancer' is probably the best YA UF I've read, with Holly Black & Melissa Marr fighting for second place.
I like how it is our world but with a twist. So it seems familiar enough, not another planet or universe, but through a different perspective. Makes you wonder if maybe these people and beings really could be walking around among us and we don't know. And the better it is done the more believeable it is.
ReplyDeletebuckfamily at ptd.net
I like urban fantasy because it's so fun to see heroines kick butt. I live in an urban area and it's fun to imagine stuff happening in the city. I love female urban fantasy protagonists.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite urban fantasy: Chloe Neill, Jennifer Estep (of course), Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Kim Harrison
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
I love Urban Fantasy because I can picture every piece of scenery in the book, but yet it is like what is lurking in the dark. The things the normal person wouldn't see. And that is what makes it so appealing.
ReplyDeleteurbanfantasybookclub@gmail.com
I love Urban Fantasy because it is fantasy, and ANYTHING can happen! I love Lara Adrian's books, Jeannine Frost's...I have so many more to read also, that I'm sure I can add to this list soon!
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
What a great post!!! UF is definitly my favourite genre (YA is really not my thing at all). Some of my GO TO authors/series are: you (love Gin), Stacia Kane, Seanan McGuire, Carolyn Crane and Diana Pharaoh Francis (Max is tough as hell). Ok I'll stop here, but I could go on.
ReplyDeleteedytau@hotmail.com
I will have to agree with you about the YA covers. They are like art work! I love the romance in UF. They characters have to fight for every bit of happiness they want and that makes it all the more sweeter :)
ReplyDeleteLisa -- Cool. I hope you get a chance to check out the books.
ReplyDeleteBecca -- Thanks! I hope you enjoy the books.
Danielle -- Thanks! Glad you liked the post.
Barbara -- Action is definitely one thing that draws me to UF. I love writing fight scenes.
Julie -- I like the humor in UF too.
Unseelieme -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the books. I like Holly Black a lot too. I've got Red Glove on my TBR pile.
Jill -- I like the different perspectives too.
Amy -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the books and that's a great list of authors to be included with. ;-)
JIM -- UF can definitely be creepy.
Meredith -- That's another reason why I love UF too -- the story possibilities are endless.
Kat -- Thanks! Glad you liked it and are enjoying my books.
Sharon -- I think some of the best covers are for YA books these days.
I love urban fantasy because it combines two of my fave genres - fantasy and romance.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - loved your 10 reasons :)!
ReplyDeleteI have to say one of my fav characters is infact Gin and the gang ;). I am really enjoying the series so far. I also like Jack and Pete from Caitlin Kittridge's Black London series.
Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
I love the fact that in UF, anything is possible. There are no rules, so authors can create their own worlds and creatures. Plus, the heriones are so strong & kick-ass. You have to love that. :) Favorite series: the Hollows, Anita Blake
ReplyDeleteheatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Sara -- I like the mix of fantasy and romance in UF too.
ReplyDeletePam -- Thanks! Glad you liked the post and my books. I've heard a lot of good things about the Black London series. It's on my list to try.
Heatwave -- Me too. I love all the different magic and creatures that you find in UF.
I love UF romance because for a long time it was the only place I saw strong heroines. That may have changed somewhat, but I still prefer paranormal elements and the kind of action that is such a big part of Urban Fantasy. I also enjoy the worldbuilding that comes with well written UF.
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed Gin's adventures so far and I think the world and supporting characters are engaging and facinating!
other series I enjoy are Kim Harrison's Hollows, Patricia Briggs both series, Ilona Andrews both series, Devon Monk, Jeanienne Frost and I'm sure I'm missing some. OH the only YA that has really grabbed me is Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series.
Thanks for hours of reading entertainment Jennifer! And TY for the giveaway to both Jennifer and ATUF! :)
islandgirl33774 at yahoo dot com
I love urban fantasy because the main characters are often strong females. It is a nice change from the typical male hero rescuing the damsel in distress.
ReplyDeletethrouthehaze at gmail dot com
I like urban fantasy because it has a little of everything in it (action, suspense, mystery, drama), that it features strong characters, and takes you to different worlds. I enjoy reading a lot of different authors including Adrian Phoenix, Kim Harrison, Carrie Vaugn, and Jim Butcher.
ReplyDeletesab5723@hotmail.com
I love UF cause it usually has strong chraracters male and female with a usually some truly evil protagonists too. Some of my favs are
ReplyDeleteJennifer Estep's spider series
Karen Chance
Patricia Briggs
Rachel Vincent
Ilona Andrews
Ann Aguirre
and probably many more since I am having trouble thinking right now.
Really looking forward to Tangled Threads. Loved the rest of the series. I really like UF because the worlds are usually pretty similar to ours but they have the things we only dream about in there. With strong characters that know how to stand up for what is right and fight for what they believe in.
ReplyDeletebacchus76 at myself dot com
This looks absolutely amazing. I like UF because it takes the world we live in and then places it into another, beautiful, magical reality that we could only dream of.
ReplyDeletetwiztidsharkie(at)aol(dot)com
I honestly cannot tell you what i love about UF, but I must love something since i've read over 400 books in the genre.
ReplyDeletekeikiicake@gmail.com
I like reading urban fantasy, because everything is outside of the box of what is real. I feel that an author has a lot more leeway when writing UF, because it's entirely from their own mind and their view of a different reality.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite authors include Jeaniene Frost, Yasmine Galenorn, Karen Chance, Charlaine Harris, and Kim Harrison; just to name a few. I love the idea of a tough-as-nails woman who can handle whatever comes their way.
wildthing309 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Patrice -- Thanks! Glad you are enjoying my books. I like the action and strong heroines in UF books too.
ReplyDeleteThrouthehaze -- I like the strong heroines in UF too.
Susan -- I like Butcher and Harrison's books a lot too. I need to get caught up on both of their series.
Pam -- Thanks! That's a great list of authors to be included in.
Donna -- Cool. I hope you enjoy the book.
Ozymandias -- I also like UF because of the variety of worlds/magic that can be found in the genre.
Keikii -- 400 books? That's impressive!
Nickie -- That's true. Authors can write about pretty much any kind of magic, creature, or world in UF.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for the interview. I love the other side of the everyday life and get something interesting and cool from the fantasy without diverting too far away from everything else. Some of my favorite authors are Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Jill Myles, CE Murphy, Patricia Briggs, Anne Bishop and so many more. I'm really trying to find more as I wait on books, haha.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
chichai_hana at hotmail dot com