We’ve got another debut author visiting the blog today. Shawntelle Madison’s new werewolf urban fantasy debut series debuts tomorrow with COVETED (available on April 24 from Ballantine Books). Shawntelle is sharing the ten sci-fi/fantasy books that that turned her into a genre fan girl, and she’s giving away a copy of COVETED too. See details below.
You can read all the previous Top 10 Lists HERE
Top Ten Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Rocked Shawntelle Madison’s World
by
Shawntelle Madison
In high school I was an avid reader. I read a lot of my mom’s books, but I hadn't really jumped into reading sci-fi/fantasy until I encountered these ten series/books that set off an avalanche of reading that turned me into a true fan of the genre. Let the awesomeness commence!
10) Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
My latest obsession is the books by Patricia Briggs. I just love, love, love her Mercy Thompson and the Alpha & Omega books. I recommend her to any urban fantasy reader I know.
9) Earth’s Children Series by Jean M. Auel
I grew up reading the Earth's Children series in high school and beyond. I remember reading in awe of the richness of those books. I just couldn't fathom the worldbuilding necessary for the author to create such a beautiful set of books.
8) Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
I have to admit it--I'd never read a fantasy like Jacqueline Karey's Kushiel's Dart before. I've enjoyed all sorts of fantasies, but I felt like Jacqueline did such a wonderful job of creating a unique and sensual heroine in Phèdre nó Delaunay. The world Jacqueline creates is so luxurious! After reading it my imagination went wild.
7) Dirk & Steele Series by Marjorie M. Liu
I can't recall when I first discovered Marjorie, but all I know is that I adore her books. I think I have all of them and practically went fangirl when I met her the first time. (Yes, I really did.) Just like Kelley Armstrong (check below), Marjorie has an engaging voice and is such a great storyteller.
6) Imajica by Clive Barker
When I thought about this list, I didn't expect to add an author best known for his horror books (huge fan of those by the way) but Clive's Imajica is one of those books I can never forget. I don't have enough room in this blog post to express how many imaginative aspects this book contained. It's a thick book, but it's well worth your time. (Be sure to check out Weaveworld as well, another favorite of mine.)
5) StarDoc series by S.L. Viehl
This is a book that I found around 2005. At the time, I was glad it had been out for a few years so I could buy the second and third book after I inhaled the first one. Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil is one of those characters that is so unique. I loved the scenes where she operated on aliens!
Viehl is an amazing and prolific author!
4) Dragon Delasangre Series by Alan F. Troop
I discovered Alan's books around ten years ago. I recall seeing the blurb for the first book, The Dragon Delasangre, and thinking, whoa, I must have this coolness--an urban fantasy about dragons and their secretive society. It was so worth the purchase. I bought each book in the series and enjoyed reading about the adventures of the main character, Peter Dela Sangre.
3) Eden Trilogy by Harry Harrison
This series first came out in the 1980s, but I remember reading it in high school. I'd sit in my room, listening to the oldies rock station. The story was amazing and imaginative: What would have happened if the dinosaurs survived and evolved to have organic technology alongside stone age man?
2) Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
I read this book around ten years ago and it was my very first urban fantasy. I devoured Kelley's book and since that point became a fan of the genre.
1) Xenogenesis Series by Octavia Butler
By far, it was Octavia's books that made me think seriously about writing. The Xenogenesis Series is so thought-provoking and well written. It’s set in a time when the human race is saved by aliens after war ravages the Earth. The aliens, who call themselves the Oankali, are biological traders. It is in their nature to collect and trade genes with other intelligent species. Lilith has a central role in the book as a human who must come to terms with how human race and the Oankali will be altered forever by the exchange.
The books are amazing! I remember inhaling first book in high school and then I couldn't wait to return back to the library to check out the next one. I highly recommend it. Matter of fact, just go ahead and read all her books. :)
Visit all the stops on the Keep What You Covet Close blog tour:
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About the author:
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Shawntelle Madison is a web developer who loves to weave words as well as code. She'd never admit it, but if asked she'd say she covets and collects source code. After losing her first summer job detassling corn, Shawntelle performed various jobs--from fast-food clerk to grunt programmer to university webmaster. Writing eccentric characters is her most favorite job of them all. On any particular day when she's not surgically attached to her computer, she can be found watching cheesy horror movies or the latest action-packed anime. She lives in Missouri with her husband and children. |
| Visit Shawntelle Madison online: Want to read more from Shawntelle Madison? |
Giveaway provided by Shawntelle Madison
One copy of COVETED by Shawntelle Madison
Available on April 24 from Ballantine Books
Description:
SOMETIMES WHAT YOU COVET IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP.
For werewolf Natalya Stravinsky, the supernatural is nothing extraordinary. What does seem strange is that she’s stuck in her hometown of South Toms River, New Jersey, the outcast of her pack, selling antiques to finicky magical creatures. Restless and recovering from her split with gorgeous ex-boyfriend, Thorn, Nat finds comfort in an unusual place: her obsessively collected stash of holiday trinkets. But complications pile up faster than her ornaments when Thorn returns home—and the two discover that the spark between them remains intense.
Before Nat can sort out their relationship, she must face a more immediate and dangerous problem. Her pack is under attack from the savage Long Island werewolves—and Nat is their first target in a turf war. Toss in a handsome wizard vying for her affection, a therapy group for the anxious and enchanted, and the South Toms River pack leader ready to throw her to the wolves, and it’s enough to give anybody a panic attack. With the stakes as high as the full moon, Nat must summon all of her strength to save her pack and, ultimately, herself.
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I think I would want the magic wand. Then I can make things happen on my own terms. A genie usually comes with strings attached! ;)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the magic wand cause you can do anything with that and I can also pretend that Im about to go to Hogwarts!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd want the magic wand as well, because what if the genie interprets your wishes in his/her own way? Plus, the idea of riding a magic carpet scares me a bit.
ReplyDeleteMagic wand because a genie is limited ^^
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Shawntelle! The Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series are both at the top of my UF must-read list. :)
ReplyDeleteI want the magic lamp and genie, especially if the genie is male and hot. This book sounds really good and I love shifter stories.
ReplyDeleteI'd choose a magic wand.
ReplyDeletemagic wand because i can do more with it than the other two
ReplyDeleteI've gotta go with everyone else. I want the wand! (Per Hermine Granger, Swish & Flick) LOL! Thanks for the awesome contest! I can't wait to read Coveted.
ReplyDeleteI would want a magic lamp with a genie inside it so it can grant me wishes.
ReplyDeleteMagic wand ^_^
ReplyDeleteA magic wand would come in handy some days....
ReplyDeleteExcellent list! I really want to try Octavia Butler now. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to go with the crowd and say magic wand. it seems like the most versatile option. :)
I would want to fly
ReplyDeleteMagic wand of course! You can use it to create the other things and everyone knows that dealing with a genie is like dealing with the fae (treachorous) so that would not be wise. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the magic carpet. I could fly anywhere and at nearly anytime too--and so easily done! I could easily travel to any place on earth that I'd want to visit--something I wish I could do now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting this blog, Shawntelle, and telling us about your book and the books that encouraged you to write fantasy. I'd love to read your new book. I love what you wrote about it, and the characters and story sound really interesting.
I would want a magic carpet so I could fly to anywhere at any time.
ReplyDeleteI'd want a magic wand - I think I could do a lot with that. :D
ReplyDeleteMagic wand! This way I wouldn't depend on someone else making my wish come true)
ReplyDeleteMagic wand, mostly because I'm a big Harry Potter fan! I would go with the carpet but it's probably so impractical...
ReplyDeleteThanks for a fun post and giveaway! I've read such great reviews for this book, it's definitely going on my wishlist :)
ReplyDeleteI'd want a magic wand. Like someone else mentioned, I would control the wand, while a magic lamp with a genie could have restrictions. That and Djinn are known to be tricksters and cruel... not at all like Disney's Aladdin's genie!
I would definitely take the magic wand because it seems like it would be the most usable. The magic carpet could take you where you want to go and the genie could give you three wishes but the wand could be used much more.
ReplyDeleteI would probably want a magic wand because I could use magic from cleaning my house, to picking my clothes, and going places.
ReplyDeleteI would want a magic wand.
ReplyDeleteMagic lamp with genie inside!!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a magic wand. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like a magic wand, as I could do some many things with it, and help so many people ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to side with the majority here and go with the magic wand. Adding your book to my TBR list!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Harry Potter fan so...a magic wand! :D Thank you for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI would want a magic wand. Then I can make the magic and not have only 3 wishes from a genie.
ReplyDeleteDef a wand! Its easier to carry around
ReplyDeleteI'd have to choose a magic wand. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say a wand...so many more possibilities.
ReplyDeleteMagic carpet for me. To avoid rush hour when go to the office!
ReplyDeleteWill the magic wand perform teleportations? I want to see my nieces and nephews more often without involving the TSA or airlines.
ReplyDeleteA magic wand, of course!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the magic wand! Oh the possibilities!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for this giveaway! I would love to possess a magic wand: oooh the fairy/princess in me love it too! :P Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be a magic arpet. Don't know why really. Jasmine wannabe maybe?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity.
Magic wand
ReplyDeleteA magic lamp.
ReplyDeletemagic wand
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the wand. With it I could do anything, even get a magic carpet eh??!!
ReplyDeleteMagic wand :)
ReplyDeleteMagic wand :D
ReplyDelete