Otto the Fangirl

I like when people make lists of the paranormal books that they’ve read, sorted by loves and hates.  I love the genre so much right now that I’m forever looking for more in the hopes I’ll find some new fandom to obsess over.

The thing is, it isn’t necessarily enough to check out posts of recommendations, because one person’s 5 star favorite might be my idea of empty, meaningless drivel.  That’s why I like the complete list, so I can see which side of the fence my favorites (and least favs) fall on, and thereby whether or not I have compatible taste.

So here’s my list, in case anybody is looking for one.  It’ll be a work in progress that gets edited from time to time.  Books on my first list are my favorites that I consider buy-worthy and rate between 4 and 5 stars on Goodreads.  The second list are books that I still consider entertaining, mostly rated between 3 and 4 stars.   If it falls under Comfort Food, that means the plot is probably fairly predictable or possibly derivative but will pass the time if all else fails.  Obviously with the last category, I’m just trying to get you to save your money for something better—no matter how sexy the cover might be.

Before you begin, you should note that I am essentially a fan of urban fantasy and I generally try to avoid paranormal romance, which I think is just regular romance wearing vampire teeth and a cape.  That kind of stuff generally falls under “Comfort Food” if it makes this list at all.

The BEST:

Adult:

1. Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series, (only 1-9, mind you), by Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Rachel Morgan, The Hallows Series, by Kim Harrison
3. Mercy Thompson Series, by Patricia Briggs
4. Song of Ice and Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
5. Otherworld Series, by Kelley Armstrong
6. Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire Series, by Charlaine Harris
7. Kitty Norville Series, by Carrie Vaughn (*book 10 just dropped from a 4 star rating to a 3…concerned about possible series decline)
8. Anna Latham, Alpha and Omega Series, by Patricia Briggs
9. Eric Courtney, Void City Series, by J. F. Lewis (1st book incredible, think I’m done after the 2nd though)
10. Odd Thomas Series, by Dean Koontz (don’t be scared off by his other fare, this is a standout series)

Teen:

1. Katniss Everdeen, Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
2. Claire Danvers, Morganville Vampires Series, by Rachel Caine
3. Clara Gardner, Unearthly Series, by Cynthia Hand
4. Darkest Powers Series, by Kelley Armstrong
5. Jenny Thornton, Forbidden Game Trilogy, by L. J. Smith
6. Elena Gilbert, Vampire Diaries (can only swear for 1-4), by L. J. Smith
7. Bella Swan, Twilight Saga, by Stephanie Meyer
8. Shari Cooper, Remember Me Trilogy, by Christopher Pike
9. Nightworld Series, by L. J. Smith
10. Kaitlyn Fairchild, Dark Vision Trilogy, by L. J. Smith
11. Tamsin Greene, Once a Witch and Always a Witch, by Carolyn MacCullough

The Pretty Good:

Adult:

1. Alex Craft Series, by Kalayna Price
2. Joanne Baldwin, Weather Warden Series, by Rachel Caine (Gets better with time…)
3. Merit, Chicagoland Vampires Series, by Chloe Neill
4. Harper Blaine, Greywalker Series, by Kat Richardson (Liked the first 2 a lot, the 3rd…eh)
5. Anton Gorodetsky, Watch Series, by Sergei Lukyanenko
6. Riley Jenson, Guardian Series, by Keri Arthur
7. Chess Putnam, Downside Ghosts Series, by Stacia Kane
8. MacKayla Lane, Fever Series, by Karen Marie Moning
9. Victoria Nelson Series, by Tanya Huff
10. Meredith Gentry Series, by Laurell K. Hamilton (at least the first bunch)

Teen:

1. Clary (Clarissa) Fray, Mortal Instruments Trilogy, by Cassandra Clare
2. Luce (Lucinda) Price, Fallen Series, by Lauren Kate
3. Rose Hathaway, Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead
4. Madison Avery Series, by Kim Harrison

The Comfort Food:

Adult:

1. Sophie Garou, Tales of an Urban Werewolf Series, by Karen MacInerney
2. October Daye Series, by Seanan McGuire
3. Dark Hunter Series, Sherrilyn Kenyon
4. Cat Crawfield, Night Huntress Series, by Jeaniene Frost
5. Georgina Kincaid Series, by Richelle Mead
6. Cassandra Palmer Series, by Karen Chance
7. Joanne Walker, Walker Papers Series, by C. E. Murphy
8. Joanna Archer, Signs of the Zodiac Series, by Vickie Pettersson
9. Luna Wilder, Nocturne City Series, by Caitlin Kittredge
10. Sisters of the Moon, by Yasmine Galenorn
11. Sabina Kane Series, by Jaye Wells
12. Atticus O’Sullivan, Iron Druid Series, by Kevin Hearne
13. Harry Dresden, The Dresden Files Series, by Jim Butcher

Teen:

1. Liza, Bones of Faerie, by Janni Lee Simner

The Library if You Must:

Adult:

1. Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter (10 & beyond), by Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Jaz Parks Series, by Jennifer Rardin
3. Faythe Sanders, Shifters Series, by Rachel Vincent
4. Diana Tregarde Series, by Mercedes Lackey
5. Carpathians Series, by Christine Feehan
6. Betsy Taylor, Undead Series, by Mary Janice Davidson
7. Lily Yu, World of the Lupi Series, by Eileen Wilks

Teen:

1. Nora Grey, Hush, Hush Series, by Becca Fitzpatrick
2. Wendy Everly, Trylle Trilogy, by Amanda Hocking