Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Top 5 Sundays #26 - Most Underrated Book Series

So, this week there was a choice on the topic front due to tied poll: either Favourite Book in a Long-Running Series or Most Underrated Book Series. I've chosen to go with the latter. Long-running series are, for the most part, currently ongoing and so my answer on the favourite book front is rather fluid and tends to change depending on each new release. At least with Most Underrated Book Series I can provide more stable answers.

So, without further ado, I present Calliope's Domain Top 5 Most Underrated Book Series.

#5 - Alexandra Sabian series by Jeannie Holmes
This series has it all; a complicated romance, family secrets, a dark, realistic take on crime and, of course, vampires. It's written in such a way that there's something of a duality between cold facts of the official investigation and the unpredictable emotions of the characters. The fact that the third person narrative tends to bounce between the heroine, Alexandra Sabian, the hero, Varik Baudelaire, the villain du jour, whoever he or she might be, and a myriad of other characters, rounds out the stories in a way a single or dual narrative wouldn't be capable of.

#4 - Shades of Fury series by Kasey Mackenzie 
I am a huge fan of mythology and this series has them all - literally. Where else can you read about a Fury (of Greek Mythology) reuniting with her Anubian Warhound ex (of Egyptian lore) to go up against brainwashed sidhe clones (drawn from Celtic legend). And that's just one scene of the first book.

#3 - Metawars series by Kelly Meding
Superheroes lose their powers without explanation as children only to regain them all of the sudden fifteen years later. As the author herself describe the series, it "follows a group of adult superheroes who are dealing with malfunctioning powers, a world that hates them, and a lot of romantic complications." Now, really, be honest - what's not to love about that? In my opinion, books featuring legitimate superheroes - complete with costumes and code names - are far to few in this world.

#2 - Monère: Children of the Moon series by Sunny

I love how this series is written - each book packs in so much more action and activity, so many more twists and turns than you'd expect given the back cover copy and page count. The emotion, however, that's described - the relationships and turmoil that arise between Mona Lisa and her men - is truly what gives these books their value. I cannot wait for the next book and hope to all the gods that it won't be too much longer!

#1 - Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk 
Author Devon Monk puts a whole new spin on the idea of magic users with this series and about a dozen other elements of urban fantasy. Set in Portland, it follows a young woman as she learns that the world, magic and people she thought she knew are truly nothing like she imagined - including herself. The last book is set to release in just one more week but, because Fate can't be cruel all the time, next year is set to see a couple of the secondary characters get their moment to shine in the driving seats.

And there you have it, ladies and gents, this week's Top 5. Be sure to check out Larissa's own list over at Larissa's Bookish Life. Until next week, my loves!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Great picks! Totally agree about the Monere series! Xoxo