Book Review: Introduction to Popular Fantasy Series

Looking for two great fantasy series to sink your teeth into? Check out my two favorite series and see if they might steer you in a new direction for fantasy!

My first popular fantasy series I recommend is the Mercy Thompson series, by Patricia Briggs. At present there are four books in the series - Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed and Bone Crossed. There are also comic books available and a graphic novel in the works, all dealing with Mercy Thompson - a shapechanger mechanic living in a world populated with vampires, werewolves and all manner of supernatural creatures... in Washington State!

Now I know what you must be thinking - what, another book with vampires and werewolves? Why should you pick this popular fantasy series up instead of going with another book? I thought the same thing, why should I move this book and this fantasy series to the top of my must-buy list when there are so many other books on the market?

Mercy Thompson is an enthralling character to read about, a woman who can shift into coyote form and back again; the only one of her kind. Raised in a pack of werewolves she tries to walk the line between the packs and the other otherworldly creatures in her world, trying to keep clear of the fights and disputes that are wont to come up between vampires, werewolves and the Fae... and work as a mechanic on the side! The stories are hypnotic in the way they draw you into this alternative world where werewolves walk among us and the biggest discussion going on is how to "come out" to the human society without endangering the rest of the paranormal creatures around them. Mercy is a totally likable woman dealing with her emotions, that of the men around her who want to protect her while jockeying for the chance of becoming her mate... which is a whole another storyline that will bring out the romantic in you while sending your heart in different directions as she tries to choose. Toss in a series of storylines that are spellbinding and addictive and you will find yourself racing from bookstore to bookstore to complete your collection!

The next popular fantasy series on my bookshelf is The Nightside series, by Simon R. Green. Think of a world within our own, but following their own set of rules and existence. Down below London, accessible only through a secret train that may or may not get you to your destination without you being eaten by Lovecraftian creatures, is the Nightside.

Imagine a landscape where the cars could and do eat their passengers; where houses appear and disappear almost daily and Gods fight Gods to see who can get the greatest following. This is the setting for John Taylor, a private investigator with a mysterious past and a special Gift that allows him to move through the Nightside, solving cases that no one else wants. Or could.

With such interesting characters as Suzie Shooter, a woman who carries more ammunition and weapons than your average army, Razor Eddie (the name explains it all) and Walker, who works for the mysterious "Authorities" who supposedly run the Nightside you will find yourself staying up late to read each and every volume and then keeping the lights on, just in case.

And what sort of work does John Taylor take on? How about seeking the Unholy Grail; or looking for a tape that claims to be of Heaven and Hell itself? Or an heir to the biggest fortune in the Nightside, kidnapped for mysterious reasons... or even to leap through time to save himself, his friends and the Nightside. Whatever John Taylor gets into you know it's going to be a wild, wild ride. And we get to come along for the ride, in eight books to date and still going.

These two fantasy series are ones that I have enjoyed over the years and which I wait impatiently for the next volume, never fast enough for my tastes. Why not spin over to visit Mercy Thompson and see werewolves in a different light or take a trip down to the Nightside... if you dare!