Paranormal Fantasy

A sword and sorcery tale in the tradition of Jirel of Joiry and Black Agnes.

From Tangent Online:

Drith and Shard are on the run, heading to the ancient city of Seleucia. Set in an alternate history Earth, the story contains many fantasy elements, including magic and archetypes: Drith is a skilled thief, Shard a swordsman. Upon their arrival, they are taken to Prince Nikoleides who tasks Drith with finding a particular book in possession of his rival Ambrose. Shard is to remain as human collateral. Truths unfold as Drith’s mission progresses, unravelling a far more intricate situation than it once seemed.

Donna Thorland mixes real world settings with fantasy elements perfectly. Settings are described in great detail, while maintaining concision and flow. The plot is never what it seems, and is always believable. There is also a good amount of backstory to develop the characters, and their relationships and motives. “Drith” is a must read.

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Hungry Ghost is book 2 of the Tales of the Pack series, which explores feminism, sexuality, and gender through the lens of the werewolf mythos.

Strange is the new normal for college freshman Lexie Clarion. She could be writing papers and going to frat parties like a normal girl, but Lexie is no normal girl. She spends each full moon fighting against the beast that threatens to escape her body, and the rest of the time mooning over her alpha ex-girlfriend. When Lexie discovers the eviscerated body of a fellow student, she knows the violent full-blood Rare wolves are back on the prowl. But with no proof, no plan, and no allies, Lexie and the Pack have to decide how to fight back. And they have to do so fast, before all the women of Milton become prey.

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Lunatic Fringe indulges the feminine wild by giving the classic werewolf myth a lesbian twist. Lexie Clarion’s first night at college, she falls in with a pack of radical feminist werewolf hunters. The next morning, she falls for a mysterious woman who may be among the hunted. As Lexie’s new lover and the Pack battle for Lexie’s allegiance, the waxing moon illuminates old hatreds, new enemies, and a secret from Lexie’s childhood that will change her life forever.

“Enthralling, empowering, and well written.”
- Curve Magazine

“Lunatic Fringe is a pretty foxy romance and an excellent exploration of groups and identity, both of which make it a strong debut from Ms. Moon.”
- Pornokitch

“Lunatic Fringe is a groundbreaking creative accomplishment that is certain to make a splash among readers of both queer literature and speculative fiction.”
-Dr. David Higgins, Science Fiction Division Head for the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (iafa.org)

“Allison Moon has written a novel that reflects women today with an engaging story filled with folklore, romance & sex. She could very well be the writer to give feminism a good name again.” – Jon Imparato, Artistic Director of the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center.

“Capturing all the awkwardness of a new life, new love and new limbs with a startling and honest intensity, Lunatic Fringe isn’t afraid to show you its teeth. Full moons, feminism, and fisting, Allison Moon’s novel kept me turning pages.”
-Alexandra Erin, TalesofMu.com

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This novel is a love story about immortals with super powers in the modern world, framed strongly within a feminist context. A significant part of the interactions between the characters and the personal growth of the titular character is an examination of feminist issues – often conflicting ones such as supporting the cause versus personal choice. Further, the romantic elements are wholly within feminist guidelines: no positive portrayals of rape, abuse, or power plays, but instead equality-based love and tenderness.

A common theme to reviews thusfar is to mention that this novel smashes old romance tropes.

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It is feminist because it is the wife (Caitlin) who has to be strong enough to take on the gods, she who convinces her husband to give them what they want. She also faces ghosts and runs the family household almost singlehandedly while her husband’s wrapped up in his art.

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Blood Memory: Book 1 features an independent, yet flawed, heroine trying to find the forbidden truth about a blood memory her werewolf lover, and his brethren, carry in their passed-on memories. Vivienne is also her adopted father’s “Fixer”, dealing with issues within the pack family when his Pipers cannot.

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The Evanescence Chronicles: Volume I is feminist friendly because it’s a joke on modern day paranormal romance. The first part “Evanescence” satirizes many of the despicable elements of modern day paranormal romance. The second part “The Mirror” builds on a more complex story, and by the third part “Soul Cannibal,” the satirized despicable elements previously established begin to gleefully decimate into something far darker, realistic, and feminist friendly.

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Werewolf stories rarely include women. Strong female characters are great, older, strong female characters are awesome.

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The town in which the story is set is run by women.
The seven oldest women form the Witan, the gathering of the Wise, and they oversee everything that happens. All problems are brought to them to solve, and the town runs like clockwork until the Chaos Wolf threatens to destroy the Earth.
The two most powerful members of the Witan must devise a plan to destroy the Wolf, and helped by the apprentice healer and a stranger who has come to them from the Sea, they summon the Wolf to the place of the Sentry Stones.
There, they use all their power to destroy the evil, but not all of them can survive.

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The heroine, Kate Daniels is a strong warrior who relies only on herself out of necessity. This series sees her face a variety of dangers head on as she learns more about herself. The setting of these books includes a variety of characters of both genders, making their way in a tough environment.

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