2007 Book Log #17-21: The Blood Series, by Tanya Huff

[annathepiper]

Inspired by the recent starting up of the TV show Blood Ties, I've gone and plowed through all five of the Blood books by Tanya Huff. These are all re-reads, but it's been long enough since I read them all that it was almost like reading them all over again. And it was a pleasure, especially after reading a lot more current urban fantasy--in her rather understated kind of way, Huff did her part to contribute to what you see in the more recent run of books.

First and foremost: as vampires go, Henry is a fabulous vampire character. He's got his share of hokey I Am Vampire schtick, sure, but by and large he is refreshingly clear of the woe-is-me angst you see in a lot of vamp stories. I also like Huff's treatment of vampires--that they're not actually really dead, but instead are living creatures that are dramatically changed. For example, they still have a heartbeat, albeit extremely slow. Second: I dig Vicki as a tough, no-nonsense heroine. Third: I really like that the mortal side of the love triangle, Michael, holds his own against Henry. He too is a fabulous character. And Huff's always fun to me to read just because queerfolk are involved in her stories too. Not in any special LOOKIT ME I'M QUEER way, but just... there. Part of the story. Like life. And! Fun to read fantasy novels set in Canada as well.

Of the set, I think my favorites are books 3 and 4, Blood Lines and Blood Pact--where we get an ancient Egyptian mummy trying to take over Toronto, and then, Vicki's mother dying and some scary Dr. Frankenstein-y things going on.

All in all, highly recommended for fun romantic tension and suspenseful action, neither of which ever go out of their way to be over the top with the Dark Dark Darkity Darkness. I approve. Four stars.

Comments

[callibr8]

Ooooh, you have the Blood Ties books? Can I borrow? And is there any chance you happened to *tape* the series? We don't have cable and I'd really loooooove to watch it. There could be chocolate provided, as incentive...

Btw, this author has an LJ account, she's andpuff here. She's turning into quite the able guitarist, as well, I saw her both at GAFilk and at FilKONtario, the latter of which was two weeks before Norwescon.

[annathepiper]

I've actually got a couple of tape copies of the premiere but have not been dumping the rest of the episodes down to tape, sorry! I did make a couple tape copies of the premiere, but I need to doublecheck with the folks I'd offered them to since I don't know if they still want 'em.

I'm certainly willing to tape subsequent episodes, but would have to swing around to look for reruns on the Tivo if you want the whole set. Failing that, for what it's worth, the show is available for download in the iTunes store if that's at all helpful.

Re: the books... I do indeed own all five. As long as you treat my books with care I'm certainly willing to loan 'em out. :)

Re: Tanya Huff on LJ, cool! Thanks for the tip. :)

[mojave-wolf.livejournal.com]

I will try to look those up next time I'm in the bookstore or library (at least after I've made more headway on my current bunch of books).

Something that sounds similar and I've (quite to my surprise) liked very much, despite marketing that would have turned me completely off if not for (1)a recommendation from a friend & (2) that I started reading in a Wal-Mart where I had an hour to kill waiting on a bus and there wasn't *that* great a selection of books to choose from --Keri Arthur's Riley Jensen series, starting w/Full Moon Rising (and, horribly, continuing w/titles like "Kissing Sin" and "Tempting Evil"--yes, I actually read books w/these titles, embarrassingly enough). Nice marketing gimmik of releasing 4 books in the series in four months (just finished the fourth).

Despite the marketing as "supernatural romance", they're actually well-constructed thrillers w/decent characterization, sort of along the lines of the Matt Helm and James Bond books (very different from the movies) that I read as a kid. The lead's twin brother, like her, is half-vampire, half-werewolf, and part of what amounts to a supernatural CIA/FBI type organization, and his love life, while not as big a part of the series as Riley's (and unlike hers, not described in explicit detail), puts him very much at the queer end of the spectrum. The cover looks sucky and it's not good, but if you enjoy both the supernatural and spy thrillers, you might like.

[annathepiper]

I'll keep those in mind, thanks for the recommendation. I'm definitely not hurting for stuff to read right now--in fact, my To Read shelves are about as full as I can make 'em, and I just got three more books, so I kind of need to hold off for a bit. ;)

But if I get in the mood for this kind of thing, who knows? Maybe I'll pick 'em up.

[mojave-wolf.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've got a list 6 things here to read and 2 more on order (all of which, shockingly, are a bit weightier than Kissing Sin, which title I must keep making fun of because, well, look at it . . . )

[annathepiper]

*snicker* It is quite the title. And yet! I've got some equally goofy ones on my shelf.