This weird shapeless anxiety mugged me yesterday and today. I feel really uneasy and unsettled and I can’t figure out why. I’ve gone through all of the common culprits and so far got nothing. On top of it, I broke my dragon, a necklace Gordon and the kids bought for me, and that just sucked all over.
I’m sitting here in my anxious apathy and can’t concentrate for long then ten minutes at a time. I took yesterday off. I might take today off too. I’ve discovered Farscape and it is awesome.
Tried to read a fantasy book today. I loved bits of it, but it was kind of like digging for gems in a Smoky Mountain tourist mine: there were garnets, rubies, and sapphires in there, but I had to sift through a lot of worldbuilding and boring things to get there and I found myself first skimming sections and then skipping ahead. Once you do that, the book is over.
So what good books have you read lately? Anything to recommend?
try…lynn kurland’s nine kingdom series. starts off slow especially the first book but the second and third were so good i read through the night till the next morning because i didnt want to put them down. the plot isnt the most original but the way she invokes ethos is masterful.
also, anything by simon r green. if you don’t want to get bogged down by a series (he writes 10 book ones) read ‘drinking midnight wine’. great universe, very fast paced.
kelly mccullough’s ravirn series is great. fast paced from the very beginning with a really fascinating universe.
oh and if anyone hasnt recommended it, adrian phoenix;s maker’s song series is incredible. it does drag sometimes but theres such power in his words you just don’t care.
Clearly I am an idiot right now. The other series I’m totally hooked on (besides yours and Mr. Butcher’s) is Suzanne Collins’ HUNGER GAMES. It’s a very gritty story done up in a trilogy. Final book (MOCKINGJAY) comes out in August in hardcover. I rarely buy in that format, but that one’s been ordered since the spring. (First two books are: HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE.)
in the YA vein, there is also Hush,hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, and White Cat by Holly Black. i also have a list of rather good books that i’ve read recently on my blog.
Some series I love besides yours are:
Night Hunters Series and Night Huntreess World by Jeaniene Frost
Guild Hunters by Naline Singh
Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
Shifters Series by Rachel Vincent
Imortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole
Breeds Sereies by Lora Leigh (just read Lion’s Heat it was really good)
Night’s Cold Kiss by Tracy O’hara
Reading Jung’s theories of Dream study is not only incredibly fascinating, but also allows some understanding of the unconscious at work. Jung isn’t exactly an easy read, but can lend insight as to these feelings of seemingly unreasonable anxiousness and apathy. I highly recommend Beginner’s Guide to Jungian Psychology by Robin Robertson. He brilliantly lays out the foundation of Jung’s theories without being too pretentious or hard to follow. Anyway, I found the book very helpful.
The book also helps to define and outline personalities, the workings behind such personalities and might help build interesting aspects of fictional characters.
Anyway, good luck with it all. And I know studying psychology isn’t exactly everybody’s cup of tea, but I thought I’d toss in my two cents worth as well.
By the way, the husband and I LOVED Magic Bleeds. It gave us something to talk about during the deployment aside from the usual.
Best wishes,
Allyse
Anything & everything by Lynn viehl / S L viehl… I’m addicted to her stuff.
If you’re into paranormal romance, Ava Gray’s stuff is fun. I read D D barant’s UF and that was cool, as well as Carolyn Crane’s Mind Games.
And J D Robb books are awesome…
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher-simply amazing book, so original.
Amazon Best Books of the Month, February 2010: The shifting landscapes, unexpected plot punches, and bold, brave characters found in Catherine Fisher’s Incarceron are nothing short of thrilling: fans of Garth Nix and Suzanne Collins will take to this epic, twisty fantasy instantly, but it’s also the kind of book that will draw in the most hesitant fantasy reader. The mysterious world of Incarceron—and its factions of daring Prisoners, led by an incorrigible team in Finn and Claudia, who are both searching for a means of escape—is wonderfully imagined, at once frightening and full of seduction, and marks the beginning of an addictive new series. –Anne Bartholomew –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
There are two books I’ve read in the past year that literally knocked my socks off. One has already been recommended here, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s a gorgeous, heartbreaking, exhilarating book, the kind of book you want to hand out to everyone you meet because you just know everyone should read it.
The other is Josh Bazell’s Beat the Reaper, about which the Washington Post’s reviewer said: “Beat the Reaper is a hypochondriac’s nightmare but a reader’s dream. Josh Bazell concocted this comic thriller while working as a medical resident at the University of California, San Francisco, and if anything he describes here is true, we should all become Christian Scientists. After I gulped down the doctor’s story, my pulse was racing so fast I didn’t know whether to recommend his outrageous first novel or sue for malpractice.”
Beware, it’s not for the faint of heart or the faint of sensibility, and definitely not a book I would hand out to everybody, or even very many people. It’s kind of like recommending the movie Fargo — you’ll either love it or hate it. I loved it.
Anne Rice- “The Queen of the Damned” Loved the book. Hated the movie. How could they have taken the muddy bloody twins out of it?! They were like the best part of the whole story!!
TA Pratt- All her books I read so far have been cool…
Beatrice Small- If your in the mood for Romance some of her earlier work is sooo steamy!
Karen Marie Moning’s FEVER series is pretty good. The first 2 are my favorite.
Kim Harrison- ♥♥♥ “Me love her long time!!”
Laurell K Hamilton- “Bloody Bones” and “Obsidian Butterfly” I wish she still put out stories like that! Bloody bones is my favorite in the Anita Blake series. I haven’t bought the last 3 books in the series though.. They’ve gotten too “talk,talk,talk” and porny.
For something a little lighter, I just “found” the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin. She works for the CIA and “takes out the trash!” Humor, action, and paranormal — what more could you want?! There are 5 books in the series so far, and I have read the first 3 in 3 days. Not as good as the Kate series, but that goes without saying.
I love this series too. I also enjoy the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Niell. Smart and sassy heroine, etc. Very funny and likeable.
The last book that I really loved was Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch. Its pretty witty and out there but its a good light-hearted read although the worldbuilding was slightly confusing in the beginning.
When I am in a book funk I tend to reread old favourites to help me out – one of my faves is Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas – LOVE that book and Derek *sigh*
And Yay for discovering Farscape – I LOVE this show!
I second the recommendation of Touched by an Alien! I didn’t think I would like it as I don’t “do” alien stories and I loved it! Just the right mix of sci-fi and romance and the hero, Jeff Martini, is yummy (he joined Curran on my list of fictional boyfriends!).
I read this one. Definitely a light, easy read, but I was amazed by the intuitive abilities of the protagonist. She had to be a genious and found a lot of stuff “obvious”, which made me feel like I was an idiot for automatically not reaching the same conclusion with just as little information.
I recommend:
*War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
*Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
*Abarat by Clive Barker
*The Aware, Gilfeather, The Tainted by Glenda Larke – The books are an awesome series.
*Song of the Silence, The Lesser Kindred, and Redeeming the Lost by Elizabeth Kerner
*Dhampir by Barb & J.C. Hendee
sharon shinn is a such a hidden gem.. amazing though!
Couldn’t not say anything when I saw you mention Glenda Larke! Have you tried the new series by her starting with The Last Stormlord?
I am a huge fan of Jocelynn Drake’s Dark Days series. Her latest, Pray for Dawn, is supposed to hit shelves on tuesday so I’m popping by the store today in the hopes that they put it on their shelves early. *crosses fingers*
Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series, starting with Shards of Honor.
Anne Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series, starting with Grimspace
I second the Lois McMaster Vorkosigan series.
I also recommend Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra series. Patricia Briggs Mercy series, but not the Cry Wolf series with Charles and Anna. Karen Chance. Sara Douglass. Jennifer Fallon’s Wolfblade trilogy and Hythrun Chronicles.
I forth or fifth the folks that suggested Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series!!! I am simply amazed and in awe of these books! In order:
1) His Majesty’s Dragon (currently available for free download on Amazon!)
2) Throne of Jade
3) Black Powder War
4) Empire of Ivory
5) Victory of Eagles
6) Tongues of Serpents (releases 7/13!)
Well, to anyone else, I would recommend your books but to you, that seems a wee bit redundant XP
If you haven’t read any of Patricia Briggs’ books (I think I remember a blog entry from way back when where you said you were avoiding them since you got comments thar your/her books are similar… Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), they’re very good reads (for some reason though, I don’t like her most recent one as much as the previous ones for the Mercy Thompson series).
Currently, I’m reading Catherine Coulter’s Point Blank (found cheap at Costco
) and so far (if you’re not looking for fantasy) it’s a good read. I’m also reading Rob Thurman’s Deathwish (Ca? Leandros series) and it’s not that bad (there are some not as fun parts but there isn’t a lot of chunky worldbuilding stuff since it’s urban fantasy…).
I second this! I had read the Mercy series (and Kate of course!) so I went looking for other reads. Raven’s Shadow and Raven’s Strike (Patricia Briggs) were really good, and are from 2005 so you could probably get a good used copy if you are so inclined. I just bought everything from my local Hastings, where there are somehow always EXACTLY two copies of these books (Raven 1 and 2) in stock. Mysterious workings.
I love anything by poe. easy enough to get lost in. but the other fantasy books i love are all by tamora pierce, piers anthony, and maria snyder.
Nonfiction BUT … Diane Ackerman’s “A Natural History of the Senses.” is one of the most calming books i have ever read. After reading the section of smell, the produce section in the grocery store was an entirely new experience.
Fantasy wise, I second everyone who mentioned Brandon Sanderson and Anne Bishop. Currently i’m hooked on Jennifer Fallon’s “The Tide Lords Quartet” series. 3 of the books are out so far and the characters and world setting are wonderful.
good luck!
I tend to read more mystery than fantasy, but here are some of my favorites.
Deborah Chester’s Ruby Throne series, as well as The Sword, The Ring, and The Chalice.
Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy, and Tawny Man Trilogy. I’m just now reading the Rainwild Chronicles, so I can’t vouch for them, but if they are remotely like the others they will be good.
Susan Carroll’s The Dark Queen Saga
Though already mentioned, I second (third, forth, etc.) all of these: Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels (and all the sequels), Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter, Karen Chance (both Cassy Palmer and Dorina Basarab) and of course Patricia Briggs and OMG Ilona Andrews…
As for the mysteries, whenever I want a quick and funny read (and I’m already caught up on Janet Evanovich) I tend to read Victoria Laurie, both her ghost hunter and her psychic eye series are witty and quick. When I can’t decide whether I want to read mystery or scifi, I read JD Robb. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series is good and gritty American detective fiction. For the more forensic stuff I like Jeffery Deaver and Kathy Reichs. My all time favorite mystery author is Sue Grafton, I’ve been reading her since I was 11, but lately her themes seem to be a bit too old for me to relate to, so I’d stick to the earlier ones until you get a taste.
Good luck finding something that hits the right spot.
~gillian
Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant’s Feed is the best book I’ve read in genre fiction (other than Magic Bleeds) in 2010 releases. I’m listening to Temeraire by Naomi Novik with my 14 year old. Enjoying that one quite a bit, too.
Hope the anxiety abates and sending you both warm thoughts.
I just discovered Nicole Peeler. She right now has one book out and I am waiting for the second book in the series which will be out soon. Besides, Kate Daniels, I am also reading the Vampire Academy series. Of course one of my favorites is Stephen King. I recommend “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”. Happy reading and I hope that all is well with you.
I have been reading the Mercy Thompson novels by Patricia Briggs…really enjoying them a lot.
First off, Farscape is THE best Sci Fi show EVER – just wait until Season 3 and 4! And the miniseries! I’m pretty sure your weekend is already fully occupied, lol, but just in case, here’s some brain candy:
1) Elizabeth Moon – Trading in Danger, first book in the Vatta’s War series (amazing), also has a Tolkien-esque high fantasy series (Deed of Paks).
2) Gail Carriger – Changeless, UF mixed with Jane Austen and a pinch of Steampunk, and altogether very amusing
3) Graceling by Kristen Cashore – YA kick ass girl fighter
4) Beka Cooper – Terrier – by Tamora Pierce – YA shy determined girl fighter
5) Leviathan by Scott Westenfeld – pure YA steampunk
Actually – my bad – SOULESS is the 1st in Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series =)
Read ‘Changeless’ (the 2nd book from that series) a few days ago and still can’t believe how it ended. If I had a time machine I would fast forward to August right now so I could read to next one.
I know, right?!? It’s been driving me nuts! Just a few more months untill September…
I’m a little surprised that Karen Marie Moning’s FEVER series hasn’t yet been listed here…I think you would really enjoy it. DARKFEVER is the first book, it’s a fun ride. (I am unable to get through her romance novels, but this series is seriously addictive).
YAY!! FARSCAPEFARSCAPEFARSCAPE!!!! Best show EVER!!! We should start the watch and post on the forum again. *off to go dream of Crichton in leather pants*
Brent Weeks has an awesome 3 book series. I picked it up on a whim and was more than pleasantly surprised. It is fantasy about an assassin but totally not what you think. Great characters, plot twists and surprises. If you want something fun but intense that is a change of pace this is a great book.
Not a book but I can guarantee this movie will sooth and feed your soul. Without a doubt the most beautiful movie ever made, and the story of HOW it was made is even more amazing. The Fall by Tarsem. It spent very little time in very limited theaters cause Tarsem refused to compromise for a big studio edited release so it had no money behind it. Here is the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaoxB-eLHQ8
You may have read some of these but then again you may not have. Going through the feed I have noticed that some of the authors that I like have been mentioned but I will still list the ones that I do re-reads on:
Anne Bishop – The Black Jewels books
Patricia Briggs (werewolf related books)
Karen Chance (vampire related books)
Trudi Canavan – The Black Magician books
Brent Weeks – The Night Angel Trilogy
and I wasn’t sure at first if I would like this one but it surprised me -> Peter V. Brett – The Warded Man
And of course there is Devon Monk’s books.
Hmm the last book i read was yours. And everything else interesting was mentioned before.
I am sure you find something in these to distract yourself, there were some good
writer mentioned. I hope you feel better soon *cheers for illona*
since I’ve already read my newest book (magic bleeds, of course) over 20 times by now, I usually go to fanfiction(dot)net to read fanfics of my fav books.
if that doesn’t satisfy me then I go through my manga collection. anything by clamp is a good, especially magic knight ray earth, clover, tsubasa reservoir, and xxx-holic. fullmetal alchemist by hiromu arakawa is also a good read.
the only downside of reading mangas is that they don’t take as much time as reading a novel so I get less happy time if the series is short. So stock up ur manga collection before u hide in ur own happy bubble for the whole day
.
I’m waiting on Hush Hush by Becca Fitzgerald, I read an excerpt online and it seemed interesting, even though it’s a young adult book…but still. I need to get my hands on books to read, the summer is passing me by and i’m living on boredom. Oh and the world cup that my sister insists I watch (she hogs the remote and i have no choice). England lost today though so I think she’s been put off the rest of the matches, she’s weird like that. But maybe I can watch actual TV now until I get my hands on something exciting to read!!!
All the recommendations seem good. If you’re looking for something a little different.
Thomas Perry – Jane Whitfield Series
Cody MacFayden – Smoky Barrett Series
Jeffrey Deavor – Lincoln Rhymes Series
An older series but still one of my favorites is the WolfWalker series by Tara K Harper. Its a sci-fi/fantasy blend (more sci-fi tho). The books are Wolfwalker, Shadow Leader, Stormrunner, Wolf’s Bane, Silver Moons Black Steel. She’s got others, but that’s the first series.
Newer series include Faith Hunter’s Rogue Mage series (Bloodring, Seraphs, Host) with excerpt of the first book being located here: http://www.faithhunter.net/bloodring-excerpt.html
Faith Hunter also has her Jane Yellowrock series which I like but is ongoing. It has Skinwalker and Blood Cross
C.E. Murphy has several good series as well. She has the Walker Papers, starting with Urban Shaman, which has five books total. She has the finished Negotiator Trilogy, which is interesting but not as refined as the Walker Papers I don’t think. It starts with Heart of Stone. She also has Inheritor’s Cycle which is historical fantasy, and starts with The Queen’s Bastard.
Jane Lindskold’s Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls is amazing. She also has her Wolf/Firekeeper Series starting with Through Wolf’s Eyes and her other ongoing series which has met with mixed reviews that starts with Thirteen Orphans. Its sort of a modern day Asian mysticism fantasy story.
I read the other comments, because I’m always on the lookout for new urban fantasy. Here are some that weren’t mentioned.
I don’t usually read YA, but I read a review on some blog — unfortunately, I can’t recall which one — for Sarah Rees Brennan’s The Demon Lexicon. What engaged the reviewer from the start was the opening paragraph of the book: “The pipe under the sink was leaking again. It wouldn’t have been so bad, except that Nick kept his favorite sword under the sink.”
It’s a story of two brothers, who are constantly on the move in order evade the demons set upon them by magicians. The world the writer creates is rich is details and imagination, but what really drew me in was the powerful bond between the brothers. This book and its sequel are two of the best I’ve read this year.
I have one more rec. I’m a big fan of Marjorie R. Lui, so when I saw her glowing endorsement on the cover of Margaret Ronald’s debut book Spiral Hunt, I immediately had to check it out. It’s about a woman who can track anyone or anything, and it taps deep into Celtic mythology. Very engrossing.
Oh, and two more mentions: Kelly Gay’s debut The Better Part of Darkness and DB Reynolds’ Vampires in America series.
I will second DB Reynolds’ Vampires in America series — Raphael, Jabril, and (soon to be released) Rajmund. I have only read the first book, but I was VERY impressed and simply can’t wait to get my hands on the next two! =)
I know you mentioned fantasy, but a funny read that is sci-fi is Rats, Bats, and Vats by Dave Freer.
You can actually get it free on Baen’s website, along with quite a few other ebooks. I picked up the first few Weber books just to have e-versions, even though i already have the paper versions.
http://www.baen.com/library/
Hey thanks for asking! Now I have a nice new pile of books to add to my list. I second many of the suggestions above including J.D. Robb, Karen Monig and of course Patricia Briggs. I suggest War Prize by Elizabeth Vaughn. I was wonderful, one of those stories that you don’t want to end. I just finished Time Weaver by Shana Abe and really enjoy her writing style. ..oh and Unholy Ghosts – Stacia Kane. What I am reading today is To Kill a Mockingbird! Never read it so thought what the heck. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
I’ve been on a smex binge. Bored haus frau and all. So Emma Holly, Shelly Laureston (Very LOL and my favorite), Lora Leigh, and Lauren Dane.
Just finished Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson. This is the second in a series about witches, werewolves and vampires. What else matters? Love this series… can’t wait for the 3rd!
Hello Ilona
I have read so much lately it’s crazy!
I have just re-read your series; I can’t seem to find an author to keep my interest as you did that I haven’t already read..
* I have read & re-read Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series & never tire of it – love, love, love!
* I loved Patricia Briggs – Mercy Thompson & Alpha & Omega
* Currently reading the Werecats series by Rachel Vincent
* Carrie Vaughn – Kitty Norville series
* Nicole Peeler – Jane True series (books 2&3 will be released in July)
* Devon Monk – Allie Beckstrom series
* Jennifer Estep – Elemental Assassin
* Jeaniene Frist – Night Huntress
* Everything by Richelle Mead
* Keri Arthur – Riley Jenson
* Stacia Kane (Books 2&3 will be released in July)
So many more!! (can you tell I love series
I have a few more authors to add to my ‘to read’ list just from this post – thankyou
Sharon
I would recommend The Caverns of Socrates by Dennis McKiernan. It’s fascinating and would probably appeal to you a lot.
It’s about what happens when someone builds an immersive game environment. Warning, it does explain what the caverns actually are for the first 50 pages or so and then it turns into a WHOLE lotta fun! ^_^
So I’m not the only one who gets the *mystery anxiety* outbursts? Good to know. I usually read my way out of those as well- I prefer lighter reads for those times.
Ironically I usually come looking here, on the forum, or goodreads for recs.
My friend and I have differing tastes but on her recommendation I’m reading By the Light of the Moon by Dean Koontz…after I finish up with the Percy Jackson series.
You have plenty of recs here (some I’ve jotted down for myself
) so I’ll only add 1 author- Seannan McGuire- the October Daye series. This was my second most anticipated series this year after Kate.
I hope you find your way out of the anxiety issue- I hate when those creep up- it’s the worst feeling.
Happy reading.
So I’ve been pushing this one on everyone lately, but try “Spider’s Bite ” by Jennifer Estep. The second one is called “Web of Lies” and the third is “Venom” and will be released later this year.
I have read a couple of awesome authors lately there is
Chloe Neill.. chicagoland vampire series
Faith Hunters.. Jane Yellowrock series..
Jennifer Estep.. Spider assassin series
Lori G Armstrong .. any book of hers is great …
Thats just a few of who I read but yours still comes out at the top list…
Just a thought… have you read Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdemar books? It is a big series but there are 2-3 books that are sets “together” and a couple of stand alones. My first was By The Sword, and I read it to bits and pieces. Lackey also did some other stand alones that are based on fairy tales but reworked. It seems that some of her later works were a bit too”similar” to each other in the way they are written and the themes, but I still love them. Also, her oldest books seem to use the phrase “hit in the back of the head by a board” to describe a stunned expression. I seem to remember reading that a LOT…lol. If you haven’t tried them though, they are easily available and a fun read.
Love the Hunger Games as mentioned above a few times if you have not read it give it a go its really small so not a huge commitment!
Also Sasha by Joel Shepherd he’s an Aussie writer very cool concept the leading lady has that same spark that i find in Kate!
Posin study by Maria v Snyder very good
love you guys let us know if you have and more recommendations
BE GONE YUK FEELINGS ! I wish to make it better therefore it is xxx
I LOV FARSCAAAAAPPEEEE ITS SO COOOOOOOLLL AUGHHHHH!
you have earned my eternal respect even MOre!! XD
*ahem.* i recommend games of command by linnea sinclair, one of my favorites, but for a lighter read i would go for Mara, daughter of the nile by, uhm,. someone. ^ ^ bad time for my brain to relax i guess…
Nalini Singh’s Guildhunter series
Lilith Saintcrow, her Danny Valentine Series or Jill Kismet
Kim Harrison’s Dead Witch Walking,
Patricia Briggs’ The Hob’s Bargain
All well written and engrossing.
For a lighter read accompanied by chuckles,
Katie Macalister’s You Slay Me.
I’m reading Jim Butcher’s “Codex Alera” series at the moment and I am loving it. Fantastic read. For a lighter/summer read, Gail Carriger’s “Changeless” and Gini Koch’s “Touched by an Alien” spring to mind. I’m also pushing “Water for Elephant” by Sara Gruen to all my family and friends. Also, the usual classic, JD Robb, Patty Briggs (esp. her classic ones. My fav are Raven and Hurog series), Tamora Pierce & Nalini Singh.
Farscape is good – everyone loves crazy australian sci-fi!
Really excellent fantasy series by Jacqueline Carey, first book Kushiel’s Dart. Urban Fantasy wise enjoyed Mark del Franco’s Connor Grey series (I read the four of them last week), quite Harry Dresden-esq. Recently read Rob Thurman’s Cal and Niko books – very good espcially the first couple (I’m worried that there isn’t enough direction in the series as a whole and that then they might feel like they’re going on forever instead of stopping at a good point – I get very upset when excellent authors don’t know when to give their characters a break and move on).
Hope you find some good stuff, i’m always looking for recommendations myself too. Also, have you watched Firefly? Excellent sci-fi even if the idiot American’s cancelled the show. Dead Like Me is fab too (another one idiot american’s cut too soon).
Oooh… Jaqueline Carey. I love her books. Firefly was great too. I really liked all the characters, especially Jayne and Wash. Another good TV show. Battlestar Gallactica. I keep having to defend it to people who think it’s like Star Trek. It’s a human drama, it just happens to take place in the future…
I’ve not had a lot of luck with debut authors lately, but one has really stood out for me: THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS by Kelly Gay. Really excellent stuff. Engaging characters, both good and bad (plus there’s the whole where do you draw the line at good and bad question going on, which I love), a really interesting and unique world, and a seamless and absorbing plot.
Don’t know if you’ve already read it or not, but it’s well worth a shot.