A Writer’s Life: Books That Made a Lasting Impression on Me (Part 2)
(As a Reader, as a Writer, or both)
This is my second set of five books that made a lasting impression on me. To read the first part, see: A Writer’s Life: Books That Made a Lasting Impression on Me (Part 1)
When I sat down to do this list, I was startled by the number of books I came up with. It took some time to pare it down to ten. In the last two years, I’ve read over 120 books, but I’ve gone back further than that for some of these. These are truly another five that have landed on my “to be read again and again” list.
Kushiel’s Dart
Book 1 of the Kushiel's Legacy: Phedre Trilogy
By Jacqueline Carey
This is a series that comes recommended on a whole lot of fantasy “lists”. I’ve seen it many times over the last several years, and in reading the description, I had always passed it by on my way to something else.
I finally caved last year.
And devoured the six books in both Phedre’s trilogy as well as the three in Imriel’s trilogy.
This is political fantasy, more than sword and sorcery. It involves religion and Gods and Goddess’.
And sex. And sado-masochism. At least Phedre’s trilogy does, which is why I did not think I was going to enjoy it.
I was wrong.
These books are extremely well written. Thoughtful, even. The magic is unique and different, and the characters are never quite what you expect them to be.
Have I mentioned I like surprises in my books? I do.
People either love this series, or hate it (much like another one further down the page here) and after a great deal of time invested in reading them, as well as time thinking about them, I fall on the love end of that spectrum.
These books are not for everyone. But if you read fantasy to have your expectations shattered and your mind change - if you read for arrogant villains and stingingly sharp heroes, they might be for you.
I learned a great deal about creating characters from these books. And how to make them imperfect enough to be enjoyable without making them simpering fools.
Karma
by Donna Augustine
Book 1 of the Karma Series
Ah, Karma. Sometimes, you are indeed a bitch. And sometimes, you’re just a young woman trying to make her way in life and/or death without screwing up too much.
I love a book that turns everything you thought you understood about life upside down and inside out. This series does that and more.
Urban Fantasy is fun. This series is a great example of how it can be done in such a way that you’ll forget why you picked up the book in the first place, and order the second one immediately. Fast paced and full of enough battling to keep even the most stringent fan of the genre engaged, this book - the whole series, actually - is just fun on paper.
This book taught me that anything - anything - is up for grabs when you’re coming up with a plot.
A Discovery of Witches
Book 1 of the All Souls Trilogy
By Deborah Harkness
I found this book in the literary fiction category, after having seen it recommended on several “best fantasy” lists. Witches are typically not my favorite topic in fantasy, but I am always willing to give something new a chance.
I am glad I was in this case.
Witches and Vampires and Demons, oh my.
I will admit freely that my favorite part of this series is the more historical aspects of it. The magic system is different, but not so different that I would consider it ‘unique’. The characters are well-rounded and well thought out. The dialogue is downright fun in some places.
But the historical aspects included in the series really socked it to me. And I can clearly see why you’ll find these books in literary fiction, not the fantasy categories.
The ease at which the author weaves her obvious historical research into the plot of these books is amazing and unforgettable. I aspire to be able to do it half as well.
The Lost Queen
The Lost Queen series, Book 1
by Signe Pike
I did a full review on this book awhile back, so I won’t go into a ton of detail here, but this series for sure makes my list.
A new side of the Arthurian Legend (with one more book promised to us in 2023), The Lost Queen tells us where Merlin may have really come from. Whether you believe it to be true or not (I don’t), this is a wonderful read.
This book has taught to me to be open to alternate origins of our favorite myths and legends, and to never stop searching for the truth.
Daughter of the Blood
The Black Jewels, Book 1
by Anne Bishop
And here is the second series on my list that has as many detractors as it does supporters.
A completely new world, unlike any other I have read.
A startling disregard for trigger warnings (although, if I ever read a series that needed them, it would be this one).
A complete and utter lack of following any fantasy formula ever written.
These books are dark. I mean, really dark. But there is brightness is them, too. And with that brightness (that will take awhile to get to), comes a remarkable ‘make your own family’ type of story that can make you wince on one page, and smile on the next.
I have read everything Anne Bishop has written, and enjoyed it. I know that many people will disagree with me on that, and that’s okay.
If you find this one a little too dark, try the Ephemera series. It’s dark, too, but has flashes of brilliance in it as well.
From these books, I learned that it’s okay to turn down that road that leads somewhere people may fear to tread.
But to make the payoff in the end worth it for the reader.
Note: I did not include any Amazon links for these titles, but they are all available there, as well as many other places.
