So, the first year of Fangs for the Fantasy has passed (well, half year since we started in August) so it’s time for a review of the year and what we’re looking forward to from 2012
Renee:
What were you Top 3 series/books you read this year?
I think the best series that I read this year was easily The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games is a sci-fi and it falls outside of our purview, but I was compelled to read it after receiving multiple recommendations. The Iron Druid Chronicles was the series to make me actively into a fan poodle. I loved this series from beginning to end, and can be found on Twitter occasionally encouraging Kevin Hearne to spend more time writing. Finally, I would have to say the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead. For me, this is an example of how to do paranormal romance the right way. I found the books engaging, and could not help but root for Seth and Georgina.
What book(s) pleasantly surprised you?
I would have to say White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland. Just based in the title alone, I expected this book to be a hot mess from beginning to end, and instead found a well thought out plot that closely examined class.
What was this year’s guilty pleasure? Which book/series are you embarrassed to admit you liked?
I would have to go with the Argeneau series by Lyndsay Sands. There is so much wrong with these books from beginning to end from a social justice perspective, but I found myself laughing in spite of myself. Yes it’s wrong, but a vampire biting a penis during oral sex because she got a sudden craving for blood is hilarious. This of course was doubly funny, because the man owning the penis in question, really should have known better, because he was after all having sex with a newborn. I also like The Elemental Witches series by Anya Bast, though it had the most vanilla sex possible because the plot intrigued me.
What was your favourite Television series this year?
This question is actually quite easy for me. Hands down the series that I loved the most is The Walking Dead. This season has not been as great as the first season, but I am still intrigued and read the comics as soon as they are released.
What was the worst thing you read this year?
This is actually quite hard because I read so much crap this year. I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one, and so I will give you a few. The Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey because it started off with a good plot, and descended to one big testosterone pissing contest. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brooks, for celebrating rape culture in the most horrendous way. Finally, Generation Dead by Dan Waters. This book has the honour of having the most appropriation of marginalized bodies that I have ever read in any urban fantasy book or series.
What television series did you enjoy the least?
Okay, hands down that has to be American Horror Story. I found every episode torturous, to the point that when the season finally ended for the year I was relieved. Each episode the writers of the show seemed to want to include as many isms as they could, thus making the show racist, homophobic, and ableist. My second choice would be Grimm. The sad thing about Grimm is that it still has so much potential, but has become stalled with doing the monster of the week, week after week. We have learned next to nothing about the characters, and therefore it is difficult to form any real attachment to them. It makes me just want to scream meta-plot repeatedly at the screen while the show is on.
What are you looking forward to being released in 2012?
I am really looking forward to the next Hollows book by Kim Harrison. Now that Trent has made it clear that he has feelings for Rachel, I just have to know what happens next. I also must find out what adventures Kevin Hearne has planned for Atticus in the next Iron Druid Chronicles. Finally, the next Sookie Stackhouse book, simply because I have to know how this series ends, though it is clear from her last book, that she is bored with this story.
Sparky:
What were you Top 3 series/books you read this year?
First for me has to be the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. hilarious, fascinating, well written with a great world and amazing characters - I even got them on audio book so that I could listen to them in the car. I fanpoodle in his name
Joint second for me has to be the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews - perhaps the best world building I have ever seen in the genre. Joint with Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate for utter hilarity, and the strongest protagonist I’ve seen in a long time.
Third, I choose Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden Files, simply for brilliant stories and bringing the epic over and over. No other book has had me on the edge of my seat, or excited as much as this one
What book(s) pleasantly surprised you?
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland. I expected utter awfulness from the title, I’ll be honest, and I didn’t rate the cover art. I expected trash, I expected fluff - and what I got? I got a subtle, nuanced analysis of class and personal growth and development and addiction, all with some amazing character development and a strong world setting. It was a gem that I totally didn’t expect. In fact, I am really looking forward to interviewing Diana Rowland in the New Year - beware, Ms. Rowland, we fanpoodle!
What was your favourite Television series this year?
I’m going to have to go with The Fades. So many powerful scenes, such amazingly good action, such genuine tension without needing a huge special effects budget. The acting carried this series - and it already had a dark and gritty story and a wonderful world.
What was the worst thing you read this year?
I would have said Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instrument’s series, except then she released Infernal Devices that was even worse. They had a good world and some decent story - but the truly awful characters and the horrendous over-writing was just intolerable. An editor could have cut these books by half without compromising the story or characterisation, the writing was that padded
What was the worst thing you watched this year?
American Horror Story, beyond a doubt. We just had -ism after -ism after -ism show cased over and over again for no damn good reason. It was a failapolosa, painful to watch and really not worth it.
After that, I’d have to go with Secret Circle simple because it was so damn predictable and lacking in even the slightest pretense of depth. I knew how each episode would end almost before it began.
What was this year’s guilty pleasure? Which book/series are you embarrassed to admit you liked?
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter Series. I’m really trying to hate these. They’re full of awful romance tropes, they ignore the very intriguing plot, they’re nearly completely erased. With the world they could be so much better than they are - instead of being predictable, cliched, problematic and... fun. Yes, fun.
What are you looking forward to being released in 2012?
Tricked by Kevin Hearne, Heartless by Gail Carriger (I am fanpoodling all the way here). I’m also hopeful for more Jim Butcher since we ended on such a cliff hanger and more Ilona Andrews because her world is so awesome and she’s finally revealing her history with Roland, the Master of the Dead.
So readers, what about you?
