Richelle Mead's Work! (Board Member goes pro)

[Mickey Finn]

" I realize that’s kind of imprecise science"

S'okay. You're the author, you're allowed.  While I absolutely love getting into HOW things work, to make it more "realistic," I also fully understand the "it just works" and embrace that too*. You haven't broken any of your own laws, and THAT's the important thing. I was just curious.


*So much so, it's actually a hinge-point in a series I'm working on. No one knows WHY certain things work...they can't explain them. They just do. Eventually, some things are explained...and not exactly in a quiet, pleasant way.

[Mickey Finn]

Oh, and how are sales?

[Mij]

Well dang.  I had pretty much given up on this genre after a bad experience with Laurel K Hamilton.  I really liked Anita Blake until book 7.  Then I gave the books to a friend and swore off the genre.  But now, after reading all y'all's comments, I'm going to have to buy Succubus Blues and give it a try.

Wish me luck.

[Mij]

OK, I went out, bought, and read Succubus Blues this weekend.  And I have to say -- I liked it.  Congratulations, Richelle.  You've restored my faith in the genre.  Completely dysfunctional, very insightful, sexy, funny, it was a great ride.  I'm already looking forward to the next book.  Thanks for making my weekend a little brighter.

By the way, am I the only one who was struck by the cover art's resemblance to Nicole Kidman?

[Mickey Finn]

Two other authors to give a try: Karen Chance & Kelly Armstrong (I'd start with Stolen or Dime Store Magic, not Bitten.)

[Richelle Mead]

By the way, am I the only one who was struck by the cover art's resemblance to Nicole Kidman?

Okay, I think there's something sort of Kevin Baconish going on here.  When I was younger, people said I looked like Nicole Kidman.  Over the years, we've both strayed from strawberry blonde (she's all blonde, and I'm all red) and don't look much alike anymore.  I also haven't been buying Botox stock either.  But, I actually get a lot of people (even my own mother) asking me if that's me on the cover, which is ten kinds of crazy:



Yet now you liken her to Nicole Kidman...hmmm...there's something coming full circle here that I just can't put my finger on.

[Mij]

Two other authors to give a try: Karen Chance & Kelly Armstrong (I'd start with Stolen or Dime Store Magic, not Bitten.)

Thanks Mickey, I'll keep them in mind!

But, I actually get a lot of people (even my own mother) asking me if that's me on the cover, which is ten kinds of crazy:

[pictures deleted]

Yet now you liken her to Nicole Kidman...hmmm...there's something coming full circle here that I just can't put my finger on.

I can see where people might think you inspired the artist, especially given the picture you posted for comparison!  And thanks for the reply

[Belial]

Well, I finally picked up a copy the other day, and started reading it yesterday... or the day before. I've been sick, and you've been keeping me up way past my bedtime, so it's been a cycle of "sleep, read, fiddle around a bit on the computer, read, sleep, etc". I finished the book around noon today, then went on to the sleep portion of my schedule.

As a now spoilerish review; I very much enjoyed the book, loved the characters and thought that there was some great characterization. Ms. Mead also avoided a lot of the pitfalls that abide in the fantasy-fiction genre.

Now, onto the more interesting stuff; the spoilerish review and comments.

(click to show/hide)

I have to say that I liked how you portrayed Roman. One of the things that bothers me about a lot of fantasy these days is that the Antagonist does evil things for the sake of being evil. Roman felt very human (errm; even if technically he wasn't), he wasn't pure evil (I actually felt sorry for him), he had reasons for his actions (not just "I'm going to kill people 'cause I can"), etc.

Actually, as an extension of that, I enjoyed how you portrayed all of the characters. They all felt very human and natural; none of them stuck in the various cliches that would normally surround them, none of them were one-dimensional with the possible exception of Lucinda... but she was a fairly minor character and she fit in fine.

As far as the plot goes I thought that it was solid. It felt very organic, growing out of the characters, rather than the other way around. As far as this goes I like it; I get tired of stale characters that are only there in order to further the plot, and it's refreshing to see a plot that is there to further the characters. I also liked the directness of the plot (that is, how it affected the characters, but not a whole lot else)... I also get tired of "Now then Rathgar, son of Ugdar, you must venture into the underworld and bring down the prince of darkness else the world shall end in six days... and all that you may use in this quest is... a herring!" (errm; I read more fantasy set in its own world than Urban Fantasy as a general rule, but I assume that such plots are fairly common to both, just a bit different... but anyways, I like how you avoided that.)

That's most of what I had to say, I think... If I think of anything else I'll be sure to let you know.

[CrazyGerbilLady]

I finally got the chance to read this book, and all I can say is ... MORE!!!!!!!!!  Give me MORE!!!!!!   

[SoulCatcher78]

Almost done with the book and so far so great!  I will probably never live down the fact that I had to search the ROMANCE section at Borders for it though (why didn't I leave the spousal unit in the car?  oh well, hindsight and all that).  Can't wait to see how you finish this off and get on to the next one *sometime in the near future I hope*.

[Jacen]

I've gotta say, this is one of my favorite books now. You're a wonderful writer and I can't wait for more. I really liked Seth because, aside from the fact he's a fantastic writer, he reminds me of me. The ending made me sad though, because I felt so bad for Georgina but that means I care about the characters so you're doing your job. ^^ Keep up the good work.

[SoulCatcher78]

ok, finally finished it.  Great work, loved the possible insight into the affairs (no pun intended) of the immortals.  I'm a bit sketchy on the vampire side of things but that really wasn't a big deal with them being minor characters.  ROFL at the "like that girl on TV" references.  Looks like we'll be getting more of the backstory on Georgina in the next installment (which I am looking forward to).

[Fade]

Mrs(or is it miss) Mead that was an amazing book i cant wait till the next one please keeping writing.
i find my self sympathizing with Georgina. keep the books coming!!!

[Richelle Mead]

I'm repeating myself, but I mean it every time: thanks so much for the praise, you guys!  It means so much every time I hear it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

SoulCatcher--yeah, sometimes I'm surprised about the romance thing too.    With a succubus heroine, sex was inevitable, but it isn't romancey in the traditional romancey sense.  Sadly, Borders thinks otherwise.  I'm kind of nervous about the sequel at this point because I've gotten wind that the cover might be *really* romancey, and I am NOT happy about that.  But, well, authors have little say over that.

[SoulCatcher78]

It's unfortunate that they don't give control of the cover art to the writer (I suppose they have to retain it for marketing purposes but sometimes they get it sooooo wrong, lol).