First, it irritates me when an Urban Fantasy (UF) is criticized for not having enough ROMANCE. Romance is not the point of UF. Yes, there can be the potential for romance, a dalliance, a love interest, sex but it's not the focus of the story and should never get in the way of the story. If you really want romance, read Paranormal Romance (PNR). If you must have a Happily Ever After, read PNR. If you want the focus to be on the romance, read PNR. Do not pick on an Urban Fantasy for not having enough romance. I read both UF and PNR. There are wonderful books in both genres. Lately, I've been seeing a few books labelled as either Urban Fantasy Romance (UFR) or Romantic Urban Fantasy (RUF). That's fine. There will always be some genre blurring. Maybe this is the solution for those seeking romance in their Urban Fantasies. Regardless, if it has an HEA, it will still be PNR to me. If the focus leans heavily towards the Romance and not the Story, it will still be PNR to me. What do you look for in UF?
Second, I am upset that anyone has to argue WHY book piracy is wrong. Quite simply it is STEALING. I think that we can agree that stealing is wrong and illegal. So.... PIRACY is wrong and illegal. No one has to argue to prove that. Arguments that piracy is okay for any variety of idiotic reasons are just specious. Let me sum up:
PIRACY = STEALING = WRONG/ILLEGAL
That's it. I probably won't rant again for a while. Thanks for 'listening.'
Oh I love ranty posts. Especially when I'm in a bad mood anyway. They make me smile and nod along in agreement.
ReplyDeleteI was in a bad mood tonight - still am - but you made me smile and nod along in agreement indeedy. Feel free to rant some more anytime.
I'm right there with you on both rants. #1 rant not said enough and #2 can't have enough said about it, the more the better.
ReplyDeleteI always feel irritated when I see someone knock a book down because it didn't contain any or enough romance, especially when I've read the book and it plain that the book's intent wasn't on the romance factor, and the book blurb doesn't indict I should expect a romance. I won't knock a book because of how little romance it contains except in situations where it's posed very clearly as a romance in advertising and book blurb then yeah I might feel cheated but not necessarily always, if author can make me feel otherwise with their story.
I'm glad you "ranted" on these topics, especially #1, it let me know I'm not the only who feels this way. Thanks! :)
I totally agree with you. I hate when I see a description for a UF plot that sounds awesome, and then it just turns into a bunch of gratuitous sex scenes. I'm not prude or anything, they don't bother or embarrass me, it's just that I find them uninteresting, and usually kind of silly. They do nothing to drive the plot. A little is fine, and sometimes it's the natural progression of a relationship, but just a bunch of sex for sex's sake cheeses me off because I feel like the book tricked me. If I wanted to just read about a bunch of sex, I'd pick up a book with a shirtless pirate or highlander on the cover, knowing exactly what I was getting into.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem lies in the conotation of the word "fanasty". Ignorance might interpret "sexual fantasy". Some people interpret romance as "sexual fantasy". If I want romance I want the hands off, mysterious tension (ie. hunger games or under my skin)because not knowing is more interesting than explicit detail. UF is a broad topic from twilight to serial murder. My rant - I wish books were rated just like movies! Let us know the level of explicit content please! P.S. please rant some more, it's way more fun!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually post but I cannot understand how anyone can condone piracy. It is just plain stealing
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Rant away! I've read plenty of straight UF that I loved just as much as paranormal romance. And on the flip side there is an emerging number of books labeled as Urban Fantasy Romance (mine included) which give the reader the best of both worlds. You get the deep world-building, tough, ass-kicking MC's, and a little love to top it all off. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you whole-heartedly on the book piracy issue: IT'S STEALING. DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!