Guest Post: Ashley (Book Labyrinth)

Ashley's List of Favorite Paranormal Books

For the longest time I was not a fan of paranormal books. I had read a few and I didn’t enjoy them. All the plots seemed the same, and I was never one for reading about vampires or werewolves. But then something magical happened. That special something? Blogging.

Blogging introduced me to some absolutely wonderful paranormal books that I never would have picked up if it weren’t for blogger after blogger talking about how amazing they were. I realized that there were fabulous paranormal books out there, and it was silly to judge a whole genre based on a few bad experiences. Here are some of my favourite paranormal books and series (and yes, some even include vampires and werewolves!):

Darkest Powers trilogy 
by Kelley Armstrong

I love the combination of action and quieter moments in these books. There are parts where the pacing is crazy intense, but we also get to know the characters and their motivations. Chloe is a fabulous lead character, and all of the friends she makes are amazing as well. I love this trilogy for the adventure, the touch of romance, and the inclusion of many different paranormal abilities.

The Mediator series
by Meg Cabot

These books are sort of the exception because I read them before blogging, and I’d love to re-read them sometime soon. They feature Meg Cabot’s trademark humour, and the series starts with a mediator named Suze moving into a bedroom haunted by a hot ghost named Jesse.

(Asher: The Mediator series was actually the first time I'd ever heard of Meg Cabot!)

Morganville Vampires series
by Rachel Caine

In one word? Addictive! I read the first ten books in the span of a week because I could not put them down. The characters are fabulous, and there is non-stop action. A very unique look at vampires, where they control a whole town. When a series fails to be boring after 10+ books? Pretty epic.

The Name of the Star
by Maureen Johnson

My contemporary YA loving heart adores this book because it starts off like any other “girl goes to boarding school abroad” book. But then suddenly there are hidden abilities, ghost police, and Jack the Ripper inspired murders (cue panic!). All of this adds up to something awesome, a book which is equal parts funny and creepy.

Vampire Academy series
by Richelle Mead

I put off reading these books for so long because of the ridiculous covers, but I’m so glad I finally picked them up. They’re not at all like typical vampire novels, which I appreciate. But the thing I love the most about these books are the characters. Rose is an incredibly strong and awesome heroine, but I pretty much fell in love with every character in these novels.

Shade trilogy
by Jeri Smith-Ready

A completely fresh take on ghosts and how they are a part of our world. Full of mythology, character development, and a stellar romance (Are you Team Logan or Team Zachary? Believe me, this is a love triangle done well!). Jeri’s writing is intensely amazing, and she lets you feel every emotion alongside the characters.

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I hope you’ll check out some of these books if you haven’t already, and I’d love to know some of your favourite paranormal books as well.

Thanks so much for having me today, Asher!

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Thank you for hopping over to the blog, Ashley! It was a pleasure.

Make sure to visit Ashley at Book Labyrinth. I acutally discovered her through reading this review of one my most anticipated reads of this year!