I’ve been reading a lot of supernatural and urban fantasy recently.

There are several reasons for this. First and foremost seems to be because unlike other types of fantasy, supernatural fantasy seems to be written more like mysteries. There is often an overarching story, but each book has a plot that begins and ends within the book. We may learn more about the character’s past or talents or secret or whatever, but the story arc is concluded.

Additionally, most supernatural and urban fantasy books are written so that you can start at any book in the series. Sure, there’s a past, and it’s nice to know the past, but you aren’t doomed to be lost if you miss the first (or second or third) book in the series. And when a new book comes out, you don’t have to reread every other book in the series.

Which is why I have all but stopped reading epic fantasy.

I like being able to pick up a book, read that book, and then go onto something else. I am not in the mood to pick up an eight hundred page tome that is the first book in what was supposed to be a trilogy but has stretched out to to five… seven… ten… whatever books. The idea of having to read hundreds of thousands of pages is just overwhelming right now. Not that I haven’t read hundreds of thousands of pages of supernatural fantasy and mystery, I just don’t have to read them all at once. I can read some Carrie Vaughn and then switch to Andrea Camilleri and then read something completely different.

So sorry epic fantasy.

I am over you.

Of course this wasn’t at all what I meant to write about when I started. What I wanted to write about was the difference between urban fantasy and supernatural fantasy.

Maybe next time.