Question for those who have read the Carousel books

[rolanni]

Before I ask the question, I shall Issue a Warning.  To wit:

BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE QUESTION, THE ANSWERS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.  IF YOU OBJECT TO SPOILERS, DON'T READ THE ANSWERS!

This is the only Warning that will be issued.  Thank you for your attention.

Off in Another Part of the Internet, someone has observed that the Carousel books are to Urban Fantasy as Cozy Mysteries are to Hardboiled Detective.  They further wonder if there is a subgenre of Cozy Fantasy, which I believe there is not, though I'm willing be proved wrong.

Most importantly, however, is the request for More Like This from other authors -- which is to say, now that he has finished the Carousel books he would like to read more books like them -- and asks for titles.

Now, I'm derned if I know of anything just exactly like the Carousel books -- I was trying for a Certain Deliberate Effect, and I think I pretty much hit it (in case there was any doubt, I'm rather proud of the Carousel books).  I could offer a list of anti-Carousel books, by which I mean those books that the Carousel books were written to. . .refute.  But, with the exception of maybe deLint, sorta-sometimes, I'm coming up blank on the "if-you-liked-this-then-you'll-like-that."

So! for those who have read at least two of the Carousel books (those being, in order of publication and event: Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, and Carousel Seas) -- can you help a fellow reader out with authors/titles/subgenres?

Thanks!

Comments

[otterb.livejournal.com]

I agree that the Carousel books are not much like anything else out there. So I'll be curious to see what others recommend.

I suggest Solstice Wood, by Patricia McKillip. It has a similar feel in terms of the sensible, competent woman in our world who really doesn't want to get involved in the family entanglement with the uncanny, but does anyway because she's needed.

[adriannem.livejournal.com]

There is nothing quite like the Carousel books. But I think the tone of Barnburner and Gunshy by you is very similar even if they aren't Urban Fantasy.

Written in Red (and sequels) by Anne Bishop comes to mind.

The Tinker series by Wen Spencer has a nice take on Urban Fantasy.

CE Murphy's Negotiator trilogy.

[cgbookcat1.livejournal.com]

Some aspects of these remind me of the first two Carousel books:

Territory -- Emma Bull (strong sense of locale, great characters, reluctant magic user)
Lifelode -- Jo Walton (the coziest fantasy I can think of)
Redemption in Indigo -- Karen Lord (interesting supernatural characters)
The House of Discarded Dreams -- Ekaterina Sedia (family meshing with magic, unexpected results)
Little, Big -- John Crowley (magic stretching over generations)

I'd otherwise put the Carousel books in their own sub-category. I look forward to others' suggestions!

[susan borrer (from livejournal.com)]

Hmmm... it kinda depends on what they mean by wanting stuff that is 'like' the Carousel books. I don't know if I know many books that are very similar to the Carousel books, but I do know a number that are Different to the rest of Urban Fantasy.

Most similar to Carousels would probably be the Joanne Walker series by C E Murphy (urban shaman, denying her heritage, screws up, faces responsibility, actually by ghod GROWS and matures).

Other UF authors I've enjoyed and would like to read more like of:

Jim Butcher (I like noir, some don't)
Kate Griffin (I love love LOVE the Matthew Swift books for the way London is a Character)
Mike Shevdon (interesting modern take on faeries)
Mike Carey's Felix Castor books (ghosts)
Paul Cornell's London Falling series (but be warned, it's DARK)
Charlie Fletcher's Stoneheart series (YA, again, London is a Character)

[reedrover]

When I took the topics out of their context, I got the following: winging it magically speaking, attuned to nature (in a specific location), working for a living, family issues, Beings from Away coming to mess things up... and came up with Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff. If you don't mind a little incest with your fantasy, it's a pretty good book.

[djonn]

By coincidence, I recently ran across what seems to be a similar yet completely different discussion of "cozy fantasy" -- at least I'm assuming it's a different discussion, as its catalyst was a review of a different pair of books, and while the Carousel books are mentioned, it's only as the (currently) very last of sixty-odd dense comments.

There are a number of solid recs in that discussion, but rather than port them over wholesale, I'll mention the books the OP over there was reviewing (Barbara Ashford's Spellcast and Spellcrossed, newly available in a combined edition as Spells at the Crossroads), and cite one additional example from the extended discussion, that being Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Sherwood Ring.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Must be something in the air. The discussion that prompted my question was over on Baen's Bar.

Thanks for the pointer, Djonn

[reedrover]

Spellcast was quite good, for those who are Musical-ly inclined. Anyone who didn't know the musicals being referenced would probably lose a little of the import of the choices.

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

I rather like Tanya Huff's books:
A very extended family of meddling magical Aunts:
The Enchantment Emporium
The Wild Ways
The Future Falls (Forthcoming later this year)

Vampires that don't sparkle and a private detective with Retinitis Pigmentosa and an attitude:
Blood Price
Blood Trail (tagline: Canada's most endangered species: The Werewolf!)
Blood Lines
Blood Pact
Blood Debt

And while I haven't read these (yet), the premise sounds interesting. A Keeper (charged with keeping the Universe together) runs a small hotel which contains (among other things) a hole into Hell in the basement, a talking cat, a ghost and much more
Summon the Keeper
The Second Summoning
Long Hot Summoning

More detail may be found at Wikipedia: en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org/wiki/Tanya_Huff
(Munged to get past the spambots)

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

Hmn *thinks*
It's true that the Carousel books are .... unique. But .... some books with ...the same flavor, dealing with ancient nature magics in a modern setting (mostly London, in this case) are the Peter Grant books by Ben Aaronovich. In order, Rivers of London(UK title)/Midnight Riot(US title), Moon Over Soho, Whispers Underground, Broken Homes, and Foxglove Summer(due Nov 15, 2014 in UK and early Jan in US).

I'm actually planning on ordering the UK edition next month!

[susan borrer (from livejournal.com)]

I can't believe I forgot Ben Aaronovitch! perhaps I'm still grumpy about the way Broken Homes ended...

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

I KNOW!!!!! That *beautiful* building ...... the *trees* ..... and as for the *other* thing, well, talk about gobsmacked ....

[susan borrer (from livejournal.com)]

yeah, it's the 'other' thing I'm talking about - talk about ending on a cliffhanger!

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

A big giant ALP of a cliffhanger, yeah! *nods vigorously*

[muirecan.livejournal.com]

Modean Moon has 3 lovely quiet contemplative romance/mystery/fantasy books that she rereleased through Baens webscriptions. This was a few years back but I note they are still up at webscriptions.

They are delightful quiet cozy fantasy in a modern rural/urban setting.

[spiffikins]

I was also going to suggest Anne Bishop's "the Others" series, and Wen Spencer's Tinker novels.

In addition, and in no particular order -

Alex Bledsoe - Tufa series - The Hum and the Shiver, and Wisp of a Thing
Julie E Czerneda - A Turn of Light
Michele Sagara - Into the Dark Lands series
Lois McMaster Bujold - Sharing Knife series
Ilona Andrews - The Edge series
L.E. Modesitt Jr. - Recluce series
Zenna Henderson's - People series

These are all over the map, but in my mind they all have a certain quality to them, a sort of quiet depth that is hard for me to describe - but generally means that these are books I will go back to, over and over, to read again and again. In many of them, the day to day normal life is the main thrust of the story, with magic being something subtle, or just so much a normal part of the characters that it's not necessarily showy/explosions - just bone deep.

Hopefully someone else will find these interesting!

Maybe not cozy...

[star-horse3.livejournal.com]

I can't think of anything that's "just like the Carousel books" but I did think of some with an interesting viewpoint. Before she started the "Jane Yellowrock" series (which is also good), Faith Hunter did a trilogy called the Rogue Mage series. These books serve as the basis for a role playing game as well. There's Laura Ann Gilman's Retriever books. If you want to go technical, there's Kelly McCullough and his WebMage series. Then there are Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros and Chimera series. And I too, really enjoy both of Jim Butcher's series, but I don't think any of these could be exactly categorized as cozy. Truly, Carousel Tides doesn't really hit the cozy notes for me either. It hits the small town, and community vibes, but that's not necessarily cozy.

[estara.livejournal.com]

Not all of her books come close, but The Thread That Binds The Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/473870.The_Thread_That_Binds_the_Bones?from_search=true) might fit.

Also, direct the person to your own Jennifer Pierce Maine Mysteries! There's the slight touch of the other about them and a whole more heaping of Maine.

[ohlibn.livejournal.com]

First I need to say that yes, Archers Beach is an incredible place and the Carousel series is work to be proud of! As a librarian, I use it as a gateway to younger readers and adults just starting to explore the speculative genre, and it's proven to resonate with adults who already read SFF as well.

Speaking only for myself, when I wrote The Author asking for more in the Carousel series after Tides was released, it was because the story invoked a type of world I had thought lost with the passing of Andre Norton. Some of her Witch World series, specifically the first, where Simon Tregarth crosses the portal, and The Key of the Keplian. Ross Murdock in the Time Travellers, and Steel (or Gray) Magic, when two modern-day children travel back in time to the days of King Arthur. I'm having trouble describing the appeal, maybe because I grew up with those stories and they were familiar, but also magical somehow, in their worldbuilding and the characters' ability to move between worlds.

Also some of Mary Stewart like Touch Not The Cat, and Thornyhold, along with the Merlin Chronicles. A hint of Something Other, deliciously thrilling without being too scary.

To the list of Urban (but not Cozy) Fantasy that evoke a similar mindset, I would add Seanan McGuire's October Daye. Toby lives in San Francisco and is half-Elven and half human, with conflicting loyalties and responsibilities in both realms. Nothing is exactly like your Carousel series, but I think that one comes closest in being introspective without being noirish.

Urban Fantasy type books/authors

[ext-1737316.livejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

I read through all the comments, and was surprised to notice that nobody had mentioned Charles DeLint yet. He's written some wonderful urban fantasies, usually based in and around Toronto, which I think is his stomping ground. Definitely something to consider. :)

Re: Urban Fantasy type books/authors

[ohlibn.livejournal.com]

deLint was the first that sprang to my mind, but Sharon mentioned him in her initial post so I didn't reiterate. Others may have made the same choice.

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

P.R. Frost's Tess Noncorie Chronicles 4 Books Hounding the Moon, Moon in the Mirror, Faery Moon, and Forest Moon Rising. Now out in 2 omnibus volumes from DAW. Kinda Cozy with bits of sarcastic humor.

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

Some of Mercedes Lackey maybe - don't have the same feel but to me some fit the cozy fantasy genre. Love the question though because I've now got a great reading list from all the replies:)

[susan beaty (from livejournal.com)]

The Witching Savannah series by J. D. Horn (The Line, The Source and soon to be released The Void) seems to me to be a cozy sort of contemporary fantasy. The heroine is unaware of her powers in the beginning, becomes a guardian, and meets and deals with various sorts of fae. Her mother is dead, but there is an extended family to offer support and a male-female relationship that develops. I wonder if he read the Carousel series? They are enjoyable reads and the good-guy characters are likeable. No vampires or werewolves, but they are set in contemporary Savannah, GA.

[aboutlikepleats.livejournal.com]

Contemporary(ish), non-gritty fantasy, centered on completely engaging characters, with philosophical digressions about Music/Family/Art/Food.
If that's not a genre as such, it should be.

- Tanya Huff's "Keeper's Chronicles" (already mentioned)
- Emma Bull's "War for the Oaks"
- Robin McKinley's "Sunshine"
- Nina Kiriki Hoffman's everything (already mentioned)
- Steven Brust's "The Sun, the Moon and Stars"

Less Contemporary subset: (edit: not Regency. My bad)
- Caroline Stevermer's "College of Magics"
- Patricia Wrede's "Mairelon the Magician" and "Magician's Ward"
- Wrede and Stevermer's "Sorcery and Cecilia" and sequels
- Teresa Edgerton's "Goblin Moon" and "The Gnome's Engine" (veers a bit into grim.)

What?

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

I'm afraid I'm just not up to answering the question. I don't read whole buncha stuff out there. since one of my face authors is Sharon Lee I read everything she writes. So I have no idea if all that other stuff out there is like the Carousel books. I've ordered Carousel Seas from Mr. Blyly at Uncle Hugo's. One thing. "Urban fantasy" doesn't seem like a good description since the books take place in or near a very small town. Maybe there's such a thing as extremely small town fantasy. Sea going fantasy? No that doesn't work either. I give up. I'll enjoy the new book for sure. .

[aboutlikepleats.livejournal.com]

Also, if you're happy with what you hit, than I'd say you hit what you wanted pretty closely. It's distinctive, effective and very much of a piece.

If you'd missed by much, you'd have missed by a mile.

Just an opinion, you understand.

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

BTW the eArc of Carousel 3 was great.