Shelley Cass' Top List of Literary Loves
I have loved many, MANY books in my time. Indie books, classic books, contemporary traditional books, ooooh the smutty books.
However this list is my inspiration list. It is a very specific and narrow list. These authors made me want to write.
If you're curious, use the links to find out more....
First:
THE QUEEN'S THIEF SERIES
MY UNBIASED, TOTALLY EXPERT OPINION IS THAT THIS IS THE GREATEST SERIES OF ALL TIME ... A series 20 years in the making.
Megan Whalen Turner's 'The Queen's Thief' series is my all time favourite, and inspired me to begin writing.
The storytelling is vivid, witty and subtle. The characters and plot are addictive.
I have re-read these books so many times, and still find new clever layers of hints and clues.
The story occurrs in an ancient world with a vibe much like ancient Greece or Rome, but with its own set of gods and myths. Eugenides - Gen - is the Thief capable of taking on gods and the kings of men alike. He is lovably, hilariously petulent and clever, and never has the underdog felt more like a hero.
In this series readers and authors alike can appreciate the art of embedding subtle clues and slow reveals and the art of having a heroic anti-hero.
Now in no particular order:
CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI'S 'INHERITANCE CYCLE'
More fantasy! Less history-ish tone.
Click on the link below to read an article on Paolini's world of Dragon Riders.
This series is seriously GRIPPING. Great plot reveals, every page demands to be turned - the eye and mind simply cannot devour each word quickly enough.
In this one, readers and authors can appreciate how action and fast-paced moments can be balanced with slower developments without losing traction.
TAMORA PIERCE
'PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL' QUARTET
Fantasy
Check out the link below to get an overview of how Keladry, a young girl of nobility, fights to be accepted for training to be a knight. She is an incredible female heroine, in an often brutal world of tests and doubts.
Readers and authors can appreciate a coming of age story, a female empowerment story, the right amount of sweet moments and blood and guts, epic battles and personal battles.
Link to Penguin/Random House's page for more info!