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by eden

What I learned from paranormal romance books

July 5, 2012 in Paranormal Romance Books

Source: Fanpop.com

Like all other girls my age, I had my love affair with paranormal romance books throughout my early teenage years. Vampires held me captivated in every way. I dreamt of finding my own Edward, only he was a Coal, of course.

After the infatuation wore off, I took a break from vampires and wizardry and started reading post apocalyptic books, since they hit a little closer to home. After some time away from the paranormal romance books, I realized that, as silly and fantastical as they might be, there’s also a few things you can learn from them.

My fleeting obsession with vampires taught me that a person’s quirky characteristics reveal a lot about them. A propensity to never come out in

daylight? Red flag number one. A fetish for sleeping in coffins? Red flag number two. A thirst for blood? Definitely strike three!
What I’ve also learned from paranormal romance books is that true love can overcome any obstacles whatsoever—100 year age differences, different religious and educational backgrounds, time and space, among many others. While adventure romance novels (another favorite genre of mine), tend to have extreme obstacles in their story lines as well, paranormal characters can get past what seems like the most insurmountable ones possible.

Another thing I’ve learned from my former hobby: opposites attract. This is another similarity that’s prevalent in adventure romance novels as well, but in paranormal, the differences are even more extreme. Night owls with morning people, meat eaters and vegans, pale faces and tanning addicts—you get the picture.

Who knew there was so much to learn from witches, werewolves and vampires? As I grew up a little, I started to realize that my hobby was a little bit silly, so I started reading classics from the Old World and moving away from books with such incredulous fantasy elements. While I could always relate to Bella in her quest for her love to pan out, I also realized that having a knight in shining armor with such incredible speed, strength and other skills just wasn’t realistic.

Now I like to read post apocalyptic books. They’ve become my new favorite because I feel like there are actually things I can take away from the stories. They still provide me with an escape, but I can really relate to their dsytopian settings and circumstances, and they give me a little glimmer of hope—and that’s why we read, right?

The appeal of paranormal romance books

June 14, 2012 in Paranormal Romance Books

Source: sodahead.com

Even though many people thought that paranormal romance books were over, writers are still writing it, publishers are still buying it, and readers are still buying it by the barrel.  Even when the story is trite, the allure of werewolves, witches, vampires and fallen angels continues to hold strong. While dystopia and post apocalyptic books are also surging in popularity, paranormal still maintains its hold on YA readers. Who knew that witchcraft, magic and wizardry were here to stay?

My theory is that readers love two things—challenges to overcome and the opportunity to escape.

Young adult fantasy novels have always captivated readers, especially when there is love involved. Watching two lovers obliterate the obstacles that stand before the consummation of their love gives even the loneliest fan hope. Watching two lovers teeter on the edge of a romantic apocalypse and end up in happily ever after land allows readers to suspend disbelief and embrace their own personal dreams. The right conflict makes for the best plot—the more problems that stand between lovers in everything from adventure romance novels to post apocalyptic books make for the juiciest possible plot and ending.

The thing that works so well with paranormal romance books is the element of fantasy. The character traits unique to a supernatural character make for both their appeal and their power to overcome even the most monumental obstacles. They can transcend distance, eliminate rivals or threats, and read the minds of all parties involved. Lovers can come from different cultures or even enemy species—humans and vampires, angels and werewolves, witches and clergymen—anyone can fall in love. The possibilities are endless, as are the potential for conflict and people, places and things that may stand in the way.

Young adult fantasy novels give readers the chance for an escape, one where you may even learn a lesson disguised in the story, sandwiched between the text and subtext. Escapism is expedited, augmented and elevated, making for the ultimate vacation from reality.

The element of fantasy coupled with paranormal romance offers that escape, saturated in blissful hope. Who could ask for anything better?

 

by eden

Vampire skeletons—fact or hype for paranormal romance books?

June 5, 2012 in Paranormal Romance Books

Source: naharnet.com

First it was last week’s zombie apocalypse news, this week it’s the discovery of centuries-old vampire skeletons. It seems like the real world is turning into a setting for a series of paranormal romance books. Maybe I won’t have to worry so much about my upcoming 18th birthday—we may just be living in an apocalypse world by then.

According to Channel News Asia, skeletons that were treated for vampirism were unearthed in Bulgaria. Scientists found skeletons with stakes thrust through their chests—and whether you’re read any paranormal romance books or not, everyone knows what the best method for killing vampires is.

The old school legend says that evil people were magically transformed into vampires when they died. Young adult fantasy books often take creative liberties, making vampires out of those simply bitten by other vampires or catching plagues that instill a craving for blood. While the existence of vampires in Bulgaria has never really been confirmed, what has been proven is the widespread superstition that if rods were thrust into the corpses of those who were evil during their lifetime, this would prevent them from becoming vampires. While in fantasy and adventure books, this usually happens once the person is already a vampire, maybe the Bulgarians had it right by taking preventive action. Maybe that’s exactly why there is no recorded existence of vampires there! The people took care of the problem before it happened.

According to Bozhidar Dimitrov, the head of the National History Museum in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, over 100 corpses stabbed to prevent vampirism have been discovered over the last decade. He said that in some parts of Bulgaria, this was a regular practice, up until the beginning of the 20th century. Sounds like their people definitely took fantasy and adventure books featuring vampires to heart.

While young adult fantasy novels like Twilight or Vampire Academy brought vampires to our minds in recent years, hopefully it won’t lead to these superstitions being made popular again. Who knows, if zombie-ism can occur, maybe vampires really can exist too.

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