Incompatible genres

[madbard]

I popped into Borders last night and discovered that the Fantasy genre section, which is explicitly reserved for books with swords on the cover, was being invaded by books with pretty-boy vampires on the cover. Not just Twilight but endless knockoffs. WTF

Comments

[starling321]

More importantly, did you see Brandon Sanderson's post about finishing the first draft of the next WOT book? And that it's on schedule for release in November? *bounce, bounce*

[madbard]

That is exciting! Maybe he can pick up Song of Fire and Ice next...

[harpiegirl4]

If you're talking about Dracula by Stoker being side by side with Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, then I agree. However, modern vampire fiction actually has shifted into the realm of fantasy and is no less romantic than most of the Epic Fantasy books out there (the ones with swords on the cover, or even with half-clad picts or gorgeous mages with their long locks blowing in a magical wind). In modern vampire fiction, you now find passionate characters plagued by love and guilt, magic and mysteries, quests, potions, battles against evil (both internal and external), and even swordfights! So really... yeah. I think they DO sort of belong there.

That being said, I prefer Dracula. I liked when vampires were tucked forbiddenly in the Horror section. You know. Back when they were still monsters and didn't sparkle.

[madbard]

You are reinforcing rather than contradicting my point. Fantasy novels should obey the following hierarchy of priorities:

1) Massive armies laying siege
2) Monster attacks
3) Wizards slowly being driven insane, resulting in #1 or #2
4) Caves
5) Magic swords
6) Romance
7) Voluntary romance
8) Comic-relief dwarves

Vampire novels have their own set of priorities and demographic. I'm not saying burn them ... well, I am saying that, but short of that, put 'em somewhere else!

[adambant]

Hehe was cracking up that you actually "codified" the proper formula for this genre.

[dogofthefuture]

The sparkly vampire books properly belong in the "Romance" section with the other Harlequin novels.

[shannon_f_r]

They've invaded every square inch of the front third of my Borders. If only they'd remained safely ghettoized, I wouldn't have to burn Borders. Oops, did I say that out loud?

[ex_theglaiv]

I for one am not looking forward to Stephanie Meyers new series. Forget vampires, she moves onto aliens next. We'll be inundated :(

[visgoth]

This is why I advocate a separate "Vampire Boinking" section, labeled as such.