I read a lot of books packed with magic, creatures of legend and myth, as well as historical and contemporary stories with and without romance and I set some of my own paranormal romance novels in the future.
All my reading and writing has led me to appreciate the many ways authors use and account for magic, psychic, creature legends, and super powers in paranormal romance novels as well as other genres.
For instance, the magic in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series isn’t dissected and analyzed about how much a certain spell drains a wizard’s power. The necessary control and skill is shown through the efforts of the students and the limitations set by the ‘wizarding world’ to keep them safe as they grow.
Simply put, Rowling’s world has rules, but she doesn’t interrupt the adventure to explain them.
I’ve read authors who spend so much time telling me the cost of the magic or power, that it feels intrusive – or worse – that the magic is truly impossible to attain. For me as a reader that makes it harder to stay in the story.
I prefer to dive in, to wallow in the story itself, to enjoy every facet of the author’s paranormal romance world building, without ‘seeing’ the individual bricks of the foundation.
Yes, there should be pros and cons of any magic or gift – it helps build tension and conflict necessary to every good story. But I like it when the good and bad consequences are shown through action or choices made by the characters.
Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark paranormal romance novels feature all sorts of factions of mythical creatures and the gifts and skills inherent to the ‘species’ as well as to the individuals.
It’s fun to escape with her paranormal romance novels because the of the excellent world building. The layers and details within each faction add to the worries and hopes within the specific romantic relationships.
I’ve never felt lectured about a werewolf’s change or a vampire’s preferred method of blood consumption in Cole’s paranormal romance novels because she lets the characters show me how it is and why they do it.
Live the adventure!
