Supernatural

=Supernatural = Jacob Carpenter, Megan Grierson, Emma Waymire, and Caitlin McNorgan The word “supernatural” can be defined according to Webster’s Dictionary as “departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature” (Merriam-Webster, 2010). Supernatural literature takes a step into a world other than our own and creates mystery, fantasy, horror and romance. These stories can range from a typical “ghost story” to the ever growing and popular “vampire fiction”. The genre of supernatural can include many elements and it really has no limit because it is based on the authors imagination and what extraordinary ideas they can up with including tales about witches, wizards, vampires, werewolves, immortals, mummies, angels and demons, and any other mythical creature and their elements that have been written and told for centuries. In the Supernatural genre, literally anything is possible. To read and explore the genre of Supernatural click [|here]

"supernatural." __Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary__. 2010. Merriam-Webster Online. 15 March 2010 

**//A Wrinkle in Time//** by Medeleine L'Engle

This classic book is the first in [|Madeleine L'Engle's] four book series the “Time Quartet”, which also includes [|A Wind in the Door], [|A Swiftly Tilting Planet] and [|Many Waters]. The novel follows Meg Murry, an awkward teenager with low self esteem, on a quest to find her missing father, who gossiping neighbors suspect has run off leaving behind his wife and children. Accompanied by younger genius brother Charles Wallace and new friend Calvin O’Keefe, and with the help of the odd and mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, Meg embarks on a journey through the fifth dimension to find her father. Along the way all of the children must relay on their individual strengths to survive a strange world and eventually find that true love is the only way to concur the evil ruler “IT”. Readers will surely be entranced by L’Engle’s “fifth dimension” and will find themselves rooting for the Murry family, especially Meg, who begins to realize her talents and gains confidence as she tries desperately to save her family. Winner of the [|Newbery Medal], [|Sequoyah Book Award], the [|Lewis Carroll Shelf Award] and runner up for the [|Hans Christian Anderson Award], [|A Wrinkle in Time] is a must read for anyone interested in science fantasy.

**//Dead Witch Walking//** by Kim Harrison

[|Dead Witch Walking] is the first in [|Kim Harrison’s] series [|“The Hollows”] and the winner of [|Ro][|mantic Times Best Fantasy Novel] in 2004 as well as [|P.E.A.R.L’s (Paranormal Excellence Award for Romantic Literature) Best Science Fiction Novel] of 2004. Scientists are having a hay day creating genetically modified food until a deadly tomato virus breaks out, nearly killing off all humans while leaving supernatural creatures unscathed. While humans develop a fear of all tomato based foods, law and order breaks down as vampires, pixies, banshees and a variety of other non-human races flourish. The book follows Rachel Morgan, a witch and bounty hunter, as she tries to keep order, survive, and well, find love in a world full of unimaginable creatures. This fun and fast-paced novel is sure to get readers hooked on The Hollows, and begging for more!

//**D**////**ead Until Dark**// by Charlaine Harris

Before there was True Blood, there was "Dead Until Dark." The series that spawned Sookie Stackhouse and an HBO sensation started with "Dead Until Dark," the first novel of author Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series. In the novel, readers are first introduced to Sookie, a Louisiana waitress with the rare ability to read minds. While many would see Sookie's ability as a positive, she sees one key drawback — it's a huge inconvenience for her love life. Enter Vampire Bill. The invention of synthetic blood has outed vampires in recent years, creating a world where humans and vampires could potentially mingle. Such is the case with Sookie and Bill, whose thoughts can't be read by the charming yet lonely waitress. Sookie appears to have found her vampire in shining armor, but a twist throws a wrench into those plans. A co-worker at Sookie's bar has been murdered, and an unknown vampire — possibly Bill — is believed to be responsible. When the town is shaken by more murders, Sookie must decipher whether her new beau (one of the few people whose mind she can't read) is to blame. What ensues is an award-winning novel blending elements of supernatural, romance, and mystery novels that was ahead of the curb in 2001. Since "Dead Until Dark," Harris has published 10 novels in the Southern Vampire series and cable channel HBO has adapted the books for its sleeper hit television program, True Blood. While several more Southern Vampire books are on the way, the origins of Sookie Stackhouse will always be housed in Harris' trendsetting "Dead Until Dark."

//**Evermore**// by Alyson Noel

Riding the coattails of the mega-hit Twilight series comes "Evermore," Alyson Noel's story of a high school girl with paranormal abilities derived from a devastating car accident. The protagonist, 16-year-old Ever, can see people's auras and learn their life story through a single touch. Once a popular high school princess, Ever's new powers begin to torture her life. She is haunted by the ghost of her dead sister who never crossed over, is known around school as a loner, wears a hoodie to avoid eye contact with peers, and blasts her iPod to drown out the white noise surrounding her. While she has a few friends, Ever's life feels empty. Until the new boy at school suddenly shows an interest in her. Ever is drawn to Damen, whose own rare abilities help Ever relate to him. Damen rarely eats, always seems to know what Ever is thinking, and, most noticeably, silences the cacophony that fills Ever's head. The handsome Damen's intentions with Ever aren't clear, but the teen girl is magnetically drawn to his charm. But why does Damen reciprocate an interest? And what do his odd characteristics — perhaps his immortality — say about his history and intentions? It's a romantic, supernatural setup similar to Twilight that also has spawned a series of novels about Ever called The Immortals. (As if you needed more connection between the two, the second books in each series are called "New Moon" and "Blue Moon.") Regardless of the book's derivation, "Evermore" rocketed to the top of the New York Times' bestseller list and started a series of must-have supernatural thrillers.

 **//Warprize //**by Elizabeth Vaughn

//Warp////rize// by Elizabeth Vaughn is a supernatural romance about a girl named Xylara who is born into royalty. Xylara’s father, King Xy, has a certain path that he expects his daughter to follow; however from a very young age Xylara decides that she wants to be a healer instead. After her brother becomes king, he fights against Xylara’s goals of becoming a healer at a time when the country needs her powers the most. As the country struggles in battle, Xylara learns that she will be used as a “warprize” for the opposing warlord. Even though Xylara realizes that she is being used, she agrees to go forth as a “warprize” due to her unyielding love for her country. After Xylara is claimed as a warprize by Kier, the invading tribe’s warlord, she learns the customs and culture of the Firelander tribe while teaching them a little about her own culture as well. Xylara grows to be well respected by the Firelander tribe and discovers things about herself and her own kingdom along the way that she never knew. This novel carries with it a lot of themes that we have discussed thus far in class. The main character is a strong female who defies the expectations of a patriarchal society in order to live her own life and choose her own path. Xylara also represents a woman that has been used as property and objectified, but uses this to grow stronger and more aware of herself and her country.

Reflective Statement

In researching popular supernatural literature our group found that this genre is particualarly hard to define - anything goes! Often, themes of fantasy and romance are tied in and female main characters are prevelent. Alot of supernatural literature is based on series and collections of stories and maintains a sort of cult following among readers.