Guest Post + Giveaway: 5 Reasons to Love Rural Fantasy by Small Review

I’m a neophyte when it comes to rural fantasy—having only read a few books that qualify—but that really is absurd because I adore the genre. If it came to a match between rural fantasy and urban fantasy, rural would win for me hands down. I’m a rural girl at heart and I’m here hijacking Ruby’s blog to lay out the top five reasons why rural fantasy kicks urban fantasy’s butt.

Rural fantasy guys are alpha men and can be described with words like “rugged” and “strong.” I can’t help but picture their large, capable hands that are well used to…working.  I’m a sucker for their rural courtesies and cowboy ensembles. If you’re not convinced yet, well, just take a look at Jensen Ackles to the left and get back to me on that. 

There are opportunities for peril in urban environments, but the rural setting really takes the danger up a notch. Sure an urban fantasy main character might run out of batteries for her cell phone, but that also requires a “forgetful” or “careless” personality trait (that would pretty much describe me and my cell phone). Rural fantasy settings allow for the removal of a cell phone simply and believably by throwing up the dreaded “No Signal.”

The isolation of rural environments requires significantly longer response time for emergency help like police officers and firemen, leaving plenty of room for believable peril.

And don’t forget Mother Nature. Weather, animals, lost in the woods—rural environments are home to a whole host of dangerous possibilities.

Some scenarios just don’t work in urban environments. Take Stephanie Meyer’s wolf pack, for example. Would you believe a pack of giant wolves could roam around in an urban environment? Yeah, I’m not buying it either. And that battle between the vampires in Eclipse? So not happening in an urban setting. At least not without a dozen people hearing and calling the cops!

Mountains, plains, forests, deserts, lakes—rural settings are just plain pretty.

 

Horseback riding, diving off cliffs into the ocean, swinging off a rope tied to a tree and splashing into a river, driving fast on winding mountain roads, hiking through the woods…there are so many opportunities for outdoorsy adventure in rural fantasy.

And who better to partake with in all of the above than the hot rural fantasy guy? Amiright?

Sorry…were you talking, Small? I got a little…distracted. Oh, um, right. Your guest post. I really, really, really liked it. Thanks for joining us!

In honor of Small’s Number 1 Reason to love Rural Fantasy, I’m giving away a copy of Cryer’s Cross. Because, if we’re going to talk about hot guys in Rural Fantasies, I’m so bringing up My Book Boyfriend, Jacián. 

1. This contest is open internationally (to any country The Book Depository ships). 
2. To enter, leave a comment stating which of Small’s Five Reasons to Love Rural Fantasy you most agree with. 
3. Also leave your email so I can contact you if you’re the winner. 
4. This contest ends Thursday, May 12.