[FizzyWater]

I'm really enjoying Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra (first book Cast in Shadow). Not sappy. Only the slightest hint of a romance. There is an underlying story of great violence in the main character's past, although I don't remember it ever being shown, only told about. But I've been reading these as they came out, and that bit of backstory came out fairly early in the series, so I could be wrong. It could definitely hit certain people's hot buttons of things they don't want to read about. Details behind the spoiler tag:

Spoiler:

The main character is basically a grown-up street rat. In her earlier years on the street, she lived with an older boy and two very young children. The boy knew he couldn't provide enough sustenance and safe living for all four, and his loyalties are first with himself and the main character, so he kills the children. Harsh reality of life - NOT described gratuitously IMO. Like I said, I don't remember it being shown, but in the main character's retelling of the episode...although I might have forgotten if it was shown.

Despite the harsh childhood episode, there's an underlying humor in the stories.

This is a fantasy series, but it's not epic fantasy. It's not "urban fantasy" either. I really don't know what to call it.