Urban Fantasy
In recent years Urban Fantasy has become wildly popular but there are a few series that are clear stand-outs from the crowd. Below is a list of the best urban fantasy set the standard for the genre.
As always exercise that library card to save some money.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files Book 1) by Jim Butcher
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 4.02/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: As a professional wizard, Harry Dresden knows firsthand that the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most of them don’t play well with humans. And those that do enjoy playing with humans far too much. He also knows he’s the best at what he does. Technically, he’s the only at what he does. But even though Harry is the only game in town, business—to put it mildly, stinks.
So when the Chicago P.D. bring him in to consult on a double homicide committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name…
Opinion: One of the first urban fantasy series I started reading, this is the series that other urban fantasy writers compare their work too and they do that for a reason. Currently contains 15 novels, two books of short stories, and stories in several anthologies. You could also try out his fantasy series Furies of Calderon
A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin
Amazon: 4.1/5
Goodreads: 3.75/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Two years after his untimely death, Matthew Swift finds himself breathing once again, lying in bed in his London home.
Except that it’s no longer his bed, or his home. And the last time this sorcerer was seen alive, an unknown assailant had gouged a hole so deep in his chest that his death was irrefutable…despite his body never being found.
He doesn’t have long to mull over his resurrection, though, or the changes that have been wrought upon him. His only concern now is vengeance. Vengeance upon his monstrous killer and vengeance upon the one who brought him back..
Opinion: Containing a very interesting magic system, the writing style you find in this book is very unique and is probably responsible for the low Goodreads score. Personally, I loved this story and found the writing style a nice change from every other book. Currently there are four books in the series with two more in the tie-in series Magicals Anonymous, which starts with the book Stray Souls
Hard Magic (Grimnoir Chronicles Book 1) by Larry Correia
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.13/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Jake Sullivan is a war hero, a private eye-and an ex-con. He’s free because he has a magical talent, being able to alter the force of gravity in himself and objects in his vicinity, and the Bureau of Investigation calls on him when they need his help in apprehending criminals with their own magical talents. But the last operation he was sent along to help with went completely wrong, and Delilah Jones, the woman the G-men were after, who just happened to be an old friend of Jake’s in happier times, had a lot of magical muscle with her, too much muscle for the cops to handle, even with Jake’s help.
It got worse. Jake found out that the Feds had lied to him about Delilah being a murderer as well as a bank robber, and they had lied about this being his last job for them-he was too valuable for them to let him go. And things were even worse than Jake imagined. There was a secret war being waged by opposing forces of magic-users, and Jake had no idea that he had just attracted the attention of one side, whose ruthless leaders were of the opinion that Jake was far too dangerous to be permitted to live…
Opinion: Perhaps better known for his Monster Hunter International series this alternate timeline features U.S. history with a magical twists as much of the population possesses magical talents. Told in a gritty, pulpy style these books make a great read with a Limited Edition hardcover available from Vault Press .
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 4.07/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.
The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t have it any other way…
Opinion: A great magic system, in an interesting world, with a mysterious heroine. What more could you want? A married couple, Illona Andrews are a prolific writing team with several urban fantasy series to their name. Currently, with 9 books and several novellas and short stories, this series about Kate Daniels will draw you in. If this story doesn’t do it for you try out On the Edge
Fated (An Alex Verus Novel) by Benedict Jacka
Amazon: 4.3/5
Goodreads: 3.89/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Alex Verus is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London. And while Alex’s own powers aren’t as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future–allowing him to pull off operations that have a million-to-one-chance of success.
But when Alex is approached by multiple factions to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever’s inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none…
Opinion: A great urban fantasy originating in the U.K. with a main character whose powers are a little more subtle than normal. This is a really fun series about a mage running a magic shop who was raised by a Dark wizard but broke ties with him to strike out on his own and be neutral, rather than be a part of the Light or Dark wizard factions. It references the Dresden Files in the novel and has a blurb from Jim Butcher so there has to be something there. There are quite a few pulse pounding fights and the 9th novel
Moon Called (Mercy Thompson Book 1) by Patricia Briggs
Amazon: 4.6/5
Goodreads: 4.18/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.
But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance.
But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her…
Opinion: I am not one to read a lot of paranormal romance but I really liked the characters and stories in this series as well as the fact that there is not a love triangle drawn out over 20 novels. I also like the fact that there is an ongoing companion series
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Amazon: 4.1/5
Goodreads: 3.89/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it’s Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?
Opinion: Another series with a strong female lead, I really enjoy how Kitty’s job is interwoven into all the stories as well as the the music lists that Vaughn includes in the back of each book that coincide with Kitty’s shows. You might also try Discord’s Apple
Midnight Riot (Peter Grant Book 1) by Ben Aaronovitch
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.92/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London’s Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he’ll face is a paper cut. But Peter’s prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter’s ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny. Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.
Opinion: This is a another great book about an urban wizard. Beware before you read that it has a lot of slang from the U.K. which you may need to look up. Has some great mythology that draws from the Irish and Welsh tradition and I own all the paperbacks of this series.
Grave Witch (Alex Craft Book 1) by Kalayna Price
Amazon: 4.2/5
Goodreads: 3.96/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead-she’s even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she’s seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she’s raising a “shade” involved in a high profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn’t want her to know what the dead have to say, and she’ll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why…
Opinion: Taking place in the world where normals are aware of the paranormal and misc. Fae among them, Alex Craft posses the ability to speak to the dead. I like these books. While they are a little formulaic they still posses enough original material to keep things interesting. There is a little romance that gets to me at times but I ignore it in exchange for the interesting witch magic. While it doesn’t reinvent the urban fantasy wheel, it is a solid read.
Hounded (The Iron Druid Book 1) by Kevin Hearne
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.12/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.
Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.
Opinion: Interesting urban fantasy series that at first draws heavily from Irish mythology before branching out. Basically, all the Gods exist and still dabble in World affairs although most aren’t aware of it. Atticus is a chill dude running a bookstore, just looking to live his life as the last druid until his past comes to visit. The book takes a bit to get going but if you keep slogging through the pace picks up. There is also a bit of info dumping but again that slopes off as you read through the book. I feel like this is a series that gets better as you read through each book and if you have a liking for Celtic/Irish folklore this book should tickle your fancy. Subterranean Press also released a Limited edition of the first book and is in the process of releasing a series of novellas
Written in Red (A Novel of the Others Book 1) by Anne Bishop
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.29/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.
Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
Opinion: Anne Bishop has always done a good job of creating interesting worlds even if the characters in those worlds sometimes bug me…a lot. In this case I really enjoyed Written in Red. Set in a world where the supernatural rule the America’s and human cities only exist at the suffrage of the Others, Meg Corbyn is a human with supernatural abilities the Other’s weren’t aware existed. Until now. Meg’s story arc is currently complete at 5 books which I think was enough to tell her story and not have the series get tired. A new novel set in the same universe with a new main character is apparently in the works and I am interested to see where it takes us.
Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles 1) by Ilona Andrews
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.19/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, “normal” is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night…Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
Opinion: These books are a little short but I very much enjoy their originality. I read them as the authors released them on a weekly basis and I understand that they went through an editing process before being compiled and released in book form. The husband and wife team that make up Ilona Andrews have the art of creating interesting characters in interesting worlds. And whats not interesting about a magical inn, with an innkeeper that is all powerful within it and is responsible for intergalactic guests while keeping her noisy neighbors unaware of whose staying? That’s a whole lot of interesting to me. There is some romance, although no love triangles thank Pete, and it apparently gets a bit steamier than when they were releasing it a chapter a week.
Libriomancer (Magic Ex Libris Book 1) by Jim C. Hines
Amazon: 4.3/5
Goodreads: 3.81/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Isaac Vainio is a Libriomancer, a member of the secret organization founded five centuries ago by Johannes Gutenberg. Libriomancers are gifted with the ability to magically reach into books and draw forth objects. When Isaac is attacked by vampires that leaked from the pages of books into our world, he barely manages to escape. To his horror, he discovers that vampires have been attacking other magic-users as well, and Gutenberg has been kidnapped.
With the help of a motorcycle-riding dryad who packs a pair of oak cudgels, Isaac finds himself hunting the unknown dark power that has been manipulating humans and vampires alike. And his search will uncover dangerous secrets about Libriomancy, Gutenberg, and the history of magic. . . .
Opinion: I love to read, so coming across a book where the characters have the ability to reach into books and bring items and characters into the “real” world was awesome. The first book is a bit slow to start but they take off in a big way. Plus how can you not want to read about a guy with a pet spider that also burst into flame?
Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.89/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps…
Opinion: If you are looking to read about a heroine who kicks ass and takes names then look no further because you have found one in Jane Yellowrock. A fairly typical world full of things that go bump in the night, Jane makes her living fighting back. There are 11 books in the series and Faith does a great job of filling her books with interesting characters to combat the formulaic urban fantasy trope of defeating whatever the current big bad is. Her characters and their interactions keep things fresh, and while the romance is present it takes a back seat, usually, to the action. Currently with 11 books in the main series, there is also a companion series called Soulwood
The Atrocity Archives (The Laundry Files Book 1) by Charles Stross
Amazon: 4.1/5
Goodreads: 3.95/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Bob Howard is a low-level techie working for a super-secret government agency. While his colleagues are out saving the world, Bob’s under a desk restoring lost data. His world was dull and safe – but then he went and got Noticed.
Now, Bob is up to his neck in spycraft, parallel universes, dimension-hopping terrorists, monstrous elder gods and the end of the world. Only one thing is certain: it will take more than a full system reboot to sort this mess out . . .
Opinion: These books may not be for everyone. They have a lot of technobabble about lovcraftian science and its consequences and can be short on the showing and long on the splaining. I do feel the series improves quite a bit as you go along it but I can see the other side of people wanting to skim the books to get further along the story. Still I feel the books are worth a try because they take a scientific approach to monstrous dimensional beings which is kind of rare in urban fantasy.
Generation V by M.L. Brennan
Amazon: 4.3/5
Goodreads: 3.92/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Fortitude Scott’s life is a mess. A degree in film theory has left him with zero marketable skills, his job revolves around pouring coffee, his roommate hasn’t paid rent in four months, and he’s also a vampire. Well, sort of. He’s still mostly human.
But when a new vampire comes into his family’s territory and young girls start going missing, Fort can’t ignore his heritage anymore. His mother and his older, stronger siblings think he’s crazy for wanting to get involved. So it’s up to Fort to take action, with the assistance of Suzume Hollis, a dangerous and sexy shape-shifter. Fort is determined to find a way to outsmart the deadly vamp, even if he isn’t quite sure how.
But without having matured into full vampirehood and with Suzume ready to split if things get too risky, Fort’s rescue mission might just kill him.…
Opinion: A less well known book that was published straight to paperback the premise of the series is very interesting. In this series vampires are born, not made, and they sit on the top of the supernatural heap, if they are old enough. Some cool new mythos for vampires that keeps things fresh. Currently the author has outlines for book 4 and 5 but it looks like the publisher is dragging their heels in wanting to publish them because of low sales of his other books.