“The world is getting weirder. Darker every single day. Things are spinning around faster and faster, and threatening to go completely awry.”
Urban fantasy, as a book genre, can be defined as a subgenre of fantasy that blends supernatural elements with modern urban settings. It often incorporates a range of magical elements, such as witches, vampires, and other fantasy creatures, within familiar city landscapes instead of completely fictional worlds. With this subgenre exploding in popularity in modern times, join us here at What We Reading as we run you through some of our favourite urban fantasy books!
Moon Called (Mercy Thompson #1) – Patricia Briggs
The debut entry in the Mercy Thompson series, Moon Called introduces readers to the enigmatic Mercedes Thompson. Working as a skilled mechanic in Washington, she also happens to be a Walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. Her neighbour is a werewolf, her old boss is a gremlin and she is fixing a bus for a vampire.
Patricia Briggs’ urban fantasy series takes readers into the heart of this world, filled with magic, romance and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1) – Jim Butcher
In the first entry of the acclaimed Dresden Files series, author Jim Butcher introduces readers to the enigmatic Harry Dresden. A wizard working alongside the Chicago P.D. to make sense of the magical and paranormal causes behind strange goings on in the everyday world, Storm Front follows Harry as he is presented with a grizzly double-murder case.
Harry senses an opportunity to make serious money until he uncovers the black magic lurking behind these violent acts. Filled with wise-cracking wizards, fantastical magic and thrilling true crime, Storm Front has become one of the best urban fantasy books.
Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1) – Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison takes readers into the darkest corners of Cincinnati in the first entry in her bestselling Hollows series, Dead Witch Walking. The Hollows are where the malevolent vampires of the night retreat to hide, hunt, party and feast. It is up to witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan to keep their reign in check.
With sex appeal, plenty of magic of her own at her fingertips and a striking attitude, Dead Witch Walking is the story of Rachel and her partner Ivy taking on the very worst the vampire world has to throw at them.
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Smolder (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #29) – Laurell K. Hamilton
Smolder, written by popular author Laurell Hamilton, is an exciting paranormal romance novel that combines an intense love story with a thrilling supernatural plotline. The story takes place on the eve of the wedding of Anita Blake, a vampire hunter, and Jean-Claude, the vampire king of America.
Things soon begin to go array, however, when an ancient evil stirs beneath St. Louis, threatening to destroy the pair’s relationship and every single vampire they love. Smolder is the latest entry in the Anita Blake series, one of the most acclaimed urban fantasy book series going.
Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1) – Rachel Caine
If you’re looking for a bit of mindless young-adult vampire fiction fun, Glass Houses is one of the best urban fantasy books going! From the bestselling author of the Weather Warden series, the book follows 16-year-old Claire Danvers.
After having serious problems in her college dorm, Claire moves into an old building on the outskirts of Morganville, Texas. Her new roommates are nice enough, though turn out to be vampires. They inform her that the entire town is under the control of the undead, and she will need the help of everyone to survive amidst the concealed secrets that lie beneath the town’s surface.
Six Of Crows (Six of Crows #1) – Leigh Bardugo
Nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards, Leigh Bardugo whisks readers to the bustling city of Ketterdam in Six of Crows. Readers follow Kaz Brekker, a skilled thief who assembles a crack crew of criminals for the heist of the century.
There are dangers lurking around every corner of this international hub, something Kaz and her crew are quick to realise. Told from the perspective of eight different characters, this High Fantasy duology is set in Bardugo’s Grishaverse universe.
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Touch The Dark (Cassandra Palmer #1) – Karen Chance
Touch the Dark is a thrilling, action-packed dive into the most famous mythological and fantastical beings. Protagonist Cassandra Palmer can speak to both the dead and the undead, as well as see into the future.
As a menacing figure from her past resurfaces in search of her, she finds herself compelled to seek assistance from the undead individuals belonging to the Vampire Senate. Unwilling to offer help for nothing, Cassandra finds herself working with a dangerously seductive master vampire, whose demands might just be more than what she is willing to pay.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
