When talking about fantasy novels, what does the term “urban fantasy” refer to? I haven’t read many urban fantasy novels myself, but according to wikipedia, urban fantasy is:
A subset of contemporary fantasy, consisting of magical novels and stories set in contemporary, real-world, urban settings–as opposed to ‘traditional’ fantasy set in wholly imaginary landscapes, even ones containing imaginary cities, or having most of their action take place in them. Urban fantasy may also refer to more modern versions of ‘traditional’ fantasy worlds. The modern urban fantasy protagonist faces extraordinary circumstances as plots unfold in either open (where magic or paranormal events are commonly accepted to exist) or closed (where magical powers or creatures are concealed) worlds.
Contemporary authors of urban fantasy novels might include:
- Neil Gaiman
- Robin Hobb (aka Megan Lindholm)
- Laurell K. Hamilton
- Mark Helprin
Any serious fans of urban fantasy? Who are your favorite authors? Novels?
I love Urban Fantasy. You want some favorite authors of mine…..you shouldn’t have asked. 🙂
Vampires & Werewolves:
* Anita Blake by Laurell K Hamilton – Guilty Pleasures (16+)
* Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward – Dark Lover (6+)
* Cassandra Palmer by Karen Chance – Touch the Dark (3+)
* Dark-Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon – Fantasy Lover (11+)
* Kitty Norville by Carrie Vaughn – Kitty and the Midnight Hour (4+)
* Mercedes Thompson by Patricia Briggs – Moon Called (4+)
* Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost – Halfway to the Grave (2+)
* Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong – Bitten (8+)
* Psy-Changeling by Nalini Singh – Slave to Sensation (4+)
* Riley Jensen by Keri Arthur – Full Moon Rising (6+)
* Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris – Dead Until Dark (8+)
* Werecat by Rachel Vincent – Stray (2+)
Demons, Fae, & Magic
* Aisling Grey by Katie MacAlister – You Slay Me (4)
* Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews – Magic Bites (2+)
* Meredith Gentry by LK Hamilton – A Kiss of Shadows (6+)
* Morgan Kingsey by Jenna Black – The Devil Inside (1+)
* Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank- Jacob (4+)
* Rachel Morgan by Kim Harrison – Dead Witch Walking (6+)
* Silver Dragons by Katie MacAlister – Playing with Fire (1+)
Thanks, Jackie, for the reading suggestions. The only author I’m really familiar with on the list is LK Hamilton. I’ll have to check out the other ones. Would you consider Ann Rice’s vampire novels as Urban Fantasy?