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Best urban fantasy
Whether a single book or a series, what is the best urban fantasy?
Tags: fantasy, urban, and urban-fantasy

1
Moon Called
Moon Called
by Patricia Briggs 156 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
2
Neverwhere: A Novel
Neverwhere: A Novel
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author) 134 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
3
City of Bones
City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare 118 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
4
Dead Until Dark
Dead Until Dark
by Charlaine Harris 102 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
5
American Gods
American Gods
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author) 99 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
6
Bitten
Bitten
by Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads author) 76 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
7
City of Ashes
City of Ashes
by Cassandra Clare 72 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
8
Wicked Lovely
Wicked Lovely
by Melissa Marr (Goodreads author) 66 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
9
Tithe
Tithe
by Holly Black 64 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
10
Dead Witch Walking
Dead Witch Walking
by Kim Harrison 62 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
11
Iron Kissed
Iron Kissed
by Patricia Briggs 62 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
12
Blood Bound
Blood Bound
by Patricia Briggs 54 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
13
Halfway to the Grave
Halfway to the Grave
by Jeaniene Frost 49 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
14
The Host
The Host
by Stephenie Meyer 49 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
15
Blood and Chocolate
Blood and Chocolate
by Annette Curtis Klause 47 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
16
White Night
White Night
by Jim Butcher 46 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
17
Guilty Pleasures
Guilty Pleasures
by Laurell K. Hamilton 46 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
18
Anansi Boys
Anansi Boys
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author) 44 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
19
Magic Bites
Magic Bites
by Ilona Andrews 43 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
20
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of...
by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author) 43 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
21
City of Glass
City of Glass
by Cassandra Clare 43 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
22
Sunshine
Sunshine
by Robin McKinley 42 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
23
Dead to the World
Dead to the World
by Charlaine Harris 43 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
24
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling 41 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
25
Living Dead in Dallas
Living Dead in Dallas
by Charlaine Harris 38 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
26
Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie
Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie
by Holly Black 36 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
27
War for the Oaks
War for the Oaks
by Emma Bull (Goodreads author) 33 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
28
Club Dead
Club Dead
by Charlaine Harris 33 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
29
Perdido Street Station
Perdido Street Station
by China Miéville 30 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
30
Bone Crossed
Bone Crossed
by Patricia Briggs 32 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
31
Stray
Stray
by Rachel Vincent (Goodreads author) 31 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
32
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling 30 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
33
Definitely Dead
Definitely Dead
by Charlaine Harris 28 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
34
The Blue Girl
The Blue Girl
by Charles de Lint 26 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
35
Dead as a Doornail
Dead as a Doornail
by Charlaine Harris 28 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
36
All Together Dead
All Together Dead
by Charlaine Harris 28 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
37
Small Favor
Small Favor
by Jim Butcher 25 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
38
Ill Wind
Ill Wind
by Rachel Caine 23 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
39
Someplace to Be Flying (Newford Book 8)
Someplace to Be Flying (Newford Book 8)
by Charles de Lint 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
40
A Fistful of Charms
A Fistful of Charms
by Kim Harrison 23 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
41
Succubus Blues
Succubus Blues
by Richelle Mead 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
42
One Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave
by Jeaniene Frost 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
43
The Outlaw Demon Wails
The Outlaw Demon Wails
by Kim Harrison 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
44
Night Watch
Night Watch
by Sergei Lukyanenko, Andrew Bromfield (Translator) 21 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
45
Lover Awakened
Lover Awakened
by J.R. Ward 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
46
Every Which Way But Dead
Every Which Way But Dead
by Kim Harrison 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
47
Nightlife
Nightlife
by Rob Thurman 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
48
Magic Strikes
Magic Strikes
by Ilona Andrews 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
49
Cry Wolf
Cry Wolf
by Patricia Briggs 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
50
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
by Kim Harrison 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
51
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator) 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
52
Dark Lover
Dark Lover
by J.R. Ward 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
53
At Grave's End
At Grave's End
by Jeaniene Frost 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
54
Lover Unbound
Lover Unbound
by J.R. Ward 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
55
For a Few Demons More
For a Few Demons More
by Kim Harrison 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
55
Lover Eternal
Lover Eternal
by J.R. Ward 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
57
Ink Exchange
Ink Exchange
by Melissa Marr (Goodreads author) 18 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
58
Lover Avenged
Lover Avenged
by J.R. Ward 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
59
Touch the Dark
Touch the Dark
by Karen Chance 18 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
60
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling 17 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
61
Magic Burns
Magic Burns
by Ilona Andrews 16 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
62
Dime Store Magic
Dime Store Magic
by Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads author) 15 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
63
The Onion Girl (Newford, Book 11)
The Onion Girl (Newford, Book 11)
by Charles de Lint 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
64
Snow Crash
Snow Crash
by Neal Stephenson 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
65
The Secret Hour
The Secret Hour
by Scott Westerfeld 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
66
Blood Price
Blood Price
by Tanya Huff 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
67
Fray
Fray
by Joss Whedon, Karl Moline (Penciller) 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
68
Pattern Recognition
Pattern Recognition
by William Gibson 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
69
Cursed
Cursed
by Jeremy C. Shipp (Goodreads author) 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
70
Ironside
Ironside
by Holly Black 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
71
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling 15 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
72
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
by Douglas Adams 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
74
Working for the Devil
Working for the Devil
by Lilith Saintcrow (Goodreads author) 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
75
The Master and Margarita
The Master and Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
76
Winter's Tale
Winter's Tale
by Mark Helprin 11 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
77
Greywalker
Greywalker
by Kat Richardson 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
78
Storm Front
Storm Front
by Jim Butcher 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
80
Kitty and the Midnight Hour
Kitty and the Midnight Hour
by Carrie Vaughn (Goodreads author) 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
82
Peeps
Peeps
by Scott Westerfeld 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
83
Cast in Shadow
Cast in Shadow
by Michelle Sagara West 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
84
Trader (Newford Book 7)
Trader (Newford Book 7)
by Charles de Lint 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
85
Moonheart
Moonheart
by Charles de Lint 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
86
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
87
Urban Shaman
Urban Shaman
by C.E. Murphy 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
88
The Wood Wife
The Wood Wife
by Terri Windling, Susan Seddon Boulet (cover artist) 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
89
Lover Enshrined
Lover Enshrined
by J.R. Ward 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
90
Cast In Courtlight
Cast In Courtlight
by Michelle Sagara West 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
91
Club Vampyre
Club Vampyre
by Laurell K. Hamilton 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
92
Dreams Underfoot (Newford Book 1)
Dreams Underfoot (Newford Book 1)
by Charles de Lint 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
93
Lover Revealed
Lover Revealed
by J.R. Ward 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
94
The Children of Men
The Children of Men
by P.D. James 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
95
The Scar
The Scar
by China Miéville 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
96
Greenmantle
Greenmantle
by Charles de Lint 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
97
Last Call
Last Call
by Tim Powers 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
98
The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
99
Fool Moon
Fool Moon
by Jim Butcher 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
100
Scar Night
Scar Night
by Alan Campbell 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
List started by: Julie (votes)
Lists are re-scored approximately every 500 seconds



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285 books
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Amber
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103 books
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Jaime
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Laura
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346 books
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568 books
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More voters…


comments (showing 1-30 of 30) (30 new)

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message 1: by ♥ Brigid ♥ (new)

886144 eew!! TITHE? THAT IS THE WORST BOOK OMG... why isn't there any scott westerfeld on here? XD


message 2: by Bendomolena!!! (last edited Jul 26, 2008 08:54AM) (new)

1120509 i resent that!!! i LOVE tithe!

i agree about the scott westerfeld thing though.

neverwhere is horrible!!!


message 3: by Lonnie (new)

1041360 I didn't think neverwhere was horrible...but it certainly shouldn't have the #1 spot, and no Simon R. Green?


message 4: by Robyn (new)

1421549 scott westerfeld is more science-fiction than urban fantasy... well from the book i read of his anyway.


message 5: by Kaitlin (new)

1810801 has anyone read scar night? it sounds good!


message 6: by Teigan (last edited Jan 06, 2009 06:54PM) (new)

1849802 Crooked Little Vein on an urban fantasy list?! I love Warren Ellis and I'd paint his name anywhere I could, but where is the fantasy in CLV? I'm happy to see Iron Dragon's Daughter though. I think The Broken Land by Ian McDonald could be added to the list.


message 7: by Travis (new)

1729891 The lack of Charles de Lint from this list is truly depressing.


message 8: by Teigan (new)

1849802 Travis wrote: "The lack of Charles de Lint from this list is truly depressing."

I agree!


message 9: by Robyn (last edited Mar 13, 2009 02:07AM) (new)

1421549 Travis wrote: "The lack of Charles de Lint from this list is truly depressing."

i have to agree to "the blue girl" was one of the best books I had ever read!!!!



2199964 WHAT?!?! THE LIGHTNING THIEF?!?!?! THAT IS NOT URBAN FANTASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND NOR IS CITY OF BONES!!!!!!!!!!! THOSE ARE ACTION BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS LIST IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


message 11: by Laphri (new)

Nophoto-u-25x33 "Urban fantasy is a subset of contemporary fantasy, consisting of magical novels and stories set in contemporary, real-world, urban settings"

The Lightning Thief and City of Bones take place in urban settings (for large parts of the books at least) therefore they are urban fantasy.

Also remember that books can have more than one genre so I think this list is pretty accurate.


message 12: by Alicia (new)

2434068 Love these books. They are pretty good.


message 13: by Lindsey (last edited Jun 24, 2009 10:16AM) (new)

1623046 Robyn wrote: "scott westerfeld is more science-fiction than urban fantasy... well from the book i read of his anyway."

It really depends on which series you read. He kinda mixes them together. BTW - Westerfeld is on here - on of the books from the Midnighters series is on the list. Can't say it's my favorite series he wrote (Probably Uglies although Peeps by iteself may have been the best book), but it's a good one.




message 14: by J (new)

Nophoto-m-25x33 Travis wrote: "The lack of Charles de Lint from this list is truly depressing."

absolutely. How can one of the progenitors of this genre not dominate it? Not to mention that he writes beautifully.


message 15: by J (new)

Nophoto-m-25x33 Oh, and why the heck is Stephenson on this list? There's no magic in those books, no fantasy. They're just urban scifi if anything.


1827236 Lindsey wrote: "Robyn wrote: "scott westerfeld is more science-fiction than urban fantasy... well from the book i read of his anyway."

It really depends on which series you read. He kinda mixes them together. B..."


yeah, i added peeps and the last days to the list, peeps has to be his best work, with the uglies series a close second


1827236 hey, whats stephenie meyer doing up there??? shes not urban fantasy!! especially the host, which is the one up there! thats sci-fi!!1


message 18: by Robyn (new)

2458780 The Host sucked, and it is soo not a urban fantasy. And, sorry fans of Peeps, but I HATED that book. Though I did love the Uglies books, though Extras wasn't all that great.


message 19: by Ruth (new)

439656 we really do get passionate about our books sometimes, don't we?? everyone has the right to like their book for whatever reason, without having to justify it. its good to hear why a book was liked or disliked, but in the end its personal preference.

I'm new to urban fantasy, i really liked Magic Bites.


message 20: by Andro (new)

993637 This list needs some Cailin R. Kiernan! Daughter of Hounds and Alabaster are AMAZING urban fantasy!


message 21: by K.l. (new)

2442630 There is. The Secret Hour, no.65.


♥ Brigid ♥ wrote: "eew!! TITHE? THAT IS THE WORST BOOK OMG... why isn't there any scott westerfeld on here? XD"




message 22: by Marcus (new)

1229246 Half of the books on this list are utter para-romo crap that any chimpanzee with a word processor could've written ten times better. Stephenie Meyer should be strung-up by her toes for perpetuating such nonsense. We'll be drowning in horrid vampire books and movies for the next fifteen years. Way to go, world. Lets continue to not only reward mediocrity, but bury it in so much money that most third-world countries would be envious of.


message 23: by Hazel (new)

Nophoto-f-25x33 Jane Eyre????


message 24: by Lindsey (new)

1623046 Marcus wrote: "Half of the books on this list are utter para-romo crap that any chimpanzee with a word processor could've written ten times better. Stephenie Meyer should be strung-up by her toes for perpetuating..."

So...any thoughts on what good books are, or just complaining?



message 25: by Marcus (new)

1229246 Lindsey wrote: "Marcus wrote: "Half of the books on this list are utter para-romo crap that any chimpanzee with a word processor could've written ten times better. Stephenie Meyer should be strung-up by her toes f..."

Just complaining, Lindsey, just complaining. After glancing over your books page I don't think the kind of stuff I read would be remotely interesting to you.



message 26: by Lindsey (new)

1623046 Marcus wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Marcus wrote: "Half of the books on this list are utter para-romo crap that any chimpanzee with a word processor could've written ten times better. Stephenie Meyer should be strung-..."

Probably not, but I'm actually trying to find books to recommend to my husband who seems to have similar thoughts to you on lots of urban fantasy...so looking for ideas.


message 27: by Xenophon (new)

2026345 American Gods is a great book, one of the finest fantasies ever written, but I'm not sure it fits my mental picture of urban fantasy. If I were convinced that it should be considered one, it would be my number one choice.

Those looking to read one of the root works of the sub-genre should find the novella "Magic, Inc." by Robert A. Heinlein. It can be found in the book Waldo and Magic, Inc.


message 28: by Xenophon (new)

2026345 Lindsey wrote: I'm actually trying to find books to recommend to my husband who seems to have similar thoughts to you on lots of urban fantasy...so looking for ideas.

Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series are largely free of romance. The first couple volumes are good but not great, and then the series becomes remarkably excellent.

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull is one of the core books that started the urban fantasy revival. There is some romance in the plot, but it isn't primary. I'm a guy, and the romance wasn't enough to bother me.

The later Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs have a romance element, but the first couple are romance free.



message 29: by Lindsey (new)

1623046 Xenophon wrote: "Lindsey wrote: I'm actually trying to find books to recommend to my husband who seems to have similar thoughts to you on lots of urban fantasy...so looking for ideas.

Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden s..."


Thanks for the tips! I've seen a lot about the Jim Butcher series, but I've never read them, so I'll see if he's interested in those.

War for the Oaks sounds good too, although I'm always a little more hesitant to read fae books, since they wind up being more political than action oriented. From the description I can't really tell if it's like that or not, but I'll give it a try.

I actually did try Pat Briggs since I like her newer series (Alpha & Omega and Mercy Thompson). He read the first Mercy Thompson book, but he really didn't like her writing style, so he didn't read the others.

I definitely have more to go on now, so thanks for your help!


1827236 Briggs is a great author, i loved the Mercy Thompson series. and Xenophon is right, the earlier ones are for the most part romance free, the third is about 1/4 romance, the last one is about 1/3 romance, but still great


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