I just finished Boneshaker by Cherie Priest and I thought it was pretty great. While I know she's writing other things set in the same 'world' they're all standalone books...

I've read everything but Fool, which is sitting here waiting for me! Try his Blog. He's just as funny there, too.

Michelle M. wrote: "Of Christopher Moore's stuff I'd most recommend Dirty Job, followed by Lamb. The Stupidest Angel was great too with zombie Santa. Oddly enough, You Suck and its predecessor Bloodsucking Fiends are ..."

DIRTY JOB was excellent! I liked BLOODSUCKING FIENDS,, but YOU SUCK is still my favorite. Have you read ISLAND OF THE SEQUINED LOVE NUN? Another goodie!

While it's probably going to be a series eventually, Mark Del Franco just put out Skin Deep this past year. at least it's the first of the series.

A Dirty Job is about a totally Beta guy who suddenly gets the job of reaping souls. There are large, slobbering Hell Hounds involved. And they like to chomp soap bubbles.

I was reading it during downtime at an info desk, and random people kept stopping just to find out why I was laughing so hard.

Interesting MichelleM. Thanks for the info!:)

Of Christopher Moore's stuff I'd most recommend Dirty Job, followed by Lamb. The Stupidest Angel was great too with zombie Santa. Oddly enough, You Suck and its predecessor Bloodsucking Fiends are my least favorites of his!

I am loving the wacky stuff I'm going to have to check out more of Martinez's stuff and look into Christopher Moore too ;)

Michelle M. wrote: "It was very different, wasn't it, Joseph? I loved it, and have his other books at home to read. S Nameless Witch was okay. Too Many Ogres was quite funny.

Have you read any Christopher Moore? H..."

Agreed, Christopher Moore is great!!! YOU SUCK, A LOVE STORY is a favorite of mine!

It was very different, wasn't it, Joseph? I loved it, and have his other books at home to read. S Nameless Witch was okay. Too Many Ogres was quite funny.

Have you read any Christopher Moore? He's sorta similar in wacky tone.

Glad you read and enjoyed Gil's All Fright Diner, Joseph! I thought it was really fun and entertaining! Definitely want to check out some of his other books!:)

Michelle M. wrote: "I'll agree with everyone who mentioned Christopher Moore, A. Lee Martinez, and De Lint.

Martinez's Gil's All Fright Diner was hilarious and different. Trucker were and hillbilly vamp face evil ..."

I just finished Gil's All Fright Diner and loved it! It was SO different and a real riot. Lots of fun to read this unique work.

The Temeraire books have dragons which are generally regarded as a fantasy element unless the dragons are on another planet. Then it becomes a different sub-genre that is a cross between science fiction and fantasy called science fantasy. Science fantasy novels are often considered science fiction. The Darkover novels by Marion Zimmer Bradley are an example of this. But yes, I do think Naomi Novik's books are alternate universe fantasy. By the way, I didn't invent the term "science fantasy"I saw it applied to Darkover and Pern in reviews thirty years ago.

The Yiddish Policeman's Union has no fantasy elements. There's no magic, no magical creatures associated with fantasy and not even any paranormal elements. It's categorized as alternate universe science fiction/mystery in my book journal. That's long and complicated, but I consider it an accurate label.

I like that, Shomeret,

Alternative history fantasy. Would you say the Temeraire books by Naomi Novik also fit this description? Have you read The Yiddish Policemen's Union? It won a Nebula, (or Hugo, I can't keep these straight) but it's alternate history mystery; and inventive and GREAT writing, but there's no sfnal elements beyond the alternate history.

Blackrose,

IMO you chose some of de Lint's weaker books. In general he seems more comfortable writing for adults. Wolf Moon was an early book. Though he does have a short story set in Newford with a werewolf, with a great title: "Trading Hearts at the Half Kaffe Cafe." It's in the collection Tapping the Dream Tree, which has some very good stories in it.

blackrose wrote: "(Random musings follow): Someday I'm going to have to read Someplace to Be Flying (Newford Book 8). I've read a small handful of de Lint's other works (The Blue Girl, [..."

Moonheart was the book that hooked me on de Lint. So you might want to try that one as well. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but I can't pass him up!

(Random musings follow): Someday I'm going to have to read Someplace to Be Flying (Newford Book 8). I've read a small handful of de Lint's other works (The Blue Girl, The Dreaming Place, Wolf Moon and Little (Grrl) Lost (Newford Book 20) specifically), and I'm not overly impressed. I've been told 'Someplace... ' is one of his better ones, though, so I'm going to have to read that and decide once and for all whether to invest in de Lint or give the rest of his stuff a pass.

Julia wrote: "Crowgirl (love the name;)

Territory *isn't* urban fantasy, because of its western, historical setting, but then Naomi Novik's dragon books aren't set in a made up past either, but during the Nap..."

I'd call it alternate history fantasy. Alternate histories take place in another universe where history happened differently. Although most alternate histories are science fiction, there are beginning to be a number of them that are fantasy. Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel novels are alternate history.

Shomeret

Wow, so De Lint appears fairly universal. I've read a couple of his, but this'll keep me going for awhile!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I can see how your TBR piles get out of control!
MFS

I'll agree with everyone who mentioned Christopher Moore, A. Lee Martinez, and De Lint.

Martinez's Gil's All Fright Diner was hilarious and different. Trucker were and hillbilly vamp face evil under the fridge. And there are zombie cows involved. How can one go wrong?

Not really UF but with a UF feel, John Scalzi's Agent to the Stars was quite good. Aliens decide it's time to make their intro to earthlings--but they realize they're not the most attractive creatures by our standards and they don't want to scare us off. What group holds sway over public opinion? Hollywood. What do you do when you've an image problem? Hire an agent. Very funny. And the damn man wrote it as a practice book.

::oozing jealousy::

Now to fatten up my TBR with everyone's suggestions!

Crowgirl wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hi, I wanted to start a topic on this, so I'm glad I found it. Anyone else have recommendations. I'm more of a Neil Gaiman sort of guy then a Kim Harrison - i.e. I'll take a pass on..."

De Lint's "The Blue Girl" was great. It's YA/teen, but very good.

Michael wrote: "Thanks, Danielle! What's the romance quota in it?"
Similar story topic-- De Lint's Greenmantle, and a lot more 'gaiman' than 'c. murphy.' murphy's urban shaman still stars a kick-ass ex-police heroine, so you might like De Lint's version better, also, like gaiman, highly historical legend/fable based.

Crowgirl (love the name;)

Territory *isn't* urban fantasy, because of its western, historical setting, but then Naomi Novik's dragon books aren't set in a made up past either, but during the Napoleanic Wars.

So what is/ are it/ they? Besides good, I mean?

Julia wrote: "Emma Bull's got a terrific new-ish something --is it urban fantasy if it takes place in Tombstone, AZ right before the famous gunfight and there's magic of various kinds-- called Territory?"

I read this a few months ago. I almost didn't since I've never been a fan of Westerns BUT I am a fan of Ms. Bull. It is very good with a nice secondary love story and yes, it has magic in it.

I'm going to second what Chelle said about Charles de Lint. His Newford books aren't so much a series as a shared world that only he writes in. Newford is a northeastern rustbelt city that might be Canada or the U.S, but that has magic for those who can see it. You can start anywhere with these books. (Almost: you will appreciate Onion Girl & Widdershins more if you've already read some others first.)

So I recommend Someplace to be Flying, Trader and Waifs and Strays. This spring he came out with a new novel Mysteries of Grace, not set in Newford, and he's got a new book of short stories coming out in November of this year.

Before Emma Bull wrote the great War for the Oaks she wrote Finder in the shared Borderlands universe. (Charles de Lint also wrote Borderlands stories. There are three books of these.) Will Shetterly set two novels there Elsewhere and Never Never. Oh! Emma Bull's got a terrific new-ish something --is it urban fantasy if it takes place in Tombstone, AZ right before the famous gunfight and there's magic of various kinds-- called Territory?

None of these are about romance, though are some love stories, they are about characters.

Forgot to mention Mercedes Lackey and her UF books about Urban elves. Bedlam's Bard is the first I think. All can be read as stand alone and the main character is male for a change.

blackrose wrote: "As a side note, I would've never considered The Historian as UF. I guess I thought it was supposed to be more horror. Eh, either way, I didn't like it. *shrugs*"

You've got my vote there. Most boring Vampire book ever.

Michael wrote: "Hi, I wanted to start a topic on this, so I'm glad I found it. Anyone else have recommendations. I'm more of a Neil Gaiman sort of guy then a Kim Harrison - i.e. I'll take a pass on snarky, kick-bu..."

Most all of Charles de Lint can be read as stand along. He carries the same characters over to other books but never leaves cliff hangers so you have to buy the next one out.

Terri Windling is the Editor of a kick ass bunch of Fairy Tale books written by known writers for adults. Snow White, Blood Red is the first I think.

The Wood Wife she wrote herself and is excellent. I also believe she was one who started the Urban Fantasy craze with her Bordertown Where Magic Meets Rock & Roll books, but some are out of print now. These are collections of stories by many writers about the same urban world along the line of the Thieves' World books.

I really liked The Black Tattoo. I'm not sure it's striclty UF as it partially takes place in an urban environment, and partially in another dimension. Also, it's YA, but I enjoyed it a lot.

I think part of series is that it's sort of a cash-cow. Sort of like why Hollywood makes endless sequels or remakes or formula pieces - because they're almost guaranteed to generate revenue that something new or original might not. Once you get hooked into a series, it's a built in market-base.

I don't mind series, but I do prefer the "end in sight" planned out arc ones over the "omg, there's nothing happening and it just keeps going... " variety.

As a side note, I would've never considered The Historian as UF. I guess I thought it was supposed to be more horror. Eh, either way, I didn't like it. *shrugs*

Anyway - someone mentioned Gaiman, but I don't think anyone mentioned Neverwhere A Novel. That's an excellent stand-alone.

I can't think of any others that haven't been mentioned yet. I do have quite a few trilogies or completed series, tho.

The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow

Michael wrote: "Why are series so big anyways? I can understand from a writing perspective, world is already created, characters done. Makes life easy, but isn't that half fun of reading, discovering new worlds? Maybe that's another thread?!..."


You might like to check out this thread... Do Series Tend To Go On For Too Long?.

Awesome. Thanks again.

It's not romancey at all.

Thanks, Danielle! What's the romance quota in it?

Urban Shaman was a great book. I second the recommendation.

Thanks, Joseph,
I'll add her first to my TBR. I like the end to be in sight, you know what I mean? I don't see how you can have the stakes high enough if you know it's a series. If the stakes aren't high, then the resolution is diminished. IMO

Another suggestion that comes to mind isn't a non-series book but it is only a trilogy. C.E. Murphy writes interesting nontraditional urban fantasies. Her books tend to use creatures that I find aren't in many other urban fantasies. This trilogy is about gargoyles, vampires, genies, selkies, and dragons.
Heart Of Stone
House of Cards
Hands Of Flame

P.S. I just finished another of her urban fantasy works that I really liked, Urban Shaman, about an American Indian Shaman who battles things like Celtic gods. It is the start of a series, but one you might want to check out if you like her trilogy.

Hi, I wanted to start a topic on this, so I'm glad I found it. Anyone else have recommendations. I'm more of a Neil Gaiman sort of guy then a Kim Harrison - i.e. I'll take a pass on snarky, kick-butt, leather wearing chicks with brooding vamp boy-friends.

Why are series so big anyways? I can understand from a writing perspective, world is already created, characters done. Makes life easy, but isn't that half fun of reading, discovering new worlds? Maybe that's another thread?!

Thanks for inviting me to join I will be checking out some of these titles.

I wanted to second Hawkes Harbor and Vamped.

Hawkes Harbor was originally written as a Dark Shadows novel, but then some names and details were changed. It's actually better than any of the other Dark Shadows books that I've read, but it's not similar to them at all in tone or style.

Vamped is a fun book about a bored vampire who lives in a world where most of the other people have been turned. There were a few aspects of the story that I had a mixed reaction to, but it's worth it for the world-building alone.

Pamela, do you mean War for the Oaks?

Back in the day, it was considered horror, now it would considered urban fantasy. But not out new, so you'll have to find it at a library or used. Wolfen by Whitley Strieber.I found it used somewhere. Let's say a different take on werewolves, and not at all like the movie based on it from the '70s.

What's the one by Emma Bull? That's a stand alone.

I've been wanting to read this book. Somebody should suggest it for November's read!

I also recently read La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock, although I think this one might become a series as the book leaves a lot of open ends.

The basic premise is a vampire is buried under a house. When it's renovated centuries later, she's re-awakened. She becomes "mainstream" and offers "haunted" tours of the area.

It's cute.

Oooh that one sounds quite interesting Ikiwiki, thank you

Blood Is the New Black: A Novel by Valerie Stivers

It's a quick, witty read about a girl who gets a job at a fashion magazine that's run by vampires. I wouldn't categorize it as UF, but it's still a good read.

I've been recommending this a lot lately, but I'll say it again, lol. Teasing Danger by Autumn Dawn, werewolf story in a sort of fantasy setting with a modern day heroine. I hope that made sense. It has a sequel, but it's pretty much standalone unless you're interested in the stories of the secondary characters. And it's not really futuristic as it's labeled.

What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?
by Cheryl Sterling

If you're looking for something a little funny.

Even though most of Charles de Lint books are loosely interconnected Newford series they can be read alone. I highly recommend Memory and Dreams, The Wild Wood as well as the Tamson House books Moonheart and Spiritwalk.

A great trilogy is the Walker Papers by C.E. Murphy The Urban Shaman, Thunderbird Falls and Coyote Dreams

Thank you guys for all your recommendations, this is brilliant. I'm hoping the library will have some of these in, if not i might be giving green metropolis a visit.

Melissa, you are right Christopher Moore is fantastic, i love his stuff, I'm actually reading Coyote Blue at the moment.