Urban Fantasy Where to Start?

[Paul]

Add me to the long, long list of people who second The Dresden Files.

In a related vein, Benedict Jacka's Alex Verus novels ("Fated," "Cursed," and "Taken") are about a London magic shop owner who has light precognitive abilities that tend to get him into trouble with a lot of people. Because Verus doesn't have much mojo in combat, he has to use his intelligence and clever applications of his powers to get himself out of dangerous situations, which is where a lot of the books' fun comes from.

That said, for my money the greatest urban fantasy story ever told isn't even a book. That honor goes to the combined might of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."

[AndrewP]

Rik wrote: "In fact, the main character Quentin is such a miserable little **** that I was hoping that he'd get eviscerated by the end.

Barring another captive audience situation I can't imagine ever going back to this series.."

Couldn't agree more.

[Roger]

I definitely enjoyed the few books of the dresden files that I have read, I also enjoy Dark Days series by Jocelynne Drake and anything by Patricia Briggs.

[Trike]

Rik wrote: "I just finished The Magicians and found it to be one of the most tedious unenjoyable experiences I've ever had in books. I did it via audio book and had I not basically been a captive audience in an across Nevada and back road trip I would have surely lemmed it. "

So it's basically like his brother's book. I do not understand the praise for the Grossman boys.

[AndrewP]

Trike wrote: "So it's basically like his brother's book. I do not understand the praise for the Grossman boys. "

I think being senior book critic for Time magazine has a lot to do with it. "Say nice things about my book and I will do the same for you"... Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink, say no moooore. :)

[Kevin]

AndrewP wrote: "Trike wrote: "So it's basically like his brother's book. I do not understand the praise for the Grossman boys. "

I think being senior book critic for Time magazine has a lot to do with it. "Say ni..."

Or, you know, tastes differ and some people genuinely like what they put out.

I haven't read The Magicians, but I know several people who rate it very highly and none of them needed to be bribed to think so.

[[deleted user]]

you could check out:

Nightfall by Stephen Leather, PI story with semi horror and paranormal themes. (also if your amazon prime you can borrow all 4 books of the series for free)

Detective Pat by Brian Perry, Fun little story about nowadays investigator pulled into a conspiracy.

Bob Moore: No Hero by Tom Andry, superhero book where the main character does not have powers at all, FANTASTIC series and this first book is free on amazon.

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, this series has some magic in it, but it's based of of "real world" magic not a "fantasy" type magic, and the series is great too. lots of good references to old movies too.

Distant Star by Joe Ducie, has a cool take on magic, and other literature, and could hit the urban fantasy bone pretty well.

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters, now this isn't really urban fantasy, but I just have to suggest it based on your anime/manga descriptions. it's a story of a pending apocalypse and a policeman who doesn't give up in spite of that to solve crime.

For a lot of PI/detective type of books set in urban fantasy tropes I would suggest looking into horror books of the "dark fantasy" type or into thriller books because a lot of those feature good monsters and urban landscape but don't go into the more fantasy aspects you don't seem to be interested in.

hope these help, sorry for the slight necro of the thread.