Urban Fantasy discussion
Welcome to the Group! Introduce yourself...
Hello all,Am a big fan of Urban Fantasy and ALOT of Sci-fi, alone with comic books!! As an Urban Fantasy author, I like to read a broad spectrum of fantasy books, with the Peter Grant and Bryant & May books a firm favourite. My favourite series of books is The Passage Books by Justin Cronin. I am re-reading the first 2 to get onto the 3rd.
I also LOVE The Dark Tower books! (hated the film!!)
Always happy to chat and will post up my book details and what not in the promotion section!!
Looking forward to some good discussions.
Rob
Hi Robert. Glad to meet you. Quick question... what kind of comic books do you read?
Apollo wrote: "Hi Robert. Glad to meet you. Quick question... what kind of comic books do you read?"I am a huge fan of Scott Snyder, who currently writes Batman. His New 52 run was amazing and I am also ploughing through American Vampire.
I also love The Punisher :)
You?
I like a lot of the older Marvel stuff... Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil, Peter David’s version of the Hulk, and the Infinity Gauntlet... but I’m trying to get back into reading more of the recent storylines from across the comic book world. So, thanks for the Scott Snyder and American Vampire thoughts.
Robert wrote: "Apollo wrote: "Hi Robert. Glad to meet you. Quick question... what kind of comic books do you read?"I am a huge fan of Scott Snyder, who currently writes Batman. His New 52 run was amazing and I ..."
Scott Snyder is amazing!! I'm about to start reading that Batman run. You're gonna love American Vampire.
Hey everyone,Just thought I would take a second introduce myself I'm Harrison I fell in love with urban fantasy back in 2012 when I discovered Jim Butcher. I devoured the Dresden files books in less than a month and have been anxiously awaiting new releases ever since. While I'm waiting for the next adventure of Harry Dresden I read a wide variety of things but in terms of urban fantasy I enjoy Kevin Herne (the Iron Druid Chronicles), Ben Aaronovitch (the rivers of London), and Benedict Jacka (Alex Verus Series), Steve McHugh (the Hellequin Chronicles) and DB Jackson (the thief taker Chronicles, a really neat little series set in American Revolutionary era Boston about a bounty hunter who uses magic a true little gem of a series that doesn't get enough attention in urban fantasy circles.) I tried London falling by Paul Cornell but couldn't get into it. Despite all the praise I've recently given up on Benedict Jacka simply because I found myself not liking the main character very much anymore. Seeing who and what I like to read does anyone have any suggestions while I suffer waiting for more Dresden I'm also open to graphic novels in the urban fantasy genre if that helps
Harrison wrote: "Hey everyone,Just thought I would take a second introduce myself I'm Harrison I fell in love with urban fantasy back in 2012 when I discovered Jim Butcher. I devoured the Dresden files books in l..."
Hi Harrison
I have been thinking about trying the thief taker because of Water Witch as I adore Faith Hunter, I am pretty OCD about reading in order and was wondering which to read first?
As you seem to read male authors have you tried Craig Schaefer The Long Way Down
Also female authors Skinwalker the Jane Yellowrock series and Magic Bites the Kate Daniels series (husband and wife duo - although billed as Ilona Andrews
I will definitely add those to my TBR as I have read none of them. If you want to start thief takerThieftaker. I also prefer to read books in order when possible. You make an interesting point about my reading male authors I never noticed that before I have no objection to reading female authors I guess just nothing I've seen this caught my eye. But I will certainly take a look. i see Kim Harrison mentioned a lot any thoughts on her?
Harrison wrote: "I will definitely add those to my TBR as I have read none of them. If you want to start thief takerThieftaker. I also prefer to read books in order when possible. You make an intere..."Thanks the thief taker first it is.
Kim Harrison, I have her on my TBR but haven't read her, the only notes I have are that she is predominately listed as Paranormal romance and to leave the prequels until last as they were written only recently and contain spoilers for the books that follow.
Harrison wrote: "Hey everyone,Just thought I would take a second introduce myself I'm Harrison I fell in love with urban fantasy back in 2012 when I discovered Jim Butcher. I devoured the Dresden files books in l..."
Hi Harrison,
your reading list is remarkably like mine!
You might give the Felix Castor series by Mike Carey a go (Mike Carey is MR Carey of "The Girl with all the Gifts" fame if you've heard of it).
Set in London and, in my view, equally unfairly overlooked by many. Bit grittier than Rivers of London but I thought very rewarding, and it does come to a satisfactory conclusion at the end of the series, although I'd love to read more.
after some checking turns out i own the first one so i adeed it to my TBR list
I think you'll like it based on your other references. I hope you do.
HI fellow readers, I'm a civil rights worker during the day and a blogger/writer at night. I'm a big reader (and movie/tv watcher) of UF and, more recently, PNR (always open to good suggestions in this area since I'm a newbie there). My favorite authors are Ilona Andrews. They've just found a great balance with their writing. I'm a bit sad they are closing out the Kate Daniel's series but I get it. Any suggestions on anything as good as that series? I also love Patricia Briggs. Currently trying out Anne Bishop. On the writing side, I'm writing an UF novel with an African American lead. I'd love to see more POC in UF and PNR. Thanks!
Patricia Briggs tops my "I'll read anything she writes" list. I read Ilona Andrews when they are not doing their more extreme PNR series. I enjoy romance to the level you find in their Edge series or KD series.Saying this to give you context for my taste.
I notice you haven't mentioned Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. I am guessing you have tried it and not liked it? If you haven't had a go then go for it. For me the HD series is the best series in UF and Butcher is only slightly below Briggs in my book for most reliably good story writer.
An author I love but doesn't seem as popular is Nina Kiriki Hoffman. I find she regularly reduces me to tears in a way that connects me in a good way with myself.
Also recommend Rachel Aaron's Heartstrikers series. I like this one because she steps outside of the common "the most powerful dragon/magic user/warrior happens to be good and saves the world" trope.
I would be really interested to know if you have found any African American UF authors you enjoy. I will try to keep an eye out for your book! I am not from the US but I found Octavia Butler to be a breath of fresh air in the SF genre. When I encountered her writing I had really only read SF written by right wing male white US authors. SF used to be so dominated by authors like Heinlein and his heirs. Then in my reading universe came Butler. I was soooo sad when she passed away.
Sorry if I am presuming on ethnicity. I just hoped that from your profession and profile pic that you might have some tips???
Hey, yes I loved Octavia Butler. Couldn't get into Harry Dresden because I prefer a female protagonist. I've found a couple of African American UF but none have connected with me (many like LA Banks). I'll check those other authors out.
Hi, everyone!I'm a big fan of urban fantasy books, shows, and movies. I love a good UF book with amazing world building and unforgettable characters. I had gotten out of UF for a little while and was reading distopian works, but am now back full-swing into reading UF books.
C.C. wrote: "Hey, yes I loved Octavia Butler. Couldn't get into Harry Dresden because I prefer a female protagonist. I've found a couple of African American UF but none have connected with me (many like LA Bank..."Hello and welcome!! I felt the same way about Dresden, unfortunately. I think he was probably amazing when there weren't many other UF writers around, but I prefer Sandman Slim and the like when it comes to male protagonists.
My new favorite author I discovered after devouring Ilona Andrews' books was Seanan McGuire.
-It will capture your whole heart and every book builds the world into something you want to go back to.
-A sillier UF world featuring a generations-spanning story of monster hunters.Are you reading Anne Bishop's
series? I loved that series so hard. I have a ton more, but these are the very, very top.I'm going through my 'read' bookshelves trying to find a starring African American heroine and I only came up with these two:
. You're right. We need more. :)
Penelope Fletcher is a young, self published, African British writer that I have enjoyed....
Oh, Venomous (Alien Warrior, #1) has an African lead.
Another series with a female protagonist that I like is the Kitty Norville series.
Holly wrote: "C.C. wrote: "Hey, yes I loved Octavia Butler. Couldn't get into Harry Dresden because I prefer a female protagonist. I've found a couple of African American UF but none have connected with me (many..."Thanks! I'm reading the first Bishop Others series now. It's super slow but I'm pushing through due to the high praise. I'll check out McGuire series.
C.C. wrote: "Holly wrote: "C.C. wrote: "Hey, yes I loved Octavia Butler. Couldn't get into Harry Dresden because I prefer a female protagonist. I've found a couple of African American UF but none have connected..."I promise you that those pick up. There is a bit of world-building to get through, but once you realize you're past that, you will already need to know what happens next with the characters.
I'm Jim and the original Chrome Borne series (Lackey/Dixon) hooked me on UF, but I read all SF&F (Sanderson, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, the classics, etc.) Currently reading Julie Kagawa Blood of Eden series.
In addition to a lifelong reader, I'm a newly published author (small press) with 1st book in my Urban Fantasy series released this year and 2nd book in beta read. Looking forward to participating in discussions and seeing what's of interest in the community. - Jim Stein
Hey, all,I'm David and I'm new to Goodreads but a longtime reader. I'm also fairly certain that the first urban fantasy story that got me hooked on the genre was also Lackey/Dixon's Serrated Edge/Chrome Born series. Since then, I've devoured everything that I can put my hands on. Andrews, Armstrong, Briggs, Butcher, Harrison, Hearne, Jacka, Kittredge, Etc., etc.
Currently reading A.J. Mayall's 'The Art of Madness"
- David R.
Mod
I'm WL Hawkin (Wendy) and I'm Canadian. Born in Toronto, Ontario, I've been living on the West Coast of Canada for the past twenty years. I love the landscape here, the sea, the trees, the rocks, even the rain!I read and write Urban Fantasy, though I would like to follow Charles de Lint in calling this genre Mythic Fiction. Charles de Lint is one of my favourite writers—he's also Canadian, from Ottawa—and his Newford series is my all-time favourite. I also enjoy Neil Gaiman, particularly The Ocean at the End of the Lane; Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. I got into OR Melling's Chronicles of Faerie and Book of Dreams years ago and reread them often. Patricia McKillip's Solstice Wood is another old favourite.
I am currently completing an UF series based in the Pacific Northwest—The Hollystone Mysteries. It features a coven of witches who solve murders. Book 1 (To Charm a Killer) and Book 2 (To Sleep with Stones) are published. Book 3 (To Render a Raven) is in editing. I will release them as a trilogy in the next year. I blog at http://bluehavenpress.com
I know what I love about UF—the freedom to explore this contemporary time through magic and myth, to weave mystery and romance into the story. I'm curious what draws other readers and writers to this genre.
Hi Wendy,Nice to meet you. Your novels sound intriguing. I’ll have to check them out sometime and also let my wife know as well. She’s into different genres with Urban Fantasy being one of her top ones.
Well... I think I’m with you when it comes to my interest with UF. I like the way magic is used during our current era and how the characters need to deal with the “old ways”of magic as it relates to the present age. Also, I’m into the comic book genre, and the types of UF books I gravitate to have that almost super hero type element to it. One series in particular for me is the Dresden Files.
Like you, I also have a writer’s perspective on the genre having written one called “Henchman” about a tech-wielding mage set in the Vegas Underworld. So, I enjoy reading and writing in UF.
Looking forward to your future comments.
Thanks Apollo. I too like Jim Butcher's work. Henchman sounds exciting! I'll have a look.Yes, I like to weave Wiccan rituals and concepts into the stories, so the reader can learn something of old ways and how myth can be used to solve contemporary problems. For example, the old Celtic god of the hunt, Cernunnos, is a character is books two and three.
This is such an intriguing way to approach and experience life:)
CC asked/ wrote: Hey, yes I loved Octavia Butler. Couldn't get into Harry Dresden because I prefer a female protagonist. I've found a couple of African American UF but none have connected with me...Have you looked for/ at:
Tananarive Due,
N.K. Jemisin,
Nnedi Okorafor,
Nalo Hopkinson,
Nicky Drayden?
Hi! *waves* I’m Vanessa and am super excited to join a group that celebrates UF! A bit about me: I’m a wife, mum to three pups, author, and lifelong book nerd. I read a little bit of everything from most genres. When I’m not writing or reading, I enjoy being outdoors. Looking forward to connecting with everyone!
Hello! I'm Diane and I live outside of Phoenix, AZ. (Yes, it's very hot here right now!) I'm a voracious reader and I stick mostly with UF but I also read epic fantasy and science fiction. I read a lot of historical non-fiction, too. I'm married with 3 rescued doggies. I've been working on my first UF novel for the past 4 years (lots of life interruptions have slowed the process) and hope to release it later this summer. Let's see ... what else about me ... I'm a huge Marvel Cinematic Universe fan (go Loki!) and I also have a small Etsy store for handmade jewelry. I guess I just like to stay busy. I just turned 55 last month but I think of myself as about 18 in my head. Some of my favorite authors in no particular order): Stephen King, Jacqueline Carey, Anne Bishop, Kevin Hearne, and C. Gockel.
Hope everyone is having a spectacular day!
Hey all! I'm J Lenni Dorner. I belong to the Lenni-Lenape tribe of Native Americans. (My own ancestors managed to stay on our original lands, which is why I'm Pennsylvania instead of Oklahoma, Wisconson, or Canada.) I grew up listening to the myths and legends of the elders. Seven random things about me:
1) The Walking Dead Character I am most like is Daryl Dixon.
2) I like cats, and I dislike people who say that males can't like cats.
3) I grew up eating Creamed Chipped Beef at least once a week for breakfast.
4) I support the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement.
5) Guilty TV pleasure= How I Met Your Mother
6) #InSixWords Reader, SpecFic Writer, Debut Author Interviewer
7) I parallel parked a horse and buggy.
One of my goals for 2018 is to read and review 8 Speculative Fiction books (such as Urban Fantasy).
Hi all! I’m a reader of multiple subgenres of fantasy and a writer of mythological urban fantasy. Some of my favorite fantasy authors are Paula Volsky, Juliet Marillier, Melanie Rawn, and Sergei Lukyanenko. I’m reading (and writing) more romance lately, but I’m always on the lookout for unusual fantasy stories with strong female characters.
Hi, I particularly enjoy reading George RR Martin, Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, and Jim Butcher (among others).I'm writing an urban fantasy series (see self-promotion section for my first traditionally published novel).
HI my name is Adrian but I answer to Ade, Adie, A or anything really.I was originally from London but now reside in Norfolk.
I love Fantasy and Science Fiction and I am an honorary geek and newbie Cosplayer
Over the years I played self created modern fantasy games based around D&D rules and realised we were creating stories each time we played.
I eventually decided to tweak the stories and characters to make a hopefully readable story and my first book is out Friday
if you want to know more or just chat then give me a shout
Happy reading everyone ( and Happy Christmas as it's getting closer and has invaded everywhere.)
Greetings everyone, My name is Herman I'm 60 two children and I love to read. Urban Fantasy sounds like a great group look forward to finding some good books here. As far as what I like to read, well nearly everything as long as it's well written. For Urban Fantasy I would say Michael Cassidy's work in Night Life and his Night work nice 1950's urban Noire and Emily stone work ,Ruby in the Rough are examples of books I hope to find here
Kia ora all,I am an UF reader, among other genres which is why my library card is always overloaded! I live in New Zealand with my partner and our very sooky cat.
In UF my favourite author would be Seanan McGuire, swiftly followed by Patricia Briggs
I’m always on the lookout for unusual fantasy stories with strong female characters.reply | flag *
"
May I then suggest to you two books the first is
Treasures of the Night
by Bruce Lee Bond and the second would be
Cottonwood by R. Lee Smith
I'm sure you would enjoy either of them
J. wrote: "Hey all! I'm J Lenni Dorner. I belong to the Lenni-Lenape tribe of Native Americans. (My own ancestors managed to stay on our original lands, which is why I'm Pennsylvania instead of Oklahoma, Wisc..."oooo talking of diverse books have read Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. The author is Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo/African American and the reviews have been grand but I haven't had the chance to read yet. Hopefully will before 2019!
I'll look for it. Thank you for the nudge.
Heya! My name is Whitney and I'm a long-time fan of UF and PNR, as well as other sci-fi and fantasy. My all-time favorite author is Kim Harrison with the Hollows series. I've also enjoyed some of Laurel K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, and Octavia Butler. Living in Durham, NC with two cats who insist on helping me with whatever I'm doing, especially if it's writing.
Looking forward to picking up some recommendations on new series. I prefer female leads, some crime/thriller elements, and thoughtful magic.
Hihi! My name is Katy, and I'm both a fan of, and (starting) writer of, urban/mythic fantasy and paranormal romance. It's so cool to find so many people who like the same genre/s.My favorite authors include Charles de Lint, Kalayna Price, Eric Asher, Orlando Sanchez, Faith Hunter...man, I'd better stop. I love most Ellen Datlow anthologies. My newest find is The Spawn of Lilith, by Dana Fredsti, about a stuntswoman who thinks she's the rare human in a Hollywood permeated with (secretly) paranormal people.
I see I will be finding more authors to like from this group - thank you!
Hey! I'm Rick. I don't know why I've been reading Urban Fantasy for so many years without ever stopping to look for an Urban Fantasy Book Club. Duh!. This group looks like a great place to pick up recommendations.
Hi!!I'm Henry Taba from Malaysia. I'm a programmer at day and writer at night. I started to write for fun when I in stress three years ago and thereafter, I'm addicted to writing. Hence, I had published two books and many more to come. Anyway, cheer to those who write and happy reading to all!!
Hi, I am Merve. As you can guess I love UF and I cannot wait for us to exchange recs. I cannot believe I just found out this group!
Hello good folks. Sean here. I hope this group is still alive and active. I am into fantasy with humorous twists like Kings of the Wyld and the Johannes Cabal series. I am busy writing my second novel, a preview of which is on my Goodreads page, please let me know what you think. Looking forward to interesting discussions!
Hello fellow Urban Fantasy fans,I am an Australian speculative fiction and fantasy writer. I’m also a big urban fantasy fan. I really love Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series among several others. I’ve recently been reading Angela Slatter’s Verity Fassbinder series set in alternate Brisbane, Australia.
Keen to hear what everyone else recommends along the folklore/fairytale inspiration for urban fantasy. Also quite like gothic horror if there’s any good series in that style along urban fantasy?
I'm a reader of all sorts, but UF is my heart. I love Jim Butcher's work, he consistently delivers and only gets better with each story. I'm in northern Virginia/DC and wish there was a UF book club here.
Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
Four and Twenty Blackbirds (other topics)Bad Blood (other topics)
Written in Red (other topics)
Discount Armageddon (other topics)
Rosemary and Rue (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
R.S. Merritt (other topics)N.K. Jemisin (other topics)
Tananarive Due (other topics)
Nnedi Okorafor (other topics)
Nalo Hopkinson (other topics)
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My name's Holly. I love werewolves, movies, art and comics. With any luck, I'll find some like-minded individuals here. ::winks::