From vampires to witches and everything in between, urban fantasy has it all. They’re chocked full of action, adventure, mystery, and romance – heat levels vary! I was on the verge of giving up, but I finally narrowed down my top 5 picks – at least for now. I change my mind daily 😉
1. The Hollows Series by Kim Harrison
The Hollows Series has a special place in my heart, and it was my first foray into the urban fantasy genre.
The Hollows series follows the adventures of quirky witch Rachel Morgan. She’s a private investigator and bounty hunter with a unique set of powers. With the help of her partners – a living vampire and a hotheaded pixie – she solves crimes and isn’t afraid to skirt the edges of the law to do so. One of my favorite secondary characters in this series is the demon Al. He’s one of those characters you love to hate and eventually want to hug.
Kim Harrison is a master at creating characters with depth and has created a truly magical world. If you’re looking for a unique urban fantasy, The Hollows has it all!
“Hey, ah, does anyone want a cookie or something? Oh yeah. A cookie. That would make everything better. Dunked in a shot of tequila , maybe? Or better yet, just the bottle? Yeah, that ought to do it.” ― Every Which Way But Dead
2. Charley Davidson Series by Darynda Jones
I love this series, not only because it’s well-written and engaging but because it’s freakin’ hilarious.
The Charley Davidson series is one of the best urban fantasy series out there –for good reason. It follows the story of Charley, a private investigator and part-time reaper. With her best friend Cookie, her Uncle Bob, and a bit of help from the dead, Charley solves crimes no one else can.
Between reaping and investigating, she’s trying to learn more about her powers and, most notably, how she’s connected to her dark, broody, and sometimes lover, Reyes. While the series does have its fair share of dark moments, it is mostly lighthearted. Darynda Jones’s talent for creating colorful characters with real depth, this series will keep you thoroughly entertained.
“How would you like your eggs?”
I tried. I really did. But I glanced at his crotch and it came out anyway. “Fertilized?” ― Fifth Grave Past the Light
3. Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
I find this series interesting because our heroine, Mercy, is relatively weak. Other than her ability to shift into a coyote and some resistance to magic, she is not powerful. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to befriend and read the powerful beings surrounding her: werewolves, the fey, vampires, etc.
Creating a heroine like Mercy in a genre that leans towards magically/physically powerful women makes for some great storytelling. Briggs creates a rich world full of engaging characters you can’t help but love. Anyone who enjoys urban fantasy must give this wildly popular series a try.
“Love thy enemies, it says in the scriptures. My foster mother always added, “At the very least, you will be polite to them.” ― Moon Called
4. The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness is a captivating series and follows the story of a modern-day reluctant witch, Diana Bishop. As a historian of alchemy, she studies alchemy manuscripts, and it’s during her research she accidentally calls the book Ashmole 782, which was supposed to have been long lost.
Diana’s love interest Matthew Clairmont fears that “creatures” might be declining and thinks the book holds the key to possibly saving a paranormal world that could be on the verge of extinction. So starts a race to find the book and get the answers they seek.
Though it delves into the past, I like the supernatural community dynamics as they live daily amongst humans in the present day. The All Souls trilogy is a fantastic read for those who love mystery, thrills, and magical conspiracies.
“Just because something seems impossible doesn’t make it untrue,”
-Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches
5. The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one of the most loved vampire paranormal romance series. Its focus revolves around a community of immortal warriors whose sole mission is defending their race against de-souled humans called lessers.
As the overarching good vs. evil storyline progresses, each book centers on a different protagonist and their love interest. These books are full of broody characters and angst, and the scorching heat makes these books fun to read.
While the world-building could be better, J.R. Ward is extraordinarily talented in creating characters with a depth of emotion that keeps readers invested. That intense emotion overflows into the underlying story, which in my opinion, is the reason J.R. Ward fans keep coming back for more.
“Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought. For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistable urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee.” ― Dark Lover