A subgenre of fantasy known as “urban fantasy” blends magical elements with a modern context. Typically, it involves unnatural creatures coexisting with and interacting with humanity. The tales are frequently action-packed and fast-paced, with a strong protagonist who must negotiate the perilous and complicated world of the supernatural. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best in this category that you must read.
The Top 6 Urban Fantasy Books
If you enjoy reading this category of novels, you’ve come to the right place. We have put together a list of options for you to consider. You can continue to get your fix after finishing the last page because some are independent books and some are part of a broader series. However, they all share the trait of being extremely compelling stories that integrate the fantastic and magical with the world we live in.
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“American Gods” by Neil Gaiman
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“Midnight Riot” by Ben Aaronovitch
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“Sandman Slim” by Richard Kadrey
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“Borderline” by Mishel Baker
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Fated by Benedict Jaka
Neil takes readers on a tour throughout America as he depicts a conflict between the old and new gods in this contemporary classic. An ex-con grieving the loss of his spouse, protagonist Shadow Moon becomes caught up in a power battle he cannot comprehend. He is a superb writer, and his characters are memorable and nuanced. You’ll be dragged into a universe of gods and humans as you read this novel, within which nothing is as it appears.
This is known to be among the first of a total of 16 books in the whole series, as it was displayed in the United Kingdom. A newbie London policeman named Peter Grant has the gift of seeing ghosts. His first few weeks on duty are spent in the CPU, where his primary responsibility is filing papers and little else ever appears to happen. That is, until Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale discovers Peter’s paranormal abilities. After a short time at a wizard learning facility, he has since advanced in the organization. He’s debut assignment in his new position is to crack a case of a suspicious brutal murder with a supernatural twist. Nevertheless, despite his skills, he quickly gets into trouble. He must make his way through an underworld populated by gods, goddesses, and a menacing, malevolent power with cunning ambitions.
This is known to be the initial release of the 12 volumes in the author’s Sandman Slim novel. Here, we saw the personage, a descendant of Wild Bill Hickock, spend his adolescence as a recognized magician. However, certain demons from the afterworld quickly became aware of him due to his ability, took him, and cast him into the lake of fire. He was made to act as a carnival freak for about eleven years while amusing the devil’s numerous minions.
In this narrative, you get to see an ex-filmmaker, Millie, who resides in Los Angeles. After an unsuccessful attempt at killing herself, she no longer has a lower limb. She was eventually diagnosed with borderline disorder, in which she has to live the rest of her life in a mental facility, where she is lost and left broken, as she has no idea how she can move forward in life. However, she was eventually offered a position within a secret organization referred to as the Arcadia Project, where she felt she had a second chance at a better life. After she is given her first assignment, she realizes she has to deal with fighting more than just her personal demons, as there are more evil forces threatening the whole universe.
A magic shop in London is run by a man by the name of Alex Verus, but it’s not your typical shop to begin with. It deals in transcendental items that have special power rather than simple tricks, magic wands, and hats. Verus has some incredible talents that even with his normal look allow him to glimpse into the future. He therefore knew right away that his entire life was about to change when his worker arrived at the store carrying a mysterious crimson glass.
Conclusion
In summary, UF is a genre that continues to attract readers with a combination of various modern-day settings, as it has produced various popular series. With its endless possibilities and limitless potential for creativity, it is sure to continue entertaining everyone for many more years to come.