9 Captivating Works of Urban Fantasy

If you love magic and mythical creatures, but don't find the kings and queens of Game of Thrones to be relatable enough as characters, then it might be time for you to dive into the world of urban fantasy. Like most fantasy, this subgenre is not limited to the rules of reality and can contain anything from vampires and fairies to ghosts and demigods. But unlike high fantasy, it takes place against the backdrop of the real world. If that sounds intriguing to you, consider checking out these nine captivating books. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

9 Captivating Works of Urban Fantasy

Title Author(s) More in the Series
1. Magic Unleashed Devri Walls Wings of Arian
2. Tainted Magic Jamie Campbell Demon Hero
3. Angelborn L. Penelope Angelfall
4. Between Jobs W.R. Gingell Between Shifts
5. The Reapers Ali Winters The Exodus
6. Hot Lead, Cold Iron Ari Marmell Hallow Point
7. Fledgling Natasha S. Brown Prodigy
8. Protector S.T. Bende & Leia Stone Defender
9. Wicked Misery Tracey Martin Dirty Little Misery

Fun Activities For Fantasy Fans

5 Great Urban Fantasy Films

  1. Highlander (1986)
  2. Bright (2017)
  3. Wolfen (1981)
  4. Hellboy (2004)
  5. The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

Classic Fantasy vs Modern Fantasy

In Depth

Urban fantasy explores what would happen if elements of magic existed in the real world. This sub-genre is a great choice for readers who love witchcraft, wizardry, and mythical creatures, but don't want to invest in learning about the culture and geography of a completely imagined world. In no particular order, here are nine captivating works of urban fantasy.

Starting off at #1 is "Magic Unleashed," the first book of the Venators series by Devri Walls. It follows the lives of Grey Malteer and Rune Jenkins, who find themselves in Eon, an alternate dimension that is ruled by supernatural creatures such as fae, werewolves, and vampires, among others. As they look for Rune's brother, who was abducted by the creatures, they discover their true identities as genetically enhanced law enforcers called Venators. Together, they must find their way out of Eon before they are used as weapons in an unearthly civil war.

What we have at #2 is "Tainted Magic." Written by Jamie Campbell, this thrilling installment in the Dark Fae Hollows series tells the story of Shae Howard, who is on the run for not enlisting in the Fae Queen's army. While planning to save her best friend who was forced to join the war against mankind, she meets a human named Evan who teams up with her. As they escape the queen's forces, forbidden romance sparks, causing Shae to fight for everything she believes in.

Written by Jamie Campbell, this thrilling installment in the Dark Fae Hollows series tells the story of Shae Howard, who is on the run for not enlisting in the Fae Queen's army.

Next, at #3 is "Angelborn." L. Penelope's novella explores the perspectives of Caleb, a half-angel half-human who is banished after he fails to bind himself to the woman he loved years ago, and Maia, who has the ability to see ghosts. After escaping his exile, Caleb seeks his reincarnated soulmate, Genna. Convincing her to share her soul with him is the only way he can remain free. However, when he meets her roommate, Maia, they find themselves falling for one another, which puts Caleb at risk.

At #4 is "Between Jobs" by W.R. Gingell. It follows the life of a 17-year-old girl known as "Pet." The story begins when she wakes up to find a dead body hanging from her window. As she squats in her dead parents' old home, hiding from social services, two fae and a Korean vampire, who are investigating a series of murders, buy the house as their base and decide to keep her as their human pet.

Coming in at #5 is "The Reapers." The first book in Ali Winters' "The Hunted" series, it follows the life of Nivian, an accomplished reaper who is assigned to reap Kian, a hunter who has the ability to destroy her kind. However, when reapers start to go missing, the unlikely duo is forced to work together to keep the balance of life and death. As they search for answers, they must also fight their growing love towards one another.

However, when reapers start to go missing, the unlikely duo is forced to work together to keep the balance of life and death.

Next up, at #6 is "Hot Lead, Cold Iron." Ari Marmell's debut novel to his detective series introduces us to Mick Oberon, an investigator who hides his real identity as a fae. A mobster's wife tasked him with finding her real daughter, who was swapped with a Changeling sixteen years ago. As he digs into the cold case, he goes back to the Otherworld, where he is forced to confront his past. Marmell gives readers an unusual, fascinating noir full of magic, gangsters, and fae politics.

At #7 is "Fledgling," which focuses on Ana Hughes, an 18-year-old girl who has a life-threatening heart disease. She yearns to live a normal life, so when she gets the opportunity for a fresh start in a remote town in Idaho, she struggles to hide her condition. When she meets Chance Morgan, they are immediately attracted to one another. However, Chance's animal-like senses and miraculous healing ability tell Ana that he's also hiding a secret of his own. Natasha Brown presents a realistic romance combined with supernatural shape-shifting action.

At #8 is "Protector." Leia Stone and S.T. Bende's Norse mythology-inspired novel follows the life of college student Allie, who has the ability to see people's auras. Her world is shaken when four gorgeous guys show up, claiming that they are her Asgardian protectors, and that she is a demigod. She doesn't initially believe them, but soon a series of natural disasters and an attack on her prove the men right. As she gets thrown into her real universe, she faces not only a goddess who is attacking earth, but also her growing infatuation with one of her protectors.

She doesn't initially believe them, but soon a series of natural disasters and an attack on her prove the men right.

Finally, at #9 is "Wicked Misery." Tracey Martin's first entry to her Miss Misery series follows the perspective of Jessica Moore, who is cursed to feed on human misery in order to survive. In the act of redeeming herself from guilt, she uses her powers to hunt evil people such as murderers and rapists. When someone frames her for murder, she enlists the help of Lucen, a satyr who has the ability to incite lust. As she looks for the real killer, she also ponders if her feelings for Lucen are real.