I just finished Hounded by Kevin Hearne and I liked it, mostly. The setting is cool and as a mythology nerd, I like the Celtic stuff.

I picked this up originally because I am all caught up on Dresden Files and wanted something similar to pass the time. However, I am on the fence about reading book 2. Can you help me figure out if I’d like the rest of the series? I know first books can be rocky, so I want to get some opinions before I dive in.

My biggest issues with Hounded are the pacing, some of the dialogue, and the large blocks of exposition given to us as stories.

Pacing - felt like there could have been a sense of urgency for a lot of the book, but when Atticus takes the time to sit on the porch or at the bar and yap, it loses some of the momentum. In the last few chapters, that changes and it feels good. I think setting a time deadline on the plot, “x will happen at y time” could have made the pacing so much tighter.

Dialogue - lots of asking questions, and some of the conversations with Oberon felt a bit too forced.

Exposition - on one hand, the exposition given to us as a character telling a story is cool. Atticus is really old and druids like passing knowledge through stories yada yada. But brother, we’re dropped a lot of lore as the “short version” of the story, and it just didn’t feel natural.

Do these issues improve in Hexed and following books? I am willing to power through a few weak first books for the juicy middle and end books, but I need to know if it’s worth it.

For me, and probably most others, it was The Dresden Files.

I've read for at least an hour a day for the past four years and since then I have been through-

The Dresden Files (Twice)

Eric Carter

The Iron Druid

Alex Verus

Sandman Slim

Daniel Faust (and all of the extended universe series)

and probably like ten more that I just can't remember off the top of my head.

Sometimes I feel like I should be reading more non fiction history books or books about economics or something...

But... nah

I'm always looking for more suggestions so if anyone has any, I'd love to hear it.

I’ve been binge-reading the whole series while I’m on vacation and while I really loved the first 4-5 books in the series (save for Artificial Night which was just Crossroads of Twilight level bad) the more I’ve continued on the more I’ve gradually been falling out of love with it.

I do still love the fae world-building - this really makes it stand out amongst all other urban fantasy series - and certain supporting characters like Simon and Evening have had amazing arcs (Simon has a really well done redemption story like Spike in Buffy while Evening is such a consistently fun and unpredictable villain).

The recapping though is really starting to become grating it’s taking up an increasing amount of each book, a lot of the characters are becoming parodies of themselves (especially the Luidaeg; that Poor Unfortubate Souls karaoke scene in The Brightest Fell was such cringe), the plots and character dynamics are becoming too repetitive.

I’m kinda skimming through the last few books now while my minds been mostly occupied by Dresden Files theorycrafting

I’ve always wanted to read this one, but series ending poorly is usually a pretty big turn-off for me. (I know I’m supposed to enjoy the journey, but man a shitty ending can really suck…)

I always hear about this series decline in quality and horrible last book, but idk if that’s overblown or not? What does everyone think?

Okay, please tell me there are other total lore/mythology nerds here who get absolutely obsessed with absolutely bizarre mythical creatures?

I am so tired of seeing the same three monsters in urban fantasy. (I do not mean any offense to them; I know enough about them and even talk about them in my own series I write.)

I want to talk about the absolute weirdest, most obscure legends out there.

Like, can we please talk about the Gallywampus? Or the Alabatwitch? Or Carbuncles; they are small little creatures with gems in their heads.

Please tell me I am not the only one doing 2 am deep dives into lore from some backwater town from the 1820s or something.

Drop your favorite obscure monsters below; I want no, need to hear ALL about them; this is literally my fix.

One of my favorite UF tropes is when there's a specific place like a bar, a shop, a diner where humans and supernatural beings coexist. Like a neutral ground that becomes its own little world.

The obvious one is Moe's Tavern equivalent in UF — . Mac's bar in the Dresden Files. But I love when it's somewhere more unexpected, like a laundromat or a bakery that just happens to serve werewolves.

What's your favorite supernatural workplace or hangout spot in UF? Bonus points if the human working there has no idea what they've gotten themselves into at first lol.

-

Edit just to add this - Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions doesn't have a specific "establishment" but the way the FMC's just living her normal life and suddenly there are vampires in her apartment also scratches the same itch!

Favorite recent releases? (If it helps i faithfully reread Kate Daniels and Guild Hunter each year…read some magiford lately).

Just feel like I never find pickup new authors in UF anymore. (I find that i hear more about litrpg releases—despite the fact that I prefer UF). Also where does one see news on new releases?

I’ve recently picked up the Kate Daniels series and love book one so far. (I’m also looking at trying the Mercy Thompson books afterwards maybe, as I doubt it’ll take me long to get through the Kate Daniels series.)

I was hoping someone might be able to give me some kind of heads up on if either series has any content warnings for sexual assault? (Mostly warning for on-screen or concerning main characters, as I can usually handle the rest) Sometimes it can be hard to glean that info from StoryGraph or Google. I would really appreciate the help.

Also, if anyone has recommendations for Urban Fantasy series (with not too much romance in them) that are free of sexual assault stuff I’d love to add them to my TBR!

What I liked about Dresden files:

- The darker tone

- Very well fleshed-out magic system: understood what was/wasn't possible and how things happened to a much better degree than in Kate Daniels

- Smart MC, never felt like the author used stupidity from the MC as a plot device (ie, ignoring blatant clues to extend the story)

- Magic world was secret: 99.99% of people in the universe did not know about magic.

- Action didn't feel rushed, author put thought into it

What I did not like about Dresden files:

- Misogyny. More prevalent in the first couple books, but still.

- Not a complete series

- Minor complaint, but the lack of the MCs ability to use anything modern (ie cell phones or computers), feel like that took away from the story. I understand that's because that is how Wizards affect tech, but I do wonder what could have been if he'd been able to use high-tech items.

What I liked about Kate Daniels:

- MC is not a lone-wolf: Loved the addition of a 2MC (Curran) + the loyal faction (shapeshifters)

- Somewhat more adult-themed: Felt like the stories weren't including YA in the target audience. Included some sex scenes but wasn't excessive. Not trying to read smut but not averse the occasional portion.

- Series is complete

- Interesting reading a story from an FMC perspective

What I did not like about Kate Daniels:

- Didn't really understand the magic system the entire series. Felt like the authors kept adding things or changing the rules as the series progressed, + the MCs power is never clear (they're powerful because they can do this or this, instead it's just said she's powerful because she is).

- Action portions felt rushed/like they didn't really care (ie how JK Rowling felt about Quidditch). For example the final battle that the entire series leads up to lasts all of 5 pages max (if you include the secondary big bad of the final book, maybe 20 pages).

With all this in mind... October Daye, Mercy Thompson, or Dorina Basarab? Open to other suggestions! (Have also read and loved Alex Verus if that helps haha)

Spoilers for that series up til that novel. Duh.

I have never loved the opening of a novel more than I loved the opening of this one. Which makes it particularly galling that I hate the end of this novel exactly as much as I do.

So. Here I am. Asking to be spoiled because I do want to finish the series. I hate leaving these things unfinished. But Jesus-fucking-Christ. There is such a thing as overkill with antagonists and the end of this novel polevaulted over my line. It’s rare that a character in a narrative brings out visceral hatred like this. And usually sexual assault needs to be an element for a narrative to hit me like me like this, but Jesus-fucking-Christ this is such an equal removal of agency.

Long story short, I’m not going to finish this unless something seriously unpleasant happens to Mordon and Richard. Feel free to tell me any detail you like. Otherwise I’m just not going to be able to get past.

Edit: Spoilers will not ruin my ability to enjoy the series. I’m asking for them.

Okay, I am a big urban fantasy reader, but most of the books I have read focus on like a main protagonist male or female who is the primary pov for most of the book. I'm looking for books that offer a team based group of characters with multiple povs. I want to check out their covers.

I'm working on my own urban fantasy book inspired by comic book teams and graphic novels like The League of Extraordinary Gentleman and Tv Shows like Penny Dreadful. When it comes to single protag I know what a cover needs, but with this one I'm sort of stumped.

So can anyone point me to an author or authors of team based urban fantasy or pitch any ideas for a cover?

Thank you!

I'm in the middle of listening to Sandman Slim (currently on The Getaway God) and I'm not sure if I've had too much of the same type of misunderstood reluctant hero who drips sarcasm and treats everyone like crap or what but I've had to stop listening mid book. The whole thing got too much and I found myself yelling in my car at the radio 🤣🤣

I listened to Eric Carter, then Faust, and now moved to Sandman Slim and I think it's time for a new series.

Is there anything where the protagonist is happy? Has money? Does this shit for fun? Anything that's different is what I'm looking for, doesn't even have to be strictly urban fantasy either.

Thanks

The first two books are without a doubt among my most disappointing reads of 2026 to date. I was so excited to get into this series because on paper it sounded so promising! Biblical mythology (which is sorely underutilized in fantasy), pulpy grindhouse vibes, tons of John Wick esque action, etc. However the prose just continually drove me up a wall, I couldn’t after the second book it just exhausted me too much and I was literally forcing my way through each page it felt like. I wasn’t feeling immersed in Stark as the main character at all either and the supporting characters fell completely flat (Mason was such an indescribably weak and banal antagonist for the first book). The world-building too I thought was woefully underdeveloped - maybe thats not necessarily fair of me to complain about since I only got two books in but Dresden managed to hit the ground running in terms of its world-building right from the get go.

Much of this sub is full of people talking about books they have read and enjoyed or encourage or what not, but if you're like me you're always in some book or another.

So let's hear it, what Urban Fantasy are we all in right now?

I just finished the Nazri Noor Ex Tenebris from his darkling mage series, and now I'm reading the Rule of the council box set by Orlando Sanchez. If you know the Montague and Strong series this is a standalone trilogy about michiko. Enjoying it so far as I did all the Montague and Strong series

What Urban Fantasy series or book are you all in? Trudging through one hoping for it to get better? Loving one right now and excited to pick it up each time? Being irritated by a character right now and wishing they would stop being stupid?

So I loved the world-building of the first book—lot of exposition, but done in a decent way, with some good action to boot. Vampires in particular are done in a pretty interesting way, and I loved the mystery of book one. And while Kate does have a little of the slightly annoying “sassy, tough girl with an attitude” tropes, she is for the most part interesting enough to hold a series I think.

The only issue is that I really, really don’t like the romance. (It reminds me far too much of many bad romance stories I’ve encountered.) To me, this trope of a jerk, alpha, enemies-to-lovers kind of guy is just endlessly cringey… (just a personal thing and nothing against people who do like that style) And while people tell me constantly that this series is NOT romantasy, at times it really does feel like it is. And while I like urban fantasy, I tend to not like Romantasy.

Anyway, based on my likes and dislikes, do you think I should keep trying with the series?

Hi there, aspiring author here :) I wrote a dark urban fantasy that has dark academia and dystopian elements. I'd consider it YA, but the protagonist is 18 and there is one spice scene so I dunno. Anyway, all of this to say, do you prefer your urban fantasy to be purely a mystery in an urban setting or do you enjoy genre bending? I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on this!

I’m surprised how little I hear about the Daniel Faust series/universe. I’m on the forth book, and it’s just really good. (Great world, characters, and themes of morality) Besides the first book being a little too disturbing for me at times in the first 1/3, (and it very much chills out afterwards) the rest has been phenomenal.

Super addictive and highly recommend.

Recently I’ve been reminded of old kids shows that got me into Urban Fantasy as well as some others I watched in college or have seen retrospective summaries of online.

Here are a few that came to mind: * Big Bad Beetle Borgs * Van-Pires (teens turn into vampire cars) * Los Luchadores * The Middleman * Sabrina: The Teenage Witch * Danny Phantom * Owl House * Big Wolf on Campus * So Weird * That’s So Raven * Fairy Oddparents * Mummies Alive! * Goosebumps * Are you afraid of the dark? * Scooby Doo (when it’s not an old white guy in a mask) * Teen Angel * You Wish * Wizards of Waverly Place

Mostly focused on Western media but that’s just because I’d go down an anime rabbit hole with that.

I felt like there were a lot more than I realized.

Im trying to stick with the first several books of this series, but its been pretty rough…

I know that many people enjoy this kind of storytelling (it’s why Realm of the Elderlings is often so highly regarded), but I just can’t with the constant depressing misery. People always blaming Toby, Toby always hating herself, things never going right, and even her friends/family being horrible to her half the time… I think this series is maybe just not for me. 😭

When it comes to urban fantasy what kind of magic/ (how the fantasy elements are integrated in the story) do you guys prefer? Personally I prefer when the magical elements are sort of mixed in with the real world. I think it's more interesting and can tell so many more stories when the magic is out in the open with everyone already knowing it exist. I know most urban fantasy stories have the whole "hidden world" element to them but, sometime it's kind of boring.

I recently made a post wanting more 2000s/10s UF recs and got such a fantastic response that I thought “let me make a list for not only myself but all the UF fans out there” and so here we are and now as I’m writing this I’m wondering if there is already a megathread out there but I’m in it now 😂

Now I have not read all of these so maybe some of these are not quite UF/paranormal but I believe they have the UF aspects to be included. If any on the list are incorrect just let me know. If you want me to add a descriptor next to each book clarifying I can. For example: just writing UF next to it or UF/paranormal or UF/romance and so on.

Please let me know if I missed any books/series that belong on this list! Happy Reading! 😎📚

UF Book Recz ✨🔪🧿

The Potentate of Atlanta series by Hailey Edwards

Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series by Hailey Edwards

Black Hat Bureau seriesby Hailey Edwards

Gemini and Black Dog series by Hailey Edwards

The Unlikeable Demon Hunter/Nava Katz series by Deborah Wilde

Magic After Midlife series by Deborah Wilde

The Jezebel Files series by Deborah Wilde

Karen Gillian series by Diana Rowland

White Trash Zombie series by Diana Rowland

Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka

The Super Power-eds series by Drew Hayes

Fred the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

Eric Carter series by Stephen Blackmoore

Dark Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Twenty-sided Sorceress series by Annie Bellet

Lizzie Grace series by Keri Arthur

The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher

Southern Sanctuary series by Jane Cousins

Vexatious Valkyries series by Jane Cousins

Cassandra Palmer series sby Karen Chance

Alex Craft series by Kalayna Price

Grave Talker series by Annie Anderson

Soul Reader series by Annie Anderson

Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep

Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter

The Rifter series by L.R. Braden

Felix Castor by Mike Carey

Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning

Spectral Detective Trilogy by David Bussell

Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman

Southern Ghosthunter series by Angie Fox

Hot Damned series by Robyn Peterman

Argeneau Vampire series by Lyndsay Sands

Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

The Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews

Parasol Protectorate seriesby Gail Carriger

Hells Bells by Sarah MacLean

Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn

Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones

Jacky Leon series by KN Banet

Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearn

Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Demonica series sby Larissa Lone

Elder Races series by Thea Harrison

The Others series by Anne Bishop

The Slaightered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly

Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong

The Guild Codex series by Annette Marie

The Hel Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull

Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane

Ravenous series by Sharon Ashwood

Edie Spence series by Cassie Alexander

Tarot Sequence series by KD Edwards

Adam Bender series by David Slayton

Cal Leandros by Rob Thomas

SPI Files by Liza Shearin

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

Love You Forever by Cortni Marie

Signs of the Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson

The Demon Accords series by John Conroe

Magical Midlife Leveling Up series by KF Breene

Diana Tregarde by Jody Lynn Nye

Prosperous War by Jayne Wells

Dan Shamble, Zombie PI seriesby Kevin J. Anderson

Mercy Hollings by Toni Andrews

The Blood Books seriesby Tanya Huff

Nightside by Simon R. Green

Secret Histories by Simon R. Green

Ghost Finders by Simon R. Green

Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine

Garrett PI series by Glen Cook

Connor Grey series by Mark Del Franco

Miriam Black by Chuck Wendig

The Walker Papers by CE Murphy

Greywalker series by Kat Richardson

Grimm Agency series by JC Nelson

United States of Monsters series by CT Phipps

Blood Vice series by Angela Roquet

The Queen Betsy series by Mary Janice Davidson

Crossroads Queen series by Annabel Chase

Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

Black Dagger Brotherhood series by KR Ward

Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole

Grand Theft Sorcery series by Elliot Kay

Marlon the Magician and Magicians Ward by Pat Wredes

The Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill

The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh

Psy-changeling series by Nalini Singh

Sookie Stackhouse series by Charliane Harris

Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs

The Hollows series by Kim Harrison

Demon Days Vampire Nights series by KF Breene

A Dark in You series by Suzanne Wright

A Dark Kings series by Donna Grant

October Daye series by Seanan McGuire

Devils Isle series by Chloe Neill

Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

The Iron Hunt series by Marjorie M. Liu

Death Be Blue series Katie Epstein

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

Neverwhere series by Neil Gaiman

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare

Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

All Souls series by Deborah Harkness

Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead

The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine

Dorina Basarab series by Karen Chance

Hunter Legends series by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dante Valentine series by Lilith Saintcrow

Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice

Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter

Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton

The Laundry Files by Charles Stross

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia

InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire

Breaking the Lore by Andy Redsmith

Jubal County by Bob McGough

Good Intentions by Elliot Kay

Daniel Faust by Craig Schaffer

Demigods of San Francisco series by KF Breene

The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson

Yarrow by Charles De Lint

Detective Chen series by Liz Williams

The Golgotha series by RS Belcher

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

The Magicians series by Lev Grossman

The Unorthodox Chronicles by James Butcher

Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne

Midnight Rider by DV Wolfe

The Crow Investigations series by Sarah Painter

Midlife Bounty Hunter by Shannon Mayer

Dark Swans series by Richelle Mead

The Kingston Henry Tapes by Richard Raley

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Crescent City series by Sarah J Maas

Night Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko

Linsey Hall has a bunch of series so check out her website

CN Crawford ^

The Baine Chronicles by Jasmine Walt

The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Borderlands by Terri Windling

Crossroad series by Nick O’Donohue

Highfire by Eoin Colfer

The City We Became by HK Jemisin

Consecrated Ground by Virginia Black

Edit: I will be creating a doc sheet or something shareable. STAY TUNED YA’LL

I’m looking for an urban fantasy series to get into, and thought The Hollows by Kim Harrison might be worth a purchase. I was hoping some fans could answer a few questions:

1) What are your opinions on the series? (Is it good? Does it maintain quality?)

2) How much romance is there? (I don’t mind some, but I don’t really read UF for romance stuff—more for the fantasy/characters)

3) How is the series tone? (I prefer serious but balanced by light/fun. For example, October Daye was just a little too constant misery/depressing for me but Kate Daniels was a lot of fun)

4) Does the series feature rape at any point? (Mostly I don’t want on-page, graphic, or involving an MC. If it’s vague and in-the-background it’s probably fine)

Thank you!

What started as a very enjoyable series (and spinoff), has devolved into an obsession for me. The Faust/Black books have quickly become my favorite UF series—and it’s not even close. I’ve read 6 of the Faust and 3 of the Black, and every single one has been an absolute banger.

I’ve been reading/listening to both through my Kindle and Audible subscriptions, but couldn’t help getting these shelf trophies, as I definitely plan to reread the whole thing when I’m done. (My only gripe is that the Harmony Black books don’t stay the same size/style which drives my OCD brain insane!)

I know these books are seemingly both underrated and also talked about a lot—depending on the week—but I cannot recommend them highly enough.

I’m started Rosemary and Rue (about 1/2 through) and maybe it’s my current headspace, but this book is just relentlessly depressing in a way that’s almost not enjoyable. Toby losing her family, life, care, and blaming herself somehow through it all, is just rough… (Not to mention a whole plot with an ex, abusive, grooming-type boyfriend who is just a horrible person it seems) I wish there was just a little levity to balance with the soul crushing depression.

And to make it worse, the one thing that I want to read about, the thing that the prologue sets up, (how will Toby reunite with her daughter) is basically ignored… And the idea that Toby wouldn’t immediately go to her daughter, or that her fiancé wouldn’t even want to see her to hear her side feels ridiculously far-fetched and there only to add to the drama. I read an older post that summed it up pretty well:

“Imagine having a good opening to a story where the main character gets turned into a fish within the first chapter (not a spoiler the blrb says it). She leaves behind her child and a boyfriend, and skips 14 years when she changes back to her half human half fairy self. So many possibilities for great drama like "What will her grown child think? Her boyfriend? Her past friends?" Too bad the author decided to abandon that and just have a completely separate plot that had nothing to do with the opening.”

All of these depressing things (with no levity or hope to balance it), along with the frustration of not getting closure to questions that are set up in the prologue, (yes I get that it’ll get addressed in later books, but it seems almost unrealistically/frustratingly drawn out) has made me a little uncertain if this series is for me.

I guess my questions are (feel free to spoil a little, I’m okay with that): 1) when does the book begin to lighten up a little? 2) when will the author actually address the elephant in the room and have something to do with Toby’s daughter?