So you have read my blog (you have read the rest of my blog, right? Right? Helllooo?)
Ahem...back to the subject. If you have read the rest of my blog, you know that my book is in a genre known as Urban Fantasy. Ever seen True Blood on HBO? That's Urban Fantasy with hot vampires and geeky nerboy fancrush bisexual hotties. Remeber Carnivale (also on HBO)? Urban Fantasy with weird circus people. How about something a little more accessible. Say...The Walking Dead on basic cable? Mostly Urban Fantasy with zombies! yay!*
So you have lots of Urban Fantasy around you and you didn't know it! So, how do you find it to read it? Cuz there is really good stuff out there. That is what this post is about! Also a few tidbits about my favorite authors in this genre...read on!
You will find most Urban Fantasy in book stores mixed in with the Science Fiction/Fantasy section of the big retailers. You will sometimes see it endcapped with the horror or young adult books (for some reason, most YA titles have some sort of fantastical elements).**
The hard part is telling, uh, fiction from fiction. In the grand scheme of things, if it is set in modern day, and is one of those sections, its probably UF. As I have mentioned previously, the subject matter could vary widely. Let's look at some of my favorites
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
This is an ongoing series that deals with a 4000 year old Druid (who has a secret Immortali-Tea recipe), who is just trying to live in modern Phoenix along with his talking dog***, Oberon, who likes French poodles and some werewolf and vampire friends. He also speaks with gods of different pantheons, especially Greek and Celtic and gets mixed up in their affairs. The first book, HOUNDED, is an easy read that deals with his problems with an angry Celtic god who wants a special sword back. If you like humor and action (who doesn't, amirite? ) you will love HOUNDED and its follow ups, HEXED, HAMMERED and TRICKED. Book five is coming later this year, so go get these. NOW! Seriously...we'll wait...
Next up is the Hallows Series by Kim Harrison
Rachel Morgan is a witch living in modern Cincinnati, but a Cincinnati that is home to werewolves, vampires, a demon or two and many other otherworldly offshoots. She lives in a huge converted church with a vampire and a pixie and works as a private detective after getting kicked off the supernatural police force in Book 1, DEAD WITCH WALKING. It is followed by (currently) nine sequels (yes, nine!) all of which chronicle Rachel's story. If you want some romance with your Urban Fantasy, this one is for you.
Finally, my favorite (currently) is the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden is a wizard for hire making a meager living by tracking down naughty husbands and missing items. Then he gets into it with everything from demons to werewolves to black magicians to folks from the Fae realm and more. This series is for the pure action junkie. Harry Dresden is one of the most down-to-Earth and believable fantasy character you will find. These are an absolute joy to read. Loving Wife and I fight over the book when each one comes out.
All these links can be found on the right side of this blog. Try em out. You won't be disappointed!****
*The Walking Dead could be classified as Horror, but it doesn't really fit since most of it is 'suspense' not shocky/bloody horror. It is basic cable after all...
**All YA is about puberty and zits. YA with fantasy elements is about puberty, zits and a vampire/werewolf/wizard of somesort.
***The talking dog, Oberon, has the best one liners in UF literature. I swear this is the coolest character I have seen in twenty years of reading. So flippin funny.
****If you are disappointed, well, don't blame me that you have bad taste. Just kidding! At least you tried!
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