Seanan McGuire’s books often mix urban fantasy and horror in a way that feels fresh. She builds worlds that are immersive and full of quirky characters, especially her female leads.
Readers love series like October Daye, which follows a half-human, half-fae knight as she navigates mysteries in the fae lands. If you are on the lookout for authors with a similar style, here are a few you might find interesting.
Ilona Andrews is the pen name of a husband-and-wife writing duo, Ilona and Gordon Andrews. They create urban fantasy worlds with strong characters, clever dialogue, and intricate magical dimensions.
Readers who love Seanan McGuire’s lively storytelling and rich magical themes will likely enjoy their novel “Magic Bites.” The book introduces readers to Kate Daniels, a tough mercenary with a sharp tongue.
Kate lives in a version of Atlanta that swings wildly between tech and magic. When her guardian is murdered, she gets pulled into a dark world of supernatural politics and sinister forces.
The story features compelling mysteries, fierce action scenes, and intriguing characters that leave readers eager for more.
Patricia Briggs is an author known for creating urban fantasy worlds filled with relatable characters, magic, supernatural creatures, and engaging mysteries. Her novel “Moon Called” introduces readers to Mercy Thompson, a mechanic who happens to be a coyote shapeshifter.
Mercy finds herself pulled into trouble when a stranded werewolf teenager seeks help at her garage. She quickly becomes entangled in pack politics, dangerous secrets, and sinister forces lurking in her town.
Briggs delivers action, romance, and an engaging narrative voice, making this series ideal for fans of Seanan McGuire’s captivating style.
Books by Tanya Huff often blend fantasy themes with mystery and compelling character development. Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire’s combination of supernatural elements and relatable storytelling may find Tanya Huff’s novels appealing.
A great example is “Blood Price,” the first book in Huff’s “Blood Books” series. When bodies begin turning up drained of blood in Toronto, private investigator Vicki Nelson teams up with Henry Fitzroy, a 450-year-old vampire.
Together, they face sinister supernatural threats hidden in modern-day Canada. Tanya Huff creates a vivid urban setting, sharp character interactions, and a gripping mystery that keeps readers hooked.
Ben Aaronovitch is a British author known for mixing urban fantasy with detective stories, often set in the vibrant city of London. If you enjoy Seanan McGuire’s blend of mystery and magic, Aaronovitch’s series starting with “Rivers of London” could be a great next read.
The book follows Peter Grant, a young London constable who encounters a ghost at a crime scene, leading him into the special police unit dedicated to supernatural crimes.
Soon, Peter navigates a dangerous world filled with vengeful spirits, river gods, and hidden magic moving underneath the city’s surface.
Aaronovitch combines witty dialogue, compelling characters, and a believable, detailed setting that makes the fantastical feel possible and immediate.
Jim Butcher is an author known for blending urban fantasy, witty dialogue, and captivating supernatural mysteries. If you enjoy Seanan McGuire’s stories filled with paranormal intrigue and clever plots, Butcher’s “Storm Front” might be worth exploring.
This novel introduces you to Harry Dresden, a private detective who also happens to be a wizard working in modern-day Chicago. Harry faces off against dark creatures, troublesome magic, and an intricate murder case involving dangerous occult practices.
The story skillfully mixes humor, suspense, and likable characters, drawing you into Harry’s fascinating—and often perilous—world.
Carrie Vaughn is an author you might enjoy if you’re a fan of Seanan McGuire’s imaginative and character-focused stories. Vaughn weaves engaging fantasy and strong storytelling to build vivid worlds filled with memorable characters.
Her novel “Kitty and the Midnight Hour” introduces readers to Kitty Norville, a late-night radio host who also happens to be a werewolf.
Kitty’s life gets complicated as she balances supernatural politics and human conflicts, all while callers dial into her show to discuss paranormal woes. Vaughn blends humor, suspense, and relatable human struggles to create a story that grabs readers from start to finish.
Kat Richardson writes urban fantasy novels that combine mystery, supernatural suspense, and dynamic storytelling. Her books often follow characters who investigate weird events hidden behind normal life—in a gritty, modern setting.
If you like Seanan McGuire’s sharp storytelling and intriguing characters, you may enjoy Richardson’s “Greywalker.” In this book, Harper Blaine, a private investigator, briefly dies and comes back to life.
Afterward, she’s able to sense the thin veil between the worlds of the living and the dead. As she tries to adjust to this unusual gift, Harper gets drawn into a dark, supernatural mystery in Seattle, with ghosts, vampires, and something even more dangerous.
Harper is clever, determined, and believable, and the city backdrop feels alive and vivid. If you find pleasure in supernatural stories grounded in modern mystery and investigation, “Greywalker” is worth checking out.
If you enjoy Seanan McGuire’s blend of urban fantasy and dark supernatural elements, Laurell K. Hamilton might also catch your interest. Hamilton is known for her gritty characters and rich paranormal worlds, especially in her popular Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series.
In “Guilty Pleasures,” readers meet Anita Blake, a tough, sharp-witted necromancer who raises the dead and hunts rogue vampires.
Anita finds herself caught up in a dangerous mystery, as powerful vampire murders unsettle the uneasy peace between humans and the supernatural community. The story has eerily charismatic characters, vivid depictions of vampire politics, and fast-paced detective work.
Like McGuire’s novels, Hamilton’s books offer a satisfying mix of suspense, supernatural thrills, and smart, resourceful heroines.
Kim Harrison is an author known for fast-paced Urban Fantasy adventures full of suspense, humor, and supernatural flair—exactly the kind of treats fans of Seanan McGuire would enjoy. A great entry point is “Dead Witch Walking,” the first title in her popular Hollows series.
Rachel Morgan is a skilled witch and independent bounty hunter who quits her magical enforcement job to go freelance—but the move puts her on the wrong side of some dangerous people.
Rachel soon finds herself the target of supernatural hits, forced to team up with the mysterious vampire Ivy and the spirited pixy Jenks. Together, they must navigate dangerous magic, powerful villains, and their own uneasy alliance if they hope to survive.
Harrison builds a strongly characterized world full of paranormal intrigue, sharp dialogue, and layered relationships with plenty of twists along the way.
Books by Sarah Gailey often combine fantasy or sci-fi elements with quirky, relatable characters—similar in style to author Seanan McGuire.
In Gailey’s novel “Magic for Liars,” readers meet Ivy Gamble, a private investigator who has always been overshadowed by her talented sister Tabitha. Ivy insists she prefers her mundane life without spells and enchantments.
But when she’s hired to solve a mysterious murder at the elite magic academy where Tabitha teaches, Ivy’s investigation reveals secrets, jealousy, and hidden magic that could tear their fragile family bond apart.
Gailey’s knack for sharp dialogue and depth of human emotion makes “Magic for Liars” a perfect read for fans of Seanan McGuire’s quirky yet heartfelt stories.
Charlaine Harris crafts urban fantasy mysteries filled with supernatural intrigue, humor, and memorable characters. Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire’s blend of strong protagonists and sharp dialogue might find Harris’s book “Dead Until Dark” appealing.
Set in a small Louisiana town, the story follows Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress with the strange ability to read minds. Her gift isolates her—until she meets Bill Compton, a vampire whose thoughts she can’t hear.
But just as their relationship blossoms, a string of murders shakes their quiet town. Harris mixes mystery, romance, and supernatural suspense into an entertaining and addictive story.
Kevin Hearne is an author known for sharp wit, humor, and imaginative storytelling. His fantasy novel “Hounded,” the first book in the Iron Druid Chronicles, follows the adventures of Atticus O’Sullivan—a witty two-thousand-year-old druid—living in modern-day Arizona.
Atticus runs a quiet bookstore, cares for his wolfhound Oberon, and tries to maintain a low profile. But when Celtic gods come crashing into his peaceful life, Atticus must confront ancient foes and powerful magic, all while delivering clever banter and hilarious commentary.
For readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire’s urban fantasy, where magic is part of everyday life and characters feel authentic and relatable, Kevin Hearne provides an enjoyable reading experience.
Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire’s imaginative storytelling and richly drawn characters might find Mary Robinette Kowal equally appealing. Kowal is known for blending historical fiction with speculative elements in creative and fascinating ways.
Her novel, “The Calculating Stars,” introduces readers to Elma York, a pilot and mathematician determined to secure humanity’s future in space after a devastating meteor strike threatens life on Earth.
Set in an alternate 1950s America, the story tackles themes of resilience, ambition, and social challenges in a captivating narrative that provides both depth and excitement.
Mary Robinette Kowal’s insightful character development and nuanced exploration of societal issues offer the kind of thoughtful, entertaining reading experience that fans of Seanan McGuire can appreciate.
Mira Grant is another name used by author Seanan McGuire for her darker, science fiction and horror stories. If you enjoy McGuire’s imaginative writing style, you might be fascinated by Grant’s “Feed,” the first book from her “Newsflesh” series.
In “Feed,” bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason live in a world changed by a zombie outbreak. Instead of running and hiding, they’ve grown up with the living dead as part of everyday life.
Their job is to uncover the truth about the infection and its political impact, but as the presidential election approaches, their investigation reveals dangerous secrets people want hidden.
With believable characters and a suspenseful story, “Feed” combines politics, journalism, and zombies in a fresh, exciting way.
Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire’s blend of rich worlds and memorable characters will find a satisfying read in Anne Bishop’s novels. Anne Bishop writes fantasy fiction that features vivid storytelling and complex relationships.
In her book “Written in Red,” the first installment of The Others series, Meg Corbyn finds refuge in Lakeside Courtyard, a sanctuary run by shapeshifters and beings called the Others.
Meg has unique prophetic abilities due to her blood, and her arrival challenges existing dynamics between humans and supernatural residents. Bishop weaves together suspenseful moments, intriguing friendships, and a captivating community that is both dark and welcoming.
Fans drawn to intriguing urban fantasy may appreciate the powerful story Anne Bishop offers here.