Here is a list of some urban fantasy authors:
Charles de Lint is a writer known for blending the everyday with the magical. In “Moonheart,” he introduces readers to Tamson House, a sprawling mansion in Ottawa with ties to ancient, mystical forces.
The story follows Sara Kendell as she stumbles upon a mysterious artifact that pulls her into a world of Celtic mythology and old magic. The house itself seems alive, hiding secrets that connect past and present.
Along the way, Sara meets enigmatic characters and discovers that danger lies in both the human world and the magical one.
Emma Bull is known for her work in urban fantasy, and her novel “War for the Oaks” stands out. It’s about Eddi McCandry, a rock musician in Minneapolis, who gets pulled into a conflict between two rival faerie courts.
The modern city becomes the battlefield for ancient forces, with plenty of magic and danger hidden in plain sight. Eddi’s life is completely upended when a phouka, a mischievous and sharp-tongued faerie, appears and refuses to leave her side.
The story weaves together the gritty vibe of the music scene with the eerie, unpredictable world of the fae. It’s a mix of real-world struggles and the chaos brought by supernatural alliances and betrayals.
Terri Windling is a writer who blends modern settings with folklore and myth. In her novel “The Wood Wife,” Maggie Black, a poet, inherits the home of a reclusive writer in the Arizona desert.
As she settles into her new life, she begins to sense the presence of strange forces tied to the land and its legends. The story weaves in the power of nature and old magic. The desert itself feels alive, holding secrets that connect to Maggie’s own journey.
It’s a book that brings the mystical into the everyday.
Jim Butcher is the author of the urban fantasy series “The Dresden Files.” In the first book, “Storm Front,” Harry Dresden works as a wizard-for-hire in modern-day Chicago, where magic and monsters exist in plain sight of an oblivious population.
Harry is hired to investigate a grisly double murder that seems tied to dark magic. As he digs deeper, he crosses paths with local mobsters, vengeful vampires, and other dangerous forces.
The blend of magic and the gritty, crime-filled streets makes the story exciting, and Harry’s sarcastic, down-on-his-luck personality makes him a character you want to root for. It’s a world where an old staff and a trusty leather duster meet modern-day mayhem.
Laurell K. Hamilton writes urban fantasy filled with dark creatures and complex hunters. In “Guilty Pleasures,” the first book of the Anita Blake series, we meet Anita, a vampire hunter and necromancer who doesn’t back down from threats.
When someone starts killing vampires in St. Louis, Anita gets pulled into the underworld to find answers. Along the way, she crosses paths with Jean-Claude, a vampire with charm and power, and faces creatures far more dangerous than she expected.
The tension between Anita’s moral code and the demands of her work creates a story full of action and danger.
Patricia Briggs writes urban fantasy with a mix of supernatural creatures and relatable characters. In “Moon Called,” the first book in her Mercy Thompson series, we meet Mercy, a mechanic who also happens to be a coyote shapeshifter.
She runs her garage in the Tri-Cities, but her life takes a turn when a runaway werewolf shows up on her doorstep. Mercy gets pulled into a dangerous world involving werewolf packs, vampires, and powerful magic.
The story has a lot of twists, including a secret tied to Mercy’s past that makes her more important than she ever realized.
Kim Harrison is the author of the urban fantasy series, *The Hollows*. One of the standout books from the series is “Dead Witch Walking.” The story follows Rachel Morgan, a witch and bounty hunter who decides to leave her government job to go independent.
This decision puts a target on her back. With the help of Ivy, her vampire roommate, and Jenks, her pixie partner, Rachel must deal with assassins, curses, and the dangerous underworld of Cincinnati.
There’s a scene where she uses a tomato as part of a magical defense, showing how resourceful and creative she has to be to survive. It’s an exciting mix of action, danger, and magic.
Ilona Andrews writes fantastic urban fantasy stories that blend action, magic, and unforgettable characters.
One of their books, “Magic Bites,” introduces Kate Daniels, a mercenary who specializes in cleaning up magical problems in a world where magic and technology clash unpredictably. After her guardian is killed under strange circumstances, Kate sets out to uncover the truth.
The investigation leads her into Atlanta’s dangerous supernatural underworld, where she faces deadly creatures and complicated alliances. Her dry humor, fierce determination, and stubborn nature stand out in every scene.
Charlaine Harris is known for crafting urban fantasy worlds that feel vivid and filled with unique characters. In her book, “Dead Until Dark,” the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series, she introduces Sookie, a telepathic waitress in a small Louisiana town.
Vampires have recently come out of the shadows, living openly alongside humans. Sookie meets Bill, a vampire with a mysterious past, and her quiet life becomes anything but ordinary.
The story weaves everyday small-town quirks with moments of danger and intrigue, especially when a series of murders shakes the community.
Seanan McGuire writes urban fantasy that often blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. Her book “Rosemary and Rue” introduces October “Toby” Daye, a half-human, half-faerie private investigator.
After being cursed into the form of a fish for over a decade, she returns to her life in San Francisco. But when a faerie noble is murdered, Toby is pulled into the danger and politics of the fae world.
The story moves quickly, with Toby navigating magical threats and unraveling secrets, all while dealing with her complicated ties to both human and fae communities.
Kevin Hearne is the author of the “Iron Druid Chronicles,” a series that mixes modern life with ancient mythology. In the first book, “Hounded,” we meet Atticus O’Sullivan, a 2,000-year-old druid who runs an occult bookstore in Arizona.
He’s got a sharp sense of humor, a magical sword, and a talking Irish wolfhound named Oberon. The story involves gods, witches, and vampires, as Atticus tries to deal with an angry Celtic god who wants his sword.
It’s fast-paced, full of witty dialogue, and the interactions between Atticus and Oberon are fun to read.
Faith Hunter’s “Skinwalker” introduces Jane Yellowrock, a shapeshifter and vampire hunter. Jane is hired to track and kill a rogue vampire tearing through New Orleans.
As she navigates the dark and dangerous world of the undead, secrets about her own mysterious past begin to surface. Jane’s ability to transform into any creature she’s touched sets her apart, but it’s her fierce determination and resourcefulness that make her unforgettable.
The book weaves action, danger, and Jane’s struggle with her dual nature into a fast-paced story set in a city brimming with supernatural threats.
Benedict Jacka is the author of the “Alex Verus” series, a collection of urban fantasy novels set in modern-day London. The first book, “Fated,” introduces Alex Verus, a mage who runs a small magic shop.
Unlike other mages, Alex specializes in divination, able to see all possible outcomes of a choice before making it. In “Fated,” Alex gets pulled into a dangerous situation when a group of mages wants him to unlock a valuable magical relic.
The problem is, every path Alex sees leads to betrayal or death. The story combines magic with high-stakes tension as Alex tries to outsmart those who want to use him.
Richelle Mead is known for her urban fantasy series, and one of her standout books is “Vampire Academy.” It follows Rose Hathaway, a teenager training to protect her best friend, Lissa, who is a vampire princess.
Rose is a Dhampir, a half-human, half-vampire sworn to guard vampires called Moroi from bloodthirsty creatures known as Strigoi. The story combines supernatural elements with high school drama.
Rose’s bond with Lissa allows her to feel what Lissa feels and see through her eyes, which adds a fascinating twist to their friendship. The book balances danger, loyalty, and romance as Rose fights to keep Lissa safe, while also dealing with her own secrets and emotions.
Cassandra Clare is the author of the “The Mortal Instruments” series, and the first book, “City of Bones,” kicks off a wild urban fantasy adventure. It follows Clary Fray, a seemingly normal teenager who discovers she’s part of a hidden world of Shadowhunters.
These are warriors who protect humans from demons. After her mother disappears, Clary plunges into this secret world, encountering rune magic, strange creatures, and mysterious allies like Jace, a sharp-tongued Shadowhunter.
The story takes place in a richly imagined version of New York City, where dark forces hide in plain sight.
Neil Gaiman is known for crafting imaginative stories that blend the magical with the everyday. In his urban fantasy novel, “Neverwhere,” he takes readers into the hidden world of London Below. It’s a place full of strange characters, forgotten places, and dangerous secrets.
The story follows Richard Mayhew, an ordinary man whose life is turned upside down after he helps a mysterious girl named Door. His act of kindness pulls him out of his normal life and into a dark and mysterious underground city.
Amid creatures and conspiracies, Richard must navigate this new world if he ever hopes to return home.
Holly Black is known for crafting urban fantasy stories that bring magic into the real world. Her book “The Darkest Part of the Forest” is set in a small town called Fairfold, where humans and faeries live side by side.
In the heart of the forest, there’s a glass coffin holding a sleeping faerie prince with horns on his head. Siblings Hazel and Ben grew up visiting him, dreaming of heroic adventures and futures tied to magic.
But when the coffin suddenly breaks, shattering the uneasy peace between humans and faeries, chaos spreads through the town. It’s a story full of secrets, danger, and the pull of the unknown. The mix of ordinary life and a world right out of a fairy tale makes it unforgettable.
Mike Carey is known for his urban fantasy stories that blend magic with the modern world. In “The Girl With All the Gifts,” humanity faces a deadly fungal infection that turns people into mindless creatures. The story follows Melanie, a young girl who seems different.
She’s kept under strict observation at a military base, where her interactions with her teacher, Miss Justineau, hint at something more going on. As the world outside collapses, Melanie’s role in the fight for survival starts to take shape, revealing unexpected twists.
Tad Williams is a writer who blends modern life with the supernatural. In “The War of the Flowers,” he tells the story of Theo Vilmos, a struggling musician whose life takes a strange turn when he discovers an old book written by a distant relative.
This book leads him into a hidden world of faeries that exists alongside our own. The faerie realm isn’t whimsical or kind; it’s full of danger, political chaos, and dark forces. Theo must navigate this world while uncovering secrets about his own connection to it.
The mix of everyday struggles and an unseen magical world makes this story unforgettable.
V. E. Schwab’s “Vicious” is a story about two college friends, Victor and Eli, who discover how to create superhuman abilities through near-death experiences. What starts as an experiment turns into a dangerous rivalry when their perspectives on these powers clash.
Victor escapes from prison years later, forming a new team to take down Eli, who has built himself up as a self-proclaimed hero by hunting others with abilities. The characters are morally complex, and their choices push the boundaries of loyalty, trust, and revenge.
It’s an urban fantasy full of sharp twists and dark motivations.
Sarah J. Maas brings a modern twist to fantasy in her book “Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood.” The story follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-Fae party girl whose carefree life gets turned upside down when a demon wreaks havoc in her city.
Years later, Bryce, scarred and seeking justice, teams up with Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel with a dark past. Together, they uncover dangerous secrets about their world, where magic mixes with technology and authorities can’t always be trusted.
The world is rich with creatures like shifters, angels, and witches, all navigating a city that feels alive with danger and possibilities.
Chloe Neill is known for her urban fantasy stories that mix supernatural elements with fast-paced action.
In her book “Some Girls Bite,” the first in the Chicagoland Vampires series, readers meet Merit, a young graduate student who is attacked one night and turned into a vampire.
Now part of a powerful vampire House in Chicago, she has to navigate her newfound powers, political tensions among the supernatural factions, and the dangers that come with her new life.
The story blends Merit’s sharp personality with a world of vampires, shifters, and magic that feels alive and full of energy.
Nalini Singh is known for writing stories that mix urban fantasy with romance. In her book “Angels’ Blood,” readers meet Elena Deveraux, a skilled vampire hunter who is hired by the powerful Archangel Raphael.
Her job isn’t the usual hunt, as she’s tasked with tracking down a rogue archangel—a terrifyingly dangerous assignment. The story dives into a world full of angels, vampires, and a growing tension between Elena and Raphael.
It’s packed with intense moments and dangerous twists that keep the plot moving.
Kelley Armstrong is a Canadian author known for her urban fantasy novels, and one standout is “Bitten,” the first book in her Women of the Otherworld series. The story follows Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf in existence.
She’s trying to live a normal life in Toronto, working as a journalist and keeping her supernatural identity hidden. Her life takes a turn when her old pack calls her back to deal with a new danger threatening their survival.
The book dives into pack dynamics, loyalty, and Elena’s struggle to reconcile her human side with her wolf side. It’s action-packed with characters who feel real and situations that keep you hooked.
Anne Bishop creates vivid worlds with characters that pull you in. In “Written in Red,” she introduces us to Meg Corbyn, a human with a rare ability that lets her see the future when her skin is cut.
She escapes captivity and finds sanctuary in the Courtyard, a place controlled by the Others—powerful and ancient beings who rule over humans. Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter and leader of the Courtyard, is suspicious of Meg but allows her to stay as their human liaison.
As Meg earns their trust, tensions between humans and the Others escalate. The story is full of danger, unique relationships, and a world where the balance of power is never what you’d expect.