I'm on an Urban Fantasy kick right now and would like some suggestions on what to pick up. I'm eagerly awaiting Dresden Files 9: White Night and want something to hold me over until April. I've started the Repairman Jack series with The Tomb, but its not quite in the vein I'm looking for. I'm a Charles de Lint fan as well but haven't had an opportunity to read his newest full-length novel. The Anita Blake books aren't really what I'm looking for either. Sorry to head those series off before their suggested, but I don't want to waste anyone's time. Thanks in advance!
Not really a series, but still pretty good is "War for the Oaks" by Emma Bull. Good read.
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While not really in the "Urban Fantasy" genre, I would suggest Neil Gaiman's books "Neverwhere" and "American Gods", the latter arguably being Gaiman's masterpiece. These novels definitely have the fantastic taking place in a realistic urban setting. And they are very good.
For lighter fare, I would suggest Christopher Moore. Just about anything he's written, as nearly all of it involves the fantastic intruding upon a seemingly normal life with hilarious results. The notable exception to this is his masterpiece called "Lamb; The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal". However, they are all good reads and I suggest them all.
Finally (since I'm veering away from the OP anyway), I'd like to suggest a book that basically asks the question "What would happen if magic came in the world of Jane Austen?", Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. This novel is a wonderful examination of heremetic-type magic (wizards) versus inborn-type magic (sorcerers) in Victorian England. And it's a fun read.
Hope this helps!
cos
While not really in the "Urban Fantasy" genre, I would suggest Neil Gaiman's books "Neverwhere" and "American Gods", the latter arguably being Gaiman's masterpiece. These novels definitely have the fantastic taking place in a realistic urban setting. And they are very good.
For lighter fare, I would suggest Christopher Moore. Just about anything he's written, as nearly all of it involves the fantastic intruding upon a seemingly normal life with hilarious results. The notable exception to this is his masterpiece called "Lamb; The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal". However, they are all good reads and I suggest them all.
Finally (since I'm veering away from the OP anyway), I'd like to suggest a book that basically asks the question "What would happen if magic came in the world of Jane Austen?", Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. This novel is a wonderful examination of heremetic-type magic (wizards) versus inborn-type magic (sorcerers) in Victorian England. And it's a fun read.
Hope this helps!
cos
I've read Neverwhere and American Gods, and I agree they are quite good. I liked Neverwhere a bit more, but AG was interesting.
I'll take the other two suggestions into consideration. I don't know why I get on these kicks. I think it has to do with wanting some inspiration for an Urban Arcana game now and then. I once tried to stat up Croup and Vandemar from Neverwhere (with different names) as well as the Crow Girls from Charles de Lint's Newford books. I didn't get very far, but I'm thinking of trying again. I know its a little off topic, but its keeping with the Urban Fantasy theme.
Well, Something from Nightside and that collection is in a similar vien; bout 7 book collection that reads quick; nightside is a fantasy world/city that exists inside London and the main character is a PI who does jobs there; I liked it, sadly cant remember the author; only thing i hated about it is the publisher doesnt help much; you have to get the order of the books from the authors web site.
sheesh, there are a few more, after I get home will see if I can dig some up and put some more on like maybe Sunday. There is a good vampire sorta story set in I think it was 18th century London; whereas some vampires hire a normal investigator to find out who is killing them during the day; I think it was called, "those who hunt the night"; been a while; but is a good story where it is mostly a normal guys observations of a fantasy world he didnt know existed.
Almost seems to obvious posting this after there was a whole dragon issue devoted to it, but China Mieville does a great job of urban fantasy. I've read Perdido Street Station and The Scar so far, and both have been fantastic
ok; looked up the authors from my previous posts.
one in urban setting:
Simon Hawke; first book is the wizard of 4th street; then is the wizard of Whitechapel; then the Wizard of Santa Fe. Is a bit science fiction too but takes place in a world not to removed from ours that had a magical revolution as well as an industrial revolution.
the other, the Nightside books with the PI i mentioned was:
Simon R Greene; various tales of Nightside.
Charles de Lint lives in my city (I have sometimes seen him performing folky music at a little irish pub), and he's a very prolific writer of urban fairy tales.
I really liked his "Dreams Underfoot" book of short stories, all based in the same city. Most of his stories are based in the same city, creating a really large continuity of stories.
There was a Hellboy anthology of short Hellboy stories by various fantasy/sf writers, and Charles de Lint wrote one. As a Charles de Lint fan and a Hellboy fan, it was pretty cool to see Hellboy come to Newford for an investigation.
Charles de Lint lives in my city (I have sometimes seen him performing folky music at a little irish pub), and he's a very prolific writer of urban fairy tales.
I really liked his "Dreams Underfoot" book of short stories, all based in the same city. Most of his stories are based in the same city, creating a really large continuity of stories.
There was a Hellboy anthology of short Hellboy stories by various fantasy/sf writers, and Charles de Lint wrote one. As a Charles de Lint fan and a Hellboy fan, it was pretty cool to see Hellboy come to Newford for an investigation.
Do you happen to remember the Anthology's title? That sounds like something I definitely want to check out. Thanks for all the great suggestions. This definitely gives me alot to look into.
There are two Hellboy short story anthologies, that I know of.
The first one is "Odd Jobs" and ths second is "Odder Jobs".
I only have the second, and I haven't seen the first yet.
I'd recommend "Odder Jobs" to someone who already knows Hellboy.
Charles de Lint lives in my city (I have sometimes seen him performing folky music at a little irish pub), and he's a very prolific writer of urban fairy tales.
I was thinking seriously about relocating to Ottowa, until I realized it was colder than Moscow. That's just insane.
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Hmmmm.... Glen Cook's awesome Garrett, P.I. series is very urban, as are most of Fritz Leiber's stories about Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. Of course, these tales are all set in big cities in fantastic worlds, and might thus not really be what you're after. You should read 'em anyeay, though - they are great books, all.
Gaiman's Coraline is another amazing book...this one by M Lackey and the rest of this series are pretty cool as well.
And on the inverse the Spellsinger series by Alan Dean Foster has a man from 'here and now' go into a fantasy world...hilariousness ensues.
and speaking of hilarity these myth-spelled punny titles by Robert Aspirin are a funny mix of genres and timeframes and stuff.
Charles de Lint lives in my city (I have sometimes seen him performing folky music at a little irish pub), and he's a very prolific writer of urban fairy tales.
WOW! I would totally love to see that.
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Tim Powers' "Last Call" and "Expiration Date". "Earthquake Weather" is the third of this loose trilogy, but I haven't read it.
He also did "The Drawing of the Dark" about magic beer. Genius.
(With great two-handed sword fighting descriptions and plenty of urban fantasy goodness with the Seige of Vienna, Swiss mercenaries and some interesting Arthurian stuff.)Magic beer. Cool.
Try "War of the flowers" by Tad Williams. Its a long read but I also love the dresden books and this is the closest thing too it for setting. Real world meets Fantasy.
That said I think Tad Williams my well be the best Fantasy author alive. Memory Sorrow and Thorn is fantastic. Otherland ia also superb. Read em all!
Elcian
Titus Groan, aka The Gormenghast Trilogy, by Mervyn Ppeake. It's China Mieville's inspiration and far better.
Also seconding Neverwhere as fairly cool but light fare.
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He also did "The Drawing of the Dark" about magic beer. Genius.
(With great two-handed sword fighting descriptions and plenty of urban fantasy goodness with the Seige of Vienna, Swiss mercenaries and some interesting Arthurian stuff.)Magic beer. Cool.
Mmmmmm, beer.
He also did The Anubis Gates, in which a grotty Regency London is a major factor.
The Lies of Locke Lamora by --- it escapes me. Urban, theiving con-men, low-magic, swearing. Great book.