For previous posts and future FFF topics check out my Friday Favorite Five page here.
Favorite Five Urban Fantasy Series
I used to read a lot more Urban Fantasy than I do these days, but I still really enjoy the subgenre. Something something vampires and werewolves. 😀
One of the things that I think drove me away from UF for a while is that many of its works often suffer from series fatigue. UF books these days are often prolonged series; running more like serials with a long overarching story rather than a trilogy or stand alone. Sometimes the author may run out of steam and the storytelling suffers or sales die off and the publisher decides to cancel it a few books in and we never get to find out what happens! But I still love UF and there are some really great series out there.
- Heartstrikers by Rachel Aaron
Pretty sure I’ve brought this one up before here, but it’s a fantastic series so I’m happy to champion it. In a near-future Earth city that used to be Detroit and is now called the DMZ, one nice dragon is just trying to live his life and not be all…mean and dragon-like. But then family duties call and he’s dragged into a bunch of stuff, adventure ensues! This is one of the most hopeful and fun UF series I’ve ever read.
- Dr. Greta Helsing by Vivian Shaw
This is NOT your typical UF series. Yes, there are Vampires and other ‘monsters’. But the monsters are not very monster-like–they’re just people trying to go about their lives quietly and minding their own business. Our protagonist, Dr. Greta Helsing, is one of the few to doctor monsters and it keeps her London clinic pretty busy. She finds herself involved in a series of mysteries and she and her friends try to figure out what’s going on and stop it. The characters are great in this one and I also found the tone quite hopeful.
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Having been a fan, I had never gotten to one of the most iconic series in the subgenre until just last year! It took me a while to get into this series, I’ll be honest. But I’m glad I stuck with it because it really picks up. There are a lot of fun moments as well as some heartbreaking ones. I really get why everyone loves this one so much now!
- Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
I think Kate Daniels may just be one of the best UF series I’ve ever read. It’s pacing is great–just when you think everyone is getting overpowered and things are going too easy for the characters the authors do something to knock them off their feet again. I also love the setting, a post magic shift world where when magic is ‘up’ the tech can’t function. The world has gone to crap but people are still people-ing and someone needs to be there to make sure that the world remains safe from the monsters out there.
- Cal Leandros by Rob Thurman
Say what you will about this series, but it was a hella fun ride while it lasted. I still haven’t read the last book (just can’t bring myself to read it and leave the series on what I heard was a huge cliffhanger), and though it took a turn for the weird at a certain point, it remains one of my favorites. There is tons of sarcasm, lot’s of dark humor, swords, monsters, a mummified cat…what more can you want? It’s not a perfect series by any means, but I love it!
So that’s my five for this week! What are some of your favorite urban fantasy series? Thoughts on mine? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Way Too Fantasy 
I love the Kate Daniels series! Not familiar with the other books but I might check them out.
I also love Thea Harrison’s Elder Races, and Nalini Singh’s psy-changeling and her guild hunter series 💛
I’ve heard great things about Nalini Singh’s series! Have not heard of Thea Harrison, will have to check those out, thanks!
Second Nalini Singh’s guild hunter series. Still in the mist of reading it but really like the main character. Read some of Thea’s books. she’s more paranormal romance but still a fun read.
Thanks, that’s good to know. 🙂
I’m going to have to check out Rob Thurman’s series, it looks like fun!
If you like the show Supernatural, you may like it. 🙂
My friend highly praises Ilona Andrews, but I’ve yet to read any lol. These all sound great though. Thanks for sharing! ♥️
Thanks! I love Ilona Andrews! Trying to read more or their work aside from the KD series myself.
Born in Fire by K.F. Breene is one of my favorites! Tho I haven’t finished the series because it wasn’t all released when I read the first two haha
I’ll have to look into that one, thanks!
I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy, but I loved the Reapers Inc series by Angela Roquet and Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was incredible!
Trail of Lightning was amazing! I’ll have to look into Reapers Inc, thanks!
Oh man, Rob Thurman’s series has been on my tbr forever! As I recall, I added it when I was told there would be gargoyles 😀
Now I’m struggling to remember if there are gargoyles….lol! If there are, they aren’t main characters. But there are ton of interesting monsters, both good and bad.
I need to get to Nice Dragons Finish Last. I think I bought it after hearing of it from Mogsy’s blog. Sounds interesting.
It’s so much fun!
For somebody who loves UF I have to confess I haven’t read any of these. That being said I do want to read the top two and in fact I think I already own books in both those series. Le sigh!
Lynn 😀
Strange Practice is fantastic and the good thing is that series is only a trilogy so there isn’t going to be a billion book commitment! 😀
Phew, that’s a relief. I usually give up on a series if I get too far behind but three I can manage.
I devour all of Illona Andrew’s books. You just can’t go wrong with that writing couple.
Right?! They write such fun books.
Thanks for the tips. Surprisingly, considering I read so much UF I haven’t read any of these, although Strange Practise is very high on my wish list! Favourite UF series are probably Kim Harrison’s The Hollows/ Rachel Morgan series and Richelle Mead’s Succubus/Georgina Kincaid series, although I’m really loving Kalayna’s Price’s Alex Craft series right now 🙂
I haven’t read any of those yet, will have to check them out. 🙂