# Urban fantasy books that AREN'T Harlequin romances with magic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [July 22, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603 "2010-07-22T14:50:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/61 "2010-07-24T10:50:57Z")
Tom Holt’s books. I particularly like the ones that involve J. W. W. Wells and Co. (Practical and Effective Magicians, Sorcerers and Supernatural Consultants). They’re quite funny, and good at making elves, goblins, werewolves, giants and so on seem normal. _Faerie Tale_ by Raymond E. Feist. There’s romance involved, but not the kind with sexy monsters. A human boy and girl fall in love while elves torment her family. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/62 "2010-07-24T11:43:44Z")
> [@gang\_green](#): > > > [@Bosstone](#): > > > > As far as I’m aware, it’s simply fantasy set in modern times. A frequent theme is the division between the mundane world and the supernatural as well as the transition a main character makes from one to the other. > > Oh, well, then. Diana Wynne Jones is good for that. Not all of her stuff is set in present-day or even normal real life, but some are. And she’s a favorite of mine, so the more attention she gets, the better. I thought of her but came to the conclusion that she didn’t fit the genre. But now I can see how see just sort of might. And even if not, I’ll take half an excuse to recommend the brilliant, excellent, superb ms Wynne Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/63 "2010-07-24T13:13:59Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@Meurglys](#): > > > > **China Mieville** ’s latest hardback, _Kraken_, is urban fantasy and one of the best books I’ve read this year. > > Hot damn–I didn’t know it was out yet, and today’s my birthday, and I coulda asked someone for it! I’m in the UK; I’m not sure if the US edition is out yet… ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/64 "2010-07-24T13:56:45Z")
> [@Meurglys](#): > > > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > > > [@Meurglys](#): > > > > > > **China Mieville** ’s latest hardback, _Kraken_, is urban fantasy and one of the best books I’ve read this year. > > > > Hot damn–I didn’t know it was out yet, and today’s my birthday, and I coulda asked someone for it! > > I’m in the UK; I’m not sure if the US edition is out yet… Yup, it’s available [here](http://www.amazon.com/Kraken-China-Mieville/dp/034549749X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279979688&sr=8-1). (I’m trying to hold out for the paperback edition.) ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/65 "2010-07-24T22:41:34Z")
Seanan McGuire’s Toby Daye books - I call them faerie noir and think they are brilliant! [http://seananmcguire.com/toby.php](http://seananmcguire.com/toby.php) ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/66 "2010-07-26T00:15:44Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > Oh, and you might like Tanya Huff’s _Summon the Keeper_ series, and her newest book, _The Enchantment Emporium._ Those are lighthearted, funny urban fantasy without vampires or werewolves. I came in to recommend these ones! Love Tanya Huff not just her Urban Fantasy but her straight Fantasy also, I can always read over and over again the tales of Magdalene, the most powerful (and laziest) wizard in the world. There are vampires and werewolves in the first two Keeper books (a vampire is a secondary character for a couple chapters, and werewolves are guests at the Elysian Fields Guest House for a short time), and a bit of a romance, but they are all secondary to the main thrust of the books, which are definitely not romance. She also has a story called [Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light](http://www.amazon.com/Gate-Darkness-Circle-Light-Tanya/dp/0886773865) which is much grittier and less comedic than the Keeper books. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/67 "2010-07-26T02:45:25Z")
Great thread **jsgoddess**. I came in with a bunch of recommendations, and dang it if just about everybody beat me to the punch! All I have left to add is Martin Millar. Oh and Tad Williams has one urban fantasy book, _War of the Flowers_. Human guy gets caught up in a war between elves and fairies. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/68 "2010-07-26T18:04:21Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Two offbeat recommendations that I’ve seen very little love for: > > [Sandman Slim](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5776788-sandman-slim). I was unimpressed by this book at first: it felt like a Jim Butcher by way of Quentin Tarantino knockoff that was just trying too hard. By about a hundred pages in, though, I was in the swing of things and was absolutely enjoying the silly, over-the-top profanity and violence coupled with a hypermacho jokey protagonist. It still seemed like a Jim Butcher knockoff, but I had a helluva lot of fun with it. Speaking of Richard Kadrey, there’s _Butcher Bird_. Also having a lot to do with Hell, but nothing like _Sandman Slim_. I nearly went into shock when I found out they were by the same person. Anyway, _Butcher Bird_ is a lyrical, surreal story about… well, [here](http://www.amazon.com/Butcher-Bird-Dominion-Richard-Kadrey/dp/1597800864/ref=pd_ybh_1?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0YMJTP6XA7J0JEP4G11P). Has the coolest Lucifer ever. ---
**Author:** ![Brentus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@Brentus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brentus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/69 "2011-08-28T05:29:16Z")
This thread is old I know, but I just found it so I’ll add something I’m surprised no one mentioned (unless I missed it). Kat Richardson’s Greywalker series has very little romance. It’s about a private investigator and is mostly about the mysteries she investigates. The paranormal stuff is interesting and original. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/70 "2011-08-28T06:36:25Z")
If you’re looking for a rising star in the field, check out [Black Blade Blues by J.A. Pitts](http://www.japitts.net/fiction/black-blade-blues/). The link takes you to the author’s website, where he has a blurb for the book. The blurb is good, but it won’t tell you that there is a climactic battle scene that is simply among the top three I have ever read. There is a bit of romance in it, but it may not bother the OP because the protagonist is a lesbian. The really good news is that the second book in the projected four-book series, “Honeyed Words,” hit bookstores just a few weeks ago, and it does NOT suffer from sophomore slump. This guy is good, and getting better as he goes. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/71 "2011-08-28T06:53:31Z")
Not an author suggestion, but a suggestion to look at who publishes the books you have enjoyed, and see what else they publish. For example, [Angry Robot](http://angryrobotbooks.com/index.php) do really interesting science fiction, fantasy, and stuff in-between. **Disclaimer** : my husband is shortly to have his first novel published by them, so I am biased. Other publishers to check out include [Gollanz](http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/genres/sf-fantasy/gollancz-blog) and [Tor](http://www.tor.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/72 "2011-08-29T01:32:53Z")
[Charles Stross’s Laundry series](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Stross#The_.22Bob_Howard_.E2.80.94_Laundry.22_series) is good, if it counts as “urban fantasy”. The fantastic elements are Lovecraftian horror rather than things like vampires and werewolves; it’s the sort of series where the governments of the world have a secret treaty with the Deep Ones. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/73 "2011-08-29T02:55:13Z")
I’m trying to _write_ a book that the OP would probably like. Urban crime thriller meets folktale-based horror with a dash of conspiracy theory. If you intend to live another 100 years, I’m sure I can send a copy when it’s done. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/74 "2011-08-29T03:28:47Z")
I recently enjoyed _A Madness of Angels_ by Kate Griffin. There’s pretty much no romance in that. I also have to second the suggestion of Emma Bull. ---
**Author:** ![HardlySanguine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HardlySanguine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HardlySanguine)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/75 "2011-08-29T08:47:36Z")
Also thought about starting a similar thread. Glad to see so many suggestions. There’s some decent YA urban fantasy out there, if you don’t mind being that reading level. Kinda less sexy romance stuff there, by default. -Brandon Mull -Rick Riordan -Cinda Williams Chima -Michael Scott I’ll second (third, whatever) the October Daye and the Nightside books, though both take place more in other ‘places’ than our own cities. And calling this Urban Fantasy is more a lie than a stretch, but there are a lot of similarities, thematically: Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos series. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/76 "2011-08-29T08:53:28Z")
For medieval urban fantasy, try the Thraxas series. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/77 "2011-08-29T14:05:40Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Ah well, I have a friend who says she can’t stand how Pratchett writes, so I guess anything’s possible. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: My mouth just fell open at this. Wow. I guess anything’s possible, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/78 "2011-08-29T14:09:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > [Sharp Teeth](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1724365.Sharp_Teeth). It had interesting reviews, so I checked it out of the library. It began with a page of prose poetry, which seemed like Hard Work to me during the school year, so I flipped a page–and saw more prose poetry–and flipped more pages…the whole book is one long prose poem. I heard a review of this book where it was described as blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). I adore blank verse. I was really disappointed to find out it was actually free verse, or prose poetry. I’ll get back to the book when I get over my disappointment. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/79 "2011-08-29T14:38:11Z")
Old thread, I know, but wanted to mention [Esther Friesner](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Esther%20Friesner). Same genre-ish as Robert Lynn Asprin, so if you liked the MYTH books, you’ll probably like her stuff too. Another +1 for Charles Stross’s Laundry Series (his Merchant Family series is supposed to be good too, and should fit the OP) and Tim Powers (especially _Declare_, though _Expiration Date_ is interesting too. For both of his that I mentioned, keep reading through page 150 or so, and then it’ll all start to make sense. Aggravating style, but worth it, I think.) Oh, and I don’t believe that [Jasper Fforde](http://www.jasperfforde.com/) has been mentioned, either his Thursday Next series or his Nursery Crimes series. Both are very well written and worth your time. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603/80 "2011-08-29T19:36:04Z")
Peter S. Beagle has written several fine urban fantasy novels and stories. Most people never think of him outside of “The Last Unicorn”, but I love “A Fine and Private Place” and his short story collections, most of which are smack in the middle of urban fantasy territory. Many of the stories read like very superior “Twilight Zone” episodes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-fantasy-books-that-arent-harlequin-romances-with-magic/547603.md?page=5)