u/ZacharyJeffries

I’ve accidentally picked up a book two or three in a series before. Sometimes I stopped, but other times I’ve just rolled with it.

Do you prefer books that stand up to scrutiny as a single story despite being in a larger series?

I appreciate both, and read lots in UF. While I do want a satisfactory conclusion from each book, i don’t really mind if there’s a larger plot that isn’t the main focus until the series finale.

I admit I don’t like when there’s little-to-no character growth, so that the MC acts the same in book one as they do in book five.

I’m asking as a hybrid author (publish my own and sell some rights to publishers). I’m writing my second UF series and am attempting to make each book standalone. Because of that, I’ve removed the numbers from the covers. I know this will irk some, but I do intend to keep a reading order map on my website.

Do you prefer your books in a UF series to stand alone?

This is just a thread to shout out humorous Urban Fantasy. I’ve got tons of respect for authors who can balance stakes that drive the story, interesting magic systems, and humor that doesn’t distract.

For me, the GOAT is Lauretta Hignett, I laugh out loud at least once every book of hers I read. I also love Anderle’s John Brownstone (I know it’s divisive), Dina Zales’ Dadha Urban, and Drew Hayes’ Vampire accountant.

Please shout out your favorite author, series, or character with a sense of humor in an Urban Fantasy story.

(obligatory admission that I’m releasing my own humorous UF, this one witchy and Chicago pizza-based. I’m trying to read as much funny UF as I can, so recommendations, pls!)

Someone asked recently why people read urban fantasy, and I’ve been thinking about it more.

For me, what I love about urban fantasy—what makes it different from a lot of other subgenres—is the opposite of escapism.

It’s not about leaving this world behind. It’s about staying in this world and seeing the magic in it.

You still have real world problems of traffic, jobs, and bills.

But those problems have beaten people into a black-and-white view of the world, like that old Apple commercial of everyone moving in syncopation. There are few of us who still seek out moments of joy and connection, romance and heartbreak. People who still try. People who put effort into seeing the magic. Magic isn’t in a faraway kingdom. It’s here… just out of reach unless you know how to look.

Urban fantasy doesn’t pull me out of reality. It rewards me for staying here and seeking deeper meaning.

That idea—that there’s magic in the margins if you’re open to it—that’s what keeps me coming back.

Am I the only one? Has Urban Fantasy inspired anything like this in you?

(Also, full transparency: I love this concept so much I wrote my own take on it—cozy, chaotic, found-family urban fantasy set in a Chicago pizzeria where the staff deals with curses between shifts. If that sounds like your thing, it’s called “Evil Eye & Pizza Pie.”)