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▲ 2 r/urbanfantasy

Hidden magical worlds V.s magic with modern elements in urban fantasy

When it comes to urban fantasy what kind of magic/ (how the fantasy elements are integrated in the story) do you guys prefer? Personally I prefer when the magical elements are sort of mixed in with the real world. I think it's more interesting and can tell so many more stories when the magic is out in the open with everyone already knowing it exist. I know most urban fantasy stories have the whole "hidden world" element to them but, sometime it's kind of boring.

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u/Necessary_Builder264 — 11 hours ago
▲ 1 r/urbanfantasy+1 crossposts

I think there is an analytical machine controlling us!

I think there is a global analytical machine feeding us with just enough information about the world to make us not question it and it's laws, there are invisible walls in our minds which we know nothing about. My idea is rooted in the fact none of us can recall the past before a certain time even in our own lives, the feeling of deja vu and goosebumps and most of what happens in Mandela effect phenomenon.

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u/RavenSilkAuthor — 1 day ago
▲ 48 r/urbanfantasy

Urban Fantasy with Female Protagonist

Hi, would you guys know of more female protagonist urban fantasy where the plot is the main mover but a good romance is included too? I don’t like insta-love but I love urban fantasy and if it has a lot of books in the series that would be great too. Thank you!

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u/NectarineDangerously — 1 day ago
▲ 6 r/urbanfantasy+4 crossposts

[Review] Season 5 of Residents of Proserpina Park is a flashback arc that introduces some fun new mythical creatures.

Season 5 of Residents of Proserpina Parks has been out for a while now. And I finally got around to reviewing it.

This is the flashback arc. The framing device is that Alina and the gang are at the coffee shop that Drew works at. Jessica and Sam are telling stories. They talk about how Junichi and Jessica discovered the park. They talk about the adventures they had with various creatures. They talk about how Junichi and Sam fell in love. But most of all, they talk about how they decided to make their own creation. And of the price they paid for their hubris.

So, this is the season where we finally get answers to long standing questions. Let’s start with the new creatures. Now, way back in season two, we were promised a creature from regional folklore. Sara Roncero-Menendez, who voices dog, mentioned that her family is from the Cantabria religion of northern Spain. It has Celtic heritage, and a slightly different culture from the rest of Spain. This also factors into their folklore.

We did get the Tooth Mouse, which is the equivalent of the Tooth Fairy in a lot of European countries. But that didn’t really feel specific to Cantabria. Well, come season five, and the promise is finally delivered. We get to meet the Ramidreju. It looks like a green weasel, and its nose is exceptionally good at sniffing our buried gold. They’re only born once every 100 years, usually to a family of ordinary weasels. Oh, and they can cure any illness you have. You just need to rub the Ramidreju all over your body.

Okay, now we’re talking! And what’s more, it even proved to be important to the overall plot of the season. It was encountering the Ramidreju that gives Junichi, Jessica, and Sam the idea to create their own creature. Specifically, one that can grant their wishes, and make their lives easier.

I’d been advocating having the leshy appear as far back as season one. Well, I finally got my wish this season. Leshy are forest spirits, and protectors of the forest, from Slavic Mythology. Think of them kind of like the Ents from \*Lord of the Rings\*. \*Residents of Proserpina Park\* showed a side of the leshy I hadn’t thought about before. You see, houses are made of wood, boats are made of wood, baseball bats are made of wood…sometimes. The point is, a lot of very hard things, and things that can do a lot of damage, are made of wood. An angry leshy would be a very scary sight indeed.

We also get to hear the story of Stingy Jack. He was a man so wicked that neither Heaven nor Hell wanted him. As a result, he was forced to wander the Earth, with only a turnip lantern to light his way. Irish immigrants brought this story with them when they moved to the United States. But they swapped the turnips for pumpkins. And that’s where jack o’ lanterns came from. I bring this up because \*The Moonlit Road\*, another podcast I absolutely adore, also did a retelling of Stingy Jack. And they released it around the time \*Residents of Proserpina Park\*’s episode came out. It was an amusing parallel.

Another amusing coincidence came with the cast for this season. One of the Aos Si is voiced by Cameron Gergett. I had previously cast him in \*The Books of Thoth\*. He came recommended by the creator of \*Brave New Frontiersman\*. Specifically, I cast him as the homeless man in “It Was the Best Day Ever.” It was the first time I had encountered one of my actors in an audio drama that I hadn’t previously heard them in.

Now, all that being said, I did also have a few critiques of this season. At times, it felt like Sam’s relationship with both Junichi and Jessica developed a tad fast. It felt like we were jumping around in time a lot, and that there was missing connective tissue. Granted, I kind of understand why this is. Angela Yih probably didn’t want to cover too much territory that she’d already done with Alina and Alina’s friends.

Then there was the episode where we finally meet Hades. We’ve met gods, such as Anansi, on previous occasions. But this is the first time we’ve encountered one of the Olympians. That’s a completely different weight class of mythical being. So, I was expecting those scenes to be fittingly grand and ominous. But when we meet him, Hades just sounds like a regular dude. It feels very underwhelming and anticlimactic. Also, the trip to meet Hades was a little underwhelming. One instant we are in the park, and then boom, we’re in the underworld. Granted, this is going to be rectified come season six.

But how would I know that? Well, Angela Yih has taken me onto the production staff for season six of \*Residents of Proserpina Park\*. I’m helping to write the scripts and produce the episodes. I’d like to thank Angela Yih for this opportunity.

I’d also like to thank Angela for helping to promote \*The Books of Thoth\*. We recorded a bonus episode of \*Residents of Proserpina Park\* where she interviewed me about this blog, reviewing audio dramas, my day job at Shreveport Aquarium, and my work on \*The Books of Thoth\*. It was really fun to get to do, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Have you listened to season 5 of Residents of Proserpina Park? If so, what did you think?

Link to the full review on my blog: https://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-audio-file-residents-of-proserpina.html

u/Thoth-Reborn — 2 days ago
▲ 48 r/urbanfantasy

Daniel Faust / Harmony Black Collection

What started as a very enjoyable series (and spinoff), has devolved into an obsession for me. The Faust/Black books have quickly become my favorite UF series—and it’s not even close. I’ve read 6 of the Faust and 3 of the Black, and every single one has been an absolute banger.

I’ve been reading/listening to both through my Kindle and Audible subscriptions, but couldn’t help getting these shelf trophies, as I definitely plan to reread the whole thing when I’m done. (My only gripe is that the Harmony Black books don’t stay the same size/style which drives my OCD brain insane!)

I know these books are seemingly both underrated and also talked about a lot—depending on the week—but I cannot recommend them highly enough.

u/Oddyseus144 — 3 days ago
▲ 4 r/urbanfantasy+1 crossposts

OutLaw Novella - ??

Why is this considered a novella? It sort of reminded me of the first two books, related, but stand alone. Does novella just mean there is no call back or references in the main thread? Or will it be like Strength of a River in His Shoulders, where he shows up and if you know, you know, if not you get the classic Butcher character intro and update paragraphs?

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u/FluffyCar6097 — 4 days ago
▲ 13 r/urbanfantasy

I posted in here a few years ago about a friend writing/developing their first AVN: Mythos - An Adult Murder Mystery Urban Fantasy Comedy. It's complete now! <3

It's an AVN - Adult Visual Novel, which means it has explicit adult content.
You can choose the main character to be male or female, canon is female.
All possible intimate partners are female as well.

The focus is the story though.

Check it out on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3213410/Mythos_Book_One/

Mythos: Book One

Yes, it's book One, but don't worry, it's a whole story. Including several possible endings.
The first book of a planned series, and Nine, the dev, is already writing on Book Two.

There is also the dev's website, if you'd like to read up the dev blog, or need other links and infos: https://nineofswords.studio/

The dev is also on reddit- u/9ofswordgames - and if you'd like to support them, there are Patreon and Subscribestar pages as well.

Hope you'll have fun! :)

u/Grimmtown — 3 days ago
▲ 258 r/urbanfantasy+1 crossposts

I read 66 Werewolf / Wolf shifter books: Here are my thoughts, and what should be book 67?

My flavour of ‘neurospicy’ is one that turns a grown ass woman to be obsessed with Wolves!!!!

With that explanation aside… I have now read 66 books were a werewolf or wolf shifter was one of the main characters (exception Viking Omegaverse, but was close enough to wolf and too good not to include). I am looking for recommendations on my next wolfy books.

Please can you recommend -

Conditions:

·       A main character has to be a werewolf or wolf shifter.

·       Accepted genres: Horror, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Historical Romance, Contemporary

·       Books that are sci-Fi, dystopian, magic heavy, trashy or includes toxic-MMC’s may still be considered, but are usually are not well received.

·       Romance or spice can be none or full throttle.

In a reply below I list all the books I’ve read and ranked.  Thank you!!!

 

For anyone interested in what I recommend after reading 66 wolf books, here are my thoughts:

All rankings are based purely on my own opinion - everyone’s tastes differ

My Wolfy Rec's:

Classic Werewolf GOAT: Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

Top Quality Writing:

  1. Wolfsong — T.J. Klune

  2. A Wolf Apart — Maria Vale as well as the other first few books in the same series

  3. The Wolf Gift – Anne Rice

  4. Bride — Ali Hazelwood

  5. Cold Hearted — Heather Guerre

Top Hidden Gems or seriously underappreciated:

  1. The Legend of all Wolves series by Maria Vale

  2. The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

  3. The Jacky Leon series by K.N. Banet

  4. Tooth & Claw series by Heather Guerre

Most explicit spice (The Sichuan Hot Pot Award): Summer Siege — Lyx Robinson

Yummiest spice ( The Buffalo Hot Wings Award): Bride — Ali Hazelwood

Quantity of spice (The Vindaloo Award): Feral Sins — Suzanne Wright

Spicy Series that kept Coming (The Taco Bell Bathroom Award): The Viking Omegaverse series by Lyx Robinson

Tearjerker award: Wolfsong — T.J. Klune (honourable mention - the ending in Forever Wolf — Maria Vale)

Top World Building: Mercedes Thompson and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs  (Honourable mention - Viking Omegaverse by Lyx Robinson)

Warm Furry Fuzzies: The Fake Mate - Lana Ferguson (honour mention: Wolf Gone Wild — Juliette Cross)

Best take on werewolves/shifters: Mercedes Thompson and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs

Best creative/alternative take on werewolves/shifters: The Legend of all Wolves series by Maria Vale

Most wolflike of the wolves: The Legend of all Wolves series by Maria Vale

One for the feminists: Wolf in the Shadows — Maria Vale

The scorn of all feminist: Longing for her Wolves — Tara West

Best female rage scene: Taming the Wolves — Lyx Robinson

Most badass FMC: Jacky Leon from the Jacky Leon series by K.N. Banet

Hottest MMC: ??? Still identifying???

Biggest side character of intrigue: Bran Cornick from Mercedes Thompson and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs

Most sympathetic male character: Ox from Wolfsong by T.J. Klune

Most fun character: Misery from Bride by Ali Hazelwood ( Honourable mention: Kitty from Kitty and the Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn )

Most broody MMC: Noah from The Fake Mate - Lana Ferguson

Biggest big bad: The Hardesty Witches from Mercedes Thompson and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs

Most unexpected twist: Once Bitten — Heather Guerre

Best 'WTF' moment: Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic— C M Nascosta

Biggest disappointment: The Wolf King - Lauren Palphreyman

Made me Laugh: The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

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u/RegularDebate2488 — 6 days ago
▲ 5 r/urbanfantasy

Out-of-Order reading

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?

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u/ZacharyJeffries — 6 days ago
▲ 78 r/urbanfantasy

Looking for Urban Fantasy with "Old School" Quality (Plot > Romance / No Romantasy)

Hello all! 🌸

​I’m a long-time UF reader and a fan of Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh (Shame on me, I skip romance parts), and Anne Bishop. Lately, I’ve been struggling with the "Romantasy" boom and am looking for new authors/worlds where the romance remains well under 50%.

​Because I work in the industry and invested many hours to genre, I have a very low tolerance for editorial slips, clunky dialogue, or plot holes. I’m looking for deep world-building—ideally traditionally published or high-end indie.

I am already familiar with most major names published between 2010 and 2020.

​Who are the newer authors keeping the UF torch burning without leaning into spice or tired tropes?

Thank you for even reading this long help post. I hope I did not offend anyone. 🌸🧿

Addition: I don't hate romance, I just want it to be subplot, not the main deal. It adds colour, I am a happily married person. 🙈🤐🤣

Additon 2: I took some notes and added this to my list. Please go over the thread as well, this is personal list. But I wanted to help others as well. It can be overwhelming to check and search.

  • King Sorrow - Joe Hill
  • Ink Blood Sister Scribe - Emma Törzs
  • The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant (Fred, the Vampire Accountant, #1) - Drew Hayes
  • The Long Way Down (Daniel Faust, #1) - Craig Schaefer
  • War for the Oaks - Emma Bull
  • Ebony Gate (Phoenix Hoard, #1) - Julia Vee
  • Dead Man's Hand (The Unorthodox Chronicles, #1) - James J Butcher
  • Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth, #1) - Honor Raconteur
  • Dragon Rider (The Soulbound Saga #1) - Taran Matharu
  • I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons - Peter S. Beagle
  • October Date Series
  • Dreams Underfoot - Charles de Lint
  • **Mark of a Demon **-
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u/silver2rose1 — 9 days ago
▲ 80 r/urbanfantasy

Anyone see this?

Kim Harrison posted this on her Facebook today. A new Hollows book!!

u/Ksowers84 — 10 days ago
▲ 6 r/urbanfantasy

[Beta Readers Wanted] COLD READ — 65K paranormal mystery / urban fantasy, first-person noir, 2009 Detroit

[Beta Readers Wanted] COLD READ — 65K paranormal mystery / urban fantasy, first-person noir, 2009 Detroit

Cynical Pontiac PI, former carnival mentalist, takes a missing-locket case that wakes up the broken psychic gift he's spent fifteen years trying to keep buried. Comps: Dresden Files for the PI-with-magic structure, Rivers of London for the procedural register, The Last Policeman for the grounded tone where the speculative element haunts the case rather than overrunning it.

Content notes: violence (limited), a missing young woman, references to a past fatal fire, a cult-adjacent ritual, moderate profanity, on-page alcohol and tobacco.

Looking for: 5–6 beta readers, 4–6 week turnaround, short questionnaire on the back end. DM me if you'd like to read.

Full pitch, content notes, and a Chapter 1 excerpt here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1tdvuxe/complete_65k_paranormal_mystery_urban_fantasy/

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u/Aarinfel — 6 days ago
▲ 2 r/urbanfantasy

Looking for comp titles for my weird book — help?

I've written a sports conspiracy thriller set in an alternate world with elves, goblins, orcs, etc, and I genuinely have no idea who else is writing in this space or who my readers are.

The closest thing I can point to is Dick Francis, specifically the physical vulnerability, the institutional corruption, and the sport-as-backdrop feel. But Francis isn't fantasy, and his readership tends to avoid fantasy, so I'm not sure that helps me find my people.

The fantasy elements are background rather than foreground. No magic system focus, no hidden magical community. The magic is openly known, as are their various races. You get humans, elves, and orcs playing professional football in a world that otherwise feels pretty contemporary. (Even if the protagonist avoids social media.)

Does this sound like anything you've read? I'm stumped. The things I've found in searching either have the hidden-magic element or a collision with a magical reality that didn't exist before, which this one doesn't have.

If doing the "look inside" helps, the Kindle book is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSQL2M3N#

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u/jediping — 8 days ago