Urban fantasy novels you should read
Urban fantasy brings the allure of the supernatural into modern settings, often merging elements of mystery and romance with magical lore. The subgenre has a particular charm when it features witches who navigate city life with their arcane abilities. These stories offer an escape into worlds where magic is just around the corner, blending the familiar with the fantastical.
'A Discovery of Witches'
In A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness tells of Diana Bishop, a historian and witch who stumbles upon an enchanted manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library. This find drags her back into a world filled with magic, vampires, and daemons—a world she has long tried to avoid. As Diana unravels her legacy, she finds herself in a centuries-spanning forbidden romance.
'Magic Bites'
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews introduces Kate Daniels, a mercenary in an alternate Atlanta where magic vies with technology. Following her guardian's murder, Kate's search for answers propels her into the city's dark corners, from shapeshifter lairs to vampire-run towers. This urban fantasy weaves a tale of personal vendetta amidst a backdrop of spellcraft and power struggles.
'Storm Front'
In Storm Front, we meet Harry Dresden, Chicago's sole listed professional wizard. He's a consultant for the police on inexplicable cases. The plot thickens with a series of brutal murders linked to dark magic. Suddenly, Dresden is in the hot seat, both hunting down the perpetrator and fighting to prove his innocence in a desperate bid to clear his stained reputation.
'Dead Witch Walking'
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison features Rachel Morgan, a witch and bounty hunter in Cincinnati's supernatural underworld. Post-resignation under mysterious circumstances, she becomes a mark. Accompanied by pixie companions and a vampire roommate, Rachel must sidestep assassination while unraveling arcane enigmas. Her journey is fraught with danger and dark spells as she seeks to clear her name.
'Hex Hall'
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins follows Sophie Mercer, a young witch whose spells often go awry. After a particularly disastrous incident, she's exiled to Hecate Hall, a reform school for wayward prodigium. Amidst the school's dark secrets and perilous inhabitants, Sophie grapples with teenage challenges while facing genuine supernatural dangers that threaten her at every turn.
