Urban Fantasy discussion

No romance! I like urban fantasy but have some odd tastes for an urban fantasy reader ... no zombies period and not all that fond of vampires or werewolves!

The only two books with a major vampire presence that I like well enough to re-read have been Sunshine where the main female character and the vampire were friends, not lovers and Vampire Bluesin which the vampire is a nerd, complete with stutter and pocket protector.

With that in mind, would like recommendations for urban fantasy with vampires that I might enjoy ... something a little off the beaten track of the usual "kill all the vampires" or "vampire romance".

John Hartness' BlackKnight Chronicles are pretty entertaining. The two main characters are needy vamps. There is a love interest for the main character of the two vampires, but its just a relationship... none of that annoying romance BS is associated with it.





... there are some zombies in the first book but it isn't a lengthy appearance. I'm with you on disliking vampires, werewolves, zombies, and hell I'm starting to dislike fairies too, but I still enjoy his series quite a bit.

Have you heard of Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler ?

There is nothing formulaic about this novel. It is like no other vampire story.

Did you ever try PN Elrod's The Vampire Files, Volume 1? It's set in Prohibition Chicago with a vamp PI. I remember loving those.

If you don't mind novellas, Jaye Wells Meridian Six is a gritty, dystopian UF setting. No romance. It is short, though, and it might be awhile before we get more.

Oh yes, second PN Elrod. Fun period pieces that don't fall into that stereotypical vamp. More like "how to be a regular guy during Prohibition when you can only come out at night."

Thanks ... all these are new to me.

Have you tried The Strain. A very different take on the vampire story, with a really disperate group of vampire hunters (including a Holocaust survivor, a CDC doc, and a rat exterminator). It straddles UF and horror. I think it is shelved as horror, but it's horror with a really good plot and not just a gore and sex fest. I really loved it.

Try "Bill the Vampire" geek turned vamp, zombies only spoke of as office workers in vamp HQ. Funny!

Also if you want a Noir, novel set in a Urban Fantasy world check out Already Dead by Charlie
Huston the Joe Pitt series is a bit different vampire take.

Michael wrote: "Also if you want a Noir, novel set in a Urban Fantasy world check out Already Dead by Charlie
Huston the Joe Pitt series is a bit different vampire take."

I wouldn't recommend it for you, Sharon. It's pretty dark.

Carol wrote: "I wouldn't recommend it for you, Sharon. It's pretty dark"

That's probably true ... I don't do well with grim/dark. I can do 'some' but the overall tone has to be optimistic and upbeat and a bit of humor is a plus.

then stick with the first one, Vampire Bill, it is a fun one!

Sounds like fun ... on my 'to read' list.

The most likeable vampires I can think of offhand are from Terry Pratchett's Discworld, where quite a few have joined the Black Ribboners' (it's a zero-blood temperance league), in which they drink cocoa and sing cheery songs (e.g. "lips that touch blood will never touch mine"). I personally think you can read the Discworld books out of publication order--they take place in the same world, but with mainly different characters--but opinions vary.

Two standalone books with Black Ribboners are (The Truth) and (Monstrous Regiment)--for less friendly vamps, and also the second in a subseries, there's (Carpe Jugulum).

Another I thought was interesting was (This Case Is Gonna Kill Me)--it's more towards "traditional" UF vamps, except that they run the world. And they're all lawyers.

Just say almost any of Pratchett's works are great!!! I forgot they where in there, but yes they are very awesome!

Michael, you feel like the Discworld books can be read out of publication order?

(Oh--the reason for those two in particular are because Otto Chriek and Maladict are main characters of Truth and Monstrous Regiment, respectively. And Carpe Jugulum...you can guess from the title.)

you can start almost anywhere! I usually hit people with (and my wife when we where dating) with "Night Watch" my all time favorite! Then kick them into the watch in order. Side note my wife got me a signed copy for a gift a few years ago!

Good, then, it's not just me--although for series purists, be warned that side characters do make cameos in the standalones. Night Watch is my favorite too--although I think you have to have read some of the earlier City Watch books to get the most out of it. (I raved about it so much that I also got a signed copy as a gift!) *cough*...right, I'll stop derailing the thread now.

it was a fun tangent!

Julia wrote: "Have you heard of Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler ?

There is nothing formulaic about this novel. It is like no other vampire story."

I *love* Octavia Bulter but had no idea she'd written a vamp book. I'm definitely putting in the TBR pile. Thanks!!

loved the Bella Forrest"s vampire series and beauty and the beast...new author for me.

Michelle wrote: I *love* Octavia Bulter but had no idea she'd written a vamp book. I'm definitely putting in the TBR pile. Thanks!!

Me too, loving Octavia E. Butler, that is. She intended Fledgling to be the first in a series, but now it's a stand-alone...