Urban Fantasy discussion

It's been a long time since I've read regularly. Once upon a time I finished two books a week. I know that that isn't impressive to some people, but for me it's pretty great.

Since I am twenty three I feel that I should become familiar with something other than the YA section of a book store or library. The only thing I've ever really read outside of that area is all eight Merry Gentry books and the first eight Anita Blake book's by Laurell K. Hamilton. I would love to read more stuff like this, but not quite crime heavy. I don't have anything against it, I just want a break from that genera for a little while.

Personally I really love the Merry Gentry series and I cannot wait for the next book! If there are any out there like it that are just as good or better, I want to know about them! I'd go as far to say that I'd be okay if it was YA so long as the writing, plot progression and character development is well done.

I don't mind sex, gore or torture. In fact, if it's there, even better. I need some urban fantasy that is well written as well as inspiring because I'm trying to get serious about my own work. I feel that I won't find inspiration in YA and if I do, the quality will not be all that great.

I know that it is kind of hard to stay away from series that don't seem to end in this genera and similar, but if you can keep it around three to five, that would be great. Stand alone would be preferred.

I look forward to everyone's recommendations!

Lindsey, good luck with your quest. I was going to suggest my book, Jason and the Draconauts, but it is a middle grade/YA title. If I hear of anything, I will let you know :-)

Saw this and have to make a few recommendations as we share the same name. ;) Since you enjoyed the Merry Gentry series, I would give this one a try: . Some of my other very favorite UF series are below, hope you will find one or more that you enjoy. :)

Karen Marie Moning is great! Merry Gentry reminds me of Mona Lisa Awakening (Monère: Children of the Moon, #1)
by Sunny

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is all about the joy of reading, the creating of community through reading and a bookstore and the creating of a life through reading. It's not YA, but it's YA- like.

The main character in Among Others finds, redeems and centers herself by what she reads. Also, she finds a community of readers, too. She is 15, but many readers don't find it a YA book. It is fantasy, with a lot of classic science fiction talked about.

Have you read Neil Gaiman? I recommend The Graveyard Book, a novel Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, short stories, The Ocean at the End of the Lane I don't know how to describe this. American Gods and Anansi Boys are both wonderful novels. Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances is a brand new collection of short stories, that I haven't read yet. I don't care for his Sandman books, but that's just me.

Try this series, it's unique but I really liked it, has some dark in it, five books total

Try

5 books total, complete series.

You might like the series 5 books and complete. If you like the idea of something a bit different to the usual UF type books try 3 books in this one.

I have a niece that wanted to break away from all the YA. I bought her and she loved it. Even purchased the rest of the series herself. I also agree with

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! I haven't read all of them but I will soon, as well as replying to some of you. I suddenly got very behind in college. Goodbye, reading goals.

Another recommendation is series by Stacia Kane. It is a little darker and some people have a hard time getting through the first half of the first book because of her drug use, but once you get that far and you meet Terrible - you are hooked! Hope you enjoy!

Thank you Marsha for that recomendation. I was looking for something new to read, and that seems very intersting.

Alright. I've come to a decision.

I have put this page in my bookmarks tool bar. After wrapping about three series' (because there is just one or two books left) I'll come here and if I pick your recommendation I'll let you know personally what I thought of it ^^

Again, thank you all for your recommendations! I'm quite excited.

I have a few recommendations. Larissa Ione has the demonica series that leads into the horsemen series. All of the Anita Blake books. Stacia Kane has the downside books. I just put out my first book called Guardians: Awakened which I have had someone tell me that its a plot like they have never seen before. It is part of a series so...more to come.
Hope you enjoy them all.

Marsha wrote: "Another recommendation is series by Stacia Kane. It is a little darker and some people have a hard time getting through the first half of the first book because ..."

That honestly sounds right up my alley!

Downside Ghosts took me awhile to get into - the first one is a little boring - but it grows on you and then you can't put the series down. Really wish we could get another book in the future but that's a little doubtful now.

What about the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop?? They are remarkable- personal opinion, of course!! The Psy-changeling and Guild series by Nalini Singh - although under romance - are amazingly excellent!! Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Nancy Collins ... They are auto buys in ebook and paper.

Personally I love Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs and Stacia Kane.

I would also recommend

I see I didn't yet recommend Charles de Lint and Octavia E. Butler.

Novels for the rest of summer, or for other breaks:
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler, also by herKindred and Parable of the Sower . Then,Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint, Trader by Charles de Lint and Someplace to Be Flying by Charles de Lint.

Short stories, which might be great during school, by Octavia E. Butler are two Bloodchild and Other Stories and Unexpected Stories , which is available only as an e-book, I think. Short story collections by Charles de Lint include The Very Best of Charles de Lint , Waifs and Strays and Dreams Underfoot .

Agree on Andrews and Briggs. Love them both. Would add Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series, Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and just starting Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series that looks good in #1.

hey im just going to throw some author names at you although some are quite long series. my all time favourite author sherrilyn kenyons dark hunter series.
patricia briggs.
kresley cole.
jennifer estep.
jacquelyn frank.
christine feehan.
jeaniene frost.
yasmine galenorn.
nancy holzner.
kim harrison.
faith hunter.
larissa ione.
stacia kane.
katie macalister.
richelle mead.
chloe neill.
kalayna price.
jennifer rardin.
nalini singh.
gena showalter.
lyndsay sands.
rachel vincent.
j r ward.

sorry its a long list a tried to pick through my favs but its just so hard to choose. Hope you find something you like.

Fated by Benedict Jacka is a swell read. It's the Dresden Files only British and a bit grittier. Jacka is good at painting scenes and characters through vivid descriptions and very evocative language.

I'm 25 and I had the same issue.. I started out with the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost and fell in love with it.

It might be a good start for you.