If there is one thing I know I will always love in an Urban Fantasy book, it’s a strong female lead. Nothing compares to a snarky, kick-ass female heroine who tackles conflicts head on. That’s why I’ve decided to compile the best urban fantasy books with strong female leads.
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best urban fantasy books with strong female leads
I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy a good amount of sarcasm and sass. But “strong female character” means different things to different people. While some might define it as emotional maturity. Others might want a competent fighter.
So I asked Instagram followers, browsed Reddit and Facebook groups to find the best urban fantasy books with strong female leads. I compiled their responses and ranked them in order of popularity. Let's find out the top urban fantasy books with strong female leads.
Keep reading to find out the best Urban Fantasy Books with Strong Female Leads
What are the best urban fantasy books with strong female leads?
I asked book lovers on social media to share their favourite Urban Fantasy books with strong female leads. absolutely loved getting the inside scoop on readers' top female leads.
I’ve compiled their responses to create the top 12 Urban Fantasy audiobooks. So here are the best urban Fantasy audiobooks in order of popularity:
1. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
This series gets so much hype online! While researching for this post, this series was recommended everywhere.
Magic Bites is the first book in the Kate Daniels Series. It's an Urban Fantasy where rogue mages cast spells and leave all kinds of paranormal problems in their wake.
Kate Daniels is a down on her luck mercenary who makes a living cleaning up magical problems.
But when her guardian is murdered, she embarks on a quest of justice. And it draws her into a power struggle between two factions in Atlanta's magic circles.
This was easily the most recommended book on this list. If you're searching for urban fantasy books with strong female leads then this is a great place to start.
Good reads Rating:
4.06
Female Lead:
Kate Daniels, a mercenary
Content warnings:
What do readers say?
Kate Daniels is a really likeable heroine who doesn't take any crap from anyone. She has an excellent, sarcastic sense of humour and is always hilarious.
She knows the rules of diplomacy. But she also knows how to break those rules and can admit when she has made a mistake.
2. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
There are not enough books about shifters at the moment. So I was really happy to see this book so high up on the list. The main character Mercy Thompson has the power to shift into a coyote at well.
Mercedes Thompson, aka Mercy, is a mechanic living in Washington. She also happens to be a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote.
Her next door neighbour is a werewolf and her former boss is a gremlin. Oh and she's fixing a car for a vampire.
But her connection to these magical beings is about to land her in some serious hot water.
The Mercy Thompson series was a really popular choice with almost as many votes as Kate Daniels. Let's be honest - the cover isn't the best! But this book has so much going for it - a mystery, action packed plot and a good writing style. You need to check this series out if you're after urban fantasy books with strong female leads.
Good reads Rating:
4.14
Female Lead:
Mercedes Thompson, mechanic
Content warnings:
- blood, murder, violence
What do readers say?
Mercy Thompson is no pushover. She's a likeable and fun protagonist. She is strong and down to business without appearing invincible or inhuman.
She is intelligent but she is also more unsure of herself than other female protagonists. This makes her seem more relatable and down-to-earth.
Related Post: 7 Bewitching Urban Fantasy Books about Witches
3. Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Let's be honest, Sarah J Maas was always going to appear on this list. Sarah J Maas writes a seriously badass female protagonists.
Crescent city is an urban fantasy that features a range of mythological creatures such as mermaids, fae and werewolves.
It follows Bryce who is half-fae, half-human. And she is tasked with investigating a series of crimes with Hunt Athalar – a fallen angel. But they discover some dark powers at work.
Let me tell you – I was on the edge of my chair reading this. Sarah J Maas poses a number of mysteries at the start. And this hooked me in. The book was also full of unexpected plot twists.
There is some info-dumping at the start. But the world-building is exquisite and the urban fantasy setting is developed very well. Sarah J Maas writes strong sassy female leads very well. And Bryce is an incredible main character. But all the side characters were very well developed.
I'm a huge fan of Crescent City. If you're also a fan, then I have a ton of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like Crescent City here.
Good reads Rating:
4.48
Female Lead:
Bryce Quinlan, assistant at an art gallery
Content warnings:
- loss of a loved one, alcohol use (excessively), drugs, murder, violence, depression, grief, suicidal contemplation
What do readers say?
Bryce Quinlan is a gorgeous, sarcastic badass and a sassy party girl. She is more explicit than characters in other Sarah J Maas book.
She's reckless and pushes boundaries but she never goes overboard. What makes Bryce so refreshing is that she knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to get it.
4. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Seanan Mcguire is one of those fantasy authors who can do no wrong. This Urban Fantasy series features many tropes that will make it popular with many readers - a mystery, a strong heroine and faerie folk.
It follows October 'Toby' Daye. October is half human and half fae. And she has been an outsider from birth. Toby has denied the Faerie world and lives a "normal" life.
But the Faerie world has other ideas.
The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the Fae world. Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and investigate. But more than her own life will be forfeited if she fails.
Mcguire's writing in this book is magical. And I particularly love the way McGuire describes the fae. The urban fantasy world is filled with various dark and dangerous mythical beings.
This book is a great choice if you're looking for Urban Fantasy books with fae. If you're a fan of books with fae then I have a ton of recommendations. You can check out my blog post on books with fae here.
Good reads Rating:
3.37
Female Lead:
October Daye
Content warnings:
Character death (including child), Gore, Gun violence, Wound description
What do readers say?
October Daye is a flawed main character. And that's what makes her so likeable. She's not an all mighty hero or a snowflake.
However, she's an intelligent, strong and capable protagonist. She's overcome a history of abuse. She knows her weaknesses and fights to overcome them.
5. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Confession time: I wasn't familiar with this series before researching for this post. But this series was a popular choice with book lovers.
It's set in Cincinnatti, in a world where a virus has wiped out a great deal of the population. And it's exposed the existance of the supernatural who had lived alongside humanity.
All the creatures of the night gather in "The Hollows" to hide, party and feed. Vampires rule the darkness in a world rife with danger. We follow Rachel Morgan a bounty hunter and a white witch who has to keep this world civilised.
For the last five years Rachel has been tracking down law-breaking Inderlanders in modern-day Cincinnati, but now she wants to leave and start her own agency. Her only problem is that no one quits the I.S.
What is it with Urban fantasy books and ugly covers? Please don't let the cover put you off this book! It's a fast paced story with engaging characters.
Good reads Rating:
4.03
Female Lead:
Rachel Morgan, bounty hunter
Content warnings:
What do readers say?
Rachel Morgan is pretty kick-ass with limitless potential for growth. She's funny and engaging but still flawed enough to feel real.
Sometimes her decision-making lands her in hot water. But she always pulls though in the end.
6. Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
I'm not surprised to see another of McGuire's books on this list because she writes excellent fantasy books. I hadn't actually heard of the Incryptid series before writing this post but it got 6% of the votes.
Discount Armageddon is the first book in the Incryptid Series. It Verity Price. Her family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world and protecting them from humanity.
But Verity Price is not interested in a career as a cryptozoologist. She'd rather pursue a career in ballroom dance. Sounds simple right?
It would be, if it weren't for the talking mice, the telepathic mathematicians, the asbestos supermodels, and the trained monster-hunter sent by the Price family's old enemies, the Covenant of St. George.
When a Price girl meets a Covenant boy, high stakes, high heels, and a lot of collateral damage are almost guaranteed.
Good reads Rating:
3.86
Female Lead:
Verity Price
Content warnings:
Gun violence, Death, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Sexism, racism, ableism, addiction
What do readers say?
Verity Price is a monster-wrangling, ballroom-dancing heroine who also has a problem with authority.
She's a Buffy-esque female protagonist - sassy, smart and snarky. Verity is able to deal with troublemakers but also make a lot of friends and allies.
7. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
I was so happy to see Gideon the Ninth get voted onto this list. This LGBTQ+ Fantasy book features necromancers in space.
It follows Gideon. She has been brought up by unfriendly nuns and is ready to abandon a life of servitude. She packs up her sword and prepares to launch her daring escape.
But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, has been summonded into action. the Emperor has invited the heirs of each of his loyal Houses into a deadly trial.
If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Good reads Rating:
4.23
Female Lead:
Gideon the Ninth, swordfighter
Content warnings:
graphic violence, gore, murder, mass murder, human sacrifice, many conversations about suicide, death, death of children, talk of depression, grief depiction, trauma depiction, loss of a loved one, lots of blood depiction, self-harm to get blood, and mentions of cancer.
What do readers say?
Gideon is witty, funny, charming, and a thorn in Harrowhark’s side. Her dry humour jumps off the pages and bring this book to life.
Gideon is lovably grumpy and her relationship with Harrowhark is wonderfully depicted. She's a snarky, lovable badass who makes this book shine.
8. Harmony Black by Craig Schaefer
Harmony Black is an urban fantasy book with a strong female lead, witches and a fast paced plot.
It follows Harmony Black. She's an FBY Special agent, practicing witch and an operative for Vigilant Lock - an off-the-books program created to battle occult threat.
But Harmony is conflicted about her job. Her last investigation resulted in deaths and she suspects the wrong people are being punished for it.
Whole on holiday she gets pulled into a team-mission. Their target: the Bogeyman. An elusive figure that destroyed Harmony’s childhood.
If you're a fan of the Dresden files then you'll probably enjoy this. The pacing, concept and structure are very similar.
Good reads Rating:
3.38
Female Lead:
Harmony Black, FBI Special Agent
Content warnings:
Child death
What do readers say?
Harmony Black is an awesome protagonist. And not just in an ass-kicking wonderwoman way ( although don't get me wrong, she's not afraid of a good fight)
She is strong, touch, complex, genuine and vocal. But she's still flawed enough to be likeable.
9. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
I am a HUGE fan of Leigh Bardugo. Ninth House has many elements that readers will love - dark academia, fantasy, magic and secret societies.
It follows Alex Stern. She dropped out of school early and into a life of dead-end jobs and shady boyfriends. At twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific multiple homicide.
At her hospital bed Alex is offered a second chance - to attend Yale on a full ride. Her mysterious benefactos task her with monitoring the activities of Yale's secret societies.
But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister than you could possible imagine.
If you're looking for dark urban fantasy books with strong female leads you should definitely read this one. It's a dark fantasy with occult magic, ghosts and a well written plot. It's definitely not for everyone and the dark plot won't appeal to everyone. Please make sure you check the trigger warnings carefully.
Good reads Rating:
4.03
Female Lead:
Alex Stern
Content warnings:
violence, rape and sexual assault , murder, gore, drug addiction, bullying, overdosing, death, suicide, blackmail, self-harm, and forced consumption of human waste.
What do readers say?
Alex Stern is a fierce protagonist. She's a lovable morally grey character -a character Bardugo writes exceptionally well.
She's has a tough background and fights to overcome her trauma. But she's a survivor. And while can be thorny, she's a fierce main character.
10. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The main character Cinder is an android. She had an accident when she was younger. And she now has a cyborg hand and ankle. But the world she lives in shuns androids.
There is also a deadly plague that is affecting the world (sound familiar…heh).
She meets and falls in love with the Prince. But she can’t tell him that she’s an android.
The pace was perfect and I couldn’t put this one down. It opens straight away. And you gradually learn more about the world.
This is one of the most unique retellings I’ve ever read. If you’re a fan of retellings like A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince or a Curse so Dark and Lonely – then you need to read this one. It’s one of the best retellings I’ve read.
There were so many intriguing elements at the start that I kept reading to see what would happen. The world-building was really unique. I’m not normally a sci-fi fan. But the sci-fi and dystopian elements work so perfectly.
This book is a fantastic Young Adult Urban fantasy series. I love Young adult books. That's why I wrote a whole blog post on ya urban fantasy books. You can check out my post on ya urban fantasy books here.
Good reads Rating:
4.13
Female Lead:
Cinder, mechanic
Content warnings:
What do readers say?
Cinder is a mechanic, under appreciated by her mother and one of her step-sisters. She's independent, feisty and relatable.
She's strong-willed and has her own opinion on everything. Yet she's down-to-earth and relatable enough to make her likeable
11. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Anita Blake Series is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance about a vampire hunter/slayer. I'm not familiar with this series but the first book has pretty positive reviews.
It follows Anita Blake. Her job is re-animating the dead and killing the undead who take things to far. She works in the city of St. Louis.
But then the city's most powerful vampire asks her to solve a series of vicious slayings. And Anita must confront her greatest fear - her undeniable attraction to master vampire Jean-Claude, one of the creatures she is sworn to destroy...
This definitely sounds like more of a paranormal romance than an urban fantasy. But it was recommended quite a bit so I've included it on this list.
Good reads Rating:
4.02
Female Lead:
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
Content warnings:
- racism, internalized misogyny, victim blaming with regard to childhood abuse and sexual trauma, sex worker shaming, connecting sex work with trauma or marginalization
What do readers say?
Anita is strong-willed, judgemental and abrasive. but she has a wicked sense of humour. Her dark humour and inappropriate jokes make her approachable.
Many of the reviews compare her to Kate Daniels. If you're looking for books with characters like Kate Daniels you might enjoy this one.
12. Kitty and the Midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn
This post demonstrates why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This series had a really decent amount of recommendations. And repeated comments on how refreshing the main character is.
It follows Kitty Norville. She is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station. And she's also a werewolf.
Her new late-night advice show is a huge success. But it's Kitty who could use some advice.
With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew!
Good reads Rating:
3.68
Female Lead:
Kitty Norville, DJ
Content warnings:
Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, death, chronic illness, gun violence, Suicide, Vomit
What do readers say?
Kitty has a different kind of strength. She's not a kick-ass heroine. She's a normal girl who happens to be a werewolf.
She starts as submissive and through the book comes into her own strength when she realises she can make it on her own. And that makes her really refreshing.
Other urban fantasy books with strong female leads
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
If you’re a looking for urban fantasy books with LGBTQ+ representation you should definitely check out A Dark and Hollow Star. It's an urban fantasy with fae, queer main characters and an enticing mystery. It also has a seriously adorable wlw romance.
A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans. Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.
There are not one but two romances in this book. And the characters are what make them so perfect. Arlo and Nausicaä have such amazing chemistry. Nausicaä is a grumpy, chaotic and sarcastic lesbian. Arlo and Nausicaä have a perfect grumpy/sunshine slow-burn vibe.
I listened to the audiobook version which you can find on audible. It features a full cast of narrators which made it really engrossing.
The voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are so spot on! If you're looking for urban fantasy books with strong female leads then I highly recommend checking out this book
Good reads Rating:
3.82
Female Lead:
Nausicaä
Arlo
Content warnings:
anger, arson, blood/gore, body horror (minor), death of a child, depression, disownment, divorce, drug use/addition
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Daught of Smoke and Bone by laini Taylor
Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a recent read for me. I picked this up second hand after hearing positive reviews online. And I think if you're a fan of urban fantasy you'll love this book
Daughter of Smoke and Bone follows Karou. She has 2 lives which she has always managed to keep balanced. On one hand, she's a seventeen year old art student living in Prague. On the other hand, she runs errands for a monster.
But then black hand prints start appearing on doorways. Scorched there by winged creatures. And Karou must choose between the safety of her human life or war.
If you're looking for urban fantasy books with strong female leads then this is a great choice. This book features angels and an urban setting. It also has slightly darker tone for a fantasy novel.
Good reads Rating:
4.00
Female Lead:
Karou. art student
Content warnings:
Parental abandonment. Suicide. Physical injuries. Attempted murder.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
If you're looking for urban fantasy books then another books I highly recommend is Legendborn. Bree is a fantasy strong female character who overcomes a lot of trauma through the book
Legendborn is a fast paced ya fantasy book with an action packed plot and plenty of twists and turns. It follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.
But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.
If you're looking for a mysterious, dark haired and morally grey main character then this is a great choice. It also has a diverse cast, an amazing female lead and dark academia vibes. It also features great commentary on slavery and racism.
If you're looking for books like Legendborn-then I have a whole blog post full of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like Legendborn here
Good reads Rating:
4.41
Female Lead:
Bree, student
Content warnings:
eath of a parent and traumatic grief/flashbacks, alcohol consumption, mind control/memory manipulation, racist macro and microaggessions, emesis (vomiting), blood, mild gore, combat violence, mention(s) of: physical abuse, racist violence, sexual violence
We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
This book features one of the best wlw enemies to lovers romances that I’ve read! It's a Ya dystopian urban fantasy novel featuring a wlw romance and Latine representation.
We Set The Dark On Fire follows Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. A Primera and a Segunda. The Primera is intelligent, calm and analytical. The Segunda is the mother figure.
Outside the wall, the people go hungry. Dani started life outside of the wall. And she must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital. She is also married to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.
The premise was intriguing. And the main character was instantly likeable. She also grows a lot through the book. But the romance is what makes this so perfect. Two badass women who are married to a Straight man but fall in love with each other.
The world-building is also excellent. And the book has such dark academia vibes. It opens in a prep school for girls. But it discusses so many important issues such as immigration politics and forced marriage.
We set the Dark on Fire features an intriguing dystopian premise and a likeable, strong-minded main character. This YA LGBTQ+ Dystopian book explores immigration politics, toxic masculinity and feminism. A great choice if you're looking for fantasy books with LGBT Characters.
This post was all about Urban Fantasy Books with Strong Female Leads
