62 Captivating Urban Fantasy Books You’ll Love

Recently updated on August 7th, 2024 at 03:52 pm

There is something so thrilling about fantasy books set in a city. Here are 62 Binge-worthy Urban Fantasy books you won’t be able to put down.

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Maybe it includes magic in a modern city. Maybe there’s a hidden world. Or maybe it features a magical mystery.

Urban fantasy is one of the most thrilling book genres to read.  I love seeing magic in a modern setting.

Whether you’re looking for a ya urban fantasy books or urban fantasy books for adults, here are the absolute best Urban Fantasy books.

This post is all about the best urban fantasy books

The best urban fantasy books

Urban fantasy books for adults

Often urban fantasy books are childish. Or they’re 90% romance and only 10% fantasy. Here are the best urban fantasy books for adults.

1. The Guild Hunter Series – Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh

An urban fantasy book with romance and spice. This urban fantasy features a compelling enemies to lovers romance and an intriguing mystery.

We follow Elena. She’s a vampire hunter and she knows she’s the best. But the Archangel Raphael hires her for a job.

 2. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

An urban fantasy with fae, vampires and a morally grey dark haired male love interest.

We follow Mackayla. She lives a relatively normal life until her sister is brutally murdered. She journeys to Ireland in search of answers. But Mac is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to master a power she had no idea she possessed.

3. Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

Crescent City is perfect if you’re after an urban fantasy romance. It has mystery, lovable characters and spice. Sarah J Maas writes strong sassy female leads very well. And Bryce is an incredible main character.

  We follow Bryce, a 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.

4. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

 If you’re a looking for urban fantasy books with LGBTQ+ characters. you should y check out A Dark and Hollow Star.

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.

5. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone has a darker tone. This is also more romance heavy. It features angels and mythological creatures in Prague.

We follow Karou, she has 2 lives. And she has always managed to keep them 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.

6. Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Greek Mythology meets The Hunger games.  Lore features Greek mythology, an urban setting and a strong female lead.

Every seven years Greek Gods are hunted by descendants of ancient bloodlines. If the hunters succeed they seize their immortality. It follows Lore Perseus who has turned her back on this world.  But as the next hunt dawns, two participants seek out her help.

7. The Original by Brandon Sanderson

I  wasn’t initially going to include the Original.his is a short audiobook that you could easily finish on a long journey.

While it’s more sci-fi, the concept is super original. We follow a clone. Her original has committed a horrific crime and she is tasked with killing her. If she succeeds – she will continue living instead of her original.

8. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files is a popular Urban Fantasy book series. These fast-paced books weave magic with crime and mystery.

We follow Harry Dresden who is an openly practicing professional wizard. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers.

9. Alex Verus Series by Benedict Jacka

The Alex Verus books are perfect for fans of the Dresden Files. An Urban Fantasy Series with a crime to investigate and a snarky main character. 

The first book in the series is Fated. In Fated we meet Alex Verus.  He runs Arcana Emporium in the heart of Camden. He won’t sell you a wand or mix you a potion, but if you know what you’re looking for, he might just be able to help. 

10.  American Gods by Neil Gaiman

You can’t write about Urban Fantasy books for adults without mentioning Neil Gaiman. American Gods features urban worldbuilding, mythology and a unique concept. 

We follow Shadow. Days before his release, his wife dies in a mysterious car crash. He is released early and makes his way back home. On the plane he encounters the strange yet enigmatic Mr Wednesday.

11. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Rivers of London is an excellent Urban Fantasy. The writing and worldbuilding are fantastic. And the dry, British humour makes this such an entertaining read.

We follow Peter Grant, a constable in the Metropolitan Police Service. One night while pursuing a murder inquiry, he tries to take a witness statement from someone who is dead.

12. The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne

I am a massive fan of a sarcastic main character, and Atticus is the perfect snarky wise-ass. It makes this an easy read.

We follow Atticus O’Sullivan – the last of the Druids. He lives a peaceful life running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting to hunt with his Irish Wolfhound in his spare time. Atticus also wields a magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer. But unfortunately, a Celtic God wants the sword.

13. The Laundry Files by Charles Stross

The Laundry Files features a wizard detective and a unique magic system. And it’s incredibly well written.

We follow Bob Howard, a low-level techie at a government agency. Bob is normally under a desk restoring lost data. His world was dull and safe. Until once day when he got NOTICED. Now, Bob is up to his neck in spycraft, parallel universes, dimension-hopping terrorists, monstrous elder gods and the end of the world

14. The Devil You May Know: Felix Castor, Book 1 by Mike Carey

Felix Castor is perfect for fans of The Dresden Files or Rivers of London. An Urban Fantasy set in London following a freelance exorcist. Think British Ghostbuster vibes. 

We follow Felix Castor. He is in demand as a freelance exorcist at a time when the supernatural world is in upheaval. Consequently, Felix can charge any amount he wishes and enjoy an incredible lifestyle. 

15. The Tomb, Repairman Jack #1 by F. Paul Wilson

The Repairman Jack series doesn’t get talked about as much as it should. This Urban Fantasy series features a mercenary, magic and two protagonists vying for power. 

Repairman Jack fixes situations for people, often putting himself in deadly danger. His latest project is recovering a stolen necklace with an ancient curse that may unleash a horde of Bengali demons. 

16. Something from the Nightside by Simon Green

The Nightside series is a love/hate series. Corny and formulaic. But sometimes you need that.

We follow John Taylor. He’s not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things. That’s why he’s been hired to descend into the Nightside, an otherworldly realm in the centre of London where fantasy and reality share renting space and the sun never shines.

17. Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire

Discount Armageddon is the first book in the Incryptid Series. We follow 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?

18. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Do you enjoy dark academia books? Then you’ll love Ninth House. A compelling paranormal fantasy is set in an urban, academia setting.

We follow Galaxy ‘Alex’ Sterm. She is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised by a hippie mom, she dropped out of school early and into  a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends and dead end jobs.

19. Jade City by Fonda Lee

Searching for urban fantasy books for adults? If you haven’t already, you need to read Jade City.

The Kaul Family is a crime syndicate in Kekon. The only place that produces magical jade. The Green Bone clans of warriors once protected the island. What happens when tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets.

20. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere is a magical urban fantasy. It reads like a dark Alice in Wonderland. Under the Streets of London  is a city full of monsters, saints, murderers, angels and knights. “Neverwhere” is the London of the people who have fallen between the cracks.

We follow Richard Mayhew. An act of kindness catapults him into the Neverwhere. 

21. Babel by R.F. Kuang

Babel is a dark fantasy in an academic setting. It touches on racism in academia and colonialism.

We follow Robin Swift. Orphaned by cholera, The mysterious Professor Lovell brings him to London. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese to prepare for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation and magic—also known as Babel.

22. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Witches, vampires and a mystery. All with some dark academia vibes.  The perfect autumnal, urban fantasy read.

We follow Diana Bishop, a young scholar. In the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, she calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery.  After a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. 

YA Urban fantasy books

23. We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Set the Dark on Fire is a compelling dystopian novel with dark academia vibes. Plus it features an incredible Sapphic romance.

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.

24. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is an incredible ya urban fantasy. A unique retelling with a modern setting and sci-fi elements.

We follow Cinder. She had an accident when she was younger. And she now has a cyborg hand and ankle. There is also a deadly plague affecting the world. She meets and falls in love with the Prince. But she can’t tell him that she’s an android.

25. Bitter Frost by Kalin Gow

Memory loss, beautiful forest imagery and fae. An award-winning ya fantasy with twists and a fast pace.

We follow Breena. She has always dreamed of fairies as though she lived among them. In her dreams, there was always a handsome but dangerous Prince named Kian. But when she turns sixteen she starts seeing strange creatures.

26. Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter me opens with the main character locked up for murder. She is unable to touch anyone. And she falls in love with the first person she is able to touch.

The writing style in Shatter me is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. It’s very prose heavy. And consequently, it seems to be a book people either love or hate. I love it.

27. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Dark academia fan? The Raven Boys is a paranormal fantasy set in a Private School. And it even references Latin and Welsh Mythology.

Each year in the churchyard, Blue watches her psychic mother see those who are going to die that year. Blue never actually sees them herself. Until this year. When she speaks directly to a boy.

28. A Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

A Sky Without  Stars is a dystopian science fiction book and a Les miserable retelling.  It features an enemies-to-lovers romance and a love triangle.

It’s set in a dystopian world called Laterre. When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. But now an elite class reigns. A rebel group is resurfacing. We follow three characters Chatine, Alouette and Marcellus. And they all play a role in the revolution.

 29. Spellhacker by M.K. England

A well-written fantasy heist book with a criminal mastermind, high stakes and plenty of banter. This standalone also features a diverse cast with non-binary and chronic illness representation.

Set in a world where magic ( known as maz) was once freely available. But now maz is a tightly controlled and expensive commodity. We follow Diz who runs an illegal maz siphoning business with her three best friends.

30. Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne

A unique concept and elves in a modern setting. This isn’t perfect but worth reading.

It follows Forest. She is born in shame as a half-Elf and half Shapeshifter hybrid. And she works tirelessly to earn respect. So, she takes a job on earth guarding a portal. But she is asked to take on a mission to transport the vampire prince through enemy ground. And Forest has to conquer her prejudices to succeed.

31. The Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent is wildly popular and successful. A fun premise with a fast-paced plot.

If you enjoy books like the Hunger Games chances are you’ll love this one. In Divergent the world is divided into 5 factions. Each faction is based on a personality trait which that faction embodies – Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peaceful), Erudite (intelligent) and abnegation (selfless).

32. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Mythology, plant magic and cottagecore imagery. This opens in an urban city and moves to a small town.

We follow Briseis. She has a magic gift where she can magic tiny seeds grow into rich blooms with a single touch. Her aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York. And it’s there she must uncover her family’s heritage and secrets.

33. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

This ya urban fantasy gives superhero tropes a modern twist. The superheroes and supervillains storyline is woven into everyday life.

We follow Jessica Tran, a bisexual high school student resigned to a life without superpowers. Shestarts an internship to improve her college applications. However, she quickly discovers it’s for a supervillain with her crush Abby.

34. These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

Sapphic witches in modern Salem! This is a low on fantasy elements and reads more as a ya contemporary. Perfect for beginners to urban fantasy.

These Witches Don’t Burn follows Hannah. She is a witch living in Salem. A dark blood ritual interrupts her end of school bonfire. And she investigates with her ex-girlfriend Veronica. She also meets Morgan. But trying to date in the middle of a supernatural crisis is not easy and will test Hannah’s limits.

35. When we were magic by Sarah Gailey

A high-school ya book with fantastical elements. This reads as more of a ya contemporary. But still a cute read.

When We Were Magic follows Alexis. She has always been able to rely on her best friends and magic powers. On prom night, accidental magic goes wrong and someone ends up dead. Alexis and her friends have to try and fix a terrible wrong.

36. The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This book has the best sarcastic banter! The witty sarcasm carries this book. Illuminae files has a unique format as the story is told through a dossier of documents such as emails and interviews.

Illuminae Files opens with Kady. She thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. But then her planet is invaded. A terrifying plague breaks out. And it’s clear the only person who can help is her ex-boyfriend.

37. Matched by Ally Condie

This isn’t the best book on this list. But it’s a quick read and it’s a nice YA Urban Fantasy read. If you’re a fan of the Hunger Games or Divergent then you might enjoy this.

We follow Cassia. She lives in a society where they decide who people love. On her Seventeenth birthday, Cassia will meet her perfect match.

38. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Growing up I was a huge fan of the Percy Jackson series. And it’s still one of my all-time favourites. Greek Mythology is woven seamlessly into this book. And I love how it balances Greek mythology with the real world.

The concept is that the Greek Gods are real. And they occasionally fall in love with mortals. They have children who become demigods.

39. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

Crier’s War is an epic urban fantasy novel with a wlw romance. This is compelling read with an intriguing concept.

A War has ravaged the kingdom of Rabu. The Automae took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will. Ayla is a human servant who is rising the ranks at the House of Soverign. She dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter – the beautiful Lady Crier.

40. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Red Queen is a popular, YA dystopian series with a fast paced plot and a captivating enemies to lovers romance. It has received thousands of five stars reviews and was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. 

In this dystopian novel, blood defines your status. Reds are commoners. But silvers are the elite and have superpowers. The main character is red. But she has superpowers.

41. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

A fast paced, ya dystopian book with a fascinating premise. This compelling dystopian novel keeps you on the edge of your seat

Set in a world with no hunger, disease, war or misery. Humanity has conquered all those things. And they’ve even conquered death. Now, scythes are the only ones who can end life. And they are commanded to do so. To keep the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants.

42. Cemetary Boys by Aiden Thomas

A magical YA urban fantasy with LGBTQ+ Main characters.  This is perfect for Halloween.

Cemetery Boys follows Yadriel whose traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender. To prove himself, he performs a ritual. And sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin.

43. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

The Sunbearer Trials is an incredible urban fantasy book with Mexican worldbuilding, trials and mythology. A cross between Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games.

Set in a world where the Mexican Gods and Goddesses are real. They had children who are semidioses. As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished. Ten semidioses aged between thirteen and eighteen are chosen as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. 

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. 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.

44. Magic Bites: Kate Daniels, Book 1 by Ilona Andrews

This series gets so much hype online!   Kate Daniels is a likeable heroine and a great example of a strong female lead. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone and has an excellent sarcastic sense of humour.

Magic Bites is the first book in the Kate Daniels Series. Kate Daniels is a  down on her luck mercenary who makes a living cleaning up magical problems.  

45. Rosemary and Rue: An October Daye Novel by Seanan McGuire

Searching for urban fantasy books with fae? This is a great choice. It features a mystery, a strong heroine and faerie folk.

We follow 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.

46. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

A popular book series featuring a shifter. It features an amazing, sassy main character. This is quite heavy on romance.

Mercedes Thompson, aka Mercy, is a mechanic living in Washington. She can also 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.

47. Harmony Black by Craig Schaefer

A strong female lead, witches and a fast-paced plot. This is a thrilling urban fantasy book you need to read.

We follow Harmony Black. She’s an FBI 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.

48. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn has a diverse cast, an amazing female lead and dark academia vibes. An incredible fantasy book.

We follow Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. The result? She joins a residential program for gifted high school students. But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. 

49. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

A dystopian fantasy featuring an enemies to lovers romance and a sassy street thief.

We follow Paedyn. She lives in the Kingdom of Ilya. Only the exceptional, powered Elites belong in the Kingdom. These powers were gifted to them by the Plague. Those born Ordinary are banished to preserve an Elite society.

50. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

A thrilling urban fantasy book with an awesome main character.

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 living alongside humanity. All the creatures of the night gather in “The Hollows” to hide, party and feed. We follow Rachel Morgan  a bounty hunter and a  white witch who has to keep this world civilised.

51. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth is technically science fiction fantasy. But I couldn’t resist including this incredible book. It has the best, snarkiest and sassiest main character.

We follow Gideon. Brought up by unfriendly nuns, she’s 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.

52. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

The Anita Blake Series is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance about a vampire hunter/slayer.

We follow Anita Blake. Her job is 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…

53. Kitty and the Midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn

This post demonstrates why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. This series features an refreshing, strong female main character.

We follow 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.

54. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

A Deadly Education is a dark academia book set in a magical school. It’s perfect if you’re looking for ya fantasy books. 

A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance – a school for the magically gifted. Failure means certain death. Until El begins to unlock its secrets. Survival is more important than any grade. The school won’t allow students to leave until they graduate. Or die. 

Urban fantasy romance books

55. Touched by Fire by Kel Carpenter

Mystery, forced proximity. This features a slow-burn romance with amazing tension. Highly recommend.

We follow a supernatural bounty hunter. Not a popular jobs, But after the magic wars, there aren’t many things a human can do that will put food on the table. When a demon summoning runs awry, the immortal being that comes into this world changes everything.

56. Darkness of light by Stacey Marie Brown

Searching for urban fantasy books with romance? You’ll love this series. It features incredible characters, excellent worldbuilding and slow burn romance.

After Ember Brycin finds her mother brutally murdered, her mind begins to see things that shouldn’t exist, like creatures that belong in scary fairytales. The more she feels her sanity slipping, the more bizarre and inexplicable things start happening around her.

57. Fae Games by Karen Lynch

Searching for ya fantasy romance books? You will love the Fae games series. This is an underrated series you’ll devour.

Jesse James is a normal eighteen-year-old, even if her parents are the best faerie bounty hunters in New York. Jesse’s only concern is how to pay for college, but that changes the night her parents disappear.Equipped with her parents’ weapons and her own smarts, Jesse enters the dangerous world of bounty hunting.

58. Born in Fire by K.F Breene

Born in Fire is an incredible Urban fantasy romance. It features a badass main character, funny banter and forced proximity. Heart pounding and laugh out loud funny, USA Today Bestselling author K.F. Breene will take you on a magical joy ride you won’t soon forget.

We follow a supernatural Bounty Hunter with a rare type of magic. A vampire offers her a job. And she has to work alongside him to help solve a top secret case.

59. Rabid by Ivy Asher and Raven Kennedy

Searching for a spicier urban fantasy romance? Then you’ll love Rabid. This is a standalone and is well written.

She’s been waiting her whole life to get her wolf. But when the time comes, she has to run. A nightmare alpha takes over her pack by force. She needs to escape before he can lay a claim. Or risk getting a wolf that will submit to him.

60. One for my Enemy by Olivie Blake

One For My Enemy is an urban fantasy about witches and magic. This standalone is a fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

Set in New York, two rival witch families fight to maintain control of their criminal ventures. On one side of the conflict are the Antonova sisters, each one beautiful, cunning, and ruthless.On the other side, the influential Fedorov brothers serve their father, the crime boss known as Koschei the Deathless.

61. Dark Night, Golden Dawn by Allison Carr Waechter

A hate to love romance with witches, shifters and vampires. The stunning worldbuilding makes this a standout urban fantasy novel.

Set in a city where the elite are powerful as gods. Harlow Krane wants nothing more than to recover from her most recent breakup. When the season begins, her Order needs her help. They offer to back off—if Harlow agrees to pair with their most eligible bachelor, Finn McKay. But Harlow has been burned by Finn before.

62. The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

A slow burn, forbidden romance with vampires. This also has enemies to lovers and forced proximity.

A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Eoria to save her dying sister. She called upon anyone who would listen, not expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer. Now she does what Kaden asks, even if that means securing an ancient relic from the very creatures that hunt her.

This post was all about urban fantasy books

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