Best Of: Urban Fantasy Authors By ariannafelidae  [40 more lists]

Dark Days Series:

Nightwalker
Dayhunter
Dawnbreaker
Pray for Dawn
Wait for Dusk
Burn the Night

This one's about a vampire chick who also kind of controls fire-which is awesooome. It's also got that type of I-hate-you-I-love-you romance that is so much fun to read. You know what I mean- where it's painfully obvious to everyone else that the two people dig each other but they don't notice because they're too busy hating each other. Absolutely love it!

Night Huntress Series:

Halfway to the Grave
One Foot in the Grave
At Grave's End
Destined for an Early Grave
This Side of the Grave
One Grave at a Time

There's a character in this book that, if you ever watched the show 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', you just need to read about. He's a built, British vampire with a shock of bleach blonde hair who's kind of a rebel and a badass but still, somehow, has a heart of gold. Oh, and he wears a long, leather trench. I'm not even kidding.

Rachel Morgan Series:

Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad and the Undead
Every Which Way but Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse
Black Magic Sanction
Pale Demon
A Perfect Blood

Hands down, my favorite author. The matter-of-fact way that it's written is just so easy to lose yourself in. The characters each have very unique personalities (and appearances, and races...) and very real goals. You want the heroine to win, you want her to join the dark side, you want her to save the day. There are also lots of other sub-plots that DO get approached and solved at some point. I can't say enough good things... :D

Deadtown Series:

Deadtown
Hellforged
Bloodstone

Can EVERY author be my second/third favorite?? This lady has done this genre a credit, to be sure. The main chick in this series goes into people's dreams and exterminates their nightmares for a living (cool, right?). It gets better. She lives in a city where something happened that caused everyone (human) to become cognizant zombies. They've got people working on getting said zombies the proper legal rights, but who cares? They're already dead-right?

Jane Yellowrock Series:

Skinwalker
Blood Cross
Mercy Blade
Raven Cursed

Whoo-what a ride! It picks up and doesn't stop till it comes to a screeching halt-and even then, you may fall over from the speed you just picked up. Jane Yellowrock is AWESOME. She's a shape-shifter that doesn't know much about her (obviously) Native American heritage except that she can pretty much change into any animal she wants. She's also the best vampire hunter in the country and she's been recently hired.

Sandman Slim Series:

Sandman Slim
Kill the Dead
Aloha from Hell

I decided to branch out a little and see if I could root for a guy instead of a girl. Turns out, yes. Yes, I can. Sandman Slim just literally crawled back up from Hell. He was sent there years back by a bunch of guys who thought they had all the power. Well, now he's back. And he wants revenge something fierce. This book truly had everything-it was gritty and if you were a punk rocker at some point in your life you are bound to get nostalgic at some point. What surprised me most was the humor. I laughed out loud several times while enjoying these. We really, really need the humor.

Nocturne City Series:

Night Life
Pure Blood
Second Skin
Witch Craft
Daemon's Mark

I only read the first of these and the rest are on my list to buy, which means I really liked it and that's all I have to say until I go back and reabsorb it. So, yeah...

Alien Collective Series:

Touched by an Alien
Alien Tango
Alien in the Family
Alien Proliferation
Alien Diplomacy

I was reluctant to pick up a book about aliens even though I love sci-fi movies and it's categorized as urban fantasy. Most hardcore sci-fi books I've tried to read took themselves to seriously and therefore, I couldn't enjoy them. Gladly, this author is probably going to be another second/third favorite contender (I know there are a few of them...). She is SO funny. I'm really angry I didn't buy all of the books at the same time so I could just power through them. Trust me on this one-take a chance.

Allie Beckstrom Series:

Magic to the Bone
Magic in the Blood
Magic in the Shadows
Magic on the Storm
Magic at the Gate
Magic on the Hunt
Magic on the Line
Magic Without Mercy

Sometimes I wonder why this character isn't already dead of exhaustion. I say that with love. If the first book hit the ground running, than the rest must be flying, because the action DOES NOT STOP. It is such a thrill to pick up a new one because I just know I'm in for an Adventure with a capital 'A'. The characters are phenomenal-the world is absolutely believable and the story is just kick-ass ALL the time. Yeah, I like 'em.

Jane True Series:

Tempest Rising
Tracking the Tempest
Tempest's Legacy
Eye of the Tempest

Within the first few pages of this book, I was reading excerpts to my coworkers. Need a laugh? This woman could do stand-up comedy any day. The actual story is about a half-selkie girl who grew up in a town where everybody hates her but soon discovers she has an amazing gift. The characters are hilarious and witty and the heroine herself is sarcastic and sweet at the same time. Also-you may blush. I'm just sayin' A hoot to read! That right-A HOOT.

Signs of the Zodiac Series:

The Scent of Shadows
A Taste of Night
A Touch of Twilight
City of Souls
Cheat the Grave
The Neon Graveyard

Ever wonder what real superheroes would be like? That's what these are about. That, and a twin who takes the place of her sister to disguise her own whereabouts. It's dark and gritty and ruthless. This is NOT your typical 'Superman' storyline. This is what the Justice League would look like if they were battered down by everyday life and STILL had to find some time to help folks. Also, the ringleader is a bum. Neat.

Maker's Song Series:

A Rush of Wings
In the Blood
Beneath the Skin
Etched in Bone
On Midnight Wings

Hoodoo Series:

Black Dust Mambo
Black Heart Loa

The 'Maker's Song' series is, simply put, amazing. I expected something average or predictable, but the story takes you through so many unexpected twists and turns and really makes you feel for the characters. It mostly takes place in New Orleans (an hour from my own hometown), so, it's possible I'm biased because I can picture the area very well. The story is quite fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. A wonderful debut series about a cop, some vampires and huh, some angels.

I've only read a bit of the 'Hoodoo' series so far, but, it's shaping up to be something that, if you liked the 'Maker's Song' series, you'll eat up, too!

Alex Craft Series:

Grave Witch
Grave Dance

If you like Kim Harrison the way I do, PICK UP this series! She's a new name to the genre, but her style is very similar to Harrison's in that the story feels effortless. It's as if you already know the characters and care about them before you even realize you do. Her heroine meets Murphy's Law wherever she goes and can't seem to catch a decent break. She also raises the dead for a living and occasionally works freelance for the cops. And she's got a REALLY great dog!

Esther Diamond Series:

Disappearing Nightly
Doppelgangster
Unsympathetic Magic
Vampirazzi

So, I can't seem to find 'Disappearing Nightly' in print anywhere, sadly. I started on 'Doppelgangster' thinking it was the first in the series and laughed my ass off through the whole book. It was extremely enjoyable :D. I've also read the third and am anxiously awaiting the fourth. This is one of those 'normal people in extraordinary situations' type of series. The girl handles it very well, though! If you want a great mystery as well as a few hearty chuckles, check this one out!

Dante Valentine Series:

Working for the Devil
Dead Man Rising
The Devil's Right Hand
Saint City Sinners
To Hell and Back

Jill Kismet Series:

Night Shift
Hunter's Prayer
Redemption Alley
Flesh Circus
Heaven's Spite
Angel Town

Both of her series feature strong, independent, KICK-ASS ladies who don't take gruff from NOBODY. It's definitely safe to say if you liked one of them, you'll enjoy the other, as well. She's got a new series coming out soon I am just dyyyying to read. Joy, oh, joy...

Spellbent Series:

Spellbent
Shotgun Sorceress
Switchblade Goddess

The first book was a little slow in the beginning and I wasn't sure it was going to pan out, but, towards the end I could NOT put it down. The quick-witted heroine goes through the entire first story after recently losing an eye and an arm. It's hard not to root for somebody like that... The humor in this book is fantastic and sharp in that tongue-and-cheek-Joss-Whedon kind of way. I cannot wait to root for more of her adventures.

Anna Strong Series:

The Becoming
Blood Drive
The Watcher
Legacy
Retribution
Chosen
Crossroads

This is a series about an independent adult lady who lives on her own and carries herself with bounty hunting. It all changes after she (not willingly) becomes a vampire. The originality and gritty fast-pacing makes this series a top-notch urban fantasy story. The fact that it's gone for seven books is fantastic and I hope there are seven more! They'll get my money.

Shifters Series:

Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha

Shape-shifters!! You know, for all my 'I love werewolves' talk, I never seem to find a series about an actual werewolf that doesn't involve three chapters devoted to sex scenes (I'm in it for the John-McClane-type action) If you know of a good series, let me know! Anywho, THIS series is about shape-shifting cats. They are kind of like the werewolves in Kelley Armstrong's series, only...you know-really big cats. Loved it-you should read it-since it's awesome...

Matt Richter Series:

Nekropolis
Dead Streets
Dark War

So, if I can root for Richard Kadrey's crazy, magic guy from hell, certainly I can root for a very aware zombie P.I., right? Absolutely. This trilogy is fantastic and amazing and spectacular and dark and gothic and scary and funny. It's got it all. Plus, you're rooting for a zombie, so...yes!! and also, more, please!