Urban Fantasy Lists! Challenges!

The Method and Madness

How do I pick the books for the lists? Generally, I try to either pick books I know are good (either from reviews or personal experience), or in some rare cases I have to take the only game in town. Sometimes I pick a lesser known author over a better known, because I think they deserve the love. Sometimes I pick the best known author, because I hope it will boost others who are less known that are on the list. I try to treat self, indie, and trad published authors the same, because all deserve some love.

Most of them are going to be traditional style Urban Fantasy. But I do try to mix in a little something for everyone. There are a few books aimed more at children. There are a few PNR. Some stuff that might be better called Contemporary Fantasy perhaps. But if you enjoy UF, then the vast bulk should be right up your alley, if not all of it. The reason I provide links to Amazon, and not elsewhere, is twofold: every has their books on there (but maybe not other places) and I have an affiliate link for Amazon.

Why do I do this? Because I love books, love talking about books, and most importantly, want to sell you my books haha!

The Categories:

Rather than scroll the whole page, you can also click any of the headings to be taken directly to that section. 

52 Week Challenges

These challenges are designed to give you one book to read, each week, for a year.

Books That Have...

These lists are each focused on a different theme or element, like 'Books with Necromancers' or 'Books that Feature Tarot.'

Books Set In The City Of...

Each of these lists features books that are set within a given city.

Books Set In The US State Of...

Each of these lists features books that are set within a given US state.

International Books Set In...

Each of these lists features books that are set within a region or country outside the United States. 

Books Set In Secondary Worlds...

Each of these lists features books that are set within a world or place that is not Earth.

Try These If You Are A Fan Of...

Are you a fan of X? Then why not try this list of Y?

52 Week Challenges

52 Weeks of Urban Fantasy - Alphabet Challenge (By Title)
  1. Akita Witch - Nnedi Okrafor - The Nsibidi Scripts - https://amzn.to/3PIIkHR

  2. Already Dead - Charlie Huston - Joe Pitt Casebooks - https://amzn.to/3v3DCe4

  3. Bless Your Heart - Kimbra Swain - Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen - https://amzn.to/3G8AQKI

  4. Bringing Home the Rain - Bob McGough - Jubal County Saga - https://amzn.to/3HLUXzP

  5. Crossroad of Bones - Luanne Bennett - Kate Bishop - https://amzn.to/3Vem75i

  6. Certain Dark Things - Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Certain Dark Things - https://amzn.to/3YBeatU

  7. Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse - https://amzn.to/3WuFzMj

  8. A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness - All Souls - https://amzn.to/3YDRFEK

  9. Edge of Magic - Jayne Faith - Tara Knightley Series - https://amzn.to/3PNcwRS

  10. Earth Spells are Easy - Renee George - Grimoires of a Middle Age Witch - https://amzn.to/3WEnuLL

  11. Fated - Benedict Jaka - Alex Verus - https://amzn.to/3Wz1XEa

  12. Frost Moon - Anthony Francis - The Skindancer Series - https://amzn.to/3V8yCzz

  13. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton - Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter - https://amzn.to/3PJevqj

  14. A Gilded Cage - Auburn Tempest, Michael Anderle - Chonicles of an Urban Druid - https://amzn.to/3FRTJ3g

  15. Half-Resurrection Blues - Daniel Jose Older - Bone Street Rumba - https://amzn.to/3jeUtbc

  16. Haunting Charlie - Wendy Wang - Witches of Palmetto Point - https://amzn.to/3Ywwkx3

  17. Ink Witch - Lindsey Sparks - Kat Dubois Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3GcsphS

  18. An Inheritance of Curses - Dee J. Holmes - The Four Horses - https://amzn.to/3Wkq363

  19. Junkyard Druid - M.D. Massey - The Colin McCool Paranormal Suspense Series - https://amzn.to/3C00Zcu

  20. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke - Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - https://amzn.to/3VkX4h7

  21. Kitty and the Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn - Kitty Norville - https://amzn.to/3FLTeYy

  22. King Rat - China Mieville - King Rat - https://amzn.to/3WAl0hx

  23. London Falling - Paul Cornell - Shadow Police Series - https://amzn.to/3Wc7e52

  24. Live Fae or Die Trying - Jenna Wolfhart - The Paranormal PI Files - https://amzn.to/3BPAtT5

  25. Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels - https://amzn.to/3jgb7XW

  26. Moon Called - Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson - https://amzn.to/3G4cJgq

  27. The Nightwatch - Sergei Lukyanenko - Nightwatch - https://amzn.to/3WciVIY

  28. Necromancer for Hire - Darin Kennedy - The April Sullivan Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3hIgpLk

  29. One Sorcerer and a Sacrifice - Cait Ambrose - The Tarot Societies - https://amzn.to/3YEtUfT

  30. Obsession - Alexis Calder - Royal Blood - https://amzn.to/3GeVRUb

  31. Petrified - Ben Meeks - The Keeper Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3v3zBWX

  32. Protection of the Pack - Heather G. Harris - The Other Wolf - https://amzn.to/3GeUPYj

  33. A Queen's Pride - N.D. Jones - Feline Nation - https://amzn.to/3FTMK9Y

  34. Queen of Swords - L.A. McGinnis - The Banished Gods - https://amzn.to/3hOgNYN

  35. The Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch - Rivers of London - https://amzn.to/3WPcSdl

  36. The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater - The Raven Cycle - https://amzn.to/3PO755d

  37. Storm Front - Jim Butcher - Dresden Files - https://amzn.to/3hGqBEc

  38. Spider's Bite - Jennifer Estep - Elemental Assassin - https://amzn.to/3v3WjOL

  39. Trail of Lightning - Rebecca Roanhorse - Sixth World Series - https://amzn.to/3VbZ6A3

  40. Touch the Dark - Karen Chance - Cassandra Palmer - https://amzn.to/3YKd7Ig

  41. Unlucky Charm - Kimberly Gordon - Black Kat - https://amzn.to/3YNS9rS

  42. Unholy Ghosts - Stacia Kane - Downside Ghosts - https://amzn.to/3FHuwbO

  43. Voodoo Academy - Theophilus Monroe - Gates of Eden - https://amzn.to/3PT88kC

  44. Vampire Librarian - Kristin Kova - The Shadow Order - https://amzn.to/3jeEV7d

  45. White Trash Warlock - David Slayton - Adam Binder - https://amzn.to/3FJdQRd

  46. A Witch Called Red - Sami Valentine - Red Witch Chonicles - https://amzn.to/3WvIggG

  47. X World Episode One - C.S. Larsen - X World - https://amzn.to/3GgnBrA

  48. Xander's Chance - Lizzy Ford - Damien Eternal - https://amzn.to/3hMP0YG

  49. Yarrow - Charles de Lint - Yarrow - https://amzn.to/3WjA2s9

  50. You Suck - Christopher Moore - Bloodsucking Fiends - https://amzn.to/3hR40oz

  51. Zodiac Binding - Arya Karin - Zodiac Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3C1ietN

  52. Zombie Fallout - Mark Tufo - Zombie Fallout - https://amzn.to/3jsKu2d

52 Weeks of Urban Fantasy - Alphabet Challenge (By Author)
  1. Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels https://amzn.to/3jgb7XW

  2. Ben Aaronovitch - Rivers of London https://amzn.to/3WPcSdl

  3. Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson https://amzn.to/3G4cJgq

  4. Jim Butcher - Dresden Files https://amzn.to/3hGqBEc

  5. Cassandra Clare - City of Bones https://amzn.to/3YAuWt7

  6. Rachel Caine - Morganville Vampires https://amzn.to/3Vi8HW2

  7. Dannika Dark - Crossbreed Series https://amzn.to/3V7h46M

  8. G.K. DeRosa - Wolfish https://amzn.to/3Vfi7BN

  9. Jennifer Estep - Elemental Assassin https://amzn.to/3v3WjOL

  10. Jaymin Eve - Secret Keepers https://amzn.to/3WtAPGM

  11. Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress https://amzn.to/3PLjyH4

  12. Erin R Flynn - Artemis University https://amzn.to/3Wf3eAu

  13. Simon R. Green - Nightside https://amzn.to/3YEo3Y0

  14. Lev Grossman - The Magicians https://amzn.to/3BPwQfN

  15. Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid https://amzn.to/3HXAeZQ

  16. Faith Hunter - Jane Yellowrock https://amzn.to/3PGPCf2

  17. Larissa Ione - MoonBound Vampires https://amzn.to/3HR6yxq

  18. Holly Ice - Wildes Witch Academy https://amzn.to/3PEvpXn

  19. Benedict Jaka - Alex Verus https://amzn.to/3Wz1XEa

  20. Elliot James - Pax Arcana https://amzn.to/3FKB09L

  21. Stacia Kane - Downside Ghosts https://amzn.to/3FHuwbO

  22. Richard Kadrey - Sandman Slim https://amzn.to/3WzAz96

  23. Charles de Lint - Newford https://amzn.to/3HZIgkO

  24. Marjorie M. Liu - A Hunter Kiss https://amzn.to/3v33ruT

  25. Seanan McGuire - October Daye https://amzn.to/3hDWvBj

  26. Bob McGough - Jubal County Saga https://amzn.to/3HLUXzP

  27. Chloe Neill - Chicagoland Vampires https://amzn.to/3WbGW2Q

  28. Michele Notaro - The Magi Accounts https://amzn.to/3BRGzlS

  29. Daniel Jose Older - Bone Street Rumba https://amzn.to/3jeUtbc

  30. Melissa F. Olson - Boundary Magic https://amzn.to/3VhmP1I

  31. Kalayna Price - Alex Craft https://amzn.to/3hIgSxc

  32. Kristen Painter - Nocturne Falls https://amzn.to/3v8wNbk

  33. Nyna Queen - The Trueborn Heirs https://amzn.to/3hHmGqC

  34. Kate Karyus Quinn - Mythverse https://amzn.to/3YAip9j

  35. Rebecca Roanhorse - Sixth World Series https://amzn.to/3VbZ6A3

  36. Anne Rice - The Vampire Chronicles https://amzn.to/3BRYuc1

  37. Maggie Stiefvater - The Wolves of Mercy Falls https://amzn.to/3Wdoqah

  38. Nalini Singh - Guild Hunter https://amzn.to/3hGr0qi

  39. Laini Taylor - Daughter of Smoke and Bone https://amzn.to/3hDuzxi

  40. Rob Thurman - Cal Leandros https://amzn.to/3v7g6Nq

  41. John Updike - The Witches of Eastwick https://amzn.to/3jlPaqz

  42. Simon Kurt Unsworth - Thomas Fool https://amzn.to/3HToZS5

  43. Carrie Vaughn - Kitty Norville https://amzn.to/3FLTeYy

  44. Rachel Vincent - The Shifters https://amzn.to/3v6EFKk

  45. J.R. Ward - Black Dagger Brotherhood https://amzn.to/3PGy96m

  46. Jenna Wolfhart - The Paranormal PI Files https://amzn.to/3BPAtT5

  47. Lei Xu - The Grave Robbers Chronicles https://amzn.to/3BRWksS

  48. Tianna Xander - Shifters of Wolf Lake https://amzn.to/3PHtQYH

  49. Adrienne Young - Spells for Forgetting https://amzn.to/3G9pfLv

  50. Jan Yolen, Midori Snyder - Except the Queen https://amzn.to/3BSs9lf

  51. Dima Zales - Sasha Urban Series https://amzn.to/3WdRMFv

  52. Craig Zerf - Project Bloodborn https://amzn.to/3WjJmfU

52 Weeks of Urban Fantasy - US States Challenge
  1. Alabama - Bob McGough - Jubal County Saga - https://amzn.to/3HLUXzP

  2. Alaska - Jill Dolbeare - Shadow Winged Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3v7v45Y

  3. Arizona - Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid - https://amzn.to/3HQYYTp

  4. Arkansas - Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie - Wolf Springs - https://amzn.to/3BTEaH9

  5. California - Seanan McGuire - October Daye - https://amzn.to/3hDWvBj

  6. Colorado - Carrie Vaughn - Kitty Norville - https://amzn.to/3FLTeYy

  7. Connecticut - Leigh Bardugo - Alex Stern - https://amzn.to/3v6CLcq

  8. Delaware - J.C. Yeamans - The Bearsden Witch Series - https://amzn.to/3PLoPOz

  9. Florida - Martin Shannon - Tales of Weird Florida - https://amzn.to/3VeHoM8

  10. Georgia - Ben Meeks - The Keeper Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3v3zBWX

  11. Hawaii - Justin Herzog - The Marcus Aries Series - https://amzn.to/3WHYuU9

  12. Idaho - Annie Bellet - The Twenty Sided Sorceress - https://amzn.to/3HRgXtd

  13. Illinois - Jim Butcher - Dresden Files - https://amzn.to/3hGqBEc

  14. Indiana - Rachael Vaughn - Arcane Ink - https://amzn.to/3jmrpyv

  15. Iowa - Amber Lynn Natusch - Blue Eyed Bomb - https://amzn.to/3YK1Ffz

  16. Kansas - L.A. McBride - Kali James - https://amzn.to/3Wf724Y

  17. Kentucky - Kimbra Swain - The Alchemist Heir - https://amzn.to/3jpdI1V

  18. Louisiana - Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse - https://amzn.to/3WuFzMj

  19. Maine - Sharon Lee - Carousel Tides - https://amzn.to/3G7NE4g

  20. Maryland - Jen Karner - Legacy of Shadows - https://amzn.to/3joGqjs

  21. Massachusetts - Various - Witch Warrior - https://amzn.to/3PJRxj2

  22. Michigan - C.T. Phipps - The Bright Falls Mysteries - https://amzn.to/3VhBY3h

  23. Minnesota - Emma Bull - War for the Oaks - https://amzn.to/3HXmaj1

  24. Mississippi - Hailey Edwards - The Foundling - https://amzn.to/3YKtjJG

  25. Missouri - Laurell K. Hamilton - Anita Blacke, Vampire Hunter - https://amzn.to/3PJevqj

  26. Montana - Patricia Briggs - Alpha & Omega - https://amzn.to/3YDj6yz

  27. Nebraska - Mike Bockoven - A Pack - https://amzn.to/3VhZDka

  28. Nevada - Isla Frost - Fangs and Feathers - https://amzn.to/3BUHX7f

  29. New Hampshire - Various - The Keepers of Knowledge - https://amzn.to/3YMdL8f

  30. New Jersey - Holly Black - Modern Faerie Tale - https://amzn.to/3YJluDO

  31. New Mexico - Rebecca Roanhorse - Sixth World Series - https://amzn.to/3VbZ6A3

  32. New York - Charlie Huston - Joe Pitt Casebooks - https://amzn.to/3v3DCe4

  33. North Carolina - Jennifer Estep - Elemental Assassin - https://amzn.to/3v3WjOL

  34. North Dakota - Frank Hurt, Raelea Hurt - Ascending Mage - https://amzn.to/3YICVEF

  35. Ohio - Kim Harrison - The Hollows - https://amzn.to/3YCsn9U

  36. Oklahoma - David Slayton - Adam Binder - https://amzn.to/3FJdQRd

  37. Oregon - Jaymin Eve - Secret Keepers - https://amzn.to/3WtAPGM

  38. Pennsylvania - V.K. Fox - Words of Power - https://amzn.to/3YINBmP

  39. Rhode Island - D.R. Perry - Providence Paranormal College - https://amzn.to/3WlgJ1H

  40. South Carolina - Wendy Wang - Witches of Palmetto Point - https://amzn.to/3Ywwkx3

  41. South Dakota - Tate Hallaway - Alex Connor Series - https://amzn.to/3Wlt4TJ

  42. Tennessee - Alexander Nader - Southern Demon Hunter - https://amzn.to/3G6uH1T

  43. Texas - Charlaine Harris - Midnight Texas - https://amzn.to/3YB8pfV

  44. Utah - Elena Sobol - Kozlov Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3joXGoI

  45. Vermont - Pat Esden - Northern Circle Coven - https://amzn.to/3YN3KYu

  46. Virginia - Maggie Stiefvater - The Raven Cycle - https://amzn.to/3PO755d

  47. Washington - Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson - https://amzn.to/3G4cJgq

  48. West Virginia - Kelley Armstrong - Otherworld: Kate & Logan - https://amzn.to/3PHLuvj

  49. Wisconsin - Jen B. Green - Torrin Pedersen Chronicles - https://amzn.to/3YKbeeO

  50. Wyoming - Laura Bickle - Wildlands - https://amzn.to/3YKx4Pi

  51. Washington DC - Yin Leong - The Geomancer's Apprentice - https://amzn.to/3YN4oFo

  52. Puerto Rico - Doug Goodman - Perro Chupacabra - https://amzn.to/3Wksaqw

Great Urban Fantasy Books That...

...Have A Necromancer Protagonist
...Feature Magic Tattoos
...Are Written by BIPOC Authors
...Are About Libraries/Librarians
...That Feature Tarot Magic
...Feature White Trash or Redneck Main Characters
...Are Standalone
...Have Main Characters With Normal, Non Cop/Detective Jobs
...Feature Bookstores
...Are Set in Historical Times
...Are Set in Rural Locations
...Are Short Story Collections

Great Urban Fantasy Books Set In The City Of...

...Atlanta
...Boston
...Detroit
...London
...New Orleans
...New York City
...Savannah
...Seattle

Great Urban Fantasy Books Set In The US State Of...

...Alabama
...The Carolinas
...Colorado
...Florida
...Missouri
...Oklahoma
...Tennessee
...Texas

Great International Urban Fantasy Books Set In...

...Africa
...Australia
...Canada
...England (not London)
...New Zealand
...Scotland and Ireland
...Around the World

Great Urban Fantasy Books Set In Secondary Worlds

...Other Worlds
...Hell

Great Urban Fantasy Books If You Are A Fan Of...

...Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
...The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher