Ever wondered what happens when magic spills into our everyday world? Urban Fantasy is where the cityscape is as enchanting as it is familiar! As a vibrant subgenre of speculative fiction, it blends the fantastical with the modern to create a world where mythical beings roam city streets and magic intertwines with the mundane. Sprinkle the ordinary with a dash of extraordinary, and let’s explore the streets of urban fantasy.
What is Urban Fantasy?
Urban Fantasy is a subgenre of speculative fiction set in contemporary, urban environments where magic, supernatural elements, and mythical creatures exist alongside the real world. Think of it as your city but with a hidden layer of enchantment waiting to be discovered.
Common Tropes
Urban Fantasy often hides its magic in the shadows of gritty city streets, blending the mundane and the mystical in a way that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Picture darkened alleys where spellcasters exchange whispered incantations, hidden realms existing just beyond the flicker of a streetlight, and supernatural creatures blending into the human crowd. This genre thrives on the idea that magic lurks where we least expect it, always just out of sight. If you wonder down one of these darkened alleys, here are some tropes to try out:
- The Hidden World: Beneath the surface of our everyday life lies a secret world filled with magical beings, ancient spells, and hidden realms. This trope is all about the thrill of discovering the extraordinary within the ordinary.
- The Reluctant Hero: In Urban Fantasy, heroes often start as regular people who are reluctantly thrust into a world of magic. Their journey from skepticism to acceptance—and ultimately mastery—makes for a relatable and compelling narrative.
- Use of Magic: Urban Fantasy seamlessly blends magic with reality. Enchanted artifacts, mystical creatures, and spell-casting are woven into the fabric of everyday life, making the fantastic feel possible and even plausible.
Why I Like Urban Fantasy
As a reader, Urban Fantasy captivates me with its blend of the familiar and the fantastical. The idea that magic could lurk just around the corner in my own city is endlessly thrilling. As a writer, this genre offers a rich playground for creativity, allowing me to reimagine the world with a touch of enchantment.
Why YOU Should Explore Urban Fantasy
- Conflict Between Worlds: Urban Fantasy provides a limitless canvas for creativity. You can reimagine your hometown as a magical nexus or create entirely new urban landscapes infused with supernatural elements. Urban Fantasy often explores the tension between the mundane world and the magical realm. Characters navigate the challenges of living in both worlds, often facing conflicts that arise from their dual existence. This theme highlights the struggle to balance ordinary life with extraordinary responsibilities and powers.
- Identity and Self-Discovery: Characters in Urban Fantasy frequently embark on journeys of self-discovery. They uncover hidden abilities, learn about their supernatural heritage, or come to terms with their unique roles in the magical world. This theme emphasizes personal growth and the quest to understand one’s true identity amidst the chaos of a dual existence.
- Modern Mythology: Urban Fantasy allows you to play with myth and legend in a contemporary setting. You can breathe new life into ancient tales, making them relevant and exciting for today’s readers.
Urban Fantasy is a genre that invites you to see the world through a magical lens, where every alleyway could lead to an adventure, and every stranger might just be something otherworldly. Dive in, and let your imagination run wild!
Urban Fantasy That We Love
I generally read more in the traditional end of the fantasy landscape, but Jade City by Fonda Lee is a notable exception. The story feels very much like The Sopranos meets Naruto, with magic-wielding martial artists vying for power within their respective criminal houses. The power stems from a magical form of jade that is only found beneath their island nation of Kekon. With an intricate magic system and a beautifully rendered criminal underbelly, this story is a must-read in the subgenre!
This is where I admit that I thoroughly enjoy cheesy books. Enter the Sookie Stackhouse series. This is also where I admit that I only ever read the first book, Dead Until Dark, and I also never watched True Blood. Still, this tale of modern vampirism got such a rise out of me that I find myself thinking about it whenever the usual static in my brain clears. Years later, I am still asking myself, “What is a flat nipple?” So, thank you Charlaine Harris for writing a book that has haunted me like a spirit in the witching hour. For anyone who wants a fun read that isn’t too serious, I say read this book. Let loose. Have fun. Drink blood—but don’t actually.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is like a magical treasure hunt wrapped in a blanket of quirky characters and mysterious vibes! You’ve got psychic predictions, ley lines (which are way cooler than regular lines), and a secret society of unlikely friends on the hunt for a lost Welsh king. But it’s not just the magic—there’s friendship, brooding boys, a bit of romance, and that irresistible blend of spooky and heartwarming that makes you want to keep reading long after bedtime. Plus, who doesn’t love a dash of ghostly intrigue with their coffee?
Ever wondered who fought off the creatures of the dark? The answer can be found in Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. Shadowhunters are nephilim, humans born with the blood of angels, and they fight off the demons in the dark. Emma Carstairs is a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging them. Set in Los Angeles, this series has mystery, forbidden love, secrets, magic, and a seedy underbelly that will lead Emma in across the city in her quest for answers, only to find so much more than she bargained for.