This was really freaking hard for me! It needs to be a top 20, not a top 5 as there are so many fantastic urban fantasy series out there. So much so, that I couldn’t resist an honourable mentions section at the bottom of this post. Even choosing urban fantasy as my genre to highlight was a difficult decisions, I have really been into my alien sci-fi romance lately. However, urban fantasy has been close to my heart for a long time. It was my gateway genre to romance and I still get a thrill of excitement when my favourite author brings out a new book in their series or when I find a new urban fantasy that rocks my world.
So here are my top 5 urban fantasy series:
Cassie Palmer
by Karen Chance
There’s one way to describe the Cassie Palmer series. Action. Packed. Our heroine, Cassie, careens from disaster to catastrophe, then swings back round for another crisis. It’s exhausting just reading about it. Exhausting but thrilling. Cassie is the ultimate underdog and you can’t help but cheer for her, her deep well of inner strength and smarts has gotten her through situations even when she’s the weakest person in the room. Then there’s the love triangle. I am Team Pritkin at the moment but whenever Mircea walks on the page…I admit I waver. So, if you like your urban fantasy fast paced and exciting with a dash of romance this is the perfect series for you.
Downside Ghosts
by Stacia Kane
This series breaks my hearts. One, because it has stopped at book 5 and it’s been years since I’ve heard anything about book 6 coming out. Two, because Chess is just so complicated and tragic and a little dumb at times, but you can’t help but love her self destructive nature and all. Kane has written a beautiful and gritty urban fantasy which will make you rethink the kind of heroes and heroines you love to read about. So, even though I know it’s likely to remain an unfinished series I can’t help but recommend you read the 5 books that are out. It’s worth it.
Guild Hunter series
by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh has a few series that I love, but top of that list is her Guild Hunters series. I could be cheating a little here, as Singh has crossed genre boundaries a bit and it’s a mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. So for anyone who loves their urban fantasy to be heavy on the romance, this is definitely a series for you. Personally, what I love about this series is her unique take on vampires and angels, Singh has a fantastic imagination and she fully unleashes it in this series. She has created not just a complex and interesting world but a cast of characters you can’t help but fall in love with.
Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega
by Patricia Briggs
Certain authors have a way of writing that I love and that immediately speaks to me. Patricia Briggs is one of those authors, as is Ilona Andrews (SPOILER she’s number one on my list!), they create characters and worlds that my brain and my imagination love. There’s something about their no-nonsense writing and strong and insightful heroines that means their books always get placed on my favourites shelves. Briggs’ Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series, both of which are closely entwined, have had me laughing, crying and on the edge of my seat. I can’t recommend them to you enough. Not mention that Briggs’ has some of the best cover art around, they’ll look very pretty on your bookshelf.
Kate Daniels
by Ilona Andrews
The number on spot on my list will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Kate Daniels is my absolute favourite series in the whole world, regardless of genre. Kate is my all time favourite heroine. Curran is my all time favourite hero. The world is my all time favourite world. I think you see what I’m saying. What ever alchemy Team Andrews used to create the Kate Daniels series I find I am particularly susceptible to it. So, if you want to try one urban fantasy out of all my recommendations than this is the one to pick up! It’s funny, action packed, has great characters, a great world and great story lines. What more can you ask for?
Honorable Mentions
So I mentioned that it was hard to narrow down my favourite urban fantasy series to just 5 series, so I was going to cheat and do some honourable mentions. So here they are, these are all fantastic urban fantasy series that you are bound to fall in love with:
Finished series:
Sometimes it’s nice when you know that you won’t have a year long wait for the next book in the series, so you need to check out some of these finished series.
The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost is a classic, it’s an action packed romantic urban fantasy and the only series I know, where when you mention a particular chapter “Chapter 32” people know EXACTLY what you’re talking about!
J.R. Ward is well known for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, however, she also has an urban fantasy series set in the same world. The Fallen Angels series is a gritty urban fantasy told in Ward’s signature style. It’s a must read for all Ward fans.
This series is one of the most unique and underrated series in urban fantasy. The Disillusionists by Carolyn Crane turns people’s weaknesses into their strength and I highly recommend you give this compelling and quirky trilogy a try.
Still Active:
Although we have to wait for these series to release a new book, they are well worth the wait!
The Others by Anne Bishop is a series not to be missed. I love the twist she puts on her world, where humans are the bottom of the food chain and the Others aka paranormal creatures are the ones in control.
This is a series for those (like me!) who love urban fantasy series like Kate Daniels. It’s got a fantastic kick ass heroine and some great action. Make sure you check out the Kit Colbana series by J.C. Daniels.
There is only one book out in the Chronicles of the One by Nora Roberts but it was one of my favourite reads of 2017 and I have no doubt that the second book will be one of my favourite reads of 2018.
What are your favorite urban fantasy series?
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Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
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Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane, Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones, The Other series by Anne Bishop, and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs
I love the Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega, Charley Davidson and Jane Yellowrock series. I need to catch up on the Kit Colbana series by J.C. Daniels. I have the The Others by Anne Bishop on my TBR pile.
So many of my favorites are on these lists: kate daniels, the others, guild hunter, cassie palmer, kit colbana, mercy thompson, night huntress. Also, charley davidson and kara gillian.
Great picks! I’ve read four of your top five. Still need to read Downside Ghosts. I’ve I’ve got the first few books of The Others and Ward’s Angels series. I loved the new Nora Roberts, too.
My fave UF are Karen Chance’s Dory Bassarab, Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega, Kate Daniels, and the Night Huntress..
There are so many that I still need to try.
The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones…