So, i'm reading de Lint's Dreams Underfoot and rather enjoying it.

But.

I've noticed that lots and lots of urban fantasy uses faerie as its MO--from Raymond E. Feist's Faerie Tale to John Crowley's Little, Big, it seems like urban fantasy just kind of defaults to faerie and Celtic mythology.

While most of these books are well-written and enjoyable, i'm finding myself wanting something more. Does anyone know of any urban fantasy that departs from the use of faerie? Something more or less original, or at least a new use for another mythos?

I suppose many of Neil's works could be considered urban fantasy, and aside from some bits of The Sandman, they use wide and varying mythologies. But i've read AG and Neverwhere and the Sandman already, so if anyone has any recommendations outside of these, i'd love to see them!

I know of urban fantasy books that have magic(k) and werewolves and vampires, if that's what you're looking for.

That'd be great! Basically, i'm looking for anything other than Faerie-based fantasy. I haven't read too much in the way of werewolf or vampire fiction, so i'm sure it'd be a welcome change.

Have you done any Alice Hoffman? Depending on which book, she kinda delves into that.

Alice Hoffman is good. I just got into Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and am enjoying it. (about a quirky, cynical vampire hunter). Annette Kurtis Klause's 'The Silver Kiss' and 'Blood and Chocolate' are delicious. Poppy Z. Brite's 'Lost Souls' and 'Drawing Blood' (some people love her, some people hate her, you could try 'Wormwood' a collection of her short stories first to see if you like her style). Gloria Naylor's 'Mama Day'. Sean Stewart's 'Mockingbird'. (I found both laugh-out-loud kinda fun).

Sure, here's a few:

Sean Stewart's Perfect Circle might fall under this, if you're willing to accept a relatively small Texas town as an urban fantasy. There are no faerie, more like the dude sees dead people and they talk with him.

China Miéville's novella, The Tain is of a post-apocalyptic London that is invaded by mirror creatures called imagos. The story is available in the collection Cities, with three other novellas that are basically urban fantasies, none of which have faerie.

Jonathan Carroll's stories are a classification to their own sometimes, but they're vaguely urban in nature and I don't recall too many faerie in there as well.

And if you've read and enjoy Gabriel García Márquez's works, especially OHYS, be sure to read Gina Nahai's Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith. Urban Persian fantasy of the magical realism type.

Jonathan Lethem's works might also be worth your time, same for Jeffrey Ford. K.J. Bishop's The Etched City is another viable option, albeit it's not as much of an urban setting-based fantasy as the others I've mentioned above.

So, any of these books sound promising to you?

Though they're not quite what i had in mind, they all look promising. I've heard some pretty rave reviews especially about The Etched City.

By "urban fantasy" i was thinking of contemporary times in our world--i think you hit it with Jonathan Carroll (who i haven't yet read, but will soon).

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Keep 'em coming!

John M. Ford's The Last Hot Time has elves in it, but has a lot more than just elves and Celtic stuff. That plus the roaring 20s feel of the book makes it a worthy read.

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Originally posted by Circus:
Though they're not quite what i had in mind, they all look promising. I've heard some pretty rave reviews especially about _The Etched City_

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I'm fairly certain I reccomended KJ Bishop to you when I was in Albany.

You like China Mieville.

You will LOVE KJ Bishop.

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Originally posted by Circus:

By "urban fantasy" i was thinking of contemporary times in our world--i think you hit it with Jonathan Carroll (who i haven't yet read, but will soon).

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I was just about to recommend him. A good place to start is his short story collection, The Panic Hand.

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Originally posted by Ophelia's Vengeance:
Poppy Z. Brite's 'Lost Souls' and 'Drawing Blood'

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SO FREAKING GOOD. I love those two.


also, *pulls out hot topic* Elizabeth Hand's Waking the Moon. It's otherworldly. Contemporary setting with that edge of something else going on behind the scenes. It's more in a goddessysense.

Brian Lumley's Necroscope is set in WW2 and is basically set around governmental paranormal organisations with people having special abilities. Possibly more horror than fantasy though.

oooh...

oooh.

Please miss!

miss, Johnathon Carrol's teeth of Angels is good, and China Mieville's KING RAT sounds absolutely perfect for you.

A modern fantasy set in south london in the early 90s featuring underground raves, drum'n'bass and rats?

Cmon, miss!

Okay, that's three votes for Carroll--very cool. I have The Wooden Sea, but perhaps i'll start with one of his other books (one of the ones recommended here).

You know, i'd forgotten all about King Rat. And it does sound like exactly what i'm looking for.

(And, aside from that, everytime you post i want to ruffle your hair and give you a squeeze, Mischief. I can't help but think of you as a small, stuffed polar bear now. If i ever meet you in person, please make sure my hands are tied first!)

There was something VERY bizarre i read a few years ago... can't really recall the title, Turtle may have been in it. Or it was about this otherworldly-deitytype-kinda-Frank-the-Rabbit-turtle.... that was certainly a urban fantasy. Ring bells with anyone?



(and also votes for Jonathon Carrol)

Clive Barker hasn't been mentioned here, but I would consider Imajjica to be an urban fantasy (and yes, I know that Amy-aitapata didn't dig it), and also Abarat.

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Originally posted by Circus:
(And, aside from that, everytime you post i want to ruffle your hair and give you a squeeze, Mischief. I can't help but think of you as a small, stuffed polar bear now. If i ever meet you in person, please make sure my hands are tied first!)

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A small cute bear to you... To everyone else a huge ravenous, vicious beast... heh. ain't the internet marvellous?

Also, TIM POWERS TIM POWERS TIM POWERS TIM POWERS.

Start with Last Call, which Neil not so subtly ripped for large chunks of American Gods IMHO.

johnathon lethem and Raising Brooklyn...

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Originally posted by Mischief:
johnathon lethem and Raising Brooklyn...

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While I'd second Lethem in general I'd say that Motherless Brooklyn is probably the worst choice for an urban fantasy - though it is his best book.