Friday Favorites: Urban Fantasy

 

Urban Fantasy is a genre that became more popular starting in the 1980s. In Urban Fantasy, the magical shares our world, but is often hidden in some way. It differs from Magical Realism in that in Magical Realism, the magic is accepted as a normal part of the world. Not everyone has magic, but those that do or those around them more or less accept it as part of the status quo. When you think of Urban Fantasy, think about perhaps some of the magical people/creatures living underground in old subway tunnels. Or perhaps inhabiting an arts studio where their eccentricities might be discounted rather than really noticed.

My introduction to Urban Fantasy came with the book Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint. It is a collection of short stories that take place in the fictional city of Newford. Since the birth of Newford, the author has gone on to write many more stories that take place there as well as in other locations. Newford is a favorite of fans as are some of the characters that inhabit there such as Jilly Coppercorn and The Crow Girls.

Terri Windling is also of note as she has been editor, writer, artist and more in the genre and beyond starting when it became more popular.

Some other favorites of mine include, but are not limited to:

C.E. Murphy - The Walker Papers

Faith Hunter - The Jane Yellowrock series and the Soulwood series

Seanan McGuire - The InCryptid series and October Daye series

SM Reine - Preternatural Affairs and more

Kim Harrison - The Hollows series

Patricia Briggs - The Mercy Thompson Series

Jennifer Estep - The Elemental Assassin Series

Jim Butcher - The Dresden Files 

Kevin Hearne - The Iron Druid Chronicles

If you enjoy contemporary fantasy, you will most likely enjoy urban fantasy. I remember being surprised at how many people chose to use a blend of Celtic and Native American beings. For example, in book one of the Walker Papers, Urban Shaman, Joanne Walker discovers that she is a shaman and must save people from the Wild Hunt. Some other authors design a magic system virtually from scratch - the Elemental Assassin series for example.

Question: Is it possible to have urban fantasy in a historical city setting such as Boston? An example here would possibly be The Whimbrel House series by Charlie N. Holmberg.

Please understand this is not a definitive list, but rather some Urban Fantasy authors I have enjoyed over the years. If you have a favorite you don't see here or have something you'd like to add, please feel free to do so in the comments. Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #478: Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Seanan McGuire's New York Times-bestselling and Hugo Award-nominated urban fantasy InCryptid series continues with the thirteenth book following the Price family, cryptozoologists who study and protect the creatures living in secret all around us

Mary Dunlavy didn't intend to become a professional babysitter.  Of course, she didn't intend to die, either, or to become a crossroads ghost. As a babysitting ghost, she's been caring for the Price family for four generations, and she's planning to keep doing the job for the better part of forever.

With her first charge finally back from her decades-long cross-dimensional field trip, with a long-lost husband and adopted daughter in tow, it's time for Mary to oversee the world's most chaotic family reunion. And that's before the Covenant of St. George launches a full scale strike against the cryptids of Manhattan, followed quickly by an attack on the Campbell Family Carnival.   

It's going to take every advantage and every ally they have for the Prices to survive what's coming—and for Mary, to avoid finding out the answer to a question she's never wanted to know: where does a babysitting ghost go when she runs out of people to take care of?

Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire is expected to be released March 5th, 2024 from DAW Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the InCryptid series. I have to admit I'm a little behind in my reading of the series though. Mary Dunlavy is one of my my favorite characters. I love her caring nature. And I enjoy Seanan McGuire's writing.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #382: Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

After climbing Over the Woodward Wall and making their way across the forest, Avery and Zib found themselves acquiring some extraordinary friends in their journey through the Up-and-Under.

After staying the night, uninvited, at a pirate queen’s cottage in the woods, the companions find themselves accountable to its owner, and reluctantly agree to work off their debt as her ship sets sail, bound for lands unknown. But the queen and her crew are not the only ones on board, and the monsters at sea aren’t all underwater.

The friends will need to navigate the stormy seas of obligation and honor on their continuing journey along the improbable road

Writing as A. Deborah Baker, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Seanan McGuire takes our heroes Avery and Zib (and their friends Niamh and the Crow Girl) on a high seas adventure, with pirates and queens and all the dangers of the deep as they continue their journey through the Up-and-Under on their quest for the road that will lead them home....

Welcome to a world of talking trees and sarcastic owls, of dangerous mermaids and captivating queens in this exceptional tale for readers who are young at heart in this companion book to McGuire's critically-acclaimed Middlegame and the sequel to Over the Woodward Wall.

Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker is expected to be published October 12th, 2021 by Tordotcom.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like an interesting adventure. I've only read an except so far of Over the Woodward Wall, but I liked it. I liked it enough to add this series to my TBR  list. Plus how can you pass up pirates, sarcastic owls, queens, and monsters?

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #381: Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

In Where the Drowned Girls Go, the next addition to Seanan McGuire's beloved Wayward Children series, students at an anti-magical school rebel against the oppressive faculty

"Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you’ve already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company."

There is another school for children who fall through doors and fall back out again.
It isn't as friendly as Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children.
And it isn't as safe.

When Eleanor West decided to open her school, her sanctuary, her "Home for Wayward Children," she knew from the beginning that there would be children she couldn’t save; when Cora decides she needs a different direction, a different fate, a different prophecy, Miss West reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the other school, where things are run very differently by Whitethorn, the Headmaster.

She will soon discover that not all doors are welcoming...

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire is expected to be published January 4th, 2022 by Tordotcom.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them. This is book seven. I need to catch up. If it's anything like her other books, it will be well written and worth reading. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

"I have no idea what kind of timeline I'm working with here, but I know what's riding on my success: Bethany's existence, Gary's freedom, the safety of the living people that I love, and yeah, my vengeance. I do this and maybe Bobby Cross goes away forever. I do this and maybe I can get a little peace."  (23% through on my Kindle)

Rose Marshall was 16 years old the night Bobby Cross ran her off the road. Rose became the Phantom Prom Date, the Angel of the Overpass. Bobby chased after her wanting to use Rose as fuel for his gas tank the way he had so many other ghosts. His car, his eternal youth and handsomeness were gifts from the Crossroads. Now Bobby has been threatening all Rose holds dear. The Crossroads are gone. Bobby is no longer protected. Rose may have a good chance of getting her revenge. But to do so, she will need to contact some heavy hitters and call in some favors.

Seanan McGuire manages to ratchet up the tension in the story and keep it up for long periods of time. Rose has more than one adventure and relives some memories as well. Always the tension is there. There were times I had to put the book aside for a little while to give me a break from it. As the book goes on, the stakes get higher and higher. 

And just when you think things will go on the same as always, things change for Rose. It becomes clear along the way that she is brave and valued by more than one entity. And if she succeeds, there will be far reaching repercussions.

The book is well plotted and well written. I gave it 5 out the 5 stars. If you enjoy your fantasy heavy on the ghostly side, this series would make a great read for you. I would not recommend this as a standalone. There are events and characters from previous books that come into play and previous knowledge makes it richer. It's definitely worth a read.

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire is the third book in the Ghost Roads series. It was published May 11th, 2021 by DAW.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Teaser Tuesday: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 "I wanted to be young and sweet and handsome forever. Was that so wrong?"

 Bobby Cross talking to Rose Marshall 86% on my Kindle

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire was published May 11th, 2021 by DAW.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I have no idea what kind of timeline I'm working with here, but I know what's riding on my success: Bethany's existence, Gary's freedom, the safety of the living people I love, and yeah, my vengeance. I do this and maybe Bobby Cross goes away forever. I do this and maybe I can get a little peace. (23% through on my Kindle)

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire was published May 11th, 2021 by DAW.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My name is Rose Marshall. I'm both the first girl who dies in the horror movie and the one who refuses to stay buried once she's dead. I've been sixteen for more than sixty years, and I think I have some pretty good reasons to be pissed. (3% through on my Kindle)

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire was published May 11th, 2021 by DAW. It's book three in the Ghost Roads series.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #363: Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

The third book of the Ghost Roads series returns to the highways of America, where hitchhiking ghost Rose Marshall continues her battle with her killer—the immortal Bobby Cross.

Lady of shadows, keeper of changes, plant the seeds of faith within me, that I might grow and flourish, that I might find my way through danger and uncertainty to the safety of your garden. Let my roots grow strong and my skin grow thick, that I might stand fast against all who would destroy me. Grant to me your favor, grant to me your grace, and when my time is done, grant to me the wisdom to lay my burdens down and rest beside you, one more flower in a sea of blooms, where nothing shall ever trouble me again.

Rose Marshall died when she was sixteen years old and on her way to her high school prom. She hasn’t been resting easy since then—Bobby Cross, the man who killed her, got away clean after running her off the road, and she’s not the kind of girl who can let something like that slide. She’s been looking for a way to stop him since before they put her body in the ground.

But things have changed in the twilight world where the spirits of the restless dead continue their “lives.” The crossroads have been destroyed, and Bobby’s protections are gone. For the first time, it might be possible for Rose to defeat him.

Not alone, though. She’ll need every friend she’s managed to make and every favor she’s managed to add to her account if she wants to stand a chance…and this may be her last chance to be avenged, since what is Bobby Cross without the crossroads?

Everything Rose knows is about to change.

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire is expected to be published May 11th, 2021 by DAW.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've been reading this series. I really want know what happens to Rose. I like her as a main character. I'm rooting for her to finally defeat Bobby Cross who has brought such danger to her afterlife.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

SOME ADVENTURES BEGIN EASILY. It is not hard, after all, to be sucked up by a tornado or pushed through a particularly porous mirror; there is no skill involved in being swept away by a great wave or pulled down a rabbit hole. Some adventures require nothing more than a willing heart and the ability to trip over the cracks in the world. (24% through on my Kindle)

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire is the second book in the Wayward Children series. It was published June 13th, 2017 by Tor.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 "Going back" had two distinct meanings at the school, depending on how it was said. It was the best thing in the world. It was also the worst thing that could happen to anybody. It was returning to a place that understood you so well that it reached across realities to find you, claiming you as its own and only; it was being sent to a family that wanted to love you, wanted to keep you safe and sound, but didn't know you well enough to do anything but hurt you. 

(53% on my Kindle)

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire is the first book in the Wayward Children series. It was published April 5th, 2016 by Tor. 

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire

Antimony Price, aka Annie, and her friends travel north to Maine trying to find a place to get off the road for a while. They've been trying to evade both some baddies from Lowryland and the Covenant of Saint George. They end up in danger anyway. Perhaps it has to do with the bending of luck that her friend the jink has done.

The Crossroads decides to call in the favor that Annie owes them as a result of the events in Tricks for Free (InCryptid #7). They want her to kill someone for them, someone who is a danger to the Crossroads who lives in New Gravesend, Maine - James Smith. And if that wasn't bad enough, someone from the Covenant of Saint George shows up. It might take nigh unto a miracle to keep Annie and her friends alive as they deal with the Crossroads and the Covenant.

This is the third book featuring Antimony Price. Annie has been a fun character to follow. She is smart and capable of taking care of herself generally. And she has a good sense of humor.

It becomes a question of can Annie outsmart the Crossroads? Can she outsmart the Covenant of Saint George? Will she finally be able to go home again? Or will she end up a cautionary tale whispered in the same breath as the Crossroads?

Annie's friends are a unique mix: a Jink, a sylph, a furi, and a ghost. And actually, she happens to be dating the furi. I liked all of her friends. I have to admit I wasn't totally on board with considering James Smith a possible friend. He seems kinda sneaky, but he may have reasons for that.

The plot is a little slow when they first arrive in Maine which mirrors the group's desire for some downtime in a safe place. Then as events progress, the novel moves along faster and faster until the denouement. It was complex enough to hold my interest at all points too.

I really liked that Annie and company were taking on the Crossroads in this book. The Crossroads is a creepy entity that manipulates people to get what it wants. People think they are getting the best of the bargain, but they seldom are, even when a ghost like Mary helps them to negotiate their deal.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars out of 5. It's a well-written urban fantasy novel in a possible alternate world where cryptids are more likely to be real than not. And the cryptids usually stay out of sight of the general population unless they are one of the groups that can blend in among people. This book doesn't do well as a standalone. It refers to events in the previous books. So, it's best to have read at least #7, Tricks for Free. I do recommend reading this series if you enjoy urban fantasy. It's been well-written. It shows good use of imagination. And it's got fun parts and snark.

That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire was published March 5th, 2019 by DAW.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Cylia leaned against the wall, dressed in a fluffy yellow bathrobe that made her resemble nothing so much as a malevolent daffodil come to pass judgment on the weak. She still looked friendlier and more understanding than Sam, who was in human form, wearing only his jeans, and glaring at James like he was trying to decide how to dispose of the body. (16% through on my Kindle)

That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire is expected to be published today, March 5th, 2019 by DAW Books. It's the 8th Incryptid novel.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #268: That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Crossroads, noun:

1. A place where two roads cross.
2. A place where bargains can be made.
3. See also “places to avoid.”

Antimony Price has never done well without a support system. As the youngest of her generation, she has always been able to depend on her parents, siblings, and cousins to help her out when she’s in a pinch—until now. After fleeing from the Covenant of St. George, she’s found herself in debt to the crossroads and running for her life. No family. No mice. No way out.

Lucky for her, she’s always been resourceful, and she’s been gathering allies as she travels: Sam, fūri trapeze artist turned boyfriend; Cylia, jink roller derby captain and designated driver; Fern, sylph friend, confidant, and maker of breakfasts; even Mary, ghost babysitter to the Price family. Annie’s actually starting to feel like they might be able to figure things out—which is probably why things start going wrong again.

New Gravesend, Maine is a nice place to raise a family…or make a binding contract with the crossroads. For James Smith, whose best friend disappeared when she tried to do precisely that, it’s also an excellent place to plot revenge. Now the crossroads want him dead and they want Annie to do the dirty deed. She owes them, after all.

And that’s before Leonard Cunningham, aka, “the next leader of the Covenant,” shows up…

It’s going to take everything Annie has and a little bit more to get out of this one. If she succeeds, she gets to go home. If she fails, she becomes one more cautionary tale about the dangers of bargaining with the crossroads.

But no pressure.

That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire is due to be released March 5th, 2019 from DAW Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? I have enjoyed the other books in the series that I've read. And this book sounds good to me. I especially like the crossroads angle. I want to know what happens to Annie.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #264: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

This is the story of a very serious young girl who would rather study and dream than become a respectable housewife and live up to the expectations of the world around her. As well she should.

When she finds a doorway to a world founded on logic and reason, riddles and lies, she thinks she's found her paradise. Alas, everything costs at the goblin market, and when her time there is drawing to a close, she makes the kind of bargain that never plays out well.

For anyone . . . 

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire is due out January 8th, 2019 from Tor.

Why am I waiting on this one? I've been wanting to start this series. I've seen this one listed as being a prequel and a standalone. I'm wondering if I can start with this one or if I need to start with the first book in the series and work my way to this one. Either way, I would like to read it. I wonder what kind of a bargain she makes at the goblin market and how it will work out. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!