Book Recs: Urban Fantasy (I)

High fantasy’s all well and good, but sometimes you just want to read something that happens in a world you recognise. So that’s what’s happening in this rec list! Ten great urban fantasy novels (featuring LGBT characters, of course).

And just to make it that much better, I’ve tried to make this rec list as not-white as possible (though you’ll be able to tell where I failed in that), for whoever asked for this specifically (because I don’t remember, so I hope you see this!!).

So, let’s go!

See also: Urban LGBT Fantasy, part II.

A Blade So Black

L. L. McKinney
Goodreads
Rep: Black bi mc

Why Should I Read It?

Retellings are hard, especially when the source material is so well-known, but this one is an action-packed and exciting one. And the main character is bi, just to make it that bit better.

The Gilded Wolves

Roshani Chokshi
Goodreads
Rep: Filipino-Spanish bi mc, Haitian-French mlm mc

Why Should I Read It?

The question isn’t so much “why should I read it” as “why haven’t I already read it”. The Gilded Wolves is one of my favourite books ever (and also the sequel is epic so you’re going to want to read this before that comes out) so if you read any book on this list, read this one.

A Hero at the End of the World

Erin Claiborne
Goodreads
Rep: gay British Chinese mc

Why Should I Read It?

Imagine a coffee shop AU for the Chosen One trope. Yeah. You know you want it.

Jade City

Fonda Lee
Goodreads
Rep: gay East Asian mc

Why Should I Read It?

Okay, this one’s a definite cheat because, although it’s urban-fantasy-esque, it’s actually set in a made-up world. But! My rec list, my rules. And I love it way too much not to rec it here.

Avi Cantor Has Six Months to Live

Sacha Lamb
Goodreads
Rep: Jewish trans mlm mc

Why Should I Read It?

Sometimes you just need to sit down with a very lovely novella and spend an hour getting immersed in it. And don’t I have just the novella for you. (This one. It’s this one.)

The True Queen

Zen Cho
Goodreads
Rep: Malay wlw mc

Why Should I Read It?

Historical fantasy definitely counts as urban fantasy right? Anyway, I don’t know anyone who writes as good historical fantasy as Zen Cho, and that this one is also f/f? *Chef’s kiss*

Ghost Girl in the Corner

Daniel José Older
Goodreads
Rep: Afro-Latina lesbian mc

Why Should I Read It?

Yes, it’s a novella in a series, but it’s one that you don’t need to have read the other books to understand (though you definitely should anyway not least because the characters in this feature). And the fantasy aspect of this world is so good.

Shattered

Lee Winter
Goodreads
Rep: Black lesbian mc

Why Should I Read It?

Gotta fess up to not having read this one yet, but lesbian superhero? What’s not to love?

Labyrinth Lost

Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads
Rep: Latina bi mc

Why Should I Read It?

Another one I haven’t personally read, but it’s also one that people I trust rate highly. So. Go read it.

Cemetery Boys

Aiden Thomas
Goodreads
Rep: Latinx trans mlm mc

Why Should I Read It?

I can’t really answer this because it’s not yet published, but hey! Something to look forward to (because doesn’t it sound amazing??).

What would you rec?