Urban Fantasy discussion

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BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS > Wizards, magic and wizardry

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message 1: by Guillermo (new)

Guillermo | 5 comments I have been looking for a book where the magic and wizardry is used at all time. It means a books where wizards rule and magic is the most important thing. I read, harry potter, ursula le guin, george martin, tolkien and the name of the wind but even though those books were awesome, they lack of the magic that I am looking for. So any recommendation I will appreciate. Thanks


Nichole ~Bookaholic~ (nicholebookaholic) have you tried the Raine Benares Series by Lisa Shearin Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares #1) by Lisa Shearin


message 3: by Practical Mike (new)

Practical Mike | 35 comments If you're willing to branch out into Urban Fantasy, you seem to be looking for something like Jim Butcher's Dreden Files. Series starts with Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) by Jim Butcher , and there's like 12 or 13 books out.

Butcher also has another series called The Codex Alera that is a little more traditional fantasy, but still kinda different. That starts with Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1) by Jim Butcher , and finished up with the fifth or sixth book awhile back.

Mistborn The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson had a unique magic system.
Promise of Blood (The Powder Mage, #1) by Brian McClellan was another book with a neat magic system.
Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1) by Kevin Hearne made me laugh out loud at some parts... some magic of the druidic variety.

Having said that... I don't think I've read, or come across a book where, "magic is the most important thing." And I'm not sure I'd be interested in reading that. For me the most important thing in a story is the characters and then the plot. When side dressings like magic, rules/laws, physical possessions, etc. become more important than character and plot, then the book is more than likely going to end up in my did-not-finish pile.


message 4: by Nick (new)

Nick | 100 comments You could try Jonathan Stroud's "Bartimaeus Trilogy". Set in an alternate Britain where a ruling class of wizards oppress the non-magical public. The first book is called "The Amulet Of Samarkand".


message 5: by Guillermo (new)

Guillermo | 5 comments Nichole that book sounds good, i liked the review. Thanks.


message 6: by Guillermo (new)

Guillermo | 5 comments Mike, mistborn is in my shelf, I think your description of that book and the plots, it's simething that I appreciate in a book. I will try with that. Thanks


message 7: by Guillermo (new)

Guillermo | 5 comments Nick I loved that trilogy


Snarktastic Sonja (snownsew) | 18 comments I second Nichole's recommendation of Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares #1) by Lisa Shearin . While it typically gets lumped into urban fantasy, I thought of it more as a fantasy novel. No werewolves or vampires to be found and it takes place in another world. I think the snark in it lands it in the UF pile.


message 9: by Feral (new)

Feral | 42 comments Snarktastic Sonja wrote: "I second Nichole's recommendation of Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares #1) by Lisa Shearin. While it typically gets lumped into urban fantasy, I thought of it more as a fantasy novel. No werewolves or vampi..."

I consider that fantasy and I never understood why people thought it was urban (or modern, since many "UF" books have rural settings now). I think it's just because there is a kick-asp female protagonist and many publishers think of UF as fantasy for female readers. Labels--bah. Marketing--double Bah. It's a good book.


message 10: by Nick (new)

Nick | 100 comments Guillermo wrote: "Nick I loved that trilogy"

Yeah, the first three books are great. Didn't think that the fourth book was quite as good.


message 11: by Brandy (new)

Brandy I am not sure if this will satisfy your craving but you can try Kim Harrison Hollows/Rachel Morgan starting with Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1) by Kim Harrison Dead Witch Walking.


message 12: by Brandy (new)

Brandy I am not sure if this will satisfy your craving but you can try Kim Harrison Hollows/Rachel Morgan starting with Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1) by Kim Harrison Dead Witch Walking. or Deborah Harkness A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1) by Deborah Harkness A Discovery of Witches
I have also heard great things about Jim Butcher's Dresden Files but I haven't had a chance to read them yet


message 13: by Leiah (new)

Leiah Cooper (leiahingolden) | 332 comments Dresden files is really good Brandy. My favorite though is The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green. I am listening to the first of another of his series right now, The Secret Histories - The Man With the Golden Torc. I am really enjoying it, and there is magic everywhere, as well as witches and warlocks, elves and fairies. And Stuart Blinder does a kick ass narration.


message 14: by Nick (new)

Nick | 100 comments So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Dresden files is really good Brandy. My favorite though is The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green. I am listening to the first of another of his series right now, The Secret Histories - [book:The M..."

The Secret Histories series is good fun. That reminds me actually - I'm a couple of books behind on that one. Haven't read "Live And Let Drood" or "Casino Infernale" yet... *adds to ever-increasing TBR mountain*


message 15: by Tasula (new)

Tasula | 150 comments Jacka, Benedict Fated
McCullough, Kelly Web Mage
Morgenstern, Erin The Night Circus
Pratt T A (Tim) Blood Engines
Shannon, Samantha The Bone Season
Shirley John Bleak History
Barker, Emily Croy The ThinkingWoman's Guide to Real Magic
Bishop K J The Etched City
Brust Steven The Lord of Castle Black
Connolly, Harry Child of Fire
de Bodard, Aliette Servant of the Underworld
Devereux, David Hunter's Moon
Downum, Amanda The Drowning City
Flyte, Magnus City of Dark Magic
Golden Christopher w Tim Lebbon The Map of Moments
Goldstein, Lisa Walking the Labyrinth
Hobson, M K The Native Star
McMullen, Sean Voyage of the Shadowmoon
Shinn, Sharon The Shape Changer's Wife
Wecker, Helene The Golem and the Jinni
Aaronovitch, Ben Midnight Riot

And of course there's always Terry Pratchett and Jim Butcher.

Hope you find something you like.


message 16: by Tasula (new)

Tasula | 150 comments forgot one The Rook


message 17: by Guillermo (new)

Guillermo | 5 comments Thanks guys. Two days ago I had nothing and know I have too much hehe thanks.


message 18: by Leiah (new)

Leiah Cooper (leiahingolden) | 332 comments Nick wrote: "So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Dresden files is really good Brandy. My favorite though is The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green. I am listening to the first of another of his series right now,..."

I am nearly finished with The Man With the Golden Torc (Secret Histories, #1) by Simon R. Green and would recommend it. I had just started it when I posted before, but it is turning out to be quite good. Any of the Nightside Series is always good, of course. And now I have to shake my finger at Tasula and moan, because now I have a whole stack of stuff I had never head of that I am going to have to check out! Groan..... LOL!


message 19: by Dyna (new)

Dyna Wilson (dynamiteliketnt) | 2 comments The rook is very good!


message 20: by Mary (new)

Mary Catelli | 93 comments L. Jagi Lamplighter's Prospero's Daughter: Prospero Lost, Prospero in Hell, and Prospero Regained.

She has the rule that if the character could use magic to do something, they should.


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