Urban Fantasy discussion

I hate alpha males (i.e. most of heroes in UF books) who are so much stronger than the heroine, who like to dominate, constantly say "mine" and decide what she should and cannot do (and if she disagrees, they basically try to force her to comply "for her own safety"). I like heroes who respect heroine, her choices (even if they put her in danger). I like couples where both partners consider themselves equal and I don't find domination or possessiveness sexy at all.

The problem is that there aren't so many "beta" heroes in UF genre. I really liked Owen from Elemental Assassin series (that is until he met his ex, at which point I just gave up on the series) - he was considerate, supportive and didn't interfere with the heroine's choices. I also liked Clay in "Bitten" by Kelley Armstrong.

Could you recommend any books with a similar main couple dynamic? Thanks!

Have you read ?

You could try avoiding UF that leans toward PNR, thus avoiding romantic elements that stray into the alpha male territory. But if you want to stick to UF with relationships and women who don't allow themselves to be dominated, you could try
Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Unclean Spirits
Halfway to the Grave
Blood Engines
Blood Price
Anno Dracula
Vampyres of Hollywood
Bloodshot

Tanya, Tasula - thank you very much. From what you recommended, I only read (and liked) Kate Daniels series and two books in Night Hountress series. I will definately try out other books mentioned by you.

Tasula - the truth is that I like the romance, I just get infuriated when a strong, smart-ass heroine completely melts and allows to be ordered around by her love interest. This always seems out of character to me and I want to smack her.

I also don't like when a heroine is sneaking behind her partner's back instead of just telling him to shove it and doing her thing openly - this is tricky because she gets her own way in the end and such situation is often described in reviews as the heroine being independent, but if she was truly independent she would stand up to him openly and make it clear where the boundaries are.

The second and third books in Meljean Brook's Iron Seas series have beta heroes. It's not UF though, but steampunk romance.

K. wrote: "Tanya, Tasula - thank you very much. From what you recommended, I only read (and liked) Kate Daniels series and two books in Night Hountress series. I will definately try out other books mentioned ..."

I am the same, I get annoyed with the story when the "strong, smart-ass heroine completely melts and allows to be ordered around by her love interest." I find it hard to see the character as strong if she is allowing herself to be controlled that way. I also get annoyed when they fall instantly in love. I like the slow build romance, like in the Kate Daniels series.

Urban fantasy:

Cat Adam's Bloodsinger: Blood Song

Yasmine Galenorn's Other World series: Witchling

Cheyenne McCray's Night Tracker series: Demons Not Included

October Day by Seanan McGuire: Rosemary and Rue

Greywalker by Kat Richardson: Greywalker


Paranormal Romance:

Mistress of Redemption by Joey W Hill (other books in the series are more contemporary romance)

Carte Blanche Special Enforcers Series by Kallysten (I have only read this book in the series)

This is a YA series, but the male "Hero" is a beta.

Sabina is the alpha, the men are usually betas.

Dorina is as dominant as it comes, specially compared to the men.

I usually like female characters in Thea Harrison's books. She might choose pair them with strong willed alpha males in some but I think she have a good sense about the "give and take balance" that a couple should have. She creates down to earth, reasonable characters with supernatural sides which I believe is very hard to archieve in UF/PNR stories.

this series has a very slow burn romance and the hero isn't in the least bit of an malphahole.

five books in there is no real romantic partner to the lead female yet. She does have a very strong platonic relationship with her male business partner which is great. I have some issues with the series but it does make a change that it doesn't fall into the usual malphahole trap that many UF series do. So far.