The Felix Castor series is more nuanced than other novels in the genre, for sure. Where some urban fantasy heroes bulldoze their way through problems, Felix often relies more on grit, intellect, and emotional endurance than brute force. The supernatural elements—ghosts, demons, and worse—are woven into the fabric of modern London in a way that feels eerily plausible, giving the stories a weight and realism that’s rare in the genre. Mike Carey doesn’t shy away from ethical ambiguity, and through Felix’s battles—both external and internal—you’re left constantly questioning what it really means to do the right thing when the world keeps shifting around you.
My 4 Recommendations of Urban Fantasy Book Series
Urban Fantasy Book Reviews by Author Aaron D. Schneider
Urban Fantasy is a genre that shows us the supernatural right beneath the surface of our everyday, otherwise mundane urban lives. It’s a great field for brilliant stories set in the “normal” places of skyscrapers, subways and shopping malls. If you’re looking for adventure in ordinary places, battles against the darkness simmering just beneath the surface of our city-dwelling lives, these urban fantasy series are the place to start. Give them a read and enjoy!
These Are The Urban Fantasy Book Series I’ve Reviewed On This Post:
The Dresden Files
Author: Jim Butcher
The Felix Castor Series
Author: Mike Carey
The Iron Druid Series
Author: Kevin Hearne
Born of Metal Series
Author: A.L. Knorr & A.D. Schneider
1. The Dresden Files
Author: Jim Butcher
This one is probably not going to be a surprise for anybody in the space, to the point that some might say this shouldn’t even count as a recommendation, but as the first series that really got me into Urban Fantasy when I was in college this series has a special place in my gnarly little heart.
So why check it out? Well if you can’t guess from the picture of a square jawed fella with a rune covered staff and a .44 Magnum, this is not some deeply cerebral, esoteric series. Harry Dresden, Chicago’s Resident Wizard, is everything taken to 11, from his height to his fireballs, and while he’s no dummy there’s a reason why you could describe his charm as a burning bull in a china shop. Harry charges and crashes through case after case, colliding with a slew of supernatural denizens and while his heart is almost always in the right place he’s the kind of person that makes “You break it, you bought it” signs necessary.
With such a character it might be easy for them to just steamroll everything and for the novelty to wear slick, but Butcher’s snark and sadistic need to take Harry to the breaking point in every way possible combines with a wild and fecund supernatural world seething just beneath the surface of our modern world. With such a darkly fantastic and feral world, even someone as hardcore and over-the-top as Harry has to watch where he steps.
Getting to explore that world with a good-hearted, wise-cracking blunt instrument of a Wizard will keep you coming back time and time again to the urban fantasy genre.
The Dresden Files isn’t just a typical urban fantasy series—it’s a full-throttle, long-haul ride through a gritty, deeply layered world where the stakes keep rising and the consequences cut deep. What starts off feeling like a pulpy wizard-detective story quickly grows into an epic narrative that spans gods, monsters, politics, and personal sacrifice. Each book builds on the last, revealing more about the supernatural world hiding in plain sight and Harry’s ever-evolving role in it. Whether it’s courtroom duels with vampires or uneasy alliances with fae royalty, there’s always something bigger brewing just around the corner—and Harry’s always in the middle of it.
2. The Felix Castor Series
Author: Mike Carey
Now recognizing that Harry might not be everyone’s style but the idea of our modern world and a darkly supernatural world colliding still holds some interest I’d probably recommend the Felix Castor series. This is a compelling entry into the world of urban fantasy novels.
Perhaps a bit more grounded and not quite as fantastical (but not by much) as Butcher’s world, the big difference, and the biggest draw, is the titular Felix Castor.
Just as Harry Dresden is so absolutely American, Felix is quintessentially British and so you are not going to get a lot of gun toting and hamming it up, from this free-lance exorcist, but you will get a tough-as-nails British detective who walks between the world of the living and the dead, who meets everything with the sort dry humor and indefatigable conviction that just feels so very British. In a bleak and gritty world of various shades of black and grey Felix seeks to do what is right even when his own cynical wit might tell him to quit kidding himself.
So if you want in on some darkly beautiful, bleakly humorous explorations of a shadowy supernatural world as it intertwines modern day London, then give Carey’s Urban Fantasy book series a look.
3. The Iron Druid Series
Author: Kevin Hearne
An interesting combination of the past two offerings in that it brings both Old and New World together, the Iron Druid Chronicles follow central character of Atticus O’Sullivan, or as he was once called Siodhachan Ó Suileabháin (dare you to say that a straight seven times fast!), who is the last Druid who came across the pond to settle down in the town of Tempe, Arizona where he set up the The Third Eye Books and Herbs.
As one can imagine by the fact that we are talking about it, Atticus isn’t allowed to enjoy the quiet life with Oberon, his irish wolfhound, as problems soon emerge with a celtic god looking to get his sword back, but it doesn’t stop there. Atticus and his assortment of allies will face threats supernatural and mundane from across the world, mythologies mixing and twisting around one another.
Like the previous recommendations what sets the series apart is the nature of its protagonist. Mr. O’Sullivan is an interesting contradiction in terms, an ancient druid who has been around for centuries who also is capable of making pop culture references and sliding seamlessly (more or less) into the modern world. This keeps him from being a morose or isolated character, but the series does let you feel the wear of ages on Atticus despite his youthful appearance especially through the loneliness of having outlived many of those he called friends and family. This gives balance to his character so he doesn’t feel too much like another hunky Marty Sue.
The Iron Druid Chronicles will give you a fast-paced, witty mix of ancient lore and modern mayhem. The books are as entertaining as they are original. Kevin Hearne creates a world where mythology isn’t just background flavor—it’s a living, breathing force with gods, creatures, and magical politics constantly crashing into the present day. Atticus’s long life gives real depth to the narrative and adds weight to his decisions and relationships. The humor—especially his banter with Oberon—is a welcome counterbalance to the high stakes and constant danger. If you enjoy urban fantasy and mythology reimagined with character depth, humor, and a touch of irreverence, this is one urban fantasy novel worth checking out.
4. The Born Of Metal Series
Author: A.L. Knorr and A.D. Schneider
For this last urban fantasy series recommendation, I should give a full disclosure that I was co-author for this series. But if you found the previous urban fantasy series interesting, I think you will definitely enjoy the Born of Metal series we wrote too!
What’s it about? Ibukun “Ibby” Bashir is Inconquo, an inheritor of ancient power and with it an unending duty to stand against the darkness. She can bend and shape metal to her will, but she is still only human, she feels and bleeds. A fragile guardian, still she stands.
Uncovered after thousands of years, the dark foundations that make her who and what she is begin to rise again. An ancient evil stirs that only she can stand against. Merciless conspiracies, ancient horrors, treacheries old and new, all are arraigned against a young woman who only wants to see her broken family safe. But with grit, pluck, and a will of iron she is going to save the world, or die trying.
What sets the Born of Metal series apart from other urban fantasy novels is its fusion of mythic legacy and personal struggle, all set in a world that feels both fresh and timeless. Ibby isn’t your typical urban fantasy heroine—her powers are awe-inspiring, but her humanity is what truly defines her, as well as her inner struggles and wrestling with her past.
From ancient relics to shadowy enemies operating in the modern world, every challenge she faces pushes her closer to the edge, and it’s that tension—between strength and vulnerability—that I think makes the journey so compelling. If you want a heroine who feels and suffers but overcomes in the end, this series is for you!
You can see more about these urban fantasy novels by clicking here or you can get the full set on Amazon directly!
Thanks For Reading My Reviews on These Urban Fantasy Book Series; Let's Discover More Books Together!
I write in the urban fantasy genre to share my stories that maybe, just maybe, are your stories too.
My childhood was filled with fantasy worlds the likes of Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia), Shakespeare, Salvatore and other literary greats. It was also touched by struggle, trial, murder and sorrow. These influences shape every story I author or co-author.
So where others can paint their portraits within the bounds of decency and good sense (and honestly I applaud them for it) I’m afraid I color outside the lines a bit.
My stories will curse in anguish, shriek in terror, and bleed from ragged wounds. There is horror and corruption and ignorance and cruelty to be found here, plumbing depths of ancient fears and the evil men do.
Yet these pitch black shades bring out the raw lines of light of courage, hope, perseverance, and redemption. Dirty faced and world worn tales of the lowly exalted, crooked made straight, and the lost being found.
If that sounds like the kind of fantasy books you want to read, I invite you to join me on these journeys dear reader. You can see all of our published books on this website or on Amazon. Come, take and read!
