Urban Fantasy: Picking up Where Fairytales Left Off

Fantasy is booming right now, and it seems like everyone's got a new mythical creature or fantastical world to explore. While high fantasy epics continue to capture hearts, a subgenre is quietly stealing the spotlight: urban fantasy.

This genre blends the mundane world with magical elements, often featuring unsuspecting characters who stumble into hidden societies of witches, vampires, or faeries. It's like stepping into a fairytale, only the Big Bad Wolf might be your nosy neighbour and the enchanted forest is tucked away in your local park.

What makes urban fantasy so appealing?

• Relatability: We see ourselves in the everyday struggles of the characters, who are navigating jobs, relationships, and bills alongside brewing magical concoctions or dealing with territorial werewolves.
• The Unknown in the Familiar: The idea that magic could be just around the corner, hidden in plain sight, adds a thrilling layer of intrigue to our everyday lives.
• Diversity and Representation: Modern urban fantasy often pushes boundaries by featuring diverse casts and exploring social issues through a fantastical lens.

Here are a few urban fantasy novels to check out:

• Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch: A witty and engaging series about a young police officer who discovers he has a magical talent and becomes apprentice to the last officially sanctioned wizard in London.
• Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire: This series follows October "Toby" Daye, a half-human, half-fae knight errant who solves magical crimes and navigates the tricky politics of the fae courts.
• Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: A young adult novel set in Nigeria, following Sunny Nwazue, a Nigerian-American girl who discovers she has magical powers and must navigate the dangerous world of Leopard People and the magic that surrounds them.

Urban fantasy offers a unique blend of excitement, mystery, and social commentary. So, if you're looking for a break from the ordinary, dive into this captivating world where magic isn't just a bedtime story, it's happening next door.