Werewolves and vampires are probably the most popular supernatural creatures. But Urban Fantasy books have a lot more races to offer. And my personal favorite are demons!
I’ve always found demons to make the most fascinating protagonists. I love how they are so in tune with their wants and needs. I wonder if this says anything about me, haha
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Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance – What is it?
I find it very difficult to draw the line between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. And I often don’t agree with the categories used on Goodreads.
Urban Fantasy, for me, is any fantasy story with supernatural creatures or magic that’s set entirely or mostly in our real world. In my opinion, the term has long moved away from pure urban settings and now includes Paranormal Fantasy and Contemporary Fantasy.
A hidden society of supernaturals would be a very typical Urban Fantasy theme.
This genre also often has a love interest as part of the plot. And depending on how central this love story is, and whether there’s a Happily Ever After, it moves into Paranormal Romance territory.
Paranormal Romance also often has a hidden population of supernaturals. But the focus is on the love story with – usually – a human woman.
The non-humans are revealed to her, and she has to decide if she wants to join. There’s often some form of secondary plot, like an enemy that has to be beaten for the couple to be safe. But most of the story is about blooming love.
In Urban Fantasy, on the other hand, the main plotline would be, for example, a
And that might be the problem with categorizing these kinds of stories. As an avid Romance reader, I might find a story not particularly romance-y. While other readers would consider the love story to be front and center.
This was basically a long-winded disclaimer of why I’ve added the following books to this list. Even though not everyone might agree that all of these stories are, in fact, Urban Fantasy.
The Kara Gillian Series
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Diana Rowland (Author), Liv Anderson (Narrator)
Find the entire series on Amazon**
If you like police procedurals, exploring new fantastic worlds, solving murders and other secrets, crushing on the wrong guy, and then finding the right one, then this series is for you!
In the earlier books, Kara Gillian, who is a cop and a demon summoner, tries to solve a gruesome murder series. Later on, the series turns more towards Fantasy when she explores the demon homeworld.
Some people criticized this genre/trope change. But I loved it! This is an epic story and I was absolutely hooked from start to finish.
And the narration by Liv Anderson is great! She has a range of easily distinguishable voices and is very pleasant to listen to.
You can pick up the Audible books for a reduced price if you also get the ebook. And this series of Contemporary Fantasy audiobooks has just gotten a new addition with book 9, Rise of the Demon!
Related article: How to get Audible books cheaper with Whispersync
The Imp Series
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Debra Dunbar (Author), Angela Rysk (Narrator)
Get the entire series on Amazon**
If you’ve been to Lovely Audiobooks before, you might already know that this is MY FAVORITE SERIES OF ALL TIME AND EVER AND EVER!
Meet Samantha, a middle-aged woman and self-proclaimed slumlord, who is crushing on her very young, very hunky neighbor. Sam also happens to be an imp, a demon from Hel who came to Earth for a little vacation.
Since none of the angels from Aaru are hunting her, her stay has already lasted much longer than she had hoped.
Then things happen and – without wanting to give too much away – the little imp finds herself with much more responsibility than she cares to take on!
The narration by Angela Rysk is absolutely fantastic. It’s so funny and captivating. I’ve had many laughing out loud moments and a fair share of “aww”-moments on top of it. Angela Rysk also has the sexiest male voices!
I have listened to these wonderful Urban Fantasy audiobooks countless times because they are so thoroughly entertaining. They have unexpected twists and turns, the entire range from light to dark emotions, and some very pointed social criticism.
All of it through the eyes of Sam, who doesn’t ever take anything all that serious but still loves with her whole heart, and goes through immense personal growth!
There are also several spin-off series set in the Imp world if you (like me) can’t get enough.
Did I mention this is my favorite series ever? That should answer any question in regard to the credit-worthiness of this series. It deserves way, way more attention than it has gotten so far.
You can also buy the first three audiobooks in a box set.
Related article: The Best Urban Fantasy Audiobooks
Strays by A.J. Thomas
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A.J. Thomas (Author), Noel Harrison (Narrator)
Get the Audible book on Amazon**
The two previous series have amazingly badass heroines. And to mix things up, this book has two pretty broken heroes.
Strays wa
Noel Harrison did a perfect narration. Absolutely on point with very fitting voices for all characters. I was entirely captivated and kept wondering what was really going on. Who sent the hellhound? And who and what is Jory?!
I sincerely hope A.J. Thomas will write more stories like this. If Strays had been a series, I would have inhaled it all already!
You can pick up the audiobook for a reduced price if you buy it together with the ebook.
It doesn’t always have to be demons though. Check out my favorite Fantasy series that you can listen to for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Audio Booklists /
They all sound really good!
They do, don’t they? 🙂 Those first two have been among my favorites for many years.
Great list with demons, I like demons, I mean I like reading books with demons LOL. I’ve added the Imp series to my TBR list. If it’s one of your all-time faves ever, I need to hear them?
So awesome! I hope you’ll get around to reading it. Let me know how you like it, please! 🙂
I’m not sure I’ve read any books with demons… at least not as a main focus. I’ve been in the mood for some good urban fantasy, though, so I’ll have to check these out.
If you’re looking for a good Urban Fantasy, these are definitely great choices! Hope you’ll find something you enjoy 🙂