Urban Fantasy is heavily tied to books catered towards the younger crowd. Think of
Harry Potter,
Divergent or even the Hunger games. But that doesn't mean there aren't any urban fantasy books catered to adults! With the desire for immersive fantasy worlds, powered by unique magic systems and maybe even a prickle of moral dilemmas, being older often means having changes in our tastes and expectations. While the world of Harry Potter will forever stick with us, there are also many other fantastical worlds waiting for us.
However, this brings another challenge: How do we find stories that bewitch us the same way Rowling's books did while also meeting our adult preferences? Thankfully there's a huge array of books like Harry Potter that are catered just for you!
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab
Cover of A Darker Shade of Magic
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab is a spellbinding urban fantasy novel set in a world where four parallel Londons exist—each with varying degrees of magic. The story follows Kell, one of the last "Antari," rare magicians who can travel between these worlds. While Red London thrives with magic, Grey London has none, White London is starving for it, and Black London was destroyed by it.
Kell is a loyal servant to the crown of Red London, smuggling small items between worlds as a side hustle. But when he stumbles upon a forbidden artifact from Black London, he’s drawn into a deadly conspiracy that threatens all the realms. Joined by the sharp-witted thief, Lila Bard, Kell must navigate treacherous forces to save the worlds from destruction.
A unique urban fantasy novel with a unique magic system, immersive and imaginative worlds, and lots of secrets!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Cover of The Night Circus
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a lush, atmospheric urban fantasy about a mysterious, magical circus that appears without warning and is only open at night. Known as Le Cirque des Rêves (The Circus of Dreams), it enchants audiences with its breathtaking, otherworldly tents full of strange wonders.
But beneath the circus’s beauty lies a high-stakes competition between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been bound since childhood to compete in a magical duel they don't fully understand. Unbeknownst to them, this game is one of life and death, with the circus itself—and everyone in it—hanging in the balance. As they grow closer, the lines between love and rivalry blur, and the fate of the circus becomes even more precarious.
With rich, evocative prose, enchanting magic, and a story that weaves dreams and danger together, The Night Circus is a mesmerizing tale that will appeal to fans of immersive, imaginative worlds and complex romances.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Cover of A Deadly Education
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik is a dark, thrilling take on magic school fantasy. Think of Hogwarts but with only students and no teachers. Set in the deadly Scholomance, a school for young wizards where survival is the main lesson, the story follows El (Galadriel), a powerful but prickly student who possesses dangerous, destructive magic. In the Scholomance, there are no teachers or safe classrooms—students must fend off monstrous creatures and traps lurking around every corner, all while trying to graduate before they become the next victim.
El is determined not to use her destructive powers, which could make her the most feared and powerful sorceress, but that restraint makes her an outsider among her classmates. Complicating her life further is Orion Lake, the school's golden boy and monster-slayer, whose heroics keep saving her life, much to her irritation.
Packed with action, dark humor, and complex world-building, A Deadly Education offers a fresh, gritty twist on the magical school trope, with high stakes, morally gray characters, and a heroine you’ll want to root for despite her sharp edges. Fans of unconventional magic systems and dark academia will find this story irresistibly captivating.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Cover of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is a heartwarming and whimsical story about a witch named Mika Moon, who has spent most of her life in isolation, like all witches in her world. The few witches that exist must keep their powers hidden to avoid suspicion, never forming close relationships to protect themselves.
Mika's life changes when she's invited to Nowhere House, a mysterious and charming home filled with quirky inhabitants. She’s tasked with teaching three young witches how to control their magic, but along the way, she discovers the joy of community and love she’s long denied herself. As Mika bonds with the girls and their eccentric caretakers, including the handsome but grumpy librarian, Jamie, she must also face secrets from her past that threaten their newfound family.
With cozy, magical vibes, lovable characters, and a strong theme of found family, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a delightful, feel-good fantasy perfect for fans of magic, romance, and heartwarming tales.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Cover of The Magicians
The Magicians by Lev Grossman is a dark, contemporary twist on the classic coming-of-age urban fantasy. The story follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant but disillusioned teenager who is obsessed with a beloved series of fantasy books about a magical land called Fillory. When Quentin unexpectedly discovers that magic is real and is accepted into Brakebills, a secret, elite college for magicians, he hopes this will finally bring meaning to his life.
However, Quentin soon learns that magic is far more complex and dangerous than he ever imagined. The magical world he dreamed of is filled with both wonder and peril, and his time at Brakebills is full of academic rigor, personal struggles, and the harsh realization that magic cannot solve all his problems. After graduation, Quentin and his friends stumble upon the shocking discovery that Fillory is real, but it is far darker and more dangerous than the fantasy stories suggested.
With its gritty, realistic portrayal of magic and adulthood, The Magicians is a thought-provoking and sometimes cynical exploration of power, escapism, and what happens when reality doesn’t live up to fantasy. Think of Harry Potter but for older readers, especially adult readers who are into the genre of Urban Fantasy. Fans of both epic fantasy and darker, introspective stories will find this novel deeply compelling.
What is Urban Fantasy?
Urban Fantasy is a sub-genre of
Fantasy. It also goes by other names such as Contemporary Fantasy or Low Fantasy. Urban fantasy books consist of stories that take place in a world not quite different from us, except for a slight magical twist. This is in contrast to
High Fantasy, where the stories are set in their own unique world very much different from ours with their own set of rules and systems.
While urban fantasy may seem rather lackluster compared to its high fantasy counterparts, mystical creatures and people such as wizards, elves, fairies, etc can still wander in those worlds too! Harry Potter is the most well-known and beloved Urban Fantasy series set in a world very much like ours, with wizards hidden from the sights of normal people.
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