What more does a girl need than a pile of books and a bowl of chocolate? Today we’re talking urban fantasy.

My husband was the one who brought me into the world of urban fantasy, starting with the Harry Dresden series. I was instantly hooked. Not too surprising I suppose since what I write, gaslamp fantasy, is essentially Regency Era-Urban fantasy. I’ve devoured a number of series, Mercy Thompson (by Patricia Briggs), Alex Versus (by Benedict Jacka ), Rivers of London (by Ben Aaronovitch ) just to name a few. I love the ‘hidden world’ aspect of the genre, as well as exploring the mythology of the hidden world intersecting with our own.

As much as I enjoy all the usual tropes, they can get a bit lackluster, especially when worldbuilding isn’t an author’s first priority. I’ve read a lot of books that didn’t make it past the critical 25% mark because the world building fell flat for me.

So, as I’ve been perusing new urban fantasy offerings, I’ve been keeping my eye out for ones with something new and unique to offer. Today I have two to recommend to you, both bringing focus on mythologies not often represented in urban fantasies.

Just so you know, links below are Amazon associate links, so if you buy anything through them, I will get a couple of pennies from that.

Books

Shadow Winged: An Alaskan Folklore Urban Fantasy

The dark gods of my people are back, and they’re hunting the shadow-winged — like me.

Being a bush pilot is the third most dangerous job in the world. I’m Piper Tikaani, and I take that in stride. As an Inupiaq Raven Clan shapeshifter—flying is second nature, whether in my supernatural form or tackling the skies in my Super Cub.

One of the unique points of this book, outside of its basis in native Alaskan mythology, was that the main character Piper was coming to understand her true nature as a paranormal individual. As she discovered her own nature, the reader gets to explore a fascinating new realm of mythology and culture. That’s what most sold me on this book. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Caged: Little Yokai Urban Fantasy

An act of compassion turns deadly, and finding the killer may be just as lethal.

I’m a Bureau of Souls Agent tasked with bringing supernatural criminals to justice. I’m also a supernatural Yokai spirit pretending to be a mortal. My two lives are about to collide with fatal results.

This urban fantasy take us to a world where the division between the natural and supernatural worlds was crossed in Japan. The ‘normal’ world is now faced in an influx of supernatural creatures from Japan and how to deal with them.

I loved the introduction to Japanese mythology and the world building that goes with that. The only downside is a plethora of unfamiliar words that are required for the world building that the limited dictionary function in kindle cannot keep up with. At times it can get a little confusing trying to remember what each one means. Even so, this a refreshing breeze in the world of urban fantasy and I look forward to reading more.

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This one ends 6/13

I’m reading Lycan Legacy Prey from this one.

I’m reading Dragon Legacy: Hail of Arrows from this one.

What are you reading now? Tell me in the comments