Thousands of global readers love Urban Fantasy but why? What’s the appeal? The genre is a masterful mashup of the supernatural within a modern setting. When done right it allows the reader to escape into the hidden streets of London or the dark alleyways of New York City. Inevitably magic lies beneath the surface, allowing the reader to explore an enchanting realm like no other. But how did this captivating genre come about? Keep reading as we trace Urban Fantasy back to its roots and journey into its recent history. From mythological creatures to bustling metropolises – in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for all those who made it possible today.
From Mythology To Metropoles:
To understand the origins behind Urban Fantasy let’s journey back in time to the days of old myths and folklore. Those are the God and Monster stories that laid the groundwork that inspired generations from around the world. It’s one of Urban Fantasy’s greatest strengths and one if it’s greatest weaknesses. Often referred to as “kitchen sink” fantasy. Both the author and reader are afforded the opportunity to visit any number of creature from any number of mythological legend. Vampires, werewolves, fae, shape-shifters. Bigfoot. You name the fantasy creature and its fair game for any Urban Fantasy author.
Then the floodgates of spectacular female authors exploded onto the scene with such greats as Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison and Tanya Huff.
E.A. Kross
These classic monsters of myth and lore have been transferred into 20th century industrial and rural areas into cities both small and large. Placing these creatures into teeming hubs of human activity gave the author a new narrative that reflects the shifting dynamics between society and nature.
The term “Urban Fantasy” was first coined in the 80s by writer and editor Terri Windling. Terri used it to describe a subgenre of fantasy lit that fused magical elements with modern-day urban settings. But to my surprise after further research, I found that the genre can be traced back further.
From the 1980s onwards, Urban Fantasy became recognized and appreciated as its own genre within the larger realm of fantasy lit. Authors like Charles de Lint, Emma Bull and Neil Gaiman made critical contributions which blew up their works making them household names and further popularizing the genre. Works such as de Lint’s Moonheart (1984), Bull’s War for the Oaks (1987) and Gaiman’s Neverwhere (1996). They all thrust fantastical components into contemporary cityscapes and made them ebb and flow working in a new unique harmonious way.
In the year 2000 Jim Butcher exploded onto the scene with The Dresden Files forever changing the landscape and sales numbers of the Urban Fantasy genre. By the mid 2000’s lovers of the genre such as I were blessed with powerhouse writers like Larry Correia. Then the floodgates of spectacular female authors exploded onto the scene with such greats as Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison and Tanya Huff.
These remarkable authors opened up readers’ eyes to mysterious worlds concealed beneath everyday reality. The myths of old timey folklore living and breathing within the bustling cities many of us live in today make the genre very relatable to many. Of course the greats also bring dynamic characters that must navigate the city landscape and lifestyle while keeping the hidden truths of the fantastical at bay
The 2000s and 2010’s also harkened in a time of mass global cross over appeal as Urban Fantasy exploded into other genres, appeared on everyone’s TV’s, films. This made Urban Fantasy a household genre outside of us voracious book readers.
No matter where you are on your reading journey the Urban Fantasy genre has supplied an ideal blend of old and new to give us all some great tales to sink our teeth into. Many may believe that the Urban Fantasy bubble popped a decade ago as it became over-saturated however I think there are a collection of new indie authors coming strong onto the scene. I would like to count myself amongst the bunch but there are so many to choose from I highly encourage you all to seek them out, buy their works and lose yourself in a fantastical yet familiar world of mystical and contemporary urban.