Urban Fantasy writers similar to Butcher?

[Ashaman]

Hello all.
I've read all from Butcher and I've been looking for some time now for another writer of the Urban fantasy genre but similar to Butcher in the sense of not romanticizing vampires and werewolves, etc. I mean, come on, most of that kind of books are kind of romance novels with a little bit of magic and mystery thrown in. I hate twilight movies etc btw so i think you get my meaning!
I know, there are some series like these that are good, like the Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series or Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson series, etc. Still in these series there is a loooot of romance and after some times it stops being urban fantasy with some romance and it gets to be romance with a little bit of urban fantasy.
Does anyone know of any other writer like Jim in this genre?
Thank you guys and sorry for ranting ;-)

 

[chrispenycate]

You might enjoy some of Mercedes Lackey's urban fantasy:- the SERRAted edge series (elves racing sports cars), her 'Bedlam's Bard' books (power of music) or even her 'Diana Tregarde' (though there is a vampire in that, though not a very romantic one).

I was hoping to find a free download so you could get an idea of whether it was 'you' or not, but Baen appear to have removed her from their free library.

 

[Juliana]

If you like Harry Dresden, you'll probably love Benedict Jacka's Alex Verus books. Also an urban mage main character, very nicely done.

 

[Ashaman]

Thnx a lot my friends. I dont have a prob if there are vampires in the story. I just dont like vampires in love with the damsel in distress . I will try both of them ;-)

 

[Ashaman]

Btw Juliana, I've found out Jacka's books and I can see lots of praise from Jim. I think I'm gonna like them.

 

[The Bluestocking]

Thanks for starting this thread, Ashaman!

All the recommendations here look awesome!

 

[Juliana]

Btw Juliana, I've found out Jacka's books and I can see lots of praise from Jim. I think I'm gonna like them.

And Jacka gives a little nod to Butcher in the beginning of his first book, too.

 

[wam]

Stuck with a recent Jim Butcher in a reading group this month. 2/3 through and I hope it gets better than this. If not, have to watch this list of stuff to avoid. Ben Aaronovitch and Jonathan Barnes have done the same sort of thing better.

 

[Bugg]

How about Mike Carey's 'Felix Castor' series? Starts with The Devil You Know

 

[Ashaman]

Juliana I did notice that small nod to Jim, indeed ;-) . I have already started the first book yesterday night and am already at 70% of it. It is good indeed. Thanks a lot for ur recommendation.
Bugg I will check him out too. Thank you ;-)

 

[Ashaman]

By the way, if I may add one of my own, do check Simon Green and his Nightside or Secret Histories series. ;-)

 

[Juliana]

Thanks Ashaman, will have a look.

 

[kenpat]

Can I suggest Indexing by Seanan McGuire and Simon R Greens standalone books, Shadows Fall and Drinking Midnight Wine.
Almost urban fantasy with a dash of humour.

 

[Ice fyre]

Ben Aaronovitch is a good reccomendation, his work is very dry, but very funny, his references to other fantasy and sci-fi is deftly done.

Urban you say, Neil Gainman is a good choice too, American Gods is dark but a fantastic ride. His Anasai Boys is as funny as Aaronovitch.

Avoid Laurrel K Hamilton, her series started as a fantastic noir styled Buffy influenced set of detective novels. It decended into soft porn after a few books, sounds sorta like what your looking to avoid.

 

[Ashaman]

Lol Ice fyre, exactly what I want to avoid
Thank you for the recommendations Ice and you Kenpat. I will take a look at them
Juliana I am already at the 3rd book. Alex is quite good though not as funny as Harry is. I like the series a lot and my only problem is that it has only 4 books until now

 

[Ice fyre]

Butcher is a different kettle of fish to Aaonrovitch, yet oddly the same, Harry is a wisecracking private eye and Peter Grant is a wisecracking detective in the Met police.

Peter has come into his power by accident tho, whereas Harry has been trained from a young age to be a wizard. But both use humour as a defense mechanism.

The dresden files have grown with each succeeding book and I wish the same longivety on the Rivers of London series.

 

[Ashaman]

Oh well Ice, I am thoroughly intrigued now. I've got one and a half books still from Jacka and then I'll try Aaronovitch. Btw I just found out that he has also written stories for Doctor Who. Now I am hooked line and sinker
Thnx a lot mate ;-)

 

[Ashaman]

Ice Fyre I am already at Ben's 2nd book. Nice going till now though Peter is not as funny as Harry is, in my mind at least.
Bugg, Felix Castor is nice going too. The 1st book started a little slow but it grew on me and by the end I was hooked.
Thanks guys both of u.

 

[Ashaman]

Btw someone, somewhere talked about kevin Hearne and his Iron Druid series. Damnnnn... Nice one! Some of the dialogs between said Druid and his dog are trully hillarious

 

[Ashaman]

Hello all. I've read mostly all of the above mentioned series. Any new recommendations?