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Post by GryphonMage on Aug 4, 2003 12:52:50 GMT -5
The idea of bringing elves and witches and wizards into the present day is one that has sort of it's own mini-genre of urban fantasy. Mercedes Lackey has tapped into it often. So has Charles de Lint. I really love de Lint's urban tales of Jack the Giant Killer.
Urban fantasy doesn't seem as if it will overtake mainstream fantasy anytime soon, but it does seem to have a fairly dedicated following.
Does anyone else read any Urban fantasy?
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Post by fen on Aug 6, 2003 20:28:09 GMT -5
I feel that Terry Brooks has brouched some of my favourite urban fantasy. Though the 'Magic Kingdom for sale/sold!' series only touches back into the urban world occasionally. I also believe that 'Running with the Demon' is of this style as well.
Others include Andrew Harman (A lovely man that I've met several times and get on with like a house on fire) and I believe Piers Anthony likes to mix fantasy and urban life.
Although these are not true urban fantasy books they all approach the subject of fantasy characters in our world.
The other way has of course been done to death. The most notable novels include 'the Chronicles of Thomas Convanent', 'Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold' (again) and one series of books about some roleplayers who are transported into their game.
I can't remember the name of that series and would appreciate anyone who could enlighten me.
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Post by GryphonMage on Aug 7, 2003 11:12:34 GMT -5
You know, of the "Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold" books, the only one I really cared for was the first one. I just didn't think the others sustained the same level of what I would call whimsy. I think there are a lot of books that don't quite qualify as urban fantasy but certainly come close. Yolen's Briar Rose (a retelling of sleeping Beauty is one. hmmm. That was an excellent book. I should review it to encourage other's to read it. *makes a note* We used to have people coming in looking tfor the Thomas Convenant books all the time. They were really popular. We even had a wait list on them. Also, we had like one book and like 5 copies of it, and then none of the others which just ticked people off. Piers Anthony, I think, just sort of ignored convential fantasy altogether. That was my favorite part of the Xanth books, you never knew what was going to happen because literally - anything was possible. As for the others...*adds them to her list* I'll have to look them up.  |
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Post by Earthangel on Aug 7, 2003 13:45:42 GMT -5
Hmmm, well I would think that Neverwhere falls into that category a bit, eh? I've never read any other "urban" fantasy type books but my latest read certainly has me wanting more. Or just more Gaiman in general. ....must...raid...brother's room again.. ^_^
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Post by GryphonMage on Aug 18, 2003 11:34:34 GMT -5
As long as you are raiding his room, get the cookies too.  Neverwhere does sound a bit urban fantasy-ish. As a sub-genre urban fantasy really appeals to me, perhaps because I am better able to relate to the characters. |
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