Urban Fantasy discussion

Hi all - just discovered this group & can't wait to get stuck into reading everyones thoughts! Wondering if anyone has read any UF books/epics/sagas/stand alones that are set in Australia? The closest I could find were the Ancient Future series by Traci Harding(though, not strictly UF) and Grimoire by Kim Wilkins.

As long as it's not paranormal romance, I don't care!

[EDIT] I should mention that I don't mind if there's a romantic side plot, or sex scenes as long as it's not strictly PNR.

Thanks =)

Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur is set in Australia

The Shadowfae Chronicles by Erica Hayes is a racy PNR that takes place in Australia, it starts with Shadowfae.

Also, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey is a pretty good YA UF, but it does take place in New Zealand, not Australia.

I second the Shadowfae, but I just want to add that it's a little different from other PNR. (The prose and also the edgy world.)

I was blown away by Justine Larbalestier's YA three book series, that's also available in one book, that is mostly set in Australia.

Death Most Definite by Trent Jamieson is set in Australia, either Brisbane or maybe Melbourne. Its the first book in a series that looks at a corporate side of death. I liked it, but it had mixed reviews - though really, what book doesn't?

second book Managing Death

The Riley Jenson Guardian series is set in Australia. Melbourne, I think.

Yes, the Riley Jensen Guardian series is set in an alternate universe sort of Melbourne. The series is over but this year the first book in a new series spin-off will be released as well. The book is called:


Darkness Unbound

And it's the first in the new series called Dark Angel.

There were things I loved and things I hated about the Riley Jensen series, but to give Keri Arthur her due she really closed the series well. It's UF but there is a lot of sex in that series. Some romance, but much more casual sex.

Well, not all of her stuff is set in Australia, and she does more pure fantasy than urban fantasy, but Isobelle Carmody is one of the best authors in the world, let alone in Australia or in the fantasy genre. I only wish she wrote more adult fiction, since I'm no longer a teenager. Alyzon Whitestarr is the most accurate recommendation I can give you. It's set in Australia and is technically urban fantasy, but it's not really much like the typical book of the genre... she wrote it before UF and PNR became popular, and it's kinda more like a paranormal drama.

Aside from that, I recommend everything else she's written that I've read so far. Darkfall and Darksong involve two Australian girls who get taken to an alternate universe, and are two of my all time favourite books. She's written several stand-alones as well that are worth checking out. Finally, the best known series she wrote is the Obernewtyn chronicles.

The Siren Beat is a novellete by Tansy Rayner Roberts and is set in Hobart. Also, Peter M Ball's very noir Horn which is very much Aussie in sensibility even though there is no mention of the specific city (a few street names). Both highly recommended. Available through the indie press the Twevlfth Planet.

Myrren's Gift (The Quickening, #1) by Fiona McIntosh
first book in fantasy series not specifically UF but set in Australia. Never read it. Just stumbled acrossed it. Not sure if it's any good.

by Naomi Novik is 6th in the Temeraire series and alternate history. (It's the Napoleonic Wars and most of the world has dragons as a separate and distinct military service.) This book is set in Australia.

This is a series that should be read in order.

Suz wrote: "Yes, the Riley Jensen Guardian series is set in an alternate universe sort of Melbourne. The series is over but this year the first book in a new series spin-off will be released as well. The boo..."

That's good to know about the new series. Her 2nd book in her Myth & Magick series is due out soon also.