What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Okay, so I'm posting a lot because my first experiment with asking you lovely people advice went rather well. So I'm trying something else.

I'm a huge fan of the grunge, urban fantasies that usually take place in big cities (hence urban).

If you don't know what I'm talking about, think Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.

Something more well-known? Try City of Bones.

Though I will say please, please, do not recommend Divergent. I hated that book with a passion.

I read YA and adult books, but please try to avoid ultra-graphic books. Something I'd put in my "rolling-in-the-gore" bookshelf.
Also, you know, sex, and all that shizz.

Perhaps check out this list?
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/51...

Miriam wrote: "Perhaps check out this list?
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/51..."

Thanks, but I forgot to mention, I already checked listopia. The problem was they were mostly mega-series that I've already read.

Perhaps some of the following:
City of Masksby Daniel Hecht
-- Hecht has three novels in this series. One is also city, the other southwest.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks
Veracity by Laura Bynum

Check out Valiant and maybe Weaveworld

Galveston I keep reminding myself to read. Sean Stewart is a great author.

The Dragons of the Cuyahoga too. S. Andrew Swann does urban and gritty well.

Dreams Underfoot as well. Charles De Lint.

How about Un Lun Dun by China Miéville?

Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson, at least it is literate

Snow Crash isn't fantasy, unfortunately.

I'd like to second Kate's recommendation of Holly Black's work--it's definitely fantasy with a gritty urban edge. (and Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are friends and often tour together!)

Sarah Rees Brennan's The Demon's Lexicon series is enthralling fantasy set in modern England that starts with two teenaged brothers trying to stay one step ahead of the magicians hunting them.

Kate Griffin's A Madness of Angels series is excellent, with a great system of magic that relies heavily on the city itself to work.

Kristen wrote: "How about Un Lun Dun by China Miéville?"

Wealhtheow wrote: "Snow Crash isn't fantasy, unfortunately.

I'd like to second Kate's recommendation of Holly Black's work--it's definitely fantasy with a gritty urban edge. (and Holly Black and Cassandra Clare..."

Kristen, I've read Un Lun Dun and for some reason I just couldn't get into it.

Wealhtheow (hope I spelled that right!) thanks for all the recommendations! I know about Holly and Cass, and I'm starting her White Cat books which I'm finding entertaining.

The Demon's Lexicon looks like something I'd definitely add to my to-read list.

I had the same problem with Un Lun Dun, Natalie. It didn't grip me, even though it had all the elements I love in fiction. Ah well!

I hope you enjoy the Black and Brennan books!

Have you read the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane? It definitely falls on the gritty side of urban fantasy--the main character is a drug addict--and it's absolutely fabulous. The first book is Unholy Ghosts.

Marjorie Liu

Bleak History by John Shirley

Well, it's not exactly the same sort of gritty that Neil Gaiman's urban fantasy stuff is, but you might want to look into the books Charles de Lint wrote about Newford. Homeless people, street musisicans and general weirdos running across vengeful fairies and Native spirits in a large fictional Canadian city called Newford. I would recommend the earlier stuff like Dreams Underfoot of The Ivory and the Horn.

War for the Oaks was pre-vampire urban fantasy.

It might not be quite as grunge as what you're looking for, but Winter's Tale is my favorite NY book--half set a century ago, half set at the millennial turn.

The Sabina Kane series (starting with Red-Headed Stepchild) is great. The fifth and final book just came out so I'm rereading. They're really funny at times, but can be dark (the good kind of dark) in places.

One thing I love is the setting changes - book 1 is L.A., 2 is New York and 3 is New Orleans. So far 4 looks to be back in New York.

What about the Borderlands 1 series, including the latest one by Emma Bull Finder: A Novel of the Borderlands

You might enjoy Cloud Atlas; number9dream; and Ghostwritten; all by David Mitchell.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is alright - very steampunk so it's not modern urban, but still.

A few people above have mentioned Charles de Lint - can't say enough how great I think he is. He is generally acknowledged as the man who popularized the urban fantasy genre. I love every one of his books, though his Newford books are my favorite. Definitely try some of his out.

Kari wrote: "Have you read the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane? It definitely falls on the gritty side of urban fantasy--the main character is a drug addict--and it's absolutely fabulous. The first boo..."

I second this recommendation. Very gritty stuff. Awesome series that has just gotten better by the book.

I recommend Zoo City, and a fantasy series set in a city in another world by Michelle Sagara, starting with Cast in Shadow.

Joe amercrombie's "Best Served Cold" or the "First Law Trilogy", Richard Morgan's "The Steel Remains", Kameron Hurley's "God's War", or Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" books

The 'Nightside' books by Simon Green. Has anyone mentioned Jim Butcher?

Has anyone mentioned Justin Gustainis? Right now, I'm reading his

Evil Dark

Valiant was already mentioned, but along with that are Tithe and Ironside, both by Holly Black. She's got another short series as well, starts with Black Glove, I believe.
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's books are great. They're generally not as urban or gritty, but still a little dark.

Daniel polansky's "Low Town" is another...