I haven’t been regularly reading for a while, so I’m looking for something fresh and interesting to start.
I’m particularly into urban fantasy, and fantasy-ified 1900s stuff. Magic is fun, but not a requirement, same with romance. Also a big fan of monsters & mysteries if that helps?
Honestly just looking for something to get me back into reading, so long as there’s some kind of nebulous fantasy element to get me hooked, I’m open to any suggestions
Thanks <3
by 50mgFilmCoat
8 Comments
try “the night circus” by erin morgenstern!! it’s set in the late 1800s and has this magical competition between two illusionists that takes place in this mysterious circus that only opens at night.
Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series, beginning with *Rosemary and Rue*; Urban fantasy about a half-fae detective/knight errant who keeps getting caught up in supernatural mysteries while having to navigate the complexities of modern fae politics.
The InCryptid series, also by McGuire, beginning with *Discount Armageddon*; another urban fantasy following the latest generation of a family that left an ancient order of “monster” hunters in order to become “monster” anthropologists/conservationists. The series changes POV characters every few books, which helps keep things feeling fresh.
Just read Isle of Luke. Loved it. Surprises with every chapter.
Slayers of Old by James Hines
Ilona Andrews any of their series,
Michelle Sagara West Chronicles of Elantra,
Jim Butcher Codex Alera series,
Babel
It’s like Harry Potter for comparative linguists, set in 1800s England
A couple of recs for the Victorian era and a modern twist on some of the classics.
Might be a bit too modern but parts of the story take place in the early 1900’s **The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August** by author **Claire North**. **I**t spans 1919 to 1989 and is an extraordinary story with a unique time loop, of a life lived again and again. When Harry nears the end of his eleventh life, a little girl appears at his bedside. “I nearly missed you, Doctor August,” she says. “I need to send a message.” Harry learns that there is a secret society/club of people who retain their memories after they die and are reborn back in their original time. And there is a way to send messages back, and ahead in time. Really fun and unique plot. (not overly unique as there is a similar book titled **Replay** by **Ken Grimwood** that is fun as well most of this takes place in the 80’s, but Harry’s book is much better) Its a great Murder Mystery – stopping the end of the world book.
If you are a fan of classic Victorian horror books, a fun mashup is **The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club Series** by **Theodora Gross**. Book 1 is titled the **Strange Case of the Alchemist Daughter** and it follows all the daughters of the Classic horror characters as they investigate their parents. Mary Jekyll, Diana the daughter of the monster Hyde, Catherine Moreau, Justine Frankenstein, and Beatrice Rappaccinni (though to be fair, the original book Rappaccini’s Daughter was more about Beatrice than her father, though it seams very few people these days have read the originals of most of these books) and it has a crossover with Sherlock Holmes, though he is the one who needs saving this time. Lots of fun with great female MC’s
Hard Magic, Corriea