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Quick answer: If you like Laurell K. Hamilton, read Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews. All blend urban fantasy, monsters, mystery and bold heroines, often with romance.
Laurell K. Hamilton is best known for the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series, which mix vampires, shapeshifters, police-style cases and strong romance. Her fans like long arcs, dark magic and complicated relationships. The books below offer similar urban fantasy with tough heroines and supernatural plots. Many contain adult themes.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Until Dark | Charlaine Harris | Adult | Southern vampire mystery |
| Dead Witch Walking | Kim Harrison | Adult | witty urban fantasy |
| Moon Called | Patricia Briggs | Adult | shapeshifters |
| Magic Bites | Ilona Andrews | Adult | magical apocalypse |
| Storm Front | Jim Butcher | Adult | wizard detective |
| Bitten | Kelley Armstrong | Adult | werewolf thriller |
| Halfway to the Grave | Jeaniene Frost | Adult | vampire romance |
| Slave to Sensation | Nalini Singh | Adult | paranormal romance |
| Interview with the Vampire | Anne Rice | Adult | gothic vampires |
| Darkfever | Karen Marie Moning | Adult | fae fantasy |
| Rosemary and Rue | Seanan McGuire | Adult | faerie detective |
| Skinwalker | Faith Hunter | Adult | Southern urban fantasy |
| Fantasy Lover | Sherrilyn Kenyon | Adult | paranormal romance |
| Blood Price | Tanya Huff | Adult | early urban fantasy |
| Glass Houses | Rachel Caine | Adult | vampires at home |
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse, a Louisiana waitress who can read minds, falls for a vampire. Funny, sexy and the start of the series behind True Blood.
Best for: Southern vampire mystery.
2. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Rachel Morgan, a witch bounty hunter in Cincinnati, fights to stay alive. Fast, smart and well-built.
Best for: witty urban fantasy.
3. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson, a mechanic who can turn into a coyote, gets mixed up with werewolves. Warm, tense and very readable.
Best for: shapeshifters.
4. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels investigates murders in a world where magic and technology wax and wane. Gritty, funny and romantic.
Best for: magical apocalypse.
5. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden is a wizard private investigator in Chicago. A classic start to a long series.
Best for: wizard detective.
6. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Elena is the only female werewolf in the world and tries to escape her pack. Moody, with strong romance.
Best for: werewolf thriller.
7. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
A half-vampire hunter teams up with a vampire to track the undead. Steamy, funny and action-packed.
Best for: vampire romance.
8. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
In a world where one race suppresses emotion, a woman finds her desire awakening. Romance-heavy and very popular.
Best for: paranormal romance.
9. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
A vampire tells his life story to a reporter. Lush and moody, the book that shaped modern vampire fiction.
Best for: gothic vampires.
10. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
MacKayla Lane goes to Dublin to find her sister's killer and finds the fae. Atmospheric and steamy, with a twisting series arc.
Best for: fae fantasy.
11. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
October Daye, half-human and half-fae, is a private investigator in San Francisco. Inventive and emotional.
Best for: faerie detective.
12. Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
Jane Yellowrock hunts rogue vampires in New Orleans. Grounded and tense, with strong Native American elements.
Best for: Southern urban fantasy.
13. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
A Greek warrior cursed to be a sex slave is released into the modern world. Romantic and very popular among genre fans.
Best for: paranormal romance.
14. Blood Price by Tanya Huff
A Toronto police detective teams up with a vampire to stop a killer. A smart, early entry in the genre.
Best for: early urban fantasy.
15. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
In the town of Morganville, students live under vampire rule. Fun and fast with a college-town setting.
Best for: vampires at home.
How to Choose
For funny, Southern-flavoured mysteries pick Charlaine Harris. For action-heavy plots choose Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs. For steamier romance try Jeaniene Frost or Nalini Singh. For gothic atmosphere read Anne Rice, and for a wizard detective, Jim Butcher. Most of these start long series, so check the reading order before you begin. Note that many contain strong language and adult scenes. Because Hamilton's books grow steadily more erotic as the series goes on, readers who prefer mystery over romance may like Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews or Kim Harrison better. Readers who want the relationship focus can head to Jeaniene Frost or Nalini Singh. Whichever you pick, start with book one and give it three chapters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laurell K. Hamilton best known for?
The Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series.
Where should I start with Hamilton?
With Guilty Pleasures, the first Anita Blake book.
Are these books explicit?
Hamilton's later books are very explicit. Some authors here are milder, so check content before buying.
What genre is it?
Urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
Which author is closest?
Charlaine Harris and Kim Harrison are the usual first picks.
Are there series I can binge?
Yes, most of these authors have a dozen or more books.
Do I need to read in order?
For most of them, yes.
Are audiobooks available?
Most of these series have audiobook editions. Check current listings.
What are the Merry Gentry books?
Hamilton's second series, about a half-human, half-fae princess who is also a private investigator.
Is there a milder alternative?
Yes. Patricia Briggs and Jim Butcher keep the romance lighter.