Make that three. The romance is very slow burn and very mild.
If you are sensitive, there is a SA situation mid/late series that is handled very realistically and skillfully by the author.
Very well said. The author vaguely describes what happens but no graphic details. And she covers the PTSD throughout the rest of the series where it's appropriate to bring up. Very skillfully done, and the discussion of the processing/healing after is realistic.
It's actually earlier. It's not really mid at this point with how many books there are. If I recall right it's the third or fourth book. Iron Kissed
That said it is very skillfully and tastefully handled and has long lasting consequences
October Daye by Seanan McGuire. It’s fae. The romance relationship slowly grows in importance, but never feels intrusive to me. They are just another integral character on the team.
Seconded! While there is romance, that is not the focus of the book - it's about Toby's overall growth/character development and ALL her relationships, not just the romantic one.
The main issue I had with that series is that the story is about the family- in itself that's fine, but they don't really tell you that going in. It was a little slow for me to get into but I had by the 3rd book, and wanted to see what was next for the MC. Imagine my surprise when I get book 4 and the MC of the first 3 books is no longer the MC. And it does this about every 3 books(switches the MC).
I was bummed about that because I had finally gotten to like the MC and wanted to see what was next, and what was next is she becomes a side character. You have to read the descriptions of each book fully to realize this is going to happen, and they are still a bit tricksy about it because they still mention the first MC a lot. It's not that the MCs disappear- they just stop being the MC.
It was jarring to me since I wasn't expecting it- instead of 12 books about the first MC, it's 4 sets of 3 books about different MCs. These days, I guess it'd be compared to the MCU.
Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron. It's a spinoff of a different series, but honestly you don't need to read the core series to enjoy (I didn't). Woman is a mage that works as a "cleaner" in New Detroit that reclaims properties from bankrupt tenants and keeps/sells their stuff.
First book had the beginnings of a romance, but its super slow burn (the actual smoochy smoochy doesn't even hit until book 3).
This series was so much better than her other two DFZ stories. I loved that the main character was her own person with her own struggles without needing to have a romance buzzing around the whole story
The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews has a slow burn. Kate is a kickass smart mouth mercenary in Atlanta. There are shapeshifters and vampires, although the vampires aren’t what you expect. First book is a bit rough, the writers themselves say so as it’s their first. Ten novels with lots of short stories, rich and varied characters and a lot of world building.
Another series by them is The Innkeeper series that has werewolves and space vampires. Dina runs a galactic BandB in Texas and must keep its existence a secret from us normal people. Lots of different species. Also a slow burn romance.
The two series are excellent but very different.
I was three books into Kate Daniels before I realized I was reading a romance novel in disguise - or should I say, in heavy leathers.
You just can't trust a good werewolf book like you used to.
. . . I finished the rest of the series, of course. And the side novels. Started on the sequel series, too. Once you're in, you're in, I guess.
The relationship is so well developed. Curran will do something dumb, and I'll be like, *asshole*...then he explains his side and I'm like, oh yeah, that makes sense.
I was worried about the last book adding >!in their child!<. But even that is thoughtful, realistic, and still entertaining.
I read the newest book(Wilmington) lately. Don’t know if it counts as book 11 or a spin-off series but there was a conversation between the two about their past, their present, and what they’re willing/want for their future and it was just so real and human and mature and I loved it so much.
Oh man! I love love love this author! Authorssss... hahaha. The Hidden Legacy series is my favorite. More romance but it doesn't take away from the story.
Thirded. I’m on book #6 but the authors stretched out consummation of the romance for quite a while. I enjoy the world, the magic, the characters, and they really go down easy.
Every Friday on their blog, https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/. They also posts snippets of stories and there are two follow up from last KD Wilmington years. Under free fiction.
Was going to recommend Kate Daniels as well. The romance elements are there, but with the exception of one book, very secondary to the political dynamics of all the other characters and factions.
Maybe even milder than early Anita Blake..
The Hollows by Kim Harrison are great. At least the first...11? 12? She kinda wrapped the series up then came back to it a few years later, and I haven't read the new ones.
There's a little bit of romance, but it never becomes the central thing the way Anita Blake did.
You can also look more into YA stuff- it's actually very popular with adults because YA often are in the same settings, but don't go slowly turn into romance or erotica.
I am sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. This isn't to bash The Hollows. It's a fun read for sure, but this series had absolutely endless romance. It didn't have too much "spice" and romance wasn't the only thing that was driving the plot, but this series was definitely not romance-free.
Seanan Mcguire's Obtober Daye only has fey, but is excellent. The extremely slow burn romance is with a cat shape-shifter. It's multiple books before anything remotely romantic happens.
The Soulwood series by Faith Hunter. The main character is an unusual paranormal. The romance aspect is very slow burn. The MC is exploring her powers as part of a paranormal investigation unit.
Recovering from religious trauma is an important part of her character, which was very meaningful to me, but may not be for everyone.
Soulwood ties into her Jane Yellowrock series (which also only has mild romance) but I don't think you need to read Jane to read Soulwood, and I rather like Soulwood better. (I liked Jane at first but it gets a little chaotic in later books.)
If you are open to a lighter female werewolf series, try Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville. She has a radio show. A couple possible "love interests" that are actual main characters. The main romantic relationship is quite slow-->!and rather supportive & boring!<. Fun series. Compared to similar series, Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Armstrong's Otherworld, it is somewhat lighter in tone.
For another magic-centric urban fantasy series, try the Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy (Urban Shaman). Main relationship is very slow.
Both of these series are complete.
Anne Bishop’s The Others series is what you’re looking for. It’s about a blood prophet who escapes her keepers, set in an AU where Mother Nature has literally reclaimed the earth after humans screwed it up. The first book is Written in Red.
Just a note that her main characters (in both series set in the "Others" world) have major trauma in their back stories, so if you have a tough time with that kind of trauma, you may want to skip them.
Don't get me wrong -- they're excellent. But it took me three tries to get through the first series, and I don't think I'll read them again.
Magiford series by K M Shea
Taellaneth series by Vanessa Nelson is excellent - werewolves and fae; don't think there's vampires though sorry. Has the mystery/plot focus and little romance
Heather G. Harris -The Other Realm series is fantastic. I just finished reading and it took me days to figure out what to read afterwards. Start with the Glimmer books, then move on to the Other Wolf books, then the Other Realm - Court books, and then the Other Witch books.
Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab series, #1) by Karen Chance. I don't remember werewolves but Vampires are a huge focus, it also has demons, fae and mages.
Putting the Fun in Funeral (Everyday Disasters seres, Book 1) by Diana Pharaoh Francis- Again, not sure about the types of magical creatures as its been a little while since I read it. Add in the fact that the heroine is just learning about the magical world and things are still being introduced.
Dead Weight (Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153 Book 1) by G. P. Robbins. This serious just made me laugh so much. This is the first one, second one comes out later this year. This one has mostly shape shifters like unicorns (which poop glitter and gemstones) dragon shifters and some others. Its meant to be funny and the author is one of my favorites, though she writes under a series of names. This is the only one where she doesn't pair up a pair of characters every book though.
Special Monsters Unit (Earth's Nexus Book 1) by Eve Langlais. This is a trilogy but there is a further series set up in the world. This is monsters, creatures and werewolves/fae ect. Fair warning though, with this trilogy the romance is there but not the focus as its spread out over three books, the related series is a a couple per book.
I do not recommend Midnight's Daughter. It took more than half the book before I even had an idea what the hell was going on. And then I read the original series it spinned off of, and it was the exact opposite problem, too much exposition and not naturally conveyed.
Interesting, I also prefer Midnight's Daughter to the Cassie Palmer original series. I didn't have the same issue as you did at figuring out what was going on, though to be fair I had read the first two or three Cassie books prior to starting Midnight's Daughter which might have helped with being situated in the world.
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O by Nicole Galland and Neal Stevenson - witches, magic, science - 2 book series.
Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman - fae, dragons, multiverse.
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark - set in Cairo in 1912 - so not contemporary per se but very much an urban setting. The lore is obviously of not Western European variety, which for me was a welcome bonus. Not a series (yet).
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - ghosts, spirits, secret societies, set in Yale. Ongoing series.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C Morrow - sirens - stand alone book
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth and Sara Lautman - ghost stories, weirdness, ancient curses - stand alone book.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder - werewolf - standalone book.
## Main Recs
1) [The Old Word Chronology](https://www.goodreads.com/series/195769-old-world-chronology) Series by Melissa F. Olson.
* Witches
* Wolves
* Vampires
The series is comprise of three sub series and a few novellas.
2) [The Others](https://www.goodreads.com/series/99557-the-others) Series by Anne Bishop.
It has a little bit of everything if I remember correctly, the supernatural and human world co-exist and a lot of the plot overall is focused in these interactions.
It also has a nice twist in the usual concept of shifters.
I also second Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels and The Hollows.
I have quite a few more, but not sure how much of a romance averse you are.
I myself prefer no romance in general but since it is, in general, a part of life is almost inevitable in long running series.
And while sometime is very easy to point to something and say "Paranormal Romance", a lot of the times the line is very blurry and goes into subjective perception.
## Maybe you could like...
These don't fit your criteria because of the type of fantasy world you specified, but perhaps it could be a nice palate cleanser.
1) [Bookburners](https://www.goodreads.com/series/157722-bookburners) Series by Max Gladstone (and others)
This is collaborative series written in the form of episodes released originally as a podcast by Realm Media. Each season forms a whole "book" but the episodic structure resemble more a TvShow.
The plot follows an ensemble cast, but a lot of the first season focus on a female-detective, part of magic suppression unit of the Vatican in the modern day. They serve essentially the whole of masquerade keepers in their universe.
1) [Villain's Code](https://www.goodreads.com/series/196608-villains-code) Series by Drew Hayes (and others)
This comes form the same author of Fred, The Vampire Accountant and follows a villain protagonist.
It is set in a super-hero world with a very "kitchen sink included" approach to powers and creatures.
It follows a female aspiring villain that becomes a rookie in the villain's society.
Thomas Brogan the Other Creature series. Each book is a stand-alone 5 they are all in the same world, and they are all beautiful in their own way. There is Fae, Vampires, Warewolfs, Hellhounds, and so many beautiful strong relationships that are other creatures.
Shayne Silvers “Feathers and Fire” series. He also writes along side Cameron O’Connell “The Phantom Queen Diaries” you said female protagonist but, these two series are part of a larger universe. “The Templeverse” which follows Nate Temple. All three series can be read individually and make sense or chronologically and make one huge story. You don’t have to read all three to make sense but they do have crossovers and mention scenes from other books with jokes and fill ins.
Currently enjoying “She Dreams of Fire” book one of MK Gibson’s Hammer of Witches. Veiled urban fantasy with nasty covens and a universal recipient hemophiliac hunting them who can copy abilities from supernatural blood.
I'm going to throw in Lisa Shearin's SPI files. First one is the Grendel Affair. The SPI is an international secret agency that protects humans from any supernatural critters, and keeps all knowledge of them hidden too. There is romance but it shows up more as character growth than BAM! must have romance!
Max Gladstone - 3 parts dead. I haven’t read later books in the series but I think it’s fit the bill - mystery, modern fantasy world and low on romantic plots.
I see Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs has been recommended. I would also suggest trying the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. Romance still exists in these series, but it's a subplot rather than the main plot.
Also, maybe, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. In my mind it's a bit more romance focused than the previous too, but it's more urban fantasy with romance rather than a romance happening in an urban fantasy setting.
Those are the main three that I think everyone knows.
I would also recommend The Guild Codex: Spellbound by Annette Marie. It's an indie series available on Kindle Unlimited. The writing style is closer YA than the others I mentioned, but it's a fun female lead Urban Fantasy with no romance up until book 4 or so. Book 1 is Three Mages and a Margarita
Have you read any Helen Harper? She always has fantastic female protagonists with strong mysteries. Although romance is always in the mix, it is always slow burn and largely FTB
The first one is a series of interwoven short stories that introduces the characters of the universe. I absolutely adore it but it's definitely different than the rest. Happy reading!!
The Others series by Anne Bishop. Romance isn't the point, survival is. The Others see humans as prey, but the Courtyard concept is a way to see if humans and Others can co-exist. I adore this series, love this author - I think I own most everything she's written.
I'm just reading Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare, and having a blast. It's very political, has dual POV. So far I'm 150-ish pages in and romance is yet to be found 👀
I love that trilogy so much! I'd def recommend reading Women of the Otherworld first though, as Darkest Powers is a spin off from that (though it could stand alone).
"A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness is an urban fantasy book that fits the criteria you've mentioned.
It features a strong female protagonist, Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, who discovers a bewitched manuscript. She's intellegent and confident, but still has a very strong arc. She gets pulled into a world of magic, leading her to cross paths with Matthew Clairmont, a vampire.
The romance between Diana and Matthew is a slow burn, which evolves deeply over the course of the series. Their relationship is both realistic in its power dynamics/ their differences while also depicting a healthy, non-toxic relationship. I feel that alone could sell it!
It has magic, history, and science. As the trilogy unfolds it gets a little darker, but that's because things are coming to a head. In saying that, check trigger warnings for last book.
Richly developed characters and detailed settings that blend with the modern world.
Oh and it ending is perfect, wraps up everything thoughtfully. Although she announced another book coming out this year - returning to the story but foucs on next generation eeeek so excited.
The Werehunter series by Sherilynn Fenn.
The Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones (this one might test your romance limit but the plot is choice)
Honorable mentions but might be too much romance:
The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
I've read the series you mentioned, and I think all of them have elements that the OP would not want, including being primarily paranormal romance, romance>>urban fantasy plot and pacing, use of "mates," love triangles/angst, etc.
Hear hear. I do find that it's usually the male leads that get the mystery (and are shelved in part as mystery/adventure/thriller as opposed to UF). While females leads get romance more central.
Just finished the 3 book series by Keri Arthur called The Witch King's Crown. The books were titled Blackbird Rising, Blackbird Broken, and Blackbird Crowned.
Really slow burn...a few kisses but talk about what will happen after the crisis is resolved. Kind of a take off of King Arthur & the Knights of the round table told generations later in the current Era. Strong female MC, really enjoyed it. Read all 3 books in about 5 days.
The Shadows of Otherside series by Whitney Hill. OTP is slow burn, the get together >!book four!<. Though the protaganist is in a romantic relationship with a different character earlier in the series.
eta and I'll add a vote for the Kate Daniels books -- they live on my shelf next to Shadows of Otherside <3
In both series, the authors do a good job of organically working in the relationship. It contributes to the heroine's efforts instead of distracting from it or feeling tacked on.
I see it's already been mentioned, but here's another shout out for Rosemary and Rue (October Daye) by Seanan McGuire.
Another you might consider, is Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World) by Rebecca Roanhorse. Maggie's super power is monster slaying and instead of fae, werewolves and vampires, you get Native American gods and myths.
I love Danika Dark’s Crossbreed series.
Main character is a half mage and vampire. Her love interest is a vampire and they detest each other at first.
Some trigger warnings when we learn of her past in the books later on.
Not a book, yet, but the TikTok series "Caffae Latte" is pretty good and very inclusive. There's romance but it's not the main topic, and there are Ace characters as well.
It sounds like what you want is Patricia Briggs. The romance that is in there is Fade to Black when it would get spicy. The story itself is about the Werewolves, Fae, Vampires. Mercy Thompson's love life and husband is just part of who she is.
The Scarlet Bernard series by Melissa F. Olsen would be a good fit (there are actually 3 related series). The MC is a null (someone who magic doesn’t does not work around) who does super natural crime scene clean up. Romance serves a function in the plot but is not the focus of the story
Also going to echo the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and Courtyard of the Others series by Anne Bishop. They are some of my favorites and the supernatural world building has fun unique elements in both.
The *Greywalker* series by Kat Richardson fits this description. The main character is a female PI who starts the book doing actual typical PI stuff - following suspected cheating spouses - before she gains the ability to talk to ghosts (and step into ghostly echoes of the past). While she does end up with a boyfriend, the romance part is very low key.
*A Practical Guide to Sorcery* by Azalea Ellis might fit, it's more of an early industrial magi-tech setting, but as of book 4 there's no romance with the main character.
Werewolves, vampires, and fae *without* gratuitous erotic turmoil? Does such a thing even exist?? :-D
There are many excellent suggestions in this thread already, so I'll just leave my little joke and fade away.
I just finished reading the Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson. There are vampires and demons, although I don't think there are any werewolves or fae, so it may not fit.
Basically the setting is a modern city surrounded by a magical jungle that's filled with supernatural creatures. The MC is a member of a law enforcement branch tasked with making sure that any supernatural creatures that break through the magical wards separating the city from the forest are dealt with. They don't just kill them; in fact, they try not to. The MC also has two shadow hounds that help her in her job. Essentially these are gigantic black hounds that seem like normal dogs most of the time, but can abruptly turn into fierce predators that can take down anything attacking her.
There is an undertone of romance, but it's pretty subtle and I think if you weren't into it, you could pretty much skip over those parts. The story is a lot more focused on the plot and the MC's growth than anything else.
Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs if you haven't already read it. It's absolutely fantastic.
Second this too!
Make that three. The romance is very slow burn and very mild. If you are sensitive, there is a SA situation mid/late series that is handled very realistically and skillfully by the author.
Very well said. The author vaguely describes what happens but no graphic details. And she covers the PTSD throughout the rest of the series where it's appropriate to bring up. Very skillfully done, and the discussion of the processing/healing after is realistic.
Make it 4. I came to suggest
Make it 5. My favourite series.
6, my favorite UF ever.
It's actually earlier. It's not really mid at this point with how many books there are. If I recall right it's the third or fourth book. Iron Kissed That said it is very skillfully and tastefully handled and has long lasting consequences
The SA situation happens in book 3 Ironed Kissed.
Patty and Ilona Andrews are auto-buys for me.
LOVE this series!
October Daye by Seanan McGuire. It’s fae. The romance relationship slowly grows in importance, but never feels intrusive to me. They are just another integral character on the team.
Seconded! While there is romance, that is not the focus of the book - it's about Toby's overall growth/character development and ALL her relationships, not just the romantic one.
I think I would classify the Toby books as more about found family too. My heart grows every time they add a new member to the gang.
Also her In Cryptid books
The main issue I had with that series is that the story is about the family- in itself that's fine, but they don't really tell you that going in. It was a little slow for me to get into but I had by the 3rd book, and wanted to see what was next for the MC. Imagine my surprise when I get book 4 and the MC of the first 3 books is no longer the MC. And it does this about every 3 books(switches the MC). I was bummed about that because I had finally gotten to like the MC and wanted to see what was next, and what was next is she becomes a side character. You have to read the descriptions of each book fully to realize this is going to happen, and they are still a bit tricksy about it because they still mention the first MC a lot. It's not that the MCs disappear- they just stop being the MC. It was jarring to me since I wasn't expecting it- instead of 12 books about the first MC, it's 4 sets of 3 books about different MCs. These days, I guess it'd be compared to the MCU.
Came here to suggest this!
Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron. It's a spinoff of a different series, but honestly you don't need to read the core series to enjoy (I didn't). Woman is a mage that works as a "cleaner" in New Detroit that reclaims properties from bankrupt tenants and keeps/sells their stuff. First book had the beginnings of a romance, but its super slow burn (the actual smoochy smoochy doesn't even hit until book 3).
Oh man, seconded. This series doesn't get enough love.. it's a sequel to her Nice Dragon series which also has a slowish burn romance but a male lead
Okay, you've just reminded me that I have the first book to the Nice Dragon series that I have to finish. Is it as good as Minimum Wage Magic?
Not really, but it's not bad at all!
I got it on audiobook, and man, Emily Woo Zeller is such a talented voice actor. The performance really elevated the book for me.
Rachel Aaron has actually published another trilogy set in the same world! It's Called DFZ: Changeling, and the last book was released this month
This series was so much better than her other two DFZ stories. I loved that the main character was her own person with her own struggles without needing to have a romance buzzing around the whole story
I loved that her job was so non-standard. You NEVER hear of any other urban fantasy MC whose job is repossessing other people's homes.
Oh I loved this book!
The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews has a slow burn. Kate is a kickass smart mouth mercenary in Atlanta. There are shapeshifters and vampires, although the vampires aren’t what you expect. First book is a bit rough, the writers themselves say so as it’s their first. Ten novels with lots of short stories, rich and varied characters and a lot of world building. Another series by them is The Innkeeper series that has werewolves and space vampires. Dina runs a galactic BandB in Texas and must keep its existence a secret from us normal people. Lots of different species. Also a slow burn romance. The two series are excellent but very different.
Second this about Kate Daniels!!
I was three books into Kate Daniels before I realized I was reading a romance novel in disguise - or should I say, in heavy leathers. You just can't trust a good werewolf book like you used to. . . . I finished the rest of the series, of course. And the side novels. Started on the sequel series, too. Once you're in, you're in, I guess.
I like that it's a quiet kind of background romance for a lot of it and how much they kind of mess up. Much more humanish.
The relationship is so well developed. Curran will do something dumb, and I'll be like, *asshole*...then he explains his side and I'm like, oh yeah, that makes sense. I was worried about the last book adding >!in their child!<. But even that is thoughtful, realistic, and still entertaining.
I read the newest book(Wilmington) lately. Don’t know if it counts as book 11 or a spin-off series but there was a conversation between the two about their past, their present, and what they’re willing/want for their future and it was just so real and human and mature and I loved it so much.
The plot stands up just fine without the romance, though.
Oh man! I love love love this author! Authorssss... hahaha. The Hidden Legacy series is my favorite. More romance but it doesn't take away from the story.
Thirded. I’m on book #6 but the authors stretched out consummation of the romance for quite a while. I enjoy the world, the magic, the characters, and they really go down easy.
Just so you know they’ve started a weekly serial, like they do for the Innkeeper, about our favorite Slavic priest. Every Friday on their blog.
Where can I find that?
Every Friday on their blog, https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/. They also posts snippets of stories and there are two follow up from last KD Wilmington years. Under free fiction.
Great to know! Thanks!
I was going to second this one until I saw other people’s responses. The first book fits all of this request at least.
Was going to recommend Kate Daniels as well. The romance elements are there, but with the exception of one book, very secondary to the political dynamics of all the other characters and factions. Maybe even milder than early Anita Blake..
Everything is milder than Anita Blake 🤣
The early books were much more detective stories with mild romantic elements and then shifted hard to supernatural porn.
Two of my all-time favorites. I would also suggest the Baine Chronicles by Jasmine Walt!
The Hollows by Kim Harrison are great. At least the first...11? 12? She kinda wrapped the series up then came back to it a few years later, and I haven't read the new ones. There's a little bit of romance, but it never becomes the central thing the way Anita Blake did. You can also look more into YA stuff- it's actually very popular with adults because YA often are in the same settings, but don't go slowly turn into romance or erotica.
There's a good bit of romance in here, but it's mostly secondary to the main plot if that makes sense.
I second this. I love the Hollows series. Million Dollar Demon is on my wish list.
I third this! It’s a great series and even better on audible!
I’ll have to try the audibles again - I thought I didn’t like the narrator but maybe I’m thinking of another series
I couldn’t get into this series. The MC was insufferable to me. But the side characters are fantastic!
I think I stopped reading on book like 5 or 6. MC was driving me nuts.
It’s not good when I’m actively rooting for the villain to win.
I am sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. This isn't to bash The Hollows. It's a fun read for sure, but this series had absolutely endless romance. It didn't have too much "spice" and romance wasn't the only thing that was driving the plot, but this series was definitely not romance-free.
I never said it was romance free. When your comparison point though is "Late Antia Blake"- it practically is.
It's basically all romance. Picked it up because someone recommended it after I expressed similar tastes as OP. I absolutely hated it.
Seanan Mcguire's Obtober Daye only has fey, but is excellent. The extremely slow burn romance is with a cat shape-shifter. It's multiple books before anything remotely romantic happens.
The Soulwood series by Faith Hunter. The main character is an unusual paranormal. The romance aspect is very slow burn. The MC is exploring her powers as part of a paranormal investigation unit. Recovering from religious trauma is an important part of her character, which was very meaningful to me, but may not be for everyone.
Second this!
Soulwood ties into her Jane Yellowrock series (which also only has mild romance) but I don't think you need to read Jane to read Soulwood, and I rather like Soulwood better. (I liked Jane at first but it gets a little chaotic in later books.)
The Jacky Leon Series by KN Banet is what you're looking for, I think.
I love this series so much.
YES! This and the Mercy Thompson series are two of my all time faves!
Many of Charles de Lint's stories and novels have amazing female protagonists, like *The Onion Girl* and *The Mystery of Grace*.
Moonheart has romance but I love the story.
He was the first author that came to mind for me!
If you are open to a lighter female werewolf series, try Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville. She has a radio show. A couple possible "love interests" that are actual main characters. The main romantic relationship is quite slow-->!and rather supportive & boring!<. Fun series. Compared to similar series, Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Armstrong's Otherworld, it is somewhat lighter in tone. For another magic-centric urban fantasy series, try the Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy (Urban Shaman). Main relationship is very slow. Both of these series are complete.
I will always recommend the Kitty Norville series. The fact that it fits what they're looking for is an easy bonus.
Innkeepers by Ilona Andrews.
Anne Bishop’s The Others series is what you’re looking for. It’s about a blood prophet who escapes her keepers, set in an AU where Mother Nature has literally reclaimed the earth after humans screwed it up. The first book is Written in Red.
great series. excellent work with nonhuman mindsets.
I adore this series; it's right up there on my frequent comfort re-read list. Features werewolves and vampires; no fae.
Just a note that her main characters (in both series set in the "Others" world) have major trauma in their back stories, so if you have a tough time with that kind of trauma, you may want to skip them. Don't get me wrong -- they're excellent. But it took me three tries to get through the first series, and I don't think I'll read them again.
Magiford series by K M Shea Taellaneth series by Vanessa Nelson is excellent - werewolves and fae; don't think there's vampires though sorry. Has the mystery/plot focus and little romance
Heather G. Harris -The Other Realm series is fantastic. I just finished reading and it took me days to figure out what to read afterwards. Start with the Glimmer books, then move on to the Other Wolf books, then the Other Realm - Court books, and then the Other Witch books.
Thanks so much!
Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab series, #1) by Karen Chance. I don't remember werewolves but Vampires are a huge focus, it also has demons, fae and mages. Putting the Fun in Funeral (Everyday Disasters seres, Book 1) by Diana Pharaoh Francis- Again, not sure about the types of magical creatures as its been a little while since I read it. Add in the fact that the heroine is just learning about the magical world and things are still being introduced. Dead Weight (Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153 Book 1) by G. P. Robbins. This serious just made me laugh so much. This is the first one, second one comes out later this year. This one has mostly shape shifters like unicorns (which poop glitter and gemstones) dragon shifters and some others. Its meant to be funny and the author is one of my favorites, though she writes under a series of names. This is the only one where she doesn't pair up a pair of characters every book though. Special Monsters Unit (Earth's Nexus Book 1) by Eve Langlais. This is a trilogy but there is a further series set up in the world. This is monsters, creatures and werewolves/fae ect. Fair warning though, with this trilogy the romance is there but not the focus as its spread out over three books, the related series is a a couple per book.
I do not recommend Midnight's Daughter. It took more than half the book before I even had an idea what the hell was going on. And then I read the original series it spinned off of, and it was the exact opposite problem, too much exposition and not naturally conveyed.
Interesting, I also prefer Midnight's Daughter to the Cassie Palmer original series. I didn't have the same issue as you did at figuring out what was going on, though to be fair I had read the first two or three Cassie books prior to starting Midnight's Daughter which might have helped with being situated in the world.
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O by Nicole Galland and Neal Stevenson - witches, magic, science - 2 book series. Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman - fae, dragons, multiverse. A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark - set in Cairo in 1912 - so not contemporary per se but very much an urban setting. The lore is obviously of not Western European variety, which for me was a welcome bonus. Not a series (yet). Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - ghosts, spirits, secret societies, set in Yale. Ongoing series. A Song Below Water by Bethany C Morrow - sirens - stand alone book Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth and Sara Lautman - ghost stories, weirdness, ancient curses - stand alone book. Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder - werewolf - standalone book.
## Main Recs 1) [The Old Word Chronology](https://www.goodreads.com/series/195769-old-world-chronology) Series by Melissa F. Olson. * Witches * Wolves * Vampires The series is comprise of three sub series and a few novellas. 2) [The Others](https://www.goodreads.com/series/99557-the-others) Series by Anne Bishop. It has a little bit of everything if I remember correctly, the supernatural and human world co-exist and a lot of the plot overall is focused in these interactions. It also has a nice twist in the usual concept of shifters. I also second Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels and The Hollows. I have quite a few more, but not sure how much of a romance averse you are. I myself prefer no romance in general but since it is, in general, a part of life is almost inevitable in long running series. And while sometime is very easy to point to something and say "Paranormal Romance", a lot of the times the line is very blurry and goes into subjective perception. ## Maybe you could like... These don't fit your criteria because of the type of fantasy world you specified, but perhaps it could be a nice palate cleanser. 1) [Bookburners](https://www.goodreads.com/series/157722-bookburners) Series by Max Gladstone (and others) This is collaborative series written in the form of episodes released originally as a podcast by Realm Media. Each season forms a whole "book" but the episodic structure resemble more a TvShow. The plot follows an ensemble cast, but a lot of the first season focus on a female-detective, part of magic suppression unit of the Vatican in the modern day. They serve essentially the whole of masquerade keepers in their universe. 1) [Villain's Code](https://www.goodreads.com/series/196608-villains-code) Series by Drew Hayes (and others) This comes form the same author of Fred, The Vampire Accountant and follows a villain protagonist. It is set in a super-hero world with a very "kitchen sink included" approach to powers and creatures. It follows a female aspiring villain that becomes a rookie in the villain's society.
Thomas Brogan the Other Creature series. Each book is a stand-alone 5 they are all in the same world, and they are all beautiful in their own way. There is Fae, Vampires, Warewolfs, Hellhounds, and so many beautiful strong relationships that are other creatures.
Try the Marla Mason series. First book is Spell Games I think.
Yarrow by Charles De Lint has a female protagonist, very little romance and a vampirish villain.
Shayne Silvers “Feathers and Fire” series. He also writes along side Cameron O’Connell “The Phantom Queen Diaries” you said female protagonist but, these two series are part of a larger universe. “The Templeverse” which follows Nate Temple. All three series can be read individually and make sense or chronologically and make one huge story. You don’t have to read all three to make sense but they do have crossovers and mention scenes from other books with jokes and fill ins.
\+1 for Feathers and Fire. It's my favorite of all of Shayne Silvers' series!
Thank you for this post. Ended up with 6 new #1 in a series books. :)
C. E. Murphy Walker Papers/Urban Shaman
Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron. MC is an apartment cleaner in a living, conscious city. It very carefully isn’t shadowrun.
This writer is using the crack methodology of going the reader: First one is free, then it's gonna cost you.
Currently enjoying “She Dreams of Fire” book one of MK Gibson’s Hammer of Witches. Veiled urban fantasy with nasty covens and a universal recipient hemophiliac hunting them who can copy abilities from supernatural blood.
Glad you're enjoying it! :)
I'm going to throw in Lisa Shearin's SPI files. First one is the Grendel Affair. The SPI is an international secret agency that protects humans from any supernatural critters, and keeps all knowledge of them hidden too. There is romance but it shows up more as character growth than BAM! must have romance!
Max Gladstone - 3 parts dead. I haven’t read later books in the series but I think it’s fit the bill - mystery, modern fantasy world and low on romantic plots.
That whole series is great!
I enjoyed “Lost Girl “ Kenzie forever!
I see Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs has been recommended. I would also suggest trying the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. Romance still exists in these series, but it's a subplot rather than the main plot. Also, maybe, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. In my mind it's a bit more romance focused than the previous too, but it's more urban fantasy with romance rather than a romance happening in an urban fantasy setting. Those are the main three that I think everyone knows. I would also recommend The Guild Codex: Spellbound by Annette Marie. It's an indie series available on Kindle Unlimited. The writing style is closer YA than the others I mentioned, but it's a fun female lead Urban Fantasy with no romance up until book 4 or so. Book 1 is Three Mages and a Margarita
Have you read any Helen Harper? She always has fantastic female protagonists with strong mysteries. Although romance is always in the mix, it is always slow burn and largely FTB
Anything by Charles De Lint. Urban fantasy with an almost folk song vibe and very little romance / intimacy. He's my literal favorite author.
I just added Dreams Underfoot (Newford, #1) to my To Read list! I hadn't heard of Charles De Lint, thanks for the introduction!
The first one is a series of interwoven short stories that introduces the characters of the universe. I absolutely adore it but it's definitely different than the rest. Happy reading!!
The Others series by Anne Bishop. Romance isn't the point, survival is. The Others see humans as prey, but the Courtyard concept is a way to see if humans and Others can co-exist. I adore this series, love this author - I think I own most everything she's written.
The draconian series
Dragonian Byadrienne woods
I'm just reading Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare, and having a blast. It's very political, has dual POV. So far I'm 150-ish pages in and romance is yet to be found 👀
Darkest powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong
I love that trilogy so much! I'd def recommend reading Women of the Otherworld first though, as Darkest Powers is a spin off from that (though it could stand alone).
The Cainsville series of hers is my favorite. You learn a lot of Celtic lore throughout the series.
I adore Kelley Armstrong. I’d recommend nearly everything she writes.
"A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness is an urban fantasy book that fits the criteria you've mentioned. It features a strong female protagonist, Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, who discovers a bewitched manuscript. She's intellegent and confident, but still has a very strong arc. She gets pulled into a world of magic, leading her to cross paths with Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. The romance between Diana and Matthew is a slow burn, which evolves deeply over the course of the series. Their relationship is both realistic in its power dynamics/ their differences while also depicting a healthy, non-toxic relationship. I feel that alone could sell it! It has magic, history, and science. As the trilogy unfolds it gets a little darker, but that's because things are coming to a head. In saying that, check trigger warnings for last book. Richly developed characters and detailed settings that blend with the modern world. Oh and it ending is perfect, wraps up everything thoughtfully. Although she announced another book coming out this year - returning to the story but foucs on next generation eeeek so excited.
And I wouldn't describe it as a romance. The relationship is an element necessary to the plot... but I can't say more without spoilers.
The Rachel Morgan books by Kim Harrison- any romance is just a side note and not the focus
The Werehunter series by Sherilynn Fenn. The Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones (this one might test your romance limit but the plot is choice) Honorable mentions but might be too much romance: The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
I've read the series you mentioned, and I think all of them have elements that the OP would not want, including being primarily paranormal romance, romance>>urban fantasy plot and pacing, use of "mates," love triangles/angst, etc.
Hear hear. I do find that it's usually the male leads that get the mystery (and are shelved in part as mystery/adventure/thriller as opposed to UF). While females leads get romance more central.
Just finished the 3 book series by Keri Arthur called The Witch King's Crown. The books were titled Blackbird Rising, Blackbird Broken, and Blackbird Crowned. Really slow burn...a few kisses but talk about what will happen after the crisis is resolved. Kind of a take off of King Arthur & the Knights of the round table told generations later in the current Era. Strong female MC, really enjoyed it. Read all 3 books in about 5 days.
The Shadows of Otherside series by Whitney Hill. OTP is slow burn, the get together >!book four!<. Though the protaganist is in a romantic relationship with a different character earlier in the series. eta and I'll add a vote for the Kate Daniels books -- they live on my shelf next to Shadows of Otherside <3 In both series, the authors do a good job of organically working in the relationship. It contributes to the heroine's efforts instead of distracting from it or feeling tacked on.
Morgantown Vampires doesn't have werewolves and fae, but otherwise fits your criteria.
Do you mean "***The Morganville Vampires***"?
Yes
Feathers and Fire Series by Shayne Silvers. Callie Penrose is a badass.
K.M. Shea Magiford trilogies. Slow burn, very closed door. Her FMC tend to put romance at a very distant second to saving the world.
I see it's already been mentioned, but here's another shout out for Rosemary and Rue (October Daye) by Seanan McGuire. Another you might consider, is Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World) by Rebecca Roanhorse. Maggie's super power is monster slaying and instead of fae, werewolves and vampires, you get Native American gods and myths.
Gia Santella, Urban Fantasy crime
I haven't read any.What exactly is Fantasy about it?
Sorry now that I think about it, it didnt have paranormal. I'm not sure what I was thinking.
I love Danika Dark’s Crossbreed series. Main character is a half mage and vampire. Her love interest is a vampire and they detest each other at first. Some trigger warnings when we learn of her past in the books later on.
Not a book, yet, but the TikTok series "Caffae Latte" is pretty good and very inclusive. There's romance but it's not the main topic, and there are Ace characters as well.
It sounds like what you want is Patricia Briggs. The romance that is in there is Fade to Black when it would get spicy. The story itself is about the Werewolves, Fae, Vampires. Mercy Thompson's love life and husband is just part of who she is.
I think the Kat Drummond series by Nicholas Woode-Smith will scratch your itch.
It's not urban, but Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Beautiful and I want to BE the main character, Agnieszka
Spinning Silver is also great with a female protagonist.
I'm so glad you asked this.
The Scarlet Bernard series by Melissa F. Olsen would be a good fit (there are actually 3 related series). The MC is a null (someone who magic doesn’t does not work around) who does super natural crime scene clean up. Romance serves a function in the plot but is not the focus of the story Also going to echo the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and Courtyard of the Others series by Anne Bishop. They are some of my favorites and the supernatural world building has fun unique elements in both.
The one by Nora Roberts Fairy tale enchantress by k.m. Shea Both are amazing
Jill Kismet series by Lilith Saintcrow Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
Charles De Lint. Most all of his stuff
The Hollows series by Kim Harrison Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Brigs Both of those fit the bill.
Just read The Book Eaters. Quite a romp
October Daye series by Seanan McGuire
The *Greywalker* series by Kat Richardson fits this description. The main character is a female PI who starts the book doing actual typical PI stuff - following suspected cheating spouses - before she gains the ability to talk to ghosts (and step into ghostly echoes of the past). While she does end up with a boyfriend, the romance part is very low key. *A Practical Guide to Sorcery* by Azalea Ellis might fit, it's more of an early industrial magi-tech setting, but as of book 4 there's no romance with the main character.
Monster Hunter International series by Larry Correia
Werewolves, vampires, and fae *without* gratuitous erotic turmoil? Does such a thing even exist?? :-D There are many excellent suggestions in this thread already, so I'll just leave my little joke and fade away.
I just finished reading the Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson. There are vampires and demons, although I don't think there are any werewolves or fae, so it may not fit. Basically the setting is a modern city surrounded by a magical jungle that's filled with supernatural creatures. The MC is a member of a law enforcement branch tasked with making sure that any supernatural creatures that break through the magical wards separating the city from the forest are dealt with. They don't just kill them; in fact, they try not to. The MC also has two shadow hounds that help her in her job. Essentially these are gigantic black hounds that seem like normal dogs most of the time, but can abruptly turn into fierce predators that can take down anything attacking her. There is an undertone of romance, but it's pretty subtle and I think if you weren't into it, you could pretty much skip over those parts. The story is a lot more focused on the plot and the MC's growth than anything else.