11. the Urban Fantasy Universe

U. MELISSA ANYIWO AND AMANDA JO HOBSON

11. THE URBAN FANTASY UNIVERSE

Or What to Read or Watch Next

INTRODUCTION With such a genre-blending universe, Urban Fantasy (UF) texts are wide ranging in their themes while all fitting clearly under the same banner. The following chapter offers a limited selection of what we believe are the best examples of the genre’s core themes. Since the UF blends together so many genres, the texts listed can sit in multiple categories, thus the organization also reflects the strongest thematic elements of the text. We have also highlighted texts that have an impact on the portrayal of gender within UF, specifically narratives that engage with issues of representation of gender, characters’ struggles with gender dynamics, and the reliance on sexual violence as a trope.

URBAN FANTASY WORLDS The genre-blending of urban fantasy lends itself well to developed universes that unfold over multiple texts. The following represent the most popular worlds, often featuring a mix of monsters. These series feature ensemble casts of characters with the occasional central figure, but it is through communal efforts that the characters overcome the obstacles set forth in the narrative. Laurell K. Hamilton, Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series (1993–present) [Book series] The Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series follows the adventures of necromancer Anita Blake, a kick-ass vampire hunter, whom the vampires have nicknamed the Executioner, in a world in which vampires and other supernatural creatures have announced their presence and are fighting for their rights. Beginning with the publication of Guilty Pleasures in 1993 through the twenty-fifth book Crimson Death (2016), Hamilton’s work is the foundation to urban fantasy, blending horror, fantasy, romance, and detective fiction, spiralling into erotica in the middle of the series, and eventually landing in a hybrid universe unique

to her style, as evidenced in both the Anita Blake Series and her Merry Gentry Series, creating a complicated and intricate mythology over the course of the series. The series follows the life and relationships of Anita Blake, as she raises the dead for a living and helps solve preternatural crimes, with Anita becoming a necromancer and a living vampire—a human-succubus—making her question the line between human and monster. [Contains adult content and sexual violence] Karen Marie Moning, Fever Series (2006–present) [Book series] The Fever Series focuses predominantly on MacKayla “Mac” Lane. In the first novel, Mac discovers that she is a Sidhe-Seer, meaning she can see the true faces of the Fae, can sense magical items and nullify Fae powers. Through the series she meets other Sidhe-Seers, all women imbued with powers that help them fight the Fae. When the Unseelie Fae break free from their prison and invade the human world, Mac and her allies must find the way to neutralize an evil living book and stop the Fae from destroying what is left of Dublin and the rest of the world. [Contains sexual violence] The Blade Trilogy (1998–2004) [Motion picture series] Loosely based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, this urban fantasy (currently at 3 films) focuses on Blade (Wesley Snipes) a hybrid vampire-human daywalker who possesses all the strengths of both species in a world where there are both ‘born’ and ‘made’ vampires. The dark and brooding trilogy functions around finding a cure for vampirism and destroying those that exist. Each movie brings to life a different cityscape reflective of both its vampiric content and the historical setting, i.e. Blade Trinity released after 9/11 begins in Afghanistan. The series utilizes the core themes of action horror and offers one of the few treatments of vampires of color in cinema. Jessica Andersen, Final Prophesy Series (2008–2012) [Book series] The Final Prophesy Series, also known as The Nightkeepers Series, begins as ancient Mayan demons provoke the apocalypse. The only thing that can stop the impending end of the world are the Nightkeepers, warriors able to tap into the powers of the Mayan gods. Most of the Nightkeepers have been raised by caretakers who spirited them away when their civilization collapsed, and they have no knowledge of their destiny or their heritage. Over the course of eight novels and one

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