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Today we are excited to have Justin Gustainis here today sharing his definition of urban fantasy and celebrating the release of EVIL DARK (available now from Angry Robot Books), the second book in his Occult Crimes Unit Investigations series. In case you missed it, Julia reviewed EVIL DARK earlier this week calling it, “Neither as hard-boiled as most police procedurals, nor as arcane as pure urban fantasy, EVIL DARK is a blend that does justice to both genres without taking either too seriously.”  Check out the giveaway below for a chance to win your choice of a signed copy of EVIL DARK or an electronic copy.

What the Hell Is Urban Fantasy, Anyway?

by

Justin Gustainis

      I don’t pretend that my topic for today is an original one.  Arguments about defining urban fantasy (and distinguishing it from paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and horror) have been going on for years.  But some of the discussions have been characterized, IMHO, by a lack of precision.  Maybe that’s because the topic, by nature, defies precise categorization.  But I’m here to take my shot at it.

     Urban fantasy introduces a supernatural element into a world that is mostly like our own.  The latter part of that definition distinguishes it from high fantasy, which is set in a world unlike our own.  Much high fantasy takes place in a universe resembling medieval Europe, with the addition of magic and without the dirt, disease, and cruelty that characterized the real thing. 

     So, does urban fantasy have to, literally, be urban? 

 

Title: Evil Dark Author:  Justin Gustainis Series: Occult Crimes Unit Investigation #2 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Urban Fantasy Excerpt: Yes Source: Author Reviewed by: Julia Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Angry Robot; April 24, 2012 ISBN-10: 0857661361 ISBN-13: 978-0857661364   Sexual Content: References to sex, rape, child abuse, and a threesome. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

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Title: Blackbirds Author:  Chuck Wendig Series: Miriam Black #1 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Horror Excerpt: Yes Source: Netgalley Reviewed by: Julia Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Angry Robot; April 24, 2012 ISBN-10: 0857662309 ISBN-13: 978-0857662309   Sexual Content: References to sex, attempted rape, sex scenes. Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

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