Urban fantasy readers are a special breed. If you’ve ever looked at a dark alley and wondered what might be lurking just out of sight, this genre probably already has you in its grip.

Here are 15 signs you’re definitely an urban fantasy reader—and why this genre keeps pulling us back. Yup, us, I love reading and writing urban fantasy!

1. You Love the Idea of Magic Existing Right Now

Urban fantasy isn’t about far-off worlds. It’s about this one—just with secrets hidden beneath the surface. It might be a magical underworld… vampires hiding in plain sight… werewolves that come out with the full moon… you get the picture.

2. Cities Feel Alive to You

Subways, rooftops, abandoned buildings—urban fantasy turns cities into living, breathing characters. Those dark alleys no one ventures into in the real world… they are full of characters we love to hate between the pages of novels, safe in our homes.

3. You Believe the Ordinary Is Never Truly Ordinary

That barista? Probably a witch. That stranger on the bus? Maybe not human. Even your mom, your dad, your best friend’s cousin… no one is safe from speculation when you dive into an urban fantasy adventure.

4. You Love Strong, Flawed Protagonists

Urban fantasy heroes are rarely perfect—and that’s the point. Let me ask you this: Who among us is perfect? Movie superheroes are portrayed as almost God-like with their perfect personalities. However, in real life, as in urban fantasy, most heroes have flaws just like you and me, and oftentimes even worse.

5. Found Family Hits Hard

These stories thrive on chosen family, loyalty, and unlikely alliances. We can’t pick the family we are born into, but the family we do select can be even stronger. Urban fantasy stories flourish when the ‘found family’ aspect is at its best.

6. You Enjoy Darker Themes

Urban fantasy isn’t afraid of shadows, trauma, or moral gray areas. Not going to lie… there are often trigger warnings associated with many of the dark urban fantasies. Go in with caution… enjoy with an open mind.

7. You Love Rules to Magic

Magic systems matter—and breaking them always comes with consequences. This is pretty self-explanatory. Rules exist, no matter what world you live in. Break the rules and pay the price.

8. You Enjoy Slow-Burn Romance

Romance exists, but it never overshadows the story. That feeling of ‘what if’ or ‘just do it’ will come up, but it is rarely the driving force.

9. You Like Stories That Feel Real

Even with magic, the emotional stakes stay grounded. Urban fantasy reality, even when adding the element of magic or supernatural beings, doesn’t have to seem pretend or far-fetched.

10. You’re Drawn to Mythology

Gods, demons, fae, legends—urban fantasy reimagines them all. I love me some Greek mythology, which is the inspiration for a lot of urban fantasy stories.

11. You Love Secrets

Every chapter feels like peeling back another layer… diving deeper into a world we aren’t supposed to know exists. Maybe it does… maybe it doesn’t… who’s to say? The stories come from somewhere.

12. You Like Power With a Price

Again, nothing comes without consequences.

13. You Prefer Dark Humor

Sarcasm and grit go hand-in-hand in this genre. Do your friends often tell you that you have a dark sense of humor or that your humor is dry or harsh? Yeah, you just might fit in with the rest of us!

14. You Love Worlds That Feel Just Out of Reach

Urban fantasy whispers, This could be real. Urban fantasy calls to readers… drawing them in, but often keeping them peeking through the window, just outside of reality.

15. You Always Want More –

Once you find a good series, you’re in for life. Book 1… book 10… or even book 40… keep them coming.

DO YOU LIKE STARTING A SERIES THAT IS ALREADY COMPLETE, KNOWING YOU WON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE TO COME OUT? YOU’RE IN LUCK, BOTH MY BLOOD ANGEL SERIES AND MY SECTOR C SERIES ARE AVAILABLE IN FULL! CHECK THEM OUT BELOW!

THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES BY NINA SODEN (AWAKEN, BEGINNINGS, REVENGE, AND PURSUIT)

THE BEAST WITHIN (IN THE SAME WORLD AS THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES, BUT A STAND-ALONE NOVEL)

THE SECTOR C SERIES BY NINA SODEN (THE CHOSEN, THE HUNTED, AND THE BRIDGE)

Urban fantasy doesn’t just entertain—it invites you to question reality itself.