The best urban fantasy adventures with snarky humor

Why am I passionate about this?

As the author of 10+ books in my snark-filled and magical Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe, I’ve had plenty of practice mixing humor and urban fantasy. I’m also addicted to British humor like Monty Python and Black Books. Sir Edgar Allan Kipling, the magical talking cat in my books is my main outlet for humor with his feline aphorisms like “pride is unbecoming to humans, only cats and dragons do it justice,” and “if you wanted sympathy, you should have adopted a dog.” It has been my joy to seek out the snort-laugh-worthiest novels, learn from them, and produce laugh-out-loud adventures for my own wonderful readers.


I wrote...

Beginnings

By Lydia Sherrer,

Book cover of Beginnings

What is my book about?

Wizard and archivist Lily Singer is having a bad day. Her troublemaking friend Sebastian Blackwell has dragged her into one of his “professional witch” jobs again. That would be business as usual in the magical underworld, except that, unlike Sebastian, Lily avoids adventure like most people would avoid the plague. Avoidance may not work this time, though, because adventure is coming for Lily whether she likes it or not, complete with angels, demons, fae, and a talking cat.

Come enjoy shenanigans galore with the first installment of this snarky magical adventure.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Three Mages and a Margarita

Lydia Sherrer Why did I love this book?

I absolutely love the protagonist, Tori, with her blazing red hair and snarky red-headed temper. She is so bold and calls it like it is, yet has enough self-doubt to make her relatable and has lots of room for character growth. Her snarky internal dialog puts me in stitches! I love that she stands up for herself and others, even when it gets her in trouble, and she never plays the victim or thinks of herself as helpless. The book is expertly rounded out with fascinating worldbuilding, wonderful side characters, and an engrossing plot that is fun and full of meaning. It is a great start to a great series.

By Annette Marie,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Three Mages and a Margarita as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig.

It went downhill the moment they asked me to do a trial shift instead of an interview — to see if I'd mesh with their "special" clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete dickheads, and I was an asshole right back. That's the definition of fitting in, right?

I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they… offered me the job?

It turns out this place isn't a bar. It's a guild. And…


Book cover of Between Jobs

Lydia Sherrer Why did I love this book?

The Tasmanian setting and more subtle, understated snark of the protagonist threw me for a loop for the first part of this book, but it had been highly recommended to me so I stuck with it (plus I loved the premise and characters of this urban fantasy romp). By the end of it and into the second and third books in the series I was head-over-heels in love with the series, the author’s voice, and her wonderfully unique Aussie sense of humor. We all know that the first book can be a bit rough, and I promise you that by the end of the series I was so blown away by the excellent story-smithing and craftsmanship of Ms. Gingell that this series is one of my top favorite.

By W.R. Gingell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Between Jobs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect to see is a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you're squatting in your parents' old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can't afford is the attention of the cops.

Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It's not my real name, but it's the only one you're getting. Things like names are important these days. 

And it's not so much that I'm Pet. I am a pet. A…


Book cover of Half a Soul

Lydia Sherrer Why did I love this book?

I’m a sucker for a good regency romance/urban fantasy mashup, and this one involving magic, sorcerers, and the mysterious fae was delightful. The protagonist having only “half a soul” and therefore immune to people’s opinions made her the perfect vehicle for the most amusing dialog and commentary you can imagine. The romance was well-paced and swoon-worthy (and on the clean side, which I prefer), the characters engaging, the plot twisty and satisfying. Overall a very fun read!

By Olivia Atwater,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Half a Soul as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

“Whimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm” (India Holton), Olivia Atwater’s delightful debut will transport you to a magical version of Regency England, where the only thing more meddlesome than a fairy is a marriage-minded mother!

It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment—an unfortunate condition that leaves her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season—but when Elias Wilder, the strange, handsome,…


Book cover of Slouch Witch

Lydia Sherrer Why did I love this book?

I’ve enjoyed all of Helen Harper’s books that I’ve read (they are all quite humorous) but I especially loved her Lazy Girl’s Guide. Slouch Witch introduces us to a powerful witch who was kicked out of magic school due to being blamed for someone else’s mistake. Now she’s dedicated to being as lazy and shiftless as possible to stay out of trouble and keep herself away from using her magic. Oh, and she has a cat who may or may not know everything that is going on, and communicates in one-word pronouncements that all cat owners can relate to. There’s a cute romance and fun book-by-book adventures to follow.

By Helen Harper,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Slouch Witch as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hard Work Will Pay Off Later. Laziness Pays Off Now.

Let's get one thing straight - Ivy Wilde is not a heroine. In fact, she's probably the last witch in the world who you'd call if you needed a magical helping hand. If it were down to Ivy, she'd spend all day every day on her sofa where she could watch TV, munch junk food and talk to her feline familiar to her heart's content.

However, when a bureaucratic disaster ends up with Ivy as the victim of a case of mistaken identity, she's yanked very unwillingly into Arcane Branch,…


Book cover of Good Omens

Lydia Sherrer Why did I love this book?

Anyone who loves urban fantasy and snarky humor has got to read Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. Sir Terry is the ultimate purveyor of snicker-worthy humor and urban fantasy romps, and he brings all of that skill to bear to this delightful collaboration with amazing author Neil Gaiman. Not only is Good Omens a hilarious romp, but it ends up being quite insightful and touching along the way. I, as a religious person, was absolutely tickled by the irreverent religious humor (anyone who really knows God knows he has a great sense of humor) and unexpected mashups of well-known tropes. If you enjoy urban fantasy and snarky humor, this one is a must-read.

By Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman,

Why should I read it?

17 authors picked Good Omens as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE BOOK BEHIND THE AMAZON PRIME/BBC SERIES STARRING DAVID TENNANT, MICHAEL SHEEN, JON HAMM AND BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

'Ridiculously inventive and gloriously funny' Guardian

What if, for once, the predictions are right, and the Apocalypse really is due to arrive next Saturday, just after tea?

It's a predicament that Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon, now find themselves in. They've been living amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and, truth be told, have grown rather fond of the lifestyle and, in all honesty, are not actually looking forward to the coming Apocalypse.

And then there's the small…


You might also like...

A Darling Handyman

By Lark Holiday,

Book cover of A Darling Handyman

Lark Holiday Author Of A Darling Handyman

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Christmas market lover Friend to all croissants

Lark's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

She’s hiding from pain. He’s lost everything but his dog. When fresh air and second chances bring them together, can they rediscover true love?

If you enjoy kind-hearted heroes, small towns, and more humor than heat, you’ll adore this contemporary Alaskan romance! A Darling Handyman is the feel-good first book in the Darling Men series. All books in the series can be read alone and in any order.

A Darling Handyman

By Lark Holiday,


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in satire, heroes, and witchcraft?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about satire, heroes, and witchcraft.

Satire Explore 151 books about satire
Heroes Explore 102 books about heroes
Witchcraft Explore 305 books about witchcraft