10 books like Angels' Blood

It might look like another romance novel slipped into this list by mistake, but Andrews elevates a typical paranormal romance plot by placing it in an extraordinary open-world urban fantasy setting and emphasizing the main character’s relationship with her family over her love life. Nevada and her loved ones would rather live quiet lives than welcome society’s scrutiny by exposing abilities that are extraordinary even in a world socially ruled by magical dynasties. This book proves explosive magical fights can occur in a world where the response is live-streaming and not an immediate cover-up attempt.

I’m just wild about Harry—Dresden, that is, Chicago’s only wizard for hire. Storm Front is the first of 20 books in the Dresden Files, a great mix of urban fantasy, noir, and pop culture references. When Harry investigates a double murder committed by black magic, he has many suspects to choose from: spirits, ghouls, vampires, and he’s always contending with the overbearing White Council of Wizards with its draconian laws and rules. Butcher’s ability to get Harry out of impossible dangers is impressive. No deus ex machina here. Harry survives by his wits and his snarky remarks. Oh, and he’s not bad looking, either. Always a plus! The battle scenes can be graphic and gory, but it’s worth it for the snark.

This may very well be one of my absolute favorites, not just in this series but in this genre. I love my complicated and broken heroes and this one takes the mantle. It does help to read some of the earlier books to get a better feel for the character but it can also be a really great stand-alone if you wish. The relationship is the backbone of the story but the character growth, the secret world within our own, the side characters, and side plots weave together to make such an intriguing and tense read. I’ve read this book multiple times and am thoroughly entranced each time. This is definitely a top 3 for me out of all the books I’ve read.

Dannika Dark’s Crossbreed is just one of her many spin-off series but has quickly become my favourite. The relationship between Raven and Christian is slow-burn, with the books mainly focusing on Keystone, an organisation they are both apart of. In the first book Keystone, there is very little romance other than hints and teases, but when they do get together further in the series it’s intense and full of passion while still remaining true to the storyline. I find with many series that once a couple gets together their individuality disappears, but with the Crossbreed series you find Raven is still the main protagonist, and Christian only adds to her character arc. Heat level: 3/5

Patricia Briggs is a huge name within urban fantasy, and I’m sure many people who recognize her will wonder why I’ve chosen Alpha and Omega and not her Mercy Thompson series. The reason is Alpha and Omega are seriously overlooked! Charles and Anna are a powerful couple within their own right. Essentially forced into a mating by their wolves, Charles and Anna have to quickly figure out their relationship dynamic at the same time as Anna deals with the trauma of her old pack. This book is the short story prequel that introduces the characters, but the series, in general, is full of calming patience that slowly builds their deep love for one another. Heat level: 1/5

A vampire world once again. Cat Crawfield is a human/vampire hybrid who meets her match in a British vampire, “Bones,” who hunts his own kind. Simply said, I love Bones. He’s a man of contradictions in one body—snarky with no shame, cold-hearted as needed, but would die for the ones he loves. I’d take him home in an instant if I could gain his loyalty. The amazing mix of action, romance, and the paranormal keep me re-reading this series of books whenever I feel the need to go to a sure-fire happy place.

Jr Ward is an amazing author. She was one of the reasons why I decided to start my vampire series. You got to read this series it will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Why? Vampires of course! I was looking for a series that wasn't the same traditional story and I found it in this series.

I felt passion when reading this book. You could tell the author put a lot of hard work into this series and it helped me by showing me it’s okay to switch up the rules on a story told a hundred times over.

Sometimes I want to be emotionally destroyed and when I do, this is the series I return to. Kenyon has a way of developing her fantasy world and those who inhabit it so fully that reading this series feels less like an escape and more like an immersion. This series is a different take on the vampire genre, bringing in Greek mythology to expand the lore of Kenyon’s world. The heroines are strong, the heroes are perfectly flawed, and this is the series I turn to when I want to feel every emotion on the spectrum. 

Anyone looking for an addictive urban fantasy series needs to read this. Merit is a strong female lead character that rises to the challenges that come with her new undead way of life. Intense world building with lots of vamp politics. Just the right amount of mystical blended with reality to give me hope that vampires really walk among us.

L. Ann is a new-to-me author and one whose Forgotten Legacy series made me an instant fan. Her writing is smooth, angst is high, and characters are heartbreakingly real. Romance guarantees a happily ever after, but L. Ann keeps you guessing how she’s going to accomplish it until the bitter end. For paranormal romance readers sliding from vampires over to shifters, the Midnight Pack series is a delicious excuse to stay up past bedtime to finish off just one more chapter.