Urban Fantasy discussion

One of my favorite UF series is Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Oberon is a major reason why. I am looking for a sentient animal sidekick. One who talks to the main character. I have read and loved the Kate Daniels series as well.

Urban fantasy, only? 'cause Rowl in The Aeronaut's Windlass may match, but though it's fantasy that takes place in a city, it's not urban fantasy

While I prefer Urban Fantasy, I will look into it. Thanks

A Taste Fur Murder by Dixie Lyle is the first book in a series where an animal-loving Gal Friday solves mysteries with the help of a telepathic cat and a shapeshifting dog.

You might like my book Blood Cure by K. R. Willis. It's urban fantasy and the main character's animal sidekick is a puma who spends part of her time as a tattoo.

Checking your book out, K.R.!

I remember reading a series where the Heroine has a cat that was a wizard (I think) who got himself 'stuck' in cat form. Will have to look back through my books and find it for you. Sound familiar to anyone?

Are you thinking of Bob the cat from the True Blood books?

lmao so literally I read to much I was going to say Demon familiar (Sabina kane's demon side kick from red-headed stepchild) hahaha then I was like oh wait they mean like a animal animal. although I think sometimes he is an animal a cat maybe? anyone remember?

Margie wrote: "... I am looking for a sentient animal sidekick. One who talks to the main character..."

So we just had this a couple of months back in one of my groups, though it wasn't "sentient" only side kick animal/creature.

, Scarlett Bernard has a dog creature, bargess?, not quite sentient, Melissa F Olson.
In October Daye there is the rose goblin, Spike, sentient creature.
Dragon Riders of Pern have dragons, sentient, and fire lizards, not sentient.

Kate Daniel has the attack poodle creature, Grendel, not sentient, but fun.
, Imp series, Debra Dunbar has a demon dog and demon horse, not quite side kick.
, Eli Monpress, Miranda has a dog (ghost hound?) that is sentient but this is fantasy more than UF.
(UF), has a spirit ghost something cat, might be evil, that is attached to his partner. Fun book.
(fantasy) & (pnr) have familiar side kicks, but... they can turn into men.
; Jenks from Rachel Morgan, but he is a pixie, not animal, so more a small man.

I haven't read these but they are mentioned
Talking Cats in and
And MJ Halliday has a talking parrot
, snarky talking house plant
, ghost cat

talking dog side kicks-
, Demon Slayer;
, Aisling Grey series.
Demon Underground by Parker Blue.

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "I remember reading a series where the Heroine has a cat that was a wizard (I think) who got himself 'stuck' in cat form. Will have to look back through my books and find it for you. Sound familiar ..."

Sounds similar to Mercedes Lackey's retelling of Puss-in-Boots Reserved for the Cat.

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "I remember reading a series where the Heroine has a cat that was a wizard (I think) who got himself 'stuck' in cat form. Will have to look back through my books and find it for you. Sound familiar ..."

This sounds like the TV series, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

K.R. wrote: "You might like my book Blood Cure by K. R. Willis. It's urban fantasy and the main character's animal sidekick is a puma who spends part of her time as a tattoo."

Headed to check this out. Thank you. I truly appreciate it when authors take the time to get involved with their readers.

Amyiw wrote: "Margie wrote: "... I am looking for a sentient animal sidekick. One who talks to the main character..."

So we just had this a couple of months back in one of my groups, though it wasn't "sentient"..."

Wow...thanks

K.R. wrote: "You might like my book Blood Cure by K. R. Willis. It's urban fantasy and the main character's animal sidekick is a puma who spends part of her time as a tattoo."

I will check this out once I can afford to buy an ebook. Unfortunately, I had to leave my job, after I had posted this question, to take care of my special needs adult son. Hopefully, that will be soon.

Hi Margie, sorry to hear about your current circumstances, hopefully things will work out for the best real soon. Hugs!

A great animal sidekick in Jim Butcher's Dresden Chronicles is the part-Foo dog that lives with Harry Dresden in Blood Rites and Dead Beat.

Hate to reference my own stuff, but I had a ton of fun writing "Buddy," a telepathic Siamese cat who considers himself a prince and has a long and unpronounceable list of honorifics. One of Astin's (the main character) favorite past times is to ignore his pomposity and treat him like any other house cat.

I researched and observed a lot of cat expressions to get his mannerisms juuuust right---they're a lot more complicated than you might think. He even gets in on a major fight scene and does a fair share of damage!

H.C, Buddy sounds like an awesome character!

I'm heartened to see Oberon mentioned first. Mouse (Dresden's dog) is also great as is that cranky old cat who shared space with him.

Or Austin in Summon the Keeper or Sam in the story "Under Summons" (same series/different characters)
or the cat in Midnight Texas trilogy from Charlaine Harris?

Quicksilver a wolfhound owned by Delilah Street.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... from this book.

I LOVE this thread. Bumping so hopefully some others will add to the discussion. I'm especially interested in talking animals. If only IRL!!!

John Levitt's Dog Days series has a magical "dog" sidekick called Lou. Nice four-book urban fantasy series. I haven't read this in a while, but I still remember Lou very well.

Amyiw wrote: "Margie wrote: "... I am looking for a sentient animal sidekick. One who talks to the main character..."

So we just had this a couple of months back in one of my groups, though it wasn't "sentient"..."

Amyiw wrote: "Margie wrote: "... I am looking for a sentient animal sidekick. One who talks to the main character..."

So we just had this a couple of months back in one of my groups, though it wasn't "sentient"..."

Just wrote a book with a great side-kick character who is a rude, southern retriever dog. It comes out on Amazon tomorrow.

There are a couple of sci-fi picks included here;

cat

talking cat

dog/dog/cat
and
magical pets; flying kittens, teleporting puppies, a bugbear and a micro unicorn
The author Zoe Chant seems to include pets often as a staple in their stories including the ones I've not read

a vampire dog introduced in book 2 of the series

talking dog

I have a very strong suspicion that this very early read as a child cemented my love of cats even though I didn't get to have one until I was an adult.

and even though this is high fantasy, I would be remiss not to mention it as the talking shadow cat is what sold me on the series.

PS There are a LOT of animal sidekicks in romance too both contemporary and historical.

Another fantasy-not-UF: the Spellslinger series by Sebastien de Castell. A bloodthirsty and smartass "squirrel cat" named Reichis often steals the show. The first book is more YA than the rest of the series -- I love the whole series.

Great thread!

A great sci-fi book that got me hooked on Andre Norton is the Zero Stone. The MC has a sentient animal partner named Eek. I believe there's a second book with him, too. Sorry, on my cell phone, so can't link directly to the book.

There was that sci fi book where the main character had a giant spider as his sidekick.. I think it was a whole series...

Tombyards and Butterflies (Montague and Strong Case files, #1) by Orlando A. Sanchez.

One of the main characters has a Hellhound puppy named Peaches who is an absolute joy. I think we don't get to meet Peaches until book 2, but if you are looking for talking animal sidekicks he is not to be missed. And if you like snarky, fast paced UF you will enjoy Sanchez.

The one where he had a giant spider for a side kick???? Uggg. That's going to annoy me all day now. Merry Christmas!

Was hoping someone had named the book with the giant spider sidekick. Still bugging me!