The Better Part of Darkness
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆
The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, Book 1) by Kelly Gay
The better part of urban fantasy. 👹🔥
If you're a fan of Mercy Thompson or Kate Daniels, you're going to love this. But in my opinion, Charlie Madigan goes even further with its darker tone, grittier edge, and larger-scale world. It’s tough to find true Urban Fantasy these days, since so much of the genre leans heavily into Paranormal Romance. But this series skips the romance tropes entirely and dives straight into the good stuff.
Right from the start, the concept is absolutely captivating:
Scientists have discovered that what we once called Heaven and Hell are actually alternate dimensions with their own complex societies. Now, creatures from these realms live openly among us with Atlanta being the central hub where all these beings converge. Mystical and otherworldly races walking the streets is totally normal 🧝👿👹.
The pacing is fast, but never at the expense of depth. Charlie and her partner Hank are both fully realized characters, each with distinct personalities and conflicts.
What really makes the book stand out, though, is the world-building. The weaving of supernatural politics with gritty urban life is extremely well done, and filled with mystery and intrigue. The merging of realms creates an excitingly original backdrop that leans more into science fiction, and almost defies what you would expect from urban fantasy.
After watching Bright on Netflix and seeing the cinematic potential of urban fantasy, my first thought was: studios need to adapt Charlie Madigan. 🎬
