Looking for a new urban fantasy series but not sure where to start? These prequels are the perfect entry point—short, addictive, and guaranteed to pull you into a bigger world if they hit right.
Prequels often get overlooked. They have weird volume numbers like 0.5 or 0 and can be harder to find than the main books in a series. They sometimes take place in different times or locations than the regular books, or they follow different characters. But they shouldn’t be ignored, because they’re great for several reasons:
- They’re usually either free or extremely cheap, saving your wallet.
- They’re generally short story or novella-length, so you can finish them fast and feel accomplished.
- If you like the prequel, you now have a brand new full-length series you can read.
- If you don’t like the prequel, it’s not like you invested a lot of time and money.
Like browsing for any new book, trying a prequel for an unknown series can be hit or miss. So to save you the trouble of scouring the internet for good ones, let me get you started with five urban fantasy prequels that I think are absolutely amazing.
IGNITION POINT by Jami Gray
Book Description
When a questionable, but lucrative delivery job takes an unexpected turn, will Rory survive the collision or crash and burn?
Rory Costas, Premier Transporter, has a plan for her future and the first step includes getting out from under her debt to the Arcane Guild. When an anonymous party offers a lucrative side job with shady details and a hefty paycheck, the professional implications of a successful delivery override her personal reservations.
The seemingly simple contract takes a challenging turn when two mercenary mage crews attempt to seize the package and permanently divert Rory’s delivery. When she realizes her package is the ultimate prize in a lethal battle of magical heavyweights, she must choose between salvaging her reputation or her conscience.
With her reputation and life on the line, will Rory survive a hazardous delivery or end up buried under the wreckage?
Review
This book is basically The Transporter movie meets an urban fantasy novel, and I love it for that. The main character’s motivation is to make enough money to pay off what are essentially magical student loan debts, which is super relatable. She’s a bit morally gray, but when her sketchy job goes past a line she won’t cross, she doesn’t hesitate to do the right thing. And she’s your typical urban fantasy protagonist whose snarky mouth moves faster than her brain.
She also has a secret magical power, which I won’t spoil beyond saying it comes in handy since almost every character she meets is trying to kill her.
The plot is fast-paced and feels like a paranormal action movie. It’s a complete story, so you don’t have to worry about cliffhangers, though the shadowy villain’s motivations are left ambiguous, presumably to be uncovered in a later book.
I will definitely be reading later books.
VEILED THREATS by Melissa Erin Jackson
Book Description
Camila Fletcher has made a career out of finding missing people. Despite being a full-blooded human, she’s often contacted by members of the fae population hiding amongst mundanes. When a young fae girl asks for help finding her sister, Camila is thrust into an investigation that involves much more than one missing girl…
Review
In my mind, a good prequel has to do three things: introduce a likable protagonist, transport the reader to an interesting world, and provide a satisfying plot. Veiled Threats does all three well.
Camila’s job is one of my favorite tropes: the paranormal private investigator. She’s a caring individual and doesn’t hesitate to help a young woman find her missing sister.
Camila and her husband discovered the existence of the supernatural years earlier and often take these kinds of jobs. They’re making a decent living but have received an invitation to work with a mysterious supernatural organization and go deeper into their hidden world. It’s risky but offers better job security—especially now that Camila has discovered she’s pregnant.
The main plot focuses on the search for the missing fae girl, and it’s a strong paranormal mystery/thriller. The stakes are high, with a ticking clock driving the tension. The book is short, satisfying, and the main series follows Camila’s daughter.
I just started reading Book 1.
FROM THE ASHES by Lisa Edmonds
Book Description
More Magic. More Danger. More Scotch.
You’re probably wondering how I ended up in jail with no magic. Believe it or not, it started in a used bookstore called McCann’s, just after lunch…
Meet Alice Worth. Mage private investigator, smart-ass, whisky connoisseur. When she ends up accused of a crime she didn’t commit, things quickly spiral into something far more dangerous than a bad day off.
Review
I read Book 1 in the Alice Worth series before this prequel, but it still works well as an introduction.
Alice’s first-person narration immediately establishes her personality, and the story gives a strong sense of a world where magic is fully integrated into daily life.
The mystery revolves around how and why Alice was framed. Instead of a typical magical showdown, the climax relies on wit and strategy, which makes it even more tense and engaging.
The best part is how it sets up Alice’s character arc for the main series.
OUTCAST REAPER by Shelley Russell Nolan
Book Description
After twenty-five years working as a reaper, Ash is ready to complete his final tasks and be reborn. But when he refuses a job, he’s cast out—and hunted by the Grim Reaper himself.
Review
The beginning took a bit to hook me, but once the plot kicks in, it’s hard to put down.
Ash has a clear goal: finish his final reaps and earn a fresh start. Of course, nothing goes as planned, and the tension escalates quickly.
The story becomes fast-paced and high-stakes, and it’s easy to root for the protagonist. The world and overarching plotline it sets up are also incredibly intriguing.
RITES OF PASSAGE by Amber Fisher
Book Description
What can a necromancer do when the dying won’t die?
Kezia Bernard helps guide the dying to the afterlife—but when a sinister force prevents death, she must intervene.
Review
This was one of my top urban fantasy reads of the year. It offers a unique take on necromancy and a compelling mystery.
Kezia’s role in a nursing home sets her apart from typical urban fantasy protagonists, and the conflict is both emotional and eerie.
The story delivers a satisfying conclusion while setting up future books.
Bonus: The Memory of Ghosts by Kristen Brand
Book Description
I’ve been dead for over a century.
I don’t remember my name anymore. I thought death would reunite me with Nate, my lost love, but something sinister is keeping our souls apart.
When the owner of my house hires an exorcist to get rid of me, I meet the first living person who can see and speak with me since I died. Beatriz Romo Reyes is a hard-drinking, snarky mess of a woman who reluctantly agrees to help me. Together we might finally find Nate, but as we investigate the mystery surrounding his death, the secrets we uncover may get my new friend killed… and doom my soul forever.
Review
Okay, I can’t write an unbiased review because I’m the author, but in my opinion, this book is great. 😉 It has all my favorite things: ghosts, two friends on a road trip, a spooky mystery, and library research.
The dynamic between the ghostly narrator and Bea is the heart of the story. While this prequel leans more into the emotional and mystery-driven side of urban fantasy, it builds to a big fight scene at the end. The bad guys get punched and—as always with Bea—something gets set on fire.
If you love unlikely friendships, action-packed urban fantasy, and sweet love stories, this book is for you. Start the spooky journey and download it now.
Do you have a favorite urban fantasy prequel? Shout it out in the comments!
This post was originally published on TheShadowJournals.com
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