Elevator Pitch for the System

[Falar]

Too many Urban Fantasy novels are porn with supernatural elements - Dresden now stands out as odd because of the lack of explicit sex scenes.

While there may be "too many", I would definitely not say that the Dresden Files is odd in that respect. Or, if it is, then you haven't been reading enough Urban Fantasy. I can name four series off the top of my head where it isn't over the top.

First up, Harry J. Connolly's Twenty Palaces series, which are the best books that I've read this year. Seriously, the man is an amazing writer who has chops that practically put Jim Butcher to shame - and he's only on his third book. That's right, he starts at an equitable caliber and he's only on his spiritual Storm Front and Fool Moon. Sex scenes to date? None.

Second story, Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson novels. A solid contender in new Urban Fantasy that I actually thought was going to go the way of Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake, but has an awesome even keel now. Heck, I struggle to think of as many sex scenes as the Dresden Files have in a comparable number of books. And it has a nice, real, married relationship for the main character. Grade-A.

Third verse, KA Stewart's Jesse James Dawson books. I don't have as much experience here, having only picked them up to day, but, from the get go, the author proves that she has some serious chops. A married, male protagonist who kills demons to save people's souls. It's almost like reading a story where Michael is the main character, less the whole sponsorship of the White God.

Lastly, Thomas Snogieski's Remy Chandler tales. Although I don't find them as immediately gripping as the previous three (who now make my perfect trifecta of Urban Fantasy), the tale of an angel that came to earth and becomes a PI is a pretty gripping and compelling one. Never a sex scene so far and he talks to dogs! You can't beat that.

And I didn't even touch on PN Elrod's Vampire Files.

So, there's a good handful for ya.

[Richard_Chilton]

And I didn't even touch on PN Elrod's Vampire Files.

Film Noir vampires aren't really urban fantasy (I've followed that series since the beginning).  Maybe the field is clearing a bit, but when I hit the bookstore I find book after book that have more sex than the plot needs.  Maybe if we break Paranormal Romance out as it own genre it clears up the field, but there are too many "Hot Female finds love and sex with various supes" books out there.

Richard

[Falar]

Film Noir vampires aren't really urban fantasy (I've followed that series since the beginning).

I wasn't actually going to list the Vampire Files, which is why I only threw them in as a mention, but I talked it over with my wife who reminded me of the definition of urban fantasy - a fantasy that takes place in an urban setting, regardless of time period. Checking Wikipedia to make sure, I got this definition:

Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods. The prerequisite is that they must be primarily set in a city.

I'm fairly certain that the Vampire Files totally fits this definition. Actually, things I don't classically throw with Urban Fantasy fit this definition, such as the Parasol Protectorate novels by Gail Carriger - although I'd never list this as a non-over-sexualized series in the genre. They definitely fit there.

And, while I generally agree with you that there are a lot of series where it is that way, that was not my point. I took your statement of "Dresden stands out as odd" to be ignorant of the wealth of series where that is not the case, so my post was a counter to that, not the general state of the genre. He's far from the only one in the field and, given the Twenty Palaces critical acclaim,* he'll be fighting to be widely regarded as the best eventually. My aim was not argumentative, merely informative.

I'm actually wondering on the specific series you're referring to, myself, so's I can avoid them as I attempt to better educate myself in the genre. Other than Anita Blake and Sookie Stackhouse, of course, because more or less everyone knows about those.

* I consider a starred review in PW for each as critical acclaim. YMMV

[Sanctaphrax]

Alright, that explains it. Thanks.

[TitaniumMan]

For me, a few notions got me into the game, and that might be all you need.

-Urban fantasy.  You like Angel?  It's like that.
-Characters are rewarded in-game for appealing to traits their character has, so it's great for narrative nuts like me.
-The crunch is simple, but sound.  Appealing to your traits to ramp up your roll is also pretty satisfying.
-Didn't read the books?  No problem!  You can still make whatever crazy shit you want.