iconic urban fantasy novels

One of the iconic urban fantasy novels is 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. It combines elements of history, magic, and romance in a modern - day setting. The story follows a historian who discovers she is a witch and gets involved with a vampire.

These novels have also influenced character - building. In Neil Gaiman's 'Neverwhere', the diverse and strange characters have inspired other authors to create more unique and complex characters in their own works. They've shown that characters don't have to be strictly human or follow normal conventions.

The Sword of Shannara. It's a key element in Terry Brooks' series. It has the power to destroy the Warlock Lord and is a very important weapon in the fight against evil in that fictional world.

A very iconic character is Zephyr from 'The Wind - Rider Vigilante'. He can fly on the winds and has a sharp sense of justice. He battles against sky pirates and those who would oppress the common folk in the floating islands of the fantasy world. There's also Seraphina from 'The Firebrand Vigilante'. She has pyromantic abilities and uses them to burn away the evil that lurks in the dark corners of the kingdom. Her red hair and fiery temper match her powers, and she's feared by the villains and adored by the people she protects.

One has to mention Fafhrd from 'Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser'. His tall and strong build combined with his sword - fighting skills make him an icon in the genre. In 'The Wheel of Time', Rand al'Thor also engages in some significant sword fights. His growth as a character is also related to his ability to fight with a sword, and his battles are quite memorable.

Aragorn from 'The Lord of the Rings' can be considered one. He has to deal with the political aspects of uniting different kingdoms against Sauron. Also, Tyrion Lannister from 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. He is constantly involved in the political games of Westeros, using his wits despite his family's prejudice against him.

Captain Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' is extremely iconic. His eccentric behavior and charm made him a beloved pirate character. Another is Long John Silver from 'Treasure Island'. His duplicitous nature and the mystery around him are very engaging.

In 'Hunter x Hunter', Gon Freecss is very iconic. His determination and growth as a hunter are really inspiring. Another is Geralt from 'The Witcher'. He is a complex character with his own code of ethics when it comes to hunting monsters.

One of the most iconic mystery novels is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. These stories feature the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson. Another is 'Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express'. It has a complex plot with a murder taking place on a train and Christie masterfully weaves together the clues and suspects. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is also iconic, with its hard - boiled detective Sam Spade.

Some great iconic horror novels include 'Interview with the Vampire' by Anne Rice. It delves into the complex and often tragic lives of vampires. 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski is a very unique horror novel that messes with the layout of the book itself to create a sense of unease. Also, 'Carrie' by Stephen King, which tells the story of a girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied at school and then takes revenge in a very horrific way.