Can you recommend the best urban fantasy stories for beginners?

Sure. 'The Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan is a great start. It has elements of urban fantasy as it sets Greek mythology in modern - day America. It's easy to read and really engaging. Another good one is 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman. It's about a boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard, which is a really cool urban fantasy concept.

For beginners, I'd recommend 'The Mortal Instruments' series by Cassandra Clare. It's set in a modern - day world filled with shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. The story follows Clary as she discovers this hidden world and her own place in it. It has a great mix of action, romance, and mystery.

I'd recommend 'Locke & Key' for beginners. It has a very accessible story that hooks you from the start. It's about a family and their new home filled with secrets. The mystery element makes it exciting. Also, 'Mouse Guard' is a good choice. The idea of mice having their own society and adventures is easy to understand and the art is really detailed and beautiful.

Another good option is 'Storm Front' by Jim Butcher. It's the first in the 'Dresden Files' series, but it can be read as a standalone. Harry Dresden is a wizard in modern - day Chicago, dealing with magic, crime, and the supernatural. The story has a good mix of action, mystery, and magic that beginners will enjoy.

Sure. 'A Discovery of Witches' is a great start. It's easy to follow and has a really engaging love story between a witch and a vampire. It also does a good job of introducing the world of magic. Another one is 'The Iron Druid Chronicles'. The humor in it makes it accessible, and the romantic parts are interesting. 'The Darkest London' series is also good for beginners as it has a clear plot and a very appealing central romance.

I'd recommend 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. It has a mix of witches, vampires, and daemons in a modern - day Oxford setting. The story is slow - burning and detailed, which is good for new readers to get into the genre. Plus, 'Moon Called' by Patricia Briggs is a great start. It features Mercy Thompson, a shapeshifter, in a world full of werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural beings in a small - town - turned - urban - fantasy setting.

For beginners, 'The Chronicles of Narnia' is a good start. The story of the White Witch usurping the throne is easy to understand and very engaging. It has elements of magic, adventure, and the fight against the usurper. Another option is 'The Hobbit'. Although not as deeply focused on usurpation as some others, Smaug's control over the Lonely Mountain can be seen as a form of usurpation, and it's a great introduction to fantasy worlds. Then there's 'Alice in Wonderland' which has a sense of the Queen of Hearts usurping a kind of normal order in Wonderland through her tyrannical rule.

I would recommend 'The Hobbit' for beginners. It has a relatively straightforward plot compared to some other complex fantasy works. The characters are lovable and the adventure is exciting. Also, 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones. It has a charming story and the idea of a moving castle is really cool. It's not too difficult to follow either.

For beginners, 'Harry Potter' is a great start. It's easy to understand and has a very engaging story. The characters are relatable and the magic world is introduced in a very accessible way. Another good one is 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's shorter than 'The Lord of the Rings' but still has the charm of Tolkien's Middle - earth with its dwarves, hobbits, and dragons.

For beginners, 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis has some dark elements within its otherwise more accessible fantasy world. It's a great starting point. Also, 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien has some darker moments and introduces the reader to a richly imagined world. And 'The Dark Is Rising' sequence by Susan Cooper is a good choice. It has a strong sense of mystery and the battle between light and dark.