Step into the spellbinding world of Tanya Huff’s Blood & Smoke series, where a former street kid turned wizard battles supernatural chaos on a vampire TV show set! This urban fantasy trilogy blends ghostly mysteries, demonic threats, and sharp humor, offering a fresh spin on the genre. With its quirky cast and TV production backdrop, Blood & Smoke invites readers into a thrilling, magic-filled adventure.
Centered on Tony Foster, a gay wizard-in-training navigating love, danger, and Hollywood-style drama, the series captures the charm of early 2000s urban fantasy. Whether you’re a fan of Buffy’s wit or the X-Files’ eerie vibes, this Lambda Award-nominated trilogy promises a wild ride through Vancouver’s supernatural underbelly.
How Blood & Smoke Began
Canadian author Tanya Huff, a pioneer of urban fantasy, crafted Blood & Smoke as a spin-off from her acclaimed Blood Books series. Originally a minor character in the Vicki Nelson novels, Tony Foster caught Huff’s attention for his potential to shine. Inspired by her own experience in television production and a love for genre-blending, Huff launched the series in 2004 with Smoke and Shadows. The trilogy, also called the Tony Foster series, reflects her knack for witty dialogue and heartfelt characters, drawing from her time at Ryerson Polytechnic’s Radio and Television Arts program.
The Heart of Blood & Smoke
The trilogy kicks off with Smoke and Shadows (2004), where Tony, now a production assistant on the vampire detective show Darkest Night, faces shadowy entities from another dimension. With his vampire ex, Henry Fitzroy, and a reluctant wizard, Arra, Tony discovers his own magical powers to stop an invasion. Smoke and Mirrors (2005) traps Tony and the crew in a haunted mansion, where he battles a malevolent force holding ghosts hostage. The finale, Smoke and Ashes (2006), raises the stakes as Tony teams up with Leah, an immortal stuntwoman, to thwart a demonic convergence threatening Earth.
Blood & Smoke weaves themes of identity, resilience, and found family against a backdrop of Vancouver’s gritty streets and studio lots. Huff’s lighthearted yet poignant style, packed with sarcastic humor and pop culture nods, sets it apart from darker urban fantasies. Tony’s journey as a queer protagonist, navigating crushes and self-discovery, adds depth, while the TV setting pokes fun at genre tropes, making the series a love letter to fans of supernatural stories.
Why Blood & Smoke Resonates
Blood & Smoke carved a niche in urban fantasy with its diverse cast and playful take on supernatural tropes. Fans praise Tony’s relatable growth from street kid to hero, and Huff’s inclusive portrayal of queer characters was groundbreaking for its time. Though less known than Buffy or Dresden Files, the series’ blend of humor, heart, and horror has earned a loyal following, with readers rereading for its comforting, fast-paced charm. Its Lambda Award nomination underscores its cultural impact, celebrating queer representation in genre fiction.
- First published: 2004–2006
- Number of books: 3
- Awards: Lambda Award-nominated
- Setting: Vancouver, Canada
Grab Smoke and Shadows and dive into Blood & Smoke’s spellbinding urban fantasy world! Whether you’re craving witty banter, supernatural thrills, or a hero who’s figuring it all out, Tony Foster’s adventure is your next must-read.