Step into the shadowy, spellbinding world of The City Between, where a snarky heroine named Pet navigates a hidden realm of fae, vampires, and deadly mysteries! W.R. Gingell’s urban fantasy series, set in the gritty streets of Hobart, Tasmania, blends humor, heart, and supernatural intrigue. With its clean yet gripping style, this series has carved a niche for readers craving a fresh take on urban fantasy.
From the moment Pet discovers a murdered man outside her window, The City Between hooks you with its quirky voice and layered world-building. Whether you’re a fan of magical detective stories or just love a found-family vibe, this series delivers a delightful mix of chills and chuckles.
How The City Between Began
Tasmanian author W.R. Gingell, known for her fairy-tale retellings and madcap sci-fi, launched The City Between in 2018 with Between Jobs. Inspired by her lifelong fascination with the fae—dangerous, unpredictable beings from folklore—Gingell crafted a world where humans unknowingly coexist with supernatural creatures. Set in her hometown of Hobart, the series reflects her love for local flavor, complete with Aussie slang and a distinctly Tasmanian atmosphere. Gingell’s goal was to write clean, engaging fantasy suitable for teens and adults alike, free of explicit content but rich with complex themes.
The Heart of The City Between
The series kicks off with Between Jobs, where Pet, a 17-year-old squatting in her parents’ old home after their brutal murder, stumbles into a supernatural investigation. When two fae lords, Zero and Athelas, and a pouty Korean vampire, JinYeong, move in, Pet becomes their ‘human pet’—a role she subverts with wit and grit. Between Shifts, the second book, dives deeper as Pet uncovers a lycanthrope-related murder at a mall, showcasing her knack for trouble. Between Floors sees Pet pushing the boundaries of reality, dragging a cop into the magical ‘Between’ realm, while Between Kings, the tenth and final book, ties up the saga with epic reveals and emotional stakes.
Themes of identity, found family, and moral ambiguity weave through the series. Pet’s journey from a lonely orphan to a fierce investigator explores self-discovery, while her banter with her ‘psychos’—Zero, Athelas, and JinYeong—builds a dysfunctional yet heartwarming family dynamic. The setting, a liminal space between human Hobart and the fae Kingdom Behind, mirrors Pet’s own in-between existence. Gingell’s clean writing, packed with Aussie humor and slow-burn romance, keeps the tone accessible yet intense, with gruesome murders adding a dark edge.
Why The City Between Resonates
The City Between has earned a devoted fanbase for its unique blend of urban fantasy and character-driven storytelling. Readers praise Pet’s relatable stubbornness and the slow, believable growth of her supernatural housemates, who evolve from cold-hearted to fiercely loyal. The series’ emphasis on grey morality—where fae and vampires don’t play by human rules—challenges readers to rethink good and evil. Its clean content broadens its appeal, attracting readers as young as 13 and as old as 80, while its intricate mysteries keep fans hooked across all ten books.
Gingell’s world-building, blending Tasmanian culture with fantastical elements like sword-umbrellas and heart-tearing fae, sets the series apart in a crowded genre. Its niche status only adds to its charm, offering a hidden gem for urban fantasy lovers seeking something off the beaten path.
- First Book Published: May 31, 2018 (Between Jobs)
- Total Books: 10 novels, 2 novellas
- Setting: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Genre: Urban fantasy, clean fantasy
Grab Between Jobs and dive into The City Between’s thrilling world of fae, vampires, and snarky sleuthing! Whether you’re solving mysteries with Pet or swooning over JinYeong’s slow-burn charm, this series is your next urban fantasy obsession.