Urban fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, placing supernatural elements in an approximation of a contemporary urban setting. The combination provides the writer with a platform for classic fantasy tropes, quixotic plot-elements, and unusual characters - without demanding the creation of an entire imaginary world. While precursors of urban fantasy are found in popular fiction of the 19th century, and the present use of the term dates back to the 1970s, much of its audience was established in the 1930s-50s. The genre's current wide popularity began in 1980s North America, as writers and publishers were encouraged by the success of Stephen King and Anne Rice. Source: Wikipedia (en)