Neverwhere

Gaiman's work is perfect for anyone who's after stories with 'mundane' protagonists from the real world who are pulled into worlds of unsettling dark fantasy. His stories have worth not only as entertainment, but as deeply contemplative and philosophical works. Neverwhere is about a Londoner who finds himself, due to an act of kindness, drawn into an unsettling magical world beneath London. It's like Alice in Wonderland ramped up for adults, but still with all the charm. Somehow Gaiman manages to blend the darkness of adult urban fantasy with the charm and whimsy of an old-fashioned fairytale, and his villains dress like gentlemen, his protagonist is bumbling and well-meaning and the denizens of his magical world are ancient and dark. His writing is an absolute pleasure to read, and things are described in such clever and witty ways that it's easy to imagine Gaiman sipping on some piping hot tea in his office and chortling as he clacks away on his keyboard. That doesn't mean, however, that nobody ever says fuck and that sex is never mentioned. This is dark fantasy, after all. Read this book if: you like fairy-tale style urban fantasy, but lean more towards the Brothers Grimm than Disney.