Dark fantasy books carry readers into worlds where the boundaries between good and evil are sometimes hazy, and the worlds they inhabit are as ethically complicated as they are beautifully detailed. These tales are well-known for their gloomy, moody settings in which protagonists must negotiate dangerous terrain and fight internal and outside conflicts that test their boundaries. In these worlds, frequently resulting in unexpected and life-altering results, magic, legendary creatures, and malevolent forces mix with the complex reality of human wants. These volumes allow readers to investigate the darker sides of the human experience by delving into power, identity, and survival issues. You can also check out the best fantasy books of all time.
Best Dark Fantasy Books
Dark fantasy books are ideal if you enjoy gritty, deep narratives. These books often feature ethically dubious people and complex stories that subvert conventional ideas of villainy and bravery. Dark fantasy heroes are frequently flawed, sophisticated, and approachable, which adds to the suspense of their paths. Usually, wondering about the essence of good and wrong sends the reader to an emotional rollercoaster from hopelessness to triumph. These works also serve as a playground for world-building, where writers develop original environments bursting with dark magic, legendary animals, and complex political intrigue.
1. The First Law Trilogy
The First Law Trilogy is a grim and violent fantasy world with very little in terms of good and evil and all for survival. It is about how they are followed, a cast of the deeply flawed following and the followed, amongst them: Logen Ninefingers, a jaded barbarian veteran of untold gory wars; Sand dan Glokta, a grizzled, cynical torturer of a misanthropic inquisitor; Jezal dan Luthar, a vain, foolish and ambitious noble. “Character-driven novel in a character-rich world.” As they tread a dark path through a world of political strife, war, and betrayal, Abercrombie delves deep into complex issues of corruption, politics, and the gritty realities of life. With a razor-sharp writing plot that’s not afraid to swerve and twist. The series challenges readers to consider what it means to be “good” in a world where everyone is out for themselves.
Joe Abercrombie is a British novelist. He is well-known for his grimdark fantasy books. He mixes dark humor with nuanced characters. He worked as a film editor before deciding to write full-time. That draws much inspiration from his passion for genre fiction and narrative. Published between 2006 and 2008, the First Law Trilogy had three books: The Blade Itself arrived on shelves in August 2006. Gollancz published the series in the US and the UK.
Length: The Blade has 515 pages. Before They Are Hanged has 640 pages. The Last Argument of Kings has 656 pages.
Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Orbit
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5
2. The Witcher Saga
The series has a rich narrative. Also, it has nuanced characters and moral complexity abound in Andrzej Sapkowski. That absorbs the fantasy series. The story follows the path of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter with superhuman ability. The show investigates fate, humanity, and the fallout from power. Sapkowski creates a world where the lines separating good from evil are sometimes blurry. Though imperfect, the characters are approachable; the story is stacked with philosophical concerns about society, choice, and fate. The Witcher provides a gripping reading experience. It has brutal world-building and erratic narrative turns.
Andrzej Sapkowski is renowned for his fantasy writing. He especially internationally praised The Witcher series. His creations have been transformed into comics, TV shows, and video games. Moreover, it is translated into several languages. Published in Polish in 1990, the first Book in The Witcher Saga, Blood of Elves, came out in 1994. Later, starting in 2009, Orbit Books published the English version.
Length: The series consists of 8 books, 300 to 500 pages each.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Full Saga
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5
3. The Coldfire Trilogy
The Coldfire Trilogy is a dark, incredible, cerebral fantasy series notable for its deadly sense of place and morally ambiguous characters. In a world unlike any other, magic is controlled by the one who knows how to use it – and by his darkest desires. Meet an enigmatic priest forced to battle a dark god, An assassin raised to enjoy killing who finds himself alone with a survivor, And a powerful sorcerer for whom evil is a mere word – and the destruction it brings. An intricate and multi-layered story by one of the most consistent fantasy writers of the past decade, each scene is about precisely what its title says. Friedman does an exquisite job of delving into powerful themes of faith, power, and the results of human desire, with a plot that unveils level after level of tension and surprise in each Book.
Celia S. Friedman, also known as C.S. Friedman. She is an American author. Her work is mostly in science fiction and fantasy. She was born in 1957 in New York City. She began her career in 1986. That transitioned to full-time writing in 1996 after working as a costume designer. DAW Books published the Book, starting with Black Sun Rising in 1991. The series concluded with The Violence of the Earth in 1996. Then, it has since been re-released in various formats.
Length: Each Book ranges from approximately 400 to 500 pages. Totaling around 1,400 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Nightborn
Ratings: 4 out of 5
4. The Broken Empire Trilogy
The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence is a dark and hand-gripping fantasy series about Jorg Ancrath, a charming anti-hero and complex figure who embarks on a quest for revenge and power in a brutal, post-apocalyptic world. The show has been characterized by its unflinchingly dark tone, elaborate world-building, and examination of themes like revenge, morality, and the nature of power. Lawrence artfully combines existential reflections and action in a poignant, grim tale. This trilogy goes deep into humanity’s bad side. We are following Jorg’s journey to find redemption, which is till halfway through an experience filled with some pretty dark and gory moments, making it interesting for readers who love flawed, morally ambiguous characters and a turn-off for readers who prefer stories that do not like to dwell on the icky parts.
Mark Lawrence, an American-British author, showcases details of his career and net worth. He is best known for his dark fantasy novels, especially the Broken Empire series. He completed PhD in mathematics and was a research scientist specializing in artificial intelligence. The series is broken up into three books. Ace Books first published it in the United States and Harper Voyager in the United Kingdom.
Length: The Prince of Thorns (2011) has 336 pages. The King of Thorns (2012) has 597 pages. The Emperor of Thorns (2013) has 574 pages. Also, it brings the total page count to approximately 1,507 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Combined Volume
Ratings: 4.4 out of 5
5. The Poppy War Trilogy
The series is a brutal, breathtaking military fantasy film series that combines Chinese history, mythology, and tactical strategy in a story of power and vengeance and the crushing cost of war. The story centers around Rin, an orphan with a determined and brave spirit and an agile mind, born of a lower class, who begins with nothing and climbs his way into the world’s elite as a student at a military academy caught up in the throws of war. Kuang doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, the grey areas of love and loyalty and what people do to survive, or the damage wrought by unchecked ambition in a bloody, uncomfortable, and at times gut-wrenching depiction of Rin’s transformation.
With its rich history and lore, the intricacy of world-building, morally grey characters, and blistering commentary about the price of power, The Poppy War Trilogy is a stunning and unforgettable epic that constantly pushes the envelope of what it means to tell a fantasy story.
Rebecca F. Kuang is a Chinese American author and scholar who was born on May 29, 1996, in the city of Guangzhou, China. She has degrees from Georgetown University, Cambridge, and Oxford. She is studying for a PhD at Yale University. The trilogy was published by Harper Voyager, with The Poppy War on May 1, 2018. Then, The Dragon Republic on August 6, 2019. Lastly, The Burning God on November 17, 2020.
Length: The Poppy War (2018) has 544 pages. The Dragon Republic (2019) has 592 pages. Lastly, the Burning God (2020) has 608 pages. The series has a total of 1,744 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Combined Volume
Ratings: 4.2 out of 5
6. The Night Angel Trilogy
It is a gripping and fast-paced dark fantasy series about Azoth, a street rat who became a highly trained killer and the king’s most feared assassin, Kylar Stern. It’s a book filled with rich world-building, morally ambiguous characters, and gritty action set pieces, covering themes of power, redemption, and the price of a violent life. Weeks tells a sprawling tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the combat between light and darkness that forces his characters to confront the very origins of their humanity. It’s the kind of trilogy that’s not only about the plot but also about the complex emotional and philosophical issues of fate, choice, and sacrifice. It’s required reading for fans of the other gritty, character-driven fantasies.
Brent Weeks (born March 7, 1977) was born and raised in Whitefish, Montana. He graduated from Hillsdale College with a degree in English and went on to write, working full-time as a writer after stints as a teacher and bartender. The first novel, titled The Way of Shadows, was released in October 2008 and published by Orbit Books. On October 1, 2009, Orbit published the whole trilogy in a box set.
Length: The Way of Shadows (2008) has 576 pages. The Shadow’s Edge (2008) has 528 pages. Also, the Beyond the Shadows (2008) has 576 pages. It brings the total page count to approximately 1,680 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: boxed set
Ratings: 4.2 out of 5
7. The Books of Babel
The Books of Babel is an astonishing adventure set in a world of gargantuan monsters and an endless series of interconnected levels of every imaginable type. Thomas Senlin is a mild-mannered schoolmaster who sees King the Lost, a story of his beautiful and mysterious wife, Marya. Bancroft crafts a richly detailed world, melding modern fantasy and emotional drama reminiscent of some of the best of Aimee Bender and Karen Russell. The show is packed with compelling characters and surprising twists. Also, it focuses on power, love, and identity. It is set in a darkly atmospheric world of Old Testament-styled inhabitants and the author’s trademark narrative style that turns the traditional epic fantasy on its ear. Captivating and immersive, The Books of Babel is a page-turner for readers of all ages.
Josiah Bancroft, an American, was born on March 29, 1978. Before embarking on his career as a writer, he was a poet, college instructor, rock musician, and amateur comic book artist. The Books of Babel series began as a self-published book, Senlin Ascends, in 2013. The series was later republished by Orbit Books, with Senlin Ascends published in 2018. The Arm of the Sphinx in 2018. Lastly, The Hod King will be released in 2019. The Fall of Babylon will be released in 2020.
Length: Senlin Ascends (2013) has 448 pages. Arm of the Sphinx (2014) has 464 pages. The Hod King (2019) has 528 pages. The Fall of Babel (2021) has 672 pages. It brings the total page count to approximately 2,112 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: The Fall of Babel
Ratings: 4.2 out of 5
8. The Shadow Campaigns
The series by Django Wexler is a compelling military fantasy series that expertly combines flintlock guns. It has sorcery and political escapades. The story is told in an alternate 19th-century world, where Captain Marcus d’Ivoire, a combat-trained colonial officer, is swept into an uprising that shakes the very foundation of the world. Wexler weaves a complex and ambitious world with a rich tapestry of allies who betray and monsters that can decade you, including the mysterious Janus bet Vhalnich and the resolute Queen Raesinia Orboan. The series explores loyalty, power, and the sodden realities of conflict from the perspective of compelling, intriguing characters. With its intricate plot and a strong cast of characters, The Shadow Campaigns is essential for fans of epic fantasy.
Django Wexler is an American fantasy author known for his The Shadow Campaigns series. He is a contemporary fantasy author. The Secret of the Dragon series provides a satisfying conclusion with magic and warcraft. He received degrees in creative writing and computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, where he used to do artificial intelligence research. Roc, an imprint of Penguin Random House, issued the series.
Length: The Thousand Names (2013) has 464 pages. The Shadow Throne (2014) has 624 pages. The Price of Valor (2015) has 624 pages. The Guns of Empire (2016) has 464 pages. Moreover, the Infernal Battalion (2018) has 464 pages. The total page count is approximately 2,640 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: The Infernal Battalion
Ratings: 4.1 out of 5
9. The Monarchies of Liria (aka The Lions of Al-Rassan)
It is a sorrowful and beautifully written historical fantasy loosely based on Al-Andalus and the re-conquista. Taking place in the epic fantasy world of the peninsula of Al-Rassan, it follows the lives of a woman physician (Jehane bet Ishak), a Jaddite warrior (Rodrigo Belmonte), and an Asharite poet and assassin (Ammar ibn Khairan). It is during their personal history and against the mural of a shattered empire that experiences of religious and political upheaval occur.
Her writing is lyrical and poignant as it explores love, friendship, culture, and the troubling cost of intolerance. The strength of the novel is in the depth of character and complexity of a society balanced on the edge of harmony and dissension. However, the middle portions of the Book tend to lag somewhat. The emotional intensity and tragic import of the conclusion will stick with the reader. That ensures that The Lions of Al-Rassan stands as one of the finer examples of the fantasy literary world.
Guy Gavriel Kay was born on November 7, 1954, in Canada. He is known for his historical fantasy works. That includes Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan. Also, he has been a Member of the Order of Canada since 2014. He is recognized for his contributions to the speculative fiction genre. Viking Canada originally published the Lions of Al-Rassan in May 1995. Later publishing history Editors at Harper Voyager published versions later editions, in paperback, on June 1, 2005.
Length: 528 pages
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Harper Voyager paperback
Ratings: 4.3 out of 5
10. The Drowning Empire Trilogy
It is an intriguing fantasy series that combines politics, mysticism, and war. It is the story of three protagonists: Lidan is a soldier with hidden power, Kiya is a noblewoman ensnared by her family’s political scheming, and Zhen is a conquering warlord. That is shrouded in an aura of mystery. Stewart’s world-building is delightful and detailed, with a wonderful magic system and an empire so deeply etched it is about to fall to pieces. Exploring issues of power, loyalty, identity, and the price of rebellion, both books weave in compelling, emotional, and thought-provoking storylines. With a complex web of secrets, uncertain loyalties, and suspense throughout, The Drowning Empire Trilogy is an epic adventure for fans of character-driven fantasy.
Andrea Stewart was born on August 3, 1982, in Vancouver, Canada, and grew up in the US, including parts of the Bay Area. The Drowning Empire is her epic fantasy series, beginning with The Bone Shard Daughter. Then, there is The Bone Shard Emperor. Lastly, it has The Bone Shard War. She currently lives in California. Orbit Books published the books, and the first novel, The Bone Shard Daughter, was released on September 8, 2020. The Bone Shard War was released on April 18, 2023.
Length: The Bone Shard Daughter has 439 pages. The Bone Shard Emperor has 560 pages. The Bone Shard War has 611 pages. Total page count: Approximately 1,610 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: The Bone Shard War
Ratings: 4 out of 5
11. Something Wicked This Way Comes
It is a haunting and atmospheric novel. It has horror, fantasy, and coming-of-age, which can be found on its pages. The tale is set in the small town of Green Town, Illinois. It follows two young boys, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway. They come across a strange traveling carnival run by the enigmatic Mr. Dark. With lyrical prose and some of the most vivid imagery in modern fantasy, Bradbury’s account of a deadly carnival is both disturbing and surreal – grappling with the unstoppable forces of good and evil experienced together and apart and the loss of innocence and the doom of growing up. Something Wicked This Way Comes is an enduring story of innocence, terror, and the gray area in between.
Ray Bradbury was a US author, born August 22, 1920, in Waukegan, Illinois. Bradbury, a prolific author in other media, wrote hundreds of short stories and almost 50 books as well. He has won scores of accolades, among them the National Medal of Arts in 2004 and a special Pulitzer Prize citation in 2007. Something Wicked This Way Comes was first published by Simon & Schuster on September 17, 1962. It was also released in later editions by other publishing companies, including Harper Voyager in 1998.
Length: Approximately 352 pages
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: 55th Anniversary Edition
Ratings: 3.9 out of 5
12. The Talisman
The work is a supernatural novel with elements of fantasy and a coming-of-age story. It follows the arrival in a small town one autumn of a mysterious traveling carnival and a visualization of its enigmatic leader, Mr. Dark, and then as they run in the city. With the carnival, strange, hectic, and all too familiar events continue to unfold, and as the children grow into adults, suppressed fears and nightmares come back to pay visits in the smoky haze of the carnival. Bradbury, in his lyrical prose and with his indelible images, tells the story of fate and the human soul through the horror of the conquest of evil and the celebration of the triumph of goodness against the backdrop of darkness and the light.
Stephen Edwin King is an American author. His work focuses on contemporary horror and fantasy. He is best known for his horror novels. His first published novel, Carrie (1974). He wrote it when he was barely out of his teens. Significantly, it was a hit.
Peter Straub was born on March 2, 1943, in Wisconsin. He was an American author and poet. He has a particular focus on supernatural fiction. He wrote many popular novels, such as Ghost Story. Talisman has also received several literary awards, such as the Bram Stoker Award and the World Fantasy Award.
Length: Approximately 672 pages
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: 40th Anniversary Edition
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5
13. The Vorrh Trilogy
It is a mind-bending work of dark fantasy that is so incredibly surreal that it moves beyond your typical imagination, taking the reader to a world of darkness complete with bizarre creatures, advanced mythology, and endlessly confusing landscapes. The series takes place around the enigmatic Vorrh, an ancient, vast, sentient forest that contains secrets and abilities that are beyond human comprehension. The fates of a number of characters — among them a blind photographer and an exiled scientist — intersect in the trilogy, and they are each lured to the forest for their reasons, as well as the dangers they encounter and the impossible truths they uncover. Catling’s prose is sumptuous and luscious, beautifully poetic, and often quite philosophical, and he successfully mixes horror, fantasy, and magical realism. Psycho-Pass has become known for its elaborate world-building and haunting ambiance,
Brian Catling Brian Catling (1948–2022) was an English sculptor and artist, poet, novelist, and performance artist. He taught Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford, and exhibited internationally from the 1970s. The Vorrh was released on November 12, 2012, by Honest Publishing. The Vorrh trilogy was subsequently republished by Vintage Books, who released The Vorrh on April 28, 2015.
Length: The Vorrh has 512 pages. The Erstwhile has 496 pages. The Cloven has 448 pages. The total page count is 1,456 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: The Vorrh Trilogy Box Set
Ratings: 4 out of 5
14. The Book of the Ancestor Trilogy
It is a powerful, gripping, and dark fantasy series that chronicles the story of young girl Narin, raised by assassins in a convent, as she unravels a world of political scheming, religious conflict, and lethal magics. The trilogy’s first Book, Red Sister, pulls readers into a ruthless and unforgiving world where magical studies and swordsmanship are necessary for survival. Lawrence’s rich world-building and intricate characters make this a place where power battles are won or lost, not on the battlefield but in the mind. Tropes of fate, revenge, and the quest for identity weave through the series, and at the center of it is Narin’s journey to become the best fighter and man he can be.
Mark Lawrence is an author who was born in Illinois in 1966. He has applied for a doctorate in pure mathematics. He worked as a research scientist in artificial intelligence and image processing. Book of the Ancestor was published in the UK by Harper Voyager and in the US by Ace Books.
Length: Red Sister has approximately 432 pages. Grey Sister has 432 pages. The Holy Sister has approximately 350 pages. The total page count is 1,214 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: The Book of the Ancestor Trilogy Box Set
Ratings: 4.3 out of 5
15. The Tensorate Series
The series is a compelling and thought-provoking sci-fi fantasy series based in a world where god-like beings possess immense magical powers called “tensors.” That holds sway over entire cultures. The series combines intricate world-building with character-driven narratives centered on gender, identity, and revolution. That led to a revolution. The story runs true to characters who work to survive oppressive structures and mirrors the layered relationship between dominion, liberty, and self-decisions. Yang’s writing is lush and poetic, interwoven with politics, magic, and personal development.
Neon Yang (they/them) They are a Singaporean non-binary author of speculative fiction (formerly known to the world as JY Yang). They have an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and have been shortlisted for the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards. Tor publishes the Tensorate.
Length: The Black Tides of Heaven has 132 pages. The Red Threads of Fortune has 132 pages. The Descent of Monsters has 132 pages. The Ascent to Godhood has 132 pages.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Latest Edition: Omnibus Edition
Ratings: 4.3 out of 5
Reading dark fantasy books is important because they allow us to face challenging topics in a dynamic and sometimes even cathartic manner. They open the unconscious depths of human nature: What does it mean to be human in a world where morality is not always black and white? In these stories, people can learn more about resilience, making sacrifices, and taking responsibility for their actions. In the end, dark fantasy allows for an escape from – and a mirror to – what we know, a genre that continues to thrive even after the last page is turned.
