Dark Fantasy - Grimdark Must Reads (58 books)

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These books are fantasy with a touch of horror. They do not have the intent to scary you in the conventional horror way, or rely on gore/gross out factors.

Dark Fantasy & Grimdark deal more with the psychological horrors, treading the grey line, instead of the good vs. evil. They focus on the darkness that is inside us all, and the question of if villains are really villains, or just like us. They tend to deal with deeper topics that make you think, but can also be dark in the the nature of death/destruction, and no character is safe.

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1	The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) by Joe Abercrombie 4.22 avg rating — 321,722 ratings score: 981, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire, #1) by Mark Lawrence (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 124,735 ratings score: 675, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 511,022 ratings score: 496, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Priest of Bones (War for the Rose Throne, #1) by Peter McLean (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 6,828 ratings score: 489, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Where Loyalties Lie (Best Laid Plans, #1) by Rob J. Hayes (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 1,076 ratings score: 481, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Never Die by Rob J. Hayes (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 4,715 ratings score: 470, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Kings of Paradise (Ash and Sand, #1) by Richard Nell (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 4,333 ratings score: 398, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Maelstrom Within (The Metis Files Book 4) by Brian S. Leon (Goodreads Author) 4.88 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 297, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 349,056 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Seraphina's Lament (The Bloodlands, #1) by Sarah Chorn (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 181 ratings score: 280, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Chaos Unbound (The Metis Files, #2) by Brian S. Leon (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 44 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Rebellion Reborn (The Metis Files, #3) by Brian S. Leon (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 25 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	River of Thieves (Thieves' Lyric, #1) by Clayton W. Snyder 3.43 avg rating — 262 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Chasing Graves (The Chasing Graves Trilogy, #1) by Ben Galley (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 1,036 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Onslaught of Madness (The Madness Wars, #1) by Jesse Teller (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Darkmage (The Rhenwars Saga, #1) by M.L. Spencer (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 797 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Beyond the Shadows (Battleborn Mage, #0) by Angel Haze (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 142 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Rogue Elf of Urlas: Songs of Shadow (The Rogue Elf #1-3) by J.T. Williams (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 358 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Knee-Deep in Grit: Two Bloody Years of Grimdark Fiction by Adrian Collins (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.94 avg rating — 106 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Dawn of Evil (The Wages of Sin, #5) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 50 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Witching Vault by Kathrin Hutson (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 788 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Clash of Iron (Iron Age, #2) by Angus Watson (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 1,526 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Darke King (The Broken Immortals #1) by Jessica White (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 50 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Born of Blood and Flames (Gravestone #1) by Amber Darwin (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 355 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Damon Ich (The Wheel of Eight Book 2) by Aaron D. Key (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 146 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Inferno's Silence by Rainer Meri (Goodreads Author) 4.65 avg rating — 20 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Darkstocking: Erotic Grimdark Fantasy Novel by Tom Klehm (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Malevolent Eight by Sebastien de Castell (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 1,367 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Sons of Blood and Sorrow: Echoes of Frostholt by Brett Korkes 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Rogue Elf of Urlas: Songs of Wrath (The Rogue Elf #4-6) by J.T. Williams (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 120 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Evil is a Matter of Perspective: An Anthology of Antagonists by Adrian Collins (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.59 avg rating — 434 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Birth of Death (The Wages of Sin, #4) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.58 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	A Crown for Cold Silver (The Crimson Empire #1) by Alex Marshall 3.70 avg rating — 3,892 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Herai (The Wheel of Eight Book 1) by Aaron D. Key (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 50 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Beyond Redemption (Manifest Delusions, #1) by Michael R. Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 4,053 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Fall of Innocence (The Wages of Sin, #3) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Havoc Rising (The Metis Files, #1) by Brian S. Leon (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 195 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Vultures (Shadow Twins #1) by Luke Tarzian (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 83 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Wrath of Truth (The Wages of Sin, #2) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.51 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Faithless by Graham Austin-King (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 468 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Devil's Advocate (The Wages of Sin, #1) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 84 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Shattered Dreams (Light in the Dark #1) by Ulff Lehmann (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 151 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Smoke and Stone (City of Sacrifice, #1) by Michael R. Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 776 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The God King's Legacy (God King Chronicles, #1) by Richard Nell (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 249 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Cthulhu Armageddon (Cthulhu Armageddon, #1) by C.T. Phipps (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 522 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Beyond The Shadows: Volume One by Stefan M. Nardi (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Child of the Flames (The Seven Signs, #1) by D.W. Hawkins (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 1,065 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Winter of Swords: A Grimdark Epic (Overthrown Book 1) by Aaron Bunce (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 53 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Song (The Manhunters, #1) by Jesse Teller (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 104 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	A Change of Rules (The Missing Shield #1) by L.L. Thomsen (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 44 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Fallen Empire (Ironstone Saga, #1) by Keith McArdle (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 58 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Mirror’s Truth (Manifest Delusions, #2) by Michael R. Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 1,517 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Swarm and Steel by Michael R. Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 489 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	The Scrying (The Scrying Trilogy Book One) by Jaci Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 300 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Smoke and Rain (Blood of Titans: Reforged, #1) by V.S. Holmes (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 39 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Path of Flames (Chronicles of the Black Gate, #1) by Phil Tucker (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 3,423 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Rise of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy, #1) by Dyrk Ashton (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 2,801 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves #1) by Andy Peloquin (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 848 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars