Grimdark fantasy is a subgenre of fiction with a dark tone that’s particularly violent and amoral. When we talk about the best grimdark fantasy series fitting into this genre description, the A Song of Ice and Fire series—better known as Game of Thrones—by George R. R. Martin, is the series that most stands out. But this style of fantasy has shot to the forefront of the overall fantasy genre these past few years, spawning dozens of certified grimdark classics.
As someone who loves stories that blur the line of morality, it excites me to know a genre like this is thriving. I know how difficult it can be for someone who has a new found interest in this genre, as authors are now purposely going darker in tone to benefit from the genre’s burst of popularity. That’s why I’ve decided to list eight of the most well-recommended grimdark fantasy books, in hopes that it will lead keen readers in the right direction.
8 of the Best Grimdark Fantasy Books Based on Reader Opinions
Touch of Iron by Timandra Whitecastle
Touch of Iron is unique in that its main character Noraya feels like a YA protagonist lost in a grimdark environment. As a result, Noraya is a rough and feral main character with many dimensions to her personality. The story follows Noraya and her twin brother Owen, who are polar opposites. Twins are viewed as dark omens so their parents disown them. The twins are adopted by a blacksmith and help him run his business. Until they hear about the legend of The Living Blade. The quest to retrieve The Living Blade sends Noraya and her brother on a brutal quest.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
The Blade Itself is often the first book people think of when they hear the words grimdark fantasy. And that’s because Joe Abercrombie made a name for himself when he published this first book in The First Law series back in 2006. With a book this layered, it’s difficult to give a comprehensive summary as much of this books glory comes from its characterization. There’s a broken barbarian who’s down on his luck, a conflicted nobleman, and a cripple turned torturer who uncovers the corruption of his government. There are many bloody and brutal plot threats in The First Law and The Blade Itself is just the first opening of the wound. It’s unpredictable, darkly hilarious and full of true to life characters.
The Vagrant by Peter Newman
The Breach has fractured humanity, and each day that passes sends the world further into depravity. One man known as The Vagrant will walk alone in his attempt to reach the Shinning City and deliver the sword, the only weapon that will make a difference in the ongoing war. What’s great about The Vagrant is that it has a very simple and focused plot. But around that simplicity is a dark and complex world that’s very pleasing. People have compared this book to the likes of The Gunslinger by Stephen King and the original Mad Max films.
Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
Night Watch is a dark fantasy that also borders on horror. It’s set in contemporary Moscow, where shape shifters, vampires, and street-sorcerers linger in the shadows. This series is about an ancient race of super-powered humans who have the choice to pledge their allegiance to either the Dark or the Light.
Fade to Black by Francis Knight
Fade to Black is set in a city that’s built upwards. Streets are built upon streets, buildings upon buildings. A city that the Ministry rules from the sunlit summit, and where the forsaken lurk in the darkness of Under. But Rojan Dizon is happy to be in the shadows because he has things to hide, like being a pain-mage.
The thing I loved when I first heard about Fade to Black, was that it reminded me so much of Midgar in Final Fantasy VII. And then when I heard about the concept of a pain-mage I was even more excited, being that I’m someone with a chronic pain disorder. Francis Knight has a pretty dark and imaginative mind, and that’s why Fade to Black had to make this list.
Godblind by Anna Stephens
There was a time when the Red Gods ruled the land. The Dark Lady and her horde dealt in death and blood and fire.
That time has long since passed and the neighbouring kingdoms of Mireces and Rilpor hold an uneasy truce. The only blood spilled is confined to the border where vigilantes known as Wolves protect their kin and territory at any cost.
But after the death of his wife, King Rastoth is plagued by grief, leaving the kingdom of Rilpor vulnerable.
Vulnerable to the blood-thirsty greed of the Warrior-King Liris and the Mireces army waiting in the mountains…
There’s only so much I can say to summarise Godblind. This is one of those books you just have to read if the book summary intrigues you. But be prepared for the level of darkness as there are some pretty grim scenes that include human sacrifice. Godblind WILL make your skin crawl.
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
In a world full of chaos, where violence is rife and incidents play out like scenes from nightmares—Jorg Ancrath has become the Prince of Thorns. He’s a charming and immoral boy leading a grim band of outlaws. Jorg has mastered the living and the dead. But still, one thing controls him, and that’s the fear of confronting his past. Jorg must return to his father’s castle and confront horrors from his childhood.
Prince of Thorns is published on the same imprint as the international success that is Game of Thrones, so you can rest assured that this is the beginning of an incredible series.
The Poppy War by R.F Kuang
The Poppy War is set in a fictional version of China, known as Nikan. Rin is the foster child of a pair of local opium dealers, who hope to get rich by selling her off to marriage. But Rin doesn’t want to be sold into marriage. She wants to study and try her hand at the Keju exam. After displaying some excellent persuasion skills, Rin convinces her crooked guardians to allow her to study in her own time. Nobdoy expects Rin to pass the Keju. But to their shock, Rin aces the exam and becomes the top scoring student.
Acing the exam gets her into Sinegard – the most elite military school in Nikan. And its hear that Rin learns that life as a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south isn’t easy. But eventually she unlocks the hidden powers within her, as she discovers that gods long thought dead, are actually well alive. A third Poppy War is on the horizon and Rin’s place in it becomes clear with her new found responsibilities.
If you’re looking for non-stop brutality in your grimdark, The Poppy War isn’t that. But there are parts in this book that are very much dark in nature. It’s a more balanced grimdark book, but I highly recommend this one as I’ve been enjoying this series myself.
When I say that these are 8 of the Best Grimdark Fantasy books, that doesn’t mean these are the be all and end all. As with any genre, there are hundreds if not thousands of excellent grimdark reads out there. If I have missed any that you feel the world should hear about, feel free to let it be known below in the comments or on social media.
