Summary: In today’s article, I’ve rounded up 20 of the best Dark Fantasy books, filled with magic, danger, and complex characters. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
- The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Dark fantasy books transport you to worlds full of magic, danger, and moral gray areas, where nothing is as simple as good versus evil. The characters are complex, wrestling with their own demons and tough choices in brutal, tragic settings. If you love stories that challenge your perceptions and keep you questioning what’s right and wrong, dark fantasy will keep you hooked from start to finish.
TOP 20: Best Dark Fantasy Books
- The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
- The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
- The Black Prism (Lightbringer Series) by Brent Weeks
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
- A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R.R. Martin
- The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
- The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
- The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
- The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
- The Court of Broken Knives by Anna Smith Spark
- Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
- The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker
- The Crimson Empire Trilogy by Richard A. Knaak
1. The Broken Empire Trilogy
- Author: Mark Lawrence
- About: Follows Jorg Ancrath, a prince seeking vengeance and power in a brutal, post-apocalyptic world where magic and violence rule.
- Style of writing: Dark, poetic, and introspective with a focus on psychological depth.
- Length: Approx. 1,000 pages (for all 3 books)
- Year written: 2011-2013
- Emotional impact: Leaves a powerful, haunting impression, especially with its morally complex protagonist.
- Difficulty level: Medium to High – dense prose and heavy themes.
- Why read it: If you like dark, morally gray characters and a brutal world where power and vengeance rule.
2. The First Law Trilogy
- Author: Joe Abercrombie
- About: A gritty series featuring a collection of complex antiheroes, set in a world where war, betrayal, and political intrigue dominate.
- Style of writing: Dark humor, sharp dialogue, and cynical world-building.
- Length: Approx. 1,200 pages (for all 3 books)
- Year written: 2006-2008
- Emotional impact: Memorable and intense, often brutal but with moments of dark humor.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible but with layered characters and complex themes.
- Why read it: If you're into morally ambiguous characters and a story where no one is truly a hero.
3. The Poppy War
- Author: R.F. Kuang
- About: A dark fantasy inspired by Chinese history, following Rin, a war orphan who rises through the ranks to wield devastating magic.
- Style of writing: Vivid, brutal, and emotionally intense with a strong focus on war and political intrigue.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Deeply impactful, exploring themes of trauma, revenge, and the cost of war.
- Difficulty level: Medium to High – challenging due to historical themes and violence.
- Why read it: If you want a compelling story rooted in history with magic, warfare, and emotional depth.
4. The Black Prism (Lightbringer Series)
- Author: Brent Weeks
- About: In a world where magic is based on color, Gavin Guile, the world’s most powerful ‘Prism,’ faces dangerous political forces and his own moral dilemmas.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, action-packed with complex magic systems and character-driven plot.
- Length: Approx. 600 pages
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting impression with its high stakes, twisty plots, and moral complexity.
- Difficulty level: Medium – complex magic system and political intrigue.
- Why read it: For a unique magic system and a gripping story of power and sacrifice.
5. The Night Circus
- Author: Erin Morgenstern
- About: A beautifully written tale of two magicians bound in a rivalry, set against the backdrop of a mysterious, magical circus.
- Style of writing: Lush, poetic, and atmospheric.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Haunting, enchanting, and full of wonder, though the narrative is more whimsical than dark.
- Difficulty level: Medium – mostly accessible, but the non-linear narrative may confuse some readers.
- Why read it: For its mesmerizing prose and a magical atmosphere that transports you to another world.
6. The Lies of Locke Lamora
- Author: Scott Lynch
- About: Follows the life of Locke Lamora, a master thief in the dangerous city of Camorr, as he navigates a world of crime, betrayal, and political intrigue.
- Style of writing: Witty, fast-paced, and filled with sharp dialogue.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Thrilling, with moments of heartbreak and suspense, but also darkly comedic.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible with a strong focus on heist and character.
- Why read it: For a clever, twisty plot with a likable antihero and a richly detailed world.
7. The Shadow of the Wind
- Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- About: A young boy in post-World War II Barcelona discovers a mysterious book that leads him into a web of intrigue, love, and danger.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, atmospheric, and literary.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2001
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional with a sense of mystery, romance, and melancholy.
- Difficulty level: Medium – literary, with rich descriptions and layered plots.
- Why read it: For a beautifully written story filled with mystery, intrigue, and emotional depth.
8. The Witcher Series
- Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
- About: Follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter in a world full of magic, political conflict, and moral dilemmas.
- Style of writing: Gritty, with a mix of folklore, adventure, and philosophical themes.
- Length: Approx. 1,000 pages (for the main series)
- Year written: 1990s – 2010s
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting impact with its morally complex characters and deep world-building.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible but requires attention to detail.
- Why read it: For morally ambiguous heroes, magic, and folklore.
9. The Malazan Book of the Fallen
- Author: Steven Erikson
- About: A vast epic fantasy series set in a world of gods, magic, and war, with a huge ensemble cast of characters.
- Style of writing: Dense, complex, and intricately plotted.
- Length: Approx. 10,000+ pages (for all 10 books)
- Year written: 1999-2011
- Emotional impact: Intense, with themes of war, loss, and sacrifice.
- Difficulty level: High – challenging due to complex world-building and multiple storylines.
- Why read it: For an epic, ambitious series with intricate plots and deep world-building.
10. A Song of Ice and Fire Series
- Author: George R.R. Martin
- About: A sprawling epic set in the brutal world of Westeros, where political intrigue, war, and betrayal reign.
- Style of writing: Detailed, multi-perspective with political depth and a slow build.
- Length: Approx. 4,500 pages (for all 5 books published so far)
- Year written: 1996 – present
- Emotional impact: Powerful, filled with moments of shock, heartbreak, and triumph.
- Difficulty level: Medium – complex but accessible with gripping drama.
- Why read it: For a deep, immersive world where no one is safe and the plot twists are legendary.
11. The Dark Tower Series
- Author: Stephen King
- About: A dark, genre-blending series following Roland, the last gunslinger, as he pursues the mysterious Dark Tower across a desolate landscape.
- Style of writing: Dark, philosophical, and blends horror, fantasy, and western elements.
- Length: Approx. 4,000 pages (for all 8 books)
- Year written: 1982-2004
- Emotional impact: Deeply impactful, with themes of fate, redemption, and existential questions.
- Difficulty level: Medium – dense, but with accessible action and characters.
- Why read it: If you want a series that blends genres with philosophical depth and a unique take on the hero’s journey.
12. The Priory of the Orange Tree
- Author: Samantha Shannon
- About: A high fantasy epic where dragons, magic, and female empowerment are central to the story, following multiple characters across an expansive world.
- Style of writing: Lush, descriptive, with a strong focus on world-building and character relationships.
- Length: Approx. 800 pages
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Powerful, with themes of loyalty, power, and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Medium – a large, detailed world with multiple perspectives.
- Why read it: For a fresh, diverse take on epic fantasy, with strong female characters and a rich, immersive world.
13. The City We Became
- Author: N.K. Jemisin
- About: A blend of urban fantasy and speculative fiction, this novel imagines New York City as a living entity and follows its boroughs' avatars as they fight against an existential threat.
- Style of writing: Innovative, fast-paced, with social and political commentary.
- Length: Approx. 450 pages
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, exploring identity, community, and urban life in a fantastical setting.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible, but filled with allegorical depth.
- Why read it: If you're looking for a modern take on urban fantasy with social commentary and a fresh, creative twist.
14. The Blade Itself
- Author: Joe Abercrombie
- About: The first book in The First Law Trilogy, it follows several characters, including a barbarian, a torturer, and a nobleman, as they navigate a world of war and political intrigue.
- Style of writing: Gritty, dark, and full of sharp dialogue with morally complex characters.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Unsettling, with a mix of humor and intense moments of violence.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible but complex in its character development.
- Why read it: For a dark, character-driven fantasy with action and wit that explores the human condition.
15. The Name of the Wind
- Author: Patrick Rothfuss
- About: Follows Kvothe, a legendary figure, as he recounts his life story—his rise to fame, tragic losses, and his search for the truth behind a mysterious force.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, introspective, and beautifully crafted prose.
- Length: Approx. 700 pages
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving, with a focus on loss, love, and the pursuit of knowledge.
- Difficulty level: Medium – poetic, but easy to follow.
- Why read it: For an emotionally rich story of ambition, loss, and self-discovery set in a fascinating magical world.
16. The Bone Ships
- Author: RJ Barker
- About: Set in a world where ships made from the bones of giant sea creatures sail the seas, this novel follows a crew of misfits on a dangerous mission.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with vivid world-building and strong character development.
- Length: Approx. 500 pages
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Powerful, with themes of loyalty, survival, and redemption.
- Difficulty level: Medium – a great balance of accessibility and depth.
- Why read it: If you enjoy sea-faring adventures, strong character bonds, and a brutal, immersive world.
17. The Court of Broken Knives
- Author: Anna Smith Spark
- About: The first book in The Empires of Dust series, it features a world of bloody battles, ruthless rulers, and magic that doesn’t come without a cost.
- Style of writing: Dark, poetic, and immersive with a heavy focus on the ugliness of power and war.
- Length: Approx. 400 pages
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Intense, with brutal depictions of war and personal destruction.
- Difficulty level: Medium to High – complex, dark themes and a heavy narrative.
- Why read it: For a brutal, unflinching look at power, corruption, and survival in a harsh world.
18. Nevernight
- Author: Jay Kristoff
- About: Follows Mia Corvere, a young woman seeking revenge as she trains in a secret school for assassins.
- Style of writing: Dark, fast-paced, and filled with witty, brutal moments.
- Length: Approx. 450 pages
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Intense and thrilling with a strong sense of vengeance, loss, and survival.
- Difficulty level: Medium – accessible but filled with dark themes.
- Why read it: For a fast-paced, edgy story full of action, revenge, and fierce determination.
19. The Darkness That Comes Before
- Author: R. Scott Bakker
- About: The first book in The Prince of Nothing series, set in a world on the brink of war, where philosophy, power, and prophecy intertwine.
- Style of writing: Philosophical, dense, and highly cerebral.
- Length: Approx. 600 pages
- Year written: 2003
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, with a dark atmosphere and intense moral struggles.
- Difficulty level: High – intellectual and challenging to read.
- Why read it: For deep philosophical themes, a grim world, and complex characters navigating a collapsing empire.
20. The Crimson Empire Trilogy
- Author: Richard A. Knaak
- About: A series set in a world of war, intrigue, and dark magic, following a young man who becomes a key figure in the struggle between good and evil.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, action-oriented with a focus on magic and epic battles.
- Length: Approx. 1,200 pages (for all 3 books)
- Year written: 2005-2007
- Emotional impact: Memorable, with high stakes and a world that’s alive with political machinations.
- Difficulty level: Medium – straightforward but action-heavy.
- Why read it: For a fast-paced fantasy filled with action, dark magic, and epic world-building.
Conclusion
To wrap up, dark fantasy pulls readers into complex worlds where characters are morally gray and the stakes are high. In my opinion, The Broken Empire Trilogy, The First Law Trilogy, and The Poppy War are the standout picks that really capture the essence of the genre—gritty settings, unforgettable characters, and gripping stories. If you're after books that make you think and leave a lasting impression, I think these three are a great place to start.
