Best Fantasy Books for Gore
First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Feuding barbarians, bloody wars in the frozen north, inquisitors with tastes for torture and murderous plots all around, The Blade Itself begins this mature dark fantasy trilogy penned by Joe Abercrombie.
Black Company series by Glenn Cook
A gritty dark fantasy of mercenaries serving a master of evil… perhaps. Written by Glenn Cook, The Chronicles of the Black Company starts with the first installment, The Black Company.
Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
Violent, horrifying, this is a savage fantasy tale of outlaws and a world in utter chaos. This popular series, written by Mark Lawrence, begins with The Prince of Thorns.
A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
Dragons, incest, cruel princes and subtle magic, this nihilistic fantasy became a sensation in its HBO adaptation. George RR Martin wrote the first novel, A Game of Thrones, in 1996.
The Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey
This twisted fantasy, which is equal parts irreverent and hilarious, is set in Los Angeles with roots in the supernatural and contemporary genres. Sandman Slim is the first volume, created by acclaimed writer, Richard Kadrey.
The Second Apocalypse or The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker
Apocalyptic fantasy at its best, this series world-builds like few others achieve. Mature and dark as they come, R. Scott Bakker begins the story with The Darkness That Comes Before.
The Living Blade Series by Timandra Whitecastle
Suffering and sorrow abound in a grimdark fantasy that feels like a young adult effort, though keeps the maturity of the violent subject matter exactly where it should be. Touch of Iron is the first in the series by Timandra Whitecastle.
The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock
A true classic of scheming and deception in the name of control and power, this is an unforgettable tale, written by the beloved Michael Moorcock, starting with Elric of Melnibone.
A Land Fit for Heroes series by Richard K. Morgan
Dark lords, grim sorceries, cruel races of alluring demons, and unlikely antiheroes to prevail through the carnage, The Steel Remains is the first installment of this brutal fantasy effort by Richard K. Morgan.
The Poppy War by R.F Kuang
Inspired by a bloody past, this Chinese fantasy brims over with treachery and dark magic. Insane mentors, drug use and savagery against outsiders, this tale is not for the faint of heart. Penned by R.F Kuang, The Poppy War is the first book of the series.
The Godblind Trilogy by Anna Stephens
Blood thirsty gods, torture and devastating bloody invasions, this lightning quick paced story is a dark gem. Godblind is the first of the series, written by Anna Stephens.
The Kane series by Karl Edward Wagner
Sword dripping with blood and a barbarian to get behind, the Kane series pulls no punching in bringing the gore, guts and viscera. Bloodstone is the first in series, though short works by Karl Edward Wagner do precede the novel.
The Powder Mage Trilogy by Brian McClellan
Overthrowing kings has never been some bloody. This magic-tech fantasy has much to love and plenty of gruesome accounts for gorehounds. Brian McClellan is the author and the first title is Promise of Blood.
Other authors of note:
| Ann Bishop | Paul Kearney | Jeff Salyards |
| Rin Chupeco | Rosalyn Kelley | Luke Scull |
| David Anthony Durham | Francis Knight | Darren Shan |
| Sarah Beth Durst | Fonda Lee | Anna Smith Spark |
| Michael R. Fletcher | Karin Lowachee | M.L. Spencer |
| Richard Ford | Sergei Lukyanenko | Matthew Woodring Stover |
| C.S. Friedman | Alex Marshall | Laini Taylor |
| Rob J. Hayes | Silvia Moreno-Garcia | Stuart Thaman |
| Robin Hobb | Alex Morgan | |
| Kameron Hurley | Peter Newman | |
| N.K. Jemisin | Daniel Polansky | |
| J.V. Jones | Anthony Ryan |
Best Fantasy Books for Sex
Kushiel’s Legacy by Jacqueline Carey
Phédre nó Delaunay is sold into slavery at a young age. When she is purchased by a mysterious nobleman, she is educated in a range of disciplines, including the arts of pleasure. Phédre is the woman who holds the answer to her realm’s bloody secrets, and her bravery may foretell the future of her world.
Good Intentions by Elliott Kay
Alex falls in love with a demon seductress in Seattle of all places. This series breaks so many taboos it comes with a warning listing its numerous offenses.
Wild Wastes by Randi Darren
Vince’s sole job is surviving the waste, and taking missions from the Ranger Guild. Taking up an escort mission, Vince is soon involved in a situation that will change his life forever. Moral ambiguity and harems and much more.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress develops feelings for a faerie, which turns from hate into fiery passion. Her relationship pulls her into a beautiful, dangerous new world belonging to the Fae.
A Song of Fire and Ice by George RR Martin
While not always the most comfortable of sex scenes, some involving incest and rape, Game of Thrones and its sequels have plenty adult situations that make it mature and lusty at times.
Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A. N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
A spellbound princess sleeps, waiting for someone to awaken her. The Prince does, not with a kiss, but with sex. For ending the hundred years of enchantment, Beauty gives herself to him completely, becoming his slave.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
In this time traveling epic, now a popular tv series, Claire is trapped in 1700s Scotland embroiled in danger, and passion. Her only chance of salvation rests in the hands of Jamie Fraser, a brave Scots warrior.
Merry Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton
Merry Gentry, princess of the high court of Faerie, but posing as a human PI is targeted by an assassin working for her aunt, the Queen. Suddenly Merry is ensnared in her aunt’s plans. She will have to enjoy the most beautiful immortal men in the world, or face death.
The Succubus series by A. J. Markam
Ian just met the perfect woman. Unfortunately, she’s a demoness in a video game. This LitRPG series has revenge served up with many adult situations.
Other authors of note:
| Evangelina Anderson | Michael-Scott Earle | Pat Murphy |
| Jennifer L. Armentrout | Zoey Ellis | Naomi Novik |
| Paul Batteiger | Angela J. Ford | Shannon Pemrick |
| Carissa Broadbent | Catharine Glen | Nobilis Reed |
| Meljean Brook | C.L. Wilson | Mandi Richards |
| E William Brown | Emma Hamm | Vela Roth |
| Lois McMaster Bujold | Nina Kiriki Hoffman | Clare Sager |
| J.M. Butler | Miranda Honfleur | Jamie Schlosser |
| Octavia Butler | Natalia Jaster | Nalini Singh |
| Aaron Crash | N.K. Jemisin | Tamryn Tamer |
| Grace Draven | Jeffe Kennedy | Eric Vall |
| Diane Duane | Juliet Marillier |
Best Fantasy Books for Politics
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
For millennia, the Lord Ruler has ruled with cruel power. Kelsier, a clever thief, discovers the powers of a Mistborn, and uses his skills to plot against the Lord Ruler.
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts
Magic and bloody deeds plague the land of Kelewan. Mara must lead her people to survive. But she must also rally an army, secure a pact with the foreign cho-ja, and marry a hated enemy. Finally then she can face her arch nemesis—in his deadly stronghold.
World of the Five Gods by Lois McMaster Bujold
Hugo Award for Best Series (2018). A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril returns to the royal home he once served and is named tutor to the headstrong sister of the next heir. This assignment leads to the court of Cardegoss, where his enemies who sent him to prison now hold high positions.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
A half-goblin has lived his entire life in exile, but when his emperor father and other sons are suspiciously killed, he has no choice but to take his place as rightful heir.
The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner
Eugenides, the queen’s thief, is a master at his craft—or likes to think so. After landing in prison, a magus invites him to steal a legendary object, to win his freedom. The thief may have something extra in mind than just that.
The Masquerade series by Seth Dickinson
A young woman from a fallen people tries to change an empire in a richly created geopolitical fantasy.
Inheritance trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
After her mother dies mysteriously, a young woman is called to the hovering city of Sky to accept her royal inheritance.
Other authors of note:
| Renée Ahdieh | Kate Elliott | Rebecca Roanhorse |
| Saladin Ahmed | Jennifer Fallon | Samantha Shannon |
| Victoria Aveyard | Ken Follett | Robert Silverberg |
| Leigh Bardugo | Robin Hobb | Isabelle Steiger |
| E.J. Beaton | Fonda Lee | Michelle West |
| Holly Black | Jane Lindskold | Guy Gavriel Kay |
| Lisbeth Campbell | Scott Lynch | S.A. Chakraborty |
| Kristin Cashore | Rowenna Miller | Sherwood Smith |
| Shelley Parker-Chan | Cass Morris | Tasha Suri |
| Cinda William Chima | Jennifer A. Nielsen | |
| C.L. Clark | J Parker | |
| E. R. Eddison | L. Penelope |
Best Fantasy Books for Philosophy
The Sacred Band of Stepsons series by Janet E. Morris and Chris Morris
An famous commander allies with the high-priest of war…. The two men kiss and Tempus’ world will forever be changed.
Book of the New Sun series by Gene Wolfe
Severian, an apprentice torturer is exiled for committing the worst sin possible — showing mercy.
The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker
The Darkness That Comes Before, book one, is a history of a holy war, and like any historical account, the survivors write the endings.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The time honored classic high fantasy with philosophical undertones, featuring a hobbit and his quest to destroy the ring.
The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K Le Guin
Ged, greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, tampers with ancient secrets and lets loose a horrendous shadow over the world.
The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman
Three generations of special women unite and discover the gift of reconciliation and lasting love.
Other authors of note:
| Emily Croy Barker | Kevin A. Kuhn | Olaf Stapledon |
| Harold Bloom | Terry Pratchett | Christopher Steinsvold |
| Orson Scott Card | Mark Lawerence | Ruth Thomas |
| Paolo Coelho | Joshua Lie | Cathrynne Valente |
| Jean-Yves Crozier | David Lindsay | Kurt Vonnegut Jr. |
| Samuel R. Delany | Sergi Lukyaneko | Roger Zelazny |
| Michael Ende | George MacDonald | David Zindell |
| Steven Erikson | Yann Martel | |
| Neil Gaiman | L E Modesitt | |
| Robin Hobb | Mark Needham | |
| N.K. Jemisin | Dan Simmons | |
| Owen W. Knight | William A.B. Smith |