Best Grimdark Fantasy Books

Joe Abercrombie Fantasy novels with violenceViolent Brutal Gory Grimdark Books

First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
The First Law series is set in a world where the two races, Demons and Humans, have been at war for centuries. The series follows the story of a young lawman, who must navigate the dangerous and chaotic world in order to stop the war and restore peace. The world is similar to medieval-era Europe and the greater Mediterranean world, as magic still exists and relies on connections to the Other Side.

Black Company series by Glenn Cook
The Dominator is a very powerful wizard who has the capacity to turn his most sour enemies into his dependable servants, even the ones nearly his identical in magic. The most potent of his sufferers are called the ten Who had been Taken, or just Taken for short. with his wife, the woman, whose magical talent is 2nd only to that of the Dominator, he founded an empire unrivaled for evil. It become overthrown via a revolt led by way of the White Rose, however neither she nor the rebellion wizards had been robust enough to kill the Dominator, the girl or the Taken. The high-quality they could do turned into to render them subconscious and imprison them. Their jail turned into an area called the Barrowland.

Broken Empire Trilogy
by Mark Lawrence
The primary protagonist of the collection, Jorg endures many emotional and physical traumas at some stage in the series leaving him deeply damaged, ensuing in him largely being unfeeling to the suffering of others. he’s inclined to hurt or kill all and sundry in his quest to ascend to the throne of the damaged Empire. After the brutal murder of his mother and younger brother, Jorg runs far away from his father and his domestic; coming to guide a band of vicious outlaws known as the Brotherhood.

The Living Blade Series by Timandra Whitecastle
A magical sword. A quest. While the world is on the edge, a woman risks her future… Is the Living Blade only legend? With it… Prince Bashan may want to win again his country. Master Diaz can loose himself of the burden from his beyond. Owen Smith sees a once-in-a-lifetime threat to advantage untold expertise. however for Noraya Smith, the Living Blade will convey nothing however struggling and sorrow.

The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock
Elric is the ultimate emperor of the  island civilization of Melniboné. Physically susceptible, the anemic Elric has to use drugs (unique herbs) to hold his health and energy. From formative years, he read freely inside the big royal library and discovered of the arena outside the Dreaming Isle. Possibly because of this in-depth analysis, unlike his race, Elric has a sense of right and wrong.

 

Other authors of note:

Grimdark fantasy authors you should check out
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