I always say a fantasy book is good for me, when it has a 2 page trigger warning.
I‘m searching for books that have that realistic dark brutal vibe with the main character being the morally grey antihero.
Stuff like the books by Harper L. Woods for example, but they don’t need the be based on romance.
I also love a medieval setting.
Do you have any suggestions?
by daedricprincesss
9 Comments
Candace Jane Dorsey’s Black Wine made me feel a bit sick if that helps at all
The One Who Eats Monsters is great for this. Maybe not as brutal as you described but definitely a book Idt give a TW for
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins isn’t a medieval setting, but otherwise is a perfect fit
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buelhman is a great fit as well
The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K Jemisin
I thought “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” was pretty dark. Not quite medieval times, but set in the 19th century. As a plus, after reading it, you should watch the mini-series made from the book.
The Darkness That Comes Before, Bakker
The Poppy War series. Hits the morally gray antihero, and some pretty heavy content content warnings. It’s not medieval, but it features fictionalized versions of Japanese war crimes from the early 20th century.
You might like the Broken Empire trilogy by Mark Lawrence. MC is a borderline evil, young prince who uses his cunning and brutality to become the leader of a bandit group before setting his sights on carving out his own kingdom. As the series goes on, his better qualities shine through, but I don’t think you could ever call him a good person. Is a roughly midevil setting but also has magic and some post-apocalyptic themes
Second the Poppy War suggestion! Babel by the same author as well, though it’s less brutal.
Red Rising
The Blood Trials
The Shadow of the Gods