My Top 15 Grimdark Series! (As of 2023)

Richard Nell has already written the book, but under a pseudonym.

I remember reading the review for Dreams of the Dying on Grimdark Magazine and being super interested! It sounds really good, plus that cover art is amazing

The first law is the funniest and most enjoyable writing I've ever read

ANother fantastic video! Thank you Petrik!

So funny because i liked Peaky Blinders for the same 3 reasons and I also enjoyed it about as much as you did and I stopped watching but might start it again! So funny we had like literally the same experience with it.

I am just curious about what made you stop reading The Blade of Tyshalle. For me, it punched me hard in the mouth and I had to spit a few teeth. That's how unpleasant it was! 😅

Great list, Petrik! I really enjoyed The Stone Kniefe but I too don't remember enough to pick up the sequel. 😅🙈 It's been so long. I think I will be rereading it with you when the trilogy is completed. 😊

Another great video, probably the best Grimdark review vid ion YT. and we all love the lists and ever moving rankings i think! well done Petrik. my fav booktuber by far!

I sometimes feel like a lone disciple preaching the good word of The Acts of Caine. It’s so damned Grimdark and so good!
For the Ash and Sand series I think that Ruka might be my favorite MC in all of fantasy. I have rarely jumped up and yelled “Hell yeah!” Out loud while reading but there were multiple times I did during those books.

First off I want to say I'm so glad that you continue to push the five Warrior Angels series out there to the masses I'm sure the author appreciates it it's definitely Grimm dark I finished it a couple of months back amazing stuff
Now I plan on checking out the Genghis Khan series I've heard so many good things about it it's on my radar for next year I got to get it on my shelf, I've read the first two books of the War of the Rose throne plan on finishing them next year sometime, as for anything George Martin A Storm of Swords is one of the best fantasy novels ever written but it's a series that will never be finished so I read better stuff out there, and you're number one spot deserves it definitely my favorite of all time also just so many iconic characters that are completely Unforgettable I read it for the first time 2 years after it had been released and Then followed from there I have read it numerous times over the years sad thing is I have not finished the age of Madness I've read a little hatred but not the last two books and yes I know I should it's coming soon sorry about this long message keep making badass videos I'll keep watching them

Great list, several I haven't read at this point.
Came across Nell3-4 years ago, with his second book what a shift in the story, I still have to get to book 3. Never read Anna Stephens, had purchased Jeff Salyards, years ago an never read them. Everyone raves about We Are the Dead, I have to read that as well. I enjoyed The War of the Rose and Crown so much, truly underrated.

Manifest Delusions must always be on a grimdark list, excellent list!

Also I can't wait to hear your review of the Prince of Nothing/Second Apocalypse series

Surprised to know you haven't read Blackwing yet, pretty confident you'd love it and it would be featured in your lists lol, its a very underrated series. I think the series is called Raven's Mark, Blackwing being the first book

Hey Petrik, just curious - how much time do you spend reading each day?

Still love your videos Petrik! That said, I've got some issues here. Glen Cook? Fritz Leiber? Michael Moorcock? Anna Smith Spark? Richard Morgan? And, for fuck's sake, Erikson? 🤪

Do u think the poppy war has a winter atmosphere? Or the first law? I like reading based on seasons lol

Great list!

Petrik Leo, thank you for all this awesome content, been watchin a lot of your videos recently and i just wanted to say that I really appreciate your honesty and reviews on all your books. Your passion is infectious and you have turned a strict Non-fiction reader into a fantasy reader through your great videos and passion. There is so much to learn from the world of fantasy that escaped me before and you have introduced and exposed so many new genres of reading to me that I never knew existed. So thank you!

I'm about to read Eleventh Cycle soon. So glad to see it on the list. Btw, does anyone know what the three books with white spines on the left of Petrik's head are? I like the artwork so if they are the trilogy I'm interested in or the one I like, I want to buy them too.

Great list. First Law is my favourite too. Have you read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant ? One of the most complex and hated anti-heroes in fantasy and this series might be grandfather of the whole grimdark subgenre.

Great video! I didn't know that there are so many other grimdark fantasy books, your lists are always very unique because of how well-read you are! The First Law trilogy got me into reading fantasy this year, but sadly, Best Served Cold left me a bit disappointed. Maybe I'm not into revenge tales, but it felt a bit predictable for me, and I'm a fan of series, not so much standalones (at least in fantasy). Can't wait to eventually dig into the second trilogy after I got through the other two standalones - I fear that this is my First Law slog lol.

Great list! I added a few to my goodreads list... again....
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You missed Mortis Maledictum!

Thanks! Good advise for future reading. Very surprised Broken Empire trilogy is not on your list...nor mentioned in any of the comments?? So far my favourite GD series

Hey Petrik - Anna Stephens and The Fantasy Hive posted the cover and release date for book three, "The Dark Feather", yesterday which comes out on March 28th, 2024 :)

Hey have you read the black company chronicles

Would you consider the green bone saga falls in grimdark? Just curious if others would agree

Grimdark and not a single mention of Warhammer 40K? You know, where the term actually originated? Still, pretty good list ;) Keep it up

Thanks for the tips :)

You need to read those R Scott Bakker books!

I wish I could find another series like the first law and rest of Joe Abercrombie’s books. I just feel like nothing comes close and I can’t scratch that itch

Saying grimdark is characterized by "stomach-churning", "foul-language" or "deplorable" charactersis not doing the genre any favors. Just because a person may be shocked or disturbed does not make the subject matter grimdark. In fact I believe it's more of a parody or an example of fetishism or other obscure sub-genre. A way to think of this genre is to simply say that the subject material simply isn't afraid of explorig the realities of the human experience. Remember that 40k simply started as a question of what kind of universe might be possible if war was a constant, and btw demons and other nightmarish entities are also a possibility. How might this affect someone? The trauma snd duality of the human experience is constantly explored. Somehow there is this idea that heroism isn't grimdark which shows the oversimplification and lack of understanding of the genre. Remember that Batman is an example of a grimdark character in fact most heroes are. We see this character that was born of trauma, grief and hurt. As the stories of these old-timey comic book heroes have unfolded over the decades in variious reimaginings this is a very common theme. We've also havegotten further away from the self imposed censorship of the comic book world we get to see more of tragic history of a lot of our beloved heroes. In fact the series Titans is a great example of the painful pasts and experiences of our heroes. Some of the best grimdark books in my opinion actually let us explore the the chaos lords and demons in the 40k universe. For the authors to make these characters that were literally evil to the core somehow palatable was really a fascinating experience.

Great video! I have been trying to get into fantasy as a long time horror/sci fi reader. I just finished Between Two Fires and I think it may of ignited a need to follow it up with more fantasy. I think I have a copy of The Blade Itself in my TBR pile. I added a lot of the other suggestions to my wish list!

Just subbed.
Joe Abercrombie is the best!! I have read all his books 3 times over. I'm definitely going to read some of your other recommendations.

I'm reading ASOIAF right now (midway through ACOK), haven't read First Law yet.
I'm curious, which would you deem the darker series – ASOIAF or First Law?

body found floating by the docks

I wonder if sparks has a grim darklol

NO prince of nothing series or the aspect emperor?

I never see anyone give the Iconoclast trilogy any love.

By grimdark it seems you mean low fantasy. Dark and gritty with no clear distinction between good and evil.

bro put the Khan series into the top 5, he gets the likes, wallahi I just finished listening to Conqueror the 5th book, in the series, and I Definity would state that this tho semi-historical is one of my favorite book series, its tense, refreshing and shows the mindset of Mongolian warlord as he goes to war against the forces that tore his land apart and turned Mongols agaist Mongols, The first two books are definity a stand out, and the first book though slower pace definity makes connect with genghis and helps you understand his early life. Great choice for 4th spot!

Thanks so much for recommending the Ash and sand series. I had never head of it bevor this video and read the three books over the last two weeks! So good!! But I disagree with you about your assessment of the books. I thought the third was the weakest of the three 😊

Did you read The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker.

Nooooooo way First Law should be the first. There is absolutely no plot! So many holes and an awful ending.

Malazan?

I dont know if you have read it or plan to, Sebastien de Castell's Greatcoat series is very good, dark like Berserk but in the spirit of the Three Musketeers.

Subbed!

hi❤

Now I am really confused.