I don't know why I keep forgetting to add this series to my "books to buy myself for Xmas" list because I've heard SUCH good things about it! In fact, I gonna add it right now, before I forget again.
My second "reading" of The First Law is through audiobook. Wow! Seven Pacey. Wow! I am now on Best Served Cold and I love how each character's voice is enhanced by his performance. Keep up the good work, Petrik. I always look forward to your videos.
And he keeps the same voice over ALL the books! So Glokta is still Glokta in the final book of the final trilogy! Just listening to a group of characters having a chat is not only what Joe Abercrombie does sooooo well, but when it’s read by Stephen Pacey…….. elevated to the heavens! I will never read a book that Stephen Pacey has narrated. Oh and Joe is just cruel to him with the scenes involving sex! But, he does them so well.
I'm much more of a horror guy than a fantasy guy, so grimdark is the one kind of fantasy that really appeals to me the most. It has all the same beats I love about gritty, brutal psychological horror with fascinating morally grey characters, terrifying villains and monsters, and a dreadful haunting atmosphere that constantly makes things feel exciting and thrilling.
@fraterahava I think honestly, because fantasy is so often predictable. As GOT was for so many their first foray into the genre, it was eye-opening to see such dark and gray characters with unpredictable character archs.
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!
@@PetrikLeo I don’t consider Malazan grimdark because, while a lot of tragic and terrible things do happen, it keeps returning to hope, courage, connection, and compassion as an affirmation of meaning and purpose. I love grimdark, so this is not a value judgement, just a difference in philosophy. With grimdark, I feel that there is no underlying meaning or purpose, but that individuals can struggle to carve their own meaning and purpose out of a hostile or indifferent world.
I haven't read many grimdark yet, but I am reading The Poppy War and A Song of Ice and Fire, and liking them both. I added some from your list to my tbr
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!
Aww this is so lovely to hear! I'm glad my videos can lead you to read more amazing fantasy books. That's always my number 1 intention of creating this channel. 😊
The First Law audiobooks are in my top five audiobook series. Just genius. Raven's Shadow is in my top 5 and if it counts as Grim Dark, Traveler's Gate and Grave of Empires. I've only read 4 of yours but some have been on my list for quite a while so thanks 🤪🙌🏼 bumping them up.
I totally have to try First Law audiobooks. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the audiobook. I haven't read Grave of Empires, but Raven's Shadow and Traveler's Gate are not grimdark fantasy as far as I know. :)
@@PetrikLeo I'm still trying to figure out a medium for Grim over just Dark. Sooooo many opinions 🤪 I have a shattered leg and the performance of Sand dan Glokta is spot on. Makes me laugh and cringe in equal measures 🤪
Thank you for the great video Petrik. I've only read about a third of these but I do own a couple that I plan to read later, like Manifest Delusions. You've convinced me to add the following to my already too large, TBR. I will be adding Mistland, Ash and Sand, The Five Warrior Angels and The Khan Dynasty. Curious, two that you didn't include were the Malazan series and the John Gwynn series - I'm guessing its just that they weren't liked as much as the series you mentioned here - but both are on my TBR. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I cannot include Malazan and John Gwynne because they are not grimdark fantasy! If they were, they would've been at the top of the chart together with the number 1 champion. :)
I'm just getting into Grimdark so thank you for the recommendations! Couldn't agree more about the Heroes Die cover, if I hadn't heard good things from you, someone whose opinion I trust, I would never have considered picking it up 😅
Mike said u recommended THE LAST WAR series and I had to pick it up. I’m halfway through the second book and the way shackle developed his character voices was awesome!! Also really feel the comic book vibe off the pages lol
Matthew Stover is a new author I have not heard of, thank you to add something new to look forward to! Love to see Fletcher and Durfee on this list. I plan to eventually read all these authors. Really grateful for you and your channel Petrik, you consistently put out videos that I enjoy so much 🎉
I read War of the Rose Throne solely based on your recommendation and…wow …just wow. Age of Madness is on deck for me. But as usual, more additions to my TBR.
Once again I notice how little I have read from the Grimdark genre. I have read Song of Ice and Fire and really loved Sons of Darkness this year. My Broken Binding edition of The Last War should arrive in a few days, so I will actually read that soon-ish. The First Law is of course high on the list to read, too. Hopefully next year. I did put a few more of these on my (very big) TBR . Thanks for the list!
finally! 🎉 my favorite fantasy sub genre is grimdark I like it a lot I mean it's like everyone else like it so it's not an original pick but I still like it looking forward for all the Series in this video thanks for the great video
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
I have a lot of respect for this sub-genre. I loved "The Poppy War" and I am still considering "Knife of Stone" and "Sons of Darkness". At this moment though I am leaning more towards lighter reads with my work studies and mental health. Thank you for sharing your top.
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
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 :)
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.
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.
Thank you very much, Frank! Kings of Heaven is great, too. Shorter than Kings of Ash but still superb. Glad you loved War for the Rose Throne, and I hope you'll enjoy Jeff Salyards's books and Anna Stephen's just as much! :)
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.
Thank you so much! Haha, there are a LOT of great grimdark fantasy books. I wish I had read more of them, too. It's one of my favorite subgenres. The Heroes, imo, is even better than Best Served Cold. Great and thought-provoking war stories. I hope you'll enjoy it! :)
@@PetrikLeo I did start The Heroes after reading your comment, but haven't got very far yet! I saw that you called the last book of Manifest Delusions philosophical, that intrigued me a lot! Could you recommend any other philosophical fantasy books that you enjoyed? :)
Absolutely no need to apologise for not having any real changes in your top 10. When you find the best of the best early on, it's gonna be hard to beat those out! I can't wait to get back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War and The First Law. And also really want to reread Dreams of the Dying when we get updates about book 2! I think The Tragedy of Cedain by John Palladino, The Blood and Steel Saga by E.J. Doble, Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost and the Tainted Dominion by Krystle Matar all belong on my top 10, but I am not ranking them lol. Great list, thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much, Esmay! I heard the sequel of Dreams of the Dying will be another standalone story, so it's not a must to reread Dreams of the Dying. But nothing wrong with rereading it to connect with Jespar again. The Blood and Steel Saga is one of my priorities next year! As for Tainted Dominion, I still need to read the second book. Unfortunately, the book is literally unpurchaseable from my country I don't even know why. So I guess that's it for me with the series until things changed. I hope you'll love getting back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War, and of course The First Law! :)
@@PetrikLeoOooh that's good to know about the sequel to Dreams of the Dying. Definitely still excited for a reread though, I think I will do the audiobook this time around! And can't wait for you to read the Blood and Steel Saga and continue with Legacy of Brick and Bone if you can ever get your hands on a copy! Sorry to hear that it's unavailable for you :(
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
Thank you so much! And you're welcome. Glad you loved reading these series I mentioned, too. The ones you've read anyway. I'll read more grimdark books and update this list eventually!
Great list. I really want you read Richard Nell and Brian Lee Durfee. GRRM and Abercrombie are easily my two favorites. Peter McLean is also fantastic.
Thank you so much, John! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Nell's Ash and Sand trilogy and Five Warrior Angels. And yeah, GRRM and Abercrombie are tough to beat in the genre! :)
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!
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.
Thank you! Unfortunately, I haven't started reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant yet. Might be a while before I try that. Going to read R. Scott Bakker's first next year!
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
You're welcome! I actually think Broken Empire is a mixed reading for me. Jorg is a super compelling main character, but other than that, many aspects of the series felt a bit underwhelming to me. I love his Book of the Ancestor series much more! :)
Great list! I've been putting off Peter McLean because I was worried War for tge Rose Throne was just going to be Peaky Blinders pastiche, but everyone keeps says how great the series gets by the end so I need to check it out. The Second Apocalypse is both my favorite grimdark and my favorite overall fantasy series. The Aspect-Emperor qaurtet frankly gave me more Beserk vibes in tone than Eleventh Cycle, which is one of the reasons the latter didn't hit for me as it did for others. I'll be interested in seeing what you think of Bakker's work when you get around to him next year.
Thank you so much! I hope you'll love War for the Rose Throne, Andrew. The similarities between the first season and Priest of Bones are difficult to differentiate, to be honest. But the series started to become its own thing from the second book and beyond. I heard nothing but great things about Second Apocalypse. And some readers have mentioned the same thing about the Berserk vibe, so maybe I'll end up agreeing with you! :)
I really should read Brian Lee Durfee. His videos on TH-cam are so fun and so entertaining. Mr. Durfee is a very respectable nutcase. Petrik Leo should be granted an advanced degree in fantasy fiction critique. Thank you.
I need to read some of these. Hopefully will finish the Game of Thrones books soon, then try out Son of Darkness and some of the other shorter series. Don’t want to start First Law till after I’ve read others. The Songs of the Drowned series sounds awesome too. Love Aztec inspired stories.
A Song of Ice and Fire is worth the read for sure. Even if it's unfinished. I feel like it's rare to find a series that keeps calling you back to read it again, and that series is one of them! I hope you'll love the rest when you get around to them!
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.
@@PetrikLeoI think in both cases at least part of the problem is the authors don’t promote themselves. Stover is a big martial artist and that’s where most of his efforts go to and while i occasionally talk to Richard Nell I haven’t seen any big social media campaigns. I’m finishing up the Sol’s Harvest series by MD Presley right now and it’s some of the best world building ever but isn’t talked about much for the same reason. You really have to promote yourself these days.
Totally agree with STORM OF SWORDS being a GOAT in all of fantasy. Also, First Law and Age of Madness (Abercrombie) just completely spoiled my expectations and I am having a very hard time picking up anything to follow up from finishing Best Served Cold.
Urgh I know what you mean. Finishing The Wisdom of Crowds put me in a massive grimdark fantasy hangover. It's like so many grimdark books I picked up since then just pale in comparison. :/
Great video and thanks for a few new series to check out. First Law is my favorite series, close 2nd to Malazan. As someone who’s read Malazan, do you think that qualifies as Grim Dark?
I don't count Malazan as grimdark. Although some events are pretty grim, compassion and hope drive the series. The main characters with few exceptions are mostly virtuous characters trying to do the right thing, too.
I hope you'll enjoy Acts of Caine again with readjusted expectations. Stover was wildly ambitious and did something different with each novel but it comes together so beautifully! I loved every entry on its own merits. For me it's a Top 5 series of all-time 🖤 Blade of Tyshalle is an existentialist nightmare that throws you in the muck and revels in the dirt but pays off tremendously (!) Book 3 & 4 are paired together. Caine Black Knife goes all in on its Action-Adventure roots but introduces a deeper layer to the series that's the ground-work for book 4. Caine's Law then is a meta-physical fevre dream that transcends time and weaves everything that came before together. It's the most ambitous and heady of the bunch where you have to just let go and trust Stover. And he delivers!
Thank you so much! It might not be soon, but yes, the next time I attempt Acts of Caine knowing what I'm getting into, I think I'll have better luck with it! I loved Heroes Die so much that the change in direction made it difficult for me to enjoy Blade of Tyshalle.
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
Awesome :) For me it got into my top 5 of 400+ fantasy/sci fi books read, but I can imagine it not being for everyone; but oh boy did I have fun. Curious what you're gonna think about it@@PetrikLeo
Way to go...Ash and Sand....criminally undderated ...that magic system, the first time it happened, I could actually hear it as I read the words across the page...and at such a pivotal story moment....
Anna Stephen's series is one I've been meaning to read, but for one reason or another, I never get to it =S Also, I didn't know that Sons of Darkness was grimdark, that's interesting--I guess I judged the book by its cover! Abercrombie, of course it had to be here! Goodness, it's grimdark but whenever Glokta did his usual brooding, sarcastic comments I was there, rolling in laughter. Talking about grimdark, did you ever read Empires of Dust?
I tried Empires of Dust a long time ago, and the writing really did not work well for me. Sons of Darkness is definitely grimdark, and yeah, I agree so much on Abercrombie's incredible talent in inserting humor into his dark and realistic stories! :D
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 😊
Great video! I got a bunch of recommendations- thank you! I'm currently reading The First Law trilogy for the first time. I'm in the middle of The Last Argument of Kings- and I'm loving it. I'm an avid reader, but relatively new to the fantasy genre. I'm very glad I started with Abercrombie- or wait- maybe that's a bad thing, because who can top him, right?! Any recommendations for a new fantasy reader would be welcome...
Thank you so much! Haha, nothing wrong with starting one of the best, or even the best, grimdark fantasy series. Last Argument of Kings and Wisdom of Crowds are Abercrombie's best books, imo. And that's saying a lot because I loved everything he wrote. 😃
Ohhhhh you’ve started at the top! Have you listened to the audio books? If not, I cannot recommend them highly enough - I mean the voice actor is the best of the best, honestly, REALLY enhances the storytelling.
@@tanja9364 I'm almost finished with Last Argument- wow, it's so good! Thanks for the recommendation. I was thinking of listening to the audio versions as my reread for this trilogy- because I'm certain I'll want to revisit these books!
I hope to get on a TH-camr’s list one day (for positive reasons). I’m an author hoping to be traditionally published. Right now I’m writing a dark fantasy novel
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!
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?
I'll say they're more or less equal in terms of grittiness and darkness. Abercrombie's is most action heavy than GRRM, though. GRRM on the other hand is more intricate in world-building.
@@PetrikLeo, interesting! Yeah, from what I've seen on booktube people seem to praise Abercrombie for characterization and prose rather than for world building and plot.
I just think First Law's character work and battle scenes are so superior to ASOIAF. A Song of Ice and Fire do win in intricacies of world-building and lore, though!
@@PetrikLeo I can't argue against that becuz I feel the same.I also think Abercrombie's pure enjoyment and humor is better aswel. 🙏 But just imagine Asoiaf completed 😁
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
If you like grimdark, I'd recommend Jesse Teller's Madness Wars series. He's a criminally underatted author who give Michael R. Fletcher a serious run for his money. LOL.
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.
The First Law has a snowy setting when the characters are in the North. I think it fits! Poppy War, though, is not... The second book has a snow setting in the second book but not in the first book! :)
Thank YOU. Rin isnt meant to be likeable. She has PTSD and addiction issues to the fuckin MAX. I related to her, shockingly, because shes so awful. But as someone with both of those afflictions i could empathize with her so much.
EXACTLY! Sometimes, I'm confused by the intense comment on the character. She was always meant to be unlikable. On that purpose, i feel the characrer is well written!
@@PetrikLeo I also do not understand the hate book three seems to get, I loved each book a little more than the last. It was a great conclusion to a fantastic trilogy
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? 🤪
Thank you! Glen Cook - DNFed Chronicles of the Black Company after reading the 5th book. Fritz Leiber - Haven't read anything by him Michael Moorcock - I've read only Elric graphic novels. Still need to read the novels. Anna Smith Spark - Absolutely awful. Can't even finish the first half of the first book. Richard Morgan - Another DNF. Felt like I was reading it at the wrong time. Steven Erikson - Malazan is one of my favorite series of all time but it is not grimdark. Philip Chase has mentioned in the comment section why he doesn't think it's grimdark for the same reasons I have. Also, Steven Erikson insisted readers to not mark his series as grimdark.
@@PetrikLeo Hah! Great reply! Allow me to retort; in reverse order, just for giggles ;-)~ I know you love Malazan, and I know you know that Malazan and Chronicles of Amber are my favorite series of all time. I'm not sure how anyone else, including the author himself, doesn't classify Malazan as Grimdark, but hey, to each their own. For me, it is simple. Good "grimdark," isn't just unrelenting nihilism and violence, it is fantastic realism with a bit of hope thrown in. Anyway, I absolutely consider Malazan to be Grimdark. Morgan - A Land Fit for Heroes - I love this trilogy. I hope you revisit it. I think the ending of The Steel Remains is one of the best endings of a fantasy book that I've ever read. Anna Smith Sparks - Yeah, I've heard that before. Personally, I enjoyed the hell out of the Empires of Dust trilogy, but probably half the people I've recommended it to have not been so receptive. Still, I've gotten a similar reaction to Malazan, or The Book of the New Sun. Some people just love 'em, or hate 'em. Moorcock - Ugh. I can't stress enough how much you should put just a little bit of effort into reading some of his "Eternal Champion" works. Even if you don't like them, they're so incredibly influential and are also mostly a bunch of novellas. You'll fly through them! Leiber - Another author, along with Moorcock, considered to be one of the fathers of the sword and sorcery genre. His Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser works are all short stories or novellas, and deserve at least a cursory read. Cook - The first trilogy of The Black Company (The Books of the North) and maybe The Swordbearer are pretty much all you need to read to know just how awesome and influential Glen Cook was (and is) to fantasy in general and Grimdark in specific. Just my opinions of course ;-)~
@@PetrikLeo ah yes sorry! I spoke to soon about first law. What subgenre would you classify malazan in ? :) it’s for sure more “dark” than the cosmere?
@@laurahihaha it's epic military fantasy. Simple as that.😁 just because it's darker than many classic fantasy or Cosmere doesn't immediately classify it as grimdark. Erikson himself said the series is not grimdark; it is epic fantasy.
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.
Hmm. Im very carefull with grim dark stuff, plus i personaly dont like it, but my 4rth favoret book series of all time is vampire hunter d. Recomend the anime movie of 2000. It takes A LOT for me to make an exeption and buy a hole series. I love vampire hunter d.
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! 😅
The writing style and story structure is very different anf complex to Heroes Die. It's one that require me to be in the right and patient reading mood for it. I read it when I was so busy with many obligations. Couldn't concentrate enough to appreciate it.
I didn't expect that! Eisenhorn is a bit dated but it's still one of the best starting books to get into 40K. And Abnett is a pretty good author. If you're after something really special - not just within 40K but in general, I'd suggest Peter Fehervari. It's a hell of a ride. You can either start with Fire Caste, Requiem Infernal or The Reverie (preferably)@@PetrikLeo
I'm realizing I must not really like grimdark. I've only read First Law Trilogy and ASOIF on this list. I've only even heard of a couple of the others. I have wanted to give Priest of Bones a read.
@@PetrikLeo I think the biggest issue I've had in the past is its seems like some of the are vulgar just for the sake of being vulgar which I don't love.
I loved Poppy War. Book 3 ending was a bit of a let down, but still good. Babel, I agree was even better. Yellowface though...I wouldn't recommend it. Feels like a completely different author, and very amateurish.
Gosh I should have named it The One Warrior Angel!!
Hahaha! 🤣🤣 maybe for the sequel series?
I don't know why I keep forgetting to add this series to my "books to buy myself for Xmas" list because I've heard SUCH good things about it! In fact, I gonna add it right now, before I forget again.
@@CarolineMolyneux4491 you need to. It's my second favorite trilogy, ever.
Would love to get this series in Hardback
The list...it...it grows... An honor as ever, sir. A few of these are new to me so hurray!
Ash and Sand remain strong on the list!
My second "reading" of The First Law is through audiobook. Wow! Seven Pacey. Wow! I am now on Best Served Cold and I love how each character's voice is enhanced by his performance. Keep up the good work, Petrik. I always look forward to your videos.
Thank you so much, Mark! I have to try the audiobook on my next reread sometimes. The praises for Steven Pacey's narration is worldwide! 😃
And he keeps the same voice over ALL the books! So Glokta is still Glokta in the final book of the final trilogy! Just listening to a group of characters having a chat is not only what Joe Abercrombie does sooooo well, but when it’s read by Stephen Pacey…….. elevated to the heavens! I will never read a book that Stephen Pacey has narrated. Oh and Joe is just cruel to him with the scenes involving sex! But, he does them so well.
wowwwiiee
Totally stealing this idea for my third “reading”! It’s been several years, thanks for sharing!
@@PetrikLeothe audio books are absolutely incredible
I'm much more of a horror guy than a fantasy guy, so grimdark is the one kind of fantasy that really appeals to me the most. It has all the same beats I love about gritty, brutal psychological horror with fascinating morally grey characters, terrifying villains and monsters, and a dreadful haunting atmosphere that constantly makes things feel exciting and thrilling.
Very understandable and valid! Any recommendation on favorite grimdark fantasy? 😃
I agree, classic fantasy is almost always boring for me but grim dark is great
@fraterahava I think honestly, because fantasy is so often predictable. As GOT was for so many their first foray into the genre, it was eye-opening to see such dark and gray characters with unpredictable character archs.
Oh boy cant wait your review on my favorite fantasy Prince Of Nothing/Aspect Emperor.
About time I start reading it! 😃
@@PetrikLeobetter than ASoIaF imo!
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!
Aww thank you so much for the kind words! I'll make sure to read more in the subgenre before the next updated video! :)
An excellent list, Petrik! As usual, I need to catch up with you on some of these series, but I have enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far!
Thank you so much, Philip! Do you consider Malazan as grimdark btw? I don't. But it seems like plenty of readers consider Malazan as grimdark. 😅
@@PetrikLeo I don’t consider Malazan grimdark because, while a lot of tragic and terrible things do happen, it keeps returning to hope, courage, connection, and compassion as an affirmation of meaning and purpose. I love grimdark, so this is not a value judgement, just a difference in philosophy. With grimdark, I feel that there is no underlying meaning or purpose, but that individuals can struggle to carve their own meaning and purpose out of a hostile or indifferent world.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Exactly. Well said. That's my thoughts too! 😁
Ok now this is the update Top # video that's needed in this space. Great Job!
Thank you so much! I hope to read more grimdark in the next two or three to update this list again!
Oh man I love getting hyped for series high on my tbr like Last War, War for the Rose Throne, Five Warrior Angels, and the Khan series! Great vid!
Thank you, brother! I sincerely hope you'll enjoy them all! :)
I haven't read many grimdark yet, but I am reading The Poppy War and A Song of Ice and Fire, and liking them both. I added some from your list to my tbr
I'm sure you'll love The First Law if you enjoy A Song of Ice and Fire! 😃
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!
Aww this is so lovely to hear! I'm glad my videos can lead you to read more amazing fantasy books. That's always my number 1 intention of creating this channel. 😊
The First Law audiobooks are in my top five audiobook series. Just genius.
Raven's Shadow is in my top 5 and if it counts as Grim Dark, Traveler's Gate and Grave of Empires.
I've only read 4 of yours but some have been on my list for quite a while so thanks 🤪🙌🏼 bumping them up.
I totally have to try First Law audiobooks. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the audiobook. I haven't read Grave of Empires, but Raven's Shadow and Traveler's Gate are not grimdark fantasy as far as I know. :)
@@PetrikLeo I'm still trying to figure out a medium for Grim over just Dark. Sooooo many opinions 🤪 I have a shattered leg and the performance of Sand dan Glokta is spot on. Makes me laugh and cringe in equal measures 🤪
audiobooks are not books.
@@Archonsx Well since I can't physically read I guess I should just stop supporting all of the authors that I support and give up on books.
Thank you for the great video Petrik. I've only read about a third of these but I do own a couple that I plan to read later, like Manifest Delusions. You've convinced me to add the following to my already too large, TBR. I will be adding Mistland, Ash and Sand, The Five Warrior Angels and The Khan Dynasty. Curious, two that you didn't include were the Malazan series and the John Gwynn series - I'm guessing its just that they weren't liked as much as the series you mentioned here - but both are on my TBR. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I cannot include Malazan and John Gwynne because they are not grimdark fantasy! If they were, they would've been at the top of the chart together with the number 1 champion. :)
More books for the TBR! And Forgetting Moon is on my TBR for this month.
Thanks, Petrik
Thank you, Ronald!! 😃
I'm just getting into Grimdark so thank you for the recommendations! Couldn't agree more about the Heroes Die cover, if I hadn't heard good things from you, someone whose opinion I trust, I would never have considered picking it up 😅
Yeah... the cover art of Heroes Die is so awful. The author has mentioned that cover art is responsible for the drop in sales.
Mike said u recommended THE LAST WAR series and I had to pick it up. I’m halfway through the second book and the way shackle developed his character voices was awesome!! Also really feel the comic book vibe off the pages lol
Great decision! The second book is the best of the series, imo. 😁
Matthew Stover is a new author I have not heard of, thank you to add something new to look forward to!
Love to see Fletcher and Durfee on this list. I plan to eventually read all these authors. Really grateful for you and your channel Petrik, you consistently put out videos that I enjoy so much 🎉
You're so welcome! And thank you very much for the kind words. I hope you will enjoy these books and series you haven't read! :)
I read War of the Rose Throne solely based on your recommendation and…wow …just wow. Age of Madness is on deck for me. But as usual, more additions to my TBR.
YESSSS! Wonderful. Just wonderful. The Age of Madness is superb. Enjoy! :)
Thank you so much! I absolutely Love grimdark. Awesome roundup- definitely some I’m moving from the tbr list to my into the DEFINITELY TBR list😂 .
Hahaha! DEFINITELY TBR list sounds good. I hope you'll love them! :)
ANother fantastic video! Thank you Petrik!
Thank you so much!
Once again I notice how little I have read from the Grimdark genre. I have read Song of Ice and Fire and really loved Sons of Darkness this year. My Broken Binding edition of The Last War should arrive in a few days, so I will actually read that soon-ish. The First Law is of course high on the list to read, too. Hopefully next year.
I did put a few more of these on my (very big) TBR . Thanks for the list!
You're welcome! Here's hoping The Last War and The First Law will be in your list of favorite books after you read them! :)
Prince of Nothing trilogy should be on the list too ;)
finally! 🎉
my favorite fantasy sub genre is grimdark I like it a lot
I mean it's like everyone else like it so it's not an original pick but I still like it
looking forward for all the Series in this video
thanks for the great video
Thank you so much! Haha, I think the passion for grimdark fantasy has dwindled among many readers. It used to be mega popular. :D
Fantastic list Petrik! TY🥰😍🥰
Thank YOU for watching!! :)
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
Thank you! Very excited to read Prince of Nothing and Second Apocalypse series next year! :)
Haven't seen the video and I already know I'm gonna end up force feeding my TBR beyond it's worldly capabilities
Join me in my inhuman TBR pile!!
I have a lot of respect for this sub-genre. I loved "The Poppy War" and I am still considering "Knife of Stone" and "Sons of Darkness". At this moment though I am leaning more towards lighter reads with my work studies and mental health. Thank you for sharing your top.
Totally understandable! Make sure to be in the right headspace before reading the subgenre! 😊
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
It's incredible imo. Definitely give it a read! 😁
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 :)
I saw that! So excited for it. Time to schedule reading The Stone Knife and finish the trilogy!
R Scott Bakker for win! :) looking forward to your reaction
A priority for next year!! 😃
Bakker is really transcendentally dark. He should try to write a horror novel about Golgotterath.
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.
Thank you! I hope you find more great books. Hard to top Abercrombie, though... :D
Thank you for an amazing book list!! 😊
Thank you so much, Safina!
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.
Hahah I need to try Peaky Blinders again. I hope the next season will be even better! 😂
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.
Thank you very much, Frank! Kings of Heaven is great, too. Shorter than Kings of Ash but still superb. Glad you loved War for the Rose Throne, and I hope you'll enjoy Jeff Salyards's books and Anna Stephen's just as much! :)
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.
Thank you so much! Haha, there are a LOT of great grimdark fantasy books. I wish I had read more of them, too. It's one of my favorite subgenres. The Heroes, imo, is even better than Best Served Cold. Great and thought-provoking war stories. I hope you'll enjoy it! :)
@@PetrikLeo I did start The Heroes after reading your comment, but haven't got very far yet!
I saw that you called the last book of Manifest Delusions philosophical, that intrigued me a lot! Could you recommend any other philosophical fantasy books that you enjoyed? :)
Absolutely no need to apologise for not having any real changes in your top 10. When you find the best of the best early on, it's gonna be hard to beat those out! I can't wait to get back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War and The First Law. And also really want to reread Dreams of the Dying when we get updates about book 2!
I think The Tragedy of Cedain by John Palladino, The Blood and Steel Saga by E.J. Doble, Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost and the Tainted Dominion by Krystle Matar all belong on my top 10, but I am not ranking them lol.
Great list, thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much, Esmay! I heard the sequel of Dreams of the Dying will be another standalone story, so it's not a must to reread Dreams of the Dying. But nothing wrong with rereading it to connect with Jespar again. The Blood and Steel Saga is one of my priorities next year! As for Tainted Dominion, I still need to read the second book. Unfortunately, the book is literally unpurchaseable from my country I don't even know why. So I guess that's it for me with the series until things changed.
I hope you'll love getting back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War, and of course The First Law! :)
@@PetrikLeoOooh that's good to know about the sequel to Dreams of the Dying. Definitely still excited for a reread though, I think I will do the audiobook this time around!
And can't wait for you to read the Blood and Steel Saga and continue with Legacy of Brick and Bone if you can ever get your hands on a copy! Sorry to hear that it's unavailable for you :(
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
Thank you so much! And you're welcome. Glad you loved reading these series I mentioned, too. The ones you've read anyway. I'll read more grimdark books and update this list eventually!
So many books added to my tbr from here! I think the one that stands out to me the most is The Forgetting Moon!
Here's hoping you'll enjoy that, Luke! :)
Great list. I really want you read Richard Nell and Brian Lee Durfee.
GRRM and Abercrombie are easily my two favorites. Peter McLean is also fantastic.
Thank you so much, John! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Nell's Ash and Sand trilogy and Five Warrior Angels. And yeah, GRRM and Abercrombie are tough to beat in the genre! :)
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!
Thank you! Between Two Fires is a good one! You can also try Buehlman's fantasy book, The Blacktongue Thief. It's even better imo. 😁
@@PetrikLeo It's in my Amazon wishlist, trying to convince myself to read 10 books I own before buying more, but we will see how faithful I can be.
War For The Rose Throne was just Awesome!!! One of my favorite series ever. I don’t understand why no one talks about this series. So underrated.
I agree. Great series.
Totally agree. I feel it's so underrated. Tomas Piety's story should be read more! :D
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.
Thank you! Unfortunately, I haven't started reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant yet. Might be a while before I try that. Going to read R. Scott Bakker's first next year!
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
You're welcome! I actually think Broken Empire is a mixed reading for me. Jorg is a super compelling main character, but other than that, many aspects of the series felt a bit underwhelming to me. I love his Book of the Ancestor series much more! :)
Thanks for the tips :)
You need to read those R Scott Bakker books!
On the list to read this year! 😄
Great list! I've been putting off Peter McLean because I was worried War for tge Rose Throne was just going to be Peaky Blinders pastiche, but everyone keeps says how great the series gets by the end so I need to check it out.
The Second Apocalypse is both my favorite grimdark and my favorite overall fantasy series. The Aspect-Emperor qaurtet frankly gave me more Beserk vibes in tone than Eleventh Cycle, which is one of the reasons the latter didn't hit for me as it did for others. I'll be interested in seeing what you think of Bakker's work when you get around to him next year.
Thank you so much! I hope you'll love War for the Rose Throne, Andrew. The similarities between the first season and Priest of Bones are difficult to differentiate, to be honest. But the series started to become its own thing from the second book and beyond.
I heard nothing but great things about Second Apocalypse. And some readers have mentioned the same thing about the Berserk vibe, so maybe I'll end up agreeing with you! :)
I really should read Brian Lee Durfee. His videos on TH-cam are so fun and so entertaining. Mr. Durfee is a very respectable nutcase. Petrik Leo should be granted an advanced degree in fantasy fiction critique. Thank you.
Thank you! Haha, Brian's channel is so fun and energetic to watch. His books are great! :)
I need to read some of these. Hopefully will finish the Game of Thrones books soon, then try out Son of Darkness and some of the other shorter series. Don’t want to start First Law till after I’ve read others. The Songs of the Drowned series sounds awesome too. Love Aztec inspired stories.
A Song of Ice and Fire is worth the read for sure. Even if it's unfinished. I feel like it's rare to find a series that keeps calling you back to read it again, and that series is one of them! I hope you'll love the rest when you get around to them!
Great list! I added a few to my goodreads list... again....
📚📚📚😳📚📚📚
Wonderful!
Petrik, please, you are wrecking my already unmanageble TBR list.😉
Hahah I will not stop doing that! 😂
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.
Both Acts of Caine and Ash and Sand are so underhyped. So few people talked about them! :/
@@PetrikLeoI think in both cases at least part of the problem is the authors don’t promote themselves. Stover is a big martial artist and that’s where most of his efforts go to and while i occasionally talk to Richard Nell I haven’t seen any big social media campaigns. I’m finishing up the Sol’s Harvest series by MD Presley right now and it’s some of the best world building ever but isn’t talked about much for the same reason. You really have to promote yourself these days.
There you go again killing my TBR. Just finished We Are The Dead. Pretty much blew my hair back.
So good right!? And the second book, A Fool's Hope, is superior.
You are not the first person to tell me that. I will be hitting book 2 next month. @@PetrikLeo
Great list!
Thank you so much!
Love the list.
Nevernight Trilogy
Ancestor Trilogy deserves a shoutout.😊
Thank you! I enjoyed the two of them but I don't consider them grimdark. Mark Lawrence also said Book of the Ancestor is not grimdark. 😃
Totally agree with STORM OF SWORDS being a GOAT in all of fantasy. Also, First Law and Age of Madness (Abercrombie) just completely spoiled my expectations and I am having a very hard time picking up anything to follow up from finishing Best Served Cold.
Urgh I know what you mean. Finishing The Wisdom of Crowds put me in a massive grimdark fantasy hangover. It's like so many grimdark books I picked up since then just pale in comparison. :/
R Scott Bakker gave me the same hangover
Great video and thanks for a few new series to check out. First Law is my favorite series, close 2nd to Malazan.
As someone who’s read Malazan, do you think that qualifies as Grim Dark?
I don't count Malazan as grimdark. Although some events are pretty grim, compassion and hope drive the series. The main characters with few exceptions are mostly virtuous characters trying to do the right thing, too.
Tried any R Scott Bakker?
@@HistoritorJimaldus next year for sure!!
@@HistoritorJimaldus I haven’t yet. I’ve heard good things about The Prince of Nothing
@@Ejacula my number 1 series of all time :)
I hope you'll enjoy Acts of Caine again with readjusted expectations. Stover was wildly ambitious and did something different with each novel but it comes together so beautifully! I loved every entry on its own merits. For me it's a Top 5 series of all-time 🖤
Blade of Tyshalle is an existentialist nightmare that throws you in the muck and revels in the dirt but pays off tremendously (!) Book 3 & 4 are paired together. Caine Black Knife goes all in on its Action-Adventure roots but introduces a deeper layer to the series that's the ground-work for book 4. Caine's Law then is a meta-physical fevre dream that transcends time and weaves everything that came before together. It's the most ambitous and heady of the bunch where you have to just let go and trust Stover. And he delivers!
Thank you so much! It might not be soon, but yes, the next time I attempt Acts of Caine knowing what I'm getting into, I think I'll have better luck with it! I loved Heroes Die so much that the change in direction made it difficult for me to enjoy Blade of Tyshalle.
@@PetrikLeo Looking forward to it!
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
You and me both. Some are great, but no grimdark authors matches Joe's quality of writing and characterizations, imo. 😊
You may enjoy the Powder Mage trilogy if you have not read it yet.
@@lordnedrah7329 I’ll check it out thanks
Go and read the Prince of Nothing and make some space on the 1st spot. (especially second series Aspect-Emperor)
Yeah! It will be a priority series in 2024. Heard nothing but amazing things about it!
Awesome :) For me it got into my top 5 of 400+ fantasy/sci fi books read, but I can imagine it not being for everyone; but oh boy did I have fun. Curious what you're gonna think about it@@PetrikLeo
Reading Eleventh Cycle as we speak, really enjoying it.
Superb!! Happy reading! 😁
Way to go...Ash and Sand....criminally undderated ...that magic system, the first time it happened, I could actually hear it as I read the words across the page...and at such a pivotal story moment....
I know right!? The grove magic system is so awesome!
Love Abercrombie and GRRM mentioned series….Is The Bound and Broken considered Grim Dark? Love Cahill and I know you do too.
Thank you! And The Bound and the Broken is definitely not grimdark.
Don't know why ASOIAF is considered as grim dark. It is pretty normal.
Damn. How did I completely miss a new series in the Ash and Sand world? I need to start reading that ASAP.
Only one book is out in the series so far, but yeah, read it! It's pretty great! :)
Anna Stephen's series is one I've been meaning to read, but for one reason or another, I never get to it =S Also, I didn't know that Sons of Darkness was grimdark, that's interesting--I guess I judged the book by its cover! Abercrombie, of course it had to be here! Goodness, it's grimdark but whenever Glokta did his usual brooding, sarcastic comments I was there, rolling in laughter. Talking about grimdark, did you ever read Empires of Dust?
I tried Empires of Dust a long time ago, and the writing really did not work well for me. Sons of Darkness is definitely grimdark, and yeah, I agree so much on Abercrombie's incredible talent in inserting humor into his dark and realistic stories! :D
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 😊
No worries about that! I'm just glad you enjoyed the trilogy, too! At least we agree the second book is damn awesome! :D
Great video! I got a bunch of recommendations- thank you! I'm currently reading The First Law trilogy for the first time. I'm in the middle of The Last Argument of Kings- and I'm loving it. I'm an avid reader, but relatively new to the fantasy genre. I'm very glad I started with Abercrombie- or wait- maybe that's a bad thing, because who can top him, right?! Any recommendations for a new fantasy reader would be welcome...
Thank you so much! Haha, nothing wrong with starting one of the best, or even the best, grimdark fantasy series. Last Argument of Kings and Wisdom of Crowds are Abercrombie's best books, imo. And that's saying a lot because I loved everything he wrote. 😃
Ohhhhh you’ve started at the top! Have you listened to the audio books? If not, I cannot recommend them highly enough - I mean the voice actor is the best of the best, honestly, REALLY enhances the storytelling.
@@tanja9364 I'm almost finished with Last Argument- wow, it's so good! Thanks for the recommendation. I was thinking of listening to the audio versions as my reread for this trilogy- because I'm certain I'll want to revisit these books!
First law is the next série I plan on starting! I added some more from this video, too. Thank :)
HECK YEAH! Abercrombie's First Law is masterfully written!
I hope to get on a TH-camr’s list one day (for positive reasons). I’m an author hoping to be traditionally published. Right now I’m writing a dark fantasy novel
Don't give up. You will get there one day! :)
@@PetrikLeo Thank you, man. That’s really encouraging.
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!
@@kullenmontgomery1210 IT'S SO GOOD RIGHT!? Hearing this from you makes me want to read the series again!
Hey Petrik, just curious - how much time do you spend reading each day?
Depends on how busy I am! But most of the time, it's about two to four hours in total! :)
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?
I'll say they're more or less equal in terms of grittiness and darkness. Abercrombie's is most action heavy than GRRM, though. GRRM on the other hand is more intricate in world-building.
@@PetrikLeo, interesting!
Yeah, from what I've seen on booktube people seem to praise Abercrombie for characterization and prose rather than for world building and plot.
My favorite subgenre ! Grimdark !
One of my favorites, too!
1.First Law World
2.Asoiaf
Defineyly agree Petrik. I love both so much but Asoiaf had much more potential than First Law though 😮
I just think First Law's character work and battle scenes are so superior to ASOIAF. A Song of Ice and Fire do win in intricacies of world-building and lore, though!
@@PetrikLeo I can't argue against that becuz I feel the same.I also think Abercrombie's pure enjoyment and humor is better aswel. 🙏
But just imagine Asoiaf completed 😁
@@noname3609 "completed" is the tricky part here... 🤣
@@PetrikLeoyes 😂😂😂
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
I did read and enjoyed Blackwing already. But just the first book. I haven't read book 2 and 3 yet. 😅
Subbed!
Thank you!
If you like grimdark, I'd recommend Jesse Teller's Madness Wars series. He's a criminally underatted author who give Michael R. Fletcher a serious run for his money. LOL.
Ah, yeah I've heard of Jesse Teller's books but I haven't got the chance to read them yet! :)
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.
Yeah! I've read the series. It's a great one. 😁
Do u think the poppy war has a winter atmosphere? Or the first law? I like reading based on seasons lol
The First Law has a snowy setting when the characters are in the North. I think it fits! Poppy War, though, is not... The second book has a snow setting in the second book but not in the first book! :)
Acts of Caine is rewarding- worth finishing!
I definitely have to try that again. Blade of Tyshalle was really different that it took me by surprise!
Thank YOU. Rin isnt meant to be likeable. She has PTSD and addiction issues to the fuckin MAX. I related to her, shockingly, because shes so awful. But as someone with both of those afflictions i could empathize with her so much.
EXACTLY! Sometimes, I'm confused by the intense comment on the character. She was always meant to be unlikable. On that purpose, i feel the characrer is well written!
@@PetrikLeo I also do not understand the hate book three seems to get, I loved each book a little more than the last. It was a great conclusion to a fantastic trilogy
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? 🤪
Thank you!
Glen Cook - DNFed Chronicles of the Black Company after reading the 5th book.
Fritz Leiber - Haven't read anything by him
Michael Moorcock - I've read only Elric graphic novels. Still need to read the novels.
Anna Smith Spark - Absolutely awful. Can't even finish the first half of the first book.
Richard Morgan - Another DNF. Felt like I was reading it at the wrong time.
Steven Erikson - Malazan is one of my favorite series of all time but it is not grimdark. Philip Chase has mentioned in the comment section why he doesn't think it's grimdark for the same reasons I have. Also, Steven Erikson insisted readers to not mark his series as grimdark.
@@PetrikLeo Hah! Great reply! Allow me to retort; in reverse order, just for giggles ;-)~
I know you love Malazan, and I know you know that Malazan and Chronicles of Amber are my favorite series of all time. I'm not sure how anyone else, including the author himself, doesn't classify Malazan as Grimdark, but hey, to each their own. For me, it is simple. Good "grimdark," isn't just unrelenting nihilism and violence, it is fantastic realism with a bit of hope thrown in. Anyway, I absolutely consider Malazan to be Grimdark.
Morgan - A Land Fit for Heroes - I love this trilogy. I hope you revisit it. I think the ending of The Steel Remains is one of the best endings of a fantasy book that I've ever read.
Anna Smith Sparks - Yeah, I've heard that before. Personally, I enjoyed the hell out of the Empires of Dust trilogy, but probably half the people I've recommended it to have not been so receptive. Still, I've gotten a similar reaction to Malazan, or The Book of the New Sun. Some people just love 'em, or hate 'em.
Moorcock - Ugh. I can't stress enough how much you should put just a little bit of effort into reading some of his "Eternal Champion" works. Even if you don't like them, they're so incredibly influential and are also mostly a bunch of novellas. You'll fly through them!
Leiber - Another author, along with Moorcock, considered to be one of the fathers of the sword and sorcery genre. His Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser works are all short stories or novellas, and deserve at least a cursory read.
Cook - The first trilogy of The Black Company (The Books of the North) and maybe The Swordbearer are pretty much all you need to read to know just how awesome and influential Glen Cook was (and is) to fantasy in general and Grimdark in specific.
Just my opinions of course ;-)~
I'm so surprised you didn't rank Malazan and The First Law world series! Is there a reason why? :)
First Law World is there. I don't consider Malazan as grimdark. I'm surprised many people think of it as grimdark fantasy. 😅
@@PetrikLeo ah yes sorry! I spoke to soon about first law. What subgenre would you classify malazan in ? :) it’s for sure more “dark” than the cosmere?
@@laurahihaha it's epic military fantasy. Simple as that.😁 just because it's darker than many classic fantasy or Cosmere doesn't immediately classify it as grimdark. Erikson himself said the series is not grimdark; it is epic fantasy.
@@PetrikLeo awesome! Didn’t know that!
Top Grim Dark.. Let's Get Despondent!
Haha thank you, Zen!
@@PetrikLeo Welcome Petrik!
Would you consider the green bone saga falls in grimdark? Just curious if others would agree
I don't. It has some elements of it, but it doesn't feel grimdark to me. :)
@@PetrikLeo fair point just thought with some elements of it, i waz wondering if others might think but definitely not truly grimdark
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.
These are Green Bone Saga trilogy Illumicrate edition. I'm displaying the stencilled edges. 😂
Did you read The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker.
Not yet! On the list to read this year! :)
Hmm. Im very carefull with grim dark stuff, plus i personaly dont like it, but my 4rth favoret book series of all time is vampire hunter d. Recomend the anime movie of 2000. It takes A LOT for me to make an exeption and buy a hole series. I love vampire hunter d.
Vampire Hunter D is great! I've only watched the anime, though. Maybe I should try the books, too!
First Law World & Joe Abercrombie 👏👏🥇
The best!!!
Hey have you read the black company chronicles
I did. A fan of the first three books, but book 4 and 5 did not click with me. I stopped at book 6 I think.
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! 😅
The writing style and story structure is very different anf complex to Heroes Die. It's one that require me to be in the right and patient reading mood for it. I read it when I was so busy with many obligations. Couldn't concentrate enough to appreciate it.
The first law is the funniest and most enjoyable writing I've ever read
It's quite likely the funniest series I've read. Which is amazing considering its dark nature. 😅
It seems odd having 200+ comments but only 3 likes. TH-cam is weird. Thx for video!
3 likes? For the video? That's odd. The video has 600+ likes from my end. 😊 And thanks for watching!!
I believe it is said the term 'Grim Dark' was first uttered when Joe Abercrombie was born to this world
LOL 😂😂😂
How would it do that when Glenn Cook was already around
Do you consider the Malazan novels grimdark?
I don't. I feel like the underlying theme of compassion and hope plus many main characters are in their heart virtuous kinda make the series not GD. 😊
You’ve got to read R Scott Bakker brother
Next year for sure! At least the first trilogy! :)
Grimdark and not a single mention of Warhammer 40K? You know, where the term actually originated? Still, pretty good list ;) Keep it up
I have only played the video games, but I have not read the books. Will be starting Eisenhorn this year.
I didn't expect that! Eisenhorn is a bit dated but it's still one of the best starting books to get into 40K. And Abnett is a pretty good author. If you're after something really special - not just within 40K but in general, I'd suggest Peter Fehervari. It's a hell of a ride. You can either start with Fire Caste, Requiem Infernal or The Reverie (preferably)@@PetrikLeo
Wait till you read E. J. Dobles The Blood and Steel saga 😁😁
That's another grimdark series I want to read so badly, too! :)
Richard Nell has already written the book, but under a pseudonym.
What? Really? I missed that. What book is it!?
I'm realizing I must not really like grimdark. I've only read First Law Trilogy and ASOIF on this list. I've only even heard of a couple of the others. I have wanted to give Priest of Bones a read.
Nothing wrong with that! Give Priest of Bones a try, and if it's not for you, you can read non-grimdark series! 😃
@@PetrikLeo I think the biggest issue I've had in the past is its seems like some of the are vulgar just for the sake of being vulgar which I don't love.
Petrik! You swore! You said "Damn!" How did it feel?
I DO swear sometimes! 🤣🤣🤣
I loved Poppy War. Book 3 ending was a bit of a let down, but still good.
Babel, I agree was even better. Yellowface though...I wouldn't recommend it. Feels like a completely different author, and very amateurish.
I have a feeling Yellowface would be that way based on the premise and writing I sampled. That's why I still haven't read it. :/
I never see anyone give the Iconoclast trilogy any love.
I've read the first book and felt mixed about it. Will continue the series someday!