What do you read when you’re tired of all the bright, happy stuff? When you’re tired of everything going as it should for the chosen one, the hero saving the day, and everything rainbows and butterflies and unicorns? What do you read when it’s all just too bright and happy all day, every day? AndContinue reading “Why People Read Dark Fantasy”
Tag Archives: genre
Trauma as Power: A Dark Epic Fantasy Trope
Stark Contrast If I had to pick one and only one defining difference between vanilla high fantasy and dark [chocolate—sorry!] high fantasy, it’s in the core modus operandi of the protagonist. Heroes in vanilla fantasy grow to overcome their trauma, or at least succeed despite their inner wounds. Not so in dark fantasy: antiheroes embraceContinue reading “Trauma as Power: A Dark Epic Fantasy Trope”
“I Bought It Because of the Cover”
You’ve all been there. That trip to the bookstore where you wander the stacks, no definite book in mind, but you know you’re in the mood for something…different. Something that doesn’t pull its punches. Something that will live up to everything it promises. Where the gore is gory and the sex is sexy and theContinue reading ““I Bought It Because of the Cover””
Starting an Occult Library
Occult knowledge has been around since the beginning of time, but unknown to the masses and sometimes the topics are avoided altogether. For someone who is interested in beginning to learn about the occult, it may be difficult to decide where to start. Whether you’d like to learn about the phases of the moon andContinue reading “Starting an Occult Library”
Working with a Writing Coach
This content originally appeared on the Authors.ai First Draft Friday channel. You can watch the original interview with Alessandra on YouTube as well. After getting a writing coach I learned that a lot of writing comes from positive psychology. I don’t have just one writing coach, I have several because I understand that not everyoneContinue reading “Working with a Writing Coach”
10 Top Dark Fantasy Novels of the Last Decade (Part Two)
In Part One of my dark fantasy faves list, I covered a few of my favorite recent reads in the dark fantasy genre. I enjoy the writing in this genre because the rules are a lot more loose, and delving into topics that speak on a deeper level of society is so refreshing! In thisContinue reading “10 Top Dark Fantasy Novels of the Last Decade (Part Two)”
5 Dark High Fantasy Novels by a Master
It’s no mystery that I enjoy the intricate worlds of high fantasy, and more specifically, dark fantasy where complex magic systems thrive and evil is prevalent within every character- yes, even the hero. When considering complex characters in dark fantasy, one particular author comes to mind: Mark Lawrence. His masterful fantasy novels bring both entertainmentContinue reading “5 Dark High Fantasy Novels by a Master”
Top 10 Dark Fantasy Novels of the Last Decade (Part One)
If you’re like me, you enjoy a little drama and murder mixed into your fantasy novels. Fortunately for us, many authors share the same thirst for fantasy stories that aren’t just dungeons, dragons, and happily-ever-after. Nope. We like our fantasies with some real dark consequences and reminders of the shadier parts of society, and theContinue reading “Top 10 Dark Fantasy Novels of the Last Decade (Part One)”
What is Dark Fantasy?
Make sure to SAVE this for later on Pinterest! What is Dark Fantasy as a genre? Dark fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction and is becoming increasingly popular within the reader and bookish communities. It is characterized by borderline horror aspects that are dark, gritty, and create a gloomy world and aesthetic. However, itContinue reading “What is Dark Fantasy?”