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””
Tag Archives: grimdark
Fear is the Anticipation of Evil
Aristotle said, “Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.” One of the reasons dark fantasy gets compared to horror is because of the unrelenting darkness and brutality of its worlds. Where it’s not just a matter of IF something terrible will happen but WHEN. But the most terrifying element of dark fantasy isContinue reading “Fear is the Anticipation of Evil”
Literary Fantasy Weapons that You Don’t Want to Mess With
Most dark fantasy epics or high fantasy have an assortment of magic systems, languages, and even fighting arts. But what about weapons? What could be better than having a sword that could blast through walls, set fire to enemies, and be destined to only you? Nothing really. Yet some weapons in dark fiction can beContinue reading “Literary Fantasy Weapons that You Don’t Want to Mess With”
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”
Cults in Dark Fantasy vs. Reality
Cults have been a topic of interest and a popular theme within movies, literature, and television. Throughout history cults have risen and fallen, most recently, notable cults being the Manson family, Children of God, Peoples Temple, Heaven’s Gate, and Order of the Solar Temple. The psychological structure of cults have inspired ideas in many darkContinue reading “Cults in Dark Fantasy vs. Reality”
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?”