If you’re a fantasy fan looking to explore something a little darker, or just want a moody read that doesn’t quite step into thriller or horror, dark fantasy is the perfect subgenre to explore! The definition of this type of fantasy read is a little tricky to pin down, but whether they feature humans wrestling with supernatural forces, an anti-hero as the main character, or a heaping dose of moral ambiguity in your characters, there’s something for everyone on this list.
On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain: each year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. This eerie and atmospheric fantasy is incredibly unique and chilling making it the perfect read for the spooky season (and all year round).
Fantasy and dark academia truly go hand in hand, and A Mastery of Monsters is no exception! After August's brother disappears, she's willing to do anything to find her brother, even if it means infiltrating a secret society full of monsters and magical creatures.
Personally, I LOVE books with roots in mythology, and this dark fantasy that incorporates Nordic mythology is exactly what you need on your TBR! Complete with a secret magical academy, female rage, and a search to unmask a gruesome killer, you won't be able to put down Beast Becomes Her.
The description for this page-turning, action-packed fantasy honestly speaks for itself! After a childhood haunted by disturbing hallucinations of the Shadow Man, Alexis Michaels’s only comfort is the blue amulet he’s had since before he can remember. Now, the visions have gone, and Alexis craves a normal life. But when a trip to Stonehenge unites him with three other teens carrying similar gems, they are all plunged into a hidden world of power-wielding Elementals: chosen ones who are destined to save the world from an eternal night.
I know you're not meant to judge a book by its cover, but doesn't this one tell you everything you need to know?! This historical fantasy follows Molly, a young nursing student, and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist. The young man also happens to bear an eerily striking resemblance to a ghost Molly has encountered all her life... This haunting (yet romantic) read is the perfect addition to your dark fantasy TBR.
This moody, atmospheric read deserves a top spot on your TBR this season (and every season)! A magical school, dangerous ocean caves, and a little romance make this dark fantasy debut a must-read! PLUS, it's now a completed trilogy, so you don't have to worry about waiting for the next book in the series!
A dark fantasy roundup wouldn't be complete without Where the Dark Stands Still! When Liska makes a risky bargain with a demon called The Leszy to be free of her monstrous power, the consequences take her on a journey beyond her wildest imaginings.
Pulse-pounding action and a deadly magical world collide in A Door in the Dark as Ren fights to survive in the punishing wilderness after a portal spell malfunctions and lands her and her classmates in the dark woods. This fantasy thriller is a must-read and is ALSO part of a completed trilogy, so you can read these page-turning books back to back!
Winterwood is the perfect read for you if you want dark, witchy vibes! Some say the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven are magical. Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. One night, her special connection to the woods leads her to Oliver Huntsman, who disappeared over a month ago. But Oliver is hiding secrets of his own…
Does anything scream dark fantasy more than a blood-witch? Ranka's dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war that she wants no part of, right in between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.
The Hollow Star Saga (which kicks off with A Dark and Hollow Star) is chock full with dark magic, an amazing queer cast of characters, and... a serial killer? This fantasy series combines moody vibes with an urban setting and is a must-read for any fan of the genre!
This eerie historical mystery is absolutely perfect for cozying up with and chilly evening! If you're a fan of creepy, atmospheric ghost stories, you'll want to meet Wilhelmina Price, a working-class girl in 1920s England who must work with a lord's son to solve mysterious deaths in a local manor.
Warrior nuns + evil spirits + Margaret Rogerson goodness = the PERFECT entry point into the world of dark fantasy! Vespertine will fully immerse you in a world of sinister magic, secrets, and ancient spirits and will leave you wanting more.
This book is PERFECT for dark fantasy fans! After all, what could be more perfect than a book about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince? (The answer: nothing.)