Dark Fantasy & Morally Gray Characters: 11 Book Recommendations | Fantasy Recommendations #3

Today I'm here with 11 book recommendations for dark fantasy and fantasy with morally gray characters! If you are a fan of stabby fantasy and good villain backstories, then this is the video for you! Check out my series of fantasy recommendation videos.

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[oceanmistdream]

I’m so glad I found you. I love “weird “ books that no one else likes. And I absolutely adore “unlikeable” characters. This makes them relatable for me. Cookie-cutter characters are so boring. I need dark, gritty anti-hero/ villains in my life.

[witchfce]

Thank you for recommending The Young Elites! The whole female Darth Vader story sounds SO interesting especially as a huge Star Wars fan. I’m definitely buying it NOW 😁 I love stories about oppressed or underestimated women who are morally grey/on the way to darkness and take charge of their own power and get revenge. I can’t get enough of it!!

[middleearthchronicles]

I love a moraly grey character, great banter and comedic interaction mixed in with all of the heavy scenes and plot points. Some of my favorites for the way they read are Gentlemen Bastards series, Nevernight Chronicles, and Gideon the Ninth. I'd love some more recommendations with that kind of writing style.

[ReadandFindOut]

The Song of All is a dark epic fantasy book that I think is pretty underrated! I didn't love it, but I found the ideas and setting so intriguing, and no one talks about it.

[akemi-ej]

I have only recently delved into dark fantasy books (Prince/King/Emperor of Thorns series) and I absolutely adored the Trilogy, the MC being based off Alex from Clockwork Orange was super intriguing and something I've never read before. This list has definitely given me some more ideas so thankyou!

[IAmEmmaElaine]

I love how you describe books! I can't wait to start reading those. Subscribed!

[yogiwithabook]

ugh yes, i'm constantly saddened by how underhyped the young elites is compared to the rest of marie lu's stuff. it's my favorite of her series, by far.
i loved the ocean at the end of the lane too! i need to reread that soon.

[insuburbia]

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of my favorite Gaiman novels. It's right up there with American Gods and Neverwhere. I'm really enjoying all these fantasy recs and can't wait for the next video!

[WanderwithJon]

Forest of a Thousand Lantern sure is a lovely dark novel. Highly recommend.

[Happyindulgencebooks]

This is such a fabulous list with a lot of books that I need to pick up still! I have Black Leopard Red Wolf coming up for my book club, so I'm glad to hear about the trigger warnings instead. I definitely think Vicious belongs on this list too - even though it's more of an urban fantasy. Great list!

[rorus]

I've been enjoying Stephen Donaldsons books. I've been making my way through "The gap series", "the chronicles of Thomas Covenant" and "Mordants need". I'm only about half way through the first book of Mordants need, but it seems to be a much lighter read than the other two. The gap series is particularly brutal and some parts are disturbing. But all three are fantastically written.

[BedtimeBookworm]

Have you read Marissa Meyer’s other Gillian origin story heartless? I personally liked that one more than Fairest, but it had some mixed reviews. I could see you going either way lol. I’m hoping to read Joe Abercrombie soon, which I’m sure liene has told you to read lol. Oh! Also you should read the conqueror’s saga by kiersten white! I’ve only read the first one but that would totally fit. Although... it’s alternate historical fiction really, rather than true fantasy.

[RaineyDayReads]

I just bought The Hazel Wood at a clearance sale. I’m excited to see what I think!

[sgtslick]

Please retitle this to YOUNG ADULT dark fantasy & morally gray characters book recommendations. Since only 2 of your 11 are not categorized as YA on goodreads. I hate YA, im tempted to read the hazel wood and Forest of a Thousand Lantern since Liene's channel recommends those aswell but im tentative.

[neilcarlsontansy]

I love Ulrika the Vampire trilogy. One of my favorites of all time!

[alexalovesbooks]

I definitely think Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a superbly done villain back story! And I adored Nevernight; still have to read Godsgrave!

[inlikeflynn]

I don't mind main characters being evil or unlikable but they better be smart. I can't stand idiotic main characters that get captured every other chapter, make terrible decisions that don't benefit them or anyone else, or constantly have awful internal reasoning that lacks any sort of cohesion. Make my main character evil if you must but make them believable and make them intelligent or I will post a nasty gram on your book review page and tell everyone that will listen to avoid your book like the plague (I hear it's been going around recently).

[KamisKorner]

Yassss!! I’m so here for this 🖤✨ Thank you!

[ZamWeazle]

"One of the darkest, grittests fantasy novels ive ever read" ...That isn't Prince Of Thorns! 😳😱😆
Nice list though, its good to have different options for people that isn't the usual Gorge R R Martin or Joe Abercrombie for example. 👍

[TheHexedLibrary]

I have the Young Elites on my shelves but haven't started it yet. You just moved it up the list. Ash Princess needs to be on my list too. Nevernight is not my thing. I struggled so much with it. :l