Heroes are great and all, but let’s be real – villains are often the most interesting characters in a story. Whether they’re morally gray, outright wicked, or just misunderstood, there’s something irresistible about seeing the world from the bad guy’s perspective.
If you love dark fantasy books where the villain takes center stage, this list is for you.
1. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
If you want a protagonist who gradually descends into villainy, The Poppy War delivers in spades. Rin starts as an underdog, but as war hardens her, she becomes something truly terrifying. It’s a brutal, gut-wrenching read, but absolutely worth it.
Why we recommend it: This book is an emotional rollercoaster, blending history with dark fantasy. Rin’s descent into villainy is so well written that you both fear and sympathize with her at the same time. If you want a protagonist who gradually descends into villainy, The Poppy War delivers in spades. Rin starts as an underdog, but as war hardens her, she becomes something truly terrifying. It’s a brutal, gut-wrenching read, but absolutely worth it.
- Similar Dark Reads: The Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
2. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Jorg Ancrath is the definition of an antihero – ruthless, cunning, and more than willing to spill blood to get what he wants. Lawrence’s The Broken Empire series is dark, twisted, and absolutely addicting.
Why we recommend it: Jorg is unapologetically ruthless, and his dark journey makes this book impossible to put down. If you love a protagonist who embraces his villainy, this is for you.
- Similar Dark Reads: The Black Company by Glen Cook, Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Abercrombie is the king of morally gray characters, and The First Law series is full of them. Logen Ninefingers is dangerous, but it’s Inquisitor Glokta, a sadistic torturer, who steals the show.
Why we recommend it: Brutal, witty, and packed with morally gray characters, this series makes you root for people you probably shouldn’t. Glokta alone is worth the read.
- Similar Dark Reads: The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
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4. Villains Duology by V.E. Schwab
In Vicious and Vengeful, Schwab explores what happens when two former best friends-turned-rivals develop superpowers and spiral into revenge and destruction. It’s dark, thrilling, and deeply compelling.
Why we recommend it: This duology turns superhero tropes on their head, proving that sometimes, the villain has the best story. It’s fast-paced and filled with dark rivalries. This duology turns the superhero genre on its head and delivers a gripping character study of ambition, obsession, and power. It’s fast-paced and addictive!
- Similar Dark Reads: The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
5. The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston
ISBN: 9780857669087
In The Magnificent Seven you have a retired necromancer that is forced to reunite a group of merciless warlords to defend a town. It’s a blood-soaked, action-packed, and wildly entertaining dark ride.
Why we recommend it: A group of villains trying to save a town? This book is packed with action, bloodshed, and dark humor, making it an absolute blast. Sometimes, you just want to watch a bunch of dangerous, morally bankrupt characters burn everything down, and this book delivers exactly that – with style.
- Similar Dark Reads: Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, The Court of Broken Knives by Anna Smith Spark
6. The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
ISBN: 9780765380722
Baru Cormorant isn’t a villain in the traditional sense, but she becomes one in her pursuit of vengeance and power. This book is packed with dark political intrigue and heartbreaking betrayals.
Why we recommend it: This book delivers a slow-burn descent into villainy, political intrigue, and devastating betrayals. It’s a dark and intellectual read that lingers long after you finish. It’s a masterclass in slow-burn character transformation. The way Baru manipulates and outmaneuvers her enemies while grappling with her own morality makes this a gripping and devastating read
- Similar Dark Reads: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
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7. The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
Murderbot isn’t exactly a villain, but it does have a serious disregard for human life and social norms. If you love dark, morally ambiguous protagonists, this series is a must-read.
Why we recommend it: Murderbot’s cynicism and dry humor make this series ridiculously entertaining. It’s dark, sharp, and surprisingly heartfelt. Murderbot is the perfect mix of sarcasm, action, and existential crisis. It’s refreshing to follow a protagonist who just wants to be left alone while casually dismantling corporate control.
- Similar Dark Reads: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, All Systems Red by Martha Wells
8. The Book of the Ancestor series by Mark Lawrence
If you loved Prince of Thorns, Lawrence delivers again with Red Sister. The protagonist, Nona, is raised in a convent of assassin nuns, but she’s got a dark side that makes her utterly fascinating.
Why we recommend it: Assassin nuns in a ruthless, icy world – what’s not to love? Nona’s dark and brutal training makes this series unforgettable. Assassin nuns in a brutal, frozen world – what more could you ask for? This series is a perfect mix of action, dark fantasy, and deep character development.
- Similar Dark Reads: The Nevernight Chronicle by Jay Kristoff, The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
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9. The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
ISBN: 9781250621191
Kinch Na Shannack is a thief with a sharp tongue and an even sharper sense of survival. He’s not a hero – just someone trying to stay ahead of the dark trouble he keeps finding himself in. It’s funny, dark, and full of unexpected twists.
Why we recommend it: A snarky thief navigating a dark and deadly world? This book is packed with action, humor, and unexpected twists. This book balances humor and darkness perfectly. Kinch’s witty narration makes the grim world feel immersive without being overwhelming.
- Similar Dark Reads: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
10. The Acts of Caine series by Matthew Woodring Stover
Caine is an actor in a dystopian future where people watch real-life fantasy adventures as entertainment. He’s brutal, calculating, and absolutely electrifying as a protagonist, making this a dark and gripping read.
Why we recommend it: If you love high-stakes action, deep world-building, and a protagonist who embraces his darkness, this series is a must-read. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy, plus a protagonist who fully leans into his violent tendencies, makes this a thrilling, action-packed series unlike anything else.
- Similar Dark Reads: Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover, Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
There you have it – ten incredible dark fantasy books where the villain (or at least someone with villainous tendencies) takes center stage. Whether you love full-fledged villains or just protagonists who operate in morally murky waters, these dark books are sure to scratch that itch. Which ones have you read?
