Ever felt shaken after reading a novel, unsure how to process everything that happened (Looking at you – The Wicked King by Holly Black and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo)? We have experienced these quite a lot and, as such, wish to share some of these dark books for you to read so that you can also spend weeks struggling to move on from them (Is that Sadist? Yeah, sure – acknowledging it feels pretty freeing).
Here we are, recommending 9 Dark Novels that are sure to leave you wishing you could re-discover them (and at the same time wishing you never read them, ever) and have your mind completely blown.
P.S. All the books have been arranged alphabetically, but you can jump to any title that sounds interesting (although we don’t recommend it because that’s judging a book by its cover).
#1 All the Stars and Teeth Series by Adalyn Grace
About the Book
Title: All the Stars and Teeth
Author: Adalyn Grace
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure
Publisher: Imprint
Type: Series
No. of Books: 2
Books in it: #1 All the Stars and Teeth, #2 All the Tides of Fate
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Amora Montara is the princess of the Island Kingdom Visidia, a kingdom where magic is a choice and dark secrets lurk beneath the surface. Amora has spent her entire life trying to master the imperial family’s dangerous soul magic to prove herself as an heir to the throne. But when one mistake has her fleeing the kingdom, she is on the verge of losing everything she has worked hard for. Luckily for her, the mysterious pirate Bastien is willing to offer his help if only Amora would help him find his stolen magic in return. But the adventure comes at a cost when Amora realizes that new destructive magic is on the rise, and if she cannot conquer it, she’ll risk losing her kingdom and crown for good.
Why do we recommend this book?
Wow, the covers! Let’s be honest; doesn’t the front cover make you want to buy it? This is the one case where you can judge the book by its cover. The writing is gorgeous, and Amora is a literal lady crush. We fell for her hard. Also, although the romance is a crucial element of the series, it’s not a driving force for the plot, and what more could we ask? Moreover, romance as a sub-genre never fails; it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift All the Stars and Teeth series book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#2 Ash Princess Trilogy by Laura Sebastian
About the Book
Title: Ash Princess
Author: Laura Sebastian
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Type: Series
No. of Books: 3
Books in it: #1 Ash Princess, #2 Lady Smoke, #3 Ember Queen
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Theodosia saw her mother killed right in front of her eyes. Ten years later, she is now an enslaved princess of an invaded country, titled Ash Princess as a humiliation. Ridiculed and abused for years by Kaiser and his court, Theo has survived so long feeling powerless. But when she crosses a line from where there is no returning, she realizes she needs to take back what she lost; surviving is no longer enough. And Theo has what it takes to win – her brain, her biggest weapon. Kaiser would never see her coming. Ash Princess Trilogy follows Theo’s journey to reclaim her lost kingdom and become the queen she was meant to be.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you subscribe to it, you can read this book for free.
Why do we recommend this book?
“I was a princess made of ashes; there is nothing left of me to burn” How can you not fall for the book after reading this? The plot mainly revolves around colonization and, as such, includes some dark and disturbing themes like violence and rape (although few are displayed on the page). Either way, once the plot picks the pace, it gets brutal (in some ways) and exhilarating (in other ways). This book can be pretty predictable sometimes, yet the journey to the conclusion is worth every second. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Ash Princess trilogy book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#3 Here After by Sean Costello
About the Book
Title: Here After
Author: Sean Costello
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Fantasy
Publisher: Red Tower Publications
Type: Standalone
Pages: 318
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
Physician Peter has just lost his ten-year-old to leukemia and all his will to live. However, one surreal moment right before (or after) his death leads him on a journey to search for a missing kid, risking his sanity and life. The people around him are sure that it’s his grief-induced trauma, but Peter knows it’s more. As he delves deeper into his obsession to track the kid, he inadvertently crosses paths with another lost soul, unaware that this person’s obsession far surpasses that of his. Here After tells the story about grief and redemption and moving on while running on a fragile line between reality and fantasy.
Why do we recommend this book?
This one is pretty disturbing. Starting from the very first page; till the very last line. It’s not one book that makes you stop and savor a string or an arc. It’s one of those books where you fear that stopping anywhere would lead to your demons catching up to you. Yeah, it’s horror, but it’s also so much more. It’s about the effects that the loss of someone close to you has on you and the depths you would go to until your obsession is satisfied. It’s a perfect blend of fiction and reality, fantasy and psychological.
If you want to buy/gift Here After, click on the link below: 👇
#4 Of Bodies Changed by Cliff James
About the Book
Title: Of Bodies Changed
Author: Cliff James
Genre: Horror, Psychological, Magic
Publisher: FeedARead
Type: Standalone
Pages: 323
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
The last thing Jackie expected to find in her childhood home was a closet full of secrets. Her estranged brother, Chris, is her last remaining relative, but something is weird about him, and Jackie is determined to find out the truth. Unfortunately, the more she delves into the ghosts of their past and what happened in that home, the more she loses her grip on reality and dreams. Who are you supposed to trust when you can’t even trust yourself? Jackie is about to find out the skeletons left behind by her family, the ones that damaged her brother, and she is going to wish she never came here in the first place.
Why do we recommend this book?
Is this a fantasy? Is it psychological? Are there demons? or are they all just in the minds of these characters? You would struggle with these questions throughout the novel. The atmospheric background adds to the town’s mysteries, making it feel depressive and giving off real horror vibes. The side characters are better written than the main characters, and that’s saying something since the main characters themselves are so amazingly layered. However, it makes one wish; for the book to be lengthier (alas, it ends). Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you subscribe to it, you can read this book for free.
If you want to buy/gift Of Bodies Changed, click on the link below: 👇
#5 The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
About the Book
Title: The Bone Houses
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Type: Standalone
Pages: 352
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Aderyn and her siblings barely survive while scraping together their wages as mear gravediggers in the small village of Colburn. The ob would have been easier if only the dead always stayed dead. But, unfortunately, they don’t. The walking corpses, also known as bone houses, result from an age-long curse. The situation starts to go out of hand when Ellis, a mapmaker, arrives in the village, and the slow start turns even more feral. What is it about Ellis that incurs their wrath, and does the curse has something to do with the creepy mountain range on whose foot the grave is situated, the one that once used to be the home for faes? Aderyn and Ellis journey together to find the truth about the bone houses and themselves.
Why do we recommend this book?
The creepy prose and the night setting where most of the incidences happen work perfectly well with the whole teens playing heroes and fighting off a dark curse. Sure, it’s got zombie-type creatures in its central plot; however, the author uses alternative components of fantasy and horror that make this an ideal dark novel to scan with lights off and doors closed. However, it will surely stay in your head for a long time. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift The Bone Houses, click on the link below: 👇
#6 The Conqueror’s Saga by Kiersten White
About the Book
Title: The Conqueror’s Saga
Author: Kiersten White
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Type: Series
No. of Books: 3
Books in it: #1 And I darken, #2 Now I Rise, #3 Bright We Burn
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Lada Dragwlya, the young girl, taken from her homeland of Wallachia to be raised in the Ottoman courts, has always known that being a gentle princess won’t take her anywhere. If she wishes to survive with her young brother, she would have to be ruthless. Even when her every step towards reclaiming her birthright takes her closer to the court conspiracies, Lada can’t step back now. When the two siblings meet Mehmed, they feel they might achieve what they have longed for so long. But Mehmed belongs to the very empire Lada has promised to defeat, and she will not raise a white flag now, even if it means burning herself.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you subscribe to it, you can read this book for free.
Why do we recommend this book?
Ok, Lada is freaking psychotic. However, she is nuts, and she is freaking amazing at it. Lada is calculative, manipulative, intelligent, cunning, and other synonyms. This princess refuses to be what the world expects from her as a woman. A dark, gritty tale that deals with many societal issues, especially sexism and prejudices. Moreover, The Conqueror’s Saga is one of the best-written historical fiction ever, with one of the best female protagonists (anti-hero, morally grey character) in literature to date. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift The Conqueror’s Saga book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#7 These Violent Delights Series by Chloe Gong
About the Book
Title: These Violent Delights
Author: Chloe Gong
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 2
Books in it: #1 These Violent Delights, #2 Our Violent Ends
Goodreads rating: 4/5
In Shanghai, in the 1920s, two rival gangs are constantly at each other’s throats. Heir to Scarlet Gang and White Flowers, Juliette and Roma are at the center of the blood game, both with their shares of grudges. Though they loved each other once upon a time, nothing is left besides hatred. Or is it? Their feud is the least of their problems, though, as soon both the gang members become unstable. Now rumors are going around that there is a curse, a contagion, a madness, a monster in the city’s shadow spreading the disease. Juliette and Roma would have to put aside their personal feelings to deal with this crisis if they want to save the place they are supposed to rule.
Why do we recommend this book?
A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in Shanghai with underworld gangs as the background setting? Count us in! The whole people-losing-their-minds scenes are brutal and disturbing, and the plot twists throughout the series keep one on their toes. The romance is an integral part of the plot, but if anyone is expecting a forbidden romance against all odds, we would have to disappoint you. Moreover, this romance is dark, and both the characters are equally calculating (although with a heart of gold that only shows once in a while). Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift These Violent Delights series book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#8 Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake
About the Book
Title: Three Dark Crowns
Author: Kendare Blake
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 4
Books in it: #1 Three Dark Crowns, #2 One Dark Throne, #3 Two Dark Reigns, #4 Five dark Fates
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, triplets are born. Three queens. Three equal heirs to the throne. They all possess one magic unique to themselves – Mirabella can manipulate the elements, Katharine plays with poison, and Arsinoe is loved by nature. Or so it’s supposed to be. Yet, this generation has two of the weakest princesses with the frailest magic. And so the answer is clear – the remaining princess will get the crown. But fate is playing a mischievous game this time, and none of the queens is ready for what’s in store once the battle for the throne commences.
Why do we recommend this book?
We have three badass queens who have their strength, each willing to do anything to survive. However, they all are so different in characteristics that it’s not even funny. Mirabella was quite honestly the most savage one, Katharine the most calculative, and Arsione the sweetest, matching the characters of their magic quite well. And yet they all made you feel for them and their wish for power because that’s the only way they could survive. In addition, the character development (in both positive and negative ways) is fantastic, making it one of the best dark books to read.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you subscribe to it, you can read this book for free.
If you want to buy/gift Three Dark Crowns series book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#9 Villains Series by V.E. Schwab
About the Book
Title: Villains
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Adult
Publisher: Tor Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 2
Books in it: #1 Vicious, #2 Vengeful
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Victor and Eli were college roommates and research partners who were working together on the topic of supernatural abilities. Unfortunately, things went south when they decided to apply their research thesis in practical life. Now ten years later, Victor is out of prison, and he is on a hunt for Eli to make him pay for what he did all those years ago. But he isn’t alone on his path to revenge. Eli is also hunting every other super-natured person he can find, and he doesn’t stop until he accomplishes his mission. Revenge is best served cold, but these two archnemeses might just fry each other alive. It’s fate to decide who is left standing by the end of this cat-and-mouse game.
Why do we recommend this book?
This series is such a build-up series, and to be honest, the hype is warranted. The writer uses all the potential the two main characters had since the first page of this series, and the pace never dwindles even once. The storytelling technique is pretty interesting, and this series gives the superhero theme an incredibly gorgeous dark twist. “There are no good men in this game.” – These series sum up in one quote. There are no good men here, and we love them anyway. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Villains series book 1, click on the link below: 👇
#10 Academy of Stardom Series by Bea Paige
About the Book
Title: Academy of Stardom
Author: Bea Paige
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC – Kdp
Type: Series
No. of Books: 4
Books in it: #1 Freestyle, #2 Lyrical, #3 Breakers, #4 Finale
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
The Academy of Stardom series follows Pen as she begins her time at a new dance school. She didn’t expect to see the boys – the men that changed her life but also tore it to shreds. Now back together, Pen has to decide if she will forgive, if they can forgive her and if they can love each other again.
Why do we recommend this book?
The series includes dark themes and a reverse harem; to add, it is 18+. Moreover, it’s hot, spicy, and full of tension. It’s a vast reverse harem, and no one gets left behind. However, Academy of Stardom is an excellent mix of dark and light. Some pretty horrible things happen throughout the book, but there are also some pretty amazing things. Moreover, Pen was a fantastic protagonist; her men are just as great. Lastly, if you are looking for a new and exciting series to start that is intriguing, different, and spicy – then pick this one up for sure, as it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Academy of Stardom series book 1, click on the link below: 👇
𝐏.𝐒.: This series is available on 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
#11 Devils’ Day Party by C. M. Stunich
About the Book
Title: Devils’ Day Party
Author: C. M. Stunich
Genre: Romance novel, Fiction
Publisher: Sarian Royal
Type: Standalone
Pages: 313
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
Karma finds that she is in a time loop and wakes up right when she crashes Calix’s car. Soon she discovers that every path she takes on that day either becomes terrible but most of all, every single time somebody dies. This happens close to 3-4 weeks; in the meantime, she falls for her 3 bad boys. What she did not expect was for them to love her back. However, Calix, Raz, and Barron were good enough for Karma to fight for.
Why do we recommend this book?
With an exciting twist, it is a time-loop story; while unrealistic, it was also very addictive and entertaining. Most original bully romance I have come across. Groundhog day meets Corrupt with faerie theatricality. I could not put this down, and I am not a big fan of the R.H. bully romances, but C.M Stunich does them so well. Moreover, I loved all of the timelines, and Karma was a fantastic heroine. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Devils’ Day Party, click on the link below: 👇
𝐏.𝐒.: This book is available on 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
#12 Den of Vipers by K.A Knight
About the Book
Title: Den of Vipers
Author: K.A Knight
Genre: Romance novel, Fiction
Publisher: Independently Published
Type: Standalone
Pages:654
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
This is the story of Roxane, a tough-as-nails bar owner in the seedy part of town. Everybody in the area knows not to mess with her because she knows how to fight, she has a bat behind the bar that she is not afraid to use, and she will fight dirty with a kick whenever possible. So when Roxy’s abusive father, whom she left when she was a teen, gets in debt to local mobsters called the Vipers, he settles his debt by giving them his daughter. Then send four of their enforcers to pick her up, and she gets the best of them. So the four Vipers come to her and take her as their captive.
Why do we recommend this book?
I really liked this book. Moreover, there were quite a few steamy scenes, but the book was very long, so there were also a lot of stories. I also liked how it flowed and loved the action scenes. Roxy refers to John Wick a few times, and this book reminds me of John Wick in a way because it was pretty bloody, and the bodies pile up throughout the book. However, it is also hysterically funny at times, and there were so many great quotes for me to put in my updates that I couldn’t come close to using all I wanted. Finally, it is one of the best dark books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Den of Vipers, click on the link below: 👇
𝐏.𝐒.: This book is available on 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
That’s all for the recommendations for now. Don’t we just love these dark, gritting, morally grey anti-heroes in our stories? They make every plot thousand times more interesting.
| 1. | All the Stars and Teeth series by Adalyn Grace | Buy book 1 now |
| 2. | Ash Princess trilogy by Laura Sebastian | Buy book 1 now |
| 3. | Here After by Sean Costello | Buy now |
| 4. | Of Bodies Changed by Cliff James | Buy now |
| 5. | The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd Jones | Buy now |
| 6. | The Conqueror’s Saga series by Kiersten White | Buy book 1 now |
| 7. | These Violent Delights series by Chloe Gong | Buy book 1 now |
| 8. | Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake | Buy book 1 now |
| 9. | Villains series by V.E Schwab | Buy book 1 now |
| 10. | Academy of Stardom Series by Bea Paige | Buy book 1 now |
| 11. | Devils’ Day Party by C. M. Stunich | Buy now |
| 12. | Den of Vipers by K.A Knight | Buy now |
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