Gosh I should have named it The One Warrior Angel!!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Hahaha! 🤣🤣 maybe for the sequel series?

@CarolineMolyneux4491

8 ай бұрын

I don't know why I keep forgetting to add this series to my "books to buy myself for Xmas" list because I've heard SUCH good things about it! In fact, I gonna add it right now, before I forget again.

@seanhalpin87

7 ай бұрын

@@CarolineMolyneux4491 you need to. It's my second favorite trilogy, ever.

@masoninho8

7 ай бұрын

Would love to get this series in Hardback

I'm much more of a horror guy than a fantasy guy, so grimdark is the one kind of fantasy that really appeals to me the most. It has all the same beats I love about gritty, brutal psychological horror with fascinating morally grey characters, terrifying villains and monsters, and a dreadful haunting atmosphere that constantly makes things feel exciting and thrilling.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Very understandable and valid! Any recommendation on favorite grimdark fantasy? 😃

@fraterahava

8 ай бұрын

I agree, classic fantasy is almost always boring for me but grim dark is great

@Speed202

7 ай бұрын

@fraterahava I think honestly, because fantasy is so often predictable. As GOT was for so many their first foray into the genre, it was eye-opening to see such dark and gray characters with unpredictable character archs.

Fantastic list Petrik! TY🥰😍🥰

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank YOU for watching!! :)

ANother fantastic video! Thank you Petrik!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you for an amazing book list!! 😊

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Safina!

Petrik Leo, thank you for all this awesome content, been watchin a lot of your videos recently and i just wanted to say that I really appreciate your honesty and reviews on all your books. Your passion is infectious and you have turned a strict Non-fiction reader into a fantasy reader through your great videos and passion. There is so much to learn from the world of fantasy that escaped me before and you have introduced and exposed so many new genres of reading to me that I never knew existed. So thank you!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Aww this is so lovely to hear! I'm glad my videos can lead you to read more amazing fantasy books. That's always my number 1 intention of creating this channel. 😊

Great list!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Ok now this is the update Top # video that's needed in this space. Great Job!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I hope to read more grimdark in the next two or three to update this list again!

Thank you so much! I absolutely Love grimdark. Awesome roundup- definitely some I’m moving from the tbr list to my into the DEFINITELY TBR list😂 .

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Hahaha! DEFINITELY TBR list sounds good. I hope you'll love them! :)

The list...it...it grows... An honor as ever, sir. A few of these are new to me so hurray!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Ash and Sand remain strong on the list!

Oh man I love getting hyped for series high on my tbr like Last War, War for the Rose Throne, Five Warrior Angels, and the Khan series! Great vid!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you, brother! I sincerely hope you'll enjoy them all! :)

Matthew Stover is a new author I have not heard of, thank you to add something new to look forward to! Love to see Fletcher and Durfee on this list. I plan to eventually read all these authors. Really grateful for you and your channel Petrik, you consistently put out videos that I enjoy so much 🎉

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

You're so welcome! And thank you very much for the kind words. I hope you will enjoy these books and series you haven't read! :)

More books for the TBR! And Forgetting Moon is on my TBR for this month. Thanks, Petrik

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you, Ronald!! 😃

Another great video, probably the best Grimdark review vid ion YT. and we all love the lists and ever moving rankings i think! well done Petrik. my fav booktuber by far!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Aww thank you so much for the kind words! I'll make sure to read more in the subgenre before the next updated video! :)

Thank you for the great video Petrik. I've only read about a third of these but I do own a couple that I plan to read later, like Manifest Delusions. You've convinced me to add the following to my already too large, TBR. I will be adding Mistland, Ash and Sand, The Five Warrior Angels and The Khan Dynasty. Curious, two that you didn't include were the Malazan series and the John Gwynn series - I'm guessing its just that they weren't liked as much as the series you mentioned here - but both are on my TBR. Thanks!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I cannot include Malazan and John Gwynne because they are not grimdark fantasy! If they were, they would've been at the top of the chart together with the number 1 champion. :)

An excellent list, Petrik! As usual, I need to catch up with you on some of these series, but I have enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Philip! Do you consider Malazan as grimdark btw? I don't. But it seems like plenty of readers consider Malazan as grimdark. 😅

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I don’t consider Malazan grimdark because, while a lot of tragic and terrible things do happen, it keeps returning to hope, courage, connection, and compassion as an affirmation of meaning and purpose. I love grimdark, so this is not a value judgement, just a difference in philosophy. With grimdark, I feel that there is no underlying meaning or purpose, but that individuals can struggle to carve their own meaning and purpose out of a hostile or indifferent world.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Exactly. Well said. That's my thoughts too! 😁

I'm just getting into Grimdark so thank you for the recommendations! Couldn't agree more about the Heroes Die cover, if I hadn't heard good things from you, someone whose opinion I trust, I would never have considered picking it up 😅

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Yeah... the cover art of Heroes Die is so awful. The author has mentioned that cover art is responsible for the drop in sales.

Great list! I added a few to my goodreads list... again.... 📚📚📚😳📚📚📚

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Wonderful!

Mike said u recommended THE LAST WAR series and I had to pick it up. I’m halfway through the second book and the way shackle developed his character voices was awesome!! Also really feel the comic book vibe off the pages lol

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Great decision! The second book is the best of the series, imo. 😁

My second "reading" of The First Law is through audiobook. Wow! Seven Pacey. Wow! I am now on Best Served Cold and I love how each character's voice is enhanced by his performance. Keep up the good work, Petrik. I always look forward to your videos.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Mark! I have to try the audiobook on my next reread sometimes. The praises for Steven Pacey's narration is worldwide! 😃

@tanja9364

7 ай бұрын

And he keeps the same voice over ALL the books! So Glokta is still Glokta in the final book of the final trilogy! Just listening to a group of characters having a chat is not only what Joe Abercrombie does sooooo well, but when it’s read by Stephen Pacey…….. elevated to the heavens! I will never read a book that Stephen Pacey has narrated. Oh and Joe is just cruel to him with the scenes involving sex! But, he does them so well.

@ataridc

7 ай бұрын

wowwwiiee

@RettyBoop

4 ай бұрын

Totally stealing this idea for my third “reading”! It’s been several years, thanks for sharing!

@Jimsmith656

4 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeothe audio books are absolutely incredible

Oh boy cant wait your review on my favorite fantasy Prince Of Nothing/Aspect Emperor.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

About time I start reading it! 😃

@HistoritorJimaldus

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeobetter than ASoIaF imo!

Manifest Delusions must always be on a grimdark list, excellent list! Also I can't wait to hear your review of the Prince of Nothing/Second Apocalypse series

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Very excited to read Prince of Nothing and Second Apocalypse series next year! :)

I haven't read many grimdark yet, but I am reading The Poppy War and A Song of Ice and Fire, and liking them both. I added some from your list to my tbr

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

I'm sure you'll love The First Law if you enjoy A Song of Ice and Fire! 😃

I read War of the Rose Throne solely based on your recommendation and…wow …just wow. Age of Madness is on deck for me. But as usual, more additions to my TBR.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

YESSSS! Wonderful. Just wonderful. The Age of Madness is superb. Enjoy! :)

The First Law audiobooks are in my top five audiobook series. Just genius. Raven's Shadow is in my top 5 and if it counts as Grim Dark, Traveler's Gate and Grave of Empires. I've only read 4 of yours but some have been on my list for quite a while so thanks 🤪🙌🏼 bumping them up.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I totally have to try First Law audiobooks. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the audiobook. I haven't read Grave of Empires, but Raven's Shadow and Traveler's Gate are not grimdark fantasy as far as I know. :)

@ithrahmunchswallow468

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I'm still trying to figure out a medium for Grim over just Dark. Sooooo many opinions 🤪 I have a shattered leg and the performance of Sand dan Glokta is spot on. Makes me laugh and cringe in equal measures 🤪

I remember reading the review for Dreams of the Dying on Grimdark Magazine and being super interested! It sounds really good, plus that cover art is amazing

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

It's incredible imo. Definitely give it a read! 😁

So many books added to my tbr from here! I think the one that stands out to me the most is The Forgetting Moon!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Here's hoping you'll enjoy that, Luke! :)

Once again I notice how little I have read from the Grimdark genre. I have read Song of Ice and Fire and really loved Sons of Darkness this year. My Broken Binding edition of The Last War should arrive in a few days, so I will actually read that soon-ish. The First Law is of course high on the list to read, too. Hopefully next year. I did put a few more of these on my (very big) TBR . Thanks for the list!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

You're welcome! Here's hoping The Last War and The First Law will be in your list of favorite books after you read them! :)

@HistoritorJimaldus

7 ай бұрын

Prince of Nothing trilogy should be on the list too ;)

finally! 🎉 my favorite fantasy sub genre is grimdark I like it a lot I mean it's like everyone else like it so it's not an original pick but I still like it looking forward for all the Series in this video thanks for the great video

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Haha, I think the passion for grimdark fantasy has dwindled among many readers. It used to be mega popular. :D

R Scott Bakker for win! :) looking forward to your reaction

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

A priority for next year!! 😃

@Dantrag123

8 ай бұрын

Bakker is really transcendentally dark. He should try to write a horror novel about Golgotterath.

Thanks for the tips :) You need to read those R Scott Bakker books!

@PetrikLeo

5 ай бұрын

On the list to read this year! 😄

Haven't seen the video and I already know I'm gonna end up force feeding my TBR beyond it's worldly capabilities

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Join me in my inhuman TBR pile!!

I have a lot of respect for this sub-genre. I loved "The Poppy War" and I am still considering "Knife of Stone" and "Sons of Darkness". At this moment though I am leaning more towards lighter reads with my work studies and mental health. Thank you for sharing your top.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Totally understandable! Make sure to be in the right headspace before reading the subgenre! 😊

Great video! I have been trying to get into fantasy as a long time horror/sci fi reader. I just finished Between Two Fires and I think it may of ignited a need to follow it up with more fantasy. I think I have a copy of The Blade Itself in my TBR pile. I added a lot of the other suggestions to my wish list!

@PetrikLeo

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Between Two Fires is a good one! You can also try Buehlman's fantasy book, The Blacktongue Thief. It's even better imo. 😁

@BenjaminsBookclub

4 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo It's in my Amazon wishlist, trying to convince myself to read 10 books I own before buying more, but we will see how faithful I can be.

Great list, several I haven't read at this point. Came across Nell3-4 years ago, with his second book what a shift in the story, I still have to get to book 3. Never read Anna Stephens, had purchased Jeff Salyards, years ago an never read them. Everyone raves about We Are the Dead, I have to read that as well. I enjoyed The War of the Rose and Crown so much, truly underrated.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you very much, Frank! Kings of Heaven is great, too. Shorter than Kings of Ash but still superb. Glad you loved War for the Rose Throne, and I hope you'll enjoy Jeff Salyards's books and Anna Stephen's just as much! :)

Hey Petrik - Anna Stephens and The Fantasy Hive posted the cover and release date for book three, "The Dark Feather", yesterday which comes out on March 28th, 2024 :)

@PetrikLeo

6 ай бұрын

I saw that! So excited for it. Time to schedule reading The Stone Knife and finish the trilogy!

Great list, Petrik! I really enjoyed The Stone Kniefe but I too don't remember enough to pick up the sequel. 😅🙈 It's been so long. I think I will be rereading it with you when the trilogy is completed. 😊

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you, Kari! Haha exactly. It's the downside of reading an ongoing series. 😂😂

@thepussycat66

7 ай бұрын

@PetrikLeo Yes, exactly! 😅 But this list is great and I'm excited to pick up some of the books soon. Especially Eleventh Cycle and The Lonesome Crown. 😍

Great list. I really want you read Richard Nell and Brian Lee Durfee. GRRM and Abercrombie are easily my two favorites. Peter McLean is also fantastic.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, John! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Nell's Ash and Sand trilogy and Five Warrior Angels. And yeah, GRRM and Abercrombie are tough to beat in the genre! :)

Great list! I've been putting off Peter McLean because I was worried War for tge Rose Throne was just going to be Peaky Blinders pastiche, but everyone keeps says how great the series gets by the end so I need to check it out. The Second Apocalypse is both my favorite grimdark and my favorite overall fantasy series. The Aspect-Emperor qaurtet frankly gave me more Beserk vibes in tone than Eleventh Cycle, which is one of the reasons the latter didn't hit for me as it did for others. I'll be interested in seeing what you think of Bakker's work when you get around to him next year.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I hope you'll love War for the Rose Throne, Andrew. The similarities between the first season and Priest of Bones are difficult to differentiate, to be honest. But the series started to become its own thing from the second book and beyond. I heard nothing but great things about Second Apocalypse. And some readers have mentioned the same thing about the Berserk vibe, so maybe I'll end up agreeing with you! :)

Just subbed. Joe Abercrombie is the best!! I have read all his books 3 times over. I'm definitely going to read some of your other recommendations.

@PetrikLeo

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! I hope you find more great books. Hard to top Abercrombie, though... :D

It seems odd having 200+ comments but only 3 likes. KZread is weird. Thx for video!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

3 likes? For the video? That's odd. The video has 600+ likes from my end. 😊 And thanks for watching!!

Love the list. Nevernight Trilogy Ancestor Trilogy deserves a shoutout.😊

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! I enjoyed the two of them but I don't consider them grimdark. Mark Lawrence also said Book of the Ancestor is not grimdark. 😃

I need to read some of these. Hopefully will finish the Game of Thrones books soon, then try out Son of Darkness and some of the other shorter series. Don’t want to start First Law till after I’ve read others. The Songs of the Drowned series sounds awesome too. Love Aztec inspired stories.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

A Song of Ice and Fire is worth the read for sure. Even if it's unfinished. I feel like it's rare to find a series that keeps calling you back to read it again, and that series is one of them! I hope you'll love the rest when you get around to them!

First off I want to say I'm so glad that you continue to push the five Warrior Angels series out there to the masses I'm sure the author appreciates it it's definitely Grimm dark I finished it a couple of months back amazing stuff Now I plan on checking out the Genghis Khan series I've heard so many good things about it it's on my radar for next year I got to get it on my shelf, I've read the first two books of the War of the Rose throne plan on finishing them next year sometime, as for anything George Martin A Storm of Swords is one of the best fantasy novels ever written but it's a series that will never be finished so I read better stuff out there, and you're number one spot deserves it definitely my favorite of all time also just so many iconic characters that are completely Unforgettable I read it for the first time 2 years after it had been released and Then followed from there I have read it numerous times over the years sad thing is I have not finished the age of Madness I've read a little hatred but not the last two books and yes I know I should it's coming soon sorry about this long message keep making badass videos I'll keep watching them

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! And you're welcome. Glad you loved reading these series I mentioned, too. The ones you've read anyway. I'll read more grimdark books and update this list eventually!

Thanks! Good advise for future reading. Very surprised Broken Empire trilogy is not on your list...nor mentioned in any of the comments?? So far my favourite GD series

@PetrikLeo

6 ай бұрын

You're welcome! I actually think Broken Empire is a mixed reading for me. Jorg is a super compelling main character, but other than that, many aspects of the series felt a bit underwhelming to me. I love his Book of the Ancestor series much more! :)

Great video! I didn't know that there are so many other grimdark fantasy books, your lists are always very unique because of how well-read you are! The First Law trilogy got me into reading fantasy this year, but sadly, Best Served Cold left me a bit disappointed. Maybe I'm not into revenge tales, but it felt a bit predictable for me, and I'm a fan of series, not so much standalones (at least in fantasy). Can't wait to eventually dig into the second trilogy after I got through the other two standalones - I fear that this is my First Law slog lol.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Haha, there are a LOT of great grimdark fantasy books. I wish I had read more of them, too. It's one of my favorite subgenres. The Heroes, imo, is even better than Best Served Cold. Great and thought-provoking war stories. I hope you'll enjoy it! :)

@incitatus4227

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I did start The Heroes after reading your comment, but haven't got very far yet! I saw that you called the last book of Manifest Delusions philosophical, that intrigued me a lot! Could you recommend any other philosophical fantasy books that you enjoyed? :)

Petrik, please, you are wrecking my already unmanageble TBR list.😉

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Hahah I will not stop doing that! 😂

My favorite subgenre ! Grimdark !

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

One of my favorites, too!

Great list. First Law is my favourite too. Have you read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant ? One of the most complex and hated anti-heroes in fantasy and this series might be grandfather of the whole grimdark subgenre.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Unfortunately, I haven't started reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant yet. Might be a while before I try that. Going to read R. Scott Bakker's first next year!

War For The Rose Throne was just Awesome!!! One of my favorite series ever. I don’t understand why no one talks about this series. So underrated.

@MarcAmAlb

8 ай бұрын

I agree. Great series.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Totally agree. I feel it's so underrated. Tomas Piety's story should be read more! :D

Absolutely no need to apologise for not having any real changes in your top 10. When you find the best of the best early on, it's gonna be hard to beat those out! I can't wait to get back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War and The First Law. And also really want to reread Dreams of the Dying when we get updates about book 2! I think The Tragedy of Cedain by John Palladino, The Blood and Steel Saga by E.J. Doble, Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost and the Tainted Dominion by Krystle Matar all belong on my top 10, but I am not ranking them lol. Great list, thanks for sharing!!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Esmay! I heard the sequel of Dreams of the Dying will be another standalone story, so it's not a must to reread Dreams of the Dying. But nothing wrong with rereading it to connect with Jespar again. The Blood and Steel Saga is one of my priorities next year! As for Tainted Dominion, I still need to read the second book. Unfortunately, the book is literally unpurchaseable from my country I don't even know why. So I guess that's it for me with the series until things changed. I hope you'll love getting back to Manifest Delusions, The Last War, and of course The First Law! :)

@esmayrosalyne

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeoOooh that's good to know about the sequel to Dreams of the Dying. Definitely still excited for a reread though, I think I will do the audiobook this time around! And can't wait for you to read the Blood and Steel Saga and continue with Legacy of Brick and Bone if you can ever get your hands on a copy! Sorry to hear that it's unavailable for you :(

Reading Eleventh Cycle as we speak, really enjoying it.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Superb!! Happy reading! 😁

There you go again killing my TBR. Just finished We Are The Dead. Pretty much blew my hair back.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

So good right!? And the second book, A Fool's Hope, is superior.

@Talking_Story

8 ай бұрын

You are not the first person to tell me that. I will be hitting book 2 next month. @@PetrikLeo

Damn. How did I completely miss a new series in the Ash and Sand world? I need to start reading that ASAP.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Only one book is out in the series so far, but yeah, read it! It's pretty great! :)

So funny because i liked Peaky Blinders for the same 3 reasons and I also enjoyed it about as much as you did and I stopped watching but might start it again! So funny we had like literally the same experience with it.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Hahah I need to try Peaky Blinders again. I hope the next season will be even better! 😂

I really should read Brian Lee Durfee. His videos on KZread are so fun and so entertaining. Mr. Durfee is a very respectable nutcase. Petrik Leo should be granted an advanced degree in fantasy fiction critique. Thank you.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! Haha, Brian's channel is so fun and energetic to watch. His books are great! :)

I sometimes feel like a lone disciple preaching the good word of The Acts of Caine. It’s so damned Grimdark and so good! For the Ash and Sand series I think that Ruka might be my favorite MC in all of fantasy. I have rarely jumped up and yelled “Hell yeah!” Out loud while reading but there were multiple times I did during those books.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Both Acts of Caine and Ash and Sand are so underhyped. So few people talked about them! :/

@NerdBookReview

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeoI think in both cases at least part of the problem is the authors don’t promote themselves. Stover is a big martial artist and that’s where most of his efforts go to and while i occasionally talk to Richard Nell I haven’t seen any big social media campaigns. I’m finishing up the Sol’s Harvest series by MD Presley right now and it’s some of the best world building ever but isn’t talked about much for the same reason. You really have to promote yourself these days.

I wish I could find another series like the first law and rest of Joe Abercrombie’s books. I just feel like nothing comes close and I can’t scratch that itch

@PetrikLeo

5 ай бұрын

You and me both. Some are great, but no grimdark authors matches Joe's quality of writing and characterizations, imo. 😊

@lordnedrah7329

5 ай бұрын

You may enjoy the Powder Mage trilogy if you have not read it yet.

@philpeterson5341

4 ай бұрын

@@lordnedrah7329 I’ll check it out thanks

Totally agree with STORM OF SWORDS being a GOAT in all of fantasy. Also, First Law and Age of Madness (Abercrombie) just completely spoiled my expectations and I am having a very hard time picking up anything to follow up from finishing Best Served Cold.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Urgh I know what you mean. Finishing The Wisdom of Crowds put me in a massive grimdark fantasy hangover. It's like so many grimdark books I picked up since then just pale in comparison. :/

@HistoritorJimaldus

7 ай бұрын

R Scott Bakker gave me the same hangover

Acts of Caine is rewarding- worth finishing!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I definitely have to try that again. Blade of Tyshalle was really different that it took me by surprise!

First law is the next série I plan on starting! I added some more from this video, too. Thank :)

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

HECK YEAH! Abercrombie's First Law is masterfully written!

Go and read the Prince of Nothing and make some space on the 1st spot. (especially second series Aspect-Emperor)

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Yeah! It will be a priority series in 2024. Heard nothing but amazing things about it!

@arik3974

7 ай бұрын

Awesome :) For me it got into my top 5 of 400+ fantasy/sci fi books read, but I can imagine it not being for everyone; but oh boy did I have fun. Curious what you're gonna think about it@@PetrikLeo

I hope to get on a KZreadr’s list one day (for positive reasons). I’m an author hoping to be traditionally published. Right now I’m writing a dark fantasy novel

@PetrikLeo

Ай бұрын

Don't give up. You will get there one day! :)

@Justpassingby204

Ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo Thank you, man. That’s really encouraging.

I hope you'll enjoy Acts of Caine again with readjusted expectations. Stover was wildly ambitious and did something different with each novel but it comes together so beautifully! I loved every entry on its own merits. For me it's a Top 5 series of all-time 🖤 Blade of Tyshalle is an existentialist nightmare that throws you in the muck and revels in the dirt but pays off tremendously (!) Book 3 & 4 are paired together. Caine Black Knife goes all in on its Action-Adventure roots but introduces a deeper layer to the series that's the ground-work for book 4. Caine's Law then is a meta-physical fevre dream that transcends time and weaves everything that came before together. It's the most ambitous and heady of the bunch where you have to just let go and trust Stover. And he delivers!

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! It might not be soon, but yes, the next time I attempt Acts of Caine knowing what I'm getting into, I think I'll have better luck with it! I loved Heroes Die so much that the change in direction made it difficult for me to enjoy Blade of Tyshalle.

@marcweber8509

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo Looking forward to it!

1.First Law World 2.Asoiaf Defineyly agree Petrik. I love both so much but Asoiaf had much more potential than First Law though 😮

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I just think First Law's character work and battle scenes are so superior to ASOIAF. A Song of Ice and Fire do win in intricacies of world-building and lore, though!

@noname3609

8 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I can't argue against that becuz I feel the same.I also think Abercrombie's pure enjoyment and humor is better aswel. 🙏 But just imagine Asoiaf completed 😁

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

@@noname3609 "completed" is the tricky part here... 🤣

@noname3609

8 ай бұрын

​@@PetrikLeoyes 😂😂😂

Surprised to know you haven't read Blackwing yet, pretty confident you'd love it and it would be featured in your lists lol, its a very underrated series. I think the series is called Raven's Mark, Blackwing being the first book

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

I did read and enjoyed Blackwing already. But just the first book. I haven't read book 2 and 3 yet. 😅

Great video and thanks for a few new series to check out. First Law is my favorite series, close 2nd to Malazan. As someone who’s read Malazan, do you think that qualifies as Grim Dark?

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I don't count Malazan as grimdark. Although some events are pretty grim, compassion and hope drive the series. The main characters with few exceptions are mostly virtuous characters trying to do the right thing, too.

@HistoritorJimaldus

7 ай бұрын

Tried any R Scott Bakker?

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

@@HistoritorJimaldus next year for sure!!

@Ejacula

7 ай бұрын

@@HistoritorJimaldus I haven’t yet. I’ve heard good things about The Prince of Nothing

@HistoritorJimaldus

7 ай бұрын

@@Ejacula my number 1 series of all time :)

Hey Petrik, just curious - how much time do you spend reading each day?

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Depends on how busy I am! But most of the time, it's about two to four hours in total! :)

Great video! I got a bunch of recommendations- thank you! I'm currently reading The First Law trilogy for the first time. I'm in the middle of The Last Argument of Kings- and I'm loving it. I'm an avid reader, but relatively new to the fantasy genre. I'm very glad I started with Abercrombie- or wait- maybe that's a bad thing, because who can top him, right?! Any recommendations for a new fantasy reader would be welcome...

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Haha, nothing wrong with starting one of the best, or even the best, grimdark fantasy series. Last Argument of Kings and Wisdom of Crowds are Abercrombie's best books, imo. And that's saying a lot because I loved everything he wrote. 😃

@tanja9364

7 ай бұрын

Ohhhhh you’ve started at the top! Have you listened to the audio books? If not, I cannot recommend them highly enough - I mean the voice actor is the best of the best, honestly, REALLY enhances the storytelling.

@tiffanycorsello1886

7 ай бұрын

@@tanja9364 I'm almost finished with Last Argument- wow, it's so good! Thanks for the recommendation. I was thinking of listening to the audio versions as my reread for this trilogy- because I'm certain I'll want to revisit these books!

Way to go...Ash and Sand....criminally undderated ...that magic system, the first time it happened, I could actually hear it as I read the words across the page...and at such a pivotal story moment....

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I know right!? The grove magic system is so awesome!

Anna Stephen's series is one I've been meaning to read, but for one reason or another, I never get to it =S Also, I didn't know that Sons of Darkness was grimdark, that's interesting--I guess I judged the book by its cover! Abercrombie, of course it had to be here! Goodness, it's grimdark but whenever Glokta did his usual brooding, sarcastic comments I was there, rolling in laughter. Talking about grimdark, did you ever read Empires of Dust?

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I tried Empires of Dust a long time ago, and the writing really did not work well for me. Sons of Darkness is definitely grimdark, and yeah, I agree so much on Abercrombie's incredible talent in inserting humor into his dark and realistic stories! :D

I'm reading ASOIAF right now (midway through ACOK), haven't read First Law yet. I'm curious, which would you deem the darker series - ASOIAF or First Law?

@PetrikLeo

3 ай бұрын

I'll say they're more or less equal in terms of grittiness and darkness. Abercrombie's is most action heavy than GRRM, though. GRRM on the other hand is more intricate in world-building.

@Benjamin-w41

3 ай бұрын

​@@PetrikLeo, interesting! Yeah, from what I've seen on booktube people seem to praise Abercrombie for characterization and prose rather than for world building and plot.

Do u think the poppy war has a winter atmosphere? Or the first law? I like reading based on seasons lol

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

The First Law has a snowy setting when the characters are in the North. I think it fits! Poppy War, though, is not... The second book has a snow setting in the second book but not in the first book! :)

Thank YOU. Rin isnt meant to be likeable. She has PTSD and addiction issues to the fuckin MAX. I related to her, shockingly, because shes so awful. But as someone with both of those afflictions i could empathize with her so much.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

EXACTLY! Sometimes, I'm confused by the intense comment on the character. She was always meant to be unlikable. On that purpose, i feel the characrer is well written!

@seanhalpin87

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I also do not understand the hate book three seems to get, I loved each book a little more than the last. It was a great conclusion to a fantastic trilogy

Love Abercrombie and GRRM mentioned series….Is The Bound and Broken considered Grim Dark? Love Cahill and I know you do too.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! And The Bound and the Broken is definitely not grimdark.

@Dantrag123

8 ай бұрын

Don't know why ASOIAF is considered as grim dark. It is pretty normal.

Richard Nell has already written the book, but under a pseudonym.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

What? Really? I missed that. What book is it!?

If you like grimdark, I'd recommend Jesse Teller's Madness Wars series. He's a criminally underatted author who give Michael R. Fletcher a serious run for his money. LOL.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Ah, yeah I've heard of Jesse Teller's books but I haven't got the chance to read them yet! :)

I'm about to read Eleventh Cycle soon. So glad to see it on the list. Btw, does anyone know what the three books with white spines on the left of Petrik's head are? I like the artwork so if they are the trilogy I'm interested in or the one I like, I want to buy them too.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

These are Green Bone Saga trilogy Illumicrate edition. I'm displaying the stencilled edges. 😂

You’ve got to read R Scott Bakker brother

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Next year for sure! At least the first trilogy! :)

Top Grim Dark.. Let's Get Despondent!

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Haha thank you, Zen!

@zenthepoet.

8 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo Welcome Petrik!

First Law World & Joe Abercrombie 👏👏🥇

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

The best!!!

body found floating by the docks

@PetrikLeo

3 ай бұрын

GLOKTA!

Wait till you read E. J. Dobles The Blood and Steel saga 😁😁

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

That's another grimdark series I want to read so badly, too! :)

Hey have you read the black company chronicles

@PetrikLeo

6 ай бұрын

I did. A fan of the first three books, but book 4 and 5 did not click with me. I stopped at book 6 I think.

Still love your videos Petrik! That said, I've got some issues here. Glen Cook? Fritz Leiber? Michael Moorcock? Anna Smith Spark? Richard Morgan? And, for fuck's sake, Erikson? 🤪

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glen Cook - DNFed Chronicles of the Black Company after reading the 5th book. Fritz Leiber - Haven't read anything by him Michael Moorcock - I've read only Elric graphic novels. Still need to read the novels. Anna Smith Spark - Absolutely awful. Can't even finish the first half of the first book. Richard Morgan - Another DNF. Felt like I was reading it at the wrong time. Steven Erikson - Malazan is one of my favorite series of all time but it is not grimdark. Philip Chase has mentioned in the comment section why he doesn't think it's grimdark for the same reasons I have. Also, Steven Erikson insisted readers to not mark his series as grimdark.

@dereksmith4509

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo Hah! Great reply! Allow me to retort; in reverse order, just for giggles ;-)~ I know you love Malazan, and I know you know that Malazan and Chronicles of Amber are my favorite series of all time. I'm not sure how anyone else, including the author himself, doesn't classify Malazan as Grimdark, but hey, to each their own. For me, it is simple. Good "grimdark," isn't just unrelenting nihilism and violence, it is fantastic realism with a bit of hope thrown in. Anyway, I absolutely consider Malazan to be Grimdark. Morgan - A Land Fit for Heroes - I love this trilogy. I hope you revisit it. I think the ending of The Steel Remains is one of the best endings of a fantasy book that I've ever read. Anna Smith Sparks - Yeah, I've heard that before. Personally, I enjoyed the hell out of the Empires of Dust trilogy, but probably half the people I've recommended it to have not been so receptive. Still, I've gotten a similar reaction to Malazan, or The Book of the New Sun. Some people just love 'em, or hate 'em. Moorcock - Ugh. I can't stress enough how much you should put just a little bit of effort into reading some of his "Eternal Champion" works. Even if you don't like them, they're so incredibly influential and are also mostly a bunch of novellas. You'll fly through them! Leiber - Another author, along with Moorcock, considered to be one of the fathers of the sword and sorcery genre. His Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser works are all short stories or novellas, and deserve at least a cursory read. Cook - The first trilogy of The Black Company (The Books of the North) and maybe The Swordbearer are pretty much all you need to read to know just how awesome and influential Glen Cook was (and is) to fantasy in general and Grimdark in specific. Just my opinions of course ;-)~

Would you consider the green bone saga falls in grimdark? Just curious if others would agree

@PetrikLeo

5 ай бұрын

I don't. It has some elements of it, but it doesn't feel grimdark to me. :)

@CPatrick25

5 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo fair point just thought with some elements of it, i waz wondering if others might think but definitely not truly grimdark

I'm so surprised you didn't rank Malazan and The First Law world series! Is there a reason why? :)

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

First Law World is there. I don't consider Malazan as grimdark. I'm surprised many people think of it as grimdark fantasy. 😅

@laurahihaha

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo ah yes sorry! I spoke to soon about first law. What subgenre would you classify malazan in ? :) it’s for sure more “dark” than the cosmere?

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

@@laurahihaha it's epic military fantasy. Simple as that.😁 just because it's darker than many classic fantasy or Cosmere doesn't immediately classify it as grimdark. Erikson himself said the series is not grimdark; it is epic fantasy.

@laurahihaha

7 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo awesome! Didn’t know that!

Hmm. Im very carefull with grim dark stuff, plus i personaly dont like it, but my 4rth favoret book series of all time is vampire hunter d. Recomend the anime movie of 2000. It takes A LOT for me to make an exeption and buy a hole series. I love vampire hunter d.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Vampire Hunter D is great! I've only watched the anime, though. Maybe I should try the books, too!

I believe it is said the term 'Grim Dark' was first uttered when Joe Abercrombie was born to this world

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

LOL 😂😂😂

@neiltaylor513

7 ай бұрын

How would it do that when Glenn Cook was already around

Do you consider the Malazan novels grimdark?

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I don't. I feel like the underlying theme of compassion and hope plus many main characters are in their heart virtuous kinda make the series not GD. 😊

I never see anyone give the Iconoclast trilogy any love.

@PetrikLeo

2 ай бұрын

I've read the first book and felt mixed about it. Will continue the series someday!

The first law is the funniest and most enjoyable writing I've ever read

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

It's quite likely the funniest series I've read. Which is amazing considering its dark nature. 😅

I loved Poppy War. Book 3 ending was a bit of a let down, but still good. Babel, I agree was even better. Yellowface though...I wouldn't recommend it. Feels like a completely different author, and very amateurish.

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

I have a feeling Yellowface would be that way based on the premise and writing I sampled. That's why I still haven't read it. :/

I am just curious about what made you stop reading The Blade of Tyshalle. For me, it punched me hard in the mouth and I had to spit a few teeth. That's how unpleasant it was! 😅

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

The writing style and story structure is very different anf complex to Heroes Die. It's one that require me to be in the right and patient reading mood for it. I read it when I was so busy with many obligations. Couldn't concentrate enough to appreciate it.

Grimdark and not a single mention of Warhammer 40K? You know, where the term actually originated? Still, pretty good list ;) Keep it up

@PetrikLeo

5 ай бұрын

I have only played the video games, but I have not read the books. Will be starting Eisenhorn this year.

@TheThespiraea

5 ай бұрын

I didn't expect that! Eisenhorn is a bit dated but it's still one of the best starting books to get into 40K. And Abnett is a pretty good author. If you're after something really special - not just within 40K but in general, I'd suggest Peter Fehervari. It's a hell of a ride. You can either start with Fire Caste, Requiem Infernal or The Reverie (preferably)@@PetrikLeo

Petrik! You swore! You said "Damn!" How did it feel?

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

I DO swear sometimes! 🤣🤣🤣

War for the Rose Throne seriously jumped up, you have piqued my interest, sir.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Give it a try! And let me know what you think about it! :)

@mormengil

8 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I've started a cosmere marathon, so the next few months are spoken for, but I will definitely pick that series up soon.

I'm realizing I must not really like grimdark. I've only read First Law Trilogy and ASOIF on this list. I've only even heard of a couple of the others. I have wanted to give Priest of Bones a read.

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Nothing wrong with that! Give Priest of Bones a try, and if it's not for you, you can read non-grimdark series! 😃

@richwar2417

8 ай бұрын

@@PetrikLeo I think the biggest issue I've had in the past is its seems like some of the are vulgar just for the sake of being vulgar which I don't love.

the steel remains?

@PetrikLeo

8 ай бұрын

Tried it a long time ago but felt like I was in the wrong timing. Will try it again someday!

I have a proposal, dear Petrik !! I know you plan on reading your next webnovel in 2024, but i am sure you know about Mother of Learning Author's new webnovcel, 'Zenith of Sorcery'? Well did you know that he is publishing a chapter (7000-9000 words) every 3 or 4 weeks. Domagoj Kurmaic is one of the slowest webnovels authors out there. So what i am proposing is a genuine Webnovel expereince where you read the chapters when they come out... that is monthy. This way you have time to digest the content AND discuss actively with fellow readers in the chapter comments on Royal Roads. Additionally for you, 7000 words a month should not be a burdern, hopefully. Plus who better to do this with other than Domagoj Kurmaic? So... what do you think?

@PetrikLeo

7 ай бұрын

That actually is an interesting idea. Maybe I'll try it! Not sure I will enjoy the torture of waiting for each chapter, though, but I'll gice it a try! 😂😂 I knew about Zenith of Sorcery and have been waiting for more chapters before reading it!