My Top 15 Grimdark Series! (As of 2023)

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Hi, y'all! Today's video will be an updated list of my Top 15 Grimdark Series as of 2023. The last time I made this video was in January 2021. Almost three years have passed since then, and because I received plenty of requests on this, I thought I might as well update my list because I finished reading the last grimdark novel I will read in 2023. So here are my Top 15 favorite grimdark series! Let me know what's your favorite grimdark series!
0:00 Intro
1:14 Ranking No. 15
2:26 Ranking No. 14
4:08 Ranking No. 13
5:16 Ranking No. 12
6:31 Ranking No. 11
8:16 Ranking No. 10
9:49 Ranking No. 9
11:46 Ranking No. 8
13:26 Ranking No. 7
15:07 Ranking No. 6
17:29 Ranking No. 5
20:06 Ranking No. 4
22:28 Ranking No. 3
24:18 Ranking No. 2
25:44 Ranking No. 1
28:57 Future Grimdark to read & Closing
Series and books mentioned:
-The Stone Knife (Songs of the Drowned) by Anna Stephens
-Heroes Die (Acts of Caine) by Matthew Woodring Stover.
-Eleventh Cycle (Mistland) by Kian Ardalan.
-Sons of Darkness (The Raag of Rta) by Gourav Mohanty
-Dreams of the Dying (Twelfth World) by Nicolas Lietzau
-Bloodsounder's Arc by Jeff Salyards
-Manifest Delusions by Michael R. Fletcher
-The Last War by Mike Shackle
-The Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang
-Ash and Sand trilogy by Richard Nell
-The Five Warrior Angels by Brian Lee Durfee ‪@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS‬
-Conqueror by Conn Iggulden
-War for the Rose Throne by Peter McLean
-A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
-The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
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4 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 271

@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Hahaha! 🤣🤣 maybe for the sequel series?

@CarolineMolyneux4491 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@masoninho8 8 месяцев назад

Would love to get this series in Hardback

@sasapejcin3568 8 месяцев назад

Fantastic list Petrik! TY🥰😍🥰

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Thank YOU for watching!! :)

@deadidonnie7635 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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. 😊

@dinocollins720 8 месяцев назад

ANother fantastic video! Thank you Petrik!

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Thank you so much!

@paigeme886 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@nightmarishcompositions4536 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@fraterahava 8 месяцев назад

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

@Speed202 8 месяцев назад

@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.

@safinan8008 8 месяцев назад

Thank you for an amazing book list!! 😊

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Thank you so much, Safina!

@DadIsntMad 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@BooksWithBenghisKahn 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@knotslip8862 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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. :)

@rtd1859 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@Roondawg_Valhalla 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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! :)

@RichardNellAuthor 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Ash and Sand remain strong on the list!

@ronaldwatson3862 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Thank you, Ronald!! 😃

@mileshurtauthor 8 месяцев назад

Great list!

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Thank you so much!

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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 8 месяцев назад

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

@CarolineMolyneux4491 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@juliangomez3662 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@amy_harboredinpages8272 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Wonderful!

@gabrielacevedo5315 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@markmiles3768 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

wowwwiiee

@RettyBoop 5 месяцев назад

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

@Jimsmith656 5 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeothe audio books are absolutely incredible

@HakolBeseder09 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

About time I start reading it! 😃

@HistoritorJimaldus 8 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeobetter than ASoIaF imo!

@jaredbrady5566 6 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 6 месяцев назад

On the list to read this year! 😄

@77thass 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@ithrahmunchswallow468 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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 🤪

@readingwithrebeccanicole 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@BenjaminsBookclub 5 месяцев назад

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 5 месяцев назад

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 5 месяцев назад

@@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.

@andrewhanson405 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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! :)

@Olphas 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@adham3210 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@thepussycat66 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@thepussycat66 8 месяцев назад

@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. 😍

@Vanderpantsss 7 месяцев назад

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 7 месяцев назад

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! :)

@Jimsmith656 5 месяцев назад

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 5 месяцев назад

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

@kevinsfantasyhideout 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@incitatus4227 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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? :)

@Filthyanimal9 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@lukeschulz8196 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@fjuran1 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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! :)

@HotTakesDiscussion 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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! :)

@Heathennation1976 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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!

@NexusProductionGroup 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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!

@misternegative4918 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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!

@mariareadsssf 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@chelseakaaran 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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. 😃

@davidbonar5190 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

A priority for next year!! 😃

@Dantrag123 8 месяцев назад

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

@MarcAmAlb 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Hahah I will not stop doing that! 😂

@esmayrosalyne 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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 :(

@jandib4541 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

Join me in my inhuman TBR pile!!

@tiffanycorsello1886 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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!

@dinocollins720 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@jordanpoole5482 7 месяцев назад

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 7 месяцев назад

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

@Ejacula 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

Tried any R Scott Bakker?

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

@@HistoritorJimaldus next year for sure!!

@Ejacula 8 месяцев назад

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

@HistoritorJimaldus 8 месяцев назад

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

@celestialdemon1316 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@Talking_Story 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@Talking_Story 8 месяцев назад

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

@FullMetalFlameMatt 8 месяцев назад

Reading Eleventh Cycle as we speak, really enjoying it.

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Superb!! Happy reading! 😁

@ernstbrehm1135 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

I agree. Great series.

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@fcsolis 8 месяцев назад

I really should read Brian Lee Durfee. His videos on RU-vid 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 месяцев назад

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

@skyojanicpreitisic6560 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@Rraow778 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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! :)

@artheathen 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@Dantrag123 8 месяцев назад

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

@AbSoLuTeAdOniS 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@Benjamin-w41 4 месяца назад

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 4 месяца назад

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 4 месяца назад

@@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.

@whitneyleigh7463 8 месяцев назад

Acts of Caine is rewarding- worth finishing!

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@NerdBookReview 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@NerdBookReview 8 месяцев назад

@@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.

@marcweber8509 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeo Looking forward to it!

@lululala4658 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@liviajelliot 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@johnnyvegas3979 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

R Scott Bakker gave me the same hangover

@ataykoz 18 дней назад

Thanks so much for recommending the Ash and sand series. I had never head of it bevor this video and read the three books over the last two weeks! So good!! But I disagree with you about your assessment of the books. I thought the third was the weakest of the three 😊

@PetrikLeo 17 дней назад

No worries about that! I'm just glad you enjoyed the trilogy, too! At least we agree the second book is damn awesome! :D

@arik3974 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@arik3974 8 месяцев назад

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

@user-xl4zx7rg8v 8 месяцев назад

My favorite subgenre ! Grimdark !

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

One of my favorites, too!

@ahkkha4560 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@wasdrankings1518 6 месяцев назад

Hey have you read the black company chronicles

@PetrikLeo 6 месяцев назад

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.

@Justpassingby204 2 месяца назад

I hope to get on a RU-vidr’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 2 месяца назад

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

@Justpassingby204 2 месяца назад

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

@kullenmontgomery1210 26 дней назад

bro put the Khan series into the top 5, he gets the likes, wallahi I just finished listening to Conqueror the 5th book, in the series, and I Definity would state that this tho semi-historical is one of my favorite book series, its tense, refreshing and shows the mindset of Mongolian warlord as he goes to war against the forces that tore his land apart and turned Mongols agaist Mongols, The first two books are definity a stand out, and the first book though slower pace definity makes connect with genghis and helps you understand his early life. Great choice for 4th spot!

@PetrikLeo 26 дней назад

@@kullenmontgomery1210 IT'S SO GOOD RIGHT!? Hearing this from you makes me want to read the series again!

@CPatrick25 6 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 6 месяцев назад

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

@CPatrick25 6 месяцев назад

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

@matthewdeancole 8 месяцев назад

Do you consider the Malazan novels grimdark?

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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. 😊

@laurahihaha 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@laurahihaha 8 месяцев назад

@@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 8 месяцев назад

@@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 8 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeo awesome! Didn’t know that!

@zekonja90 14 дней назад

Did you read The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker.

@PetrikLeo 14 дней назад

Not yet! On the list to read this year! :)

@Speed202 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@philpeterson5341 5 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@lordnedrah7329 5 месяцев назад

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

@philpeterson5341 5 месяцев назад

@@lordnedrah7329 I’ll check it out thanks

@dereksmith4509 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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 ;-)~

@brianlagrant9757 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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

@keshinitiwari5425 8 месяцев назад

First Law World & Joe Abercrombie 👏👏🥇

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

The best!!!

@noname3609 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

@@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 месяцев назад

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

@noname3609 8 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeoyes 😂😂😂

@conorsowersby1274 8 месяцев назад

You’ve got to read R Scott Bakker brother

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@kaustubhdudhane 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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.

@brokenredflag 8 месяцев назад

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 месяцев назад

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

@antejelic5992 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@pau5781 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@zenthepoet. 8 месяцев назад

Top Grim Dark.. Let's Get Despondent!

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

Haha thank you, Zen!

@zenthepoet. 8 месяцев назад

@@PetrikLeo Welcome Petrik!

@ippothedestroyer 3 месяца назад

NO prince of nothing series or the aspect emperor?

@PetrikLeo 3 месяца назад

I haven't read them. I will be reading them this year! 🙂

@ippothedestroyer 3 месяца назад

@@PetrikLeo Enjoy it its well worth the read.

@dacedruss 8 месяцев назад

the steel remains?

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

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

@kimberlymatt8949 8 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 8 месяцев назад

I DO swear sometimes! 🤣🤣🤣

@seanhalpin87 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

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 8 месяцев назад

@@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

@TheThespiraea 6 месяцев назад

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

@PetrikLeo 6 месяцев назад

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

@TheThespiraea 6 месяцев назад

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