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Quick answer: If you like R. Scott Bakker, read The Warrior-Prophet if you haven't, then The Blade Itself, Gardens of the Moon, Prince of Thorns and Blood Meridian. All are grim, philosophical fantasies and war novels with dark worlds and troubling heroes.
R. Scott Bakker is a Canadian author best known for The Prince of Nothing trilogy, beginning with The Darkness That Comes Before, an epic of holy war, sorcery and manipulation, written with heavy philosophical ideas and brutal violence. His readers like the density and bleakness. The books below offer similar grim, intelligent fantasy for patient readers. Please note they contain graphic violence.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Warrior-Prophet | R. Scott Bakker | Adult | the next book |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | gritty humour |
| Gardens of the Moon | Steven Erikson | Adult | complex military fantasy |
| Prince of Thorns | Mark Lawrence | Adult | dark antihero |
| The Black Company | Glen Cook | Adult | mercenary classic |
| A Game of Thrones | George R. R. Martin | Adult | political epic |
| Dune | Frank Herbert | Adult | political epic |
| Blood Meridian | Cormac McCarthy | Adult | violent Western |
| The Shadow of the Torturer | Gene Wolfe | Adult | ornate far future |
| The Steel Remains | Richard K. Morgan | Adult | gritty fantasy |
| The Poppy War | R. F. Kuang | Adult | grimdark military fantasy |
| Acacia: The War with the Mein | David Anthony Durham | Adult | dynastic epic |
| The Dragonbone Chair | Tad Williams | Adult | classic epic |
| Hyperion | Dan Simmons | Adult | epic pilgrimage |
| Heart of Darkness | Joseph Conrad | Adult | dark journey |
1. The Warrior-Prophet by R. Scott Bakker
The war continues as a charismatic figure draws followers. Dense, dark and ambitious.
Best for: the next book.
2. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
A barbarian, a torturer and a vain officer are drawn into a conflict. Dark and funny.
Best for: gritty humour.
3. Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
The Malazan empire fights a war across continents. Dense and rewarding.
Best for: complex military fantasy.
4. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
A young prince is a brutal warlord. Grim and sharp.
Best for: dark antihero.
5. The Black Company by Glen Cook
A company of mercenaries serves a dark empire. Short, hard and influential.
Best for: mercenary classic.
6. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Noble families fight for a throne in a brutal world. Intricate and gripping.
Best for: political epic.
7. Dune by Frank Herbert
A noble family takes control of a desert planet. Dense, influential and thrilling.
Best for: political epic.
8. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
A teenager joins a gang of scalp hunters. Bleak, poetic and violent.
Best for: violent Western.
9. The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
A torturer's apprentice is exiled and tells his story. Dense, strange and rewarding.
Best for: ornate far future.
10. The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan
A war veteran returns to a world that has moved on. Violent and frank.
Best for: gritty fantasy.
11. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
An orphan wins a place at an elite military school and discovers shamanic power. Harsh and gripping.
Best for: grimdark military fantasy.
12. Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham
The children of a murdered king grow up in exile. Wide-ranging and political.
Best for: dynastic epic.
13. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
A kitchen boy is drawn into a war for a kingdom. Slow and rich.
Best for: classic epic.
14. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Seven pilgrims tell their stories on the way to the Time Tombs. Ambitious and brilliant.
Best for: epic pilgrimage.
15. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
A man travels upriver into the Congo. Short, haunting and influential.
Best for: dark journey.
How to Choose
To continue read The Warrior-Prophet and The Thousand-Fold Thought. For grimdark pick Abercrombie, Lawrence, Cook or Morgan. For complex worlds choose Erikson, Wolfe or Martin. For literary darkness try Blood Meridian and Heart of Darkness. Bakker is heavy going, so these picks suit readers who enjoy a challenge. Bakker's trilogy sits somewhere between epic fantasy and philosophy, and many fans enjoy discussing its ideas online. Readers who prefer a smoother ride may want to try Abercrombie or Cook first. Bakker rewards re-reading and discussion, and fans share guides to the world's history and philosophy. If you find the density daunting, begin with shorter dark fantasy such as The Black Company. Audiobooks of the series exist but can be difficult with the many names, so a map or glossary helps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is R. Scott Bakker known for?
The Prince of Nothing trilogy and its sequels, dark philosophical fantasy.
Where should I start?
With The Darkness That Comes Before.
Is it easy to read?
No, it is dense and demanding.
Is it violent?
Yes, with graphic violence and disturbing themes.
How many books are in the series?
The first trilogy, followed by the Aspect-Emperor series. Check current listings.
Is it similar to Tolkien?
It has epic scale, but its tone is far darker and more philosophical.
Do I need to read in order?
Yes.
What should I read next?
Try The Blade Itself or Gardens of the Moon.
Is there a recap or glossary?
The books include appendices, and many fan guides online help.
Is Bakker's work a good fit for fans of Game of Thrones?
Yes, if you want something darker and more philosophical.