27 Books like Before They Are Hanged

The Shadow of What Was Lost

by James Islington

Four young fugitives race a failing magical barrier to unlock an amnesiac's forgotten past.

4.14

93k+

🔗 Magic As Oppression 🧠 Memory And Identity ❓ Amnesiac Protagonist 👑 Hidden Royalty 🤝 Found Family

The Shadow of What Was Lost 95%

Four young fugitives race a failing magical barrier to unlock an amnesiac's forgotten past.

by James Islington 2014

4.14

93k+ ratings

🔗 Magic As Oppression 🧠 Memory And Identity ❓ Amnesiac Protagonist 👑 Hidden Royalty 🤝 Found Family

Prince of Thorns

by Mark Lawrence • 2011

A young prince returns from the wasteland with killers, aiming for his father's crown.

3.83

124k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏚️ Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy 😈 Antihero Protagonist 🗡️ Band Of Outlaws 👑 Royal Intrigue

Prince of Thorns 96%

A young prince returns from the wasteland with killers, aiming for his father's crown.

by Mark Lawrence 2011

3.83

124k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏚️ Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy 😈 Antihero Protagonist 🗡️ Band Of Outlaws 👑 Royal Intrigue

The Destroyer

by Michael-Scott Earle • 2016

He wakes in a crypt, memory gone; they came for a savior and found a monster.

4.00

4k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🧠 Amnesiac Warrior 💔 Doomed Love 👹 Ancient Evil Returns

The Destroyer 96%

He wakes in a crypt, memory gone; they came for a savior and found a monster.

by Michael-Scott Earle 2016

4.00

4k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🧠 Amnesiac Warrior 💔 Doomed Love 👹 Ancient Evil Returns

Blood Song

by Anthony Ryan • 2011

A warrior monk follows a secret inner song through war to a brother's betrayal.

4.41

93k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏰 Battle School 🤝 Found Family 🔮 Magical Intuition 🎭 Political Manipulation

Blood Song 95%

A warrior monk follows a secret inner song through war to a brother's betrayal.

by Anthony Ryan 2011

4.41

93k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏰 Battle School 🤝 Found Family 🔮 Magical Intuition 🎭 Political Manipulation

Traitor's Blade

by Sebastien de Castell • 2014

Three framed swordsmen spirit the dead king's lost heir across a kingdom bent on their destruction.

4.04

26k+

😏 Swashbuckling Fantasy 😔 Disgraced Knights 💕 Found Family 🗡️ Oathbound Order 😂 Dark Humor

Traitor's Blade 95%

Three framed swordsmen spirit the dead king's lost heir across a kingdom bent on their destruction.

by Sebastien de Castell 2014

4.04

26k+ ratings

😏 Swashbuckling Fantasy 😔 Disgraced Knights 💕 Found Family 🗡️ Oathbound Order 😂 Dark Humor

The Darkness That Comes Before

by R. Scott Bakker • 2003

A monk trained in pure reason enters a holy war to find his father, unaware an ancient horror stirs.

3.84

24k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🧠 Philosophical Epic 🕵️ Ancient Conspiracy ⚔️ Holy War 😈 Moral Ambiguity

The Darkness That Comes Before 95%

A monk trained in pure reason enters a holy war to find his father, unaware an ancient horror stirs.

by R. Scott Bakker 2003

3.84

24k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🧠 Philosophical Epic 🕵️ Ancient Conspiracy ⚔️ Holy War 😈 Moral Ambiguity

Furies of Calderon

by Jim Butcher • 2004

Without the elemental powers everyone commands, a frontier boy must outthink a barbarian horde.

4.13

114k+

🔥 Elemental Magic 🏛️ Roman Inspired Fantasy 💪 Powerless Protagonist 🌾 Farm Boy Hero 🖤 Found Family

Furies of Calderon 95%

Without the elemental powers everyone commands, a frontier boy must outthink a barbarian horde.

by Jim Butcher 2004

4.13

114k+ ratings

🔥 Elemental Magic 🏛️ Roman Inspired Fantasy 💪 Powerless Protagonist 🌾 Farm Boy Hero 🖤 Found Family

Chronicles of the Black Company

by Glen Cook • 1986

A weary mercenary company and a fallen empress are the only hope against shadow sorcerers.

4.24

27k+

🏴 Grimdark Fantasy 🎖️ Military Fantasy 💀 Mercenary Company 📖 Chronicler Protagonist 👑 Fallen Ruler

Chronicles of the Black Company 95%

A weary mercenary company and a fallen empress are the only hope against shadow sorcerers.

by Glen Cook 1986

4.24

27k+ ratings

🏴 Grimdark Fantasy 🎖️ Military Fantasy 💀 Mercenary Company 📖 Chronicler Protagonist 👑 Fallen Ruler

The Justice of Kings

by Richard Swan • 2022

A truth-compelling justiciar's murder inquiry unearths a conspiracy that threatens the empire.

4.00

17k+

🏛️ Legal Fantasy 💀 Necromantic Investigation 🏚️ Crumbling Empire ⛪ Corrupt Clergy ⚔️ Siege Warfare

The Justice of Kings 95%

A truth-compelling justiciar's murder inquiry unearths a conspiracy that threatens the empire.

by Richard Swan 2022

4.00

17k+ ratings

🏛️ Legal Fantasy 💀 Necromantic Investigation 🏚️ Crumbling Empire ⛪ Corrupt Clergy ⚔️ Siege Warfare

The Elven

by Bernhard Hennen • 2004

A hunted jarl enters the elven realm, where a queen demands his unborn child as payment.

4.11

10k+

🧝 Elven Epic Fantasy 🏔️ Germanic Fantasy ❤️ Love Triangle 🤝 Rivals To Brothers 🫂 Found Family

The Elven 95%

A hunted jarl enters the elven realm, where a queen demands his unborn child as payment.

by Bernhard Hennen 2004

4.11

10k+ ratings

🧝 Elven Epic Fantasy 🏔️ Germanic Fantasy ❤️ Love Triangle 🤝 Rivals To Brothers 🫂 Found Family

Fate of the Crown

by Paul J. Bennett • 2019

Believed dead, a princess rallies outcasts and ancient enemies to reclaim her kingdom from a tyrant.

4.42

391

🛡️ Military Fantasy 🚩 Epic Rebellion 👑 Hidden Heir 💀 Necromancy 🤝 Found Family

Fate of the Crown 95%

Believed dead, a princess rallies outcasts and ancient enemies to reclaim her kingdom from a tyrant.

by Paul J. Bennett 2019

4.42

391 ratings

🛡️ Military Fantasy 🚩 Epic Rebellion 👑 Hidden Heir 💀 Necromancy 🤝 Found Family

Promise of Blood

by Brian McClellan • 2013

A general's coup topples the monarchy, but dying sorcerers warn: spilled royal blood summons a god.

4.13

65k+

🏰 Flintlock Fantasy 💥 Gunpowder Mage ⚡ Mortals Vs Gods 🏯 Siege Warfare 🇫🇷 French Revolution Fantasy

Promise of Blood 94%

A general's coup topples the monarchy, but dying sorcerers warn: spilled royal blood summons a god.

by Brian McClellan 2013

4.13

65k+ ratings

🏰 Flintlock Fantasy 💥 Gunpowder Mage ⚡ Mortals Vs Gods 🏯 Siege Warfare 🇫🇷 French Revolution Fantasy

The Way of Kings

by Brandon Sanderson • 2010

A slave soldier wields storm-born magic to lead a bridge crew of condemned men to survival.

4.66

688k+

🔮 Hard Magic System ⚔️ Military Fantasy 👥 Found Family 🛡️ Reluctant Leader 🤫 Hidden Agenda

The Way of Kings 94%

A slave soldier wields storm-born magic to lead a bridge crew of condemned men to survival.

by Brandon Sanderson 2010

4.66

688k+ ratings

🔮 Hard Magic System ⚔️ Military Fantasy 👥 Found Family 🛡️ Reluctant Leader 🤫 Hidden Agenda

Gardens of the Moon

by Steven Erikson • 1999

An empire unleashes an ancient tyrant to capture a city, while gods gamble on a thief's luck.

3.94

140k+

🛡️ Epic Military Fantasy 👑 Meddling Gods 🗡️ Assassin Intrigue 🌋 Ancient Gods Awaken 🔥 Mage Warfare

Gardens of the Moon 96%

An empire unleashes an ancient tyrant to capture a city, while gods gamble on a thief's luck.

by Steven Erikson 1999

3.94

140k+ ratings

🛡️ Epic Military Fantasy 👑 Meddling Gods 🗡️ Assassin Intrigue 🌋 Ancient Gods Awaken 🔥 Mage Warfare

Darien

by C.F. Iggulden • 2017

A hunter's bargain, a golem's secret, and a woman's rage collide in Darien's fall to fire and iron.

3.88

5k+

🏙️ Fantasy City-State 🗡️ Reluctant Assassin 🚫 Magic Nullifier 🧱 Ancient Golem 👥 Multi-Pov Epic

Darien 96%

A hunter's bargain, a golem's secret, and a woman's rage collide in Darien's fall to fire and iron.

by C.F. Iggulden 2017

3.88

5k+ ratings

🏙️ Fantasy City-State 🗡️ Reluctant Assassin 🚫 Magic Nullifier 🧱 Ancient Golem 👥 Multi-Pov Epic

A Game of Thrones

by George R.R. Martin

A northern lord serves his king, unearthing a secret the queen has killed to hide.

4.45

2.8M+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 👑 Court Intrigue ⚔️ Feuding Houses 🐉 Lost Heir ❄️ Ancient Evil Returns

A Game of Thrones 95%

A northern lord serves his king, unearthing a secret the queen has killed to hide.

by George R.R. Martin 1996

4.45

2.8M+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 👑 Court Intrigue ⚔️ Feuding Houses 🐉 Lost Heir ❄️ Ancient Evil Returns

The Poppy War

by R.F. Kuang • 2018

An orphan claws into a military academy, where a fire god awakens inside her.

4.16

503k+

🗡️ Military Fantasy 📚 Dark Academia 🌑 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Rivals To Allies 🔥 Revenge Quest

The Poppy War 94%

An orphan claws into a military academy, where a fire god awakens inside her.

by R.F. Kuang 2018

4.16

503k+ ratings

🗡️ Military Fantasy 📚 Dark Academia 🌑 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Rivals To Allies 🔥 Revenge Quest

Son of the Black Sword

by Larry Correia • 2015

He enforced a brutal code without mercy. He was casteless, the untouchable class his order crushes.

4.23

11k+

📖 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Sentient Sword 🎭 False Identity ✨ Chosen One Prophecy 🏰 Caste Society

Son of the Black Sword 94%

He enforced a brutal code without mercy. He was casteless, the untouchable class his order crushes.

by Larry Correia 2015

4.23

11k+ ratings

📖 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Sentient Sword 🎭 False Identity ✨ Chosen One Prophecy 🏰 Caste Society

Legend

by David Gemmell • 1994

When slavers take his wife, a legendary axeman's hunt leads to a city under siege.

4.26

36k+

🗡️ Heroic Fantasy 🪓 Aging Warrior 🏃 Vengeance Quest 🏰 Siege Warfare 🤝 Found Family

Legend 94%

When slavers take his wife, a legendary axeman's hunt leads to a city under siege.

by David Gemmell 1994

4.26

36k+ ratings

🗡️ Heroic Fantasy 🪓 Aging Warrior 🏃 Vengeance Quest 🏰 Siege Warfare 🤝 Found Family

Winter Be My Shield

by Jo Spurrier • 2012

An escaped mage draws power from suffering while empires hunt her through a frozen wilderness.

3.86

1k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 💔 Pain Magic ⚡ Traumatized Mage 🔗 Cycle Of Abuse ⚔️ Resisting Empire

Winter Be My Shield 94%

An escaped mage draws power from suffering while empires hunt her through a frozen wilderness.

by Jo Spurrier 2012

3.86

1k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 💔 Pain Magic ⚡ Traumatized Mage 🔗 Cycle Of Abuse ⚔️ Resisting Empire

The Eye of the World

by Robert Jordan • 1990

Trollocs destroyed his home. A sorceress says his power can save the world or break it.

4.19

599k+

👨‍🌾 Farmboy Chosen One ⚡️ Forbidden Power 🖤 Ancient Evil Stirs 🔮 Enigmatic Sorceress 🗡️ Cursed Artifact

The Eye of the World 94%

Trollocs destroyed his home. A sorceress says his power can save the world or break it.

by Robert Jordan 1990

4.19

599k+ ratings

👨‍🌾 Farmboy Chosen One ⚡️ Forbidden Power 🖤 Ancient Evil Stirs 🔮 Enigmatic Sorceress 🗡️ Cursed Artifact

The Dragonbone Chair

by Tad Williams • 1988

A dreamy scullion hunts a fabled sword across a freezing land as a fallen king's shadow rises.

3.97

79k+

🗡️ Unlikely Hero 📚 Mentor Apprentice 💀 Ancient Evil Awakens ⚔️ Legendary Weapon Quest 👑 Brother Against Brother

The Dragonbone Chair 94%

A dreamy scullion hunts a fabled sword across a freezing land as a fallen king's shadow rises.

by Tad Williams 1988

3.97

79k+ ratings

🗡️ Unlikely Hero 📚 Mentor Apprentice 💀 Ancient Evil Awakens ⚔️ Legendary Weapon Quest 👑 Brother Against Brother

Gagner la guerre

by Jean-Philippe Jaworski • 2009

He won the war for Ciudalia. Now the republic's masters will collect what he truly owes.

4.46

3k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏛️ Political Fantasy 🎭 Unreliable Narrator 🔪 Anti-Hero Protagonist 🏙️ City As Character

Gagner la guerre 94%

He won the war for Ciudalia. Now the republic's masters will collect what he truly owes.

by Jean-Philippe Jaworski 2009

4.46

3k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🏛️ Political Fantasy 🎭 Unreliable Narrator 🔪 Anti-Hero Protagonist 🏙️ City As Character

A Time of Dread

by John Gwynne • 2018

Angels rule as tyrants, but a trapper's son finds a demonic evil stirring in the north.

4.29

16k+

🏛️ Ancient War Aftermath 👼 Angelic Tyranny 🫂 Found Family 📚 Training Academy ⛓️ Political Hostage

A Time of Dread 94%

Angels rule as tyrants, but a trapper's son finds a demonic evil stirring in the north.

by John Gwynne 2018

4.29

16k+ ratings

🏛️ Ancient War Aftermath 👼 Angelic Tyranny 🫂 Found Family 📚 Training Academy ⛓️ Political Hostage

The Left Hand of God

by Paul Hoffman • 2010

Forged inside a brutal fortress, a boy escapes and learns he is the destroyer prophecy foretold.

3.65

19k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🌑 Dark Chosen One 💀 Brutal Training Academy 🫂 Found Family

The Left Hand of God 94%

Forged inside a brutal fortress, a boy escapes and learns he is the destroyer prophecy foretold.

by Paul Hoffman 2010

3.65

19k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🌑 Dark Chosen One 💀 Brutal Training Academy 🫂 Found Family

Of Shadow and Sea

by Will Wight • 2014

An orphan assassin and her sentient blade guard a rotting empire from the dead gods below.

4.03

6k+

🕸️ Assassin Guild 🦑 Eldritch Horror 🔪 Child Assassin 🫂 Found Family 🖤 Stoic Heroine

Of Shadow and Sea 94%

An orphan assassin and her sentient blade guard a rotting empire from the dead gods below.

by Will Wight 2014

4.03

6k+ ratings

🕸️ Assassin Guild 🦑 Eldritch Horror 🔪 Child Assassin 🫂 Found Family 🖤 Stoic Heroine

A Storm of Swords

by George R.R. Martin • 2000

A realm in chaos: kings clash, the dead rise, and a dragon queen builds an army.

4.47

91k+

🖤 Grimdark 🏛️ Political Intrigue 🤝 Reluctant Allies 💍 Forced Marriage 🐉 Dragon Warfare

A Storm of Swords 94%

A realm in chaos: kings clash, the dead rise, and a dragon queen builds an army.

by George R.R. Martin 2000

4.47

91k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark 🏛️ Political Intrigue 🤝 Reluctant Allies 💍 Forced Marriage 🐉 Dragon Warfare

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