28 Books like King of Thorns

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 94%

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

The Blade Itself

by Joe Abercrombie • 2006

A wizard gathers a berserker, a torturer, and a fop. Heroes need not apply.

4.22

320k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🗡️ Morally Gray 😈 Berserker Alter Ego 🤝 Reluctant Companions 🏛️ Political Intrigue

The Blade Itself 94%

A wizard gathers a berserker, a torturer, and a fop. Heroes need not apply.

by Joe Abercrombie 2006

4.22

320k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🗡️ Morally Gray 😈 Berserker Alter Ego 🤝 Reluctant Companions 🏛️ Political 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 94%

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

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 93%

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 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 93%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

The Gunslinger

by Stephen King • 1982

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

3.91

669k+

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

The Gunslinger 93%

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

by Stephen King 1982

3.91

669k+ ratings

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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 Solar War

by John French • 2019

The traitor fleet surrounds Earth, but a forbidden ritual threatens to unleash hell.

4.02

4k+

💀 Grimdark Future 🚀 Space Fleet Warfare 🕳️ Cosmic Horror 🦾 Super Soldier Legions 🏰 Siege Warfare

The Solar War 93%

The traitor fleet surrounds Earth, but a forbidden ritual threatens to unleash hell.

by John French 2019

4.02

4k+ ratings

💀 Grimdark Future 🚀 Space Fleet Warfare 🕳️ Cosmic Horror 🦾 Super Soldier Legions 🏰 Siege Warfare

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 93%

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

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 94%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

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 93%

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

The Warded Man

by Peter V. Brett • 2008

Demons rule the night. Wards only hide. Arlen tattoos fighting magic onto his own skin.

4.24

132k+

🖤 Demon Apocalypse 🪄 Hard Magic System 🖋️ Tattooed Hero 💚 Found Family 😨 Fear As Antagonist

The Warded Man 93%

Demons rule the night. Wards only hide. Arlen tattoos fighting magic onto his own skin.

by Peter V. Brett 2008

4.24

132k+ ratings

🖤 Demon Apocalypse 🪄 Hard Magic System 🖋️ Tattooed Hero 💚 Found Family 😨 Fear As Antagonist

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 92%

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

Mordecai

by Michael G. Manning • 2018

A hidden archmage fights to protect his family from an ancient enemy and his own darkness.

4.44

2k+

🏠 Family Saga 🧙 Reluctant Archmage 🔄 Cycle Of Violence 💔 Sacrificial Death 🖤 Dark Magic

Mordecai 92%

A hidden archmage fights to protect his family from an ancient enemy and his own darkness.

by Michael G. Manning 2018

4.44

2k+ ratings

🏠 Family Saga 🧙 Reluctant Archmage 🔄 Cycle Of Violence 💔 Sacrificial Death 🖤 Dark Magic

Pani Jeziora

by Andrzej Sapkowski • 2001

A child of prophecy, imprisoned by elves, navigates a maze of dying worlds to find her family.

4.08

104k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🌿 Folklore-Inspired Fantasy 💛 Found Family ⭐ Child Of Prophecy ⚔️ Morally Gray Hero

Pani Jeziora 92%

A child of prophecy, imprisoned by elves, navigates a maze of dying worlds to find her family.

by Andrzej Sapkowski 2001

4.08

104k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🌿 Folklore-Inspired Fantasy 💛 Found Family ⭐ Child Of Prophecy ⚔️ Morally Gray Hero

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 92%

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

Shadow Slave

by Guiltythree • 2022

Alone in a black ocean, he watches the water drain, revealing a labyrinth prowled by monsters.

4.56

3k+

🗡️ Progression Fantasy 🌙 Dream World 👤 Sentient Companion 🏝️ Lone Survivor 🤝 Found Family

Shadow Slave 92%

Alone in a black ocean, he watches the water drain, revealing a labyrinth prowled by monsters.

by Guiltythree 2022

4.56

3k+ ratings

🗡️ Progression Fantasy 🌙 Dream World 👤 Sentient Companion 🏝️ Lone Survivor 🤝 Found Family

Home of the Hunted

by A.E. Rayne • 2024

Warrior queen Jael races home to a siege, only to find dark magic turning allies into enemies.

4.68

598

⚔️ Norse-Inspired Fantasy 🏰 Siege Warfare 👑 Reluctant Queen 🔮 Prophetic Visions 🐍 Traitorous Lords

Home of the Hunted 92%

Warrior queen Jael races home to a siege, only to find dark magic turning allies into enemies.

by A.E. Rayne 2024

4.68

598 ratings

⚔️ Norse-Inspired Fantasy 🏰 Siege Warfare 👑 Reluctant Queen 🔮 Prophetic Visions 🐍 Traitorous Lords

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