26 Books like Prince 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 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

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 96%

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

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

A Dance of Cloaks

by David Dalglish • 2010

His father's test: kill his brother. A thief lord's son inherits a city that demands blood.

3.75

13k+

🗡️ Thief Guilds 🔪 Reluctant Assassin ⚔️ Assassin Training 🎭 Masked Vigilante 👤 Toxic Patriarch

A Dance of Cloaks 94%

His father's test: kill his brother. A thief lord's son inherits a city that demands blood.

by David Dalglish 2010

3.75

13k+ ratings

🗡️ Thief Guilds 🔪 Reluctant Assassin ⚔️ Assassin Training 🎭 Masked Vigilante 👤 Toxic Patriarch

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 94%

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

Prince of Fools

by Mark Lawrence • 2014

A coward prince is magically shackled to a vengeful Norseman, pulled north into Dead King's war.

4.05

35k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🔗 Magically Bonded Pair 🗡️ Vengeance Quest 🤷 Reluctant Hero 💀 Undead Army

Prince of Fools 94%

A coward prince is magically shackled to a vengeful Norseman, pulled north into Dead King's war.

by Mark Lawrence 2014

4.05

35k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🔗 Magically Bonded Pair 🗡️ Vengeance Quest 🤷 Reluctant Hero 💀 Undead Army

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

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 95%

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 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

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 94%

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

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 94%

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

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 94%

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 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 94%

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

Into the Narrowdark

by Tad Williams • 2022

Betrayed from within and grieving his lost queen, an aging king faces an immortal army alone.

4.52

3k+

🏰 Epic Fantasy Saga 👑 Lost Heir ⚔️ Enemies To Allies 🗡️ Political Betrayal 💀 Dark Resurrection

Into the Narrowdark 94%

Betrayed from within and grieving his lost queen, an aging king faces an immortal army alone.

by Tad Williams 2022

4.52

3k+ ratings

🏰 Epic Fantasy Saga 👑 Lost Heir ⚔️ Enemies To Allies 🗡️ Political Betrayal 💀 Dark Resurrection

The Daughters' War

by Christopher Buehlman

A knight and her giant war raven face a goblin war that spends soldiers like coin.

4.22

14k+

⚔️ Military Fantasy 🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🗡️ Woman Warrior 💜 Sapphic Fantasy 💔 Family Betrayal

The Daughters' War 94%

A knight and her giant war raven face a goblin war that spends soldiers like coin.

by Christopher Buehlman 2024

4.22

14k+ ratings

⚔️ Military Fantasy 🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 🗡️ Woman Warrior 💜 Sapphic Fantasy 💔 Family Betrayal

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

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

Elric of Melniboné

by Michael Moorcock • 1972

Drowned by his cousin, a frail sorcerer-emperor bargains with Chaos to reclaim his stolen throne.

3.88

31k+

⚔️ Sword And Sorcery 💀 Tragic Antihero 🗡️ Sentient Weapon 🏛️ Decadent Empire 🤝 Magical Bargains

Elric of Melniboné 94%

Drowned by his cousin, a frail sorcerer-emperor bargains with Chaos to reclaim his stolen throne.

by Michael Moorcock 1972

3.88

31k+ ratings

⚔️ Sword And Sorcery 💀 Tragic Antihero 🗡️ Sentient Weapon 🏛️ Decadent Empire 🤝 Magical Bargains

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

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 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 93%

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

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 94%

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

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 Shadow of the Gods

by John Gwynne

Dragon-born raiders steal her son. She digs up her axe and follows north, blade first.

4.18

105k+

🪓 Norse-Inspired Fantasy ❤️ Found Family ⚔️ Mercenary Band 🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 💀 Dead Gods World

The Shadow of the Gods 93%

Dragon-born raiders steal her son. She digs up her axe and follows north, blade first.

by John Gwynne 2021

4.18

105k+ ratings

🪓 Norse-Inspired Fantasy ❤️ Found Family ⚔️ Mercenary Band 🖤 Grimdark Fantasy 💀 Dead Gods World

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

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 93%

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

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