After
The Warrior Prophet
R. Scott Bakker2005
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
4 of 6 directions open — nothing heavier, nothing denser
More like it
- pace0prose0bleak0
The Darkness That Comes Before
R. Scott Bakker2003
A monk, a barbarian, and a sorcerer navigate a holy war. The narrative focuses on philosophical manipulation and a cold, strategic view of power.
Same cold register, still grimdark
pace0·prose0·bleak0
- pace0prose0bleak0
Against All Things Ending
Stephen R. Donaldson2010
Thomas Covenant is resurrected, an act that threatens to destroy the world. Linden Avery and her son search for a way to stop the coming apocalypse.
cold → bleak, still grimdark
pace0·prose0·bleak0
- pace0prose-1bleak-1
A fortress of grey ice
J. V. Jones2002
An outcast youth and a young woman with magical potential travel through a frozen landscape to prevent an ancient evil from rising.
Same cold register, still grimdark
pace0·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+1prose-1bleak0
The Mirror Empire
Kameron Hurley2014
Parallel worlds collide as a celestial event allows one reality to invade another. It follows multiple characters during a global genocide.
Same cold register, still grimdark
pace+1·prose-1·bleak0
1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose-1bleak0
Shadowed By Wings
Janine Cross2006
An apprentice dragonmaster struggles with an addiction to dragon venom. She endures brutal training to uncover the biological secrets of the beasts.
cold → bleak, still grimdark
pace0·prose-1·bleak0
To recover
- pace+1prose-3bleak-3
Fifty Shades of Grey
E.L. James2000
A college student enters a sexual contract with a wealthy businessman. The story focuses on their power dynamics and BDSM encounters.
cold → earnest
pace+1·prose-3·bleak-3
- pace+1prose-3bleak-3
Neon Gods
Katee Robert2021
In a modern city-state, Persephone flees an arranged marriage to Zeus by entering the underworld. She strikes a deal with Hades to stay there.
cold → tense
pace+1·prose-3·bleak-3
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose-3bleak-3
Pawn of Prophecy
David Eddings1982
A farm boy travels with a storyteller and a sorceress to recover a stolen magical orb. It is a traditional quest through various kingdoms.
cold → earnest, still epic fantasy
pace+1·prose-3·bleak-3
- pace+1prose-3bleak-3
Starter Villain
John Scalzi2023
A substitute teacher inherits his uncle's secret supervillain business, including a volcano lair and talking cats.
cold → wry
pace+1·prose-3·bleak-3
- pace+1prose-3bleak-3
Playing with Fire
Gena Showalter2006
A barista gains elemental superpowers after being poisoned and must flee from a government agent. They eventually work together to escape.
cold → playful
pace+1·prose-3·bleak-3
Faster
- pace+2prose-2bleak-2
A Memory of Light
Robert Jordan2013
The final volume of a long-running series where various nations and magical users unite for a final battle against an ancient evil.
cold → earnest, still epic fantasy
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-2
- pace+2prose-2bleak-2
First lord's fury
Jim Butcher2009
The final book of the series follows Gaius Octavian as he leads a military defense against an insectoid hive mind. It concludes the war.
cold → propulsive, still epic fantasy
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-2
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-3bleak-2
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Matt Dinniman2020
Earth is converted into an 18-level televised death game. A man and a cat must navigate traps and monsters to survive.
cold → sardonic
pace+2·prose-3·bleak-2
- pace+2prose-3bleak-3
The Stainless Steel Rat
Harry Harrison1961
A futuristic con man is caught by the Special Corps and forced to use his criminal skills to catch other lawbreakers.
cold → playful
pace+2·prose-3·bleak-3
- pace+2prose-3bleak-2
Mind's Eye
Douglas E. Richards2014
A man discovers he has the ability to access the internet and process data directly with his mind. He is hunted by a secret organization.
cold → propulsive
pace+2·prose-3·bleak-2
Slower
- pace-1prose0bleak-2
Love & Sleep
John Crowley1994
Pierce Moffett researches the history of magic while living in a small town. The narrative shifts between his life and the Renaissance.
cold → meditative
pace-1·prose0·bleak-2
- pace-1prose0bleak-1
Boneland
Alan Garner2012
An adult Colin searches for his lost sister while an ancient shaman performs rituals in the same landscape. The two timelines mirror one another.
cold → elegiac
pace-1·prose0·bleak-1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose0bleak-2
The Habitation of the Blessed
Catherynne M. Valente2010
A priest finds the lost kingdom of Prester John. The story is told through three nested layers of journals, myths, and historical accounts.
cold → dreamlike
pace-1·prose0·bleak-2
- pace-1prose-2bleak-2
Among Others
Jo Walton2011
A teenage girl at a 1970s boarding school copes with her twin's death through books and subtle magic. It is written as a series of diary entries.
cold → tender
pace-1·prose-2·bleak-2
- pace-1prose-1bleak-2
Tehanu
Ursula K. Le Guin1990
A widow cares for an aging mage who has lost his magic. The story focuses on domestic life and the aftermath of past adventures.
cold → meditative
pace-1·prose-1·bleak-2
