Julia’s Favourite Self Published SFF Books – A Giant List – Part 3 – Grimdark Fantasy

This is grimdark through and through, with pretty much all the trigger warnings you can think of. The Middle Eastern-insipired world is brutal, the themes are heavy, and it does not flinch away from any of it. At the same time it is gripping and ambitious, pulling you deep into the clash of faith, power, and violence. A dark and intense read that definitely left its mark.

A strong grimdark tale that had me hooked from the start. The prose is gorgeous, making even the bleakest moments feel immersive and striking. It digs into corruption, betrayal, and the compromises people make when survival is on the line. Dark, raw, and unflinching, yet written with such conviction that I couldn’t look away.

Even though zombie tales aren’t usually my thing, this one worked for me. It has that grimdark mix of dread, atmosphere, and bloody horror that pulled me in. The tension builds slowly, and the sense of doom hanging over everything was done so well. Dark, creepy, and a strong start to the series.

A Nigerian-inspired grimdark fantasy full of gods, politics, and betrayal. I loved how the setting felt fresh and different from the usual Eurocentric backdrops. The story shows the uglier sides of power and ambition without losing sight of the cultural richness behind it. Gritty, ambitious, and a very memorable read.

A grimdark debut with a sharp edge, full of danger and atmosphere. The world felt ambitious and vivid, and I liked how the story leaned into the darker side of survival. Characters are never safe, which kept the tension high throughout. Gritty and memorable.

Set in a brutal city carved up by gods and fueled by addiction, this is grimdark at its finest. I loved how the magic system is tied to drugs, making every spell both powerful and costly. The characters are messy, desperate, and often forced into terrible choices, which fits the bleak setting perfectly. It’s harsh, bloody, and utterly compelling.

A brutal and brilliant grimdark that stuck with me. The protagonist’s journey is raw and violent, but also strangely compelling as he pieces together who he was and who he might become. I loved the bleak atmosphere and how memory and identity were used as both weapon and curse. Dark, unsettling, and absolutely fascinating.

A weird and wonderful book that shows Fletcher at his most imaginative. The worldbuilding is vivid and completely different from anything else I’ve read, with creatures, settings, and ideas that feel both alien and alive. It is dark, but also strangely beautiful, with prose that pulled me right into the strangeness. Not one single human to be found. Unforgettable in the best, most disturbing way.

The blend of weird west, magic, and coming of age just worked perfectly for me. The world is creative and gritty, and I enjoyed how the magic system tied into the story in unusual ways. Fast paced, imaginative, and with a very sweary fairy.

Weird in the best way, and totally addictive. The city is grimy and alive, full of shadows and corruption, and the characters are rough but fascinating. It has that perfect grimdark balance of grit, sharp writing, and an atmosphere that sticks with you. Dark, stylish, and one I tore through quickly.

A pirate grimdark with swagger, betrayal, and shifting alliances that never let me get too comfortable. The characters were bold, messy, and endlessly entertaining, and the world felt rough and alive. It hit all the right notes for me and kept me hooked from start to finish.

The main character Eska is such a standout. Bitter, sharp, and unforgettable, with a voice that dragged me straight into the story. She might be made of rage, but I found her incredibly relatable. I really enjoyed how her narration shaped the whole book, full of bite and attitude. The worldbuilding and magic were clever, but it’s Eska herself who made this book shine. Grim, unique, and a brilliant start to the series.

A gritty tale of mercenaries, inquisitors, and killers, where everyone has their own agenda. The characters are flawed in all the right ways, which makes every clash unpredictable. It’s violent, fast paced, and grim in tone, yet carried by strong personalities that drive the story forward. While this first book felt a bit tropey, the series outgrew itself.

A story with plenty of grit. The mix of atmosphere, character struggles, and tension kept it engaging without sinking into full-on bleakness. It balances action and darker themes with moments that made it an easier read than I first expected. A solid, more accessible kind of grimdark.

A grim and bloody story that sticks with you. The violence is brutal, but it is the intensity of the characters and their choices that drive it forward. The world feels harsh and unforgiving, fitting perfectly with the tone. Dark, visceral, and memorable.

This one is really dark, with brutal themes and characters pushed to their limits. The story doesn’t flinch away from showing the worst in people, yet it remains compelling throughout. The different perspectives slowly weave together into something bigger, and the world feels raw and unforgiving. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but very powerful.

A quick and entertaining read with a mercenary band at its center. I liked how the action and camaraderie gave it energy, keeping the pace snappy. It is grim in places, but never weighed down, making it an easy entry point into Peloquin’s style of dark fantasy. Accessible, fun, and still carrying that grimdark edge.

An anthology that stood out for its emotional weight and focus on characters who are often overlooked. The stories give space to people who struggle with trauma or difference, but show them as strong and resilient rather than broken. It’s not an easy or cheerful read, but it’s powerful and full of empathy. A dark but meaningful collection that left an impression.

The tone and voice hooked me right from the start and kept me turning pages, which is saying a lot since horror usually isn’t my thing. I loved the historical setting and how solid and well researched it felt, which made it easy to sink into the world. Naval battles, drug abuse, hallucinations, and an eerie mystery all came together in a way that felt seamless. The ending was a bit flatter than the rest, but overall it was gripping, unusual, and left a strong impression.

An easy to read grimdark that flows quickly without getting bogged down in complexity. It has plenty of darkness and violence, but not to the same extreme as some others on this list. The action and betrayals keep things moving, making it a solid entry point if you want grimdark without the heaviest edges.

The story thrives on its group dynamic, with a ragtag band whose interactions give the book its energy. The flintlock setting and constant tension kept me hooked, but it was the banter and relationships that really stood out. There is even a very light sapphic romance woven in, adding another layer without ever taking over. Gritty, fast, and full of character.