Peter McLean is a talented fantasy author known for gritty storytelling. His standout novels include Priest of Bones and its sequel Priest of Lies, part of the compelling War for the Rose Throne series.
If you enjoy reading books by Peter McLean then you might also like the following authors:
Fans of Peter McLean's gritty characters and dark humor might enjoy Joe Abercrombie. Abercrombie writes grimdark fantasy that focuses on moral ambiguity, violent plots, and flawed yet charismatic characters. His book The Blade Itself kicks off the First Law trilogy.
It introduces readers to vivid characters like Logen Ninefingers, bringing a sense of realism and humanity to even the most ruthless scenes.
If you appreciate McLean's morally complex characters and stark storytelling style, Mark Lawrence is worth checking out. He specializes in bleak yet deeply personal narratives.
In Prince of Thorns, the first installment of The Broken Empire series, Lawrence creates a ruthless but intriguing protagonist in Prince Jorg. His dark, fast-moving prose often raises questions about morality, power, and redemption.
Readers who enjoy McLean's gritty military fantasy might find Glen Cook engaging. Cook is known for his realistic portrayal of soldiers in difficult, morally ambiguous wars.
His novel The Black Company follows an elite mercenary unit, focusing on their survival in dangerous campaigns. Cook's voice has depth and authenticity, shaped by his portrayal of common soldiers rather than kings and heroes.
If you like sharp dialogue and clever plotting similar to Peter McLean's style, Scott Lynch might interest you. In Lynch's novel The Lies of Locke Lamora, he presents a group of skilled con artists led by the witty and resourceful Locke Lamora.
Lynch's work is notable for its elaborate heists, detailed world-building, and engaging characters who show charm and cleverness, even in harsh, dark situations.
Readers looking for the poetic but brutal storytelling style that punctuates Peter McLean’s work might appreciate Anna Smith Spark. Her writing is lyrical and vivid, creating intense emotional landscapes within dark settings.
In The Court of Broken Knives, Spark offers a bleak yet beautifully-written fantasy that focuses on power struggles, flawed leaders, and violent conflicts. Her characters are deeply human, flawed, and compelling, much like those found in McLean's books.
Ed McDonald writes gritty dark fantasy filled with morally complex characters and intense action. His stories feature harsh environments, flawed heroes, and exciting tension between humanity and dark forces.
Readers who enjoyed Peter McLean's dark, gritty style will appreciate McDonald's novel Blackwing, a dark and atmospheric tale of mercenaries, powerful magic, and desperate stand-offs at the edge of a shattered world.
Michael R. Fletcher creates dark, violent worlds with themes of madness, obsession, and moral ambiguity. His style is direct and uncompromising, offering compelling narratives with strange, vividly drawn characters.
Fans of Peter McLean will find echoes of his unflinching storytelling in Fletcher's Beyond Redemption, a book where insanity shapes reality and humanity grapples with brutal truths.
Gareth Hanrahan's books blend intrigue, politics, and dark fantasy elements into accessible storytelling. His world-building is imaginative and detailed, with complex characters forced to navigate tense moral decisions.
Readers fond of Peter McLean's tense plots and morally ambiguous heroes will enjoy The Gutter Prayer, a gripping tale of forbidden magic, urban revolution, and ominous cosmic threats.
Rob J. Hayes is known for sharp, gripping narratives with well-developed anti-heroes and ruthless storytelling. He writes dark fantasy that tackles power struggles, betrayal, and survival through engaging and unpredictable plots.
If you liked Peter McLean's morally grey heroes and gritty environments, Hayes' book Never Die will resonate, presenting a relentless tale of warriors bound by duty to fight impossible odds.
K.J. Parker crafts deeply clever dark fantasy, rich with sharp wit, complex characters, and moral ambiguity. His works often feature detailed plots centered around deception, ambition, and the unintended consequences of human flaws.
Fans of Peter McLean’s morally intricate narratives and intensive storytelling will enjoy Parker’s book Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, a sharp story about an unlikely protagonist attempting to outwit larger forces set against him.
If you're into the gritty underworld and morally ambiguous figures in Peter McLean's novels, you'll probably enjoy Douglas Hulick. His book Among Thieves offers a shadowy urban fantasy filled with thieves, deception, and danger around every corner.
Hulick builds a rich world full of intrigue, betrayal, and fast-paced action, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
Luke Scull's approach to fantasy is sharp-edged and brutal, blending morally grey characters with intense battles and twisted politics. His novel The Grim Company brings together hard-hitting combat, dark humor, and vivid world-building.
If you appreciate McLean's rough-around-the-edges protagonists and harsh storytelling, Scull is a great author to check out next.
Richard K. Morgan writes dark, gritty fantasy with complex characters, tough moral decisions, and plenty of action, making him perfect for fans of Peter McLean.
In his novel The Steel Remains, Morgan portrays a harsh, unforgiving world filled with powerful violence and morally ambiguous heroes. His storytelling is bold, realistic, and never holds back, keeping readers on edge throughout.
R. Scott Bakker creates deeply immersive, thought-provoking fantasy worlds filled with psychological depth, philosophical themes, and compelling characters.
The Darkness That Comes Before, the first book in his Prince of Nothing series, introduces readers to a world loaded with intrigue, power struggles, and unique philosophical insights. Fans who appreciate McLean’s grim tone and layered themes are sure to find Bakker appealing.
For readers drawn to dark fantasy and supernatural horror elements like those in Peter McLean's novels, C.L. Werner offers exciting, vividly detailed stories. His Warhammer novel Brunner the Bounty Hunter follows a ruthless anti-hero operating in a grim, shadowy setting.
Werner delivers gritty action, intriguing mysteries, and richly imagined worlds sure to please fans of McLean's engaging brand of storytelling.