In The Blacktongue Thief, Buehlman offers us another dark fantasy story, this time with doses of humor mixed into its grim plotline. It features Kinch Na Shannack, a thief burdened by debt who journeys through a ravaged, monster-filled world.
Buehlman's vivid descriptions bring creepy monsters, bizarre magic, and dark twists to life. Kinch's interactions with his unlikely companions add depth, and together they undertake a dangerous quest through haunted lands.
Fans of Buehlman's horror-infused adventure in Between Two Fires will appreciate how he balances unsettling atmosphere with sharp humor here.
R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War covers gritty ground inspired by the harsh history of the Sino-Japanese War. It follows Rin, a poor orphan who enters a prestigious military academy, only to confront dark, mystical forces tied to ancient shamanism.
Kuang weaves brutal military realism with shocking supernatural horrors, exploring what happens when war pushes people into grim decisions.
Much like Between Two Fires, readers watch unlikely protagonists navigate through violence, moral ambiguity, and divine powers that torment and tempt them along the way.
In Prince of Thorns, Mark Lawrence takes us to a medieval-like world scarred by mysterious technology and political violence. The protagonist, Prince Jorg, is ruthless and scarred from trauma, leading a violent band of outlaws across a wasted land.
Lawrence isn't afraid to show brutality and cruelty as integral parts of Jorg's journey.
Readers of Between Two Fires will find common ground in the dark medieval atmosphere and horror-tinged encounters, as well as the exploration of humanity's darkest impulses forced to survive at any cost.
Kentaro Miura's powerful manga Berserk is famous for its unflinching portrayal of violence, morality, and struggle against demonic forces.
Set against a grim medieval background, it follows Guts, a brutal warrior whose life is shaped by trauma and conflict with evil creatures from another realm.
Not shy of horror and body horror themes, Berserk offers disturbing yet gripping visuals that mirror the demonic horrors faced in Between Two Fires. It's an iconic exploration of fallen heroes, bleak fate, and survival against overwhelming darkness.
Marlon James' novel brings readers a violent, myth-rich fantasy world inspired by African folklore. Filled with grotesque creatures, morally ambiguous characters, and complicated narratives, it revolves around a hunter named Tracker—and his search for a missing child.
James tells the story from Tracker's unreliable viewpoint, adding layers of mystery and tension.
Fans of Between Two Fires will immediately notice similarities in dark supernatural threats faced during perilous quests, compelling characters thrust unwillingly into harsh worlds, and the enigmatic yet magical storytelling.
Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon enters an expansive fantasy landscape filled with complex intrigues, epic wars, and devastating magic. Morally ambiguous characters shape the narrative, each trying to survive in a grim universe filled with supernatural perils.
Like Between Two Fires, Erikson's story immerses readers into dark struggles with evil magic, bleak moments of despair, and encounters that blur the line between heroism and villainy.
This first book sets the stage for a brutal, intricately plotted saga inviting readers into its harsh yet addictive atmosphere.
Mike Shel's Aching God draws readers deep into sinister ancient ruins filled with cursed beings, nightmarish violence, and psychological horrors. It follows Auric Manteo, a weary adventurer pulled out of retirement to confront shadows from his past.
Shel emphasizes psychological horror and trauma through terrifying and disturbing imagery, evoking the bleak dread readers found compelling about Between Two Fires.
For those interested in dark journeys, ancient hauntings, and relentless supernatural tensions, Aching God delivers in spades.
The Darkness That Comes Before takes readers into a brutal philosophical conflict wrapped in religious warfare. Bakker builds a world packed with powerful, manipulating figures and dense philosophical undertones.
Here, grim religious themes emerge alongside shocking violence, offering an unsettling and bleak atmosphere.
The narrative intricacies and morally ambiguous motivations resonate strongly with readers who enjoy Buehlman's depiction of dark religious horror combined with historical bleakness. Bakker's story is thought-provoking and chilling—a fitting companion to Between Two Fires.
Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels revolve around Geralt, a monster-hunter who journeys through a bleak fantasy land inhabited by morally complex characters and terrifying creatures.
Mixing folklore influences, supernatural threats, and gritty realism, Sapkowski creates a tense atmosphere filled with horror, grim choices, and political intrigue.
Readers who enjoyed the bleak landscapes and grimdark undertones of Between Two Fires will connect easily with Geralt's morally ambiguous decisions, violent encounters, and unsettling depiction of human cruelty and monstrous threats.
In Priest of Bones, readers find themselves in a gritty post-war environment where crime, violence, and politics interweave. Army priest Thomas Piety returns home after war, diving immediately into criminal enterprises as he seeks power and survival.
McLean's unvarnished violence and bleak narrative resemble the grim atmosphere beloved in Between Two Fires.
Filled with morally grey decisions, tactical cruelty, and harsh realism, the book immerses readers in a brutal underworld where survival demands tough choices and harsher actions.
Gideon the Ninth blends science fiction with fantasy horror, brazenly featuring necromancers exploring haunted palaces in deep space. Tamsyn Muir offers gothic atmosphere galore, complete with undead horrors and vividly creepy magic.
Gideon's voice—sharp, irreverent—adds wit and levity. Though the modern style differs, fans of Between Two Fires will recognize the dark, unsettling elements, demonic imagery, and complex relationships amid grim settings.
There's plenty to savor here for readers seeking supernatural grimdark flavored with unique personality.
Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora involves daring heists set within a gritty and often violent city. Locke, leader of a skilled criminal crew, undertakes dangerous schemes marked by wit, violence, and vengeance.
Though lighter in tone, Lynch's work still deals directly with brutal flourishes and darker themes.
Readers who enjoyed the bleak atmosphere and moral ambiguity present throughout Between Two Fires might appreciate the ruthless urban jungle Lynch builds, its warring factions, and the rough justice that defines Locke's hard life.
Nicholas Eames offers middle-aged mercenaries embarking on one final—and extremely dangerous—quest. Kings of the Wyld humorously presents aging warriors who face violent threats, grotesque creatures, and bleak circumstances.
While humor and heart lighten its grim atmosphere, fans of Between Two Fires might enjoy another quest tale through dangerous landscapes populated by monstrous dangers.
Eames' bittersweet tone complements the grimdark tradition, balancing dark and gritty scenarios with a warmth that makes survival matter deeply to readers.
Dickinson's engaging tale introduces Baru, who infiltrates an oppressive empire to undermine and overthrow it. The Traitor Baru Cormorant dives headlong into treachery, colonial oppression, twisted morality, and political backstabbing.
Dickinson depicts grim choices and harsh consequences along Baru's dangerous path. Fans of Between Two Fires will resonate with Dickinson's grim realism and brutal moral struggles against powers wielding sinister influences over the innocent.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant is a gritty exploration of rebellion against a bleak empire.
Michael Fletcher crafts an intensely dark and disturbing world in Beyond Redemption, where madness influences reality itself. Characters' twisted beliefs manifest physically, creating horrors that reflect their inner corruption.
Filled with body horror, bleak settings, and twisted characters desperate to survive, this novel aligns strongly with themes found in Between Two Fires.
Fletcher pushes dark fantasy to chilling extremes, exploring human depravity and supernatural terror in an unforgettable, brutally vivid universe.