For previous posts and future FFF topics check out my Friday Favorite Five page here.
Favorite Five Dark Fantasy / Horror Novels
I don’t actually read a ton of horror so I decided to combine it with dark fantasy – they share the same roots anyway, right? Besides, I love mixing genres. 🙂
1. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
This is a dark fantasy story that’s is very, very weird. Good thing I love weird! It’s about some kids that were all raised in this library and they each have their own section they’re in charge of which gives them some sort of powers or affinity for that but also it gets weirder. Did I mention this is weird? And good. Very, very good. Also very dark!
2. Where Oblivion Lives by T. Frohock
I read this book earlier this year and absolutely loved it. This is another dark fantasy centered around angels in historical Europe. There are factions and wars and things get dark and creepy because there is also other supernatural stuff going on. I love the characters in this one, you really want to root for them. Such a fantastic read, can’t wait for the sequel!
3. The Shining by Stephen King
A classic horror novel! This is, hands down, the scariest book I’ve read. There’s a certain scene with a topiary garden that creeped me out so much while reading it that I had to stay up all night with the light on afterwards. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is.
4. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
This is another classic. Is it horror? Eh, some parts of it maybe. It used to be shelved there when there was still a horror section in the bookstores. I’d probably call it dark fantasy these days. Vampires! They’re not good guys, really. But I can’t help loving Lestat, the brat prince. He lives up to that nick name for sure.
5. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
And lastly we have the first book in the Black Jewels series. This book is not without its faults, but it’s got some interesting world building and goes to some very dark and weird places. There is an entire realm based on Hell and one of the characters is Satan, but he’s actually kind of a nice guy sometimes? I also thought the magic in this one was pretty fascinating back in the day when I read it. Like I said, not without its faults, but this series helped get me hooked on fantasy so for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Those are my picks for this week! What are some of your favorite dark fantasy and/or horror novels? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to chat!
Way Too Fantasy 
I loved the Black Jewels trilogy. I need to get onto the other trilogy in the series.
I think I have read up through book 5 or 6 but it’s been so long, I should reread at some point and catch up
Where Oblivion Lies is on my TBR and I have started the Bishop series! I really like it but I have read just two books and some years ago and now I don’t know if I want to go on with it like this or go back and reread the first two books!
Where Oblivion Lives is great, hope you enjoy!
I know what you mean, I have so many unfinished series.
Interview with the Vampire is very dark, although it’s been years since I read the book, and my memories often get tangled up with the movie😁 I’ve always considered it to be horror.
It does have it’s dark moments. It’s also got some creepiness to it. I guess I don’t find it scary so I don’t consider it horror LOL. Now, The Mummy or even Servant of the Bones definitely both have more of a classic horror feel to them for me. 😀
I’ve never heard of ‘Where Oblivion Lies,’ but it’s now at the top of my TBR list. I adored Interview With a Vampire. Thanks for the suggestions!
Hope you get a chance to check it out!
I’ve read two off your list – and great theme this week by the way. I need to catch up with the Frohock series. I started with the first one but haven’t managed to keep uptodate (big surprise).
Lynn 😀
Did you read the novellas or the novel? You can actually start with the novel if you want and skip the rest of the novellas 😀 I feel you on catching up on series though, I have a real problem lol.
DAMNNN! The Library at Mount Char looks soooo haunting!! AND GORGEOUSS!! AND MYSTERIOU!! ALL AT THE SAME TIMEEE!! 😍😍❤️❤️ ahhhh!! I AM IN LOVEEEEE!! ❤️❤️💕💕 I didnt know about this one before so THANK YOU SOOOO MUCHH FOR THIS AWESOME LIST!! ❤️❤️👻👻👻
You’re welcome! It’s such a strange little book, I really love it because of just how very weird and dark it is. This is the book that made me realize I sometimes like a bit of weird in my fiction. 🙂
I LOVEEE WEIRD TOOOO!! YAYYYYYYY!! *high fiveee* 👻👻👻
😀
I loved the Shining too! I just bought Doctor Sleep because I decided to just jump in that one before continuing with my plan to read King’s novels in publication order.
Oh, I’m interested in how that one is. I think the way they’ve done the movie (as both based on the book and the film) seems pretty interesting.