10 Best New Dark Fantasy Books of 2025 for Fans of The Witcher and Game of Thrones

From Pixels to Pages: The Grimdark Renaissance of 2025

For gamers, the wait for the next massive dark fantasy RPG is a familiar torment. With CD Projekt Red still deep in development on the next Witcher saga (Project Polaris) and Bethesda taking its sweet time with The Elder Scrolls VI, we find ourselves constantly chasing that high of political intrigue, morally grey protagonists, and terrifying monsters.

Fortunately, the literary world is stepping up in 2025. Grimdark and dark fantasy are experiencing a massive renaissance, delivering the same blood-soaked, politically charged narratives that made The Witcher and Game of Thrones global phenomena. If you want to trade your controller for a paperback this year, here are the 10 best new dark fantasy books you need to add to your reading list.

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The 10 Best New Dark Fantasy Books in 2025

1. The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

The undisputed king of modern grimdark, Joe Abercrombie, returns in 2025 with The Devils. Set in a dark, magic-ravaged alternative Europe, the story follows a band of self-serving, monstrous outcasts forced to work for the church to stop an even greater threat. If you loved the cynical humor of Geralt of Rivia and the dysfunctional squad dynamics of The Witcher 3's DLCs, this is your most anticipated book of the year.

2. Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

While technically released in late 2024, Kristoff's epic vampire-hunting sequel is dominating 2025 reading lists. Following Gabriel de León—the last of a holy order of silversmiths—this book is essentially The Witcher meets Castlevania. It features incredible worldbuilding, brutal combat, and a post-apocalyptic fantasy world where the sun has failed and monsters rule the night.

3. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

If your favorite part of The Witcher is Geralt investigating monster attacks using his Witcher senses, The Tainted Cup is a must-read. It’s a dark fantasy detective novel set in an empire defended by massive, bio-engineered walls. When an imperial officer is found dead with a magical tree bursting from his chest, an eccentric investigator and his assistant must solve the conspiracy before the kingdom crumbles.

4. The Strength of the Few by James Islington

Following up on his massive hit The Will of the Many, Islington delivers another masterclass in political intrigue and dark magic. Think Game of Thrones style backstabbing set in a brutal, Roman-inspired magical academy where the ruling class literally siphons the life force and willpower of the lower classes. It’s tense, cerebral, and deeply satisfying.

5. The Silverblood Promise by Gary Johnston

This debut fantasy novel took the community by storm. It follows Lukan Shard, a disgraced nobleman turned scoundrel, who must delve into the dark underbelly of a decadent city to solve his father's murder. It features a fast-paced, mystery-driven plot that feels like a high-stakes questline straight out of Novigrad.

6. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

For fans who love the Norse mythology of God of War and the gritty shield-wall combat of Vikings, Jensen’s dark fantasy romance delivers in spades. It features magic bound by blood oaths, scheming warlords, and a brutal winter setting that will make you want to wrap yourself in a wolf pelt.

7. The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

This epic conclusion to the Empire of the Wolf trilogy is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones' political maneuvering and legal drama. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is an Emperor’s Justice—part detective, part judge, part executioner. As the empire descends into a horrific civil war fueled by demonic magic, Vonvalt must decide how much of his humanity he is willing to sacrifice to save the realm.

8. The Throne of Broken Ruins by Amber V. Nicole

This dark, gothic fantasy features gods, monsters, and a deeply atmospheric world. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy the darker, folklore-heavy elements of fantasy, reminiscent of the swamps of Velen in The Witcher 3. It’s a story of vengeance, ancient curses, and morally grey characters who aren’t afraid to burn the world down.

9. The Bound and the Broken: Of War and Ruin by Ryan Cahill

If you miss the epic scale of A Song of Ice and Fire, Ryan Cahill’s indie hit series is the closest thing you’ll find to classic high fantasy updated with modern, gritty sensibilities. It features dragons, massive battles, political betrayals, and a sprawling cast of characters that will keep you hooked for thousands of pages.

10. The Darkness Within Us by Jessica S. Olson

A darker, gothic mystery that leans heavily into psychological horror. It tells the story of a girl who can see the darkness and sins within people's souls. When she is forced to use her powers for a corrupt royal court, she gets tangled in a web of murders and forbidden magic. It’s atmospheric, tense, and beautifully written.

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Bottom Line: Our Verdict

If you can only pick up two books from this list to satisfy your dark fantasy cravings in 2025, here is our verdict:

For the Action & Monster-Hunting Fan: Go with Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Damned. Its relentless pacing, brutal combat, and atmospheric world are the closest literary equivalent to playing The Witcher 3* on Death March difficulty. For the Political & Mystery Fan: Go with Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup*. It is a brilliant, fresh take on the fantasy genre that combines the best elements of a Sherlock Holmes mystery with terrifying, organic body-infused magic systems.

Whichever you choose, these books will easily keep you entertained while we wait for the next generation of dark fantasy gaming to arrive.