Grimdark Fantasy: Your Guide to Literary Devastation

If you want to write in a relatively young genre that’s been swiftly rising in popularity and inspires a lot of debate, grimdark fantasy is for you. 

Grimdark is a fascinating subgenre, one that’s evolved significantly over the last few decades. With that growth comes some healthy debate about what it actually is and how to write it well.

That’s what you and I are about to discuss. We’ll go over the history of this genre, the characteristics that define it, and what it takes to master grimdark as an author. You’ll also learn how to navigate the most common mistakes new writers make when wading through literary darkness.

Let’s start with the big question:

What is Grimdark Fantasy?

Grimdark is a subgenre of dark fantasy characterized by dark worlds, morally ambiguous characters, cynical themes, and unhappy endings.

Like any fantasy subgenre, grimdark includes magic systems and other fantastical elements. But make no mistake: The horrors of grimdark do not stem from the supernatural but from the inherent cruelty of human nature.

Rulers are depraved and oppressive. Individuals resist care and connection because it’s the only way to survive. The main character is never a role model, and sometimes they’re even a villain.

It is, in short, a very dark world out there.

Where Did This Genre Even Come From?

The answer is complicated.

The term grimdark originates from the tagline for the 1987 tabletop role-playing game, Warhammer 40,000: "In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war."

There is some debate over whether Warhammer 40,000 actually meets the modern definition of grimdark. In fact, there’s a lot of debate over what grimdark even is.

Warhammer 40,000 is a brutal science fantasy. It is deliberately over the top and was originally intended to be a satire.

So when critics snidely labeled the 2006 Joe Abercrombie novel The Blade Itself as grimdark, the author embraced it. Like Warhammer 40,000, Abercrombie’s debut trilogy was gritty, violent, graphic, and also satirized fantasy tropes. 

Not all readers caught the joke, however, or if they did, they didn’t see it as a defining element. Over time, the definition of grimdark shifted. What began as an irreverent fantasy genre has become something that takes itself a bit more seriously.

That’s not to say the comedy element has vanished. You’ll still find gallows humor in modern grimdark. But readers and publishers don’t view the genre as satire.

This is especially true now that the Game of Thrones television series has brought grimdark into the mainstream. This once-niche fantasy subgenre is more prevalent than ever, thanks to the extreme popularity of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Why Do Grimdark Fantasy Fans Delight in the Gloom?

Why do so many readers want to spend 400-plus pages meandering through a dystopian universe with characters who don’t deserve their investment?

There are a few reasons, and they’re honestly pretty compelling.

First, grimdark subverts the tropes of traditional fantasy. Instead of heroic protagonists, dazzling magic, and the triumph of good over evil, you get selfish main characters trying to survive in a world where a pure heart is a worthless weapon against dark magic, political power, and the wrath of the gods.

For readers looking for a more realistic depiction of the war against evil forces, this is a huge plus.

Grimdark is also a less predictable genre. You don’t pick up a grimdark novel confident that good will prevail. Half the time, you can’t even tell who the good characters are.

And in all its negativity, this fantasy genre offers catharsis for readers overwhelmed by the state of the real world. It’s a place to indulge that impulse to doomscroll, to allow the worried and righteous parts of ourselves to observe the worst in humanity, knowing that the book only exists because someone else sees it, too.

There’s a kind of psychological safety in exploring those dark themes in a fictional context, separate from the real traumas that surround us.

Finally, some grimdark readers will tell you that hope gleams brighter in this genre. Not that there’s a lot of it. But when you’re immersed in a world where cruelty reigns and suffering is constant, even the smallest victory for good can feel empowering. 

Key Characteristics of Grimdark Fantasy

Now, let’s say you want to write a grimdark novel. What will your readers be expecting?

Dark Tone

You probably could have called this one yourself. Grimdark narration is typically sinister or cynical in tone. The humor is dark and dry rather than playful or absurd. 

Morally Ambiguous Characters

This is one of the major ways grimdark subverts the traditions of epic fantasy. Instead of presenting characters who are clearly good or evil, this genre puts flawed human beings into situations that challenge the very idea of morality.

Sure, the main character is brash and self-serving, but how bad are they really when they exist in the same universe where leaders torture their citizens for entertainment?

And sure, maybe the blood mage sidekick stole the life force of an innocent peasant, but they did it to save their own mother, and if they’re not willing to be ruthless in this world, they’ll never survive. So where does that place them on the morality spectrum?

Even grimdark villains can have backstories that make you say, “Okay, so it’s not cool that they’re like that, but I can kinda see how they got there.”

Realism 

This is another quality of grimdark that deliberately opposes the conventions of traditional fantasy.

Instead of creating a fantasy world that is all wonder and mystery, grimdark authors opt for a more realistic depiction of humanity and then place those very real humans in a magical world.

Scars, injuries, illness, bodily functions, primitive fears and desires—these gritty details are as present in grimdark as the extraordinary elements that make this a fantasy genre.

Brutal Worlds

Brutality isn’t just an aspect of a grimdark world. It is the world.

The characters are depraved. The magic is dark and immensely powerful. The land and architecture are harsh, cold, or foreboding. Society is designed to oppress the innocent and empower the wicked. 

And the most brutal aspects of a grimdark universe are usually brutal by human design. That’s one thing that differentiates grimdark from other forms of dark fantasy. Instead of centering supernatural horror, grimdark blames human corruption for the terrors its characters endure.

That doesn’t mean you can’t still have monsters and cruel deities. They’re staples of the world, too. It just means that the greatest horrors of this world are due to human actions.

Dark Themes

This is not a great genre for you if you’re looking for stories about the conquering power of love or the beauty of authenticity.

Grimdark themes are more like:

• Power corrupts.
• Only the ruthless can survive in a cruel world.
• Morality means nothing under desperate circumstances.
• Compassion is fatal.

Gallows Humor

Though the subgenre has evolved from satire to something a bit more sincere, humor is still alive and well in grimdark. You’ve got sarcastic characters, sardonic narration, and clever jokes about terribly dark things. (And some modern grimdark authors opt for satire, too.)

For readers, the gallows humor can feel like novelty or serve as catharsis. But it’s also a natural part of the world. In a genre that’s so dedicated to real human nature, it only makes sense to tap into the human instinct to find the joke in devastating circumstances.

Grimdark vs. Traditional Fantasy Fiction

As I mentioned before, genre-defining authors like Joe Abercrombie initially set out to write stories that deliberately dismantle traditional fantasy tropes.

So what does that look like in practice?

It’s harder to distinguish between heroes and villains in grimdark fantasy 

In traditional fantasy, the line is clear. Villains are power-hungry, self-serving, and sadistic. Heroes and heroines may be imperfect, but they’re ultimately good-hearted, self-sacrificing, and courageous.

In grimdark, everyone is looking out for number one, trying to get a leg up, and willing to commit atrocious deeds to achieve their goals. This is a genre where it’s generally accepted that the ends justify the means, which forces the reader to decide for themselves how they want to define morality in the context of this world.

Traditional fantasy tropes take a tragic turn in grimdark

You know the Wise Mentor who gently guides the young protagonist in their quest? In grimdark, the mentor may be wicked, manipulative, or have ulterior motives.

In traditional fantasy, the Chosen One is destined for greatness, but in grimdark, they may merely be a pawn in a deity’s sadistic plan.

The forbidden magic of traditional fantasy becomes the tool of the upper class in grimdark. Fantastical creatures are replaced by grotesque monsters. What’s bad is celebrated, what’s good is punished, and everything is topsy-turvy.

They explore opposite ends of human nature

Traditional fantasy stories suggest that human beings are capable of great things when we step beyond our comfort zones. They celebrate courage and self-sacrifice, and promise that goodness always prevails, even if it takes centuries.

Grimdark prefers to examine how awful we can be when we’re pushed to the limit. Characters don’t become more empathetic because of what they’ve been through. They don’t find power in community or let the courageous voice within be their guide.

They give in to rage, crusade for vengeance, and hurt whoever they have to in order to achieve their goals. 

Popular Grimdark Fantasy Novels

Here are some great novels to start with if you want to understand this genre better:

The Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang - The Poppy War trilogy follows the journey of a traumatized orphan who undergoes extensive military training and grows up to become a genocidal oppressor. It’s got all the trademarks of grimdark—an unlikeable protagonist, vengeful gods, and realistic conflicts like war, oppression, and addiction.

It’s also inspired by the very real Second Sino-Japanese War.

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin - This series is the inspiration for the television series Game of Thrones, which, as we discussed, shoved grimdark into mainstream awareness, even if most people still don’t know what the genre is called.

This series features a long and violent power struggle between several kingdoms and features political corruption, supernatural horrors, and a lot of sadistic characters. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir - This science fantasy is a great one to read for an example of grimdark humor. Gideon is a brash teenage swordswoman forced to serve as a protector for her nemesis, a power-hungry necromancer. 

Tips for Writing Grimdark Fantasy

Reading articles like this one and devouring as many grimdark books as you can are already great steps toward writing a compelling, bone-chilling story.

I’d also recommend getting familiar with the basic process of writing fantasy, if you aren’t already. These articles are great places to start:

• Dabbling in Magic: How to Write Fantasy With Dabble
• The Author’s Guide to Writing Fantasy Characters
• Villains and Curses: Picking a Conflict for Your Fantasy Novel
• The Magic of Writing a Fantasy Setting

Beyond that, here are some tips for meeting reader expectations as you craft your grimdark world and write your novel:

Crafting Those Morally Gray Characters

Backstory and motivation are always crucial elements of strong character development, regardless of genre. But I really want to highlight their importance in grimdark stories.

As we’ve discussed, your readers are expecting morally ambiguous characters. Character actions alone are usually easy to sort into categories of morality. Stealing is bad. Feeding the poor is good. Arson is bad. Buying earrings for your mom is good.

But context can muddy the binary, making it less clear whether those actions are moral or immoral under specific circumstances. For characters, you create that context through their backstory and motivation.

A murderous rampage is generally considered an immoral choice. But if, as a child, your character witnessed the merciless slaughter of their parents, and they’ve finally acquired the skills they need to avenge their parents’ deaths by brutalizing everyone associated with the murders, the situation won’t look so black-and-white to your readers.

They still won’t look entirely righteous, though. Grimdark characters tend to be driven by intense grief, rage, or terror, emotions that overpower any thoughts of taking a breath, looking at things rationally, or doing things in moderation.

Even taking their trauma into account, they will cross lines your readers can’t quite condone.

This includes your protagonist. Remember, classic heroes and heroines don’t exist in grimdark fantasy. You’re working with anti-heroes or even villain protagonists.

Building a Dark, Realistic World

You’ll hear the term “realistic” come up repeatedly as you continue to study grimdark. It can be confusing; there are sorcerers and monsters and undead soldiers in this genre. Where’s the reality in that?

In grimdark worldbuilding, we’re talking about creating fantasy worlds that don’t also create fantasies of the human experience.

There are oppressive governments, scam artists, and manipulators. There’s poverty, disease, crime, and racism. Nature deteriorates from the effects of war, plundered resources, and industrialization. Rather than revering and honoring magic, characters abuse it as a weapon for gaining power.

All this to say, grimdark doesn’t ignore the negative impact of human influence.

You also want to go dark with any fantastical elements that exist in the dystopian nightmare you’re dreaming up.

Your deities should be indifferent at best. Sadistic is another option. Any with a hint of good are likely dead, imprisoned, or barely strong enough to be considered a god.

Your magic system should center around dark magic. If anyone possesses magical powers that allow them to do something positive, like save lives or grow crops, that magic should come at an astronomical cost. We’re talking loss of life, limb, or sanity. And they’re probably being exploited by someone else.

You’ll probably also want some monsters or mythical creatures with bad intentions.

Creating Conflict

Humans cause problems in grimdark novels.

You can have dangerous supernatural creatures and dark magic. In fact, I highly encourage it.

But your primary conflict needs to exist because profoundly flawed human beings are doing terrible things out of fear, greed, rage, grief, or any other overwhelming motivator.

Those human beings are unlikely to change for the better. And in the end, evil will reign victorious, whatever that means in your story. Grimdark is not the place for happy endings or positive character arcs.

Keeping It Engaging

At this point, you’ve seen a lot of repeating themes that all amount to “everything is terrible, and everyone is the worst.” This presents a bit of a challenge. How do you lean into these conventions without writing a novel that feels like 400 pages of the same dystopian nightmare?

Here are some quick tips:

Lean into the moral gray areas. We’ve already discussed this at length, so I won’t keep explaining it. Just know that moral ambiguity is a great way to hook your readers’ emotions and engage their minds.

Allow tiny flickers of hope. Glimmers of human decency. Maybe a brief little win for a character who tried to do the right thing. Even when your reader knows this won’t end well, those small moments give them a reason to hang on and hope beyond reason.

Create a solid magic system. That means creating rules, limitations, and costs. Magic without limits means a story without stakes. But with clearly defined parameters, your magic system can heighten tension and keep your audience engaged.

Remember your realism. It’s not just about depicting human cruelty. It’s also about acknowledging the ordinariness and vulnerability of being human. Let your character panic puke before a terrifying confrontation or wake up with a hangover. 

Also incorporate realistic reactions to trauma. That brings us to a very important topic…

The Challenges of Going Dark

Grimdark readers aren’t afraid of brutality in their literature. But that doesn’t mean they want violence just for violence’s sake.

Many new grimdark writers fall into the trap of writing gratuitous cruelty. They craft scenes of torture, abuse, and racism without a deeper purpose or theme.

It’s an easy error to make when you’re focused on creating the dark atmosphere the genre demands. But it’s crucial that you work to avoid it, because your readers get absolutely nothing out of brutality without insight and direction. 

Here are some tips for dodging this mistake:

Give violence and oppression a purpose. What are you revealing about a character? How are you moving the story forward? What theme are you highlighting?

If a scene doesn’t do any of those things, you don’t need it.

Don’t torture the oppressed to motivate the privileged. For example, don’t have a female character endure sexual assault so a male character can avenge her. Or toss a bunch of slurs at a cultural minority so a majority figure can defend them.

It’s not that harm to others can’t be a motivating factor for your characters. It’s that you want to avoid robbing the abused of their agency and treating real-world suffering like a plot device. Let the oppressed fight for themselves with the support—not the leadership—of their allies.

Treat trauma carefully. Once again, realism is key in grimdark. That means you need to have a clear understanding of how human beings would realistically respond to the suffering they’ve endured. 

This is especially important when the violence, abuse, or discrimination your characters survive is something your real-life readers could easily have been through, too. Do the research to avoid stereotypes, lazy clichés, or turning real trauma into a storytelling gimmick. This article is a good place to start.

Now Venture Into the Darkness

Grimdark is like any other genre: The best way to master it is to read a lot of it and start writing as soon as possible. The stories are complex, and the process is challenging, but the experience is also deeply rewarding. If this is something you’ve dreamt of doing, get writing.

And if you want to write your best grimdark novel, write it with Dabble. If you’re not familiar with Dabble, it’s a super intuitive writing tool packed with great features for plotting your story, organizing your worldbuilding bible, and writing your manuscript while all your essential notes are a click or two away.

Try this free 14-day trial to see if it’s for you. You don’t even have to enter a credit card to get started.