Best Dark Fantasy Books May 2025

The Diviners

Evie O’Neill’s sharp tongue lands her in hot water in Ohio, forcing her parents to ship her off to Manhattan. But 1920s New York City holds more than speakeasies and jazz for Evie. Her uncanny ability to “read” objects reveals a sinister connection to a serial killer terrorizing the city. Teaming up with her uncle and a ragtag group of misfits, each with their own supernatural gifts, Evie races to stop the murderer before it’s too late. Bray’s vivid prose brings the Roaring Twenties to life in this thrilling paranormal mystery that will keep you up all night.

The Mask Falling

Paige Mahoney, the dreamwalker, finds herself in a precarious position as she navigates the treacherous waters of Scion Paris. Torn between her loyalty to the rebellion and her growing feelings for Warden, she must make impossible choices that could alter the fate of both humans and voyants. Shannon’s vivid prose brings this dystopian world to life, weaving intricate politics with heart-pounding action. I found myself holding my breath during the tense undercover missions, feeling Paige’s internal struggle as if it were my own. A thrilling continuation of the series that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The Song Rising

Paige Mahoney’s world is crumbling. As Underqueen of the Mime Order, she faces mounting threats from all sides. The Scion regime tightens its grip on London, while a dangerous new technology threatens to expose clairvoyants everywhere. Torn between loyalty and survival, Paige must navigate treacherous alliances and confront her own demons. As she uncovers shocking secrets about her past, she realizes the fate of her people rests on her shoulders. Shannon’s vivid prose brings this dystopian world to life, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

The Mime Order

Paige Mahoney’s world is shattered when she’s thrust into the criminal underworld of Scion London. Forced to navigate a treacherous landscape of rival gangs and shadowy figures, she must use her rare clairvoyant abilities to survive. As she uncovers a sinister plot that threatens everything she holds dear, Paige finds herself torn between loyalty and love. Shannon’s gripping prose and intricate world-building had me on the edge of my seat, desperately turning pages late into the night. A thrilling blend of dystopian fantasy and urban grit that left me craving more.

The Bone Season

In a dystopian London, Paige Mahoney navigates a dangerous underworld as a dreamwalker, a rare clairvoyant hunted by the government. When she’s captured and thrust into a hidden city ruled by powerful beings, she discovers her own untapped abilities. As she unravels the city’s secrets, Paige forms unlikely alliances and faces heart-wrenching choices. I couldn’t put it down, staying up late to devour just one more chapter. Shannon’s vivid world-building and complex characters left me craving the next installment in this thrilling series.

The Burning God

Rin’s journey reaches its explosive finale in this heart-wrenching conclusion to R.F. Kuang’s epic fantasy trilogy. Haunted by the atrocities she’s committed, Rin grapples with her inner demons and the crushing weight of destiny. As war engulfs the land, alliances shift like sand, and ancient powers awaken, Rin must confront the ultimate question: How far will she go to save her people? Kuang’s masterful prose and unflinching exploration of power, colonialism, and morality will leave you breathless until the very last page.

The Dragon Republic

Rin’s world is shattered. Haunted by the atrocities she committed to save her people, she grapples with addiction and the weight of her actions. As civil war erupts, Rin finds herself caught between loyalty and survival. Kuang’s visceral prose plunges readers into a brutal, richly-imagined fantasy realm inspired by Chinese history. With complex characters and heart-wrenching choices, this sequel left me breathless. A masterful exploration of power, trauma, and the cost of victory.

The Poppy War

Rin, a war orphan from a backwater province, defies expectations by acing the Empire’s brutal military exam. Thrust into an elite academy, she discovers a gift for shamanism—a power that could change the course of history. As war looms and dark forces awaken, Rin must confront her own demons and make impossible choices. Kuang’s debut is a gripping tale of magic, warfare, and the cost of power, leaving readers breathless and haunted long after the final page.

The Buried Giant

In a mist-shrouded post-Arthurian Britain, an elderly couple embarks on a perilous journey to find their long-lost son. As they traverse a land haunted by forgotten memories, they encounter mythical creatures and face their own fading recollections. Ishiguro’s haunting prose weaves a tale of love, loss, and the power of collective amnesia, challenging readers to confront the shadows of history and the fragility of human bonds. A mesmerizing exploration of memory and identity that lingers long after the final page.

A Discovery of Witches

Diving into “A Discovery of Witches,” I was instantly captivated by Deborah Harkness’s rich tapestry of history, magic, and romance. The story follows Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch who stumbles upon an ancient manuscript that unleashes a world of supernatural intrigue. As I turned each page, I found myself lost in the atmospheric Oxford setting and drawn to the enigmatic vampire Matthew Clairmont. Harkness’s blend of scholarly detail and spellbinding fantasy left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in this bewitching trilogy.