Best Dark Fantasy Books December 2024

Our Dark Duet

In this gripping sequel, Kate Harker and August Flynn find themselves on opposite sides of a war that has left their city in ruins. As monsters born from violence roam the streets, Kate becomes a ruthless hunter while August struggles with his own inner darkness. Their paths collide once more, forcing them to confront not only each other but also the shadows within themselves. Schwab’s masterful storytelling weaves a tale of redemption, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil, leaving readers breathless until the very last page.

The Unbound

Kell Maresh, the last of the Antari blood magicians, struggles to adjust to his new life in Red London. Haunted by the events of the past, he grapples with his growing powers and the weight of responsibility. Meanwhile, Lila Bard, the cunning thief from Grey London, embarks on a perilous journey to prove her worth as a magician. As dark forces gather and ancient magic awakens, Kell and Lila must confront their deepest fears and make impossible choices. A spellbinding tale of adventure, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between hero and villain.

The Archived

Mackenzie Bishop’s world is filled with secrets and shadows. As a Keeper, she’s tasked with returning the restless dead to their eternal sleep in the Archive. But when her little brother dies and her family moves to the Coronado, an old hotel turned apartment building, Mac’s carefully ordered life begins to unravel. Strange disturbances in the Archive and mysterious deaths in the Coronado force her to confront long-buried truths about her past and the nature of the Archive itself. With time running out and danger closing in, Mac must decide who to trust and what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the living and the dead.

The Near Witch

In a village where wind whispers secrets and shadows dance, Lexi has always been drawn to the eerie legend of the Near Witch. When children start vanishing, suspicion falls on a mysterious stranger. But Lexi sees beyond fear, sensing a connection to the enigmatic boy. As she unravels the truth, she discovers a world where magic thrums beneath the surface, and love blooms in the most unexpected places. Schwab’s haunting prose weaves a spellbinding tale that lingers long after the last page.

Rule of Wolves

Leigh Bardugo’s “Rule of Wolves” plunges readers back into the Grishaverse, where danger lurks in every shadow. As war looms, Nikolai Lantsov fights to save his country and his soul, while Nina Zenik seeks vengeance for her fallen love. The stakes have never been higher, and alliances shift like sand. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late, completely enthralled by Bardugo’s masterful storytelling and complex characters. A thrilling, emotional rollercoaster that left me craving more.

King of Scars

I found myself utterly captivated by Leigh Bardugo’s “King of Scars.” This gripping tale follows Nikolai Lantsov, the young king of Ravka, as he grapples with dark magic threatening to consume him. Bardugo’s masterful world-building and complex characters drew me in from the first page. The way she weaves political intrigue with supernatural elements is simply mesmerizing. I couldn’t put it down, staying up far too late just to see what would happen next. A must-read for fantasy lovers!

Crooked Kingdom

Kaz Brekker’s crew barely escaped with their lives after pulling off a daring heist in the impenetrable Ice Court. Now, they’re back in Ketterdam, nursing wounds and facing impossible odds. With powerful enemies closing in, Kaz must devise a scheme to outwit them all. As loyalties are tested and old wounds reopened, the gang fights not just for revenge, but for their very survival. Bardugo’s gritty, fast-paced sequel plunges readers into a world of intrigue, where every alliance is fragile and every victory comes at a cost.

Shadow and Bone

Alina Starkov’s ordinary life is shattered when her hidden power awakens, thrusting her into the lavish world of the magical elite. As she struggles to hone her newfound abilities, dark forces conspire against her. Caught between loyalty and love, Alina must unravel the secrets of her past to save her country from the Shadow Fold. Bardugo’s richly imagined Grishaverse comes alive with intrigue, romance, and heart-stopping action that kept me turning pages late into the night.

Ninth House

Galaxy “Alex” Stern never expected to be offered a full ride to Yale. But when she wakes up in a hospital bed—the sole survivor of a multiple homicide—everything changes. Alex is tasked with monitoring Yale’s secret societies, where the future elite engage in sinister occult practices. As she delves deeper into this shadowy world, Alex uncovers a dark conspiracy that threatens everything she holds dear. Bardugo’s adult debut is a gritty, haunting tale that blends the supernatural with real-world issues, creating a gripping narrative that will keep you up at night.

City of Ghosts

Cassidy Blake’s life changed forever when she nearly drowned. Now, she can see ghosts and cross into the spirit world. When her parents, paranormal investigators, take her to haunted Edinburgh, Cassidy discovers a city teeming with restless spirits. As she unravels a centuries-old mystery, she realizes her gift might be both a blessing and a curse. With her ghostly best friend Jacob by her side, Cassidy must face her fears and confront a powerful entity threatening the living and the dead alike.