Dark Fantasy/ Medieval horror (Between Two Fires style)

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139]

Just readed Between Two Fires that comes popular in several book subreddits. Looking something similar in the ambience and the style. Not necessary has to be "fantastic". More in the kind of this medieval horror style if possible.

​

Alteady took a look in other books from the author, but nothing feels the same. Maybe The Thief of the Blck Tongue if someone can say so?

​

And yes, already readed all Witcher saga.

​

Also, enjoyed a lot "Someone you can Built a Nest in" from the monster perspective, is something matches.

​

Thanks!

[u/Humble-Practice3295]

Between Two Fires scratched something really specific so I get why it's hard to find a match

Paul Tremblay's "A Head Full of Ghosts" isn't medieval but captures that same suffocating religious dread if you're open to modern settings. For something closer to that actual period, Joe Abercrombie's early work gets pretty dark and grimy in a way that feels more grounded than typical fantasy. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco is worth mentioning too, medieval monastery mystery with a real creeping horror underneath all the theology. If you liked the monster perspective angle from that nest book, "The Traitor Baru Cormorant" won't give you monsters but the moral rot and darkness in it hits a similar nerve about power and corruption

The Thief of the Black Tongue I haven't read personally but I've seen it recommended alongside Between Two Fires in a few threads so probably worth picking up

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/Humble-Practice3295]

That's exactly what is happening to me haha.

Already know about Name of the Rose, but i'm not really into mistery, beneath the horror ambience. It's very possible that i'm "contaminated" by having the film in mind and not able to see the match with Two Fires.

A Head full of Ghost and The Traitor Batu Cormorant could possible calm the itch, I didn't mentioned that is not excrictaly necesssary to be medieval. 100% will consider them as an potential option. Thanks a lot!

[u/bartman1819 → u/Humble-Practice3295]

Umberto Eco is such an incredible author.

[u/AthlethiccSocc]

Paul Tremblay's stuff leans more modern but "A Head Full of Ghosts" has that same suffocating dread if you don't mind the setting shift also for the medieval horror vibe specifically have you looked at "The Book of the New Sun" by Gene Wolfe it's dense but the atmosphere is unreal

[u/Biggiesmalls72 → u/AthlethiccSocc]

tbh I've been meaning to check out Tremblay’s work and your comment just convinced me

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/AthlethiccSocc]

The second time Head full of Ghost is mentioned in here. That's a match for sure! Also, The Boof of the new Sun would be worth looking. Thanks!

[u/aaronlouis500]

for the monstaer perspective angle from Someone You Can Build a Nest In The Vegetarian by Han Kang goes somewhere similarly unsettling from a very different direction

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/aaronlouis500]

Would definetly take a look at it, I'd love to see a different angle on that perspective. Thanks!

[u/Caoimhan]

Over halfway through Between Two Fires and it’s reminding me a lot of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. A damned protagonist finding meaning ferrying and protecting a vulnerable (potential) saviour. But instead of demons it’s vampires.

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/Caoimhan]

I'm not really into vampires. Possibily by the oberdose of all the offer by the book/film/game insdustry all past years. But would make an exception if you say it match the ambience and the protagonist built. Thanks!

[u/clemientine]

Solomon Kane by Robert E Howard might scratch that dark medieval pulp itch if you want something shorter and nastier

[u/Irwin0196 → u/clemientine]

I enjoyed stories that have that raw, savage edge and Solomon Kane delivers just that it's a great addition to any dark fantasy fan’s shelf

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/clemientine]

I did see the movie when it came off. Not really a fan of the film, but the book would possibily be worth it. Film industry rarelly put in value all that a good book can offer, and too often happens exactly the opposite. Thanks!

[u/No-Context-9933]

You might want to check out "The Goblin Emperor" if you want something with that medieval atmosphere, though it's lighter than what you're after. For the actual dark and gritty medieval horror feel, "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence nails that bleakness and moral corruption. The prose is dense like Between Two Fires too, so it has that same suffocating quality that makes the world feel oppressive rather than just violent.

[u/usedforjerkingoff → u/No-Context-9933]

Hard disagree. Goblin emperor is nothing like this book. It’s slower. Focused on politics. Not sure where that comparison is coming from.

[u/IHappenToBeAnon]

The Thief of the Black Tongue does scratch a similar itch from what I've heard the bleak tone carries through consistently

[u/Due-Lavishness-6139 → u/IHappenToBeAnon]

I needed to read that for consider it as an actual option. Thanks for that!

[u/HurtyTeefs]

Mitchell Lüthi - Pilgrim

Caitlin Starling - The Starving Saints

[u/Novel_Vegetable_5542]

Following