Match BookDark books
Some readers want a book that goes somewhere difficult and doesn't look away. Dark books do that in every genre — war fantasy, bleak literary fiction, crime that stays with you.
Everything here reads as dark overall. Each book also shows its ending style, if you'd like to know in advance whether it lets you up for air at the end.
184 books, best known first. New to the dimensions? Here's what each one means.
1984George Orwellscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
A Clash of KingsGeorge R.R. Martinfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
A Dance with DragonsGeorge R.R. Martinfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
A Storm of SwordsGeorge R.R. Martinfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending- BlindnessJosé Saramagoclassics · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
Dark PlacesGillian Flynnthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Fahrenheit 451Ray Bradburyscience fiction · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceJ.K. Rowlingfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
ManacledSenLinYufantasy · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending- NeuromancerWilliam Gibsonscience fiction · dark · fast paced · ambiguous ending
The Final EmpireBrandon Sandersonfantasy · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Handmaid’s TaleMargaret Atwoodscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The Secret HistoryDonna Tarttliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · dark ending
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Leeclassics · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
WatchmenAlan Moorescience fiction · dark · moderate · dark ending- Witcher Saga,8 Books Collection Set,the Last WishAndrzej Sapkowskifantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- A Time of DreadJohn Gwynnefantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
AlchemisedSenLinYufantasy · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
American GodsNeil Gaimanfantasy · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance--A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black PowerDanielle L. McGuirenarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
Atlas ShruggedAyn Randclassics · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- Bastard Out of CarolinaDorothy Allisonliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · bittersweet ending
Before Women Had WingsConnie May Fowlerliterary fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the WestCormac McCarthyclassics · dark · slow burn · dark ending
- Blood SongAnthony Ryanfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
BrimstoneDouglas Prestonthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Cemetery DanceDouglas Prestonmystery · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
City of Endless NightDouglas Prestonthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
City of StairsRobert Jackson Bennettfantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- ConfessionsKanae Minatomystery · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Daisy DarkerAlice Feeneythriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Darkly Dreaming DexterJeff Lindsaythriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Darling GirlsSally Hepworththriller · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
Dearly Devoted DexterJeff Lindsaythriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- DemonsFyodor Dostoevskyclassics · dark · slow burn · dark ending
- FledglingOctavia E. Butlerscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
Future Home of the Living GodLouise Erdrichscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
Gardens of the MoonSteven Eriksonfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
Gideon the NinthTamsyn Muirfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
Green River, Running RedAnn Rulenarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · dark ending
Half a KingJoe Abercrombiefantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending- Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of AmericaSarah Kendziornarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
His Last BowArthur Conan Doylemystery · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
I, RobotIsaac Asimovscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for MenCaroline Criado Péreznarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Long Bright RiverLiz Mooremystery · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain HookChristina Henryhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male AmericaIjeoma Oluonarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- My Absolute DarlingGabriel Tallentliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · dark ending
- Night of the GrizzliesJack Olsennarrative nonfiction · dark · fast paced · dark ending
- North American Lake MonstersNathan Ballingrudhorror · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Notes from UndergroundFyodor Dostoevskyclassics · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- On the Genealogy of MoralsFriedrich Nietzschenarrative nonfiction · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
Pretty GirlsKarin Slaughterthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending- Prince of ThornsMark Lawrencefantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
SadieCourtney Summersyoung adult · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Sharp ObjectsGillian Flynnthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending- Simple Sabotage Field ManualU.S. Office of Strategic Servicesnarrative nonfiction · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Still Life With CrowsDouglas Prestonthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
SunshineRobin McKinleyfantasy · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending- The AlienistCaleb Carrhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
The Black PrismBrent Weeksfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The Blade ItselfJoe Abercrombiefantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
The Bone SeasonSamantha Shannonfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending- The Book of AccidentsChuck Wendighorror · dark · fast paced · ambiguous ending
The book of MPeng Shepherdscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- The BreachNick Cutterhorror · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The Burning GodR. F. Kuangfantasy · dark · fast paced · dark ending- The Case of Mary Bell: A Portrait of a Child Who MurderedGitta Serenynarrative nonfiction · dark · slow burn · bittersweet ending
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated AmericaRichard Rothsteinnarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- The DoriansNick Cutterhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Dragon RepublicR. F. Kuangfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The Drowning PoolRoss Macdonaldmystery · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Feast of All SaintsAnne Ricehistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The fifth childDoris Lessingliterary fiction · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Fifth SeasonN. K. Jemisinfantasy · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending
The FountainheadAyn Randliterary fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The Glass KeyDashiell Hammettmystery · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending
The Hundred Thousand KingdomsN. K. Jemisinfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger endingThe Kingdom of GodsN. K. Jemisinfantasy · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
The Kitchen HouseKathleen Grissomhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Last GraduateNaomi Novikfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending- The Manningtree WitchesA.K. Blakemorehistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Mother-in-LawSally Hepworththriller · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
The Obelisk GateN. K. Jemisinfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The Other PeopleC. J. Tudorthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The PaperboyPete Dextermystery · dark · moderate · dark ending
The PoetMichael Connellymystery · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The Poppy WarR. F. Kuangfantasy · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The PowerNaomi Aldermanscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The RoadCormac McCarthyscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The Sign of FourArthur Conan Doylemystery · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending- The Spirit Bares Its TeethAndrew Joseph Whiteyoung adult · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- The StrangerAlbert Camusclassics · dark · slow burn · dark ending
The Way of ShadowsBrent Weeksfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The WhispersAshley Audrainliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
The Wolf and the WoodsmanAva Reidfantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
Things We Do in the DarkJennifer Hillierthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Verses for the DeadDouglas Prestonthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- VictimsJonathan Kellermanmystery · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
- WeYevgeny Zamyatinscience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBIRobert K. Resslermemoir · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
Zoo CityLauren Beukesscience fiction · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending- A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal MindAnn Wolbert Burgessmemoir · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
Any ManAmber Tamblynthriller · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
Black SunRebecca Roanhorsefantasy · dark · fast paced · ambiguous ending- Burn It Down!: Feminist Manifestos for the RevolutionBreanne Fahsnarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- ChimeraRob Thurmanfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
Company of LiarsKaren Maitlandhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Dead IronDevon Monkfantasy · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
- Den of VipersK.A. Knightromance · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Elder RaceAdrian Tchaikovskyscience fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- FirewalkersAdrian Tchaikovskyscience fiction · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Half a WarJoe Abercrombiefantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
Half the WorldJoe Abercrombiefantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Hearts of Darkness: Serial Killers, the Behavioral Science Unit, and My Life as a Woman in the FBIJana Monroememoir · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- Maeve FlyC.J. Leedehorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
- ManhuntGretchen Felker-Martinhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Mistress of the Art of DeathAriana Franklinhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending- Of Cattle and MenAna Paula Maialiterary fiction · dark · slow burn · dark ending
Phantom LimbLucinda Berryhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
Ring ShoutP. Djèlí Clarkhorror · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- SineaterElizabeth Massiehorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
Strange Sally DiamondLiz Nugentmystery · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Tell Me I’m WorthlessAlison Rumfitthorror · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- The Bass RockEvie Wyldliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
The beast must dieCecil Day-Lewismystery · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The BeesLaline Paullcontemporary fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Book of JoanLidia Yuknavitchscience fiction · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending
The Book of the Unnamed MidwifeMeg Elisonscience fiction · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Broken OnesSarah A. Denzilthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The Butcher and the WrenAlaina Urquhartthriller · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Crow GirlErik Axl Sundmystery · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
The darkest secretAlex Marwoodthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending- The Devil You KnowMike Careyfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending
The Doll FactoryElizabeth Macnealhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · dark ending- The Field of WrongdoingLili St. Germainromance · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Folding KnifeK. J. Parkerfantasy · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Hero of AgesBrandon Sandersonfantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The House of Shattered WingsAliette de Bodardfantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Last Days of New ParisChina Miévillefantasy · dark · fast paced · bittersweet ending
The Last: A NovelHanna Jamesonscience fiction · dark · fast paced · dark ending- The Lost BoyJulia Derekthriller · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The mirror empireKameron Hurleyfantasy · dark · moderate · dark ending- The Poison GardenAlex Marwoodthriller · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Price of SpringDaniel Abrahamfantasy · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
The Quarry GirlsJess Loureyhistorical fiction · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Roanoke girlsAmy Engelcontemporary fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Ruin of KingsJenn Lyonsfantasy · dark · moderate · cliffhanger ending- The Speed QueenStewart O'Nanliterary fiction · dark · moderate · dark ending
- The Traitor Baru CormorantSeth Dickinsonfantasy · dark · moderate · dark ending
The unitNinni Holmqvistscience fiction · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Water KnifePaolo Bacigalupiscience fiction · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The weight of bloodLaura McHughthriller · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Wise WomanPhilippa Gregoryhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Witch's HeartGenevieve Gornichecfantasy · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Three Sisters in BlackNorman J. Zieroldbiography · dark · moderate · dark ending
- Uncultured: A MemoirDaniella Mestyanek Youngmemoir · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- Under the BladeMatt Serafinihorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
- UndoneRachel Cainehistorical fiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
We Are All the Same in the DarkJulia Heaberlinmystery · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for BoysErin Kimmerlenarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Where the Devil BelongsJim Clementenarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- AsunderKerstin Hallfantasy · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- Blood NightJonathan Danielhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Bone HouseBetsy Tobinhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- Buried Women SpeakMia Fallernarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Clytemnestra's BindSusan C. Wilsonhistorical fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Galloway's GospelSam Rebeleinhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
- How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing WomenZoe Venditozzinarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- Lost Ark DreamingSuyi Davies Okungbowascience fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Magnetized: Conversations with a Serial KillerCarlos Busquednarrative nonfiction · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- MagnusGeorge Mackay Brownhistorical fiction · dark · slow burn · dark ending
- Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent PastSteve Benennarrative nonfiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Perfume & PainAnna Dorncontemporary fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
Perv - A Love StoryJerry Stahlliterary fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- ScrawlMark Shulmanyoung adult · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending
- Stab the RabbitShane McKenziehorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
The Boatman's DaughterAndy Davidsonliterary fiction · dark · moderate · bittersweet ending- The Daughter of Doctor MoreauSilvia Moreno-Garciahistorical fiction · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The Paper WaspLauren Acamporathriller · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending- We Ate the DarkMallory Pearsonhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
- When Angels BleedJohn Ashleyhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
Why the Tree Loves the AxJim Lewisliterary fiction · dark · slow burn · ambiguous ending
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