Indulge with these Dark Fantasy Darlings

Dark fantasy titles give us delectable secondary worlds we’re more than happy to get lost in. A shadowy reflection of the people and places we recognize, these worlds are hidden away in the dark or on the fringe, accessible only by those eager enough to go looking.

They might be dreamscapes or parallel dimensions. Some titles in this subgenre might take place entirely in a character’s mind. Like gothic fantasy, dark fantasy might flirt with horror tropes. But where a gothic horror title might give us a hero stalked and victimized by dark, magical forces, the protagonists of dark fantasy are often themselves deeply connected to the supernatural world.

One of dark fantasy’s most famous writers is Stephen King — and The Dark Tower series is considered by many to be his masterpiece.

“The Man in Black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed.” So begins this incredible nine-title saga that offers us a dark reflection of the classic fantasy story, turning it on its head. It’s an epic of Arthurian proportions, but its modern-day duelling knights are nothing like what you’d expect. They are lost souls in search of a holy grail they can never obtain. The series remains so powerful with listeners because of its evocative setting, its enigmatic characters and its reversal of typical fantasy stereotypes.

In the world of dark fantasy, it’s impossible to mention Stephen King without also mentioning another master of the form, Neil Gaiman, who King himself has called “a treasure house” of fantasy literature. A master of weaving the surreal and dreamlike with the everyday, Gaiman excels at creating worlds that seem eerily similar to our own, but hide a dark side.

Gaiman has written a number of dark fantasy staples in his career, including his ambitious take on world mythology, American Gods.

And now an Audible Original production of his wildly popular graphic novel, The Sandman.

Equal parts a subversion of classic comic book tropes and a deep exploration of mythological structures, this Audible Original production features a cast of more than 30 voice actors, including James McAvoy and Kat Dennings and is the first time this incredible work has been told in the audio medium.

A classic updated for modern enjoyment, this new foray into audio storytelling is the perfect title to indulge in. And if you like what you hear, there are so many more dark fantasy titles to discover at Audible.

Embrace the Shadows with Gothic Fantasy

Gothic fantasy contains classic fantasy tropes of monsters and castles but adds a sophisticated yet sinister twist, offering up anti-heroes whose actions we might find distasteful, but who nevertheless draw us in with their charm.

The subgenre has been around since the days of Count Dracula, but more recent explorations — such as Anne Rice’s wildly popular series The Vampire Chronicles — trade in the castle for the penthouse and dress the vampires in tight jeans and leather jackets.

Gothic fantasy is about the fear of decay, the dread of watching things crumble into ruin. Ancient cities and family dynasties can turn to rubble, but for the vampires and other monsters in these contemporary gothic stories, that dread is even more real as their bodies often decay and die if they can’t find sustenance.

If you’re looking for a partner in the dance macabre, you can do no better than Lestat — Anne Rice’s favourite protagonist, who first appeared in Interview with the Vampire. Start there and see where the shadows take you.

So, if you’ve just put the kids down and are looking for a little adult escapism, or you want some company on a quiet night in, why not dim the lights, pour a glass of red and enjoy some of the best in grown-up fantasy titles available from Audible.

With our library of more than 450,000 titles, you can feed your fantasy craving or find the best sci-fi audiobooks if you’re looking for something a little different.

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