What are some good gritty fantasy novels?

The 'Black Company' series by Glen Cook is among the best gritty fantasy. It focuses on a group of mercenaries and shows the gritty reality of their lives, from fighting in wars to dealing with the politics and power struggles around them. The series has a very down - to - earth and often dark view of the fantasy world. Also, 'Gardens of the Moon' by Steven Erikson, which is the first book in 'The Malazan Book of the Fallen' series, is a great example. It has a complex world - building and characters who are often faced with difficult and gritty situations in a world full of magic and mystery.

One of the best is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It's filled with complex characters, political intrigue, and a dark, brutal world where no one is truly safe. Another great one is 'The First Law' trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. It has morally grey characters and a lot of gritty, violent action. Also, 'The Witcher' series by Andrzej Sapkowski is excellent. It follows Geralt, a monster hunter in a world full of dark magic and dangerous creatures.

One of the best gritty novels is 'The Outsiders' by S. E. Hinton. It shows the tough life of teenage gangs and the class struggles they face. Another great one is 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess. It has a very gritty and disturbing look at youth violence and society's attempts to control it. And 'Trainspotting' by Irvine Welsh is also a top choice. It dives deep into the lives of drug addicts in a raw and unflinching way.

Some gritty fiction books worth checking out are 'Trainspotting' by Irvine Welsh. It's a gritty look at the lives of drug addicts in Scotland. 'The Outsider' by Stephen King is also quite gritty. It combines elements of horror and mystery in a very real - world setting. Then there's 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath, which is a semi - autobiographical novel that doesn't shy away from the difficult topics of mental illness and the female experience in a somewhat gritty fashion.

One popular gritty fiction novel is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. It presents a post - apocalyptic world in a very harsh and unflinching way. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which delves into the dark and complex relationship between its characters with a lot of psychological grit. 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis is also well - known for its gritty portrayal of the main character's disturbing psyche.

One of the best gritty graphic novels is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It's a complex and dark exploration of superheroes in a more realistic and often cynical world. The art style and the deep, multi - layered story make it a classic in the genre.

One popular gritty mystery novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a dark and complex plot filled with mystery and a very gritty atmosphere. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which is full of twists and turns and a rather seedy underbelly to the story. And 'Sin City' by Frank Miller is also a great example. It's set in a very rough and unforgiving world.

A more contemporary example might be 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. While it's not as dark as some, it still deals with the real and gritty aspects of young love in the face of mortality. The characters have to deal with illness, loss, and the imperfect nature of their relationship.

One popular gritty crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a dark and complex plot filled with disturbing crimes and a brooding atmosphere. Another is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis, which delves into the mind of a deranged serial killer in a very gritty and unflinching way. And 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn also has elements of a gritty crime story, with its complex characters and a plot full of twists and turns.

One classic gritty spy novel is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a great example as it shows the dark and morally ambiguous world of espionage. Another is 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' also by le Carré, which delves deep into the complex web of Cold War intelligence. And then there's 'Red Sparrow' by Jason Matthews, which is full of intrigue and danger in the world of spies.