What are the characteristics of dark fantssy novels?

Sure. 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin has elements of dark fantasy. It's full of political intrigue, complex characters, and a rather dark view of the world. There's also 'The Witcher' series by Andrzej Sapkowski, which follows Geralt of Rivia in a dark and monster - filled world. Another one is 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. It blends mythology and modern - day America in a rather dark and thought - provoking way.

Characteristics? Firstly, the dark fae are usually depicted as having a different set of values compared to humans. Their sense of right and wrong is often skewed. In many of these novels, the dark fae live in a hierarchical society with strict rules and power dynamics. The stories often revolve around a human getting caught up in the dark fae world, like in 'Shadowfell'. There is also a sense of danger throughout the story. The dark fae can use their magic in ways that are harmful to humans or other beings. The overall atmosphere in dark fae novels is usually tense and filled with a sense of foreboding.

They usually deal with disturbing themes. Such as violence, manipulation, and psychological abuse. In 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', the story revolves around a mother trying to come to terms with her son's violent actions. It makes readers confront the darker aspects of parenting and human nature.

Most of them contain elements of the supernatural or the unknown. In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the transformation between the two personalities is a supernatural concept. And they tend to make the reader question the fundamental aspects of human existence and society, like in 'Heart of Darkness' which makes one think about colonialism and the human psyche.

One characteristic is the use of the desert setting to create a sense of isolation. In a desert, characters are often far from civilization, which heightens the feeling of being alone and vulnerable. For example, in 'Blood Meridian', the vast and unforgiving desert makes the characters' situation more dire.

Dark mm novels often have complex female characters. They might be dealing with trauma, inner demons, or difficult relationships. For example, in 'We Were Liars', the female protagonist has to face the consequences of her family's secrets and her own actions.

One characteristic is the morally ambiguous characters. In dark wuxia novels, characters may not be clearly good or bad. For example, a character might kill for what he believes is a just cause, but his methods are very cruel.

Typically, 'dark templar novels' often feature a lot of mystery. Since the dark templar themselves are a somewhat enigmatic group, the novels usually revolve around uncovering their secrets.

Dark Japanese novels usually contain deep - seated emotional turmoil within the characters. They often face inner demons that are a result of their past traumas or the society they live in. The language used can be quite evocative, painting a vivid picture of the darkness. Take 'The Devotion of Suspect X' where the language helps to build up the intensity of the complex relationship between the characters. These novels also tend to have unexpected plot twists. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a dark turn. It keeps the readers on their toes and makes them question what they thought they knew about the characters and the situation.

Well, one characteristic is that they subvert the traditional fairytale narrative. Instead of a simple good - vs - evil story, they might show that good can have a dark side and evil can be more complex. The use of grotesque and disturbing imagery is also common. Think of the witches in some dark fairytale novels, with their wrinkled skin, long nails, and evil spells. Also, these novels often explore the darker aspects of human nature, such as greed, envy, and revenge. And they can be set in alternative or distorted versions of familiar fairytale worlds, which adds to the sense of unease and the feeling that things are not as they should be.