C.T. Phipps Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 This is the thread for talking about our favorite grimdark authors, what the term "grimdark" means to us, recommending grimdark novels and series, as well as talking about what you like to see in your favorite grimdark works. For me, I had a couple of articles published on the subject of grimdark online:The Appeal of Grimdark The Underbelly of Dreams I'm also a big fan of grimdark because, well, I'm on the Song of Ice and Fire boards. My favorite "Second" Grimdark series, though, is THE WITCHER series. The Last WishThe Sword of DestinyBlood of ElvesTime Of Contempt I'm also a big fan of Rob J. Hayes THE TIES THAT BIND. The Heresy WithinThe Color of VengeanceThe Price of Faith I'm actually pretty lacking in a few areas of my grimdark fascination as I've yet to read Mark Lawrence's PRINCE OF THORNS series and am less caught up on my Abercrombie than I should be. I tend to think of Sword and Sorcery as the antecedent for modern day grimdark, though. I tend to think of it only in the context of science fiction (Warhammer 40K) and fantasy, though, I believe it can theoretically apply to any genre as I've had both ESOTERRORISM and THE RULES OF SUPERVILLAINY described as grimdark despite the sense of humor in both. I also recommend people who love online Ezines to pick up Grimdark Magazine. I've enjoyed all four of the issues released so far. Grimdark Magazine So, what are your favorite grimdark series? Why do you like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuncle Stark Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Grimdark is great, thanks be to GRRM for starting the trend! I didn't know the Witcher series was considered grimdark, although having read it I suppose it is pretty grim, and dark. Now Prince of Thorns... wow is that ever Grimdark haha. Had troubled reading the start because it was so hardcore, but got totally hooked after getting used to Jorg and his little band of killers odd charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Writhen Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Grimme Darke™. Can be a meta character or something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 GRRM didn't start shit. Good god, Glen Cook, Donaldson, Kurtz, a million others. I'll be in my room crying now. Also I only read the first witcher, but no way in hell were those stories grim or dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Writhen Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 So its Dark Fantasy combined with a visceral aptitude. The author wants to make the characters live and breathe...but the only problem is that they are confronted by almost insurmountable odds... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Writhen Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Very interesting but I couldn't read that whole wall of text. How is catharsis impossible in a nihilistic world? Temporary catharsis is... On a side note, I wonder if they have GRRM tell the slain character actors lawl... "Yeah, um...about the penultimate episode this season..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 I think Grimdark's relationship with George R.R. Martin is that our beloved board icon is so very GOOD at deconstructing traditional fantasy tropes and assumptions. There's still good and evil in the setting but it can be very muddled and ambiguous given how things have turned out for even characters like Jon and Daeny. Of course, I don't think Grimdark needs to be a setting where there's no catharsis whatsoever but is mostly a way of achieving PERSONAL victories over societal ones. To make an example, killing the Freys wouldn't do anything to make the situation in Westeros better but, at least, a lot of audience members would be happy. THE GENTLEMAN BASTARD series doesn't have Locke make the world a better place but he makes the world a lot worse for some very specific asshats. As for the Witcher? Honestly, after The Last Witch and Sword of Destiny, it is some of the DARKEST fiction I have ever read. It just gets worse and worse right up until the end. Grimdark, A Matter of Perspective In Defense of Grimdark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Well I'm waiting for sword of destiny to hit the U.S. Finally this fall, so you may be correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Well I'm waiting for sword of destiny to hit the U.S. Finally this fall, so you may be correct. Sword of Destiny has been out for months now. It dropped in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Writhen Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Witcher series is really good, eh? Never read it. I'll have to look it up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Sword of Destiny has been out for months now. It dropped in May. Amazon and Barnes both say December 1st 2015. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Anybody get off on grimlark? It's all the new rage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgambino Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Amazon and Barnes both say December 1st 2015. The e-book was released already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 The e-book was released already. I know, because I bought, read, and reviewed it. http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Destiny-Witcher-Andrzej-Sapkowski/dp/0316389706/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1437696798&sr=8-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Uh, that link says the item will be released on December 1st 2015. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.T. Phipps Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Sorry, meant to go with the Kindle. But yeah, I heartily recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all swedes are racist Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Anybody get off on grimlark? It's all the new rage. I find myself drawn to the primdark camp myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Marquis de Leech Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 GRRM didn't start shit. Good god, Glen Cook, Donaldson, Kurtz, a million others. I'll be in my room crying now. Donaldson's Gap series makes Martin look like Disney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unJon Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Donaldson's Gap series makes Martin look like Disney. QFT. Also Lies of Locke Lamorra is not Grimdark. It's plot points and tone actually follow very closely The Sting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I love me some Martin, obviously, but the idea that he somehow invented grimdark (which is a stupid term but is here to stay) drives me bananas. Same with the idea that when GoT first came out it suddenly magically showed up everywhere. People tend to forget the first book wasn't exactly a huge omfg mega hit. Is Lynch really considered grimdark? I can't keep track these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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