This article contains mentions of violence and assault.
There are plenty offantasybooks that blend horror, adventure, and romance into their plots, but when revenge is added to the mix, it makes for an unforgettable story. When the protagonist of the book is ona single-minded quest for vengeance, it gives the narrative a sense of forward momentumthroughout the story’s major beats. This can result in an amazing payoff if the author provides enough subtle foreshadowing. Additionally, most of these novels touch upon important social and cultural themes, as the injustices done to the main characters are what spurs them into action.
Like many of thebest revenge movies of all time, these books are action-packed and full of unbelievable plot twists that leave audiences guessing until the very end.Playing the game of revenge is undeniably dangerous,and the characters often lose themselves as they sacrifice the ideals they were fighting for in favor of blood-soaked satisfaction. By incorporating these tales into fantastical legends and magical worlds, readers are transported to an escapist reality that provokes interesting questions about human nature. The justifications for the protagonists' actions become cloudy as these stories progress and hidden motivations come to light.
10Best Served Cold (2009)
Written by Joe Abercrombie
One ofJoe Abercrombie’s best books,Best Served Cold, is as revenge-driven as the name suggests.Following the tale of Monza Murcatto, a bloodthirsty mercenary who’s betrayed by her own employer, Murcatto soon proves just how much of a mistake it was to double-cross her. However, the odds are undoubtedly stacked against her, as the man she’s tracking down is a powerful Duke who’s sent his own envoy after her. Additionally, the people on Murcatto’s side are a ragtag crew of unlikely allies, but they’re all she has.
Even as her quest takes her to dangerous and unexpected places, Murcatto holds fast to her desire for vengeance.
Set in the same universe as Abercrombie’s belovedFirst Lawseries,Best Served Colddoesn’t lose any of the drama and action that made the original trilogy so instantly readable. Known for imbuing plenty of violence and shock factor into his writing, Abercrombie doesn’t hold back with the blood-soakedBest Served Cold, and Murcatto is a delightfully resourceful and single-minded character to follow into the heat of battle. Even as her quest takes her to dangerous and unexpected places, Murcatto holds fast to her desire for vengeance.
9Iron Widow (2021)
Written by Xiran Jay Zhao
The deadly and topicalIron Widow, the debut novel by the author Xiran Jay Zhao,is a sharp and critical exploration of the history of misogyny in both real and fantasy worlds. Zetian, the main character, willingly joins the ranks of the concubine pilots inIron Widow, a group of young women typically forced into military service that kills them. However, Zetian will not let herself be overtaken by the very men who caused her sister’s death and plans on taking plenty of them down with her.
Set in a fictionalized science-fantasy version of medieval China called Huaxia,Iron Widowsees Zetian rise through the ranks of the military order and discover how deeply the corruption goes and how far she must take her quest to end the sacrifice and abuse of women in the country. Along the way, she falls in love and discovers that avenging her sister is far from the only thing she must accomplish. The incredible twist in the final moments of the story puts even more pressure on Zetian to put aside her personal desires and put humanity first.
8Prince Of Thorns (2011)
Written by Mark Lawrence
The first installment of Mark Lawrence’sThe Broken Empireseries,Prince of Thorns, is not for everyone. It should be noted thatthere are many intense and upsetting scenes throughout the book.There’s no question whyPrince of Thornsis such a polarizing novel, and while it’s well-written and Lawrence uses the story’s pacing to his benefit, this doesn’t change that some fantasy fans aren’t looking for a narrative this grim. While revenge stories tend to lean into dark territory,Prince of Thornstakes this to the next level.
Being aware of this content before picking upPrince of Thornsallows audiences to decide if they want to grapple with these tough themes and if that’s the kind of revenge story they’re looking for.
There are descriptions of sexual assault and violence throughoutPrince of Thorns, and the protagonist is not one that the reader will see as any type of hero or want to root for. Being aware of this content before picking upPrince of Thornsallows audiences to decide if they want to grapple with these tough themes and if that’s the kind of revenge story they’re looking for. Similar to thebest grimdark fantasy book serieslikeA Song of Ice and Fire,Prince of Thornsputs the characters and audience through a lot.
7Red Rising (2014)
Written by Pierce Brown
When Darrow, the protagonist ofRed Rising, discovers the terrible secret at the heart of his society: that he and those in his caste have been tricked and exploited for generations, he takes matters into his own hands. InRed Rising,Darrow decides that he isn’t going to sit by and let the upper classes profit off his laboranymore, and joins a secret rebellion that has him infiltrate the highest level of society as a Gold. His original status might have been the low red, but Darrow is trained to pass as Gold.
Using their resources and knowledge, Darrow finds ways to open cracks in the totalitarian regime. Since Darrow is young when the book starts,Red Risingis a little more geared toward a young adult audience,but it’s rich and complex enough to draw in readers of all ages. The school for Golds that Darrow must involve himself in holds many new friends and treacherous enemies, but Darrow sees through their tricks. His early loss and incredible sacrifice won’t let the perks of Gold life cloud his judgment.
6Vicious (2013)
Written by V.E. Schwab
V.E. Schwab is well known for her contributions to the fantasy genre, and herVillainsseries is one of her most underrated projects to date. The first book in the series,Vicious, is an interesting take on the superhero genre,which has become so prevalent in recent years. For the characters inVicious, these epic abilities aren’t always used for good. In fact, the two main characters, Eli and Victor, aren’t afraid to use them for evil, selfish purposes.
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Eli and Victor are on opposite sides inVicious, even though they began as close and cunning friends. However, betrayal and sacrifice estranged them and changed how the other viewed the world and whether others should have access to power.There’s little better than a tale of frenemies who have a sordid past,and Schwab knows how to milk this dynamic for all its worth. The follow-up novel,Vengeful, continues down the path of wrathful vengeance thatViciousso brilliantly starts.
5The Rage Of Dragons (2017)
Written by Evan Winter
Evan Winter’s debut novel,The Rage of Dragons, sees how war, even in fantasy, will change the course of someone’s lifeforever. The protagonist, Tau, isn’t the typical chosen one as he doesn’t possess the militaristic gifts that connect people with dragons or give them incredible strength. However, he’s fueled by something deeper and darker: the knowledge that the life and family he should’ve had were ripped from him and that the people who did this are still out there.
The Rage of Dragonsis agreat fantasy book not set in Western Europethat seamlessly integrates a romance angle and a gripping revenge plot without missing a beat.It’s no secret thatThe Rage of Dragonshas been cited as one of the best fantasy books of the 21st centuryand should be getting the same level of recognition as other contemporary works. When readers pick upThe Rage of Dragons, they’ll get lost in Tau’s intricate world and wonder how they ever survived without it.
4Nevernight (2016)
Written by Jay Kristoff
Mia Corvere, the protagonist ofNevernight, must always sleep with one eye open. Not only is she part of a deadly ring of assassins, butshe is also being hunted by the government that her father tried to overthrow.Nevernightsees Mia enter a school for these assassins full of the deadliest young people she’s ever encountered. She must find a way to fight her way to the top or never get the chance to take her revenge on the corrupt government her father saw through.
Mia is a great protagonist because she has a dark past and isn’t afraid to let this influence her to take control of her destiny.
Jay Kristoff’sThe Nevernight Chronicleseries kicks off withNevernightand follows the familiar YA trajectory of seeing a young hero, or in this case, an anti-hero, enter a brutal competition to reach their ultimate goal. Mia is a great protagonist because she has a dark past and isn’t afraid to let this influence her to take control of her destiny. It helps thatMia has a unique gift that allows her to manipulate shadows,giving her an edge against her opponents among the assassins as well as her high-powered enemies.
3Jade City (2017)
Written by Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee’sThe Green Bone Sagaintertwines crime, revenge, and fantasyin its sweeping narrative that centers on the powerful Kaul clan and their enemies. The premise relies on the special powers that the jade stones give to those with the tolerance to wield them. Full of complex politics and corrupt leaders,Jade Cityreceived praise from readers and critics alike for its engaging story and epic scope. There are many overlapping storylines between the members of the rival clans and their quests for revenge and recognition.
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While there’s plenty of outright action inJade City, there are also subtle shifts in power through conversationsand resource building that tie into who will come out on top by the story’s end. The remaining books in the series expand upon the groundwork laid byJade Cityand touch upon new corners of the island where the Kauls are fighting off their enemies for power. Though the Kauls are far from perfect, they’re an intelligent and compelling group to follow to the end ofJade City.
2The Beautiful Ones (2017)
Written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Written by the author ofMexican Gothic,The Beautiful Onesincorporates telekinesis into its tragic tale of romance,betrayal, and the confines of high society. The young psychic, Nina, thinks her prayers have been answered when Hector Auvray appears, as he shares her gift and offers the chance to learn to use it. However, Hector is not quite who he seems to be, and his hidden connection with one of Nina’s relatives complicates her budding feelings for him and her tenuous place in society.
One of the best parts ofThe Beautiful Onesis seeing Nina’s evolution as a character and witnessing her leave behind the childlike innocence she had at the beginning of the novel while still retaining her sense of self.
One of the best parts ofThe Beautiful Onesis seeing Nina’s evolution as a character and witnessing her leave behind the childlike innocence she had at the beginning of the novel while still retaining her sense of self. Silvia Moreno-Garcia brings the world of Loisail to life with grace and skill, making it easy to see why Nina was initially so desperate to find her place there. However, Nina’s journey doesn’t begin and end with the petty jealousies of those around her, andshe comes to define herself and her power on her own terms.
1The Traitor Baru Cormorant (2015)
Written by Seth Dickinson
Drawing comparisons to classic epic revenge stories likeThe Count of Monte Cristo,The Traitor Baru Cormorantis a test of patience for the reader and the protagonist, Baru. Combining elements of science fiction into itsfantasyworld,The Traitor Baru Cormorantsees Baru climb the ranks of the very empire that destroyed her lifeso she can one day eviscerate the Masquerade, the imperial republic that invaded. She uses her immense intelligence and eerie knowledge of manipulation to undermine the government. Baru might have a worthy moral quest, but she quickly succumbs to the singularity of her missions.
The author, Seth Dickinson, pushes the concept of revenge to its limits inThe Traitor Baru Cormorant, unafraid to show how love, empathy, and personal connections are only a liability when it comes to power and influence. The twist ending of the book will leave readers shocked and devastated, but this is part of why the novel has garnered a loyal following. In conversation with the terrors and dangers of totalitarian regimes and how to organize a rebellion,The Traitor Baru Cormorantis a must-read for fans of the genre.
