Dark age fiction books often have a setting in a primitive or less - civilized era. There is usually a sense of danger and unpredictability. For example, in 'The Lord of the Rings', the characters face many threats from the dark forces.
Dark age fiction books may also have a focus on survival. Characters in such books are often trying to survive in a harsh world. In 'Beowulf', Beowulf has to fight monsters to protect his people and ensure their survival in that dangerous 'dark age' world.
They frequently involve elements like superstition and magic. In 'The Witcher' books, magic is an important part of the world, and there are many creatures born out of magic or superstition. Also, power struggles are common. In 'Game of Thrones', different families fight for the Iron Throne, which is a key aspect of the dark age - like setting.
Middle age fiction books often have strong religious undertones as Christianity was very influential at that time. For example, many stories were used to teach moral lessons based on religious beliefs.
The characters often face challenges related to survival. They have to deal with harsh weather, find food in a scarce environment, and protect themselves from ice - age predators. For instance, in 'The Clan of the Cave Bear', the main character has to adapt to a new tribe and survive in the ice - age wilderness.
They often focus on survival. In stone age fiction, characters are constantly battling the elements, finding food and shelter, like in 'Clan of the Cave Bear'.
Well, one characteristic is the detailed description of a harsh and primitive living environment. In the dark ages, life was tough, and this is reflected in the novels. There's often a focus on the social hierarchy, which was very rigid during that time. Also, the themes of survival and the fight against the unknown are common. Characters are constantly trying to survive in a world full of threats, like invasions, famines, and plagues. And the language used may be more archaic or formal, to give the feel of the era.
Dark horror fiction books often feature elements like the supernatural. For example, ghosts, demons, or vampires. They also tend to have a sense of dread and unease throughout the story. Characters are usually in some sort of peril, either physically or mentally.
Dark occult fiction books often deal with the supernatural. They may involve things like magic, demons, and the undead. For example, in books about vampires, like 'Dracula', the vampire's powers are part of the occult elements. Another characteristic is a sense of mystery. The stories usually have a lot of secrets and hidden knowledge that the characters are trying to uncover.
Dark humor fiction books often deal with serious or disturbing topics in a humorous way. For example, they might make jokes about death, war, or social problems. They tend to have a sense of the absurd, where normal rules and expectations are turned on their head. The characters in these books are often flawed or in extreme situations that are both comical and sad at the same time.
Horror fiction dark books usually have a spooky atmosphere. This can be created through detailed descriptions of gloomy settings, such as the haunted house in 'Hell House'. They also tend to play on our fears, whether it's the fear of death, the supernatural, or the breakdown of sanity. In 'The Exorcist', the idea of a young girl being possessed by a demon really taps into our fear of the unknown spiritual forces. Moreover, these books might have unreliable narrators, which adds to the sense of unease and mystery, as in 'House of Leaves' where the narrator's own state of mind is in question.
Dark romance books often have complex characters. For example, the male lead might be brooding and have a troubled past, like in many vampire romance novels. The settings can be gloomy, such as an old, haunted mansion or a post - apocalyptic world. And the relationships are intense, not the typical sweet love. There's often a sense of danger and mystery in the relationship.
Good dark fiction books often have a sense of foreboding. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', there's this constant feeling that something bad is about to happen. They also usually deal with complex and often disturbing themes like death, the human psyche, or the supernatural. The settings are often isolated or spooky, like the castle in 'Dracula'.