Some of the top ones include 'Berserk' by Kentaro Miura. It's a dark and gritty manga that follows the story of Guts, a lone swordsman in a world full of demons and dark magic. 'Bloodborne' has an amazing dark fantasy lore. The story is set in a Gothic - like world filled with grotesque monsters and a deep, dark mystery about the origin of the blood and the city. 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker is a classic. It introduced one of the most iconic vampires in literature and has a very dark and eerie atmosphere.
One of the best is 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman. It weaves a complex tapestry of dreams, nightmares, and the supernatural. Another great one is 'American Gods' also by Gaiman, which explores the idea of old gods living in modern America. And then there's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R. R. Martin. It has a richly detailed world filled with political intrigue, magic, and dark elements.
One of the best is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a disturbing tale that blurs the line between reality and madness. The main character's descent into psychological turmoil while being confined in a room with the titular wallpaper is both haunting and thought - provoking.
One of the best dark stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is driven mad by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye and eventually murders him. He then hears the heart still beating under the floorboards, which drives him to confess.
Well, 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman is an excellent dark fantasy novel. It blends mythology from different cultures into a modern - day story. Then there's 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King. This series is a blend of horror, fantasy, and western elements, following the gunslinger on his quest. And 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson is also a top choice. It has a unique magic system and a world full of political unrest and dark secrets.
I think 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman is a top dark fantasy novel. It blends modern American life with ancient mythologies in a really interesting way. The characters are diverse and the plot is full of twists. 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson is also a great choice. The magic system in it is unique and the story is set in a post - apocalyptic world full of political unrest. Then there's 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch. It has a great anti - hero in Locke and a city full of danger and mystery.
One great 'dark somnium story' could be 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. It's a disturbing tale about a woman's descent into madness while confined in a room. The dark and oppressive atmosphere, along with the psychological breakdown of the protagonist, makes it a classic in the realm of dark stories. Another could be Poe's 'The Tell - Tale Heart', with its exploration of guilt and madness, and the narrator's dark obsession.
Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado' is among the best. It's a tale of revenge where the narrator lures his so - called friend into the catacombs under the pretext of tasting a rare wine. He then walls his friend up alive, which is a very dark and disturbing plot. 'The Masque of the Red Death' is also a great one. It shows how death is inescapable even for the wealthy and privileged as they try to hide from the plague in their abbey, but death still finds them in the form of a mysterious figure.
One of the best dark love stories is 'Wuthering Heights'. The love between Heathcliff and Catherine is intense and dark. Heathcliff's love turns into a form of revenge after Catherine's marriage. It shows how love can be twisted by social class differences and personal pride.
Some good ones include 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King. It's a blend of western and dark fantasy elements. The Gunslinger's journey through a desolate and often terrifying landscape is full of dark and strange encounters. 'Alice in Wonderland' can also be seen as a dark fantasy. The original story has a lot of elements that are quite dark and surreal, with Alice facing all sorts of strange and often menacing creatures in her journey through Wonderland.
One of the well - known best dark romance stories is 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë. It has a complex and somewhat dark love story between Heathcliff and Catherine. Their passion is intense, but filled with jealousy, revenge, and a sense of the supernatural in the moors that surround their homes. Another great one could be 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. The relationship between Nick and Amy is extremely dark and twisted. Amy sets up an elaborate scheme to punish Nick, and their marriage is full of lies and manipulation which makes it a very dark take on modern - day relationships. Then there is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë, where the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester has elements of darkness. Rochester has a dark secret in his attic which throws their relationship into turmoil.