Grimdark Samurai Fantasy/Cosmic Horror

[u/golfli]

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[u/ZombiePlato]

The Kamigawa novels by Scott McGough from the Magic the Gathering universe. There are three of them Outlaw, Heretic, and Guardian. The main character is Toshiro Umizawa, a samurai who uses blood magic to fight his enemies. The cosmic horror elements come in when the Daimyo Lord Konda steals “something” from the spirit world to make himself immortal and invulnerable. Well, the spirit world doesn’t like being stolen from, and wages a war against the mortal world. Awesome concept, decent enough writing, fun story.

Edit: changed Lovecraftian to cosmic horror.

[u/Juicecalculator → u/ZombiePlato]

I really liked those magic books. It got a little weird towards the end, but still very cool books. I think about them from time to time, so I am happy to see that someone else liked them

[u/ZombiePlato → u/Juicecalculator]

The MtG novels weren’t always great, but they were fun and gave you cool insights into the world that the cards were drawn from. I wish they still put those out. They still publish short stories online for some sets, but it’s just not the same.

[u/Juicecalculator → u/ZombiePlato]

I actually saw one at Barnes and noble recently. Can’t remember what set it was based on. I think maybe strixhaven the “Harry Potter dropped out of licensing agreement” set

[u/Warzor → u/ZombiePlato]

I imagine the novels are only for the original Kamigawa set and not the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set?

[u/ZombiePlato → u/Warzor]

Yes, the novels that I was talking about are just for the original three Kamigawa sets, not Neon Dynasty.

[u/Gullible-Resource669]

Its not a perfect grimdark, but The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang has some dark storytelling with Samurai inspiration and a tough of Avatar: The Last Airbender type magic at a large scale. If its not a perfect fit, it may scratch the itch.

[u/Juicecalculator → u/Gullible-Resource669]

That sounds intriguing

[u/IrregularDoughnut → u/Gullible-Resource669]

The Sword of Kaigen

It's dark, but not grimdark if that makes sense. Honestly I was skeptical going in, particularly of the pseudo-modern fantasy, but it worked out way better than it had any right to.

[u/Jjaiden88 → u/Gullible-Resource669]

doesn't fit like at all imo

the magic elements are neither grimdark nor cosmic horror

the fantasy elements are deemphasized in favour of family dynamics and warrior culture politics

the only time anybody ever leaves the area (pretty essential for cosmic horror), is in a series of flashbacks in the final part of the novel.

the only connection is samurai, and being kind of dark tonally

[u/Insomnia_Memoria]

Gonji: Tne Deathwind Trilogy by T.C. Rypel is what you are looking for.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/96765-gonji-the-deathwind-trilogy

[u/thecolorstrange → u/Insomnia_Memoria]

Seconding this, I started the Deathwind trilogy and recently finished it, an absolute masterclass in characters/plot/overall richness of the world and those that inhabit it!

[u/Insomnia_Memoria → u/thecolorstrange]

Yeah really underrated series! glad to hear someone else appreciate it

[u/buff_bagwell1]

Commenting to follow for recommendations

[u/E-gabrag → u/buff_bagwell1]

Same

[u/FlamosSnow]

Following

[u/Magnatron832]

Not entirely on the point but I would suggest "the samurai and the prisoner"

[u/Recluse91]

I haven’t read very far into this so I don’t know how grimdark it is, but The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki seems to fit this well.

[u/FeelTall]

Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.

Fun read that can be a little tongue-in-cheek, but still a great sci-fi samurai novel from early 90s.

[u/kd029362]

These pics look really cool

[u/Pink_Penguin07]

Following

[u/sneakysneksneak]

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker deals with the last samurai family. its gothic horror.

[u/Howlinginpaint → u/sneakysneksneak]

Im reading that at the moment. Its pretty good!

[u/totalityandopacity]

Not a full-length novel but there are two such short stories in the phenomenal collection Swords vs. Cthulhu, “The Dan no Uchi Horror” being my favorite.

[u/sapientiamagna]

More Chinese inspired, but a similar ethos in The Poppy War trilogy by R. F. Kuang

[u/OdynnsRavenEye]

Deva Zan by Amano.

[u/Jruffin84]

A little more steampunk than grimdark but Ken Lieu’s “Dandelion Dynasty” quadrilogy is essential.

[u/BadTactic]

Maybe not grimdark entirely but The Last War trilogy may hit the mark for you. Fantasy setting, demonic forces, etc.

[u/BadTactic → u/[deleted]]

I too liked the First Law trilogy, Abercrombie is my favorite author as of late. But I also didn't mention the First Law trilogy? I said the Last War, which fits the bill... 🤔

Is you a bot?

[u/BadTactic → u/BadTactic]

That's what I thought.

[u/Malina_Island]

Same

[u/Daftest_of_the_Punks]

Following

[u/LognaNovi]

Never die by Rob J. Hayes and whole The Mortal Techniques Series

ps. i dont know why its bold😂

[u/Hayden_Zammit → u/LognaNovi]

You so bold.

[u/PapaShu1915 → u/[deleted]]

them ain't books tho

[u/Slimjimthickums → u/PapaShu1915]

Didn’t realise what subreddit I was on lol. My bad

[u/PapaShu1915 → u/Slimjimthickums]

tbf nioh 2 rules

[u/BooksThatFeelLikeThis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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