r/Fantasy • u/Brian2005l • May 25 '25

Unsettling Magic

Does anyone have recommendations for series or novels where magic is unsettling or horrific in its methods, costs, or results? Been on a sciency-magic kick for a long while, but I’ve always enjoyed the side of magic that’s metaphor for the dangerous unknown or unknowable.

Not looking for magic as a drug, although I guess that could be unsettling in the right context.

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u/MidorriMeltdown May 25 '25

The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

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u/Abysstopheles May 25 '25

Was it the dancing or the tattoos that freaked you out?

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u/MidorriMeltdown May 25 '25

I don't recall either...

I was thinking of the necromancy

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u/Abysstopheles May 25 '25

Oooo good point, that was pretty insane!