I recently downloaded TikTok for product research and I stumbled upon a creator recommending 'dark fantasy' books. 'These are the top 10 dark fantasy books that got me HOOKED!', her video said.
Now, when I say 'dark fantasy', I think of dystopian, gothic, horror novels. Think HP Lovecraft.
I saved her video so I have a reference for my next Kindle and bookstore haul.
Friday comes and I decide to go through her list to pick out books I'd like to buy. On top of her list was 'Den of Vipers'. Snakes, alright, cool. Not my cup of tea but let's read the synopsis anyway.
Hard pass.
Next was 'Credence'. Another hard pass. 'Haunting Adeline' 'Birthday Girl'.
I was so confused because these books do not seem like 'dark fantasy' to me. I checked her videos and other creators' videos' comments, and realised 'dark fantasy' is apparently smutty books with dark tones. I was completely gobsmacked. I thought dark fantasy was sorcerers and monsters. What genre was I looking for, then?! Are they in the same genre?
I learned my lesson to just stick to getting my recommendations here. The last time I asked, I got phenomenal recos. Please drop your favourite dark fantasy books, if any! Not the smutty ones. Nothing wrong with 'em! I'm just not into them.
by wandababyyy