im looking for book recs that hit that sweet spot of grimdark without being soul-crushingly depressing. I want worlds that are harsh and dangerous where bad things genuinely happen, but people still have hope and reasons to keep going. Not interested in relentless misery, more like the darkness makes the warmth and loyalty between characters feel earned and meaningful.(although with that being said, id love it if the characters/world is really put through the wringer)
i'm especially interested in books with gods who actually have personalities and relationships (not just distant cosmic forces), non-human races that feel like real cultures with their own values and problems, and magic that comes with serious risks or costs. I love worlds that feel lived-in, where you can tell the author thought about how things actually work day-to-day.
by LordofSnails