Books like 'The Shadow'
Readers who enjoyed The Shadow by Jeff Gunzel also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy high fantasy dark fantasy horror assassins dark epic sword-sorcery political-intrigue
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The God is Not Willing by Steven Erikson
15 ratingsMany years have passed since three Teblor warriors brought carnage and chaos to the small lakeside settlement of Silver Lake. While the town has recovered, the legacy of that past horror remains, even if the Teblor tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. One of those three, Karsa Orlong, is now deemed to be a god, albeit an indifferent one... -
Reign of Madness by Kel Kade
25 ratingsThe mysterious, indomitable warrior? Ruthless criminal overlord? The Riel’gesh – mythical demigod? Dedicated friend and protector? Equipped with skills far beyond those of the outworlders, Rezkin has been suddenly thrust into a foreign world. The young warrior clings his only known purpose as he continues his search for any information about his identity and the reason for his existence...Categorized as:
assassins dark epic political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure anti-hero audiobook -
Deadhouse Landing by Ian C. Esslemont
17 ratingsAfter the disappointments of Li Heng, Dancer and Kellanved wash up on a small insignificant island named Malaz. Immediately, of course, Kellanved plans to take it over. To do so they join forces with a small band of Napans who have fled a civil war on their own home island... -
Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont
19 ratingsTaking Malazan fans back to that troubled continent's turbulent early history. The opening chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's epic new fantasy sequence, the Path to Ascendancy trilogy.For ages warfare has crippled the continent as minor city states, baronies, and principalities fought in an endless round of hostilities... -
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Kingdoms and Chaos by Kel Kade
19 ratingsThe future of the Ashaiian haven, the newly founded Kingdom of Cael, is anything but secured. Rezkin must seek recognition from the King of Gendishen if his people are to maintain possession of their island home and the enchanted secret it contains. In an unexpected twist, events overtake Rezkin, and he is thrust into a frustrating adventure to seek a worthless prize...Categorized as:
assassins dark epic political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure audiobook book -
Dreams Made Flesh by Anne Bishop
25 ratingsReturn to the realm of the Blood in Dreams Made Flesh—featuring four revelatory all-new adventures of Jaenelle and her kindred….Jaenelle is the most powerful Witch ever known, centuries of hopes and dreams made flesh at last...Categorized as:
assassins dark epic political-intrigue action-adventure anthologies audiobook dark-fantasy -
Blood of Empire by Brian McClellan
19 ratingsAs the final battle approaches a sellsword, a spy, and a general must find unlikely and dangerous allies in order to turn the tides of war in this epic fantasy tale of magic and gunpowder by acclaimed author Brian McClellan... -
The Forgotten Faithful by Jez Cajiao
12 ratingsThings are looking up for Jax, more or less, He’s met a cool girl (Who’s a wisp), got some new friends (Who’re Dwarves and Cat people and Elves and all sorts), and started a war… (Whoops!)That last one might not be the best idea he’s had yet, admittedly, but the guy was an ass, and he deserved it...Categorized as:
assassins dark epic political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure adult audiobook -
The Queen's Weapons by Anne Bishop
14 ratingsEnter the dark and sensual realms of the Black Jewels, a world where power always has a price, in this sweeping story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga. They are Warlord Princes, men born to serve and protect. They are the Queen's Weapons, men born to destroy the Queen's enemies--no matter what face that enemy wears... -
Crowfall by Ed McDonald
14 ratingsCrowfall is a gritty epic fantasy for fans of Mark Lawrence, Scott Lynch and Daniel Polansky.'Dark, twisty and excellent . . . Grimdark with heart' Mark LawrenceA sorceress cataclysm has hit the Range, the final defensive line between the Republic and the immortal Deep Kings... -
The Warring Son by Bryce O'Connor
14 ratings**Book 2 in the Top 10 Bestselling Epic Fantasy series on Amazon** Raz i'Syul Arro is a hunted man. To the south, the Mahsadën of Miropa are gone. The šef lay dead, slain at Raz's own hands, their cruel will ripped from the shadows of the city... -
Midnight Sun: The Complete Stories of Kane by Karl Edward Wagner
6 ratingsMidnight Sun is the companion volume to Gods in Darkness, and collects all of the Kane short stories and poetry. The Complete Stories of Kane... -
Gods in Darkness: The Complete Novels of Kane by Karl Edward Wagner
6 ratingsKane An immortal, cursed to wander the Earth until he is destroyed by the violence that he himself has created. A warrior and statesman: As comfortable in the shadowy halls of courtly intrigue as he is on the bloody battlefields where those intrigue's inevitably play themselves out... -
Skulduggery 4 by Logan Jacobs
6 ratingsBuilding a Criminal EmpireLord of the Rings + Breaking Bad + The Sopranos = Skulduggery With each rival my syndicate eliminates two more appear, and they are out for blood. The assassin’s guild, the dwarven miners, and the elven overlords are all looking to put our heads on a pike... -
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Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider
6 ratingsThey took it all: his will, his memories, his freedom, his magic. Imprisoned by his enemies, tortured and drugged to keep his magic suppressed, Ian Troy returns to a world as marred and broken as he is. Ravaged by the reign of her new High King, Draken of Langor, Mirra’kelan’s citizens live in fear. The Shinree, misled by Jem Reth’s promises, are no longer slaves, but they are far from free... -
Queen of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin
6 ratingsHer life burned to ashes. Her city under siege. She will sacrifice everything she has for bloody vengeance.Ilanna has lost everything: her friends, her home, her family, her dreams of freedom. All that remains is a burning desire to find the bastards who burned down her city and tried to kill her.But a traitor hides among the ranks of the Night Guild, poisoning her friends and allies with lies... -
Ghost in the Mask by Jonathan Moeller
8 ratingsCaina Amalas is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through cunning and valor she has cast down both proud lords and mighty sorcerers. But a power darker than any she has ever faced is awakening...Categorized as:
assassins dark epic political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure audiobook book -
Dawn of the Exile by Mitchell Hogan
8 ratingsFor the damned, redemption may be just a mad dream…Years have passed since the demon Tarrik and his master, the sorcerer Ren, destroyed the servants of Samal and suppressed the very essence of the vile lord. The cost was greater than even a demon could have imagined. But in the realms of demons and humans, no evil can be fully controlled, and no one’s true fate can be foretold. Including Tarrik’s... -
The Hindering Ones by Mike Truk
8 ratingsMy name's Noah Kilmartin. I'm from Ruddock, Ohio, and I'm about 85% unqualified to save the universe from the slavering demonic hordes of the super evil bitch queen Lilith.But I haven't failed yet.Somehow I've passed the five trials, accumulated a team of powerful companions, and made it through the portal into Ghogiel... -
City of Daggers by Scott Straughan
10 ratingsThe lawless North is changing. The strongest bandits have begun claiming territory for themselves, and there is only so much to go around. The spectre of violence hangs heavy over the land. Daggerpoint is a hive of villainy and evil, ruled by no one. Thugs and murderers roam the streets, where anything is available for the right price, even the darkest of secrets and most dangerous of magics...Categorized as:
assassins dark political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure adult anti-hero book -
Nightblade's Honor by Ryan Kirk
10 ratingsIn the riveting sequel to Nightblade’s Vengeance, the nightblades must choose a side, and the Kingdom will either rise again… or shatter into pieces.With the realm on the brink of war, the once-celebrated blades have become an easy target for the rage of its devastated citizens... -
The Free Bastards by Jonathan French
10 ratingsThe long-awaited war has come in the sweeping conclusion to the Lot Lands trilogy--another irresistibly swashbuckling, swaggering, foul-mouthed fantasy.The long-awaited war has come in the sweeping conclusion to the Lot Lands trilogy--another irresistibly swashbuckling, swaggering, foul-mouthed fantasy... -
God of Broken Things by Cameron Johnston
10 ratingsAn outcast magician must risk his body and mind to save the world from horrifying demons, in the heart-pounding epic fantasy sequel to The Traitor God.Tyrant magus Edrin Walker destroyed the monster sent by the Skallgrim, but not before it laid waste to Setharis, and infested their magical elite with mind-controlling parasites... -
Idols Fall by Mike Shel
10 ratings“AT LONG LAST, EVEN GODS WILL KNOW REGRET…”Agnes Manteo now bears her father’s sentient Djao sword, along with a terrible revelation—the gods are charlatans, ancient sorcerers who draw their strength from the suffering of humanity. She and her Syraeic companions have but one duty: to track down those pretenders and end their reign of cruelty and lies, no matter the cost... -
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The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
11 ratingsThe Justice of Kings, the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy, follows the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. As he unravels a web of secrets and lies, Vonvalt discovers a plot that might destroy his order once and for all – and bring down the entire Empire. As an Emperor's Justice, Sir Konrad Vonvalt always has the last word... -
Road Brothers by Mark Lawrence
12 ratingsA volume of short stories by the bestselling author of THE BROKEN EMPIRE series, Mark Lawrence.An extended version of the earlier collection of the same title - 50% longer.This is a collection of fourteen stories of murder, mayhem, pathos, and philosophy, all set in the world of the Broken Empire... -
The Thief Who Wasn't There by Michael McClung
12 ratingsBellarius, saved from utter destruction, is now plunged into vicious civil war. Amra has vanished, and while Holgren has a plan to find her and bring her back, his plan teeters between impossibility and insanity... -
Aching God by Mike Shel
14 ratings“Closer, mortal. You are here, finally, to feed the Aching God…” The days of adventure are passed for Auric Manteo. Retired to the countryside and isolated with his scars and riches, he no longer delves into forbidden ruins seeking dark wisdom and treasure. But just as old nightmares begin plaguing his sleep, he receives an urgent summons back to that old life... -
Gotrek & Felix: The First Omnibus by William King
14 ratingsGotrek the dwarf trollslayer and his companion Felix are Black Library's most popular fantasy duo. This omnibus edition gives readers a unique opportunity to enjoy their first three adventures through the haunted forests, mountains and castles of the grim Warhammer world... -
Subversion by Mitchell Hogan
6 ratingsA corrupted power stirs from beyond the grave.The Necromancer Queen will rise again.Sent with a contingent of knights to reinforce the Thousand Lakes Kingdom against the aggression of the normally peaceable Soreshi, Anskar DeVantte learns that the Necromancer Queen Talia’s reach is longer than he could have believed... -
Ghost in the Maze by Jonathan Moeller
6 ratingsCaina Amalas is a Ghost circlemaster, leader of the Emperor's spies in Istarinmul. Yet the people of Istarinmul know her as the Balarigar, the daring master thief who challenged the corrupt lords and cruel princes of the city. And now Grand Master Callatas, the most powerful sorcerer of Istarinmul, wants her dead, and without allies Caina will not survive... -
Thief of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin
6 ratingsThe impossible becomes inevitable with the fate of her loved ones hanging in the balance…A cunning thief of unrivaled ingenuity, Ilanna is determined to secure her freedom at any cost. No price is too high to break the shackles of the Night Guild's callous cruelty.With her future on the line, nothing will stand in her way, not even the most powerful man in Praamis, Duke Phonnis... -
Legacy of Light by Matthew Ward
6 ratingsWarfare, myth and magic collide in Legacy of Light, the spectacular conclusion to Matthew Ward's acclaimed Legacy trilogy.For the first time in many years, the Tressian Republic and the Hadari Empire are at peace. But war never sleeps.In Tregard, Empress Melanna Saranal struggles to protect a throne won at great cost... -
Evil Overlord: The Makening by Michael McClung
6 ratingsIf evil was easy, everybody would be doing it, and there would be more Dark Lords running around than you could shake a stick at. But the road to Utter Domination isn't easy, smooth or straight, as the boy who will one day become Gar the Pitiless will discover. He may one day rise to rule all he surveys - but first he'll have to survive a world that seems bent on his destruction...Categorized as:
assassins dark political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure adult anti-hero book -
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A Bloody Road by Scott Straughan
6 ratingsThe war between savage bandit lords continues, and the stage is set for murder and betrayal. After his defeat in Daggerpoint, Werrick personally leads his forces into battle against Herad. The victor will be able to claim the vast North as their own and crown themselves its first king. While only a painful death awaits the loser and all who follow them...Categorized as:
assassins dark political-intrigue sword-sorcery action-adventure adult anti-hero book -
Shadow of the Lantern Bearer by Chris R. Underwood
6 ratingsMagic is a disease. It spreads like a plague and drives the infected mad with power.Death is the only cure.Seventeen-year-old Kole Felmen is destined for a life spent executing infected sorcerers and disposing of their tainted remains.But his first execution ends in disaster... -
Those Brave, Foolish Souls from the City of Swords by Benedict Patrick
6 ratingsDon't draw your blade in the City of Swords, unless you're willing to kill… or ready to die.Young and filled with idealistic fervor, Arturo packs his blade and travels to the fabled City of Swords in the hopes of joining the dashing Bravadori. Yet upon arriving he discovers these masked vigilantes have more in common with brutal thugs than noble monster slayers... -
Queen of the Night by Craig Schaefer
6 ratingsIt all ends here. It ends as Livia Serafini returns to her homeland with an army at her back, an exiled refugee turned ruthless conqueror, bringing war and witchcraft to any who dare stand in her way... -
Legacy of Ghosts by Alicia Wanstall-Burke
6 ratingsFour years have passed since Lidan’s world was ripped apart, and time is running out to change her father’s mind about the succession before the bargain with her mother expires... -
The Broken God by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan
8 ratingsDark gods and dangerous magic clash in this third book of Gareth Hanrahan's acclaimed epic fantasy series, The Black Iron Legacy. Enter a city of dragons and darkness... The Godswar has come to Guerdon, dividing the city between three occupying powers. A fragile armistice holds back the gods, but other dangerous forces seek to exert their influence... -
The Blind Dragon: A Tale from the Canon of Tarn by Peter Fane
8 ratings"There we are," Anna whispered. The dragon foal went still at her voice. Then it snorted and swiveled its snout towards her. Its eyes were still shut. Its tail quivered and its nostrils flared. A menacing growl rose from its chest. "Easy there," Anna said gently. "Easy." She placed her palm on its forehead, applying calm pressure between its eyes... -
The Pillars of Sand by Mark T. Barnes, Nick Podehl
8 ratingsThe epic conclusion of the Echoes of Empire trilogy.Prophecy declared that corrupt politician Corajidin would rule the Shrīanese Federation, even become its new Emperor and sinister magic has helped him defy death in order to do it. But his victory is not assured, thanks to clashing rival factions that hinder any attempts to unify the nation... -
Child of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin
8 ratingsThey killed her family. They ripped apart her home. But to repay her debts, she'll have to sacrifice her innocence. Robbed of everything she loves, Viola mourns the sudden loss of her mother. Now burdened with an impossible debt to the Night Guild, she’s forced to train as a cunning thief... -
The Blackest Heart by Brian Lee Durfee
8 ratingsGladiator. Assassin. Thief. Princess. And the Slave. The Five Warrior Angels have been revealed, one by one the mystical weapons they once wielded are being found, and an ancient prophecy is finally being fulfilled. Or is it? For when it comes to recorded history, much is intended to manipulate and deceive... -
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Fallen Sepulchre by J.D. Franx
8 ratingsWarning: 18+ Only. Contains scenes of an adult nature. Threatened by an Elloryan invasion reinforced by the Ancients, the sanctuary Ember and Max sought in DormaSai after Kael’s burial is at its end. A civil war rages in Cethos, and the threat of Wildland tribal attacks in the Blood Kingoms is imminent... -
Brunner the Bounty Hunter by C.L. Werner
8 ratingsOmnibus edition collecting all three novels in the Brunner the Bounty Hunter series. Dark and savage tales set in the world of Warhammer, by author C.L. Werner... -
Bloodstorm by Dan Abnett, Mike Lee
10 ratingsPossessed by the foul daemon Tz'arkan, the ruthless dark elf anti-hero Malus Darkblade is forced to seek a number of magic artefacts or his soul will be forfeit. He will have to call on all his cunning and dark wits to survive a magic labyrinth and defeat its fearsome guardian... -
Darkblade Outcast by Andy Peloquin
10 ratingsCan a killer escape the evil inside him?The Hunter has fled his home and the suffering left in his wake. Hoping to cleanse the stain of blood on his hands, he aids travelers beset by bandits only to discover those he saved are warrior clerics on a holy mission to kill him... -
The Prison of Angels by David Dalglish
10 ratings"This world is not safe. Your angels have done great things, but I fear their illusion of safety has been more damaging than they can possibly understand. The ancient evils may be gone, but new ones have replaced them."----Five years have passed since the death of the war god, and now angels watch over the land. It should be a time of peace and prosperity. It is not... -
Desolation by Megg Jensen
10 ratingsTressa's army won the battle, but at a terrible cost. So many lives lost. So many lovers torn asunder. And that was just the beginning. An ancient beast rumbles beneath the Dragonlands, thirsting for blood. Dragon blood. Setting aside her heartbreak, Tressa ventures beyond the Dragonlands to the mysterious realm of Desolation, searching for allies and answers...
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